morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-20
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5

A thunderstorm in the night left everthing wet, I was in a great mood though - most of my day would be a cake-walk over easy flat terrain towards Baxter State Park and Katahdin.Right out of the shelter the trail followed an old logging road, exactly the kind of trail I love to walk on. I could look around and enjoy the morning and the rain had seemed to finally broken the heat that had been a problem for the last week and a half. My thigh felt better and soon I was moving along at over 3 miles an hour, a blistering pace for me on the AT!I stopped at Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to for lunch, enjoying some of the best spring water I have had on the trail. Clean and pure it tasted great, and was ice cold right from the source - delicious.I had hit the flats which was nice, but found a new challenge in Maines legendary mosquito swarms and horse flies. I could literally see swarms of mosquitos rise out of some of the bogs I passed but deet seemed to keep them at bay for the most part. What I had problems with were large yellow horse flies, which I am pretty sure mostly feed on moose in these parts. They would land in my hair, burrow in and bite me on the scalp or behind the ears - I would have to check myself every minute or two with a free hand, crushing them with savage relish when I caught one.But flies aside it was a lovely day and before I knew it I had covered 21.5 miles and pulled into Wadleigh Shelter for the night. My days on the trail were numbered and the end was quickly approaching - I didn't know how I felt about that.
Date: 2013-07-21
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Golden Road
Miles today: 22.8

I had another day of mostly flat walking ahead of me and even better a cold front had come into the area and I woke up to temps in the mid-40s which kept the bugs at bay for most of the morning.I had planned to head to Hurd Shelter for the day, covering 19 miles but I knew I would probably go farther when I had covered over 9 miles by 0900 that morning. I was feeling so good and the weather was so nice that I just couldn't help but walk fast. Only down side was that my limited food supplies had just about run out, good news was that if I went just 3 miles past Hurd Shelter I could make to a camp store at Golden Road and buy some resupply and a Coke to make it to Baxter State Park and the end.I put a new plan together Golden Road tonight, on to Katahdin Stream Campground the next day at an easy 10 miles and summit Katahdin the next day. I hiked that afternoon and came to Rainbow Ledges an area of above tree-line/alpine terrain at only 1500', a bit of an annomally in these parts. As I enjoyed walking along the ledges I noticed blueberry bushes filled with ripe blueberries, the first ones I had seen. I dropped my pack, grabbed my camp kettle and spent an hour picking and eating blueberries, my first unobstructed view of Katahdin made the moment all that much sweeter. They say you have one perfect moment on the AT; sitting on the rock ledge, eating blueberries and looking at Katahdin was mine.I made it to Golden Road and bought a Coke and some supplies for the next day or two at the camp store, I talked with a park ranger and he gave me the bad news - tomorrow would be the last good weather day with rain on Tuesday. So much for my plan, I would be walking 10 miles, summiting and climbing back down all in one day. No worries, I was almost there and nothing was going to stop me.
Date: 2013-07-22
From: Golden Road

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 15.9

I was up in the pre-dawn when I heard the first birds chirping. I packed using my headlamp, I was excited - today was the end of a four month, 9 day journey.I covered the 10 miles to Katahdin Stream Campground and was there by 0830, I headed in to check-in with the ranger and ask a few questions. Turns out I was the 43rd north-bound thru hiker to make it this far for the year, not bad considering I was the 350th to start at Amiacola in Georgia. I told the ranger my only fear was that I might make it to the top and there wouldn't be anyone up there to take my picture, he laughed and said don't worry there would be plenty of people up there they just use an easier route.I started the 5.2 mile climb to the top, taking my pack with me - I wasn't leaving it at the ranger station after it had come all the way from Georgia even though that was an option. The route wasn't too bad at first but soon went verticle with the boulder/rock climbing that makes this section famous. I climbed over 4000' in elevation in a little over 2 miles and at times was looking straight down, a few strategically placed rebar handholds made it a little easier.After the second set of boulder climbs I crossed an area known as the Gateway and onto the Tableland near the top - from hear it was a 1 mile gentle climb to the top. I could see day hikers milling around the top as I approached a simple sign and rock cairn at the top and like that I was there. I touched the sign and the final white blaze of my journey - I took a moment to look out and enjoy the simple pleasure of just being there.I took my photo, left a note at the rock cairn for those that wanted to hike but couldn't make this journey with me and started down the mountain. I wasn't a thru hiker anymore - I was just a guy enjoying a day hike on the mountain.
Date: 2013-07-23
From: Katahdin

To: Epilogue
Miles today: 0.0

I am now in Millinocket, Maine - enjoying a day in town, Michelle will pick me up in a day or two and I will return to the real world. I did the things I normally do in town, just no resupply as I won't be hitting the trail again but I thought I might leave you with a few final thoughts and say thanks to the people that made this journey possible for me.I had a great walk in the woods, if I had a couple of things I would do different here they are - my lessons learned if you will.First I would have done a better job of making sure I took care of myself nutritionally. Your body is an engine and I didn't pay enough attention to getting enough to eat and the right things to eat, combine that with the fact that I stayed out longer than most hikers and I put in big miles resulted in me being run-down by the time I hit New Hampshire. I had dropped to about 165 lbs at my lowest weight and felt run down. Do some research and make good choices, your body is an engine and you have to feed it the right fuels.Second I might have cut some more weight out of my pack and gear. One example is I carried my winter sleeping bag for the entire trip, I should have swapped it out with a lighter summer bag at Harpers Ferry - saving myself the ounces. You might think its only a few ounces - that few ounces adds up and could have been more food carried which could have affected my first point.My time on the trail wouldn't have been possible without the support of some key folks. Michelle, my own personal trail angel I couldn't have done this without your support and encouragement - you are the most caring person I have ever known and thank you for being part of my life. The Old Timing People in Dora, MO thanks for taking care of the homestead while I was out on my adventure, again I couldn't have done it without you. And finally thanks to Karl, the William Clarke to my Meriwether Lewis, our chats, walks, preparation and the ride to Georgia were more than I could ever as from a great friend. Thank you all and thank you to the others that followed and supported me on the way.Finally my 8th grade composition teacher said that you should end something like this with a call to action for your reader so here goes. I have often thought that its hard to have an adventure in 21st century America, everything had been done - I was so very wrong. Get out there, it doesn't have to be for months at a time, it could be as simple as going to a new restaurant you always wanted to try or hike up that hill in your backyard to see whats on the other side. Have an adventure of your own and maybe I will see you out there.
Date: 2013-02-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

In the 70's I attended Swarthmore College and was the life guard at the College pool. Fred Luehring was a regular swimmer in our pool. He would come in wearing a orange hat with the Appalachain Trail patch on it. In 1963, at age 82, Fred Luehring completed the AT end to end. The 25th to do so at the time. It was the 7th from the Philadelphia Trail Club.Any way Fred frequently told me stories which inspired me to dream of my hike someday. The following was excerpted from a WhiteBlaze.com post.This amazing man played football for Amos Alonzo Stagg. He was Princeton University's first basketball coach designing the man to man defensive scheme still in use today. And, oh yes, in 1972 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. One of his regular walking partners was Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas.The Presidents and incidents of significance in his life were chronicled in the university Master's Degree thesis which provided the details i put on this thread.Here is the last paragraph of the college paper based on his life."In 1979 Fred hiked, swam, and split wood during the day, while in the evening he would read or listen to lectures at Swarthmore College, and other functions he frequented occasionally. At the age of ninety-eight, Fred was still a productive member of society."http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?81616-The-25th-E2E-hiker-was-82-year-old-Fred-Luehring&p=1260638&highlight=#post1260638Over 35 years ago Fred planted a seed and I can't wait to get on the trail
Date: 2013-02-17
To: Planning 
Miles today: 0.0

I have researched my hike for over three years. Most of my research revolved around reading Thru Hiker Trail Journals here. I would read about a journey and see how others handled, food, water, shelter, gear, injuries, navigation, communication and many other situations. Some of the journals i read were, AWOL's(2003)now in book form, Rusty Bumper, Balls and Sunshine, Longstride and Silver Girl, Mouse, Bomber, Amish, Scribbles, White Wolf, LoneGreyWolf, Whisper, Big Hodag, The Troverts (intro and extro). I have also run into Thru hikers over the years, who have been generous of their time and knowledge. The list is endless. I also lurked in WhiteBlaze.com reading posts of hikers. A great place for discussion of all of the above and a great planning tool. Essentially I read of their trials and tribulations and I refine my plans accordingly. I have always believed that the best advice comes from the "doers", those that have paved the way. My plans are essentially drawn from a "brain trust" and then made my own. I have made several prep-hikes or shake down hikes to test my gear and my abilities over the last 3 years. As I prepare for this hike, I will speak more on my gear, food, water, shelter selections and other topics. I listed some of my gear in the Gear Tab.
Date: 2013-02-17
To: Gear
Miles today: 0.0

Many hikers select gear that will allow them to hike farther and faster. Ultralight backpacking is an advanced style of backpacking that emphasizes packing (carrying) the lightest weight. When I hike I need to keep as much weight off of my ailing joints as possible. However, I don¢t want to sacrifice comfort for lighter weight. I have seen folks hiking in garbage bags instead of rain gear.   No wonder they get called ¢hiker trash¢Hiker Trash definition-A general description of a through or section hiker, or of through hikers collectively. It probably comes from the fact that through hikers often are confused for homeless people during town stops. It also comes from the fact that the usual ways of determining status in real life have little, if any, meaning on the trail. I don¢t want to be the guy you find wandering around a shelter dazed from hypothermia. However, I won¢t be carrying an iron skillet, machete, axe, gun, lawn chair, cot, lantern, hard cover book, case of beer, suit case, portapotty (no matter how portable it is), canned food ( I have in the past), microwave etc.If I don't carry all of that am I gonna live of the land? No I think not. I hope to explain in the next few journal entries what I am taking and how I will camp out.So while I believe in light weight gear there are conundrums.   I am 6¢4¢ and weigh around 250 lbs. Already I am at a disadvantage as I eat more, my clothes are bigger (why do I have to pay more money for bigger clothes), My tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, back pack are all longer and wider than the average Joe. So how do I achieve ultralight backpacking? I don¢t but I can go lighter and be comfortable. In the past years I have carried a pack for a weekend hike weighing normally 40 to 45 lbs. More recently, with pain staking research, and field testing I think I have gotten my pack weight down to around 32 lbs total which includes 2 liters of water and three days of food. I will reveal my gear list in the next entry, but keep in mind it is a work in progress. I have bought gear and have constantly so called "traded up".
Date: 2013-02-20
To: Testing the Iphone
Miles today: 0.0

Here is my first attempt at filing a journal entry from the field so to speak. I have a FreedomPro keyboard that folds in half. I am attempting to update the journal every day once i get on the trail Having no real good texting skills (wasnt offered in school) I learned on an IBM selectric, and Miss DeFiore was like..... oh I digress. So I paired my Iphone with this bluetooth enabled keyboard. It does make typing easier but I obsess about the weight. Its about 8 oz. somewhat fragile and folded up maybe 2 1/2 the size of my i phone.   Its a luxury item for sure, but will allow me to update you folks along the way. Yes I am at work, (boss may read this) I am on my lunch hour. I went to pensions and benefits today and got everything squared away. It makes it very official. 26 years and I am really taking a hike ( not sure people thougtht I would whe n they suggested it) The Reality of the impending hike is sinking in every day. I have many to dos before I go.
Date: 2013-02-21
To: You Don't Know Jack
Miles today: 0.0

It seems the more I know about hiking the AT the less I know. You Don't Know Jack, but let me introduce you to our Dog Jack. Jack is almost 6 months old and just not ready to hike the trail but maybe someday. Jack is in school in this picture being lectured on when to chew things and when not to.I would probably slow Jack down on the trail.I have read so much in books, journals, blogs, forums, reviews I am bursting with lots of information. However--Some experiences can¢t be taught they need to be lived to be learned. Over the last 3 years I have taken several "shake down" hikes which have helped fine tune my thoughts about gear. I can't wait to get heading North from Springer
Date: 2013-02-24
To: Taxes
Miles today: 0.0

I finished my taxes today, woo hoo! I started humming I owe I owe its off to the trail I go LOL. I visit fellow class of 2013 journals and wish I was going sooner ( ok not really as the weather looks cold). Today I wanted to answer questions about my food and food resupply. I have taken excerpts from the ATC -Appalachian Trail Conservancy website http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiking/thru-section-hiking/preparation.Food and SuppliesThere's no need to carry more than a week's food on most parts of the A.T. T hru-hikers typically leave the Trail periodically to resupply in nearby towns. Some ship food parcels ahead to post offices, hostels, and businesses near the Trail; others buy food along the way. Many hikers employ a combination of the two methods.    The A.T. Thru-Hikers¢ Companion provides details on Post Offices and businesses that offer resupply and hold packages for hikers close to the A.T.   Businesses catering to are often open seven days a week during hiker season.   Resupply points are further apart and further off the Trail in the South and the far North. How to use Post Offices along the A.T.   Anyone can have a package sent addressed to their name, c/o General Delivery, city state, zip code.   Also provide a return address and add ¢Hold for A.T. hiker¢ and your expected arrival date. Writing legibly is important!   Do not use your ¢trail name¢ or initials.   You will need a photo ID to pick up your package.   Post Offices are only open Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings¢hours vary from Post Office to Post Office.   Priority Mail is recommended for mailing packages¢it¢s faster, more reliable than parcel post, and you can forward an unopened package at no charge.Using a ¢Bounce Box¢A ¢bounce box¢ is popular with long-distance hikers. It allows you to continually send ahead items you¢ll need periodically but don¢t want to carry. Hikers fill them with supplies such as extra batteries, cell phone chargers, ¢town clothes,¢ and toiletries. A bounce box also will allow you to send ahead the extra when you have to buy more of something than you need. Also be sure to include mailing tape, labels, and magic markers so you have supplies to send your box ahead.So today I was doing my first "drop box" which will have a 5 day meal resupply to be sent to Fontana Dam before I enter the Smoky National Park.I am also gathering items for a "Bounce Box"
Date: 2013-02-28
To: FAQs
Miles today: 0.0

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSHOW DO YOU AFFORD TO TAKE SO MUCH TIME AWAY FROM WORK, ETC.?RetiredHOW MUCH DOES IT COST YOU TO HIKE? Estimates are $4,000 to 5,000 some people do it for less. This doesn't include the cost of gear.WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT HIKING? WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT?I enjoy the outdoor, the physical challenge of it, possibly the escape from the modern world aspect. I get a sense of well being. My senses become very in tune with my surroundings. WHAT KIND OF GEAR DO YOU CARRY?Visit my gear page to see much of what I carry. Most is light weight durable gear. I will carry all the clothes, food, water, shelter I need in my back pack. There will be some luxury items as well.WHERE DO YOU GET FOOD AND WATER WHEN HIKING?Water is found along the trail in springs, creeks, rivers, lakes, and pond. (more about water treatment later) The Appalachian Trail crosses many road and towns along the way. I will re-provision every 3-5 days by going to towns. Occasionally I will have a "drop" box mailed to a predetermined town with a re-supply.WHAT DO YOU EAT WHEN HIKINGAn average hiker seems to need 4,000 to 5,000 calories a day. I will eat easily re-hydrated foods, grains, rice, ramen noodles, polenta, cous cous, tabouli. I will eat peanut butter with honey, chocolate, nuts, protein bars, breakfast bars, trail mix, pop tarts. Meats will be chicken in foil, summer sausage, beef jerky, pepperoni. Oh spam comes in single serve foil pouches! I promise to eat good when I get to towns loading up on vegetables and fruits. Vegetables and fruits don't travel well on the trail. I will also eat poorly in towns eating icecream, fast foods, cholesterol laden stuff.WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST DIFFICULT ABOUT HIKING?There is more than one. Most difficulties that I have encountered are, weather (cold, hot, rain, snow), hunger, physical exhaustion, emotional stress. All these are normal for long distance hiking.DO YOU EVER GET SCARED? IS HIKING DANGEROUS?I haven't been scared but I have been concerned hearing large animal noises late at night. I have worked in crime ridden cities where safety is a concern. I have never viewed hiking as dangerous if you hike with an understanding of nature and most of all understand your abilities. The Trail is a safe haven. Car jackers don't walk 5 miles up a mountain to steal your hiking poles. I will be careful in towns and not camp near roads.DO YOU CARRY A WEAPON OR A GUN?That's a big NO. Never owned one, and the ordinances in 14 states and several National Parks along the way would make it near impossible to "carry". I won't be carrying bear sprays or bear bells ( more on that later)
Date: 2013-03-03
To: Water Treatment
Miles today: 0.0

Having drunk from a mud puddle once upon a time I do have concerns about what water is available. I once met a Thru Hiker in Boiling Springs who had been off of the trail for a week due to Giardia. Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by a tiny parasite called Giardia lamblia. Giardia isn't the only water born issue when drinking suspicious water sources. While the water flowing in the streams and rivers of the backcountry may look pure, it can still be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other contaminants.There are many ways to treat water, boiling (most effective), filtering, chemical. Some folks filter and boil. Floaties ( anything floating in water) are removed by pre-filtering with a bandana or nylon stocking. I have tried the chemical treatment Iodine crystals and Aquamira (chlorine dioxide). Both take time to be effective. The iodine has an after taste. I liked the Aquamira of all the chemical approaches. Some use household bleach ( not recommended). The aquamira requires mixing a part A and part B solution waiting 5 mins for them to react then adding to your water and waiting another 20 mins for the water to be completely treated.I have used the pumping filters and have clogged filters. Pumps also take lots of energy which may be lacking at the end of a hard day.I will have days I don't want to wait so I recently purchase and in line filter from Sawyer. You can attach it to your water bladder drink tube and filter water as you drink. Or you can attach the filter to a squeeze bag or another bladder and make a gravity filter. The Sawyer in line seems to a good choice and is light weight. I will carry the Aquamira as a back up If you visit please sign the guest book.
Date: 2013-03-08
To: 30 Days!
Miles today: 0.0

I bought a one way ticket to paradise on a midnight train to Georgia. Well ok, its leaving in 30 days from Philadelphia to Gainesville, GA in the afternoon. Fifteen hours on a train. I will stay at the Hiker Hostel Dahlonega GA. They will pick me up in Gainesville, give me a bunk, breakfast, and shuttle me to the trail head.
Date: 2013-03-10
To: The Climb
Miles today: 0.0

One of the To Dos I have before I leave is to finish siding my house with cedar shingles. I have been at it for a couple of years. Today I went up both of those ladders at least 60 times somewhere around 2400 feet of up and downs. Good preparation for the climbs I will face in 30 days and counting. Oh yes I am exhausted.
Date: 2013-03-13
To: Reallllly!
Miles today: 0.0

Today a co-worker asked, " Sooo Don whatcha gonna do when you retire?I said, "Hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine?"Co-worker said "Reallllly?"I was like really, and just because I am retiring on April 1st doesn't mean I am fooling I am serious." REALLY!How long does it take? Oh I plan on 5-6 months.Have you ever done anything like that? Well, I have hiked for a week at a time and I have done lots of weekend hikes, overnights.   I have hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail in NH, Maine, Vermont, NY, Connecticut, New Jersey, PA, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia.Are you going to hike with somebody?I don't plan to start with someone as you quickly find out you have different hiking abilities and personalities. If I meet someone on the trail that is hiking compatible, I might hike for a time with that person. Some people hike with groups. Thousands start the hike from Georgia to Maine and only hundreds finish. Around 500 start from Maine and go south bound (SOBOs) Southbounders.The trail is now 2,185.9 miles long, it varies each year depending on re-routes from overuse areas or storm damage.It's interesting how many people know very little about the Appalachian trail.