morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Today we hiked to the trail head at long hill road in Hopewell. Tony Pignataro met us at 7:30 am on the trail for a couple beers! It was great to see him and we are so thankful that he met us and for all his encouragement along the way. Then my trail angel (Cathy), Hayley and Laurie picked Cruise and I up and we all went to Highland for a stop at my cousin Sal¢s bar and a much needed trim at the barber! Had a great time there, we then headed to 3 guys pizza for a slice and then home. We were able to resupply at Shop Rite and get cleaned up at home. Got a new pack, poles and shoes. It was almost too good to be home. Even got to sleep in my own bed! We headed to church at night and then had a great steak and corn dinner with the family including my sister Lori and brother-in-law Richie. Nothing like a shower, bed, good food, family and a key lime pie too!
Date: 2018-07-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: few clouds

After an enjoyable time at home, Cruise and I were back at the trail at 6:30 Sunday morning. I not only have new supplies, I have some special homemade supplies that were given to me. Thank you Adele and Jon, for the "Hiker Biker Bars" and the "Hard Tack Crackers". I know they will give me the much needed energy that I'm going to need. Thank you also, to Monica and Dominick for the delicious Banana Bread and Chocolate Chip Cookies. Monica, those cookies are always just so amazing. Thank you all for the trail magic. When we got to the trail, Eric, Tony and his daughter Kathryn were there waiting for us and hiked twelve miles of the trail. At that point Dave Angell met us and supplied us with lunch. The trail magic just keeps on coming! Thank you all so much. Cruise and I continued on after that, hiked another seven miles and were in for the night.
Date: 2018-07-29
To: 1705
Miles today: 5.0

Erin picked us up this morning at Route 100 in Killington with Heady Topper on ice. We spent the day with Erin, Garrett and Jelly enjoying the Mad River Valley. We got to have some Mad taco, creemees, and local steaks. As well as some much deserved rest and relaxation.
Date: 2018-07-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 34.0

Last night We stayed at Wintturi Shelter, mile marker 1721. My sister Lisa and brother-in-law Bill arrived in Vermont today. We met up with them this afternoon. They are going to do some hiking with us for a couple of days. We enjoyed a great dinner together tonight. We are staying in a hotel and will head back to the trail early tomorrow morning.
Date: 2018-08-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.0

Last night we stayed at Mispah Hut. It was another "work for stay" lodge. My chore was to work in the pantry, taking all the food off the shelves, clean the shelves and replace the food. We were able to eat any of the leftovers. The food was great, we had pulled pork, couscous, soup and a delicious cake.
Date: 2018-08-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This morning we were at the summit of Mt. Washington. We had to forgo our hike for the rest of the day because the weather was extremely bad. There were 50-70 mph winds and torrential rain coming in sideways. The visibility on the trail was maybe a foot to two feet in front of us. We decided to take a shuttle down to Pinkham Notch and stay in the hostel for the night. Tomorrow the weather is supposed to lift with temperatures in the morning around 40 degrees.
Date: 2018-08-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 33.0

We were able to go back to the summit of Mt. Washington Friday morning and continue on. We went to Stealth Camp, mile marker 1871. It was very cold in the morning but it warmed up during the day. Today was another nice day. Tonight we are at Imp Shelter, mile 1884. We plan to reach Maine hopefully by Monday.
Date: 2018-08-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.0

After a very tough day of hiking, we are at Speck Pond and shelter. We made it through the Mahoosuc Notch and the Mahoosuc Arm, as it is referred to. We had early morning rain but then it cleared. It is very rugged terrain where we had to climb up, through and under boulders.
Date: 2018-08-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

Tonight we are stealth camping by a waterfall. Tomorrow by friend Dave will be picking us up for a three day vacation from hiking. My first full time off after 119 days of hiking. We will be bringing Cruise to the airport on Friday, he goes to his daughter's wedding on Saturday, flies back on Sunday and we will be back on the trail on Monday. I'm looking forward to relaxing and eating all weekend!
Date: 2018-08-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 28.0

Tonight we are at Sabbath Bay Pond Shelter. Thank you Dave Angell for taking care of Cruise and I this past weekend. We truly appreciate you taking Cruise to and from the airport so that he was able to go to his daughter's wedding and driving me around Portland , giving me much needed relaxation and nutrition. We are back on the trail, Mt. Katahdin here we come!
Date: 2018-08-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 22.0

Tuesday we hiked 13 miles and stayed at Horseshoe Canyon lean-to, mile marker 2067.  Today we hiked another 9 miles into Munson, Maine. I picked up my last box of shipped supplies from home.  Tonight and tomorrow night we will be staying at Shaw¢s Hostel.  Friday we start the Hundred-Mile Wilderness. It is the section of the AT that runs from Munson to Abol Bridge, just south of Baxter State Park. There are no main roads that go into the area, just a few logging roads. We plan to stay at Whitehouse Landing on Tuesday night, where everything is shipped in by boat. We hope to be at Abol Bridge Campsite next Thursday.
Date: 2019-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Paige, thank you for your interest, when I was on the trail I was very hungry.  One day we went into town they had all you can eat pizza and salad, I ate pizza for two hours.  When you hike for 8 to 10 hrs a day - you burn about 6-7k calories. Memorable experience was the beautiful views and people I met.
Date: 2018-05-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

For the last 11 months there has been this question in the back of my mind. After my hike in 2017 from Springer Mountain in Georgia to High Point State Park in New Jersey, it seemed like there was some unfinished business. It was like do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti¢¦¢¦and then just stopping.I¢m sure I could live with that. Watch the news, listen to your neighbors, talk to friends and family, and there are a lot of things going on more pressing than that. But, if I wake up at 4:00 in the morning and can¢t sleep, I find myself remembering what I saw and experienced in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and part of New Jersey last year, and I can¢t help but turn my mind northward and dream about the rest of New Jersey and then New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The Appalachian Trail is all of that. Each part has it¢s own value and worth, but the whole trail is the whole trail. I¢ve always wanted to hike it all. Maybe I should go again and finish it.  Marlene and I have talked about it a lot over this time. If I don¢t bring it up, she does. She¢s not pushing me, but she catches the same vision for it that i do. She immerses herself in the experience and is my biggest cheerleader. She is my home base and support team. There is nothing but encouragement coming from her.Since last June there has been a long list of life events and obstacles, so I have been cautious about getting too set on it. Very recently I got past the last of these and got the okay to go. Since then I have been doing a crash course in planning and prep. Things have fallen into place. With each day I am getting more excited. I¢m starting to think of being on the trail at sunset, and waking up to a sunrise in the woods. I have the bug again. Even getting an appetite for Pop Tarts, SPAM and tortilla wraps, beef jerky, instant potatoes, dried fruit, granola bars and milky way bars. Can¢t wait.So it¢s all set. Wednesday morning (very early) I will be taking a direct flight from Birmingham to the Newburgh/Stewart airport in New York, with a little side detour to Detroit. I will be picked up by the proprietor of Mosey¢s Place - a hostel near Port Jervis, NY - and will spend the night there. Then they will shuttle me to the headquarters of High Point State Park in NJ on Thursday morning. There I will be met by a box of gear that I sent yesterday, containing stuff that the TSA probably would frown upon at their airport security check, and some stuff I just didn¢t want to carry on the plane, looking like a hobo with a huge backpack as luggage. After that things are a lot less planned out. That¢s just the way I like it because life on the trail is very much ¢rolling with the punches¢, ¢going with the flow¢ and staying open to new experiences as things come up.  More to come.
Date: 2018-05-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I kind of want this trip to be a continuation of last year¢s trip so it can feel like a hike from Georgia to Maine, since that is what I originally set out to do. In last year¢s AWOL Guidebook, High Point State Park in NJ was 1,336.3 miles from Springer Mountain in GA. This year that distance is 1,337.4 miles, or 1.1 miles further - probably due to some trail relocations along that part of the trail. I am just going to ¢plug¢ that distance into one of these preliminary journal entries so that my position in the journal count matches the distances in my 2018 AWOL Guide. I may try to report this year¢s distance somehow so I can track current progress, but the calculated total shown at the top of each entry will reflect my position for the thru hike end to end. Hope that¢s clear.  As it turns out the trail distance from High Point State Park in NJ to Katahdin in Maine is exactly the same as last year so the guidebook will be accurate as I track myself north. The total distance this year is 2,190.9. If you do the math that leaves 853.5 miles to finish up this year at Katahdin.  Generally, hikers who start and end their hike in one calendar year (or possibly within a 12 month period, depending), and hike all the miles between Springer and Katahdin regardless of direction and sequence, are called ¢Thru Hikers¢. When you meet other hikers along the trail or around the campfire a typical question is ¢Where are you headed?, or ¢Going to Maine?¢ If you answer that yes, I am hiking to Maine, they typically assume you are a thru hiker. There is usually a good mix of hikers around - thru hikers, weekenders, section hikers, day hikers, etc. Thru Hikers are afforded a certain amount of respect, though few actually seek it out - and they are only attempting to be thru hikers until they actually finish up. Last year I started on March 3, and I was a thru hiker, until I got injured and had to leave the trail. Most hikers are not dogmatic about it. They are just glad to meet other hikers and, within seconds, you can have a great rapport with anyone you meet along the trail. It might be fun and helpful to meet up with a compatible hiker and hike together (or nearly together) to Maine, especially with some of the remote and tough stuff that lies ahead, so I want others to know that¢s where I¢m headed. Normally I will try to explain my situation and my attempt to finish this year. Someone could assume or misunderstand since there is often not time to go into it all in detail. If I finish up this year at Katahdin, I will have hiked it all the way, and that¢s what¢s important to me.
Date: 2018-05-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Before each hike I have tried to do as much walking as possible and also practice hikes carrying close to a trail-weight pack. i suppose it helped, but my normal experience has been that there really isn¢t any way to get ready for a hike except to hike. When I get to the trail the early days are tough, carrying the weight, climbing and descending the mountains and breaking my feet, muscles, and joints in to handle the strain. The last couple of months I have had some health issues that have prevented any real workouts. I have gotten the go ahead from all my doctors recently and feel fine. But I expect the first days or even weeks to be pretty tough. I plan to give myself all the time I need and do short mile days at first. There is nothing forcing me to an end date for the hike. If I had continued north last year it would probably have taken about two more months to finish. Starting over will take a little longer. I tend to be my own worst enemy once I get out there, but I hope to make myself work up to it. We¢ll see how that goes.
Date: 2018-05-23
From: Birmingham

To: MoseyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Place Hostel
Miles today: 1337.4

2018 Miles: 0.0Up before 4 a.m. but already awake for over an hour starting the day in my mind. Mixture of anticipation and excitement. Quick shower and a small checklist completed and we¢re off. Marlene and I have done this before. We have a fairly relaxed ride to the airport but we¢re a little later than I would normally be so I¢m kind of tight. As anticipated, we had a long clinging hug and a knowing smile as she drove away. Around the corner inside and I spot the longest TSA security check line I¢ve ever seen. What? Birmingham at 5:00 a.m? It goes fast and I sail thru with my weird carry on luggage (backpack). Flight to Detroit goes smoothly as I am entertained by a cute 5 year old girl sitting next to me on her first flying experience.  Three hour layover, then I am seated next to Juan on the plane. We hit it off and talk non stop the whole way. He is on a business trip and works as the financial executive for the Carmelite Nuns old folks homes organization and has a background in computers and software development too. In NY at Newburgh I contact Mosey from the hostel and go outside to wait her arrival beside the quaint and very small ¢one room schoolhouse¢ airport building. Juan joins me to wait for his cousin and we have more lively conversation. His ¢cousin¢ arrives - a van containing 5 of his female family members - all exuberant souls like Juan.  Somehow they have gotten the idea that I am also Juan¢s cousin. So after they all line up to hug and kiss Juan in turn, then I¢m next (No worries, peck on the cheek!).  It was fun as far as that goes, but imagine the 5 different looks on their faces as they began to get to know me. We had a good laugh over that.  Mosey arrived and I mentioned my shipment was delivered to the High Point State Park headquarters and she tells me that another hiker will be getting there in a few minutes. I ride along and collect my gear. That allows me to go thru it all today instead of in the morning when she drops me off to start the hike. So things have gone very well so far. I am ready to head out in the morning on the early shuttle with Now, a hiker from Connecticut. Also here are two young hikers from Germany and Hook from TX who is about  my age, who came in later.  We are all getting along great and their company has put me back into the hiker mode almost like I never left.Talked a couple of times with Marlene, Charity and Angela. I¢m set to go tomorrow. A little nervous as my pack feels heavy and the terrain around here is very rocky. The trees have a good canopy so I hope to avoid sunburn. Sounds like very hot and very cold temps here lately.  I so look forward to the first steps on the trail tomorrow. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-05-24
From: High Point State Park

To: Unionville NY - at City Hall
Miles today: 8.8

2018 Miles: 8.8Good first day. It was hot this afternoon so that sapped my energy. There were some nasty rocky areas but many easier parts too. The climbs were fairly tame. It was a very walkable section. First days are first days so I was kind of a wimp as expected - kind of a ¢fat guys in the woods¢ character. Did not expect to make it into town but was open to it. My butt was dragging when I got here. Mosey¢s is a very nice hostel. Started out with a home cooked breakfast which was great. Quick trip up to High Point State Park on the early shuttle where I took my time to unpack and repack my gear and waiting until 8 to send home my civilian clothes and a few gear items I decided not to carry. The first couple of miles reminded me of the Pennsylvania rocks with a few decent climbs. Then things opened up a little with some easier sections mixed in. I tried to stay relaxed and go slow and steady, not planning any destination that I felt like I had to make. As there were no huge mountains and the tread was nice I later tried for Unionville NY because they allow hikers to set up tents behind City Hall for free. Also there are restaurants so I had real food for supper with plans for breakfast and a carry out for tomorrow¢s lunch. I can eat trail food anytime! I¢m inside New York State tonite but the trail is still in NJ for another 25 miles or so but it goes right up the border wobbling back and forth between states until it finally leaves NJ for good. Some sections today were fairly remote and some were near farm property and also the backyards of private homes. I have also hit some of the NJ swamps and mud holes. Sections were very muddy and with standing and flowing water - cattail swamps. Long sections were above the mud and muck on boardwalks made of a couple of planks set side by side and sitting on logs or timbers similar to railroad ties sitting down in the mud or sometimes sunken into the mud. Other times you just had to slosh through. Lots of flowing streams with footbridges or rock hopping to cross. I ate lunch at a footbridge dangling my feet and then took a nap before moving on. So far 4 of us have our tents set up and are ready for the night. I don¢t have plans set for tomorrow yet. I did well enough today with not too many aches and pains but I was exhausted when I got here. I still plan to take it easy and take a day off as needed. Hope I can sleep well tonight. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-05-25
From: Unionville NY - at City Hall

To: Pochunk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.3

2018 Miles: 14.1I had a difficult night last night. Did not get any sleep at all. I remember last year the same thing happened as I tossed and turned with an active mind and not settling down or getting comfortable.  First two nights the same.  Decided to do a short day to the next shelter and rest. Got to the shelter by lunch time. Was unable to sleep any as other hikers came in and then moved on but conversations going on. Still unable to get my mind to stop. Hope I can shut down tonight.  Feeling exhausted. We awoke at daylight. Packed up but left tents standing so the sun could dry the dew while we went to the deli for coffee and breakfast. I left around 8 as I had no rush with the low miles planned. Long road walk back to the trail and a good climb right away. After that there were some meadows and a good view of a long and beautiful valley with a high long ridge on the other side. Turns out the shelter is on that ridge and a way on down to the north. Much the same terrain as yesterday with rocks, swamps with boardwalks and many streams with footbridges. Skirted the Wallkill Reserve which is a flat trail along the side of a huge wetlands with lots of birds, snakes and who knows what else living there. It was a mile long rectangle and hiking one side, across the end and then up the other side. The wetlands actually straddles the NJ/NY border. Then onto a mile long plank boardwalk through another swamp before a challenging climb to the ridge top I saw this morning to this shelter. A short way up the ridge from the swamp area there is a side trail about 100 yards to an abandoned home but they still maintain a spigot on the back foundation so hikers can get water. I carried every available container full to the shelter as there is no water source here. Heavy, especially on the steep trail to the mountain top.  No rest so far and the heat has been stifling these last two days.  Recovery is pretty quick though when I drop the pack to rest and then have lunch. Feet, knees etc doing well, lung power so-so. Was able to send pictures and a video to Marlene and we had a chance to talk so I enjoyed that.  Doing well overall, just need sleep. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2018-05-26
From: Pochunk Mountain Shelter

To: NJ 94 - RickeyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Farm
Miles today: 6.5

2018 Miles: 20.6Up early this morning after another nearly sleepless night. Hope that improves soon. Morning chores went well. I was away by 6:30. I hope to start early while I get used to the heat and get as many miles in by noon as I can.  By then it¢s really hot.  Pochuck Mountain was a good climb with nice woodsy sections mixed in. Many country gravel roads to cross and lots of streams and footbridges. There was a mile-long section of raised boardwalk with a suspension bridge over Pochuck Creek. Then lots of the smaller plank boardwalks I have been seeing every day. Didn¢t know New Jersey had so many lowlands. I am tenting at Rickey Farm in a grassy field behind their old traditional red barn with three cupolas along the ridge line. Even got a shower so I feel almost human again, at least temporarily.  I am right at the bottom of huge Waywayanda Mountain - my obstacle right away tomorrow morning. I can look up and see massive bare rock cliffs. The last section at the top is called ¢stairway to heaven¢ and apparently some of it involves ladders. Can¢t wait to see that. NJ and NY are strict to require hikers to only camp in designated campsites, threatening large fines for offenders. I am concerned that with my need to hike low mileage days for awhile and the placement of shelters and campsites as much as two or three days apart I could have problems. They also don¢t allow hitchhiking so my normal means of going in for resupply or to overnight in town is also a problem. We¢ll see how it works out. I was able to send Marlene pictures and videos today but the signal is very weak here tonight. I need sleep badly so will turn in soon. Goodnight Sweetheart.