morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-10
From: East B Hill Rd

To: Old Blue Mtn
Miles today: 12.9

We started hiking this morning at 7:00AM. Our first climb today was a 500 foot ele. gain up to Surplus Pond. From ther we climbed up another 900 feet to the North Peak of Wyman Mtn.(great view) We came to Hall Mtn. Lean-to at about 11:00 and decided to go ahead and have lunch. Ramen) After lunch we climbed down 1500 feet to Sawyer Notch then the trail went right back up 1200 feet to Moody Mtn. After crossing over South Arm Rd. we had a 2200 foot climb up the top of Old Blue Mtn. When we reached the summit of Old Blue at 6:00PM I was done for day. We pitch tent right on top. As we were walking today I saw that the leaves are starting to turn. Some are already falling. The beggining of Fall has begun. WOW! When this hike started there was no leaves. We watched them come out, now there falling. Wow, I've been out here a long time..Day 191 and 243.6 miles to go. I want to summit Biig K on the 24th or 25th. But if this trail doesen't start getting a little easier..                                 old school
Date: 2006-09-11
From: Old Blue Mtn

To: Sabbath Day Pond lean-to
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: 0

When we woke up this morning there was ice all over the tent, so we went back to sleep until the sun melted it. Today got me 14.2 miles closer t my goal. The terrain is getting a little easier but not much. 14.2 miles took us 11 hours. I'm really tired. I'm just going to have some dinner and go right to sleep.                              old school
Date: 2006-09-12
From: Sabbath Day Pond lean-to

To: Saddle Back Mtn
Miles today: 15.1

Day 193: We started hiking at 7:00AM. The trail started getting easier this morning, except for all the roots, rocks, and mud bogs. We kept a pace getting 10 miles by noon. When we got to ME 4 we needed to hitch into Rangeley to resupply. It took about an hour before this nice lady picked us up and took us to the IGA. After spending acouple of hours in town we started hitchion back to the trail, getting a ride almost right away. We started the hike up to Saddleback Mtn. We reached the summit at 7:00PM. It was a great view, we watched the sun set over the Mtns.,Wow. One of the best views on the trail. It was getting dark so we found a place for the tent and called it a day. 15.1 miles closer and only 214.3 miles to go. The end is near. In less than 2 weeks it will be over. I will have lived my dream. Sometime this whole trip seemsd like a dream, surreal, have I really walked from GA to ME. Well my legs, feet, and wallet say yes.                              old school
Date: 2006-09-13
From: Saddle Back Mtn

To: camped at mile 1974.8
Miles today: 14.5

Day 194: We started hiking at 7:00AM. It was 40 degrees with winds at about 40 mph. From atop Saddleback Mtn. there was a view of Katahdin over 200 miles away, but I couldn't pick it out from all the other Mtns. Three miles from our campsite we were finally back below treeline where it was a lot warmer. We were sitting on the side of the trail taking a break and I was watching the leaves fall from the trees. The forest floor was littered with all the freshly fallen leaves. It was so quiet that I could hear them falling through the trees. I can feel it, th eend of this amazing journey is near. I'm ready for it end, I'm tired and I miss my family. New Day has gotten us a new house, has taken everything out of storage and has everything set up waiting for me to come home. New Day has been great thru all of this, I couldn't ask for a better wife. She truely is my soulmate, and I miss her so much that sometimes I just want to say the hell with this and go home to her. But I'm not doing this just so i can say that I did it. I'm doing it because I said that I was going to!                              old school
Date: 2006-09-14
From: camped at mile 1974.8

To: ME 27
Miles today: 12.0

I started at Springer and never looked backI wake in the morning and throw on the packI sleep with the moon and rise with the sunMany more miles before the quest is doneI hike mile after mile the feet sometimes in painI'm walking the A.T. thru the spring, summer, and rainOld School has walked from GA-ME      GAME 06'                  old school
Date: 2006-09-17
From: Safford notch Campsite

To: Trail to Harrison Camps
Miles today: 22.6

I didn't get out of the Bigelow Mtn Range until the 3rd day. We should have been able to do it in one day, but for the past few days I haven't felt very good so we only did 5 miles for each of the past couple of days. When we got up this morning I felt a lot better so we decided to try and get a big day, 22.6 for the day. The biggest day we've had in a long time. Also we had thebest trail that we've had in a long time. After climbing up and over Little Bigelow we only had one other little 600 foot climb then for the rest of the day the trail was pretty much flat. Man, it sure was a welcome change pace. Those N.H. Mtns and Maine Mtns have been trying to put the beat down on my ass. But I think that the hardest stuff is behind us now. A few more big climbs and then there will be only 1 left, Mt. KATAHDIN, the highest peak in Maine and the biggest climb on the A.T. Oh, what a great day that will be. New Day and my Mom is coming up and New Day is doing the climb with us. It will be the day that I've been dreaming of. Wow, I'm really going to do this, today i passed mile 2000! I've hiked 2000 miles, thru the seasons, the weather, the good days and the bad. I've hiked 714 miles with my wife and one of the boys, either B-rad or Young Blood has hiked with me all but 100 miles. Wow, I'm really a luckly man, to have my family so involved with the hike has been great. Having my family behind me like this has, at times given me the will that Ive needed to keep going to BE WILLING TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP!                                 old school
Date: 2006-09-18
From: Trail to Harrison Camps

To: Moxie Bald Mtn.
Miles today: 20.3

We started today by going to harrison Camps, were they feed Thru Hikers a traditional "lumberjacks" breakfast. For 7 dollars we got 12 pancakes, 3 eggs, juice, and a glass of milk. Man, I was so full I wondered if I would be able to hike. But hike I did, we knocked out another 20 mile day. For the first time I was able to do two 20 mile days in a row. We crossed the Kennebec river today. A dangerous river to to ford because of its unpredictablilty. There's a dam upstream that releases water when power is needed. They say you caan't cross faster than the water rises. A section hiker drowned tryinf to ford in 1985. Ever since a ferry service has been in place and it is the Offical A.T. route, it even has a white blaze in the bottom of the boat. After crossing the river we only had 2 climbs today, Pleason Pond Mtn. and Moxie Bald Mtn, which is where we're camped, right on top of Moxie Bald. It's a little windy up here, but it's warm. The trail today didn't have many climbs, but it makes up for it in other ways. The terrain was rough, lots of rocks to work around, then there was the mud, the roots. At one point we had to jump from one ledge to another one with a 30 foot drop if we slipped. Be we've come thousands of miles, it's all in a days work for an A.T. Thru Hiker. But theres still 134.5 miles to go before i can say that I've Thru Hiked the A.T. I'll summit on 9-27...weather permitting....Onward, Northward to KATAHDIN!                                 old school
Date: 2006-09-19
From: Moxie Bald Mtn.

To: camped close to Buck Hill
Miles today: 17.8

We went into Monson today,picked up my last maildrop and got my last resupply and hiked out of my last trail town.In the morning we'll start our trek thru the 100 mile wilderness......Then there will only be KATAHDIN!!!!                                 Old School
Date: 2006-09-21
From: Little Wilson stream

To: stream at mile 2080.7
Miles today: 13.8

Day 202: Its cold again.First thing this morning we Forded Big Wilson stream.It was cold,the water came almost up to our packs.   We climed up and over Barren Mtn. and we're now camped at a stream about 1.5 miles past Cloud Pone Lean-to.Its cold,we're cooking dinner in the tent.   We got 13.8 miles closer today....Only 93.9 miles to go!!!!                                 Old School
Date: 2006-09-25
From: stream at mile 2115

To: Wadliegh Stream Shelter
Miles today: 21.3

21.3 miles today.I'm feeling the pull of Big K.I'm almost there.I'm meeting New Day tomorrow at Abol Bridge.I'll need to do a 23 mile day to get there.But shes going to be there so I will too.                              Old School
Date: 2006-09-28
From: Katahdin Streams Campground

To: Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2

Todays 5.2 miles up Mt. Katahdin ends my almost 7 month quest.I made the climb up with my wife "New Day" B-rad and yellow blaze.It was a quiet hike up with thoughts of all kinds flying thru my head..After getting above treeline it was cold with no views..but I didn't care,I was almost done..I reached the sign..it was over...2174 miles almost 7 months and it was over!!Wow...I touched the last white blaze,dropped the small rock that I had carried from Springer,turned around and said lets get the hell off of this Rock..... BE WILLING TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP!!!!!                              Old School.....GAME '06
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Tyringham, MA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It has been a very long time since the last journaling, and lots has happened in the last 2 years, which I could probably write a book on . My recovery from the hike in 04,¢ our travels in Europe, our two seasons of working at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega,Ga. and all the new friends we have made from around the world.Navi and I travel around in an RV now, just like our friends Jo Jo Smiley and Nomad. It is a very different lifestyle, but it is fun. I am looking forward to this adventure especially because my good friend Two Step ( Larry Mah ) has decided to join me for this two month hike. I met him, and a young man Moonchild ( Bret Hayhurst ) on my first thru-hike attempt in 2002. That hike ended in a rescue from the Smokies when I broke my leg. In 2004, I got sick twice and the second time I got sick I couldn¢t recover. That was one of the hardest decisions I¢ve ever had to make, but it definitely was the right one.At the end of my last journal in 2004¢ I said the Ole Man would return.Well, ¢ I¢m Back. ¢Navi will be our support for part of the hike and the rest of the time she will be working at a girls camp for 5 weeks in Maine. I can¢t imagine being with over 300 whiney girls for even one day. That will probably add a few more grey hairs.We will try to get as many people on our e-mail list as it will permit so everyone can keep up with our progress.I do hope to see some of the early hikers we help put on the trail this year.Until then.                                                                        Life Is Good : )                                                                              Ole Man
Date: 2006-06-29
From: Tyringham Rd.

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: 0

¢ The Ole Man Is Back¢ with unstoppable determination to achieve this goal. Broken bones, countless blisters, rain, sleet, snow, will not get in my way this time.When I awoke this morning it really hit me that I was about to embark on the final chapter of a journey that actually started in 1998 when I walked the first mile in 27 years since my Viet Nam injury. The moment of glory and an amazing achievement in my life is in my grasp. I have already made countless friends and I¢m sure there will be many more before this hike ends this year. Navi and I picked up Two Step yesterday at the Albany airport. We went back to the campground where we spent the night talking and packing for our hike. I was surprised to hear Two Step up before me this morning at 5:30 since I¢m usually the first one to wake up. We had breakfast and headed to the trail where Navi dropped us off at Tyringham Road at 10:25 am. in Tyringham MA. We said our good-byes and then Navi was off heading for Bennington, VT. The plan is for us to meet her there on the 4th of July. Our hike today was a little over 7 miles to Upper Goose Pond cabin, and we started with a pretty good pull uphill but we did fine for two hikers who were a little out of shape. It was very muggy and I was soaking wet in 10 minutes. After about 4 12 miles a hiker by the name of Long Haul passed us heading north. The trail was very muddy and the roots looked like spaghetti at times. The Mountain Laurel were everywhere and there was a wide variety of mushrooms that looked eatable but I don¢t have any experience in picking the right ones to eat so I passed them up. We arrived at the cabin at about 2:15 and I think we were both ready for a break. The cabin was a welcome sight. We met Nancy Eaton, the caretaker who enjoys her job greeting the hikers and just being out here. She also cooks breakfast in the morning for a small donation for the supplies. Can¢t wait till morning. Two Step and I went down to the pond to soak our feet which felt just great and very relaxing, and what a great view of the pond. There was a canoe on shore that is used for going across the pond for spring water that is there for drinking. We had a nice night talking with other hikers before turning in. We may do a long day tomorrow, 18 miles. It¢s been a wonderfully rewarding first day of the next 650 mile journey and no rain, ¢ YET¢.                                                                                                Life is Good (:                                                                                          Ole Man
Date: 2006-06-30
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: October Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: 0

A stormy night but it cleared out by the time we got up this morning around six, and to the wonderful smell of coffee and pancakes. UM!! UM!! Once our bellies were full, we were on the trail by seven with clear skies and the sun shining. The cool morning made for a great start. The 9 miles to October Mtn. looks fairly easy so I¢m guessing we should get there by noon.The trail is still very muddy because of all the rain they had at the beginning of this year.As we hiked on I was enjoying the sweet smell of the pine forest and thinking this is one of the many reasons why I love being out here. Then we came across our first little creature, it looks like a small orange salamander, but I think there¢s a different name for this cute little creature, the eff.It wasn¢t long before Bamboo & Chestnut the dog passed us after about three miles on the trail. Up to this point the blazes were a little faded and hard to follow, but then there¢s the trail. We got to the county line and knew we only had a couple of miles to the shelter. I was feeling pretty good and thought we might go on but we decided to stay put for the night. Bamboo and Chestnut where already there and another hiker, Buttercup, came in. We met them all at the cabin yesterday. They went on to Dalton.The day was so nice that we washed and hung our clothes, then took a short nap. I¢m not one to nap in the middle of the day, but, we did get here quite early.Tomorrow will be another easy day with only 11 miles to Dalton where we will stop for lunch and snacks and head on to our campsite for the night. What a wonderful day this has been.Also today, Navi is flying out to Chicago to see our daughter, Corrine, to celebrate her twenty first birthday which is July 2. Happy Birthday !!!!!!! ( :
Date: 2006-07-01
From: October Mountain Lean-to

To: St. Mary's Church, Cheshire Ma
Miles today: 20.4

Day break was at 5 am. and I was up at the same time, Two Step was up shortly after me. I didn¢t get much sleep, but it was enough. Normally I only sleep 5 -6 hrs. a night. A group called the Maine Train came into camp after dark and still excited about their days hike, so it took them a while to finally quite down. We were on the trail by 6:10 and it looks like a fine day ahead of us. The hike went real well even though it was very warm . We made it to Kay Wood shelter at 11, then continued on to Dalton and got there just after 12 noon. It was quite a walk to the Cumberland Farms Mini Mart ,but it was worth it. I ate a delicious chicken wrap with some chips, and then topped it off with a pint of my favorite Ben & Jerry¢s , Fish Food. As Two Step and I sat there stuffing our faces, a hiker named Bugs was walking by the store, so we yelled over to her and she came over to talked with us for a little while.She turned out to be one of the hikers that Josh or myself put on the trail this year in Dahlonega Georgia at the Hiker Hostel. Hopefully I will get to meet many more that we got to put on the trail before my hike ends this year.After talking to Navi on a cell phone and eating our lunch, we headed out of town to Crystal Mtn. campsite and arrived at about 4:30. Bamboo & Chestnut were there and said they were moving on to Cheshire for the night. We felt pretty good, so we did the same. Campsites were poor.We were exhausted and the descent was steep enough that it gave me some pretty good blisters between my toes on my right foot. I found that out when we got to St. Mary¢s church in Cheshire. I also figured out that Two Step and I had done more than a twenty mile day. Bamboo was at the church hall with another hiker by the name, Sticker, he looked to be in his early 60¢s. Bamboo had to move on because the church would not allow any pets.After having something to eat, Two Step and I had to wash ourselves in a bathroom sink because there weren¢t any showers. It still felt good to be clean and a place to stay. Just before dark, Bugs came in for the night. She is such a strong hiker, and only wears Teva¢s to walk in.It sure has been a long day, and I have made up my mind that I will not do another twenty mile hike. I can¢t afford to jeopardize this last 600 miles. I came out to enjoy this hike because I don¢t know when I will get to do another long distance hike.Tomorrow will be an easy day into Mtn.Greylock, only 7.4 miles.
Date: 2006-07-02
From: St. Mary's Church, Cheshire Ma

To: Bascom Lodge
Miles today: 6.4

Rise and shine and out on the trail by 7:20 am. and hope to be at Bascom Lodge by noon. I slept real well last night and my feet seem to be okay for now. We can forget the shine because we¢ re starting out with a lite rain, hopefully it doesn¢t last.        The climb was gradual and in some areas a little boggy. The sweet smell of the pines filled my senses and made me think of other places I had been on the trail already. I saw some flowers along the trail, but not as many as I¢d seen in the south. I think the amount of hikers over the years in this area has taken it¢s toll.         At 11:30 we were about 200 ft. from the summit of Greylock and I could almost feel the hot shower washing away the sweat from my body. You learn to appreciate some of the simple things in life when you do a long distance hike. We were at the front desk at 11:45 and the lodge was full, but we were able to get a bunk in the hostel which is in a garage. First a shower, then eat, then just hang out for the rest of the afternoon. You have to have your priorities , If you know what I mean.        As the day went on, other hikers came in, Bugs, Bamboo,Buttercup and a hiker named Just Jean, whom I put on the trail in Georgia. We spent the rest of the day talking to the other guest about our adventures in the hiking world, which really amazed some people.        Well, it¢s been a nice day but it¢s time to get some shuteye. Tomorrow we head for Seth Warner shelter.        My feet feel pretty good right now, but who knows what tomorrow may bring. Happy Trails to all you hikers out there.
Date: 2006-07-03
From: Bascom Lodge

To: Seth Warner shelter - VT
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: 0

Woke up this morning , feeling fine, there¢s something special on my mind. ¢ As the tone goes.¢ Getting to Vermont today.        I awoke to a full house, and with Buttercup crunched up on a small sofa. I could have slept in but it seems I can¢t sleep past 5:30. My feet are really soar which will make the hike today, very hard. We had breakfast and was on the trail by 8:30.It feels warm already, which will add to the difficulty of my hike today.        The downhill did a job on my feet and they burned like fire, but once we reached the bottom, it was back to the bogs with all the mud. I hope Vermont isn¢t as bad for mud. We made it to Wilbur Clearing shelter in pretty good time and there was another couple there taking a break which we met a few days ago. They are from Alaska . Nice couple, but I forgot to get their names. Anyway, we had a snack, tanked up, and it was on to North Adams. We were looking for a Stop & Shop in town and found out it was a 12 mile walk, so we decided to sit in some shade and just chill awhile. Before we left, we paid a young girl to fill our water bottles. It was a way to get rid of the lose change we were carrying. ¢To much weight, you know.¢ Then it was up the steep incline to the Mass, Vermont line. When we got there, Two Step thought there was a stone column, but it was replaced with a wooden sign, or it was at the other end. By this time, my feet were really singing to me. We crossed into Vermont at 3:20 and when we got to Seth Warner shelter, I collapsed from the pain in my feet and legs. Even then I had to get myself up to walk another 200 yards to get some water to cook with. What keeps me going is to think that for every step I take today, is one less step to Mnt. Katahdin.        Many hikers came in after 5pm. The Jukebox Girls, Buttercup, Trudge, Another Day, Squirrel Hawk, and a mother and daughter team headed for Canada, and at least another ten hikers who pitched tents.        Once I ate, got off my feet and relaxed, I felt much better, especially since I knew l would have a zero day coming on the 5th. That also made my feet feel better.
Date: 2006-07-06
From: Bennington, VT

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: 0

Another zero day. I could barely stand on my feet this morning, so hopefully one more day off my feet will do the trick.         Today, Navi and Two Step will take a food drop to Rutland, where our friend Mad Hatter & Ma Budda live. I¢m looking forward to staying with them. I met Mad Hatter on my hike in 04¢.        Nice day to chill.
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Bennington, VT

To: Kid Gore shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: 0

I¢m up by 6am with the sun shining bright and my feet saying to me, ¢ Lets Go Hiking.¢ I¢m sure Two Step was glad to see I was getting ready to hike. Our packs were ready to go ,so we had something to eat and we were on our way by 8. Navi was taking us to the trail and we won¢t see her again for a couple of weeks because she was going to Naples Me. She took a job at a girls camp called Camp Mataponi.         After saying our goodbyes, we were on the trail by 8:20. What is interesting is that we are also walking part of the Long Trail as we hike the AT. What a climb, and I¢m glad were doing it early. We got to Goddard shelter at 1:25, not a bad time at all. Took 30mins to eat rest , and tank up. Then it was on to Kid Gore shelter.         We had one great overlook at Porcupine Ridge. This has been a wonderful hiking day today with the plenty of sun, low humidity, and the awesome fresh smell of the wilderness. You just stand there with your eyes closed and let it fill your senses. You forget about everything, the pain, the hunger, the exhaustion. It¢s like being transformed to another world and time, so peaceful. You can feel the energy of the forest. I can¢t think of any place I¢d rather be right now. I wish the world could feel how I feel this very moment.        We got to Kid Gore shelter at 4pm and stayed for the night. About a thirteen mile day and I feel pretty good. There¢s a few bugs around, but then it wouldn¢t be summer without them. Hope the hike tomorrow is as nice as it was today.