morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-20
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Highpoint State Park
Miles today: 17.9

We ate Continental breakfast then headed for a 30+ mile drive Its still rocky but lots of nice glacier lakes. Its hard to walk on the rocks and look for bears. The infamous Worthington bakery was not impressive. The park concession was closed but BB's dad took us to Dairy Queen. We ate dinner at the DWG diner and I had an awesome gyro.
Date: 2003-07-21
From: Highpoint State Park

To: Pochuck Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

The first day back with a full pack was tough. My boots should be broke in by now but I have lots of blisters right through my caluses (spelling). Too many miles....I stopped by the "secret" shelter on the way. Its a nice spot on someones farm.Mostly a cool day with easy walking. I was lucky to get a spot in the shelter we had a major lightning storm all night.
Date: 2003-07-22
From: Pochuck Mtn Shelter

To: route 94
Miles today: 6.5

The rain ended and we hiked into Vernon NJ. A lady in an audi took us to the PO and then the church hostel. Its a great hostel. Internet, laundry , showers and all for 5 bucks. They only hold 12 hikers and many were asked to leave.
Date: 2003-07-23
From: route 94

To: 17a
Miles today: 15.2

BB bought me a milk for breakfast! Thanks! Granite, BB and I hitched to the trail. We got a ride in a 2 door Nissan and had our packs on our laps. Granite started talking about going back to work. I was suprised to see him at the top of the first hill. Verizon hired him back and he has to report in a week. His plan was to hike until the last day but now he thinks he needs time to get things in order. We stopped to a ice cream place right on the trail. H e ran us to the next town and we stayed at Antwons on the Lake in Greenwood. It was an old but very nice motel.Lakefront, breakfast, clean, movies, mini bar, wine etc. The 3 of us had dinner nearby. Luaue Lobster was great. The best dish I have had on the trail. Granite bought dinner and we made this our good bye night not knowing if he will make it back to the trail this year.
Date: 2003-07-24
From: 17a

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

The motel owner ran us back to the trail. We dropped Granite at the bust station on the way. I can count dozens of hikers who have left the trail. But this is the first time a close friend has left. It wont be the same without him. Thank God! HaHa! We hiked 500+ miles together...Hope to see you soon pal.It was sad but off BB and I went. There was a nice waterfall early on in the day. We spent some time there. The day went by slow and we rolled into camp at 8:30. I tented and did not even visit the shelter...just off to bed.
Date: 2003-07-25
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Camp Smith Trail
Miles today: 15.4

It was a long hike in to get to the P.O. I got what I needed and sent the rest of my box ahead. Blink Blink and I wanted to use the official route through the zoo. It closes at 4:30 so there was not much time for lunch at the snack bar. We passed by the lowest point on the trail at 150ft. We grabbed a couple cokes and crossed Bear Mtn Bridge at rush hour. We climbed a very steep mtn and slept out under the stars at Anthony's Nose. I saw a meteor shower and a great sunset with a view over the Hudson.
Date: 2003-07-26
From: Camp Smith Trail

To: Fahnstock state park
Miles today: 17.0

The bugs got bad as the breeze stopped. So at 2:00am I crawled Into my tent. The weather was clear again. I took a shower at the Greymoore Friary.             B2 and I had a long lunch. It was minimal facilities and a cold shower but I cant complain much. I talked to Journey for a while before leaving.             I ran Into Jack on the Mtn. I hiked until almost dark and never did catch up with b2. I hiked into the state park but got let out at the wrong spot. I walked .5ml to the camp area. I set up near Stripe. Someone said B2 was here and looking for me. It was getting dark. Long story short I walked all around and never found her. Not what I wanted to do at the end of the day. Scubaman GA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-08-10
From: Great Falls

To: Brassie Brook Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

We got a lift to the trail head with Maria. She even stopped by a cafe for breakfast. We got rained on not long after starting out. What a first day back. We ate lunch on a park bench along a road. It rained just as we finished. The rain lasted just long enough to soak us. I took a break at the 1st shelter and met a ridge runner named Dan. I called the next shelter home for the night.Long-wet-mentally tough- 1st day back
Date: 2003-08-11
From: Brassie Brook Shelter

To: Great Barrington
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain on and off again all day. We crossed into Massachusets. 10 states down! I crossed over the highest point of Conn. today. The hills were steep, mossy, & slippery. I fell more times then I can count. I bent my hiking pole. I have rubbed my hips and ankle raw. Its great to be back....   We hitched into the outfitter. Our maildrops had arrived there. The employee ran us to the motel after he closed up the store. Pizza and Bed.I had to take my first detour of the trail. One section of the trail was underwater and had an official detour. I've walked every inch up to this point and a flood like that makes the detour the official route through.
Date: 2003-08-12
From: Great Barrington

To: Bennedict Pond
Miles today: 10.4

The hotel owner dropped us to the P.O. & laundry. My thermarest never showed up. I have been sleeping on a broke one for about a month. We met a contractor at the laundry who gave us a ride to the trail. We got a late start and it rained as we exited the truck. We walked through a few corn fields and marshland. We had a great lunch at Tom Leonard Shelter. I decided to swim at the pond. We got asked to exit the water due to rain. The ranger gave us a tent site and made a food run. He brought soda, chips, & B&J ice cream back. Tented out with light rain.
Date: 2003-08-12
From: Bennedict Pond

To: G Barrington 
Miles today: 0.0

The hotel owner dropped us to the PO and the laundry. My replacement thermarest never showed up. We met a contractor at the laundry who gave us a ride to the trail. It was a late start and started to rain just as we got out of the truck. There was lots of corn fields and marsh to start with. We ate lunch at the Tom Leonard shelter. We called the day shorter then planned and went for a swim at Bennedict pond. I was asked to leave the water by the ranger because it was raining. The ranger gave us a tent site and made a run to town for food. Sodas chips and B&J. I set up my tent with light rain. Scubaman GA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-08-13
From: Bennedict Pond

To: Upper Goose Cabin
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

I was on the trail just after 7. I forgot to through out last nights trash, so I had extra weight. I enjoyed the day a lot. It was some of the most beautiful woods in months: Large evergreens, swamps, ponds, bogs, and a very long uphill. I had bagels with sausage and cheese near a river with loud rapids. The rain held off and I arrived at the cabin at 5:30. The cabin has a caretaker and includes pancakes for 3.00. I swam half way across the pond. It was crystal clear. I got a ride back to the dock with Stocliff in a canoe!Moo, 42, Glacier, and about 10 other hikers I just met.
Date: 2003-08-14
From: Upper Goose Cabin

To: Dalton
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

The day started with me helping the caretaker Dwayne cook pancakes. After breakfast I took off and soon crossed Mass. 80. At the other side Oreo cookies awaited. Stocliff explained to me how he makes hiking sticks...I ate a hot lunch and had completed 9 miles by noon. Blink Blink and I went to the "Cookie Ladie's" house. Roy gave us cookies and we picked fat blueberries from their farm.We pushed on to finish out a 20 mile day. The last part heading into town was a mud hole. Dalton Mass. is the home to the company Crane, which supplies the U.S. Mint with paper for money. We stayed at the Shamrock Inn. The hostel had too many hikers. Tom did give us a ice cream sunday for free though.I learned of the "Black Out". After eating a sub I went to bed.
Date: 2003-08-15
From: Dalton

To: Mark Noepal Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

I ate breakfast in a small but busy little diner. I went back to the room and took my time getting ready. Blink Blink went ahead. I hiked with Kilroy and Chilly Willy for a while. Cheshire was a let down. There was not much right on the trail. I got some ice cream and headed up to the shelter. I met up with Blink Blink half way up. Apparently I passed her in town.There was not much wildlife today but plenty of mud. Rain is in the forcast.
Date: 2003-08-16
From: Mark Noepal Shelter

To: Williamstown
Miles today: 9.6

I was up and on the trail at 6:30am. Mass. highest point is Mt. Greylock. I arrived and got the waiter to wait for Blink Blink before cleaning up for breakfast. We relaxed in the lodge and climbed the big tower. Fog made the view limited. Blink Blink had a friend arrive and we slacked into Williamstown. He got us a room at the Orchards Hotel. We went to the mtn goat outfitter and got fuel. Eli bought us dinner. Scubaman GA--->ME 2003
Date: 2003-08-17
From: Williamstown

To: VT 9
Miles today: 18.4

Granite showed up and took me to breaqkfast at 8am. Eli and Blink Blink dined at the Hotel. G-man slacked us 18 miles. It rained almost the entire time. My cell phone got ruined. I did not like carrying it anyway.We hiked fast with only a few breaks due to the weather. We finished the 12th state and entered VT. Granite drove us from the trail to a motel. Double Dare, Thirsty, and Sunshine were there. The Autumn Inn was a dump. The food at the Winners Circle was worse then trail food. It was great to have a shower after all the rain though. 2 nights in hotels... I take um when I can get um!
Date: 2003-08-18
From: VT 9

To: Kidgore
Miles today: 14.4

Sherpa and his wife drove us to the trail. I was tired and struggled up the 10 mile climb. B2 and I hiked with Stowcliff for a while. All 3 of thought we were lost for a while. The trail is poorly marked. The AT now runs along with the Long Trail. A great view from Glaston Murray Fire Tower. Red or Blue spruce is everywhere with views for 30 plus miles. I saw a rainbow and a hawk from the top too. People 5 minutes ahead saw a moose. 4 other people saw moose earlier in the day. I can't wait to see one!
Date: 2003-08-19
From: Kidgore

To: Prospect Rock
Miles today: 20.8

Blink Blink had the fine job of clearing the spiderwebs from the trail. Its not so great to be the 1st one down the trail in the morning. I had my eyes set on a 26 mile day to town. It would be neat to walk a marathon. I bailed at 20 miles when I learned town would have come up short at 25.7 miles.Prospect Rock had a geat view of Manchester. You could hear a river in the ravine below but could not see it. The opposing face was very steep and rocky. At 1 am I heard a vehicle. I woke Blink Blink up incase it was a bunch of drunk rednecks. It appeared to be a friendly coupld who left after an hour. Shew.
Date: 2003-08-20
From: Prospect Rock

To: Rt 11/30 Manchester VT
Miles today: 4.9

A 6:30 am start. We flew through the 5 miles to town. 1st stop was the P.O. Carrying 2 boxes each we walked to breakfast another mile away. I complained....whats new. By the time we finished and got a ride to the hotel it was 1pm.We showered and sorted out our boxes. Then we had to bounce a box ahead. So we got another hitch right to the P.O. He waited on us and drove us to the Laundry Mat. Yay Vermont! The town had some nice stores with top brands. We ran into Double Dare, Thirsty, Last Minute, and Sunkist. We had dinner at Maxwell's and finally got a lift back to the room. As usual the long awaited day of rest was filled with everything except rest.
Date: 2003-08-22
From: Rt 11/30 Manchester VT

To: USFS 10
Miles today: 17.5

We started the day with breakfast at the Best Diner. We got a ride to the trail head rather quickly. The weather has been perfect lately. Cool with clear skies. Very windy on the peaks however. There are lots of ski resorts within sight. The trail goes right over Bramley Ski Area. I felt great all day. The rest paid off. We got more good views today. Vermont is beautiful.At 7pm we ran into Bag O' Trix and Mala's trail magic. They cooked London broil with all the fixin's. It was a great day!
Date: 2003-08-23
From: USFS 10

To: Clarendon Gorge
Miles today: 14.5

I woke up in a 3 room tent with 6 people in a dog. Mala had coffee ready early. He also hooked us up with pancakes and a slack to reach Sherpa's party. Blink Blink and I left at 9:30. The first stop was a pristine pond along the trail. We watched ducks dive for food. I cant describe how beautiful it was...it was simply amazing. The next break was at a small waterfall. I expected Thristy and the others to catch up but we never saw them. At the gorge I went for a swim. We waited for a while and then Bag O' Trix gave us a lift to the Long trail Inn. We stopped by Wendy's on the way and filled up on cheeseburgers.No vacancey at the inn. So after a Long Trail Ale we got a room and walked 1.5 miles to it. It was a long day but worth it. Vermont gets prettier every day. The weather remains ideal. Lows 45-50 tonight.
Date: 2003-08-24
From: Clarendon Gorge

To: Rte 4
Miles today: 17.5

We left our packs in the room and got a ride back up to the gorge with Mala. We waited from 8 until noon for the ride. This made for a late day. We stopped at the Killington summit. It was clear, cool, and very windy. I had a headlamp with me and Blink Blink and I both had to share it to reach the road at night. We arrived at 9:30. Hitching at night is tough. Luckily another hikers going south was late and his wife who was waiting gave us a lift to the hotel.
Date: 2003-08-26
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had my gear packed by 6:30. Blink Blink was a little slower leaving. I hiked alone and managed to do 14 miles before noon. I knew I gained lots of time on B2 so I went to town. I got a lift right to the grocery store. I snagged hot dogs and soda to bring up to the shelter for dinner. A young girl gave me a lift back to the trail. After the next big uphilll I took a break and Blink Blink finally caught up.It was a 20+ mile day and at one point I felt like stopping. I started to put up my tent but could not find a good spot. I decided to press on to the shelter. I rolled into the shelter late. Blink Blink had been there a while (she left me!) C.C. rolled in after dark. He finally caught up to Chicken Legs. A 28 mile day for him.
Date: 2003-08-27
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I started the day with breakfast at Rick and Tina's country store in West Hartford VT. The milkshake at 9am was a bit much. I got in touch with Granite and made plans to meet him in Hanover. Blink Blink and I left our packs at the store and headed to Hanover. We met Granite who works 200ft off the trail. After lunch he took us to get our packs and dropped us at the Comfort Inn.
Date: 2003-08-28
From: Hanover

To: Lyme Dorchester Rd
Miles today: 0.0

At 7am we grabbed breakfast and Granite dropped us at Lyme Rd. We slacked back into Hanover. Slip & Trip, Chicken Leggs, C.C., and Sunkist were hanging out at the P.O. We grabbed a B&J ice cream and found Granite. He drove us to his house in Manchester NH. 1.5 hours away. We met his friend Amy and had dinner and drinks at a few of his favorite spots. Including his rugby bar. I even got some time on the net. Thanks Granite!
Date: 2003-10-04
To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Some how I left this journal unfished. Most people by now know that I finished the entire trail. On October 4, 2003 I summited the last mountain with some very special friends. It was a day I will never remember.In 2005 I set sail for the Caribbean. I sailed 2500 miles from Florida to Venezuela on a 28' sloop. Another adventure I will not quickly forget.My update here is inspired by yet another trip. On April 10th 2007 I will fly to San Diego, CA. A few days later I will start at the Mexican Border and attempt to walk to Canada via the Pacific Crest Trail.Anyone looking to contact me my email is now updated on this site, just drop a line in the guest book.Scuba
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0

Well Granite saved me the mile walk back to the trail ahead today. I had a 9:00 start, And the weather was cool and cloudy here today. I also did 19+ miles today.>> I saw Puffy and Stumble at the shelter. Then I got myself situated and tented there. There was lots of day and section hikers there. The bad thing was that It rained hard all night long! Oh well.>>>> Scubaman>> GA--->ME 2003>
Date: 2002-11-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Welcome to my journal!    I thought I would start my first entry by telling a little about myself for people who might not know me. I've spent most my life living in Virginia. I am a 29 year old paving contractor. I own/operate a small asphalt paving company. The past few years I have spent the off season months in Florida where I fish and scuba dive. I will do the same this year and include the final preparations for my thru-hike.    The idea/goal for thru-hiking the Appalachain Trail is a relatively new idea for me. I hiked short sections of the AT as a child but never realized or paid attention to the length and possibilities it offerd. As I got more involved in hiking this year the challenge of the trail drew me to find more information about it. I joked about the idea of hiking the entire trail and teased that there wasnt any reason why I was unable to. Then while having lunch with a friend and my brother and his wife one day, our waiter overheard us talking about hiking/camping and explained he had just finished thru-hiking the AT. I found this as a neat little excuse or Omen if you will and decided to consider it much more seriously.   To sum it up, I've taken steps to put it all in order. I have 95% of the gear I need. Read about 3 times more books/web pages then could possibly be necessary. Taken several weekend trips to help get into shape. That takes me up to today. My first journal entry.
Date: 2002-11-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This is the week before Thanksgiving. I move out of my apartment at the end of the month. So the next 4 or 5 days I will be moving. I'll spend most of December with my parents. Then I will head to Flordia until its time for the big hike.   My brother has agreed to update this journal as I hike. I'll just mail home pages from my journal as often as time permits. I'm going through adding gear links etc so its ready for him.   Gear is what mostly ponders through my mind these days. I am glad that part is just about over with. I'm sure I will change some items as I hike, however I have a good feeling about the gear I choose. I would not call my pack ultra lite, but certainly in the light category. I should start with a 15-17 pound pack weight (no food/water/fuel). I really have no Idea how people find a way to fill their packs with 40+ pounds of gear. To each his own. For people looking for light/ultralight gear ideas try www.backpacking.net. A very helpful following of hikers over there.
Date: 2002-11-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have everything now that I plan to start in Springer with. I got poles and a new stove for my birthday. If I ever get moved...I want to take a weekend trip to try some of this new gear. I have not hiked with the Osprey Aether 60 yet but it feels very comfortable. The giga power stove works like a charm around the house, lets hope it holds up to the elements.   If anyone has info on trail areas where getting canister fuel will be hard I'd like to know. I asked several hikers their opinions on the canisters and each assured me it wouldnt be too big of a headache to obtain. At this point I would just like to plan a few mail drops to supplement the areas where I wont be able to find more fuel. Worse case scenario I will make a cat stove. I tried one of these and it only took one trip to figure out its not for me. However it will do in a bind.    I am still working on the gear online. But alot of the major items are posted. I just finished weighing my pack. An even 16 pounds without food/fuel/water. I doubt it will get any lighter, I'm pretty set on the items I chose and if anything will add a few ounces of extra gear I decide to bring.
Date: 2003-01-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to do a thru hike of the AT over a year ago and now the time is rapidly approaching. I am set to leave on Saturday, March 1, 2003. I have spent the past several months buying my gear. The past month I have worked with my dad and the AT Databook to establish my time line and mail drops. Will use the next four weeks to fine tune and test out new equipment. From reading the TrailJournals, it looks like there will be a nice group of us leaving on March 1st....see you then.
Date: 2003-02-01
To: One Month to GO!!!
Miles today: 0.0

Hard to believe that there is only one month to go. I live within an hour of the Amicalola Falls, so I decided to drive up to the approach trail and walk a couple of miles. Checked out the register at Amicalola Falls and saw Bono's entry on 12/28/02 and have enjoyed reading his journal as well as Rocket's.Look forward to seeing fellow hikers on March 1st.
Date: 2003-02-08
To: Mail Drops
Miles today: 0.0

Spent the weekend working with my dad on finalizing my mail drops and trail plans...we will see how long I stick to the schedule. But we did need to get an overall idea as I need to finish up by the end of July in order to get back and register for my classes at Appalachian State, which starts in August.Plan to spend the next two weeks getting my food figured out and getting my pack to a reasonable weight.
Date: 2003-02-28
To: The Night Before
Miles today: 0.0

I would like to introduce ourselves; we are Luke's parents,Ken and Laura Stachler. We will be transcribing for Luke for his AT journal. This evening we celebrated Luke's AT journey with a send off party with family and friends. We were so lucky to have our dear friends, Sister Sally White and Sister Eileen Murray who provided a special blessing for Luke and his journey along the AT.We sat around discussing Luke's trailname. For now, Luke is using "Lawnboy" as his trailname;however, he is open to a change depending on what transpires on the trail.Hard to believe that tomorrow morning Luke departs! We look forward to hearing from Luke and passing along his adventures through trailjournals.Ken and Laura Stachler
Date: 2003-03-01
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at 8:30 and took my last shower at home. Finished up some last minute items for my pack and had a bowl of ceral with my brother and sisters and friend Sue Hamm. Whole family and Sue loaded into the van at 10:00 and left for Amicalola Falls. Got to Amicalola Falls at 11:15 where we took some pictures and then drove up to the trailhead at Springer Mountain.A drizzly day, but a day full of excitment!The road up to Springer Mountain (USFS 42) was 6.5 miles of an experience in the van. Got to the parking lot and we all walked the 0.9 miles together to the Springer Mountain Terminus...well, it is now offical, signed in at Springer Mountain at 1:15PM on March 1, 2003!!!!Several hikers had already signed in today and I ran into about 8 hikers at the beginning of the trail, so I will not be alone on the trail and it gave my mom some comfort to see others on the trail.Got back to the parking lot, where had my last good-byes and hugs.