morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-25
From: N. Branch Carrying Place Stream

To: Northern Outdoor Lodge
Miles today: 9.0

The sound of rain woke me, so we packed our tents nad headed out hoping to make it to Harrisons Camp in time for their hiker breakfast. Tim, the owner, is very supportive of hikers and even though we were late, he made up a phenominal breakfast for us.We then headed out to catch the canoe shuttle over the Kennebec River by 11:00. Taking the shuttle across was instituted several years after a hiker drowned attempting to ford the river. The water level can and does change very dramatically and quickly due to the water being relased from the dam upstream. After the canoe shuttled us, we hiked the next 4 miles to the road nad were picked up by a staffer from the lodge.
Date: 2008-08-26
From: Northern Outdoor Lodge

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.5

This was just such a great day for hiking. Anytime I can start the day off with an all you can eat breakfast is a good sign.At times the path was a bit challenging due to the mud and rocks and some difficult descents, but over all it worked out well.Got to the shelter, where connected up with Hotwheels and Shutterbug. They are a couple on a thru hike, who seem to just enjoy each others' company (pretty critical when you are hiking together for 6 months).
Date: 2008-08-27
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Started the day off with a 1,500¢ hike up Moxie Bald, which went well. Though somewhat steep, it was easier than expected. One of the differences is that the mud was drying out and that in itself made the hiking go a bit quicker and easier.Summiting Moxie was just spectacular, kind of what I hope Katahdin will be like.We got to the shelter around 2:15 and settled in with about 6 other NOBO¢s: Lotus, Thinker, Daddyo, Peacock, Red, and Criminal Mind. I cleaned off in the Piscataquis River; it always feels good to get rid of the dirt, grime and sweat.
Date: 2008-08-29
From: Shaw's Hostel Molnson,Me

To: Shaw's Hostel Monson,Me
Miles today: 0.0

What a great spot for a day off. Though small, Monson has 3 restaurants, a library, river running through it, and a very friendly community.The other discovery I made is that some of the local musicians meet at the general store on Friday and have a jam session. Though a bit crowded with other hikers and community members, it was a lot of fun to hear the concert.
Date: 2008-09-01
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Tappan Camp Site
Miles today: 8.7

Piper and I were on Trail early and got to Pleasant River around 8am. It is a shallow, wide river which we forded. I¢ve gotten to the point where I seldom take off my shoes when fording. They almost always dry quickly and I don¢t want to take the time to take swap my shoes with my crocs.After about an hour we found the talked about trail magic ---homemade moon pies and cold soda. What a great breakfast.Though we had planned on getting in about 15 miles, we opted to stop early. Though he doesn¢t complain much at all, I could tell Piper¢s shoulder was flaring up and it wouldn¢t do any good to keep going and make it worse. The other reason for stopping early was to enjoy the great camping site we had found; the star gazing would be awesome at this high of altitude and on such a clear evening. The miles would be easy to make up tomorrow.
Date: 2008-09-02
From: Tappan Camp Site

To: Coopers Brook Falls Lea-to
Miles today: 17.1

Today was like hiking back in Virginia; after covering the 4 mountains ¢West Peak, Hay Mountain, White Cap, and Boardman, the path was generally level. The ascents were not very high, around 500-100 feet. I was feeling very strong, drinking a lot of water and eating constantly, my hiking speed on the ascents was just over 2 mph and on the level areas at 3 mph. Those are good times for me.We considered stealth camping at Crawford Pond, but I suggested we move on to get the miles in; the shelter Coopers Brook at a great swimming pond in front. We got into camp around 4 and were glad we had moved on. In addition to the swimming, an unnamed attractive female hiker got in an hour later. She said she hoped we wouldn¢t be embarrassed, but she needed to wash off and proceeded to strip down and skinny dip in the pond¢in front of us. You just never know what thrills await one on the Trail.I did remind Piper it was my idea to move ahead and stay here rather than at the pond.
Date: 2008-09-03
From: Coopers Brook Falls Lea-to

To: White House Landing Hostel
Miles today: 13.8

We decided to stay on this hostel, arriving here at midday. To get here, we sound a fog horn on the bank of the lake and the owner comes over in his boat to aick us up. What a great spot. This is a very old fishing camp on Pemadumcook Lake: they have great food, a lake to swim in and a beautiful view.This place has food and supply available and kind of debunks the 100 mile wilderness idea. We have a bit of food (no such thing as a bit of food), few beers, organized our gear, enjoyed a visit by this huge moose, and saw a phenomenal sky.We turned in around 8 knowing this was our last Wednesday on the Trail. For the past 2 or 3 days, we are feeling the pull of Katahdin, knowing we are closer to our journey being over. I think it is more difficult for Piper, partly because his shoulder continues to hurt and partly because he genuinely loves getting up each day to go hiking. I am, however, more and more ready for this to be over and get home. But we do share the bond of having started within a day of one another and of being at similar stage in life, recently retired and excited about starting a new life when our Trail day are over.
Date: 2008-09-04
From: White House Landing Hostel

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Today I seem to absolutely be on autopilot and just push to get to the lean-to as soon as possible. I think it may have been one of my best hiking days as I get there in just over 5 hours. Though I very much enjoyed the hike, I also knew it was one more day closer to getting home.
Date: 2008-09-06
From: Hurd Lean-to

To: Birches Lean-to
Miles today: 13.0

Piper and I are up early and on Trail around 6:00 headed toward Baxter State Park. We stop at Abol Bridge Camp site store for food, and then continue on to the Birches at the park. We arrive and sign up at the ranger¢s station, getting a weather report. Rain is predicted for tonight, but should stop by the morning. The rain report has me getting a bit anxious and also feeling that I just want to finish this journey. I remind myself that tomorrow will be ¢just¢ a short hike of 5 miles, though all of us are a bit surprised to learn it is a tougher climb than expected. We eat a last dinner as the predicted rain starts. We can only hope it stops by tomorrow morning. I forgo my usual tent camping as I don't want to mess with putting up and taking down a tent in the rain.
Date: 2008-11-10
From: Katahdin

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

So I have been off the AT for just over 2 months and am thoroughly enjoying being at home, back into my new routine. I'm not quite sure what that routine is going to turn out to be long term, but so far it is mostly being grateful to be with my wife Susan and seeing our son Vince on a regular basis. Son Alex is on the west coast, but he did come home for the party (more on that in a moment).Since I have been home, I have added a few pounds back, had a lot of fun talking with friends and former coworkers about my hike, and getting used to not going to work. Less than a week after getting home, Susan and I, along with her Mom, Helen, a took a road trip to western New York. Susan's Uncle Mike and Aunt Jan welcomed us to their beautiful condo where we ate wonderful meals, did a bit of sight seeing,and enjoyed a leisurely week (as well as cocktails on the deck).As soon as we returned to Glen Ellyn, Susan headed to Atlanta for a week long business trip, leaving me to clean the house and prepare for my welcoming home/retirement party. We had over 65 people over for food, drinks, and Trails stories in late October. Just so great to see people who have sent me e-mails, encouraged me, and took a moment to recognize me..still haven't cut my hair. I even had 6 of my 8 sibs here along with son Alex (he came in from Seattle along with my brother Vince and nephew Joey)and former coworkers (Judy, Micheal, Sheila) in from 3M St. Paul. In addition, my former customer (and still good friends) Tom and Terri Peck traveled from Madison, Wi to celebrate. The party was to be more like an open house (from 3pm to 7pm) however it went until midnite. So grateful for all those folks and friendship and support. One of Susan's coworkers, Sarah, suggested I write a note about life after being home for 30 days. It seemed like a good idea, though it has taken me a bit longer. Rather than rattle off my daily routine I decided to just write down what I am grateful for and what I learned from my AT experience.So one more time, a couple of entries from Willie Boy as well as a few pictures taken by Dust-in-the Wind during our Katahdin ascent.Thanks from my heart.Willie Boy
Date: 2008-11-11
From: home

To: What I learned
Miles today: 0.0

What I learned¢¦How to properly stake a double-walled tent.That putting a tent up in the rain is okay, just a little wet.That¢s it okay to have a dinner meal for breakfast.That it feels weird and good to weigh 150 pounds again.That America is slowly but surely losing some, if not all of our racism.That I love my wife and kids more than I ever imagined possible.That using dried leaves and water is an effective way to clean a cooking pot.That setting up a tent in the deep woods on a floor of 6 inches of moss is a great way to sleep.That tenting in the rain is (sans lightening) is very relaxing.That I enjoyed my solitude, though I wouldn¢t want to be a hermit. That I could not have accomplished this hike on my own.That Ramen noodles, peanutbutter, and tuna for breakfast (or any meal) is awful.That I can eat 12 large pancakes, 3 sausages, large chocolate milk, small juice, coffee for breakfast and be hungry 2 hours later (when I have been hiking).That while hiking the AT, I could eat as much of anything I wanted and never gain weight, which is a lot of fun.That being more patient with other people can sometimes be challenging for me, but can also be very rewarding.That I can hike 20+ miles while carrying 35 lbs in my pack.That people can be extremely generous.That putting on wet clothes in the morning can be uncomfortable, but only for a few minutes. And that I can hike in wet clothes for hours.That I sweat a lot and that wearing tan colored pants while sweating a lot makes me look like I wet my pants.That taking a bath (without soap) in the creek can be a cold experience but only for a few minutes; after that it is wonderful.That I learned to do what bears do.That I learned to live with dirty fingernails.That wearing the same clothes for several months is okay, but they will develop a very unique aroma, even when I have washed them on a regular basis.That sitting in the rain for 2 hours isn¢t all the bad; the only thing that happens is one gets wet.That even though I am afraid of heights, I can still climb mountains.That it is okay to cry from joy, and from missing my family.That there really is no place like home.That I can cook and feed myself with only a pot, spork, and single burner camping stove.That much of what I learned in business ¢ clarity of purpose, focus, preparation, determination, teamwork, evaluation and adjustment, communication¢was VERY applicable to my hike.That it is a privilege to be somebody¢s hero.That hiking the Appalachian Trail is a life-altering experience.That sitting on rock in the woods and just listening and watching is difficult the first few times, and addictive after that. It is serenity at its best.That I don¢t need all the stuff (clothing, gadgets, deodorant, etc.) that I have accumulated.That it is okay to be afraid of something, as long as the fear doesn¢t control me.That I am incredibly fortunate to have the family, friends, and this AT experience.
Date: 2007-01-17
To: Confession
Miles today: 0.0

I guess I will make an AA style confesion....Hi, my name is Rachel, and I want to hike the Appalachian Trail.And now to showcase the reactions of my friends and family after making the above confession:My dad (age 54): "Rachel, I know it sounds (with doubtful emphasis on the 'sounds') fun...but it won't be."My mom (Age 49): "That sounds like something I would have liked to have done..."My brother, Nathan (Age 19), after I suggested that he come with me: "How many pounds of weed would I have to pack?"My brother, Travis (Age 16): Grin, shrug and laugh.My boyfriend, Oliver (Age 24): "Why don't we go to Europe, or gold-dredging in Colorado instead for a couple of weeks?"My best friend, Casey (Age 22): An instant messaged, "???!!!!?!?!?!?!?WHAT??!?!?!?!??!?!"Katherine (Age 26) from work: "Take me with you!!"And now...REASONS WHY I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T EVEN TRY TO HIKE THE AT1. I have little to no backpacking experience. The truth is, the only true mountains in Texas (Chisos, Big Bend Nat'l Park) are about 6.5 hours from San Antonio. It is extremely difficult to embark on weekend camping trips. The only thing close to legitimate backpacking I have ever done is a week trip to Pedernales Falls State Park where I carried a pack to a campsite 3 miles down a relatively flat trail. But I think I deserve some credit since my pack weighted about 50 pounds (or more) and I needed help to put it on. 2. Recently I have been having knee trouble. Runners' knee? I'm not really sure what's wrong with it, but it hurts for about a week after I walk over a mile.3. I'm from Texas. This means I have little experience with temperatures below 50 degrees, and almost no experience with ice and snow. In fact, Austin has been shut down for the past 3 days because there's been a winter storm with sleet mixed with snow and drizzle. Texans just don't know how to deal with that kind of stuff.4. I usually have a comparatively short attention span when it comes to new endeavors. I'm not sure how long I can be enthused about being on the trail.5. I can rationalize anything. This is why I can never stick to diets, "One cookie...I'll just do some extra time on the treadmill...", "Work out...taking a day off won't hurt..." 6. I am not in the best shape imaginable.7. I'm shy and prone to loneliness. Given the social nature of the trail, I'm not sure I will feel comfortable meeting so many people. Plus, I don't make friends easily (only because of shyness, not because I'm a jerk!) which sometimes depresses me.Continued in the next entry...
Date: 2007-01-18
To: Envy
Miles today: 0.0

The days after finals are usually some of the most liberating days out of my whole year. You get to dig through your backpack, pluck out papers that you had to read or write....and duly mutilate them. I never guessed that I could have such a liberation after the first day of class.Talk about an ingenious recipe for torture. I tried to subject myself to His 350L Decolonization of the British Empire. I felt like digging my fingernails into the stairs and dragging myself slowly up to the surface where I would find a sharp rock to bash my head in with. The professor was pompous, had an interesting speech impediment and seemed to favor the 4 honors students and the 2 grad students (WTF are they doing in undergrad history anyway?). I got home and dropped the class. Now I get to shred a map of the English empire, a syllabus, a list of dates, and a notebook page full of doodles. The end.This is the kind of crap that makes me envy people who are sloshing up vertical hills in the rain and eating ramen every night.
Date: 2007-01-19
To: Learning to walk
Miles today: 0.0

Today I practised walking. Apparently I've been doing it wrong ever since I learned to walk the first time. Dang! And I've always thought of myself as an overachiever!This lapse in walking technique eventually cumulated in a prolonged ache in my right knee. So I thought learning to walk properly is the least I could do before I attempt to walk 2200 miles...My knee had been hurting for the past week and a half nonstop. Usually my walking feet are angled sorta the opposite of pigeon toes, pointing a bit to each side at opposite directions. So yesterday evening I tried walking with my feet facing straight forward. The pain seems to have evaporated almost completely overnight. Someone pass me the dunce cap, please.I'm going to Lytle tonight to visit my parents/Oliver's family. My hometown peeps. There I will be practicing walking extensively mainly because there is no other form of entertainment available, unless you are interested in cows. Maybe I'll do homework who knows.Every day Oliver tries to persuade me to invest the money I've been saving into an enterprise other than a long walk. Every day he asks me what the point is of walking from Georgia to Maine, "What's the point of six months of torture". I've told him so many reasons why I want to do it, but he just doesn't understand. I know it won't be easy, I know it may feel like torture sometimes....but I think that is part of the allure. Or maybe I'm just insane.
Date: 2007-01-24
To: REI--My New Favorite Store
Miles today: 0.0

Today I drove up 6th street on my way to make a delivery for work, and I saw the REI logo on a building! I didn't know there was an REI store in Austin, or Texas for that matter, so I was really excited! Ollie and I went there after we got off work. Oliver may not like the idea of me hiking the AT solo (or at all), but I know he likes looking at sporting goods and he likes that I'm interested in looking at sporting goods too. Good thing is, I'm anticipating an incoming tax refund Got fitted for a pack. As it turns out, I am pretty much too short for even most of the small womens backpacks...The sales guy said that I would probably have to buy a pack with an adjustable torso length, which will add weight and cost. Come on, now. I'm not sure that extra weight is such a great idea for a person who could probably carry a child's size backpack...Additionally, the REI store I went to only had 4 womens backpacks. Four. Whoop-de-friggin'-do. Apparently the North Austin location has more of a selection. We'll see. Tomorrow. I like this pack I found online, but it weighs almost 6 pounds. I think I'm going to have to pass. I kinda liked one at REI but I couldn't try it on because all they had was medium. Short people are people too. At least I'm over 5 feet. 1.5 inches over, to be exact. But what I lack in height I make up for in thigh strength and general ease of amusement. I also tried on small gloves which were too big. Might have to try the kiddie section next time.I've been super excited today about hiking. Too bad I'm scheduled for 2008...I hope my enthusiasm doesn't fade, because right now it's helping me get through class and work. I love having something to look forward to. I am much more excited about the hike than I am about the carnival cruise I'm going on this coming December, much to Ollie's dismay.Oliver's dad, Jerry, is a major gearhead. In fact, he likes to collect gear that he hardly ever uses. He said he would help me find equipment and maybe even talk Oliver into coming with me. Truthfully, I am really comfortable with the idea of going solo. It freaks me out sometimes to think of it, but one reason I want to hike the Appalachian Trail is to learn self-reliance which will in turn breed self confidence. If I went with Ollie I would use him as a crutch like I've been doing for the past six years. We've been dating since I was 16. Now I'm 22 and I feel like I need to do something independently. Something truly unique and unexpected. "The Road goes ever on and on,Down from the door where it began.Now far ahead the road has gone,And I must follow, if I can,Pursuing it with eager feet,Until it joins some larger wayWhere many paths and errands meet.And whither then? I cannot say."--Bilbo Baggins
Date: 2007-02-16
To: :(
Miles today: 0.0

I had a chat with Oliver last night. It turns out that I'm pretty much banned from speaking to him about the AT. He says it makes him depressed every time I mention it.I don't know why it's so hard for people to accept that I want to do this. The number one concern is (surprise) my plan of going solo. Because girls are completely helpless and people are going to take advantage of me. So apparently people think I'm helpless and stupid. It's all so encouraging. Next, Oliver just doesn't want us to be apart for so long. I'll be the first to admit that this will probably be the hardest mental challenge of the entire hike. His family thinks that my leaving is weird and the precursor to our breaking up. Just because I want to do something which doesn't involve Oliver doesn't mean I love him less or that we have to break up. It's not unheard of for couples to be apart for awhile. Oliver's brother and his wife were apart for long stretches of time when he was in Iraq. This is just mind-boggling. I've been with Oliver since I was 16...I need to develop some self confidence and stop relying on Oliver as a crutch. When I told Oliver that it's not so uncommon for one spouse to hike the trail, he said it's okay if it's the man. If this animosity is still around by the time I begin my hike in '08 I don't think I will be able to give myself the option to quit. Not only will I have to prove something to myself, I will have to prove something to every person who is rooting for my failure. But then maybe all the nay-saying with break my spirit. I can retire from my dreams at the age of 22, get married, have babies, and build up some resentment to last a lifetime.
Date: 2007-02-20
To: Ramble On
Miles today: 0.0

A resolution: I will not be the girl with a zillion prep entries. I love posting these things but I have still got a long time until March 2008 to crank out more prep entries...I think I'll save some for later.So next time I feel like rambling on about things vaguely related to my hiking aspiration...I think I'll make a myspace blog. I don't think anyone reads those anyway.Rambling is so therapeutic.I like to walk while I'm working. I'm a runner for a lawfirm, which means that I deliver/pick up documents at various places throughout Austin. If a run is in downtown Austin, I will usually walk (and take the long way if at all possible) because it lets me be out of the office longer, and it's my worktime hobby. That and drinking water. All delightful worktime hobbies. Yesterday I got a new hobby. Taking the stairs to the 15th floor. That one is not so delightful. In fact it mostly killed me, which means I need practice. So I will try to take the stairs at least once every day I'm at work.I had a weird AT dream last night. I decided spur of the moment to head out to Amicalola Falls State Park to start my journey, and when I got there I realized I forgot to say goodbye to Oliver and had to go all the way back to Texas and back to GA. When I got to Pennsylvania I went back to visit my parents again to make arrangements to come home from Maine when the time came. Just weird.A thought floating through my mind: My cousin lives in Georgia. I haven't seen her in a couple years, and I miss her. We used to be great friends as kids/teenagers, when she still lived near San Antonio. Maybe I could hang out with her for a few days before I start my trek. Hmmmm...I should probably e-mail her, to reopen the lines of communication. If her e-mail address is the same as it used to be...I might have to ask Uncle Mark, who still lives in my home town. Rambling again. I'm probably a disgrace of an English major.I wish I was gradumacated. I want to be done with my edumacation. Gotta learn Spanish. Maybe I'll start watching Mexican soap operas. They always seem really exciting. A random concern: I don't like the thought of leaving my dog for 4-6 months. Poor Rufus. I wonder how long he will stare out windows waiting for me to come home before he finally gives up . I don't want it to be cloudy. I need another sunshiny day. This morning I woke to the sound of windchimes and birds chirping. Appreciate life's simple pleasures.Paradise.