morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Springer Mt. GA

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

Hotprings Mile 270! Can you believe it? I made it home...or at least itfeels that way since this little town is just down theroad from Asheville and is so familiar. I've had mysecond great stay here this weekend. Last weekend Bum Bum's family came for a visit. Hehad rented a cabin earlier so we left the trail atNewfound Gap (in the middle of our Smokies hike) andcame to Hot Springs for the weekend. I had the greatfortune of meeting Bum Bum's family and friends. Hischildren- Chelsea and Simmon were the stars of theweekend. I also had the fun of "hot tubbing" withWendy and Lisa on Saturday. On Sunday I was treatedto a lovely picnic complete with scrumptious freshfruit, cheese other than cheese sticks, chicken, freshsalad, homemade chocolate chip cookies, yummy pecansquares and more. My heart felt overflowing with lovewhen my Asheville family drove away and I had to hitthe trail again.This past week we hiked from Newfound Gap back to HotSprings. After five full days of hiking through theremaining sections of the Smokies, we rested.....aneeded rest. Tomorrow we head toward Erwin, TN. I absolutely loved the beauty of the Smokies. I havenever seen so many wild flowers. I identified as manyas I could....different Trilliums, Oxeye Daisies,Bluets, Trout Lilies, Partridge Pea, Mountain Laurel,Fringed Gentian, Wild Iris, just to name a few. As often as I mention the beauty of the trail, onewould think that that is what I enjoy most. I do lovethe beauty and the ever changing scenery but the bestthing about this experience is the people! I have metthe greatest folks. The trail community looks afterone another. We are always making sure everyone hasenough food, fuel and other basics, as well as justchecking on one another. Sometimes we even treat eachother like the times Baltimore Jack, who knows I lovechocolate, hands me M&M's when we're thirty + milesfrom any town! Though I am hiking with a small group offolks---most of the time there are four of us (BumBum, Caboosie, Nutella and myself) we continually runinto lots of other folks we know. The Dude describesit as the accordian theory....sometimes you are alltogether like in towns and then you spread out as youhike. Later the pattern repeats. Seeing one's trailbuds keeps the momentum going and is always fun!I've heard from that dear son of mine who is hikingfast. He's made it to NOC (The Nantahala River). Ican't wait to see him. One day I'll be hiking alongand someone will just come up and give me a big bearhug....and there he'll be!Thanks to many of you who have left messages on mywebsite, phone messages and emails of encouragement.Keep those thoughts coming for safety on the trail!
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: clear sky

Erwin, TN - Mile 338.8Bum Bum and I set a record. We slackpacked (that's hiking without a backpack) 24.5 miles yesterday! To celebrate I enjoyed the WHOLE pint of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream given free by Holiday Inn Express to thru hikers. Yum. That Double Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream was just the best.... almost better than seeing rafters on the Nolichuky River as we hiked down the mountain (5000 feet) into town. Tomorrow we head off toward Damascus. We hope to make it there by Trail Days - one of the biggest festivals for AT hikers.All in all, things are going well. I do still have a pesky case of Giardia which I am treating with strong antibiotics. Hopefully that will be cleared up soon.Here's a John Muir quote I like, as it relfects my woods experience."Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The wind will blow its own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Erwin, TN

To: Laurel Fork
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Once I saw that sign saying, "Free Hot Dogs at Abby's Place," I was off the trail in a flash! Who can turn down trail magic of free food! Scott VanDam and his dad, owners of Abby's Place, gave us all we could eat and a relaxed place to hang out for several hours.Today was absolutely gorgeous hiking weather. The terrain was easy--small ups and downs with no rocks. We had the added splendor of seeing the largest waterfall on the AT, Jones Falls.Trail Days is just a few days and a few miles away. Can't wait to catch up with some of the many folks we've met since we began!
Date: 2007-06-09
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

622 miles -- Pearisburg, VAAHHH...a day of rest in the friendly small mountain town of Pearisburg, Virginia. I've encountered the kindest locals here and previously in Bland, VA with offers for rides to the grocery store and the hostel. So this Zero day, a day with no hiking, is one for resupplying of food, washing clothes, making a journal entry, checking emails, eating lots of food, eating more food and then eating some more food mixed with some extra time for naps. I had no idea that a day off the trail could be so busy!This week's hike through southern VA was a mixture of trails careening through pasturelands (Cows Move Over!), crunching and twisting over rocks and strolling beside cascading streams. I've heard over and over that PA is the state noted for its rocks, but let me tell you, Virginia has plenty of them! Rocky trails mean that one watches every step one makes so as not turn or twist one's ankle. Caboosie, Figgy, Stitch and I shared a delightful dip in Kimberling Creek just before crossing the suspension bridge. During the last two weeks I've had the fun of hiking with and getting to know Cairo, a section hiker from Colorado. Unfortunately she had a delay due to blisters. I hope our paths will cross again down the trail.Generally I am hiking between 75-85 miles per week. I may make it to Maine before the state is frozen! If I see I am running too far behind (closing date for Baxter State Park where Mount Katadin resides is Oct. 15th) then I'll skip up, make the Katadin climb and then come back and finish what I've missed. From Jolly's last phone call (otherwise known as Zack) he should catch up with me this week or next. Yeah! It will be so great to see him again!I'll close this entry with my favorite quote of the week."Adopt the pace of nature. Nature is patient." Thoreau
Date: 2007-06-14
From: Springer Mountain, VA

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Here are a few things which I greatly appreciate:BREEZE.... it keeps one cool and keeps the pesky bugs at a distance.SPRINGS.... the cool, clean water of springs is always a welcome relief from stagnant pools or dry creek beds.RAIN.... it cools the earth and all on it, plus it replenishes the streams and ground waters.MUSIC.... from the music on my IPOD to the extemporanious blue grass in the barber shop in Bland it enlivens one's mood.FRESH FOOD... all varieties beat instant mashed potatoes and ramen.TRAIL COMPANIONS... it makes this experience all the more fun!
Date: 2007-06-20
From: Springer Mt., GA

To: Mt. Katahdin, MA
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

Mile 727 Black Horse Gap North of Dalevile, VAHello Dear Family and Friends! I've made it a third of the way as of today--727 miles! I must be one of the luckiest folks alive. This experience is incredible. Some days it is terribly hard and I temporarily lose sight of how much fun I am having. On other days when the sun its out and the breeze is blowing I just can't say enough good things. As a special treat to celebrate making it a third of the 2175 miles of the trail, Jolly (Zack) is going to be getting into town tonight! He doesn't know I am here, so now I get to surprise him! Jolly's friend, Ping, ran into me yesterday and told me he was in the area. I continue to meet the greatest folks and continue to run into AT hikers I met earlier who I thought I wouldn't see again. The scenery varies from day to day from mountains to cow pastures to rock outcroppings to deep dark green forest. Virginia had been touted as the state with the easiest hiking. Well.... I totally disagree. It has unending PUDS (Pointless Ups and Downs)and more rocky trails than one would ever want to experience again. The kind boutique owner of Three Graces in Daleville is letting me use her store computer to make this journal entry. This is just one more of the many many kind gestures of trail magic that have come my way. These types of generosity are such a contrast to the violence heard on the news. It is inspiring to know that kind-heartedness and generosity do exists in large proportions."Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together." Chief Seattle, 1855
Date: 2007-07-22
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: To Complete All 2175 Miles of the AT
Miles today: 0.0

I made switch! I got a ride to Vermont. From the Massachusetts/Vermont border I will hike north to Katadin - 587 miles. When I finish the Northern section of the trail I will come back to the MA/VT border I will hike south to where I left off just north of Harpers Ferry - another 550 miles. At this point I will have finished the trail. Zack (aka. Jolly) has joined me for a few miles before taking off on his own unique adventure in Canada.Tomorrow will be my first day back on the trail after several days off. I have had the chance to visit several different dear friends, all who had surprise visits, ie. very little warning that I was coming to see them.The hospitiality has been incredible. I have been well fed! It's been great fun, however, now I am ready to be in the woods. As always, I appreciate your support!Happy Trails.
Date: 2007-08-07
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: To Complete 2175 miles of the AT!
Miles today: 0.0

Hanover, N.H. Miles Left to Hike = 1007   Update on Mileage Hiked: Springer Mountain, Georgia to Greenbriar State Park, Maryland = 1032Bennington, Vermont to Hanover, New Hampshire = 136The flipflop to Vermont was an excellent choice! I've had a chance to swim everyday since I arrived in either a lake or stream. (Those of you who know me know I LOVE to swim!) The scenery here is beautiful. Vermont, all 136 miles of it, has been my favorite section of the trail so far. Zack and I hiked through Vermont together meeting up with our friend Ping after the first week. The Long Trail coincided with the AT for 100 miles before branching off to head toward Canada. I am going to have to come back to do the rest of the Long Trail one day as it is supposed to get even more remote and awesome further North. Yet, not to complain..... we saw spectacular views from the top of Killington Ski Resort which the trail crosses. The views have been remarkable and make up for the trail being more strenuous. I hear the scenery will be even more dramatic in New Hampshire, especially in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. After taking a relaxing weekend off to join friends at the Kleins in the Pines for eating, swimming, singing and soul renewing comraderie, I am heading out of Hanover today toward the renown White Mountains. Zack (aka. Jolly) got a ride with our friend Pat Griffin (another one of my trail supporters) back to NC to attend a wedding. He will head to Northern Canada to hike sometime next week. How lucky I am to have the time, the health and the support to do this incredible journey! I feel truly grateful over and over again for this opportunity.Here's a quote sent to me by a friend. It sums up a lot of my experience and thoughts." Those who comtemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life last. " Rachel Carson
Date: 2007-08-16
From: Spring Mountain, GA

To: To Complete 2175 milesof the AT!
Miles today: 0.0

Crawford Notch, New Hampshire. 936 miles to go!Oh my! Everything they say about the White Mountains is true. The mountains are exquisitely beautiful and totally strenuous! I love it here! The little towns are so picturesque with the friendliest folks living in them. The hiking is slower as the terrain is often very steep but worth every minute of it even when the knees are screaming!My favorite New Hampshire sights so far have been the cascading waterfalls. I especially liked the waterfall that poured down the Moosilauke Mountain Trail and Zealand Falls. The Zealand Falls and the Saco River were both completely granite-the base or floors, the boulders, the small rocks. The water in these streams, as in all of VT and NH streams, are crystal clear. The sunset from Mt. Liberty (one of the 4000+ foot peaks) lent a magnificent 360 degree view. Crossing Mt. Lafayette (another 4000 footer) was a different story as the mountain was enshrouded by clouds and high winds. One couldn't see a thing other than where to place one's foot next. There are forty-eight 4000 foot mountains. Just so you know, the pictures that taken of the things I write about are usually not posted on trailjournals.com until much later than the entry. When I get home I will try to match the picture to the journal.Happy Trails for now. The Lincoln library is closing!
Date: 2007-08-26
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: To Complete 2175 miles of the AT!
Miles today: 0.0

New Hampshire-Maine Border   Mile 1892.6Miles to Go: 281.4 to Katahdin, ME   Plus   564.5 Bennington, VT to Green Briar State Park, MD=845.9Tonight I spend my first night in Maine after staying with friend Pong and her husband in Gorham for three days. Yes....sometimes it is very hard to leave the luxury of a warm home, great company and yummy food! We had the added delight of indulging in Jackie's homemade poundcake sent to me from North Carolina! Missed seeing Ping who was away but will come up to hike with me again soon.I made it through the White Mountains in one piece.....a feat considering the continuous trail of rocks. It was like walking on riprap except the rocks are boulder sized. The Presidential Peaks were crossed on a sunny day with blue skies. The day before had been a rough one on top of Mt. Washington with winds of 100 miles per hour and a wind chill factor of 16! It had even snowed and sleeted. I was so much luckier and crossed all the Presidentials in beautiful, yet cool weather. The terrain was rockier than I could have imagined but the magnificent views more than made up for any difficulties. I even had a chance to do a "work for stay" at Mizpah and Madison huts. This means that in exchange for letting me eat for free and sleep on the dining room floor or on a table, I did an hour's worth of work for them. What a deal compared to guest who paid $90. The only difference is that the guest got to sleep in a bunk bed. This courtesy of "work for stay" is extended to thru-hikers.In addition to crossing over Mt. Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Adams, the Wildcats offered spectacular views and some steep climbs. Enjoyed hiking with Nuclear and Ox. Hope to see Denali and Gorbo again soon.Yesterday I slackpacked the remaining miles of New Hampshire-17.2 miles. The rocks were slippery as it had rained the night before so it took me more time than I thought it would. During the last hour and a half of the hike around 7:30 PM I hiked in the dark through a lightening and rain storm! Was I relieved to see Pong's car headlights at the end road!!!After resting in Gorham for a couple days I am leaving this afternoon to head for the renown Mahoosuc Notch in Maine. I hope to be on Mt. Katadin in a few weeks. It is fun to get to see and catch up on the news from some of my friends who I met at the beginning of my hike who have hiked faster than I. Though at times I wish I were further along the trail, I really wouldn't trade my hike. I have had the chance to meet up with eleven different groups of friends while on the trail! I also had the opportunity to hike with my son and his girlfriend. So though I'll stick to my trail name, "TOODLES", I probably would more appropriately be named "Inchworm"!! I met another woman with that name when in Vermont. I thought it the best name yet.Quote for the day:   Where ever you go, there you are! Author UnknownTake care and enjoy the remaining of summer.
Date: 2007-09-06
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: To Complete All 2175 miles of the AT
Miles today: 0.0

Stratton, Maine Miles to Katahdin = 187.8 Miles from Bennington, VT to Greenbriar State Park, MD = 564.5 Total Miles = 752.3 So many wonderful miles have been hiked in the last ten days! Slinky, Dog and I sped (ha!ha!) through Maine's Muhoosic Notch and up the Muhoosic Arm. It was a great day of boulder climbing, crawling and squeezing through tight spaces. We finished the day at Speck Pond where I had a delightful swim. It truly was one of my favorite days yet. After hiking over the Baldpates we cruised into Andover, a town of three blocks, just in time to eat the biggest pancake I've ever seen. This scrumptious blueberry pancake was bigger than the plate! We stayed at a great hostel-The Pine Ellis Lodge before heading off for a few days of easier hiking. We arrived in Rangley, a small, lakeside tourist town where Bob, owner of Gull Pond Lodge gave us a tour of the Rangley sights including the local moose. Going onward, the 4000 footers Saddleback, the Horn, South and North Crocker proved a bit easier than those 4000 footers in New Hampshire. Though I must say, the weather made it tough, as it was very windy and cold! My hands were so cold a couple of mornings that I had a difficult time getting my tent poles apart. It reminded me of the early days in Georgia. Getting to Stratton proved to be an easier, as it included a big downhill trek. Stratton is another small Maine town, one of the last three before the Hundred Mile Wilderness. We crusied into town hungry as usual and managed to eat at each of the three restaurants in town, as well as, doing our laundry, taking showers and resupplying our food. Monson is the last town we will come to before Mt. Katahdin. The excitement of reaching Mt. Katahdin is mounting! Most of the folks I am hiking with now will complete their thru hike when they summit Katahdin. A handful of folks who have flip-flopped like myself will continue hiking after our Katahdin summit. None-the-less, the accomplisihment and thrill of getting to Katahdin is contagious! The name "Katahdin" stands for the "greatest one." When I looked at the profile map I could tell why. Mt. Katahdin rises to a stately 5267 feet high! It's a 4000 foot climb within three to four miles. So it's "high ho, high ho, off to the trail I go..." Thought for the day...."So...be your name Bubxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, you're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting....So get on your way!"Dr. Suess
Date: 2007-09-12
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: To Complete All 2175 Miles of the AT
Miles today: 0.0

Monson, MaineMonson, ME. to Katahdin = 114.5 milesBennington, Vermont to Green Briar State Park, Maryland = 564.5 milesTotal Miles Left to Hike = 679 milesI can't believe it! I'm actually under the 700 mile mark as far as miles to hike! I really DO feel like I'm going to make it! Hiking in New England has been energizing. I've seen great sights, eaten a ton of wild blueberries, met some of the friendliest folks and had chances to swim often. It has often been very hard and quite strenuous. Somedays I spend hours upon hours making decisions about where my next footstep will go. My ability to concentrate must have increased! I never imagined there would be so many spikey rocks teetering or wobbling as I stepped on them or so many slick as oil roots to avoid. Sometimes the trail has steep rock sheets that one has to manuever either up or down. At these times the help of the tree limbs is invaluable. Other times one is balancing on logs stretched across muddy black bogs in hopes of not falling in. This week I wasn't so fortunate. My mind must have skipped a beat for the next thing I knew I was knee and elbow deep in the smelliest, richest dark Maine mud imaginable! On the other hand, I have been very lucky overall not to have twisted an ankle or worse broken a bone or any other misfortune than could send me off the trail. As I rest and dry out in Monson today after walking 20.7 miles in a steady rain yesterday, I feel the gratefulness of all those people who do so much for AT hikers. Last night as I came dripping into Shaw's Hostel I was greeted with a big hug and a plate of homecooked food! After a shower and a nights sleep in a bed, I can actually feel my toes as they have thawed. Though I am paying to stay at Shaw's Hostel, it is the extra things they do that aren't expected that make the difference. Another example of "Trail Magic" or trail kindness is that given by the folks from "BILVILLE". The Bilvillians are one of several groups of past thru hikers and friends who come together each year for a few days to cook and give comraderie to hikers on the AT. A few days ago as I rounded a corner on the trail the scent of bacon and coffee brought a smile. There they were....fixing breakfast, offering first aid, offering all kinds of treats, sodas, you name it... The hikers on the trail are generous and kind, too. We look after one another. It truly is a trail community. Happy Trails to all of you! Katahdin, HO!
Date: 2007-09-25
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: To Complete All 2175 Miles of the AT
Miles today: 0.0

Mt. Katahdin, Maine Miles from Bennington, Vermont to Greenbriar State Park, Maryland = 564.5 Total Miles Left to Hike = 564.5 Yes! Here I am on top of Katahdin, the traditional terminus of the Appalachian Trail for North Bounders. As a FlipFlopper or SkipFlopper, I still have miles to hike. None-the-less, summiting Mt. Katahdin had to be one of the most exhilerating and satisfying days of my life! The build up of excitement of all those hikers who were finishing the trail at Katahdin's summit was huge. Can you imagine hiking 2175 miles and then climbing 5267 feet for a "top of the world" view? And even for those among us who still have more miles to go, ascending this great mountain proved energizing, full of emotion, completely awesome! I was totally lucky to hike Katahdin on an absolutely gorgeous day! The sun shone all day. The temperatures were in the mild 60's. The wind was breezy.In addition to the strenuous and fun climb, the incredible views from the top, the terrific weather, the people I summited with made the experience unique and perfect! Denali finished her AT hike in style wearing a crown showing the AT symbol. The Brown family shared their humor and their lunch with us. Teddy Bear gave a big hurrah as he raised his arms. Diamo encouraged her parents (flatlanders) as they made the heroic trip to the top. Big Shanty practically ran up to the top. (A special thanks to his parents for feeding us so well the evening before!) Rebel, Larry, Brew showed off their muscles while Snack Break stole the show with her antics! Slinky and Dog, who summited the day before, met us at the hostel with hoots and hollars of congratulations. WHAT A FANTASTIC DAY!! Leaving Baxter State Park and knowing that I would not see many of the folks I've become fond of brought lots of emotions and memories. I'll definitely miss my trail buddies, those I met early on in my hike and those I've met recently. And yet, I'm a lucky one as I get to continue hiking. Who knows what the trail will bring or who I might meet down the way as I start south from Bennington, Vermont. I chose to be pictured as TOOdles the Clown on top of Katahdin to remind folks that you still have time to make a pledge to my clown troupe, Kabookee's Clowns. As many of you know we are a volunteer troupe out of Asheville, NC with the goal of spreading playfulness, loving kindness and laughter to young and old throughout Western North Carolina. The money I raise per mile I hike will be used to further our clowning skills, to introduce others to clowning and to involve more children in volunteer clowning activities. If you would like to contribute, please contact fellow clown, Clunkerbell at: msclaire@charter.net Thank you for your support personally and to the troupe!