morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-21
To: Final Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well, I made it home on the hound and just like that this adventure is over. I met alot of great folks along the way and saw some wonderful sights. Extremely tough trail but it's prepared me mentally for anything I decide to hike in the future. Thanks for following along, your encouragement and also your feedback. I've started my CDT journal and added the gear I ended the AT with and also some upgrades so just click the CDT tab then the gear link on the left. I had a request for it and also my meals during the hike. Breakfast:Pop tart - Oatmeal - cereal & powdered milk - Instant coffee & Whey (Rocket Fuel)Morning Snack:Nuts - peanut butter & tortilla, I'd eat a jar of peanut butter every 4 days - Protein barLunch: tortilla, tuna, spam or Tyson chicken, cheese, mayo, M&Ms, crystal light, Pringles Dinner: rice or potatoes or pasta, tuna or spam or Tyson Chicken, hot sauce, peanut butter, crackers, cookies, whey protein.I ate a lot of the microwave rice because I could add water late afternoon and it would be ready when I stopped so I wouldn't need to cook. Stay tuned...the adventure continues next April on the CDT, I'm hoping to earn my triple crown..BestCoach
Date: 2016-09-27
To: Change of Plans
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

UPDATE¢¦ I hadn¢t planned on hiking the TA until after the CDT but when I got home, I started climbing the walls after a month so I decided to start it in October. The Visa process was simple and I had it within a couple of weeks via online. I¢m starting on the 14th of October from Cape Reinga heading south.My life changed completed after the PCT and again after the AT, I was bitten by the thru hiker bug and all I want to do now is hike long trails. Some of the greatest people I¢ve become friends with has been on the trail. My plan is to finish the TA and do a short stopover in Lodi to send my cold weather gear out then head to New Mexico to start the CDT. I¢ll be hiking for the next year and loving it.If anyone is interested in following along, the TA journal link is on the left...
From: Reunited Again

To: Gorham NH
Miles today: 0.0

It has been a wonderful long weekend. Because the motels were full in Lincoln we backtracked 45 miles to Gorham. Buffalo and I knew our way around and it we got the last rooms at the Royalty Inn. We went to North Conway to get me a new pack. My Golite was falling apart. Mark needed new clothes too. We acted like the rest of the tourists and went out for a big lunch at a brew pub. It was so cool to be normal again and just enjoy the day with the wife and freinds.On Sunday we drove north to Bethel Maine for a lobster lunch. How can you do better than Maine lobster in Maine? The girls had never neen to Maine before and it was only 20 miles away. Tomorrow the girls will drop us off at Kinsman Notch for the climb over Mooslauke. Can t wait to be done with the Whites! Texts from Gumby Bear tell us its much easier.on the other side.The girls will leave out of Boston for the flight home. Its been fun. We hipe to do this again soon.
Date: 2016-03-26
To: salisbury
Miles today: 0.0

Well. I'm still sitting here trying to figure out when I can leave. So much to do to close out the business and list the property. Hopefully much will be done this week. 34 Years working in one place has been a blessing. Two kids through college, house paid off, and just turned 63. Its never been good to go out of business but at least the timing was ok. I miss my co-workers every day. They were like family to me.Pictured is my son and his wife who did the trail in 2012. I never thought of the AT as anywhere I'd want to go. In my native New York the trail was always crowded and worn. I always liked the Adirondacks or the Catskills. The AT ran through neither. But these two really made the trail come alive for me.So here I wait. Soon we'll know when,.....BK
Date: 2016-03-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

There has been much trial and error on my equipment. I bought a Go Lite Jam 70 three years ago for a trek to Philmont. I was new to frameless packs after 25 years of backpacking and 5 treks to Philmont Scout Ranch. I worked hard at figuring out how to get the thing tight enough to be able to make the load lifters work. I wound up making a frame insert until it would handle the heavy loads that Philmont Scout Ranch demands. After a couple of years I found a Go Lite Quest 65 for $60.00. It stunk to high heaven but after some tips from Backpackinglight.com its cleaned up well and turned into a pretty good pack.My base weight in 2003 was 43 pounds. Yep that's right. No more 6 pound Kelty Redcloud. My Quest is 3 pounds. So many things I've learned since my kids did the Trail in 2012. Dumped my Whisperlite for an Etowah alchol stove. I now have an Xlite mattress and a Western Mountaineering Alpinlite bag. My army fieldjacket liner has been replaced with a Montbell puffy. With three days food and everything but water I was 23 pounds yesterday. It made the 17 miles through the Uhwarries a breeze.
Date: 2016-03-30
To: Smallsbury
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Good news today! My hiking partner in crime, MacMark got his approved health check today! Lots of bumps in the road lately, but now he's ready to go! We've logged probably over a thousand miles of scout hikes together in the last 12 years. We hike the same speed and the guy always has a smile on his face. We're ready to go. Just need the when and where!
Date: 2016-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Mark and I really wanted to go on a flip flop hike. That way we could choose to finish closer to home. But work has taken its time wrapping up and we both could use the income. So now we have to leave later. The week it takes to flip will put us into December. One direction will be the most efficient.I never wanted to join the big migration north. Its gotten way out of hand with the number of folks starting in March and April. Plus I love the fall. When my kids flipped in 2012 they got caught in a wicked snow storm from Hurricane Sandy. Two feet of snow threw them off a week. Either way, they enjoyed the solitude of empty shelters in November. Lets see if it works out.
Date: 2016-04-30
To: Montgomery and Randolph County North Carolina
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well we finally have a kickoff date, We will leave Katahdin on June 14th.Everything is set, all tickets bought, reservations at Baxter ready. Ever since last summer, I have been training on a new section of the Uwharrie Trail. Although the Uwharrie mountains aren't very big, if you take it the right way they will really work you out. By going over Dark Mountain, Little Long Mountain and King Mountain and coming back over them again you really get a good workout. When I started out we were doing 10 Mile sections but now we are up to 17 miles in 8 hours. Mark and I have been trying to do it every week and Mark continues to do it more times than that when possible. Yesterday got hot during the final ascent up dark mountain making it really tough. I think I got a little bit of heat exhaustion. This will be no comparison to the White Mountains of New Hampshire but at least it's a starting point. Mark and I have been to Philmont many times so we have crossed mountains over 12,000 feet tall and put in long miles. We've sectioned some of the AT near Roan Mountain and spent time in the Linville Gorge area. One of our toughest hikes has been on the Black Mountain Crest Trail coming up the back side of Celo Knob and going over Mount Mitchel.
Date: 2016-05-13
To: Jumping Off Rock
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

One of our crew leaders from 2013, Jacob joined us for our usual training hike on the UT. Jacob is a rising sophomore in college. He is going to be our first Rayado participant from Troop 442 in quite some time. Rayado is a challenge and leadership Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch that is three weeks long and probably 200 miles in length. He will see the entire Ranch in those weeks covering many many miles. The Rayado agenda is kept a secret. Rayado participants go on to become Philmont Rangers. They are known as "Rowdy Rangers". I am proud to say that my son Kurtis (Almost Eagle 2012) is a Rayado veteran and that our Troop will now have a third Rayado veteran.This weekend has been spent on logistics and food planning. It won't be long before we send our provisions. Mark and I are finishing up work.
Date: 2016-06-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Macmark sent me a photo of his boxes out for re-supply. His caption was "Its getting real now". Yup,...it is. Lots of time put into getting everything done before I go. Too much to talk about. But its the shaking of peoples hands and saying "See you in 6 months." that really brings it home.While training in the Uhwarries last week I ran into the Land Trust for Central NC's thru hiker event. Great folks that really care about the future of the Uhwarrie Forest. They had a local brewery donate some beverages and food was catered by a local outfitter for the hikers. They were having way too much fun. There I met a hiker my age who finished the AT in 2012. These are the words of wisdom he left me:1. Don't try to keep up with the kids. It'll kill you.2. Take lots of pictures of people. The views are great, but its the people you meet you want to remember.3.Like it says in the book, Appalachian Trials, write down the reasons you want to take on such a huge task. Its probably gonna suck more than it is going be great. You'll need that when you are shivering in the corner of a shelter He also told me the saying at the bottom of every journal I write about miles and smiles. In just a few moments a hiker who I never met before gave me advice to live by. Now I'm looking forward to more.
Date: 2016-06-11
From: salisbury

To: Millinocket, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Well we knew we had the right gate at the airport when all the passengers had coats and sweatshirts on. Waiting on the bus to take us to Medway where shuttle wil pick us up for the ride to Millinocket and Appalachian Trail Lodge. Day off tomorrow and climb Katahdin on Monday.Its been a long day but are excited to get started. Tough goodbyes to our wives and families.
Date: 2016-06-12
From: Millinocket, ME

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I've managed to make it sixty three years without spending a night in a hostel. Now it looks like I'll be spending few here in thr Appalachian Trailodge here in Millinocket. Some very bad weather has blown in with rain and high winds. Everybody is going to wait to summit Katahdin on Tuesday for safety's sake. One person here at the hostel took a good fall on the mountain on Wedneday and went home today. I haven't started yet we already have to add a day. Oh well, Mark and I have plenty of time to catch up
Date: 2016-06-13
From: Millinocket, ME

To: Katahdin Steam Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Trail names picked. Group is ready to go. We will summit Katahdin tommorrow. Every journey starts with the first step. Only we will climb 5,000 feet for 5miles and then come back down to camp at Katahdin Stream Campground. Once we are back we will be out of contact for several days. Weather is still crappy. High of 42 on the mountain. Some snow tonight. We just don't want to wait. Here goes nothing
Date: 2016-06-15
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Little Beaver Pond
Miles today: 17.7

LB here,Not very much cell service from the "defenders of the wilderness" as BK called themselves today!I was able to receive a quick phone call from BK, They chose to not stay at Hurd Brook Lean-to and hiked another mile and change to sleep at Little Beaver Pond.The guys are fighting black flies.BK can still see "that damn mountain" he climbed yesterday. "It's a love-hate relationship right now." He said. I told him he'll love that mountain later. When Kurtis & I were challenged by a monstrous mountain, it was natural to hear the mountain's scary, evil voice. The kind you would hear after finishing all 15 levels of a video game, but it wasn't over until you defeated "the bad guy". He would always start out "welcome friends", or "let's play a little game ?"Anyway, keep going guys!Only 2,166.2 miles to go!
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Little Beaver Pond

To: Namakanta Campsite 
Miles today: 21.0

LB here,BK texted just now about he and Mark's past couple days.They hiked 7 miles yesterday to Rainbow Springs Lean-to shelter due to BK feeling sick on his stomach.He is feeling much better after a good night's sleep and they are now off to Namakanta Campsite for tonight and now on mile 42.The "daily miles" above says 21. 7 miles on Friday, 14 today. The "trip miles" is off, I don't know how to correct it.
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Namakanta Campsite 

To: Jo-Mary Rd
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

LB & Kurtis here,Heard from BK via a text on Deb's phone as we were sitting at the dinner table tonight. That chime text message sound went off and it was as if we all simultaneously looked at her phone knowing it was BK. Sure enough it was. The guys did 12 miles today from Namakanta Stream Campsite to Jo-Mary Rd. His text message:"Did 12 miles, Picked up first resupply, gave alot back, too heavy." When Kurtis & I started we were overloaded unknowingly packing as much as we could. The first few weeks are tough because you "shake your pack " and get rid of anything that has weight... anything. It seems to us they're having the normal initiation pains as any thru hiker would have as they begin their journey.We missed seeing him at the head of the table tonight, BK sent one more text to Deb: "tell both of my sons they are the best thing that ever happened to me."They're on mile 56. 2,133 more to go.
Date: 2016-06-21
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Sidney Tappan Campsite
Miles today: 9.0

LB here,At 12pm today BK texted me. They climbed 3,650 feet to White Cap Mountain.I'm assuming they left from East Branch Shelter which was their destination goal for yesterday. If so, the guys will hike 9 miles today. From the guidebook, the terrain graph isn't looking so flat anymore. They're going to be climbing up and down the next couple days. BK said he's ready for his "traillegs" to kick in. They will, BK, hang tough!They will stay at Sidney Tappan Campsite for tonight. Elizabeth emailed me pics Mark shared of beautiful Maine. There's 3 I added dated today. Anyway, I can't wait to tell them to try the famous homemade berry cobbler at the Lakeshore Inn Lodge when they visit Monson!They're on mile 76.8, 2,112.3 to go.
Date: 2016-06-22
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

LB here,I was riding around with my coworker when I looked down to see my phone ring from an "863" area code number. At first I thought, "I don't know this number I'm not going to answer." Then it dawned on me. I pulled over into a parallel parking space and slammed brakes right behind a parked cop car with the cop inside. I fumbled for my phone to hit answer before it stopped ringing, and what do ya know, it was BK! "I'm calling from a buddy's phone I gotta make this quick, we're doing great, we'll be at Chairback Gap Lean-to tonight. We've done 12 miles today. Chairback Mountain was a rock scramble. Wish my blisters would go away." A rock scramble is making one's way quickly or awkwardly up a steep gradient or over rough ground by using one's hands as well as one's feet. (Google Definition) BK sounded happy,and hopefully they will make it to Whitehouse Landing Friday evening but BK said "can't make any promises". I heard this place was pretty cool. Only a boat will pick him and Mark up for a bunk, a hot shower, all you can eat breakfast, dinner menu includes pizza, burgers, and it has free use of canoes.They're on mile 88.5, only 2,100.6 to go.Keep going guys!
Date: 2016-06-23
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Long Pond Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

LB here,Awesome photos added just now of the past few days!I got this pic from BK saying "Barren Mtn Tower, Monson tomorrow."This is great news! They'll stay at Long Pond Shelter tonight, and hike into Monson Tomorrow to stay at LakeshoreInn! Can't wait to know the guys are going to have some R&R
Date: 2016-06-24
From: Long Pond Shelter

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

As of 7:30 tonight Budget & Buffalo have completed the 100 mile wilderness!They're waiting on the shuttle for Lakeshore Inn which is a bunkhouse with private rooms, laundromat, and food. This place offers rides for resupply into town. I remember I had 3 servings of the berry blast cobbler up there!Congratulations guys!
Date: 2016-06-25
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Below is an email from Debbie from Bruce:This is the email I got from BK on Fri night:I have no cell in this town. This is a very nice place but no cell. I am well. We are going to stay here in monson till monday. I am communicating by going across the street to the library and using their Wifi. Debbie was also able to receive a call from him @ 10pm on Friday, when he sat on a bench outside the library. Here are the details of our conversation:He and Mark were able to book a semi-private room at the Lakeshore Inn. There are a lot of hikers staying there and most had to get a space in the bunkhouse. They have showers and laundry services there. Yay!!They hiked 15 hard miles to get there and are now out of the 100 mile wilderness!! Will stay there until Monday to get a much needed rest, also there is a big celebration weekend planned for hikers in Monson, so it should be fun for them.Had dinner, well fed, BK had his first lobster roll. Debbie reminded him about the cobbler that LB says he must try.They have seen beaver, grouse, falcons and red squirrels, but no moose or bears.... Debbie is personally glad about the bears!!BK has lots of blisters in the boots that he has hiked many miles in during training. Never got a blister in them before. He says the current boots have to go, but not sure of what he will do for different ones. Otherwise, the rest of his body is feeling great now. He thanks Kurtis for his advice!He says tell LB he will not need a resupply box for a couple more weeks.He seemed very happy, but says his mind is not all the way there yet. Plans to keep going, and knows that every hiker has to overcome this in the beginning.BK & Mark will stay in Monson, ME thru Monday.Congrats guys finishing the 100 mile wilderness. More pictures added of the famous"100 miler breakfast"they devoured.I believe the hiker hunger has begun.-LB
Date: 2016-06-26
From: Monson

To: Monson
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: overcast clouds

When Mark and I pulled off the Trail on Friday night we were told that the Lakeshore House was celebrating their first 10 years with a big party. We decided we needed to stick around for this. They will have several bands and a barbecue. They have sold 250 tickets for this so its going to be a big deal.The people here are so cool. LB told me that when they stayed here in 2012 she even gave the owner her debit card to do shopping for her and Kurtis. How often do you hear of that? LB told me we really needed to stay here. One more thing to thank her for.Mark and I have a room on the Lake side of this old big building. We will have front seats to the party. Float planes came in to drop/pickup folks during the day yesterday. There will be fireworks tonight too. Like I said, we just HAD to stay another day.We learned a new word from the NOBO's yesterday,"Recovery". That is the time spent in town putting back on the weight you lost and letting your body rest. They told us to the quickest way to put weight back on was drink whole chocolate milk. We have not done so because we've eaten copius amounts of food. I lost 10 pounds in the 9 days on the trail. I think most is back.I had many little afflictions while out there. All are resolved except for my feet. My boots are just not up to the terrain here. I got blisters. I've never had blisters before. I think a new pair of boots is in my future. Mark really looked after me. Wasn't I supposed to look after HIM?The 100 Mile Wilderness was a completely different environment. The day started off hiking up a hill/mountain, then coming down the mountain, walking along a beautiful lake (pond) across a bog and then going over another mountain,desending down the mountain, then walking along the lake and across a bog, and then repeat. The bugs were as expected. Black flies got us in only a few places but the mosquitoes were ever present. Deet and headnets became the fashion of the day. Never saw a moose. Plenty of moose poop though.We were never alone. Every four hours or so we'd pass somebody going the other way or a younger person would pass us. Often we ran into the same people each night. As my feet deteriorated we became SLOWBOs instead of SOBO's. There were many folks in my situation. So we would wind up in the same shelter area at night. The young folks we started with are long gone.We were always in the green tunnel except when we go atop a mountain or hill. You could hear the sounds of the lumber operations in the distance. What brought home the remoteness was when you got atop a mountain and couldn't see a building or road anywhere. It was only the last few days we could make out windfarms and summer homes in the distance. So far its been tough, but its been a hoot.
Date: 2016-06-26
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: overcast clouds

When Mark and I pulled off the Trail on Friday night we were told that the Lakeshore House was celebrating their first 10 years with a big party. We decided we needed to stick around for this. They will have several bands and a barbecue. They have sold 250 tickets for this so its going to be a big deal.The people here are so cool. LB told me that when they stayed here in 2012 she even gave the owner her debit card to do shopping for her and Kurtis. How often do you hear of that? LB told me we really needed to stay here. One more thing to thank her for.Mark and I have a room on the Lake side of this old big building. We will have front seats to the party. Float planes came in to drop/pickup folks during the day yesterday. There will be fireworks tonight too. Like I said, we just HAD to stay another day.We learned a new word from the NOBO's yesterday,"Recovery". That is the time spent in town putting back on the weight you lost and letting your body rest. They told us to the quickest way to put weight back on was drink whole chocolate milk. We have not done so because we've eaten copius amounts of food. I lost 10 pounds in the 9 days on the trail. I think most is back.I had many little afflictions while out there. All are resolved except for my feet. My boots are just not up to the terrain here. I got blisters. I've never had blisters before. I think a new pair of boots is in my future. Mark really looked after me. Wasn't I supposed to look after HIM?The 100 Mile Wilderness was a completely different environment. The day started off hiking up a hill/mountain, then coming down the mountain, walking along a beautiful lake (pond) across a bog and then going over another mountain,desending down the mountain, then walking along the lake and across a bog, and then repeat. The bugs were as expected. Black flies got us in only a few places but the mosquitoes were ever present. Deet and headnets became the fashion of the day. Never saw a moose. Plenty of moose poop though.We were never alone. Every four hours or so we'd pass somebody going the other way or a younger person would pass us. Often we ran into the same people each night. As my feet deteriorated we became SLOWBOs instead of SOBO's. There were many folks in my situation. So we would wind up in the same shelter area at night. The young folks we started with are long gone.We were always in the green tunnel except when we go atop a mountain or hill. You could hear the sounds of the lumber operations in the distance. What brought home the remoteness was when you got atop a mountain and couldn't see a building or road anywhere. It was only the last few days we could make out windfarms and summer homes in the distance. So far its been tough, but its been a hoot.