morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-10-07
From: Pollywog Stream

To: Abol Campground
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

Another nice streamside campsite and I even built a campfire. It doesn't get much better than that. LG's tent pole snapped so we had to improvise; but it held through the night and we only one more night. The morning hike was up a beautiful ravine cut by the tail waters of Rainbow Lake. We spent the better part of half an hour following the cascades and chutes up to their origin. Soon we'll climb up to Rainbow Ledges for another look at Katahdin. Today is gorgeous so hopefully all the people waiting to summit will get to go today. Tomorrow is a 30% chance of rain and is the say we'll arrive at the base. The next day is supposed to be a striking 70 degrees and will be our summit day. How lucky would that be? Because the following two fdays are forecast to be rainy which means snow and ice up there and no climbing.   The walk beside Rinbow Lake went on for 5 miles and teh lake was a gorgeous blue against the back drop of red and yellow. Half a dozen loons called as we walked and it all seemed so right. After we climbed away from the lake we settled onto Rainbow Ledges for a snack. The sun felt warm and good...something we hadn't experienced in a long time. In the distance Mt Katahdin covers the horizon; but today we see no snow on it so we should be in good shape on Friday. I still can't believe how close I am. 10 miles from the base and then 5 miles to the summit. it is really all coming true. We'll meet Evelyn and Frank tomorrow at the base and spend the night in Millinokett. The climb up and down Katahdin is a full 10 hr day so it will have to wait.
Date: 2008-10-08
From: Abol Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

I awoke to a light rain after a good night; but it is cold and so I'm concerned that this could mean another day of snow or ice on the mountain. We've decided to leave LG's pack and some of my things at the campground and slack pack in. We'll come back for them later in a CAR! That will make this last 10 miles go more quickly so that we can be with Frank and Evelyn and we'll have more fun looking around. The trail inside Baxter State Park turned out to be more like a super highway anyway so our plan wasn't really necessary. We walked along Abol Stream which at this point is moving pretty rapidly and is 150' wide. A Great Blue Heron and some Mallards are in it and the ubiquitous Blue Jays are clamoring on the banks. It's such a nice trail that I think we'll be a couple of hours early for our rendezvous. This is the first time in all of this adventure that I can truly be sure that I am really going to make it. Until now, any day could have been a disabling injury or some untoward event that could have undone me; but now as I walk into the parking area at the base of Mt. Katahdin, I feel like a winner. I'm grinning like Tiger Woods walking up the 18th fairway at Augusta with a 5 shot lead. I know I need to climb Katahdin tomorrow; but I know I'm going to win.
Date: 2008-10-09
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Mt. Katahdin Summit
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

This is it.... the final day of my AT adventure. We climb Katahdin...Named by the Indians "The Greatest Mountain" and with that we join the ranks of the thousands of hikers who have completed their hikes on this summit and realized their dreams.   Evelyn and Frank walked with us for the first mile of the five and that was a nice send off. Once they turned back, we picked up our pace until we got to the large boulder section and the more technical climbing. It really wasn't any worse than so many of the really challenging mountains of the past and it was a shorter section. But once above these rocks; we became exposed to the 35-40 mph winds above tree line and the trail ascended along a very narrow ridge that had me on all four for some of it; because to stand up was to be pushed sideways and that was very intimidating on the narrow ridgelines. You could only fall 10-20 feet; but the valley floor was now 3000' below and you felt that you'd just fall forever if the first bounce or so didn't stop you. At this point we were fully in a cloud so the dampness made the cold seem colder; but we could see water puddles that hadn't frozen so it had to be in the low 40's rather than in the 30's. At the crest of the ridgeline we popped out onto the flat "table land" and climbed gently towards the summit 1 1/2 miles away. The rock strewn landscape was all red and green with the natural rose color of the rock and its covering of lichens.. I couldn't believe that I saw an American Pipit; but apparently they live up here in these forbidding conditions.   Once we reached the actual summit where the sign is we were really and truly finished hiking the AT. As you might imagine, LG went from sudden tears to sudden jubilation and I just felt a sense of completeness.   There was a crowd of kids from Conn. College there already. They were so impressed with LG's accomplishment and when they all took their shirts off for their group photo; we were equally impressed with them! The wind chill must have been in the low 20's We did our photos with the big sign on the summit and then we had to go down because we didn't have enough clothing for that kind of cold for very long and I was really starting to shake. It took another 4 1/2 hours to descend and we spent the time reflecting on our feelings. It was certainly a mixture of pride and the odd feeling of just ending. Great adventures never seem to end with so much of a grand finale as with quiet resolution for me. We are both glad that it is finished. We're tired of hiking and cooking and camping and we look forward to resuming normal lives; but a part of us will be all along this trail and here on the summit of The Greatest Mountain.
Date: 2008-10-10
From: Mt. Katahdin Summit

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I am home now and it has been nearly 3 weeks since I summited Katahdin. I have begun to re-enter my old life and it feels rather strange to me as though I have one foot in this life and one foot still on the trail. I know that the trail has changed me and that my 6 weeks with Lollygagger have changed my perception of the world around me. I see the forest now and the mountains out my window at home and the economic crisis and the election don't really seem to matter very much. When I consider all the mountains that were climbed this year by me and all the people who hiked this year I am filled with awe. Evelyn and I drove all the way back from Maine to Abingdon (Damascus basically) and it is inspiring to see where we all hiked and to imagine that step by step we all hiked from Ga to Maine. I can't walk through the woods at home without remembering something from the trail and wanting to see more. As Proust once opined.. It is not new places that we need to see; but the same places with new eyes. The trail has given me that and I hope that it has happened to you too. Good hiking and Happy Trails. LD
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Amacholola

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: overcast clouds

May 10th is our first official day on the trail, today May 9th we will set up shop at Amacholola State Park so that at sunrise May 10th i can get on my way. I will be posting my location, pace, moral, etc. as well as local Post Office Boxes or locations in which i can recieve any news, support, or visits. This i think will be the easiest way to keep in touch with everybody and allow you to track me to a point. I will try and update as often as i can. And im off
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Neal's Gap

To: Dick's Creek, GA
Miles today: 36.1
Weather: light rain

Kit, Loyd and I made it to Dick's Creek this afternoon, got off the trail to do some grocery shopping at the IGA in Hiawassee. We need enough food to get us to Nantahala River at Wesser - our next opportunity for re-supply. We should be there in 5 days (avg. 13 1/2 miles/day). Tomorrow we enter NC!!!All is well. We've had some rain, but good hiking with some good vistas and views. Tell everyone hello for me! -Levi
Date: 2008-05-16
From: Dick's Creek, GA

To: US 19-Nantahala River
Miles today: 67.3

We made it pretty easily to the Nantahala Outdoor Center today. Mom & Dad met us here so we got off the trail this evening for pizza, a shower and sleep in a bed. Glad to have shelter during a nasty hail storm. Of course, it was good to see mom & dad, too (because they're the best!). I bought an MSR missing link shelter today (sent my hammock home) and a pair of Go Lights at the outdoor center. . . anxious to see how they work. I'm holding up well - no blisters!
Date: 2008-05-23
From: US 19-Nantahala River

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 29.4
Weather: broken clouds

Had an easy past 3 days - after the killer 8 mile hike up from Nantahala R. Did the last 6 miles today in 2 hrs. Fontana Dam is beautiful, but it's hot today. Plan to go into town to check it out before Kit's parents come this evening. The MSR missing link is working out great - it's huge! Also, the go light shoes are good. no blisters and plenty of traction going uphill.Our goal is to make through Great Smokies to Hot Springs in 7 days. That would put us there on Saturday, May 31.
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Hot Springs

To: Erwin, Tn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Well hello ever body im in Hot Springs, NC right now. Took my first Zero day in about 300 miles. Not too shabby. Bout to leave now though and i plan on being in Erwin in a couple days (friday, Saturday) Kit is staying at Elmer's to work for his stay so i guess ill see him at Erwin or what not. Elmers was great. 2 nights with huge organic vegitarian meals...cheap too. But im ready to get on. We plan on being in Damascus in about 2 weeks. That is 470 miles into the trail. No injuries or fatigue. Spirits are high and we are rockin and rollin. Again if you have any mail or what not please send it to the home address 138 Farmington Dr. Woodstock Ga 30188 because i really dont know where ill be staying or when ill be at any point. Let alone the ability to communicate with the world. on any sort of regular basis. Take care and we will try as well.
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Erwin, Tn

To: Damascus, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Got in to Erwin today around 11 am checked in to Uncle Johnnys Hostel for the night. Got my first drop box thanks mommy and daddy and for the gifts and letters. They were a great pick me up for this HOT HOT day whew the sun can just drain you sometimes. Luckily the Nolichucky river is right outside the door so i can go jump in. Rode a bike into town to get me a Rootbeer Float at the A&W. Thanks Uncle Allen for the ice cream money, i was thinking the other day how good some homemade icecream at the farm would be. Every time i get to a grassy meadow i think of that place and it makes me smile. They weather has been great so far... well hot i could use some rain though, none of that yet but i know it will come sometime along this journey. Its about 115 miles to Damascus so i think ill be carrying a weeks worth of food(no bueno) unless i can find a place along the way to resupply. I might end up hitch hiking into Roan or something close. I hope that Kit makes it here sometime today or tomorrow morning. Maybe he will catch up but i hope his extra day at Elmers was well spent. Today i will devote most of my time to writing letters and resupplying for the days to come. Thanks for the support and will try my best to keep you updated on my progress.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Damascus, Va

To: View Entry
Miles today: 296.2

Made it to Damascus hoorah. We are a little over our first month on the trail, getting into the groove of things dropping pack weight as well as body weight. i have not lost too much however i can tell a difference already. Fat deposits are reducing and muscle mass is building. Good stuff. I am now traveling in a pretty solid pack of folks. There are about 6 of us who have been reaching the towns around the same time and doing a good bit of hiking together.We are in Virginia and will be for quite some time. Just over 500 miles in this state. We plan on being here for around a month, traveling at just over 16 miles a day average. We have been pulling out some high 20s as well just really putting the tread down and going for it. I hope to slow down a bit though but our new goal is to reach maine by the end of September. Things are going quite well, really enjoying my time out here and the people i am building relationships with. Thanks for all the support and i will continue to keep in touch.
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Partnership Shelter (near Bland, VA)

To: View Entry
Miles today: 63.7

This is Levi's dad making an entry update...Levi called in this morning to let us know he is still doing great and having a very good time. He believes his favorite part of the trail so far is Grayson Highlands, VA - which he passed through 2 or 3 days ago. He said it's fairly flat prarie land with rock outcroppings, shetland ponies and feral horses. He said it was so memorable that he doesn't remember the trail since then because his mind was constantly on Grayson Highlands! His next drop box (or letter) location will be in 6 - 7 days at Pearisburg, VA. There is a hotel there where he'll stay a night. Holiday Travel Lodge
Date: 2008-06-25
To: Pearisburg, Va
Miles today: 99.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today i reached Pearisburg, Va at around 6pm, after a 22 mile day. Boy oh boy was i tired. Ive been doing some pretty good miles lately a 26 yesterday and 24 the other day, Virginia is a pretty good area to pack some miles in under the ol belt. I got me a hotel room for the night so i can get a good shower, laundry, tv and rest in. well needed R&R so i can head out tomorrow and hit the trail again, i dont see myself taking another zero till about Harpers Ferry when i get out of VA, i want to see how fast i can get this state done with. 525 miles woohoo big ol state. Things are going quite well for me i have been hiking alone for the past week and i have no complaints. Passed through the Greyson Highlands early this week and they were absolutely beautiful. I suggest a family trip for whoever has a family to come out here and enjoy the land. Anyways I plan on being at Troutville in about a week. its 92 miles from here and i want to see if i cant make it in 5 days but ill give it 6 maybe see if i cant enjoy myself and take it easy. Thanks for the support and ill continue to post my journey. I am about done with my first hand written journal which is more in depth ill send it home and if anyone is interested in reading it i do not mind just ask the folks. Peace and Love
Date: 2008-07-13
From: Pearisburg, Va

To: Waynesboro, Va
Miles today: 226.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Woohoo got in to Waynesboro today early in the morning to pick up my drop box, update this thing, EAT, and get more food. Its on the the Shenendoahs after that where i plan to get through in about 5 days. I will be out of this state in a week and a half or so which will be good. Ive been in here for a month now and the Virginia blues are trying to catch me, my feet are moving too fast though. The Forth of July was great i got to spend it with family, thanks again for the place to stay, food to eat, and great company. You were all too kind to me. I was also in a huge parade for the 4th there were about 40 of us and the crowd was enormous. The 5 spectators really got to my head and i began to get a little pompous, back to the trail for me to humble me again. I caught up with Crazy Feet(age 11) and her mom Pearl. They are doing awesome and its good to see such a young girl kickin butt as she is doing. REally brightens my day as well. Things are going well almost at the 1,000 mile mark! weee Im having a blast and will continue to do so as i get further and further north. On to West Virginia, Maryland, then Pennsylvania where there rocks are rocky, time for new shoes my other ones only saw about 200 miles and they are scrap now however the CHacos are great and in fine condition...thanks chaco for quality work. Thanks again everybody for your thoughts and support it really helps me out while im on this trek.
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Manchester Vermont
Miles today: 0.0

Hello all, forgive me first off for my lack of updates. I have been in the thick of hiking and have not had any time for an update, nor have i found a place to do it, i was beginning to think that they didnt have any computers in the north. However i found one and here i am. Currently i am in Manchester Vermont, which is about 53 miles from the border of Massachusetts and the beginning of the Long Trail(The first long distance trail in the US)I have now walked a cool 1637 miles with 538 to go. WE plan on doing this last bit in a months time. That is 17 miles average right now and means that i am going to be doing as many 20+ mile days before i hit the White mountains in New Hampshire and have to slow things down. I went into NYC and visited a great relative of mine Greer she was great and put "Patch" and i up for the 2 nights. The city was well New York city but most importantly it gave us an excellent contrast of two completely different lives. I like mine. Kit left me a message a little while ago and he is roughly 160 miles behind me and decided to flip to maine when he gets to Mass. and hike south. So looks like ill be seeing him on the trail again, most likely in the state of maine. All is well with me and we are pushing harder and harder every day to get this thing under wraps. Thanks for everything and i will try and keep this thing up to date as best i can. New Hampshire in roughly 4 days and then its only 2 states to walk. WOOHOO
Date: 2007-11-23
To: Back ground
Miles today: 0.0

In 2005, a friend invited me to join him for a thru hike of the AT. I jumped at the chance as I want to thru hike the PCT, CT and AT. Unfortunately, I developed a foot problem (planter fasciitis) and came off the trail about 640 miles north of Springer. After a bunch of doctors and specialists later, I now walk around with specialized inserts and running shoes for cushioning and comfort. I took a year off making sure everything would continue to function and I went back for another thru hike in 2007. Starting at Springer, I enjoyed a great 615 miles of hiking north, but again came off the trail-this time with bruised knee bones. Another set back. Again, went to the doctors and specialists to get things back in order. So with this behind me, I am going again in 2008. At 61 years young, I am gradually moving up the chain of wisdom. And my wisdom is to keep hiking until 6' of dirt on the lid slows progress. Looking forward to a great hike in 2008.
Date: 2007-11-23
To: Good going
Miles today: 0.0

Congrat's to all the 2007 thru hikers. Some made it and some didn't but I think we all had a great deal of fun. I am looking forward to 2008 and hope to see some of you again--who knows maybe you'll get the itch this winter and decide to go again. And, I am really looking forward to meeting a lot of people as we all trek north. I am always impressed by the folks on the trail-a lot of intense focus on one objective, just get one foot in front of the other as safe as you can and keep them pointed north. We all buy a bunch of gear (no wonder the industry stays in business) using some of the same guidelines and come up with all sorts of different ways to solve the same problem and succeed. No wonder books are written on this topic alone. And for all the trail angels, angel workers, many thanks for last year and thank you in advance for this year. You make such a difference in the experience. Best wishes to the other thru hikers of 2008, may you have a safe, fun journey.
Date: 2007-12-07
To: Thinking about stuff
Miles today: 0.0

The planning this year is much more apprehensive than in the past--as in what could go wrong this time. I think I have had enough of the injury side of the equation so I am a bit worrisome about what this year might bring. Not that there is anything I can do about it, just gotta give it a go and see what happens. It is also getting frustrating as I am a bit older and it seems like everything takes longer, especially recovering from any hurts. Yep, I am still glad and thankful at 61 to be doing this. So, note to remind self to pack lots of extra strong pain killers and don't do no whinning.The gear list is a work in progress, but has been posted for a reference point. I keep thinking I need to get the weight down a few more pounds so that will be my focus in the next couple months. What can I find that is lighter and better....keeps the brain tweaking the small stuff.Looks like winter has arrived to stay about one month late this year. Lots of snow on Sunday, couple feet so the snow thrower got lots of action. Then more snow and rain on Monday and more snow thrower action. So far, only broke 2 shear pins on the rocks-guess I need better memory to remember where rocks are (not likely), or maybe pick up rocks before the snow starts (rather be hiking) or maybe invest in shear pin stock and get return on my investments (still need sleeping bag tho). Maybe just let the place snow in for the winter and go hike in warmer climate but I think its cheaper to buy shear pins........and so it goes. The good news, we don't live on the west side (by Seattle) so we did not get flooded or blown off the planet as the storm passed on its trip to the east.My rodent buddy (squirrel) has been working over the bird feeder. Favorite position is sitting on top of feeder watching the creek run by while eating sunflower seeds. We play all sorts of games as I try to keep the rodent's consumption on the low side. I clap my hands, and rodent beats feet to the closest fir tree and watches until I leave. Then goes back to the feeder. Eventually this will end and some coyote is going to enjoy the meal, nice and plump. Another thing to be thankful for, not being a rodent.Guess I need to go outside and move snow piles off the side of the house and get ready for the next storm. The count down has started...and I am getting anxious.
Date: 2007-12-10
To: Loading photos
Miles today: 0.0

It is a bit cool outside today, mid teens and I am camped out in front of the computer loading a few photos from the journey last year. I thought I would just grab a few and be done, but it was so much fun that I went back thru all the photos and just picked out a few to add to the on-line journal. These photos are some of the special meaning photos. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time to load them and once loaded, the quality leaves a lot to be desired. Never-the-less, they do add interest and remind me of the fun hike last year. This final photo of Bob and Otto really has some significance. It was a cold, windy Easter day with lots of food and great company at Kincora. I don't know how to explain to anyone who was not there just how great a day it was. So I guess I just leave it at that.As I was looking at my photos, I was amazed at the number of snow, cold, bad weather photos that I took when compared to 2005. I remember some cold days, but I also remember a lot of warm days. Hard to tell the motivation for the photo taking. I was also surprised that I did not get a good photo of 5-string playing tunes at camp. He was so great to listen to you would have thought I could at least have one photo. Guess my brain was too busy listening. Still thinking a lot about next year. Hardly an hour goes by when I don't think about something. I have ordered the "Data" and "Companion" books for 2007 so I can get some of the detail planning completed. Not that it makes too much difference, hike light to dark and camp when it gets dark, eat when hungry and hope you have enough to get by from one resupply to the next. Things of interest today may not be possible when on the trail and unknown things happen that cause changes along the way....But, planning gives a good sense of doing something useful.