morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-23
From: Monson ME - Shaw's Boarding House

To: Monson ME - Shaw's Boarding House
Miles today: 0.0

Monson ME - 0.0 miles24th zero day Last trail townStill 2069.7 miles complete; 114.5 miles to goGot up at 6:40, breakfast was at 7:15. I didn't feel well and didn't sleep well last night, so I limited how much I ate for breakfast. (I had 3 pancakes, 2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 sausage and 2 orange juice.) Since Monson is the last trail town, I decided to take 1 last zero day, my 24th, before running for the finish line. The only thing now is timing it so I have good weather on the day I summit Kathadin. If, when I get within a day or two of Kathadin, I decide I have to take another day off to ensure good weather on the final mountain, on the final day, I will. Today I reviewed everything in my pack yet again and sent a few small items home which I just don't need anymore; like nail clippers, scissors, bug net, and a phone cable. Alwaysfine and I reviewed our schedule for the last section. As usual, I planned conservativly, assuming an easy schedule. It is easier to do more miles than planned and have extra supplies, than to plan aggressivly and run out of supplies if you can't make it. We also decided to do a 'bucket drop' 30 miles into the wilderness. We put supplies in a 5 gallon bucket, and the folks at Lake Shore Hostel will cache it in the woods 30 miles north of here. That way we can leave with less weight, and pick up those supplies when we need them, instead of carrying them those 30 miles. I also shoe gooed my hiking shoes. They are starting to come apart after only 300 miles. It seems like I get fewer and fewer miles out of a pair of shoes the further north I go. I guess because the rocks and roots are much harder on them here than when we had a nice 'smooth' trail back in the south. After repairing them with shoe goo they will make it the rest of the way. The same rocks and roots are making my feet more and more sore. They hurt everyday now, so a day off is good for them. My right knee has been getting worse too. Several hundred miles ago it would hurt occasionally, maybe once a week. That has gradually increased to where it complains every day now. Not all day, but multiple times a day it complains until I take more ibuprophen. In general my body is showing the effect of this long term punishment. A day off helps, but it will take more than that for it to truly recover.
Date: 2012-08-24
From: Monson ME - Shaw's Boarding House

To: Wilson Valley Shelter
Miles today: 10.4

Wilson Valley Shelter - 10.4 miles2080.1 miles complete; 104.1 miles to goUp at 6:00, breakfast at 7:00. Alwaysfine and I started hiking at 8:15. There's not alot of elevation gain, just alot of small ups and downs and a million rocks and roots. It's hard walking on continuous rocks and roots, but that's what the trail is like in Maine. There were 2 fords today. The Little Wilson and the Big Wilson. Both were a little less than knee deep and passable. We reached Wilson Valley shelter about 4:30. John was tired and worn out, his knee and right ankle were hurting, especially on downhills, but he made it to the shelter. We will have to see if it gets better with rest over night.
Date: 2012-08-25
From: Wilson Valley Shelter

To: Chairback Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: few clouds

Chairback Mountain Shelter - 15.6 milesAlwaysfine had to head back to MonsonLess than 100 miles to go2095.7 miles complete; only 88.5 miles to goUp at 5:30 left at 6:20. Alwaysfine is hurting again. After about a half mile he stopped, and decided he had to turn around and head back to Monson. Its 90 more miles to the next paved road but only 10 miles back to Monson. So sadly, we parted ways. He headed back to Monson, I continued north alone. I found every reason to waste time after Alwaysfine turned around: I stopped for breakfast, I stopped to remember at Vaughn Stream, I stopped to take my shoes off and put them on again at the ford of Long Pond Stream, I stopped to use the privy at Long Pond shelter, I stopped to enjoy the view at the Barren Ledges, and I stopped to eat again on Barren Mountain. Between that and climbing Barren Mountain, Fourth Mountain, and Chairback Mountain I didn't reach Chairback Shelter until 6:30. The climbs, steep rocky descents, and rocks and roots everywhere made it a hard day.
Date: 2012-08-26
From: Chairback Mountain Shelter

To: Logan Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Logan Brook Shelter - 17.1 milesOver 2100 miles complete2112.8 miles complete: only 71.4 miles to goUp at 5:35, but didn't leave until 6:30. It was a hard downhill to Kathadin Iron Works Road. The Lion Killers caught up with me on the way down. At the road, Alwaysfine and I had a food drop so I went over to resupply. The Lion Killers came along. I gave them anything of Alwaysfine's they wanted. They took the Mountain House dinners and some snacks. I sat there probably an hour eating a ton of Alwaysfine's snacks. Eventually I left and walked the 1/2 mile to the Pleasant River. It was an easy and pleasant ford. Afterwards, it was an easy but long climb up to Newall Shelter, where I stopped to eat again. After a 1/2 hour, I was back at it; 7+ miles over 4 mountains to go. I climbed Gulf Hagas, West, Hay, and finally Whitecap Mountains. As I neared the summit of Whitecap, I could hear thunder. When I came above the treeline, I could see thunderstorms a few miles to the east. I decided not to stop and rest, but to keep going and get off the summit in case they enveloped me, too. Fortunately they never did. They just moved on without affecting me. I hiked down to the Logan Brook Shelter arriving about 6:00.
Date: 2012-08-27
From: Logan Brook Shelter

To: Antler's Campsite
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Antler's Campsite - 19.6 miles2132.4 miles complete: 51.8 miles to goI was up at 5:30, left at 6:00. I was thinking about doing a 23 mile day. The hike down Whitecap was a little harder than I expected, but after a couple of miles it leveled off. Except for the climb up and down Boardman Mountain, today was fairly flat and easy. I stopped for a break at East Pleasant Valley Shelter, at the Pleasant River crossing, at the Cooper Brook Falls Shelter, at 3 miles past the shelter, and had Trail Magic at Jo Mary Road. That's a lot of stops. When I reached Cooper Brook Falls Shelter, I had done 11.7 miles by 11:45. I was happy about that, and even thinking about uping the mileage to 26 or 27 and going on to Whitehouse Landing for the night. However, you have to be there before dark. They pick you up in a boat and they do not run after dark. I didn't think I could make it by then. When I left the shelter, I didn't seem to have the same energy as in the morning. I ran into Christian, followed by The Birds. The Birds were taking a break next to the trail. I stopped to take a break with them. That was it. I wasn't going to Whitehouse Landing. I didn't have time to take extra breaks and make it there. After 30 minutes, we left and only went another mile before reaching Jo Mary Road. There was Santa's Helper with Trail Magic; another break. I had a root beer, cookies and a banana. Thanks Santa's Helper. By the time I got started again, I just didn't even feel like walking. After 4 miles I reached Antlers Campsite. Christian is going to camp here. The Birds are continuing on to Potaywadjo Shelter, my original destination. It is a beautiful campsite on a peninsula that sticks out into Jo Mary Lake. I decided to camp here with Christian, a 19.6 mile day. Good enough. Tomorrow I will walk the 6+ miles to Mahar Tote Road plus the extra mile off trail to the boat dock and go to Whitehouse Landing. There is a hostel there and they offer a one pound cheeseburger. Why am I rushing the last few miles and days of this trip?
Date: 2012-08-28
From: Antler's Campsite

To: Whitehouse Landing
Miles today: 6.1

Mahar Tote Road - Whitehouse Landing - 6.1 miles2138.5 miles complete; 45.7 miles to goIt rained off and on throughout the night. I slept until 6:00, didn't get up until 6:30, was packed up and left at 7:50. I didn't rush since I'm only going 6 miles plus about another mile on a blue blaze trail to Whitehouse Landing. I left with my pack cover on because all the brush was wet and it looks like more rain is coming. The walk to Potaywadjo Shelter was easy. I stopped for a break, then went on. It started to rain lightly, so I put my camera (phone) away and put on my hat. At the Mahar Tote Road, I turned off trail 0.9 miles to the boat landing. You blow an air horn, which I did, and the people from Whitehouse Landing come across the lake in a boat and pick you up. It was probably 5 minutes till they arrived and took me across. At Whitehouse, I got a 1 lb cheeseburger, chips, and a soda. The cheeseburger was good and juicy. It was the kind only a hiker can afford to eat, since it was loaded with calories. While I was eating, it started to pour outside. I'm glad I'm staying here tonight, instead of in the woods. After lunch I got a bunk, showered, and washed my clothes in a bucket. Whitehouse Landing is off the grid. They do not have any electricity at all. I can't even charge my cell phone here. Tonight there are 7 of us in the bunkhouse. Five are north bound thru hikers: Step Ahead, Jaws, Night Hawk, Fire Walker, and myself; plus 2 section hikers.
Date: 2012-08-29
From: Whitehouse Landing

To: Rainbow Stream Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

Rainbow Stream Shelter - 15.6 miles2154.1 miles complete; only 30.1 miles to goSaw 2 MooseUp at 6:30, breakfast at 7:30, started hiking at 9:00. The breakfast was great: eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, and orange juice. However, we didn't get the boat ride back to the trail, and started hiking at 9:00. The hiking was easy. I walked to Nahmakanta Lake, where I sat with Step Ahead and Jaws and ate pizza left over from last night's dinner. Then I went on to Wadleigh Shelter where I stopped for a break. I then climbed up Nesuntabunt Mountain, and stopped again. Here I got my first view of Mt Kathadin. You can see it from Whitecap and from the shore of Jo Mary Lake. However, both times it was either too hazy, or it was raining. From here it is 16 miles away as the crow flies, but 36 miles the way the trail goes. I hiked on. When I was about a mile from the Rainbow Stream Shelter, I finally saw my first moose. Actually 2 moose; a mother and her calf. I came around a corner, and they were right there in the trail. They immediately ran a short distance into the woods, where they stopped and looked back at me. I watched them for 5 minutes, trying to get a good picture but they stayed in the woods with trees and brush between us. As I got closer, they moved further away. Eventually, they just moved on, so I hiked on. I reached the shelter about 5:30. Jaws and Step Ahead were there as well as 2 section hikers. I have to repair my shorts tonight. I found 3 rips in them. One in the front, and one on each side. I have worn the same shorts everyday since March 14th on Springer mountain. They are wearing out, just like my body, and everything else. I put duct tape on them and hoped for the best. It was a nice evening with the stream bubbling by just a few feet away, and the knowledge that I am only a few days and 30 miles from being done this journey. It has been a great experience, but after 5 1/2 months, and over 2150 miles, I am ready to be done.
Date: 2012-08-30
From: Rainbow Stream Shelter

To: Abol Bridge - Millenockett
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Abol Bridge - Millenockett - 15.0 miles2169.1 miles complete; only 15.1 miles to goUp at 5:30, left at 6:10. Today I have an easy 15 miles, half the distance to the end. That feels great.There were only minor climbs. I stopped for lunch next to a stream, then at Rainbow Ledges you get a view of Kathadin, so I stopped to eat again and enjoy the view. After continuing on I took another short break at Hurd Brook Shelter. While I was there, Jaws and Step Ahead caught up to me. Then I went on to Golden Road and Abol Bridge. When I reached the road and the bridge at 2:30, Alwaysfine was sitting in his car waiting for me. We went into the camp store where I got a 3rd lunch. I got a cheesesteak and soda followed by a large ice cream. It was great. It's always great to get 'town' food. After I complete the trail in 2 days, I will have to watch how much I eat. If I keep eating like I do on the trail, I will gain weight and balloon up to my old weight in no time. But that's 2 days away, so I'm not worrying about it today. We drove into Millinocket where we got a hotel room for the night. There I showered and washed my clothes. Surprisingly, the duct tape on my shorts stayed and didn't come off in the wash. Afterwards, we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. A nice night before the final push to Kathadin.
Date: 2012-08-31
From: Abol Bridge - Millenockett

To: The Birches Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The Birches - 10.0 miles2179.1 miles complete; ONLY 5.1 MILES TO GOI slept great in a real bed! I didn't want to get up, but I did at 5:45. We went to breakfast at 6:10, then left and drove back to Anol Bridge, and were on the trail at 7:45. We have 10 miles of very easy trail today, so no need to rush. We walked along comfortably as the trail followed the Penobscot River, and then followed the Nesowadnehunk Stream going past multiple beautiful waterfalls, including ones called the Little Niagara and the Big Niagara. It was a very picturesque walk. Eventually we reached Kathadin Stream Campground and the Birches Shelter. We are at the base of Mt Kathadin. The trail goes 5 miles up to the summit from here and ends. We will spend our last night in the woods here, then do the climb, and finish the trail tomorrow. It seems unreal. I took a train to Georgia 5 1/2 months ago, and I have have been following white blazes through the woods ever since. Now after almost 2200 miles, tomorrow I will come to the last white blaze, and the end of the trail. While I am both mentally and physically worn out and ready to be done, I have enjoyed the trip immensely and I am sad to see it end.
Date: 2012-02-02
To: Getting Closer
Miles today: 0.0

Hello Everyone! This is the first entry. My name is Amy and my husband is Jason. We have been planning this journey for about 5 months. My husband has a job to come back to where I choose to put my 12 years of my life to a stop to start a new one, for after our journey I shall be going to college/University full-time to be a nurse. Trail Journals I have been reading for about a year. Everyone has their own story and tale, we hope to share ours with everyone. In one of the Journals I seen a fundraiser and said to myself "Why can't we do that too" so we are going to do a fundraiser for the P.V.A. (Paralyzed Veterans of America), which we are still working on. Our Journey is to start March 2 - 3rd 2012 from Amicalola Falls, I know most start at Springer Mountain. Our friend is driving us down there March 2nd and we will sign in and hike up to the lodge which is about a mile. Then March 3rd we shall start off for a journey that we plan to make our own. We want to thank everyone such as Melinda and Paul. Melinda is driving us down and Paul has moved into our apartment to watch our little girl Jamie. Jamie is our 76 lbs. part Lab/mix which we had mixed emotions about wanting to bring her with us, but after having to not just care for us we would have to care for her there are other reasons, but hey why go on. www.kipva.org
Date: 2012-02-10
To: wow
Miles today: 0.0

Jason has been talking about wanting to get on the trail constantly which is driving me crazy. First it was me constantly talking about it just so consumed with wanting to get on the trail and building our tale. Jason is always trying to find a way to make his pack lighter, which weighs about 27 lbs. we figure that we will be starting out with about 4 days of food which will bring his pack up to about 34 lbs.. I am trying to relax and get the things taken care of so while we are on the trail we do not have to worry about bills or ect..., therefore, not sure how much my pack weighs yet. We still have a few items to get and one item is called spot and with that still trying to decide if we should get a hiker sun power solar panels. One of the things that I have on the list to get is a thermometer so when I write in the journal I can try and write about weather and temperature. I have been busy and have not been able to finish the gear list, hopefully it will be finished this weekend.www.kipva.org
Date: 2012-02-20
To: Readiness
Miles today: 0.0

We have been very busy. Jason has gone on a short hiking trip on the "Knobstone Trail". We read somewhere to take cotton balls and vaseline to help start fires and it works great! Now we know what we will be taking it will be extra weight, but if anyone has hiked the Smokies A.T. one knows that is is very hard to start a fire. Time is getting so close and we are very eager to get on the trail. Just 11 more days till we hit the road! www.kipva.org
Date: 2012-03-02
From: Amicalola Falls Lodge

To: Amicalola Falls
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Our journey has begun, day 1. Melinda and Edna arrived at 7:30 a.m. it is raining lightly. We have 395 miles to Aicalola Falls. Neither one of us slept very well, things running through our minds. It is 51 degrees in Louiseville, KY. We are driving through Dalton, GA it is 51 degrees 1:30 pm. we arrive at Amicalola Falls info. Center approx. 2:30 p.m.. As we sign in Melinda and Edna took pictures of us, then we headed out side to weigh our packs. Jasons is approx. 36 lbs. mine is approx. 31 lbs.. I think their scales are off a little. Then more picture's of us at the arch way. We drove up to the lodge and checked in and left our packs in the room. We drove back down to the info. center and said our bye's. As we started walking Melinda started crying which brought me to tears then Edna started. All I could see on Jay's face is"Oh my god women". As we start looking I keep looking back until I no longer can see Melinda and Edna. What a nice mile hike up to the lodge. 5 pm dinner time all you can eat buffet, yummy! Jay says to me, "I do think that I have seen you eat so much". In response I say, "I know I wont get to eat this good in who knows how long". While we were checking in we met the second guy to have ever finnished the AT Gene Espy.Wish that we could stay to see him talk tomorrow, but we must leave early.We will be purchasing his book when we get home.Wish that you could see his gear he had when he hiked Hope we sleep better tonight.
Date: 2012-03-03
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Strover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: few clouds

At this point what is sleep? Every hour it seems as though I was up. Sounds of thunder right next to our window. So I got up to see if I could log into trail journals.com, but no luck.I can hear the wind blowing, Jay and I are going to hike to Stover Creek Shelter a 11.6 mile hike. There have been bear sightings between Jarred Gap and Neels Gap. So we will be pushing everyday so we do not get stuck at one of the camp sites or shelters there. Got to see some great sights esp. Springer Mtn. were we ate our lunch. Arrived at Stover at 8 p.m.. Had a great fire and went to bed about 7:30. approx. 40 degrees.
Date: 2012-03-04
From: Strover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

Woke up to 32 degrees at 6:20 am. Jay had a fire going and I got somethings packed. There are about 20 people and two of them snored, so very little sleep. Today there was small amount of flurries. We arrived at Gooch Shelter aout 5:40 pm and left from strover at 8 am. Did approx 12 miles today. Tired and cold so heading to sleep at 7:45 pm. Shelter is packed and there are about an dozen tents. Gonna try and get to our first trail magic, ate apples, Hot chocolate, snickers, and chocolate chip cookie. Neels Gap tomorrow 15 mile hike. Good night.
Date: 2012-03-05
From: Gooch Shelter

To: Woody's Hole
Miles today: 12.0

The wind blew all night, but we slept better than the last few nights. We laid in until about 6:30 am. It's 40 degrees not bad, but still very windy. Hopefully we will bbe out of here by 8 am. We are shooting for a 15 mile day. Didn't make it to Neels gap, so we stopped at Woody's Hole which is approx 3 miles from Neel's Gap. Got there about 4:15 pm. The wind is bitter cold. Jay started a fire. Can't wait to get to Neels Gap to stay in the Shelter. Nice fire ate Ramon, Macaroni Cheese.
Date: 2012-03-06
From: Woody's Hole

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

32 degrees, very cold and windy all night. My eye's are swollen and watering. Took over the counter medication. The sign at Woody's hole said no water, but there is water. Did't have breakfast just raisens and a cliff bar. 3 miles to Neels Gap. Blood Mtn. was a rough climb and worth every bit when we got to the top. All kinds of bolders with great views. Blood Mtn. shelter is built from all rock, with two rooms. They say a bear came in which all the people had to climb out of the the windows. The hike down was pretty rough also, but just glad to be going down and not up. Arrived at Neels Gap at 10:30 a.m.. Left from Wood hole about 8 am. The hostel filled up fast, just glad that we got a bunk. Showered and washed clothes and restocked our food. Updated the jhournal. Had dinner here at the hostel, barbie chicken, baked beans, and salad. As we ate we watched some of Blazing Saddles. Not sure what the temp is, but it was a bright sunny day.
Date: 2012-03-07
From: Neels Gap

To: Low gap
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up about 6 am. My face and eye's are swollen again for the 2nd day. Breakfast is coffee, and pancakes. Hope to be on the trail by 8 am. We met up with Sleeping Owel, which is cool. My legs are starting to feel like hulk legs. It was 48 degree's. We made it to Low Gap and the shelter is full and meany tents. There are 4 of us going to Helen, GA tomorrow, which is a 9 mile hike. So Book Worm, Sleeping Owl, Scooter and myself (Aimster) will be all putting in money for a hotel. It is cloudy. My face is no longer swollen, but my left foot the toe next to the little toe is hurting. Scooter is a fast hiker, but stays with me. Have an great fire with awesome company! Going to bed at 8pm.
Date: 2012-03-08
From: Low gap

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 10.0

Woke up, pretty warm compared to other night's. It is 48 degree's during the day. Hiked 9 to 10 miles to Unicoy (didn't spell it right) Gap then caught a ride from Momma Bear to Helen. We are known for leaving smilie faces on the trail, we are asked, "Are you the couple that leaves smilie faces?". We have been hiking wth a german couple who want's to get married on the A.T. and a guy named Sleppy Owl. We currently are staying at Helendorf Motel. My face is swollen and wind burned. I have 2 blisters where as Scooter has none. We are going to hike to the first Shelter tomorrow which is 5 miles straight up. The Shelter is called Tray Mountain Shelter. We had German food for dinner.
Date: 2012-03-09
From: Helen, GA

To: Tray Shelter
Miles today: 5.0

Woke up at 4 am. Couldn't go back to sleep. It rained all night and suppose to rain today, but maybe it will pass on by. The climb to Tray Shelter was just about as bad as Blood Mtn. whan should have taken us about 3 hours took us about 5. It is about 32 degree's and windy. We can see city lights from here and a great campfire, roasting marshmellows and drinking hot chocolate. We finally gave the german couple who has been hiking with us trail names Amber Cat and Hungry Bear. We all share food and help each other out. Amber Cat and Hungry Bear had a rough time getting a box shipped, but everyone pitched in and worked to gether to get it shipped, the post master back in Helen was rude to them and said he couldn't ship it so we hiked down the road to a store called Betty's and got it shipped (when we were in Helen). Scooter wants to change my trail name to "Peemaster".