morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-13
From: Leeman Brook Lean-to

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

What I thought was going to be really easy walking was a series of continuous ridges of ups and downs, another time that the profile map has lied to me, and it made for some very slow going. There were more rivers to ford, and thank goodness there was a rope to help out. There was also a scree field to cross and then another ford, what should have been an easy day ended up being a tough one. I thought the 100-mile wilderness was going to be a series of very easy and pleasant 20-mile days, but this first section was some really tough walking, and I am not mentally prepared for such things. I want it to be easy, just skip along the trail singing songs at the top of my lungs, instead I am scrambling up and down rocks, and sweat pouring off me, this is not fair. With these lower mileage days than expected, not sure how it will effect my food supplies. Got to the Long Pond Stream Lean-to and there were some other hikers there who had tried a thru hike on previous years. They had failed, but were out to do the 100-mile wilderness, and they were really struggling, the wet weather was not helping any of us. Sometimes wet rocks are not so bad particularly if they are predominately granites, but this slicker slate stuff is so treacherous, that even along the tops of the ridges where it flattens out you still must watch your footing, and it requires constant attention to your footing and really slows you down.
Date: 2008-09-14
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap lean-to
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

Today was going to be my chance to make up some miles, and it turned out to be the opposite, this is really depressing. It rained and rained, and I was wet, wet, wet. It started with a slippery climb up to Barren Mtn, and some of it was really steep, goodness what is going on, the 100-mile wilderness is suppose to be easy, and it is turning out to be bloody hard. Passed over Fourth Mountain, before a very steep and really dangerous descent, cross a stream and back up to Columbus Mtn ledge and then onto lean-to. There was continuous ups and downs of about 100 feet, and often you would be faced with a wall of wet rock, and stand at the top or bottom, scratch your head and think how the hell am I going to negotiate this obstacle, and there seem to be many of these such things all afternoon. The mileage was very low, and I am out here all by myself, no one to share these tortures with, no one to hear my screams and curse words, just the constant rain and the trees and rocks. This is really shit.
Date: 2008-09-15
From: Chairback Gap lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Another day and more drizzle, although maybe it might clear. Just more of the same for the first section of today, climbed up over Chairback Mountain, and there were no vistas because same problem as last few days, fog and cloud. Another crazy descent including a huge set of boulders to jump over as I descended down, I was reduced to crawling on hands and knees. Thoughts keep jumping into my head of walking all this way and being injured in the 100 mile wilderness. How would I mentally ever cope with such a disaster. My other main thought was on my schedule, I am running out of time, what will I tell the border guards and passport control of the fact that I have over stayed my visa. These negative thoughts are not doing much to improve my mood, this trail has kicked my butt, and I feel like I am falling to pieces. What would people think if they found an Australian male wrapped up in a ball on the side of the trial crying, would that somehow changed the way Americans view us supposedly tough Australians. Climbed along some ledges, and they were super slippery, but the clouds were lifting and I had some views, and all I could see in front of me was another huge mountain range. Surely there must be some kind of mistake, I can¢t be walking up over that, but deep in my heart I knee it was the truth, more pain ahead. Once at the bottom of the ledges there was some easy walking, clear trails, no rocks, smooth path, this was sublime, just when I thought I was coming to my wits end, the trail releases me, and away I go, this is what I had heard about the easy miles in the 100-mile wilderness. The sun was even starting to shine, the West Branch of the Pleasant River was very wide, but nothing more than just below the knee, took of the boots and waded across, at the other side laid out some of my gear and let it dry in the howling winds. Got to my feet and the flat easy walking just continued the ground was full of pine needles cushioning the impact of each step, oh this was so good. It was a nice gentle gradual climb up to the lean-to, where I met up with the local ridge runner, and he was a jolly fellow. I was going to walk on, but it was nice to have company. I did a lot of talking, well most of it was complaining about the trail, and then talking about my great adventure, good thing about this trail often you have a captive audience there is nowhere for them to escape. Soon I was joined by Wookie, I was sure he was well ahead, but he had taken a week off to relax and ended up behind me.
Date: 2008-09-18
From: Pollywog Stream

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather has held out nicely over the last few days, and hopefully will continue to do so as I approach Katahdin, my worst nightmare would be to make it to the base and then to get a shitty day for a summit. Got up early and enjoyed a nice walk to Rainbow Stream Lean-to, the streams are so gorgeous, tumbling over rocks, little waterfalls, this will be one thing I will miss tremendously when off the trail. Walked along the shores of Rainbow Lake, skirting the lakes is always difficult, as the trail tends to wind up and down continuously up the embankments, no great ups and downs just lots of little ones. It is hard on the rhythm but finally made it to the north end. Ran into a south bounder, forgotten their trail name, but can tell you they were a right royal pain in the ass. They had done a flip flop, realizing that they would make it to late to Katahdin they had headed up here and turned south to complete the thru in a single calendar year. The person asked me if I had done a thru, I said yes, and told them my trail name. This person then asked me if I was sure I was doing a thru hike as he had not seen me in the registers, clearly he must be blind because I have written in everyone of them. Most Americans have been kind and gracious people, just tremendous, but there are the odd exception, the one person who fits the stereotype, and they really grind against me. I have become so accustomed to meeting great people that when you do meet a knob like this bloke they really stick out in your mind. Started the gradual climb up to Rainbow Ledges from the top another magnificent view of Katahdin, it is getting really close now. Descended down to Hurd Brook lean-to, after the big mileage of the last few days, and the lack of food, tiredness and weariness have hit me with full force, so just slowly plod on. The trail really flattens out and the walking gets really easy, gone are the roots and rocks, saw a bear ahead of me. I stopped with freight, and the small bear darted off down the trail and pulled a sharp left into the woods, what a sight they are at full flight, I did not realize just how fast they could move. Eventually I saw a sign that indicated I was leaving the 100-mile wilderness, came out on a gravel road, turned right and in the distance could see Abol Bridge. Upon crossing it turned to the left and it was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen, Katahdin. It was unbelievable, and I was overcome with some emotions, in the fore ground was the west Branch of the Penobscot River flanked by magnificent trees with their foliage turning brilliant shade3s of red, orange and yellow, and off in the distance was Katahdin, it looked massive, like it thrust straight up from the plains surrounding it. It looked really scary, it was going to be a hell of a day to climb this giant. Pigged out at the Abol Bridge store, and took a camp spot, stuck my head out of my tent and Katahdin sat there waiting for me to tackle it, fell asleep dreaming of Katahdin.
Date: 2008-09-19
From: Abol Bridge

To: Birches
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Next morning was dreadfully cold, but soon the sun came up and it was a brilliant day. Went back up to the Abol Bridge camp store, and got some more food, and was joined by Wookie, and a group of others who had just come wandering out of the 100-mile wilderness. Some I had not seen since the last town, others I had not seen for months. It was a great reunion and everyone was so happy, all had big smiles on our faces. We were also joined by the local ridge runner, a delightful lady who had herself previously done a thru hike, we all talked about our experiences on the trail. I kept stuffing my face at the camp store, and before long it was necessary for me to leave or I would not make it to the Birches. It was a great walk, like doing a lap of honour, had a real spring in my step, don¢t remember much of the details of the 10 mile hike, it was just exciting and a great day. It was flat walking, had a few water crossings, and walked along a magnificent river, about the size of the Murray back home. Rivers that big is not uncommon in this part of the world, just so much more water in this country. I walked along realizing what a joy it had to have been in this magnificent country, I had really fallen in love with the place and its strange people. Americans and Australians get along like a house on fire, the whole trip had been something just so special, and I felt tremendous pride in what I have achieved. Even though I still had a huge climb ahead of me the next day, I was started to count my chickens, looked back upon the entirety of it all, so many hard days. For some reasons I remember one such day with Uluru climbing up over some hills in Virginia before reaching Hog Camp Gap, the extreme heat and exhaustion we had felt that day, and how the entire trip seemed so unlikely, but here I was. Took a moment to enjoy the sun as it was setting over another glacial pond just at the base of Katahdin, I just felt so alive, it was a tremendous feeling. Made my way up a dirt road in the dark, signed in at the Ranger Station at Baxter Park, and headed towards the Birches, my last place I would lay my head down on the AT. Awaiting me were my fellow thru hikers who I would summit with the following morning, sat around the fire for a while, and then shared a lean-to with Wookie.Just as we were about to drift off to sleep, two hikers came straggling in; one was in a really bad way. He had just completed the International Appalachian Trial that starts way up in Canada. On his last day he had taken a bad fall on the Knife¢s Edge, cracking one if his ribs, and had descended down Katahdin in the dark and injured. He was muttering away to himself, clearly in great pain and not making much sense. He kept warning us of the perils of Katahdin and how hard the climb up and descent down was, kept telling us to be careful, and that it was dangerous, so exposed and rocky. If I was not feeling nervous enough, I was now. Added to this he had not trouble falling straight to sleep making a hell of a racket with his snoring, I had to search through my things to find my earplugs.
Date: 2008-08-09
To: New York is on the Wrong Track
Miles today: 0.0

The picture to the left shows the actual route of the A.T. in New York, at a series of cliffs known as the Lemon Sqeezer. One may think by looking at the picture that it's just what you have to do in order to get up that particular mountain. Not true.This is actually an isolated cliff on a hillside that is generally much more gentle. The hillside would easily facilitate a properly grated trail, but the individuals in charge of routing the A.T. here intentionally painted white blazes on a nearly vertical, 12 to 14 foot high rock face so that hikers would climb it. There is an alternative route that is blue-blazed, which goes around the cliff to lower-angled part of the hillside less than 20 yards away. The signs at the bottom label this "the easy way." I found this really insulting.It's not that I mind a short scramble up some rocks. I've been a technical rock climber since I was 12 years old. Nor do I mind "mindless ups and downs" to get the blood flowing -- they're a welcome challenge. But here's the problem: a few days before we arrived at this spot, someone who had hiked from Georgia fell and fractured their leg while trying to ascend it.No doubt they were much like many other A.T. hikers, who follow a "purist" hiking ethic of not missing a single white blaze. To them the blue blazed route is not an option, and the decision by local trail planners to paint white blazes on unprotected, exposed rock can lead to serious injury.This wasn't the only instance in New York of senseless routing like this, where a very natural and much safer route was a stone's throw away from an isolated, unsafe rock band ascended by the A.T.Sure, there are other steep mountainsides further north in New England, but these states seem to realize that there should be some kind of protection devices in place for the general population of hikers who will be passing through in all types of weather with over 20 pounds on their backs. And the steep sections of rock span entire flanks of a mountain; they're climbed by necessity, not by the whim of someone who wants to point hikers at the only cliff in the area.I guess I'm asking for some consistency and rational thinking from the trail planners in New York. Areas like this send up all kinds of red flags. Allow the climbers to return with their bouldering or climbing gear, but please -- let's make sure all of the hikers can pass through safely.--David
Date: 2008-10-08
From: Amicalola Falls State Park, GA

To: Mt. Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 2176.0
Weather: clear sky

Our A.T. thru-hike this summer began 05/08/08 at Amicalola Falls State Park, GA and ended 10/08/08 on top of Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Maine. During our trip we passed through some of the most rugged and beautiful mountains in the eastern U.S, saw an amazing variety of plants and animals, and made some great new friends.A special thanks goes out to David's mom, dad, brother and sister who help us every time we get the idea to do some crazy adventure. They do it all from mailing our gear changes, to researching products, to sending us cards of encouragement. Our trips would not be the same without you!We received an uncalculated amount of generosity from strangers who helped us along during our journey. These displays of kindness usually came when we needed it the most. Thank you all! We will pass on the magic soon. You are the ones who make the A.T. what it is.The multiple day closure of Katahdin allowed us an unexpected summit with some trail friends we had not seen for many miles. We caught up to the people in front of us, and the ones behind us showed up just as the mountain opened. This reunion together with David's brother Mark joining us made for an extra special finish. It was almost hard to take it all in because so much was happening at once but we wouldn't change it for anything. Shortly after our descent we were greeted with champagne beer and a line of smiling friends and strangers clapping for all the hikers coming off the mountain. What a finish to a great journey!
Date: 2008-03-01
To: Greyhoundin it
Miles today: 0.0

I booked my ticket for the Greyhound to Gainsville, Fl. Yea I know, honest mistake but since it was a 7 day advanced purchase there were no refunds; according to the lady with the Indian accent on the customer service line. Even when I asked to speak to someone else to have the issue resolved and was placed on hold for.........about 4 seconds so that I may speak to "another" woman with an Indian accent who told me the exact same thing. It is good to see such diversity and an effective practice of equal opportuniy employment within the Greyhound corporation. I did get another number to call and have the refund processed as long as I had another purchase order number for the correct destination. Why couldn't I just get that number instead of being repeatedly told there are no refunds even though I had another ticket to Gainsville, GA? A bus pass is still cheaper than umm.......anything else.I hope I don't have to sit near the drunk lady that talks to herself and throws up in the aisle. Dinosaur, Hellbender, and Leprechaun know what I mean.
Date: 2008-03-09
From: The Real World

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Hiked the Approach Trail today. I met several 2008 hikers including Truckin, Deren and Josiah. I also ran into some yahoo named Yukon Cornelius- I'll think he'll quit. I have great friends that have been awesome the last couple days. (Leprachuan and Parkay) The Trail wouldn't be the smae without them.
Date: 2008-03-10
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Smooth day to Hawk Mountain Shelter. Met Brother Bear and his brother Matt, Dean, Hayseed and Boom Boom. They all got to meet the great Leprachuan who brought some hotdogs up for everyone. Yukon and I got to entertain new hikers with stories from 06. After a year in the real world telling the smae stories to non hikers it was nice to have people around who actually care to hear them.
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

On my birthday I caught a cold. I blame Yukon- I would blame the greyhound bus service but that adventure was too long ago. Got some good magic at Neel's Gap. I went and got some Airborne to kick this could but I only had beer to put it in! Rather than desicrating a good beer I just ate the tablets whole.. Yukon's cold is going to cause a few new hikers to quit. I can see it now.
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Neels Gap

To: Whitley Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: light rain

Last night I dreamed pf what happens when you give seagulls alka seltzer and popped my thermarest. When I got to Whitley Shelter, which is a safe 1.2 miles off the Trail, (I guess so i don't get raped) I used most of the alcohol for my stove to melt the glue for the patch. I hope it holds because I know I'll be eating dry Liptons for a few days.
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Whitley Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: light rain

Why do I have everything in a ziplock bag when all it does is keep water on the inside?Transcibers note- the next few sentances are smudged from water damage- it says something to the effect of:It's not suppose to rain during a thru hike, I know, I'm a professional. But Parkay came to rescue us and brought us to Budan's and be in a less sober state.If you are actually reading this journal you should really read Truckin's journal, it may make more sense. I don't remember what happened.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Met Mike and Nick from (Illegible) as well as the Dueling Danjo (Transcribers note: It might say Banjo- again, smudged.) I had to rub it in that they stayed in the rain while we went off the Trail and got dry. That'll learn em to turn down Trail Magic!!
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Plum Orchard Shelter

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: moderate rain

A rain zero at Plum Orchard Gap Shelter. The next section to the NOC is tough and I don't wnat to be too wet. Truckin has a cold so we're just going to wait out the storm.So we actually did hike today. At around 5:30 pm it quit raining and Truckin and I went the 4.4 to Bly Gap and I camped by the gnarly oak tree on the GA/NC borger. Good for us just light rain but I am happy not to hike in it and be dry just a little longer.GREAT DAY!!
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Beech Gap 

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Truckin and I had a little fun with Bronco's Bronco and wrote out a wilderness parking citation and left it on his windshield. We gave him a fine of a six pack. Wish i could see his reaction. We also met Ranger and Tiger Lilly, Hell on Bad Wheels, Mary Poppins (who read my Tarot) Pips and Sourkraut, Little Fox and August hiked in and got a fire going.My tarot went something like this: I'm broke, it could be bad if I let it be bad. But someone is going to come into my life and help me be emotionally and spiritually enriched. Sounds like a great thruhike!!!
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Franklin, NC

To: Silers Bald
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: broken clouds

Truckin and I are camping at the bald and catching the sunset. I went down to the shelter where August, Ruby Tuesday, Butters, Kota, Sour Kraut and Mary poppins are staying to let them know the view is great. I hope they check it out in the morning.
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Grey Fox (on 06 hiker) Draqonslayer (an 04 hiker) and Mr. Parkay (an 06 hiker) drove into town and we rented a cabin with a bunch of other hikers and had a great time! My friends kick ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Overmountain SH

To: camping by Mountaineer SH
Miles today: 11.3

Back to Carver's Gap and got a hitch to Bob's Dairyland and ate a Boss Burger. (Truckin ate 2) Cheapest food on the trail, a must stop. Got a hitch back up 19E and went North everyone else went back to the Apple House shelter, too full to hike.
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Lost Mountain Sh.

To: Grayson Highlands State Park Line
Miles today: 17.3

I took the Wilbur ridge trail to see what it was and it was BA. I figure since I went to the top of Mt. Rogers just to say I have been to the Highest point of Va, I deserve this kick ass rocky ridge walk. I made friends with a few ponies as well. I tented near the park turnstyle and watch a herd of about 20 ponies play as the galloped in one big wave over the hills. Thats not something you would see from a shelter.
Date: 2008-05-22
From: Trimpi Sh

To: Partnership Sh
Miles today: 10.6

Got in early and went to Marion to pick up a mail drop. While I was outside the PO organizing my drop to bounce some food along, a police officer had to ask what I was doing. I imagine the scene did look suspicious. But all was well and when I got back to the shelter I found out that the shower was broken. The repair man fixed it long enough for 3 people to take showers, I was the 4th in line. Fortunatley Dirty Girl and the Crew caught up and we went into Marion (again for me) to see Indaina Jones at the drive-in.
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Jenkins Sh

To: Jenny Knob Sh
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: few clouds

Trail Magic this morning was great! If you tend to get up and start hiking after 9 or 10 you usually miss the best TM. I am thankful for the Round Mountain United Methodist Church for their generosity. The boosted my spirits to keep going for the day and helped me stay hydrated on such a sweltering dry stretch of trail.
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Jenny Knob Sh

To: Dismal Creek Falls
Miles today: 8.4

The OSU boys hung out at the shelter this morning for a while and where crackin' me up. When I got to Dismal Creek Falls I knew i wanted to stay there. It is one of the best camping places on the AT. Green Tea, Ferral, Toze, Rabid, and Pick started the all day party and later my skirt crew made it too. AT is good.
Date: 2008-05-28
From: Dismal Creek Falls

To: Wapiti Sh
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: moderate rain

Rained! We tried to take a short cut that only seemed to parallel the AT and not cut off any miles so when we got to Wapiti we were fully soaked and I was in a bad mood. I hate the rain! So we got an impossible fire started in the rain and created a vortex for everyone hiking in. I tried to dry my hat and melted the nylon in about 4 seconds over the fire, now it does not fit. Man Im pissy right now.