morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-09-05
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Shaws Lodging
Miles today: 22.1

Another wet day with a very dicey ford. Lond day ended with a warm bed and shower.Last night the rain came back around 10:00 and never let up till this morning. The forecast by someone saying 6-8" of rain wasn't wrong by estimations. With a long day ahead of us we got out early compared to lately and were on the trail at 7:00. As a foreshadow to the day we crossed a stream a little ways in that was not listed as a ford. Today it was a thigh high crossing. The trail was a river with large sections of trail being up to two feet deep for extended periods. I actually shot a video walking through a shallower of sections. The trail finally lead us along the side of the West Branch of the Picataquis river which was flowing rapidly and eventually crossing the path. Just before the crossing an older gentlemen was camped out after attempting to ford the river and decided not to. The river was basically two sections with an island in the middle. My first attempt met too much resistance and I had to back up. For the second attempt I moved down stream 10 yards and found a little shallower section. This spot was only belly high. The water volume is very high though with slick bottom rocks. The water moves so fast and high you begin to lift off the water and lose traction. My poles used as a tripod to keep balance began to quiver and shake in the current. Finally made it to the island with the second half to go. This section the water flow wasnt as high but it was deeper with the water all the way to just below my chest. My pack was a good six inches under the water, luckily the trash compactor bag did its job. After getting across we had lunch and let our nerves settle down. While sitting there Zen showed up and actually got sweeped away on the last few feet and swam across. After lunch we walked 5 miles to the East Branch of the river for another crossing. This one was deep as well but the current was slow so it made for an easy crossing. After that it was another 8 miles or so to the road. One section of the trail was actually about 3 or 4 feet under water for 50 yards but could be bypassed around through the trees. With about 4 or 5 miles left it started raining again to top off the day. Made it to the road and called for a shuttle to Shaw's. Right away I took a shower to try and relieve the pain from chafing caused by being wet all day. For the night I lucked out with a semi private room to myself and unpacked all my stuff. For dinner I had a meatball sub from the gas station deli and then did laundry and went to bed.114 miles left and lots of fords to go.
Date: 2011-09-06
From: Shaws Lodging

To: Leeman Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: few clouds

Nero out of town into the 100 mile wilderness. It was hard leaving the last town before the end but made it 3 miles out to a shelter for the evening.Woke up early this morning after a great night sleep. At 7:00 breakfast was served which was an AYCE. Pancakes, sausage links, bacon and eggs. You ordered by a number which would include that number of everything. Had a total of 4 of everything. After breakfast I packed up and went to the post office to get my maildrop with tons of food in it. With what I already had I didn't need anything else. Then went to the library to enter my journals but they were not open today, so I went back to the hostel and used their copmuter for a bit and entered in a couple days. Sat around for a while before getting a ride back to the trail around 1:00. The weather was partly sunny with looming rain clouds but it never did rain. At the shelter I contemplated moving on but I need to wastea few days and not get there to early so decided to just stay and relax. Read a book for a few hours before eating and then passing out for a few hours.111 miles left, tomorrow double digits.
Date: 2011-09-07
From: Leeman Brook Lean-to

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

4 fords and gas conservation, sounds like a car commercial but its not.The day started out as normal and hit the trail around 7:30. Passed a ton of ponds today but didnt see any moose near them. A few miles in I got to Little Wilson stream and falls. The stream was very high and the water was raging, was a neat sight. The stream is supposed to be a ford, the first of the day, but a log had fallen across and I shimmied across on my butt. At the second ford there was a rope strung across the river which made the crossing easy with waist level water. Just before the next listed ford of Big Wilson a stream had to be forded and then Big Wilson. It also had a rope to use but was pretty high at the end which made it difficult to hang on to. At a shelter for lunch I meet two hikers, Stardust and Wannabee and they offered me a cup of coffee which was much appreciated after coming in out of the rain on a chilly day. Arrived at the next shelter around 3 and wanted to go to the next but after sitting there a bit I started freezing. Decided to stay and immediately changed to warm up. Actually had to get into my sleeping bag for a while. My shin also started acting up and I treated it with some Bengay, stretches, and rubs. Around 6:00 Rambling Man and a southbounder showed up for the night as well. So about the gas conservation, I forgot to get a canister of gas and it turns out I dont have much left. This is not the section to forget something like that. Turns out I also forgot my trekking poles and had no way of calling them up at the hostel. Today was just one of those bad days, but with so few left it doesnt really matter.99 Miles left and crash and burn to the end.
Date: 2011-09-08
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

1 ford, 1 bog, and 1 spectacular view. Slowest miles to begin made the day a huge grind.I am very tired so going to try and make this short. 20 miler planned today so got up and hit the trail at about 7:00. Got to Barren Ledges and got a spectacular view of the valley with lakes, ponds, and the perfect amount of clouds down in the valley for a picturesque view, one of my favorites on the trail. Took till 2:00 to do the first 11 miles, thats about a mile and a half an hour which is extremely slow. Apparentely everyone had the same problem though. Veto wrote the same in the journal, who is only a day ahead of me now. After the shelter, Actually it was before it I went through 4th Mountain bog that had sunken and or broken bog boards. Very dicey navigating to not go waist deep in mud. Knee deep was a requirement. Hit the ford at Pleasant river around 4 which was a cake walk, two days ago it couldnt be done it was so high. Had a snack before heading out at 5:00 for the last 5.5 miles. Trail was easy and I was rushing to get to camp before dark. Made it there in about 2 hours with 30 minutes to spare before dark. Yesterday was cold and wet, today it was hot and sunny. Trail is still soaked, so wet shoes is still the norm. Toe is getting sore and will probably blister pretty soon.78 miles left and time for bed.
Date: 2011-09-09
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9

Wow what a feeling when you can see the finish line. Great view of Katahdin from White Cap today, our first view.Woke up, got out of bed, didnt drag a comb across my head. Didnt want to get it stuck. Hit the trail at 7:30 for a 19 mile day. First thing was to climb up 4 climbs gradually getting higher to top off on White Cap. After circling it you come to the view of Katahdin. Coming down the mountain the trail changed to a perfectly maintained trail. It reminds me of a journal entry. "Want to hear a joke?" "Yes" "Maine Trail Maintenance!"" A couple shelters up I stopped for a lunch break and couldnt stop eating. Rambling Man caught up and we hiked the last 8 miles to the shelter. Haven't really been seeing any other thru hikers as of late. Once at the shelter I did all the normal but when I went to pull out my headlamp it had gotten turned on and killed the batteries. Rambling Man let me borrow his spare emergency light and can return it later. That will allow me to hike in the dark tomorrow and attempt a 30 mile day. If I can do that it would be another 20 mile day to Birches and then climb Katahdin with a trip to Milliknocket, before climbing to zero. My body knows I am almost through and is beginning to shutdown in preparation.60 miles left, I might just finish.
Date: 2011-09-10
From: Cooper Brook Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Lost the crocs and didnt do a thirty.So started off at 6:30 and was flying at over 3 mph for the first fourteen miles. Was great trail during that time period but cant say the next 7 I did were the same. At mile 15 I had to ford a stream, donned the crocs and started across the stream. Halfway across I took a step and sank about 2 feet deep into mud on top of the 1 foot deep water. Tried to catch myself with the other foot and sank deeper. Started hot footing across to catch my self and the mud sucked off my crocs. Went back and searched for a few minutes but couldnt find them buried in the mud. Just left them and hiked another couple of tenths before getting to clean water and being able to wash my feet and putting on my shoes. At 21.5 miles I hit a shelter and didnt have any motivation to move on. Built a fire to cook with and Pony and Lost and Found showed up. After dinner they burned all the trash at the shelter. These last shelters are like all the first ones in Georgia. Tons of kitchen pots and pans left everywhere. Not really mush else to say but it was a tough day but so close to the end.38 miles left and I hope I have some gear left by the end.
Date: 2011-09-11
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Wow it is getting hard to keep moving! I can tell the body knows it is almost done and as soon as I finish it is giving out.Brrr!! It was down right cold last night and I hear Gorham had their first freeze. Had to put on my down to sleep and Elli, Lost and Founds dog, cuddled up with me in the middle of the night. Since I was running short on food, except dinners, I stoked up the fire this morning and cooked a dinner for breakfast. Will be going into town tomorrow with some dehydrated beef and that is it. I think I mastered the resupply finally. So on the trail today it was more of Maine terrain; rocks, mud, and roots, made for a long day. Did have twp good views of Katahdin and the last one I sat there reminiscing about the journey for about an hour. At the shelter I meet a couple southbounders who are just starting their journey, both with absolutely huge packs.Tomorrow I have to resupply for two days, one being the final climb up Katahdin which will be either the 13th or 14th, depending on weather. 18 miles left. To start I know I am ready to finish, my body needs a break. It gets harder and harder to do the miles. But at the same time I am going to miss the journey. Going to miss all the people the most. Still meet new people all the time like Pony and Lost and Found and we all become instant friends. If anyone has a winter job I can make good money at to finance next year let me know.18.6 miles left, two days of walking and then two days of sleep.
Date: 2011-09-12
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Last day of hiking, tomorrow we climb!Woke up and walked the 3 miles to Abol Bridge for an easy walk this morning. I sit down at the bench and up walk Veto and Fiber who are staying at Abol and summiting on Wednesday. Shortly later Rambling Man and all the others at the shelter last show up as well. We had a little party going with everyone catching up. Eventually Rambling Man and I move on to get to KSC to meet up with his friends who are taking us into town to resupply and eat. The drive in is long and we stopped at the grocery store and I got snacks for tomorrow and food as well to last through Wednesday when I might go back up with Fiber and Veto. We then go to the AT cafe for dinner. On the ride back we get dropped off at the Birches campsite to see who is there for the evening and who might be climbing tomorrow. Looks like only about 6 of us will be going up. RM's friends reserved a lean-to for the evening which is right by the ranger station for the morning. Had a few fords on the second part of the day which were not fun with no crocs and I actually cut the upper side of my heel some how. Nothing major but sucks. Will probably be staying around here till Wednesday night and hoping to get a ride to Milliknocket for the festival after Fiber and Veto summit. Will get picked up and leave to visit Maine for two weeks on Sunday.5.2 miles left, 4162 ft to climb.
Date: 2011-09-13
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Katahdin!This wont be my final journal so just going to do a standard entry of the day for now.We woke up this morning around 6:00 and packed and had breakfast. Rambling Man talked me into taking the entire pack up, so I can officially say I carried it the whole way with no slackpacking or southbounding. We got started shortly after 7:00 with Steve and Allison joining us for the climb who were Rambling Man's logistic team. The first mile and the second to a degree were pretty quick. The third had a lot of boulder climbing along with some of the fourth. Somewhere during that mile we reached the clouds. It was perfectly sunny below but the clouds pretty much linger on top of the mountain. We reached the tableland and the last mile for the easy walk to the top. It all starts to settle in at that point and is very surreal. Eventually the sign and a dozen people begin looming out of the fog. At the top everyone is standing around getting pictures and celebrating. After a bit it was our turn with the sign. We took a bunch of pictures and then celebrated. Yesterday I got a bottle of Sparkling Wine from some trail magic at the bottom and brought it up today. Rambling Man also brought up a bottle and Walking Home had one as well. RM broke out a bunch of plastic wine glasses and we all toasted the journey. The count by someone had seventeen people completing today. RM then made a couple of alternate ending completion videos which were hilarious. We were up there about an hour which during that time you begin to get very cold. We eventually had to start back down to warm up. On the way down we stopped and talked to M&M for a bit who we heard were going to summit today. They had walked in from the trail further back and climbed today. After making it down for a total 7 hour round trip we all hung out at the picnic area waiting for everyone to finish. There was more celebrating at the bottom. Fiber and Veto showed up and will climb tomorrow.For the night I stayed in the lean-to from last night that Steve had rented for two nights but they all left for home tonight.Its hard to explain this day and this is only the day in summary. Later I will do a completion entry as well but will think on it.For the next few days I will hang out around Milliknocket and Trails End trying to enter all this in the computer. Still have two weeks of traveling around which I wont be writing about except to summarise it. Till my final entry goodbye! Goodbye AT!
Date: 2011-03-06
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Approach Trail
Miles today: 2.0

First night on the trail. The last couple of days were kind of planning disasters and we got to Amicalola pretty late. We arrived at about 5:00 and I got on trail at about 5:30. I had to get my gear together and there was also a visitor center we walked through, but they were closing up. There¢s a shelter right behind it that I might have stayed at, but a ranger told us a guy¢s been there like a week. The approach trail to the AT is about 8.5 miles long. The beginning climbed up the falls via 600 stairs. My pack is right about 40 pounds, which isn¢t bad, but I¢m in terrible shape, so it took forever. I¢m camped off trail and am in bed. It¢s 29 out now and will probably get colder, but I¢m comfortable and have more warm gear if it does. We woke up this morning to heavy snow, so I¢m glad it¢s dry now. A sign I passed just before stopping said 6 hours to Springer. I¢m thinking of tonight¢s short hike and camp as the prologue. I¢ll sleep in tomorrow until it warms up, then probably get to Springer in the afternoon. I¢ll most likely just stay the night there. This first week I¢m not thinking about mileage at all. I just want to get in the swing of hiking every day and let my body break in.So far all gear is good. The new hammock is nicer and I¢m glad to have the ridge line pouch. The pack hip belt pockets are also great as is the camera shoulder pouch. My pack is loaded to the max, but it¢s as heavy as it will get.
Date: 2011-03-07
To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in until it warmed up today and didn¢t get on trail until 11:00. The trail was pretty up and down, but not terrible. I stopped at Black Gap Shelter for lunch and met three guys setting up hammocks. They told me Springer was about two hours away. Forty minutes later, I got to what I thought was an overlook, but it was Springer. There were a bunch of people there.I had planned on stopping at the shelter there for the night, but two guys I met who are also thru-hiking were going a bit farther, so I hiked with them. There are about 15 people here, most in the shelter. I¢m in my hammock a few hundred feet away. I can¢t see ever staying in a shelter. Most of us sat around the fire for a few hours, which was nice. Gear is all doing well. It took a long time to get the valve off my new hose and I melted my kitchen towel a little, but no big deal. I definitely felt today, but I think I¢m all right. We¢ll see tomorrow.
Date: 2011-03-08
To: Horse Gap
Miles today: 7.0

Another late start this morning. Woke up to find about half the people from last night¢s fire already gone. Some new people had rolled in though. Kate, ¢Moonshine,¢ and Lucy, all hiking together, and ¢Noreaster,¢ hiking solo. I got on trail at 11:00 again and was soon passed by a young thru-hiker, Josh. He blew by me, but we¢d meet up later. He finished bike camping down California and across to Texas a few weeks ago. We met up just before lunch again at Hawk Mountain shelter and saw Rob, Galen, and Noreaster on their way out, heading for Gooch Mountain.At the shelter, we found ¢Rainbow,¢ who¢s on his second thru-hike, the first being in 1998. While we were eating, a father and daughter I¢d helped earlier came in, and the three girl thru-hikers. Josh left before me, going to Gooch. I walked out with the girls, but went past them pretty soon. I was hoping to make Gooch, but realized pretty quick that there wasn¢t time. The forecast has been for serious rain tomorrow, so I wanted to find a good spot to hole up. I was going to hike until 5:00, but Horse Gap looked perfect at 4:00, so I stopped here. As I was scouting a spot, the three girls came down and said they were done for the day too. They set their tents and tarp up a little ways away and we ate together.I felt fairly wiped out today, so will do few or no miles tomorrow. It¢s supposed to rain all day so that works out well. My knees started to hurt a bit on the downhills today, but nothing unexpected. I just felt a little drained all around. Equipment is all doing great. We¢ll see how it goes in the rain tonight and tomorrow.
Date: 2011-03-10
From: Gooch Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

If ever I¢m going to freeze to death on this trail, tonight¢s the night. Forecast was 57 and sunny with light breezes. Actual condition right now: 28F, snowing, insane wind. I¢m in my hammock with all of my clothes on, including rain gear and my warm gloves on my feet. There are five guys in the shelter and one in a tent just next to it. One guy is in a tent in the shelter and is clearly nuts. My guess is that he¢s the one from the Amicalola shelter. I think everyone else is thru-hiking. There¢s Jack and Isaac, taking a year off from college in Michigan; Jesse from Colorado, on his second thru attempt; and I didn¢t get the name of the guy in the tent. I actually woke up and got going fairly early. I got my gear together with a bunch of the guys from Gooch and went out with three of them. Vincent, from Marseilles, left a little before us. He was bound for Blood Mountain. We told him to avoid it, but I heard when I got here that he¢d passed through and headed up there. I hiked out with Murray, the hammock guy from last night; Dave; and Chris. Murray is from Alabama and has a fantastic accent. He and Dave are in their 60s, I¢d guess. Dave is from Bel Air [ed. note: Erica's hometown!], and his daughter lives in Rockville. Chris is a bit older than me and is from Tampa. I hiked with those guys the first five miles, to Woody Gap. They caught a ride to the hostel and I pushed on the last seven miles here without seeing a soul. As soon as I said goodbye, the weather went to hell. Much colder, crazy wind, and sleet/snow most of the time. Even that wasn¢t terrible, but this shelter is super exposed and the temperature dropped like a rock. Still, a very good day. I really liked those guys and the pace was perfect. We also got a little ¢trail magic¢ at Woody that I spotted. Four Cokes and three Little Debbies, which was weirdly perfect since I don¢t eat those. Gear was awesome today. I was dry and comfortable. My little stove even impressed me cooking in this mess. Despite being my longest day yet, I still felt pretty good. My feet started hurting, but more general sore than anything bad. Neels Gap tomorrow. Resupply and phone finally. I¢m hoping to hike in with these guys, but I¢m not getting up until it¢s warm out. Ten hours till sunrise . . . . [Georgia overview map again]
Date: 2011-03-11
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: clear sky

Camped in a 2-bedroom cabin by myself. Last night did turn out to be pretty bad. The low was 24, which isn¢t horrible, but the wind was hard to believe. When I finally got up, everyone except the weird guy was gone. I¢d hoped to sleep until it warmed up, but it never did. It was below freezing when I started. I made Blood Mountain earlier and easier than I thought. It was really nice and it started warming up as I went. The downhill side was steep and rocky and took forever. I got to the outfitter at Neels around 2:00 and saw Jesse, Jack, and Isaac. They were catching a lift to town for beer, so I tagged along. They¢d gotten a cabin together a little ways down from the outfitter. I got one, too, hoping to catch up with Murray, Dave, and Chris and split it with them. Unfortunately, they came in while I was giving the cabin lady my laundry and got bunks in the hostel. More than I wanted to spend, but I have a place to myself to eat, shower, sort my gear out, and plan the next stage of the trip.I¢m going to get some food in the morning at the outfitter then see what I feel like.