morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-09-03
From: Stealth Site

To: Stony Lake
Miles today: 17.2

Hi y'all    It happened again today and if you're wondering what well you are going to have to wait till the end of the journal.     What a humid day and with the trail being full of rocks and roots all over the place it was tough going. But we persevered through the thunderstorms and in the late afternoon we finally arrived at Little Swift River Pond and set up tents just before the 2nd storm hit. I used the headlamp to hike the last mile in. Also the trail got nicer with some bogs where I slipped off the logs into the mud..... eeeeewwwww, now my shoes will really smell. I guess it goes with the territory.   We had some nice views today of big lakes again, it's just a vast wilderness and as you hike along the pine trees are growing so close together that you're lucky if you can see 10' off to the sides in a lot of the places. I see an occasional Moose track but no moose yet. Also haven't seen a porcupine either.    Ok now for the 'It Happened Again', as I was crossing a wide stream today by doing the rock hopping and one of the rocks had just a bit of water flowing over it and yeppers I lost my footing and ended up in the stream halfway to my knees.....now my feet are wet once again so I just waded the last 10'. I've had dry feet for sometime and it always makes me feel better if they are dry. Later when I slipped in the bog it was almost ankle deep with gooey stinky mud and when I pulled my shoes and socks off to go to bed it was nasty. I did a hiker bath with wipes, as that helps to keep a degree of sanity with smells. There are definitely hikers out here who just don't care and depending on wind conditions you can smell them coming or if they just passed thru.....eeewwwww. Mcnasty! Well that's it for this day.
Date: 2018-09-04
From: Stony Lake

To: Rangely, Maine
Miles today: 4.9

Hi from Rangely Maine,    The tents were wet this morning from the rain and a damp sleeping bag. It always adds a bit of extra weight to your pack but wasn't bad this morning as my food supply was pretty well gone. We dried everything at the hotel this afternoon.     Hiked 5 miles to the trail head and met Sebastian again who is from the Netherlands and is an avid flyfisher. He showed me a bunch of pictures of fish he caught from the Netherlands to Sweden. He was off the trail in June to go to Sweden to fish some rivers and wrote an article for a European fishing magazine. He is getting off again to go to Stratton, Maine to fish for several days and will get back on trail next week.     Rangely is a tourist town with fishing during the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. The local guy who we hitchhiked into town with said on winter weekends there approximately 10000 snowmobiles here. The biggest industry around here is logging and the trucks I've seen it looks like mostly pine.    Vegas and I had some good food and did laundry and will pick up food in the morning on the way out. Next stop is Caratunk which is 70 miles and the pack will be heavy for the first 2 days and am not excited as we have to climb Saddleback Mountain in the morning. Not sure how the cell service will be but hope I can stay in touch at least on mountain tops. Well that's it for now.
Date: 2018-09-05
From: Rangely, Maine

To: Stealth Site
Miles today: 13.5

Hello everyone,     We left Rangely this morning after grabbing some breakfast sandwiches and groceries for the 5 day hike to Caratunk. Our packs were heavy with all the food. When we got to the trail head a girl (Zoom Zoom) was doing trail magic so we sat and chatted a bit and ate more food. She had started in February and finished on August 4th. Finally at 9:30 we started climbing and up we went 2500' in 4 plus miles over saddleback mountain then down and back up over the horn and down we went again and back up over saddleback jr. It got a bit warm in the afternoon and had to take a lot of breaks again. Just before our tenting site we crossed a big stream, nope I didn't do it again lol, we had to climb several 100' almost straight up and being tired we looked at each other and said at least we won't have to do it in the morning. The views from top of saddleback were amazing, a 360 degree view.     My legs hurt at the end of the day, I think it's the steep climbs we do every day. I'm also getting tired a lot quicker too. I'm ready to be done, if all goes well we will have less than 200 miles by tomorrow eve. I'm pushing for as many miles as I can. Well I'm gonna crawl in my sleeping bag as I'm cowboy camping tonight. G'night
Date: 2018-09-06
From: Stealth Site

To: Cranberry Stream Campsite
Miles today: 20.6

Hello again,    I'm cowboy camping again, which I love as I don't have to deal with the tent in the morning. I just put the tyvek down and my mat and sleeping bag with my backpack right beside covered with a garbage bag. I did the same last night and sometime during the night some small critter was snooping around my baggie with my trash in it and made the mistake of running across the foot of my sleeping bag, I made a swift kick with my feet and whatever it was went flying. Lol!     Finally got some bigger miles in with the weather being cooler and about an hour or 2 of rain after I started hiking, I just put the packcover over my backpack and kept hiking, just don't bother with a raincoat anymore.     The hike today went up to Spaulding Mountain then across the ridge and up to Lone Mountain and still up further to Sugarloaf with the trail making a steep descent way down to a river then up and up to South Crocker then a smaller descent before climbing back up to North Crocker and finally descending back down to the highway to a trailhead. I was pretty well tuckered out so I sat there for an hour and ate dinner before hiking another 2 miles to Cranberry Stream Campsite.     Talking about Cranberries, I've been picking some along with Snowberries which have a slight winter green flavor. It's always a pleasure to add berries to your diet.     I've been hiking with Vegas in last week but he hasn't shown up yet so my guess he just ran out of time as we had 2 tough climbs and a nasty descent. I did hike with Voyager today for a bit and kept passing each other off and on. He's 64 and from New Hampsher. He's almost done with his 2nd time on the AT which will make him a double triple crown. A triple crown in the hiking world is when you do the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Appalachian Trail. This is his 2nd time around, which is pretty impressive as I don't want to do the AT again unless I absolutely don't have anything else to do or am seriously bored, but wouldn't mind going back and doing small sections for a couple of days or a week.     Well tomorrow I tackle the the Bigelow Range we will see if I can maintain the bigger miles. Goodnight all.
Date: 2018-09-07
From: Cranberry Stream Campsite

To: West Carry Pond Shelter
Miles today: 21.1

Hello,     Today we hiked thru the Bigelow Range. First it was the big ones and then they dropped you way down thru a giant boulder field then back up to the little Bigelow which looks like a flat top in the book but really isn't, up and down we went. We did have some great views on the tall Bigelows. When I finally made it to the road I sat down ate dinner and hiked 6 more miles to West Carry Pond Shelter for the night. I made the mistake of cowboy camping to close to the water as the wind picked up during the night and waves got a bit loud splashing on the rocks 10' from where I was trying to sleep. Finally had some loons with their lonely wails echoing across the pond. Vegas didn't show up again. Think it's to many miles for him so I guess I hike solo again. Well that's it for now.
Date: 2018-09-08
From: West Carry Pond Shelter

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 21.1

Good morning,   It was up and at em' again this morning. Vegas sent me a text that he won't be doing big miles so I'm on my own again oh well is what I thought. My goal today is to hit Caratunk for resupply, shower and laundry.     I was hiking along today came up behind this older couple, so I slowed down and hoped they would here me behind them but they just didn't now ok I don't want to scare them finally I said good morning, the way they responded you could have thought I was a bear, lol oh my word it was hilarious as they screamed and the old man ran about 10' and the lady did the same but off the trail. I chuckled for a few times for next few miles as I replayed the scene in my mind.    The AT provides a canoe to cross the Kennebec river at Caratunk as it's to swift to cross on foot. So I had a nice lil' canoe ride to town.     I was walking into town when I saw 3 people approaching, all of a sudden they started yelling Duo Duo and running towards me and it was my tramily I had hiked with before going home. It was good hugs all around and they turned around and waited for me till I had everything done. Guess I'm not hiking all alone after all.
Date: 2018-09-09
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-To

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-To 
Miles today: 22.0

Hello all,    Well the trail turned better for a change and we hiked 22 miles to Horseshoe Canyon lean to.     Zach's, Pippin, and Sparks are just fun to hike with, we are usually spread out during the day but always end up at the same camp in the eve.     We are trying to get into Monson before the rain hits tomorrow and probably will zero there on Tuesday till the rain passes and start the 100 mile wilderness on Wednesday. Am hoping to exit it on Sunday sometime.    The title to the journal today is Christmas Toes. The hikers experience numb toes for months and feeling usually doesn't come back till Christmas time. My numb toes from the time I stepped on the sharp rocks in Virginia is better but my toe pads still feel swollen but really doesn't look swollen. Well let's see how it all works from here on out.
Date: 2018-09-10
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-To

To: Shaw's Hostel
Miles today: 9.0

Good morning from a wet Maine,    The 4 of us hiked 9 miles into Monson, Maine to Shaw's hostel. I left early as it was so cold I couldn't sleep after 4 am and the rest showed up around lunchtime. Supposedly Shaws' serve the best breakfast of any hostel on the trail. Approximately 30 hikers stopped here to get out of the rain that's coming so there will be a big bubble heading out tomorrow or the day after the rain.   The trail has been really great the last couple of days which makes for bigger miles. It also makes for sore muscles.Probably will zero here tomorrow as they're calling for rain all day. Time to heal muscles to do the last 110 miles. I'm getting antsy to be done and go home.
Date: 2018-09-11
From: Shaw's Hostel

To: Shaw's Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Good morning,     Wow! What a breakfast this morning. I had 3 eggs with 5 pcs of bacon, a generous helping of potatoes and 6 pancakes. Then it was off to bed for a 2 and half hour nap.     I weighed myself and have lost 62#, I'm glad it's almost over as if I would go on for another 5 months I would weigh around a 100#. I cant eat the calories to maintain weight.    What a surprise I had when I got to town yesterday and walked in the store. RV and the Commanders wife Blondie were there, almost caught up with them. They are going to pick them up in the 100 mile wilderness and bring them in for zero day. They did stop in the hostel this forenoon to chat a bit. He said it would be a great finish if he found me on the summit of Katahdin sitting there eating, lol. So I guess we see how it will work as I'm going to push hard to get thru the wilderness.    Dinner last evening was prepared by hiker Sebastian, he made pasta carbonara for the hikers, delicious.     Tomorrow I start the 100 mile wilderness and service might be bad so we will see.
Date: 2018-09-12
From: Shaw's Hostel

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-To 
Miles today: 15.2

Good morning,    Oouch! My left ankle is really stiff and sore this morning due to my heavy backpack with enough supplies for 6-7 days. Should be enough to get me to Baxter State Park and summit Katahdin. I'm doing the yesterday's journal this morning while I take a breather after climbing my first mountain.    We had our first stream fording yesterday with the water halfway up our thighs at the deepest. 2 people in our party slipped and landed on their backs, we had a good chuckle at the surprised look on their face.     After we had crossed, one of the guys noticed a squirrel on a rock in the middle of the stream. So we started rescue operations with the first attempt to have him crawl on a branch extended out to him, he denied us the pleasure of crawling onto it. Next, one of the guys waded in with his shirt to throw over him and grab him, as he neared the squirrel was thinking about jumping in the river and everybody was yelling no squirrel don't do it, it's not worth it, it's suicide to jump in. With me halfway across the river and others with sticks, the hiker threw his shirt over the squirrel but the squirrel scampered out from underneath and dove (well plunged might be a better term) in the river and started swimming to shore and he made it, everybody cheered. I'm sure he'll be the hero of the squirrels along the river, he'll go down in the annals of squirrel history of being stranded on a rock in the middle of a stream and escaping the great white giants trying to capture him. Lol!
Date: 2018-09-13
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-To 

To: Stealth Site
Miles today: 17.5

Hello from the 100 Mile Wilderness,    It's not as desolate and isolated as they make it sound. They're using the name as an allure to get people to hike in and enjoy. There are occasional roads and an occasional house located in its midst.    I'm taking a break on top of Gulf Hagas Mountain this morning while doing the journal.Another 6 miles to the last peak and then it will be pretty flat for the next 60 miles. It was very warm yesterday and to stop constantly for breaks so I managed to squeeze out 17.5 miles. Hoping mileage will go up once I get in the flats.     I was cowboy camping once again last night and sometime during the night I woke up to the beating of wings and bird landing on my head and so of course I started flailing with my hands and the poor bird took off and set on a branch nearby with a sorrowful chirping sound. Lol, probably thought he was going to have a midnight snack. Sorry bird not this time. Also had a smaller furry animal browsing through my wrappers I pitched next to me after my midnight snack which really doesn't bother me unless they decide to shortcut over my sleeping bag which he did. Just stay with trash. Well on northward bound I go!
Date: 2018-09-14
From: Stealth Site

To: Crawford Pond Beach
Miles today: 19.1

Good evening,     I'm doing the journal before sleeping tonite. My intentions are if I wake up at 1-2 am as I normally do I'm going to start hiking.     Today's mileage was 19 and went over 5 summits, it's tiring but usually doesn't take long to hike up. Today as I came around the summit I saw Katahdin in the distance and became very emotional, to think that the journey is almost over, to have traveled this far and finally to be within 2-3 days of it being over. Ive got one little mountain left otherwise for the next 45 miles it's rather flat but am expecting the usual rocks and roots.    Actually I'm ready to come home see family and friends again. The longer I've been out here I've come to realize my wife is the hero in letting me do this, to let go and take care of things at home.
Date: 2018-09-15
From: Crawford Pond Beach

To: Crescent Pond
Miles today: 28.5

Hello everybody,     Talk about tired that's what I was after my 28.5 mile hike. I started around 4 as I couldn't sleep. The trail was nice and flat with an occasional rock and root stretch till at least lunchtime. The last 11 miles were a little tougher as we had more of the former and a good climb thrown in at the end. When I saw the climb I was you got to be kidding and it was because I was tired, it was a 1000' climb and normally not a big deal but at the end of 28 miles it looked big. So to motivate me, I would take time to call my Son-in-law and wish Hadassah happy birthday when I got up to the top. Marion was getting ready to eat ice cream and cake, oh my word I got so hungry for cake and ice cream right there.     After lunch today I took a 30 minute nap and off I went again. I'm pushing to summit on Monday due to rain from hurricane moving in on Tuesday. I had planned on 30 miles but came to Crescent Pond and was just enough light to eat and off to bed I went, tired and sore. More tomorrow.
Date: 2018-09-16
From: Crescent Pond

To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.0

Good evening,    I got out of the wilderness at 1:30 today. I'm excited to finish. I stopped at the restaurant on the trail and they said a big bubble went in and they allow only 20 hikers a day, so now I'm bummed out as what to do. Finally I decide to go to Millinocket which is 19 miles and get in touch with Commander. One of the people at the restaurant gave me a number of guy who shuttles people back and forth. Finally in town with phone service Commander texted me and they summited today, ok now I call the shuttle driver and he informs me he can get me in on a day pass in the morning without me going to get a reservation to climb. Seems so complicated. So now I leave at 5:30 in morning. Now only thing is to figure out how to get to Portland on Tuesday. We had a grand finale pizza party with some of the people I hiked with tonight, said our goodbyes and exchanged phone numbers. Well tomorrow is the big day 5 miles up and 5 miles down basically 8 hr round trip. Good night all.
Date: 2018-09-17
From: Crescent Pond

To: The Summit!!
Miles today: 5.0

A big howdy from Maine,   The journey of 2100 plus miles is over. I got picked up at 5:30 this morning and started my climb to the summit at 6:45. When I signed in at the trailhead register I saw Vegas and Voyager were ahead of me. I did catch up with Vegas after a mile and shortly after that we started in the rocks, now I wouldn't recommend doing this rock climb when it's wet as it would get pretty gnarly. Some of the rocks were slippery anyway but wet. WOW!! It would have been really challenging. In the toughest part we climbed for 30 minutes and had only done 2/10ths of a mile. The summit was enveloped in a fog which occasionally opened enough to where you could see a couple of hundred yards then it would close up again. There were about a dozen thru hikers summitting and lots of day hikers. I went up the Hunt Trail and descended on the Abol Trail which is less brutal which really was easier on my knee it was hurting pretty bad and I took my time coming down. It was a 5 mile journey up and 4 miles down and takes approximately 8 hrs.     It's bittersweet in a way. I'll miss the friends I've made but not the trail food , Knorr sides, Idohoan potatoes and tuna packets. Also carrying my backpack and all the sweat and pain.   I've bought a bus ticket to Bangor, Maine for in the morning, from there I'll get another one to Portland where I'll meet up with my wife to travel down the coast on Amtrak for a couple of days on the way home. Find some fresh seafood to eat and now talking about food, everybody tells me I have to be really careful on my calories for the next month till my metabolism slows down or I'll gain weight really quick. I do hope to keep it in check.    Well that's it for now but will post a summary of my journey with some thoughts as I make a list of things that I find important about life in general as I've had a lot of time to think out here. It will take some time to organize my thoughts so keep checking back. It's been quite a journey!    A special thanks to my wife and my immediate family for their support without that it would not have been possible. Also my parents, brother and nephews and so many friends who called or texted me with encouraging words. A special thank you to my son-in-law Marion and Robert who hiked for several days in the beginning, also Ed (fence Ed) and son for joining me, hope Ed got over being sore :) that was a special treat to have you hike with me.
Date: 2018-04-03
To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Stayed with a buddy in Dobson, NC, and used the opportunity to explore one of the local hiking spots: Pilot Mountain State Park.  Logged seven miles today while exploring the trails.  Had an opportunity to check some gear and sample a dehydrated meal for lunch. Got to watch a family of hawks soaring in the breeze over the Yadkin River Valley.  Great day!
Date: 2018-04-06
To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 4 in the park... can't seem to get enough of this place!  Logged 13 miles along the Corridor Trail today.  Great stroll through the woods along a bridle trail with gentle rolling hills.  Was alone most of the day, only passing one hiker and 4 horses late in the afternoon.
Date: 2018-04-09
To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 5 in the park.  Felt rested today after a couple days off to visit my family in VA. Decided to walk the Yadkin River Section of the park:  Bean Shoals and Horne Creek trails.  Easy walk down to the river from the parking lot.  Encountered a stopped train across the trail just before the river; some broken train tracks.  Spoke to the engineers for a bit... nice folks.  Finished a quick three miles, and needed a bit more.  Ended up walking the Corridor Trail again, and finishing the day logging 18 miles.
Date: 2018-04-13
To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Start day is almost here!  Originally planned to start NOBO from Springer in early March, but was delayed with the preparations necessary for six months away from home.  Fortunately, I missed a couple of early spring snow storms and rough weather.  Spent some good days hiking locally last week and early this week:  58 miles!  Have taken the rest of this week to finish my preparation: administrative tasks, gear tweaking, meal plan/prep, mailed some drop boxes to NC, VA, and WV.Rethinking the straight NOBO to Katahdin plan.  Due to a later start, may be cutting it close to get to Baxter and Katahdin before October 15.  Considering flip flopping around Harpers Ferry.  Will see how the first leg of the trail goes.dDrive to Dahlonega and Amicalola Falls State Park tomorrow, and plan to be on either the AT Approach Trail or on Springer Mtn. on Sunday.  Psyched!
Date: 2018-04-14
To: Springer Mtn., GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Easy drive to Dahlonega, GA. Arrived around lunchtime, and had lunch in the quaint downtown area across from the courthouse and gold museum. 25 min drive to Amicalola State Park. In-brief by Park Ranger Nick ¢Master Splinter¢, who completed the AT in 2012. Met Sam, from Nottingham, England at the brief. Left Amicalola for dinner at Soirits in downtown Dahlonega. Restaurant was crowded, a nice local couple, Greg and Andi, offered to let us join them for dinner. Great food and company. Stayed the last night before the trail in the Holiday Inn Express.
Date: 2018-04-15
From: Amicalola

To: Springer Mtn., GA
Miles today: 9.0

Dropped off at the park by my friend Mike. Started off at 1015 in a light rain. Challenging climb up the stairs to the top of the falls, and along the trail to the peak of Springer. Met ¢Float¢ at the peak; his third AT Thru-hike. Arrived at Springer Mtn. shelter at 1500. Sam and ¢Slow French¢ were on the shelter. Settled in for a rainy, cold night.
Date: 2018-04-16
From: Springer Mtn., GA

To: Gooch Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Awoke to a dusting of snow on the ground, and a very cold day. Walked with Sam, and was determined to stay warm and make some miles. Stopped to make breakfast at about 1000, and picked up Marie-Lea from France in our hiking group. Sam earned the trail name ¢Mousetrap¢ after his experience with a shelter mouse getting into his water bottle his first night at Amicalola. Good day of hiking. It is fitting that I should start today. I was in these mountains 25 years ago; Ranger School Class 5-93. RLTW!