morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-26
From: Black Brook Campsite

To: Campsite (Oquossoc ME)
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

Today was another tough day because of rain. We started right out of the gate with a 2200 ft climb. It was fairly steep with a few spots that had rebar but slippery because of overnight thunder storms. It took 2 and a half hours to go 2.8 miles to the top. Then the terrain got easier but it started raining so the entire trail got very slick. I have fallen only 12 times on this entire journey and 2 of them were today on the descent. No injuries. It stopped raining around 3:00ish so at least some of the rocks dried a little. We got 12.2 miles in and have 14 to get through tomorrow to meet Claire in Rangeley. It's supposed to be good weather an fairly easy terrain so we hope for a great day.
Date: 2015-08-27
From: Campsite (Oquossoc ME)

To: Rangely ME
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We did 14.2 miles into Rangeley today. A small climb to start the day with a beautiful view of Rangeley Lake. About 11am it started raining which made the easier terrain slick and muddy. It stopped raining about 2:00 and we finished up close to 4:00. We got trail magic at the trailhead on ME. 4 before Claire showed up to pick us up at around 4:30. Should be a good night.
Date: 2015-08-28
From: Rangely ME

To: Sugarloaf ME
Miles today: 21.5

Oh boy what a day. Claire dropped us off at the ME. 4 trailhead to start our 14 mile slack pack day. We all looked at a map the night before and found a road to get picked up on. We went up Saddleback Mt. then up the Horn followed by Saddleback Jr. The views were spectacular. When we got to the road to be picked up at it was an old logging road that hadn't been used in at least 20 yrs. We got in touch with Claire and our only option was to keep walking. So we went up over Lone Mt. and then up over Spaulding Mt. We then had to go off trail, up to the summit of Sugarloaf Mt. and down the slopes to Christin and Johnny's condo. We finished our 24.2 mile day a few minutes before midnight. It was our first night hike and was fun but a very long day. Well deserved zero day tomorrow.
Date: 2015-08-30
From: Sugarloaf ME

To: Cranberry Stream Campsite
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Started our day today on the super quad at Sugarloaf to get back to the top so we could take the sidetrail back to the AT. We went down about 1500 ft and then started our climb up South Crocker Mt. Not too bad of a climb. It got a little steep near the top but overall not bad. Then a short descent and right up North Crocker Mt. which was steeper but not as long of a climb. We then went downhill for the next 5 miles and met Claire for the last time on this visit at Rt.27. She fed us and sent us back into the woods to start to wrap up this amazing journey. We did 12.3 miles total today. We are now officially Thru Hikers. We passed the 2000 mile mark. The day ended at 2002.8 It seems amazing to say I've walked that far but my feet know they did it. 186.4 left to go.   Hi Dad, I think of you alot out here. Stay healthy.
Date: 2015-08-31
From: Cranberry Stream Campsite

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 13.5

Today was a tough day. We started the day with a 2500 ft climb and the last half mile was very steep and rocky. We then climbed up to Bigelow Mt. west peak which was another 800 ft. Tough climb but the views were great. We could see Sugarloaf and a huge lake on the other side of the mountain. We then climbed Avery peak. Then we descended 2000 ft just to climb back up 800 ft to Little Bigelow Mt. The guidebook makes it look flat but it isn't. Up 25 ft down 30 ft up 30 ft down 25 ft and so on the whole way. Then we came down about 1500 ft to Little Bigelow Lean-to to stay the night. 13.5 tough miles today. It felt real tough because we got to slack pack the last few day and today we had full packs.
Date: 2015-09-01
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond
Miles today: 17.7

Good day today. We hiked 17.7 miles on mostly flat ground. There we a lot of rocks and mud and roots but it wasn't straight up or down. We passed 3 or 4 bodies of water but I only went swimming in 1. It was awesome. Funny thing is I still stink. We are taking the (ferry) tomorrow across the Kennebec river. It's a guy in a canoe pulling a raft and he has one tooth is what we have been told.
Date: 2015-09-02
From: Pierce Pond

To: The Forks, Maine
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: broken clouds

Easy 3.6 mile walk to the Kennebec river ferry crossing. The hikers were correct. Hillbilly Dave piloted the canoe. He was a good guy and he had 1 tooth. It was definitely a very big one though. We then walked the .4 mile to the road and got trail magic from Red Hot's friends. Whoopi pies and beer. Then we tried to hitch a ride to Northern Outdoors to pick up our mail drop but walked almost all 2 miles before the shuttle gave us a ride the last 400 yards. Nice place so we decided to stay the night. We showered and got laundry going and went downstairs to eat. The people who did trail magic were in there eating. We chatted with them and another couple during lunch. When we went to leave the nice couple who did the magic had already left but had paid for our meals. We didn't even get to say thanks. THANKS. Just got out of the hot tub for the 2nd time. My feet feel better. Very excited to finish this journey.
Date: 2015-09-03
From: The Forks, Maine

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

We left Northern Outdoors after a good breakfast and got a ride to the trailhead one hour earlier than we expected. The trail started out with a gradual 1000 ft climb for a little over 5 miles then went up 1000 more ft in 1.2 miles up and over Pleasant Pond Mt. It then came down hill for 5 miles with some pretty steep spots and quite a bit of mud. There is definitely more mud in Maine than Vermont and Vermont is known for all its mud. We ended on a nice gradual climb to the Lean-to. 14.7 miles today. Hello to Hunter and Trase. I hope you are being good at school. I'll see you soon.
Date: 2015-09-04
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a good day. Up and over Moxie Bald Mt. to start the day. Then the trail got much less steep. The map profile shows flat but there is no such thing in Maine. We hiked 18.7 miles into Monson where a friend of Bob McHugh's, Nancy Putnam, picked us up and let us stay at her home. She's a very nice person who grew up in Salem Mass where we grew up. After a 3.3 mile hike tomorrow we need to set things up for the 100 mile wilderness and then get back on the trail sunday morning first thing. If all goes right we'll have 8 more days to the finish. HELL YA!
Date: 2015-09-05
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: scattered clouds

We went out today and slack packed the 3.3 miles we needed to do to get us to the southern end of the 100 mile wilderness. Very easy hike. We then went to Nancy's friends house and sat on the dock on a lake drinking beer. It was awesome. Will get all packed up tonight to get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2015-09-06
From: Monson, ME

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We left Monson this morning and started hiking the 100 mile wilderness. A HUGE thank you to Nancy and Bruce for allowing us to stay at their home. Nancy was an awesome hostess. The accomodations were a nice break from our tents that helped get us ready for the final week of our hike. The trail is pretty much what we expected it to be. They call the trail the green tunnel everywhere else, but up here it's called the root canal. Its been described as spaghetti roots with one on top of the other, 5 to 10 deep in some spots. And there are still a lot of mud holes. We had to ford 3 rivers today. It's fun but it takes time to take your boots off, put your water shoes on, then cross the river, dry your feet, and put your boots back on. We hiked a total of 15.1 miles today. The adrenaline is starting to flow to get to the finish line. Things still hurt a lot but there is a light at the end of the root canal.
Date: 2015-09-07
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Pleasant River - West Branch
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Today was an extremely tough day. 15.2 miles of short steep ups and downs with slick rocks, mud and ROOTS. Our tallest climb was 1700 ft but we we also had three 500 or 600 ft climbs that were tough. The downhills today were technical and steep. We are both getting tired earlier in the day than usual. Tomorrow is another toughie but then it flattens out all the way to Katahdin. We both hope flat means easier because that isn't always the case. We went over the 2100 mile mark today. I forgot to tell everyone as of last night we are down to double digits left at 99.4. After today we have 84.2 to go.
Date: 2015-09-08
From: Pleasant River - West Branch

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was an easier day than yesterday. Even though we climbed up White Cap which is a 2800 ft climb it wasn't the constant up and downs all day. We got in 16.4 miles and have 67.8 to go. Tomorrow should be an easier day because it flattens out after a couple small climbs in the morning. Getting excited to summit on sunday.
Date: 2015-09-09
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5

Today was a good day until the last 3 and a half miles. We made great time because the trail was flat. We picked up our food drop in the middle of the woods in a 5 gallon bucket. Even with full packs it wasn't too bad but it was very hot so we drank a lot of water today. That means stopping to get it which slows us down. We got to a great campsite after 16 miles but decided to push on to the next lean-to which was only 3 1/2 miles away. The trail turned rocky and muddy and rooty about a quarter mile in and stayed difficult all the way to the lean-to. We hikes a total of 19.5 miles and have only 48.3 left. It just doesn't seem possible.
Date: 2015-09-10
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 18.2

Another tough day. We hiked 18.2 miles and none of them were easy. Rock, Roots & Mud were the topics of the day. We got a thunder storm over night so the trail was wet all morning which made the roots slick, the mud puddles a little bigger and all the rocks slippery. We are pushing hard to get to the end but the trail is fighting back. We have 30.1 miles left. 15 tomorrow, 10 on saturday and the final summit on Sunday. Tomorrow won't be very easy because it's already raining and it is supposed to keep raining into the day. We'll give it our best shot.
Date: 2015-09-11
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Good day today. It rained all night and continued until 11:00 am so everything was wet but we made our way to the campsite that we had hoped for. We got the same site Claire had reserved for the next 2 nights so it worked out perfect for us to slackpack tomorrow. We did about 15 miles and met alot of hikers here. Everyone is excited to be finished. It was very rocky and rooty and muddy again but we pushed right thru it because the end is near. 10 miles to the base of Katadyn tomorrow and then summit on Sunday. Can't wait!
Date: 2015-09-12
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Very, very easy 10 miles to the base of Katadin today. Great weather and the trail was mostly flat with about 6 and a half miles of root and rock free hiking. Very excited about tomorrow. Claire picked us up in Baxter and brought us back to the campsite after our hike. How she found us is amazing.
Date: 2015-09-13
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin Summit
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Didn't sleep very well last night in anticipation of todays hike. We started the hike about 7 without coffee in me. The first mile was a little rough until I woke up and really got into it. Katahdin is a tough hike but a lot of fun. The top 2 and a half miles is a rock scramble. We all put our poles away and just pulled and crawled and scratched our way to the the table top of the mountain. From there the wind got even stronger and we were in the clouds so we all put on jackets. That is a big deal because we never hike with jackets because all you do is sweat but we needed them with the 25 to 40 mph wind and high 40 degree temperatures. It was the perfect mountain to end this amazing journey on. The top was VERY emotional for most of us. There are so many people I want to thank for all their help and support. You all know who you are so THANK YOU. You all made this journey a little eaiser. Most of all I want to thank my wife. I LOVE YOU and never could have done this without your support and encouragement. You are amazing.
Date: 2016-01-15
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Mallorie and Marissa, I got your message and I'm glad you are interested in hiking. I had a blast doing the hike. One of the hardest things about the trail is just getting out of your tent every day and doing as many miles as you can no matter how much you hurt. The scenery made it well worth it most of the time. I saw many snakes. I saw 15 rattlesnakes. I'm pretty sure it was 4 diamondbacks and 11 timber rattlers. I also saw too many black snakes to count. At least 75. There is a picture of one of the rattlers on page3 dated 4/18/15 in the trail journal photos. Don't let the snakes keep you from hiking because the rattlesnakes usually  give you plenty of warning with their rattles and the black snakes don't bother you and are harmless. I'll answer any and all questions you 2 have. By the way, how did you find out that i did the trail?     Hooti
Date: 2015-05-01
From: Black horse Gap

To: katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well the time is here im gettin everything ready it was short notice for sure But my gut and my heart told me I had to go finish the trail and so im following my heart and its comin together real real nice if i I must say so myself im going to be starting at black horse gap .On May the 21. And headed North there is just so much to worry about with such little time it will nice well it all happens and im on the trail But its only 3 weeks away so were counting down the days...I can't wait too see all my friends I know And have meet this year on the trail and all the new ones also..
Date: 2015-05-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Its amazing the difference there is between section hiking and planning a thru hike. Before I never cared about the extra things a stool or a heavy saw lol but there also has been times it has saved our butts sometimes.I have changed all my gear from my pad to my stove even my bag ..I have had alot of help from a bunch of people Like the great folks from uncle jonnys hostel in Erwin Great people!(Friends for life). Cause it cost a ton of money for a thru hike its crazy the gear alone is the most of the money and the junk food got to have that . I also want to Thank Mahoneys in Johnson city Tn they helped out with the sleeping bag a ultra light weight Chinook synthetic.Love it think its going to work well for me ..? But I got a new Jetboil I mean anyway you go you cant go wrong with a Jetboil. Seen and heard nothing but great things.
Date: 2015-05-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Its only 6 more days and im leaving its almost here. And now my buddy Wayne is going with me for ten days worth then just kep driving up the trail rafting biking and hiking and a little car camping this is going to be his time to shine and have fun . This summer is going to be great so kep up with us on the trail cause were going to live life to the fullest and having one Heck of a time...... hope to see ya on the trail soon...
Date: 2015-05-05
To: Maine 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well im on day two now went 21 miles today a little sore but tomorrow is straight up im here Layin in johns hollow shelter . Going to stay here for the night and rest tomorrow is a big day im going to try to make it another 20 miles to get to Buena Vista Vs. Hostel for a nice shower and was my smelly behind.... cause im just going to tell you if you cant stand the stink stay out of the woods.... so if I have signal ill post more tomorrow later Colombo out...
Date: 2015-05-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 22.0

Today was so nice it was my best day let on the trail. A got a new radio at walmart very small and goes on your arm.Its the best Ever! It made the day and the miles flew by I went 22 miles today a long day. Tomorrow easy 16 miles so I can do 24 miles and go on to rockfish gap and take a rest at a campground so i can get a bath and charge everything back up.There's no one on the trail today beside the two brothers that are Layin here beside me as im typing.real great guys doing a 4 day trip.its windy here but a nice eve couldn't really ask for no more im just so thankful he let me enjoy one more day...   Colombo.
Date: 2015-05-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 22.0

Today was great it was so nice just a little hot.I even got rained on today if the first time didn't last long just enough to make it hotter.I put in some good miles today 22 miles more than what I was planning on. But I was just thinkin about tomorrow cause ill be in town tomorrow for resupply and im going to take a day off and rest. I have been tryin to do 22 miles every day for 3 then off one so o dont lety body get down. And I got to enjoy the trail life the days off are the best pizza and junk food you can't get any better. The shower a wash my clothes is I biggest thing to do tho . Ill stay in my tent at the park its free there ill post some town photos tomorrow.                  Colombo...
Date: 2015-05-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 780.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well where do I start there are so many snakes on the trail. But the bad thing about it there not afraid of nothing at all. ever coner another and a nother I love it....I finding myself wasting a hour of ever day stoping to play with some snake like some crazy fool. love them guys... cant wait to get in pa and get me one of them rattlers..... cant wait
Date: 2015-05-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

You know there is times in the woods I miss things but this double white blaze makes me smile evertime . Cause my best friend and hikin partner for years. Always would say look I would always be what??? Always something crazy is going to happen just watch and always . Up! ,Down, Backwards, And some times I don't know if the people who made it this way nor the trail even knows where its going. This was a nice switch Back . So Driver this entry is all about good buddy I miss you and thank you for all your support.. I own this to you some your the one who got me hiking again. How your well soon and I get too see you in maine like we planned.......
Date: 2015-05-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today almost lunch I came around a coner and there se was just standing there like I was not with in feet of my fingers I started too but I knew better she was eating not bothering a soul. its like that out here on the trail things are as they are.. not bothered un tamed... if the rest of the world would follow the ways out here it would be such a better place.....
Date: 2015-05-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

You know I always am jokin about this all the time for the people out there readin this you will know ... Im full of Sh*$ But I packed this coke from the town before just to have when I woke up. And let me tell ant no coffee got any thing on a coke-cola at 6:20 in the moring. But everthing taste so much better out here I guess cause your cut off without all the nice things , makes you really sit down and think just how dang lucky we all really are. And im really startin to see the world for what it really is. I just wish the trail life could last FOREVER......
Date: 2015-05-31
To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0

Waynesboro VA is such a nice town a town set up just for hikers . I am so thankful for them they have hostels a nice park too camp in. Just about everthing a hiker could want im stayin in the park where its free... key word free! but its nice free power and the ymca right the street for a shower. Even now im at the public library use there free computer. Im going to take a day off and resupply and rest. I be walkin around town takin more pics so there will be more to come before I leave. But this is somewhere I want to come back to and vist. Thank You Waynesboro ..
Date: 2015-06-01
From: Waynesboro

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

You know I have never be like this there ant been a day go by I have not stop and thanked God for letting me enjoy one more day. Cause were not promised tomorrow. Being out here has made me see the value of livin and life it is so short and there is so much to see. God has blessed me im strong and a good hiker . And I owe all this to him my life! So all I can really say is Thank you God for being my best friend when I had no one. And bringin me out here to understand the value of my life and just how much I love livin...
Date: 2015-06-03
To: Big medows lodge
Miles today: 0.0

Been held up here at the lodge sorry I ant posted much .Im on the trail now me my new partner for the time being Dirty nate we meet and belive it or not he is from Rheatown also same road lol small world. So I hope the weather gets better its foggy and wet. And of all things my tents sucks in rain storms not good so everything I own is wet but it cant stay bad for long. Ill be putting more photos up but there is a issue with trail journals or my phone cant wait to get a new phone on July 31. But im gong to walk on lunch is over hope to have signal tonight with some amazing photos .
Date: 2015-06-03
From: Big medows lodge

To: Birds nest Shelter 
Miles today: 15.0

Well where do I start im warm now in my bag in the shelter . So it could be worse I guess and i have seen worse. From rain to fog to wind. And trail journal has problems with the site so I cant upload photos but o well soon I hope . So hope and pray the weather lifts cause my tent is not doing so hot got a new one coming but thats in 6 days. So im just makin due with everything wet and damp. So im going to go to bed and try to stay warm and dry out nite.....
Date: 2015-06-08
From: Rod hollow shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 24.0

I left Rod hollow shelter this moring about 5:45 and made it here to the Bear den hostel fir lunch today has been so nice but hard as all get out . I went thru today what around they call the rollercoaster up and down as fast as you can go painful 13.5 miles you would just have to walk it to understand its crazy and I hope I never have to do something like this again! I sorry for the lack of entry's there has been no service out here at all. Unless you have Sprint. But the lack of photos is due to trail journals.com I hope they get it fixed soon! I passed the 1000 mile Mark in the trail that was a amzing feeling im 10 miles from where I am to the halfway point when I get there I hope my brother will be able to come up from TN and ride the amttack train into D.C. to see the White House. And rest for a day I feel the half day ever 4 days does me alot of good. Lets all the hurting mmucked and joints heel . I just want to thank ever one who reads my entry's and who is behind me . Cause rather you know your out here with me in spirit. So ill do you my best to show you the trail and all its wonderful miles!   But I owe it all too him thank you for giving me one more day.....