morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-30
From: East Flagstaff Road

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

A nice day of hiking, although I got lost on a side trail for about two miles. The side trail was white blazed and there was not a cear sign for the AT. So pissed off at myself because I hiked two useless miles, but what can you do? As a result, I had to night hike to get to the shelter. Not a pleasant experience Maine. Night hiking here is quite dangerous and I did not enjoy it one bit, especially when hiking alone. Once I made it to the shelter, I ran into my old friends Mac, Dr. Suess, and Babyface. Mac snored all night and I didn't sleep. The last time I sleep in a shelter. Still, it was great seeing my boys.
Date: 2013-10-01
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 4.0

I hiked to a major river today that required a ferry to cross. The water levels are too unpredictable because of dams up stream that can raise levels in a matter of minutes. Ended up staying in town after running into Enoch. I couldn't pass up a trail town with a micro brewery (again). The nice owner of the hostel dropped me off and picked me up from the brewery. Service is key to thru hikers.
Date: 2013-10-02
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Moxie Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.8

I hiked my ass off today. Two decent sized climbs with great views at the end of the day. Unfortunately, I decided to sleep in a shelter again. Late night, two thru hikers came into camp and slept in the shelter. The one was a crazy snorer who kept me up until 3 am. I finally gave up and took my sleeping bag and threw it on the shore of the pond. Nothing like cowboy camping under the stars. I ended up getting 3-4 hours of sleep, which is better than some nights. Never sleeping in a shelter again (familiar theme).
Date: 2013-10-03
From: Moxie Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

The Browns played tonight. This was my motivation to hike early and fast. My goal was to get to town early to do laundry, and watch the game. Unfortunately, there is not such thing as Directv or cable in Maine and so I didn't get to watch the Browns game. They did win though, and lost their starting QB for the year with a torn acl. Just another day in the life of a Browns fan. This is my last trail town until I reach Katahdin. Crazy, only 115 miles left to hike and then I get to go home to my Lindsay. She plans on meeting me at Baxter State Park in a week. I can't wait!
Date: 2013-10-04
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My very last zero day and resupply on the trail. I suppose I will be doing a lot "lasts" over the next week or so. All that remains is the 100 Mile Wilderness and the summit of Mt. Katahdin. A random guy approached me at the gas station today and asked if I wanted work for the day. I said no, but that a hiker at the hostel may be interested. The guy ended up getting Wonderboy to help. I wanted no part in moving a bunch of furniture. I enjoy my zero days way too much. A bunch of us watched the movie Ed Wood and ate our last meals before heading into the 100 Mile Wilderness. I went with wings, a quesadilla, and a six pack of Coors Light (which Wonderboy called Uncle beer). Yes I know, I'm old at 34.
Date: 2013-10-05
From: Monson, ME

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

I hitched out of town around noon with Piper and Wonderboy. I pretty much got out of the way and let Piper get the hitch. It's amazing how easy it is for women on the trail to get a car to stop. Sure enough a guy in a pickup truck stopped and we jumped in the back. The first day in the 100 Mile Wilderness wasn't all that eventful. My plan is to finish in 6 days and then summit Katahdin on October 12th with Lindsay, who is flying in from Ohio to see me finish.
Date: 2013-10-06
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

I broke camp early this morning because I knew today would be difficult. The trail didn't disappointed me. Long and steep ups and downs all day. I ended up doing about 15 miles, even though I originally planned on doing 20 miles. My knees can't wait for this trip to be over.
Date: 2013-10-07
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9

Going into this week I knew that rain was forecast. Today was the AT's chance to remind me how powerless I am over the trail. The temperatures were in the low 40's and the rain lasted all day. Nothing like shivering while hiking. To make matters worse, I totally fell while fording a river and got soaked. I was laying on my back waste deep and my pack was under water. I couldn't get up because the current was so strong thta it was pulling me down stream. Did I mention this all happened in front of a bunch of day hikers? I can only imagine what they were thinking. One guy made a smart ass comment to me, which pissed me off. Wonderboy just laughed and said I had it coming for making him fall into a river a couple days back. Piper, Wonderboy and I made it to the first shelter around 2:15. The rain was relentless and my clothes and gear were soaked. I decided to call it a day and jumped in my sleeping bag. Piper took pity on me and gave me a swig of Jim Bean that she was saving for the top of Katahdin. It warmed me up right away. We all ended up sleeping in a full shelter. A thru hiker named Blast slept right next to me. He farted ALL night and kept me awake. In the morning I told him, "Blast, I can pretty much guess how you got your trail name you farting SOB."
Date: 2013-10-08
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

Given yesterday's bad weather and short mileage, I knew that I had to pick up the pace today. The trail covered the last stretch of mountains until Katahdin. White Cap Mountain in particular was quite memorable: I saw Katahdin for the first time and it was snowing on the mountain summit. I was also able to get cell phone coverage on the summit (which I can't get with AT&T in most Maine towns) so I decided to call Lindsay to let her know I was still alive. Seeing Katahdin for the first time was inspiring and definately put a spring in my step. I ended up passing Wonderboy and Piper because I need to do bigger miles if I expect to summit on October 12th. The next few days will be high meage days. Let's hope the weather holds out. Other than yesterday, Maine weather has been perfect (makes up for the first two months on the trail where it rained nearly every day).
Date: 2013-10-09
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The flattest terrain in all of Maine today. Other than the mountains through which the AT runs, Maine is a very flat state. The downside is that the trail itself consists of tree roots, rocks, bogs, mud, and streams. Thru hikers will always find something to bitch about (I'm no different). The excitement of climbing Katahdin and finishing the trail this week is really hitting me. I'm close enough now that finishing is a reality that is setting in mentally. It's almost over. I get both excited and sad thinking about the end, like many things in life that come to a close. Regardless, both my body and mind need a break from this epic hike. Like a professional athlete going out on top, I may just hold a news conference to announce my retirement from thru hiking once I summit Katahdin. Jim Brown, John Elway, Jerome Bettis, Counselor?
Date: 2013-10-10
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

I didn't see a single hiker today. I actually enjoyed the solitude as this hike is coming full circle. I started the hike later in the spring and hiked alone for most of the first few weeks, and now I'm finishing at the end of the fall season alone. Tomorrow I will be near the end of the 100 Mile Wilderness: long time coming. As I was hiking today, I started thinking about how long this trip has lasted and just how amazing of an experience the hike has been for me. I started the hike as a newbie having never hiker more than 20 miles in my life. There definitely were many tough lessons learned during the first month of the hike, but I'm now a tough veteran with a 1,000 yard stare of a thru hiker. That's one of the ways a person can spot a thru hiker (in addition to bad smell and dirty clothes). Today is my last full day of hiking. The terrain was flat and I enjoyed the hike while being nostalgic thinking about the first few weeks of the hike. I had the shelter to myself and went to sleep early. I will be in Baxter State Park and at the base of Mt. Katahdin tomorrow. Unbelievable.
Date: 2013-10-11
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Birches Lean-to
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Flat beautiful terrain all day. I hiked 3 miles to the border of Baxter State Park and had lunch at a local restaurant with several other thru hikers who were heading into the park to summit Katahdin tomorrow. I went with a bowl of clam chowder, a bison burger, and fries. Around 1pm I crossed the park border and hiked the last 10 miles to the shelter. Baxter State Park requires thru hikers to stay at a shelter that is far away from all the day hikers. I assume the park officials don't want to scare all the day hikers away by exposing them to thru hikers? I decided to sleep in my tent (the last night on the trail). My home away from home. I will be meeting Lindsay and her dad early tomorrow morning, and she will summit Katahdin with me. I have been thinking about this moment for over 5 months. One last hike to finish the game.
Date: 2013-10-12
From: Birches Lean-to

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: clear sky

The day has finally arrived! I've been thinking (more like obsessing) about this day for at least a year when I first started planning the hike. Katahdin sits before me, waiting to be conquered. Lindsay and her dad flew in from Ohio and arrived at the park just before 9am. I wanted her to summit with me because there is no way this hike would have been possible without her love and support. We made our way up and the first mile or so was pretty easy. Then the rock climbing started. I think Lindsay now has a good idea now of how truly difficult parts of the hike have been, particularly in New Hampshire and Maine where it is as much rock climbing as it is hiking. We ran into several yellow blazers on the way up. Lindsay asked: "How can thru hikers be so fat?" I explained that I think these were yellow blazers and that there is no way a real thru hiker can be fat at this point of the trail after hiking over 2,000 miles (opposed to simply hitch hiking from town to town). Lindsay did a great job and handled the ledges and boulders like a champ. As we approached the summit, I decided to turn on the thru hiker afterburners and sprinted up the final summit. For the first time on the trail, my emotions took over and tears came to my eyes. There were about 30 day hikers standing around the summit taking pictures and congratulating themselves on accomplishing their 5 miles hike up the mountain. I literally pushed several day hikers out of the way as I stormed the summit and threw my pack down in front of several day hikers getting their photos taken by the Katahdin summit placard. People stopped talking and just stared at me. I can only imagine what they were thinking: "Geez buddy, it's only a 5 mile hike up the mountain." As I wiped tears away from my eyes, I realized people were staring at me and finally told the crowd: "Sorry, it's been a long hike for me. I started in Georgia." They then realized I was a thru hiker and started congratulating me. Lindsay made it to the summit and we just sat and talked. The sky had been overcast all day, but (I swear) as soon as I hit the summit, the sun came out and there was a blue sky. The hiking gods were on my side. After taking our celebratory pictures, I told Lindsay "let's go home" and we started our hike down. As soon as we left the summit, the clouds and fog returned. Perfect timing for this thru hiker. The entire hike down Katahdin was surreal as it finally sunk in that my hike is over. I asked myself, did these past 5 months really happen? Was this only a dream? It did happen and I'm proud to call myself an AT thru hiker. We did it!!!
Date: 2013-12-07
To: Got Married
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After completing my thru hike, I returned to Ohio and recently married Lindsay. More people at the wedding asked me about my hike than the wedding. It was fun telling stories of the thru hike. It never gets old. Part of me still has not gotten over the hike, and I don't know that I ever will. There hasn't been a day since I've been back that I did not think about the trail. I'm forever changed, for the better no doubt. Merry Christmas to all you hikers out there.
Date: 2018-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hello Hikers,I haven't posted in my journal since finishing my hike in 2013. As expected, much has happened since I finished my thru hike.  I got married, started my our law firm, and started a family. My wife and I had twin boys in 2016 and they are a handful. I cannot wait to take Alex and Ben on their first AT hike. It may be a few years, but I'm already plotting and planning.  To all the thru hikers out there right now, stay warm and keep reminding yourselves, your thru hike (as miserable as it is right now) still beats working in a cubicle or office for the next 6 months.- Counselor
Date: 2013-04-06
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Entry 1- Pre-hike and a big thank you to a friend currently hiking the AT. I've been having doubts about hiking this spring...just not feeling the pull like I have before. Anyway, reading my friends journal has rousted that feeling a bit so we'll give it a shot. Keep your fingers crossed that this will push me over the edge to hike.
Date: 2013-04-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well tomorrow it's go time! Will be driving down to Hot Springs, hitch up the ole mechanical horse and get a ride from my trail buddy Dah Wah He down to Winding Stair Gap to begin the section. As usual I've packed, unpacked, repacked... weighed,consolidated, tore apart and put stuff in and removed things from the pack. It's so ridiculous to do this year after year when I have a packing list but I guess it's all part of the game! Looking forward to the trail, even if it's a solo hike again- spoiled last year by a hiking partner; let's see if I can go it alone again. See everyone on the trail!!
Date: 2013-04-28
To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

To be or not to be....After a late night and an early rise, I got on the road and traveled hours south to link up with Dah Wah He (DWH- last year's hiking partner, motivator and trail master). He graciously offered to take me from Hot Springs down to Winding Stair Gap (the start for this year). The weather was cool but clear when I left but as I drove south the clouds arrived, and then the rain, and then more rain. It was raining steadily as I parked the car in Hot Springs and transferred my home and worldly possessions for the next two weeks to DWH's car. We stopped by the camp store on the way out of town where I promptly had my first accident of the trip... Little Dude (my traveling Gnome) jumped from my hands and broke so that he was now legless! It would become a running (no pun intended) joke over the course of the trip; I said I was trying to cut back on weight so cut off his legs, I referred to him as Leg-o-less, the traveling Gnome, other various silly things. Anyway, we left and drove another hour or so south... did I mention the rain?! Well it got worse the closer we got to Winding Stair Gap. Now I don't like hiking in the rain, but once I am out there and there's nothing else to do, I don't let it stop me either but when I am in a car and warm and dry and just starting out, well I let the weather dictate a little more, especially when I think about having to set up the tent in the rain the first night. Long story short, since there is no Maine for me, I accepted no rain for me the first day so I called and got a room at The Sapphire Inn (Ron Haven's place). Dave dropped me off and I went across the street for some Mexican food (pretty good) and met the first thruhikers I was to see on the trail: Paul (former Army 11B vet), Sinjon (A Brit who lived in Germany with his wife Ute) & Ignacio (from southern Spain). Had a nice time talking about the trail and gear and drinking beer. So today, the trail hike was NOT TO BE, but it was a fun day and a good easing into trail life again. Tomorrow I catch a bus to the Gap and start to walk north....wish me luck!
Date: 2013-07-01
From: Manchester, VT - Green Mtn Hostel

To: Rutland
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took a bus from Manchester to Rutland to spend a few days with my brother's family! Had a great time seeing everyone and helped out around the business. Lots of fun and thank you to my Sister and Brother for taking such good care of me and sharing their wonderful children with me!
Date: 2013-07-02
From: Rutland

To: Day 2 Rutland
Miles today: 0.0

Feet are looking better and boots are nearly dry but not quite! Went for icecream with everyone- the weather even cooperated and it got very sunny but also very hot in the afternoon! Had the pleasure of attending the equivalent of a christening this evening- it is called a "dedication" in the community and was really a very nice ceremony in which the parents explained their name for the child as well as what they hoped for her while the rest of the community vowed to support them and the child through their lives. Getting back on the trail tomorrow morning, I think. Although I was generally unhappy during the first few days, I just know that I would be mad at myself for not finishing the planned section just because of wet feet, crappy terrain and bugs. Nope, I made a commitment of sorts to hike this trail and hike it I will. I'll now be heading southbound back towards Manchester again. There I can catch a bus down to Rutland and meet my sweetie for a ride back to MA. Good night all, from Rutland!!
Date: 2013-07-06
To: eventually home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Re-entry into the non-trail worldGround Control to Major Tom, Take your protein pill and put your helmet on (D. Bowie)A strange dream last night... it had to do with work. I've been interviewing with a couple of companies recently as I decided to end my sabbatical. I guess that decision has started to color my dreamstate again. I left the key in the mailbox at the motel and walked into town. The surrounding mountains enshrouded in clouds, it was noticeably humid but pleasant temperature-wise. As I walked to the busstop outside Rite-Aid, I saw the bus passing me and knew that I had about 10 minutes before it would return so I just enjoyed looking around and taking some photos of Manchester before I left. The bus arrived and the single passenger aboard disembarked. I loved the ride into Bennington which skirted the mountains and passed through small towns and by large farms. Arriving a little after 8, I walked Main Street in Bennington enjoying the many statues of mountain lions and moose that the city had placed throughout the area. When Matt arrived we grabbed a quick breakfast for me and started on the drive south. It was a tough hike as I noted previously, but I am glad I made it and thankful to have had time with family as well as an opportunity to meet two great people in No Doubt and Double-Check. The hiker community is a small one, so I've no doubt that I may run into these two again, I'll certainly double-check the shelter registers for their sign-ins when I walk any future sections.So long for now and thanks for reading my journal!!
Date: 2013-01-14
To: And so it begins...
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I'll be starting the trail next month. It feels like there are still a zillion things to get done, yet I also realize that if I had to start tomorrow everything would work out fine. I have all of my gear, but I still need to do some testing and practice putting my tent up. I need to organize my food and spare gear for mail drops. I'm trying to organize some healthy food for my mail drops since I have problems with dairy, gluten and soy. Of course, I still need to continue training and spending time with friends and family before I leave. My training at this point is focused on basic fitness - running one day, then hiking or snowshoeing with a 25 LB pack the next day. I feel good, so at this point i just want to stay healthy and avoid injury. The huge amounts of snow here have kept me from doing a shake down hike yet to test all gear, clothes and shoes in trail conditions, but I'll definitely make time to do that in early February on my way down to Georgia.I'm so excited for this adventure to begin!
Date: 2013-01-15
To: Planning, training and more planning...
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I continue to train and plan and anticipate my upcoming thru hike. It's only about a month away now.I have been training with a 25 lb pack, and running when the roads aren't too slick. Yesterday I did my training on snowshoes with my yellow lab to keep me company. I pushed hard for an hour and got a good hike in. For the first time I didn't even notice the pack.I spent the afternoon with Brenda (trail name Leadfoot) who completed her AT hike last year, having done 3 big sections over 3 consecutive years. She walked through my hike schedule with me, as well as my supply plan. The schedule has me starting with lower mileage weeks and ramping up to 20 mile days over the first month and finishing the trail in about 5 months. I plan to use about 15 mail drops / resupply deliveries (friends & family who will meet me out there). The mail drops will help me ensure that I am getting proper nutrition while avoiding foods that upset my sensitive stomach. When I turned 40 (10 years ago!) I gained some gray hair, started shrinking and picked up several major food allergies (lactose, gluten, soy).So, my food will include oatmeal, nuts, craisins and rice milk for breakfast. Dried fruit, nuts and Lara bars for lunch. And freeze dried delights for dinner (my own concoction of beans, potatoes, sausage and peas), washed down with a mug of hot cocoa. Friends keep asking me - what if I don't like it or I get tired of those foods. I figure these meals are about fuel, so I will try to focus on the nutrition and I will look forward to enjoying my favorite foods in town or when I get home.I am really excited and a little nervous. It's incredible to think of all of the anticipation of doing this and all of the investment and preparation to undertake this awesome journey. Now, I'm just eager to hit the trail already!