morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-11
From: Bald Mountain Brook Shelter

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Oh man--lots of warnings tha water ahead was really high. One trail entry actually said "ford completely impassable for someone 5'4." " Well golly. I'm shorter than that. The good thing was that the blessed souls who wrote the note also drew a map of how to get around it by using jeep trails and dirt roads. Stripe and I opted to go around, but Pipper, purist that he is, went through it. He said we made the right choice... he almost had to let his pack go as he was crossing, said it was over his head. The muck and the mud on the trail has been difficult and demoralizing for me, but I didn't realize until today just how much it was impacting everyone else. When we arrived in Monson, I was completely shocked to see none other than Rhino and Ronja, as well as AloHawk. I thought Rhino was a week ahead of me, though I had heard that he slowed down because he doesn't like hiking in this weather. Now, Rhino is one of the toughest guys I know on the trail and he's very humble about it. This is his second go at the trail, and the 3rd time he's been through the New England states. I couldn't believe it when he told me he and Alohawk were planning to get a shuttle to Baxter tomorrow and skip the Hundred Mile Wilderness. AloHawk is no sissy either. We looked at the forecast which was more promising than it had been and in the end convinced them to hike our with us. I don't know what to make of my last week on the trail. I'm certainly happy, but still harbor a sense of longing that I thought would be satisfied on this trip. Perhaps I should just accept this as part of my nature. Or maybe I need to keep walking and looking...
Date: 2008-08-13
From: Long Pond Lean to

To: Carl Newhall Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Wowee--it's getting clear that it's time for me to go home. I was in a bad mood this morning for no real reason. I ended up hiking with Pipper for most of the day, and Stripe took off. Blueberries were everywhere today. They are good reminders that there is enough for everyone. I also promised myself somewhere in New Hampshire that I would always have enough time to stop and pick blueberries whenever I wanted--even on a bald in a thunderstorm. So I'm staying true to that.Rhino, he says because he didn't want to carry the weight, decided to fast through the Hundred Mile Wilderness. This is day 2 of his fast. I have extra food that he won't eat. Darn he's tough, but he's definitely struggling too. HE picked a bunch of blueberries, then ate 3 whoopie pies at a trail magic stop. Oh my. He almost hitched into town, but I'm glad he didn't because I got to cuddle with Ronja the wonder dog in the shelter and he set a really nice fire.Pipper and I are thinking of summitting Katahdin Sunday instead of Monday because the weather is supposed to be better. That would also mean a 20 mile day up and down Katahdin. We'll see.
Date: 2008-08-14
From: Carl Newhall Shelter

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean To
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

There are certainly a lot of emotions going through me right now, and one of them, surprisingly, is regret. Sort of. Maybe it's more of a disjoint between what I was expecting the trail to be and what it's been in reality. I think I pictured many more romantic nights under the stars, and staying up late into the night talking about subjects close to our hearts. I never thought that I'd be asleep before the stars came out most nights. Pre-trail I didn't think much about how physically and psychically exhausted everyone would be after a long day of hiking, the reality of camp chores, and the effect of being away from familiar loved ones. I'm definitely learning the importance of living in and loving the moment. I'll never see most of the wonderful people I've met out here again, so embracing them here and now, if only by truly being present, is so very important.I've also learned to take risks out here (well, that was unavoidable if I was really going to finish), and I've really built up my courage, a much over due task. I've once again realized the importance of sharing and giving, and I've much more often been on the receiving end of that out here.There so much I've learned out here, and even though I'm burnt out, I'd definitely do this again.
Date: 2008-08-15
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean To

To: Namakanta Lake
Miles today: 21.5

Today was absolutely exquisite, a picture perfect day, and my favorite on the trail. Even after a restless night's sleep. I finally convinced Rhino to break his fast and take some of my food. I gave him a selection, but he choice beans and corn meal. Another lesson learned. Do not give a starving man beans to break a fast. His gas was so awful in the shelter that Pipper actually decided to set up his tent in the middle of the night. Poor Rhino had to keep running to the privy in the middle of the night. It was funny, but a rough night for everyone. We're at the point where we all share each other's burdens. As the sun was rising I knew we were all in for a great day. We stopped at a pristine lake for a break and then trail magic showed up. A man and his sons were camping nearby and had so much extra food that they didn't know what to do with. They shared it with us and saved a few of us from having to go to White House Landing. After lunch at a shelter, Phipper and I stopped by a lake with a view of Katahdin. Pipper almost didn't stop, but I made him and it was a good thing. There was a post card quality view of Lady K. WE lounged there for a bit before heading to Namakanta Lake for a swim. We caught up with Stripe, Pippi and Hamburglar and decided to camp 2 miles up the trial on the other side of the lake where a beach was supposed to be It was the most magnificent evening on the trail. Rhino and Ronja joined Pipper, Stripe and I. We cooked on the beach and had a small fire. WE sat up late and just quietly watched the stars come out. We didn't talk at all because there was really nothing to say or do but stay and enjoy the astounding beauty of our surroundings and appreciate the occasional haunting cry or a loon on the lake.
Date: 2008-08-16
From: Namakanta Lake

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: light rain

I can't believe what I'm looking at through my tent: a grand view of the majestic, long sought after Mt. Katahdin. This is so surreal. Over the past hour as Pipper, Rabbit and I watched the sun set, Katahdin when from perfectly clear, to having a thunderstorm, to clear again. It's amazing to be here and I really can't believe anyone makes it this far, much less me. I'm simultaneously proud and humbled. There are a thousand thoughts and emotions a minute, so I won't even try to get them all down. Since tomorrow is supposed to be the better weather day between Sunday and Monday, Pipper and I decided to summit tomorrow. Time for a good night's sleep... if I can get to sleep.
Date: 2008-08-17
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We woke at 3:30 this morning and were on the trail by 4:15. A blessed and miraculous thing happened as we crossed Abol stream. We saw a moose! Pipper was so grateful. He hadn't seen one yet, and he was so excited to see on one his last day. It was awesome. We hiked with our headlamps and by moonlight until the sun started to come up. It was a breathtaking sunrise and the sky was completely clear--we were hoping for a class 1 day on Katahdin, and I thought we were going to get it. By the time we were at the Ranger Station at the base of Katahdin, the clouds came in and it had actually started to sprinkle. I can't describe how it felt to actually know I was about to finish this amazing journey. And I also can't describe how painful that last climb was. It was as if my body thought I had finished yesterday and it would NOT cooperate. Katahdin is perhaps the most serious climb on the entire trail, and fact that my body was very much aware. Pipper and Stripe shot ahead, but I was happy to be alone on the last leg of this. I started alone and wanted to finish alone. It ended up taking me 3.5 hours to walk the 5 miles to the top. Stripe and Pipper very kindly waited for me, though Pipper had been there so long his lips were purple. I definitely got a little teary eyed on the top looking at that wooden sign that I had thought about for so long. WE got pictures and began the descent. It was windy and in the 40's and cloudy, so we didn't want to stay up there too long. I actually had on every layer of clothing I had, something I hadn't done since Tennessee. The walk back down was even more painful than the ascent. Pipper, Stripe and I started fantasizing about the hot tub at the hotel, and we had a lot of laughs. And of course, once we got to the bottom, it was bright and sunny and warm and the clouds had lifted from the summit of Katahdin. But I didn't care. It was my trip, my experience, and I wouldn't change any of it.
Date: 2008-03-06
To: Simple, right
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I've delayed making this first entry long enough. I think it was a bit intimidating to get started so I'll keep the first one short and simple.I am going to hike the AT, Georgia to Maine. That is my goal, what I'm setting out to do. One can never be fully prepared to walk over 2,000 miles, so what I will strive for is to get started physically rested and healthy and with a good attitude and a flexible plan. On April 5th, I will drive to Georgia with my wife and dog and I'll start the next day.Simple as that....or not
Date: 2008-03-11
From: Rockfish Gap, VA

To: Paul Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

One might rightfully ask why I planned this 10 day, 80 mile trip with my dog Lucy, trailname "Starlu" as a part of, and in preparation for my thruhike. The simple answer is that I wanted to give her a chance to show what she could do. She is a tremendously athletic dog and has always impressed and surprised us on previous hikes. She's also almost 10 so I don't know how long she would be able to do it. So we trained with packs on in Duke Forest to prepare as I always prepare - NOT ENOUGH! But in actuality it was just enough because we made it. Read on to see how we made it...Day 1 - Drove to Rockfish Gap from Durham. We drove up part of the Blue Ridge Parkway and saw the kind of scenery we would see very soon at a much slower pace. Stopped and hung a resupply bag of food that we would reach on our 8th day. I'll admit that I did not follow proper prinicples for bear hanging the bag and in fact, the bag would have been like a pinata with lots of prizes for any bear who came along. Started hiking from where Jamison and I finished the January Shenandoah AT hike, finding the trail with kind help from a local. Began our hike at 1:30pm with what looked to be an easy 5 miles. Lucy was not at all sure what the he** we were doing hiking into the woods, but she knew she did not want to return to the camper so on we walked. Only folks we saw were a lost couple out for a 2 hour walk, who were way off course and pushing the light to get back. Steered them back the way they had come and it had the added benefit of speeding Starlu up as she wanted to stay close to them. reached the shelter with plenty of daylight. Slept in the shelter, assuming lucy would stay close to me, but she was nervous and spent all night on the lower level keeping watch on the woods.
Date: 2008-03-12
From: Paul Wolfe Shelter

To: Humpback Mountain
Miles today: 6.5

A slightly more challenging day, but made it in good time. Used the filter for the first time and will definitely like it (rather than chemical drops) for drawing from shallow creeks and springs that have little flow. While we were relaxing at a creek, a small branch fell nearby and Starlu was off like a shot back the way we had come. She must have run 20 feet befoer pausing to see ehat it was. A brave one that Starlu! Had to carry significant water as our campsite had no water nearby. Scouted out a good site near the mountain top with nice views nearby. A group of dayhikers wandered by late in the day and Starlu diligently protected our camp while I spoke with them. We both slept much better and Starlu liked the tent. Tried a trail dinner I made called "Miso Madness" and it should have been called "Miso Badness" instead as it was awful. What was I thinking with a dinner heavily seasoned with Seaweed, which I generally don't like, and for which I accidentily doubled to Q of seaweed? Tossed it and went to bed hungry.
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Humpback Mountain

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: broken clouds

Our first big day of hiking and it was a tough one. Not only was it significantly longer, there was a lot more elevation change and many more rocks and boulders. We had some nice views early on and did some boulder hopping which we paid for later. At one point we reached an area with a blue- blazed hike around (we I wasn't sure of at first) and what looked like a difficult descent. Lucy was pushing to try it though and she jumped down (about 3 ft) to a rocky ledge before I could figure out how she could do it. Being a bit nervous I climbed down and simply spotted her while she jumped the remaining 3 feet down. Hooray, we had done it. Well no, all we had done was the first of two sections. Now realizing that the hike around was the better option (given our long day) and seeing that the next bit was going to be even harder, I looked for a way around - which Lucy didn't like and she proceeded to jump back up to the first rock ledge. As she had no way to jumpt from the narrow ledge back to the top, I climbed up and airlifted her up to the top to do the walk around. So we hiked on, crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway. At that point it got very rocky and tough to hike. Not only that, but it was a warm day so we grew very leg weary as we trudged along at a slow pace not sure exactly where we were on the route and thus unable to judge how much remained. Reached Reeds Gap at the BRP and had a nice rest there. Starlu rolled onto her back to scratch and discovered that she couldn't right herself because of the saddlebags. She looked like a stranded turtle. She patiently waited for me to roll her over so she could get up, something which I had to do at least once a day, but never captured in a photo! After that rest, we madde the remaining 1.7 miles to the shelter and crashed. We were both spent, but I was afraid that was it for Starlu for the trip as she was stiff and groaned all night. We rested well and she got up the next morning ready and willing to go.
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Hilly and rocky again (duh), but a mercifully short hike to the shelter. Great views in several spots. Shelter was in a wooded valley where two streams came together and run in front of the shelter. We got in at 2pm while UNC's game in the ACC tourney was still going on, so enjoyed that. We soaked our feet (and paws) in the stream and washed out a few things. As it was predicted to rain, I pitched the tent in the shelter after I was sure no one else would be there and we both enjoyed that feeling of comfort in the tent with a roof overhead. Lucy showed no ill effects of the big hike the day befoer and even started pushing me a bit. She would pass me and then stop to let me go back by as the acknowledged leader of the pack (albeit a small one). I finally stopped worrying about how she would traverse any rocks or downed trees as she always does it easily without any help. I actually learned from her to be an efficient hiker by not going out of my way to avoid an obstacle or rock - just go straight over it. And it is better!
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning getting packed up I got a back issue (spasm) while bending over to put the water bag in the pack - stupid little thing, but I didn't bend my knees and this is typical of how I get these. Took Ibuprofin for relief (hikers call it Vitamin I). We did have a brief rain shower during the night and we started relatively early to try and beat the afternoon rain. Had a easy downhill run to river/road crossing. Back felt ok - actually having the pack on is like having it in traction (as long as I'm not bending over). From the river, we had a steady climb of over 3,000 ft over 4.3 miles up to the summit of "The Priest." Got to the shelter area about 1:30pm and listened to UNC's thrilling win over Va Tech in the ACC Tournament semis. Lazed around and set up tent knowing it would rain, blow and get colder tonight. Scout group came in with 3 dogs and occupied the shelter, but I'm a good distance away. Rain started before dinner, so Starlu and I got in the tent and I cooked from the vestibule. Now getting in the tent at 5:15pm was a bit early and the reality was that it sounded a lot worse inside the tent than it really was outside - the rain drops were barely falling when we stuck our head out later. Another group (of 4 guys) came in late with 2 more dogs so it was quite crazy around there with the dogs running wildly around. Lucy mostly growled inside the tent when they came nearby.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Spent a restless night with back hurting & wind/rain outside. Woke up to snow/sleet! Had done more harm to my back trying to get Lucy off my sleeping bag so I could get in it. It had gotten much colder during the night, but thankfully the rain had stopped. Had to walk quite a bit to get the back loosened up. Ate a cold breakfast as I didn't want to mess with food prep. Talked to the scouts/leaders and group of guys a bit. Lucy got along well with most of the dogs (all female as well) although when they came into her food space, she hustled them away with a reach for their jugulars. She doesn't mess around and came away with a mouth full of furr of one of them. She still has her quirks One of the dogs of this group of guys was a standard poodle (no poodle cut, thankfully) and it was quite a sight to see a pack on that dog. Hike started out tough with low energy and an aching back. Called Connie (wife) and Virginia (mother-in-law) and commiserated, which seemed to help. Also ate copious amounts of food (and comsumed copious Vitamin I) and that REALLY helped. Hiked fast the last 3 miles listening to the UNC-Clemson ACC Championship game and got in around 2pm. Lot's of time to lounge, check gear and take in the sun. Good dinner as well. Lucy's front left leg seems to be hurting so I started her on a course of doggie Vit A (Aspirin).
Date: 2008-03-17
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

Cold night in the low 20's. Didn't use the silk liner and should have. Worried a bit about Starlu at these temps but she did her normal groaning and came over for belly rubs in the tent so she must have been okay. Water bottle in the tent even froze a bit. Took my time getting ready as it was so cold. Water bag outside completely froze shut and the water filter wouldn't work as it was frozen. Well I've got the chemical drops, right? Went to use them and one side was empty so no treatment available. Spring was flowing front a pipe so drank it straight and it was fine. Stopped in for a nice break on Tar Jacket Ridge (another bald) then came across a beautiful camp spot about 2.5 miles earlier than intended. As tomorrow was to be a very short day, decided to enjoy this spot. Had weak cell coverage but was able to get Connie's email with great news about her first acceptance to grad school (Arizona). I called her and we celebrated her success. Enjoyed the sunny remainder of the day and the swings (yes, this campsite had 2 swings!). Went down to get water and got a little spooked by a camo blanket that looked like it might be covering a dead body. On second look it looked more like it was covering Yoda from Star Wars and as Lucy seemed to be okay with it, I concluded it was only covering some sticks - I never checked though Looks like a good night for sleep.
Date: 2008-03-18
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It wass a cold and windy morning so we walked around to warm up then ate a hot breakfast. I've concluded though that the best solution to being cold is to eat some energy bars, pack up and get moving. It's the most efficient and seemingly effective way, short of cooking a hot breakfast while in your sleeping bag. Having to get up and get the bear bag with food, stove etc. down kind of makes that not worhtwhile though. The hot breakfastsand cleanup often seem more trouble than they're worth. Stopping short yesterday left us with a longish hike today but it was easy terrain to cover. Had to hike an extra mile to a shelter along the way for water and a privy stop, but it was well worth it. I seemed to have left my knife at the last campsite so that's a bummer, but I've got my teeth for cutting. As I seemed to have developed some small blisters and sore spots, I used said teeth to rip the duct tape to cover the early stage problems on my feet. We reach our resupply today and were thrilled to find it swinging in the breeze (too low) just as we left it. Spent time deciding what to take, with just what we need to finish. We've decided to shorten the total hiking days from 12 to 10 and to hike longer the last two days. So we repacking and rehung the bear bag (just as low as it was before) and headed on. I think we both understand that we are close to finishing (I'm sure Lucy knows it and I think I know it) so we are focused on hiking. On the way to the shelter we passed through an area where freed slaves had built a community and been sharecroppers from late 1800's to 1920 when the Forest Service bought them out. It looked like tough terrain to farms with hills all around. I guess that's why they sold when they had the chance. Could see chimneys where the houses were. The shelter was nice with a creek just in front. I always find it soothing with the sounds of rushing water to sleep by. Starlu likes it too as it drowns out an small noises that make her nervous.Also soaked my feet in the creek and they felt better. These new boots have been great, but perhaps I laced the toebox a little too tight as my problem areas seem to be both fourth toes getting pinched - probably due to the long downhills we've been doing. Feet, you can't go very far without 'em out here