morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-05
To: VA 614, Buchanan, VA. 741.1 Miles
Miles today: 9.6

I decided to end my thru-hike and leave the trail.I have been thinking about leaving for a couple of weeks. Originally I thought it was because of the weather but for the last two days the weather and hiking has been great. The trees, rocks and views all look the same. The days are routine and I don't have the desire to continue for another 3-4 months. I thought a break and rest might change my feelings, but I still feel the same.I have exceeded all my expectations about the trail and I'm very happy with my decision. I just feel that 2 months of even a wonderful thing is enough. I had the time of my life and feel I'm ready to return to the real world.I am very proud of my accomplishment and still marvel at the miles I completed. I am very thankful for all the support I have received from my family and friends. Without that support, I would have never made it as far as I did.I salute all the present and future thru-hikers. Thru-hiking is the most difficult thing I have ever attempted. Your body, heart, and soul must be fully dedicated to the task and at this stage in my life I'm not ready.Someday, I may finish the trail, maybe in sections.Thanks for your support.
Date: 2002-11-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I¢m going to do it. I don¢t know why yet, but I¢m certainly going to do it! I plan to be NOBO on the trail on the very appropriate day of April 1, 2003.A journey such as this could not begin without a lot of support from my great network of family and friends. My wife Diane who has supported my decision and offered positive encouragement will ship my mail drops. My daughter Melissa will post my e-journals with technical and graphical support from my friend Sean. My chauffer to Springer Mountain will be my son Christopher. The medical team includes Dr. M, Patty, and Edith from the Chiropractic Clinic at the Bethesda NNMC to keep me straight. Dr. Z at the Podiatry Clinic at FT Belvoir keeps my feet happy. I would be remiss if I didn¢t thank them. Thanks everyone.
Date: 2002-11-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My preparations so far include a couple of section hikes totaling about 100 miles over the last couple of years. During the first day or so the up-hills give me a little trouble mainly because I¢m not in trail shape. By the third day, I¢m starting to trudge along like I almost know what I¢m doing. That¢s one of the reasons I choose Steama as my trail name. Sometimes it takes a while to build up to speed, just like an old steam engine. The other reason is I¢m a native New Englander and love to dig and eat steamed clams. In New Hampshire they are pronounced ¢steamahs¢. I¢ve been doing a lot of walking with my backpack from my house in the suburbs on fairly flat terrain. I received some pretty interesting looks from the drivers of cars as they pass by me. In the next couple of months I need to do more hiking on actual trails to become more accustomed to what¢s in store for me.I¢ve pretty much decided on all my gear except for a couple of last minute additions. I just ordered the REI 45-degree down bag for summer use. Seems like every journal I¢ve read says hold on to your winter gear until Mount Rogers, so that¢s what I¢ll do.
Date: 2004-07-03
From: VA 614, Buchanan, VA. 741.1 Miles

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: broken clouds

The first day on the trail is always the toughest because you are generally traveling up hill with a pack full of food. Today was no exception especially after a 13 month break from the trail. While bopping along the trail I saw a big fat either timber or diamond Back rattle snake. I really should get a book to identify them. But, anyways it was stretched across the trail with no real way for me to get around. So stupid me decides to give it a little nudge with my hiking pole. I quickly found out snakes don't like to be touched when it started rattling. But, it didn¢t move so I tossed little stones and sticks near it. Still no movement, so I tossed a little bigger stone and hit it squarely in the back.By this time the snake is down right angry, rattling very loudly and all coiled up. I was pretty much out of options so I decided to try to Distract it with my pole while I snuck around his back side. Even though I got Much closer than I liked, I was able to get around the snake and continue on my way.It sure felt good to get to the shelter where I met a couple of thru hikers. After I got my water and cooked supper, the clouds just opened up with heavy rain, thunder and lightening.
Date: 2004-07-04
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

If yesterday was mostly uphill today was all downhill. My thighs werescreaming. I started to get a hot spot on the top of my right toes because my foot was being driven down into the toe box of my trail runners. So I tightened up the laces to keep my feet from sliding. After I got to the shelter, I went down to the stream to get water and Wash up a little bit. I stripped off my clothes and took a hiker bath then started to filter some water. I only got a bout 12 a litter when the skies opened up again. As I dashed back to the shelter, up runs Mike, a local guy just out for the night to get out of Lynchburg.
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: few clouds

Around noon I got some nice cold water from a couple of trail angels at Blue Ridge Parkway. Turned out they are the parents of Dimple's (GAME03) boyfriend. Little did I know that would be my last human interaction for the next 23 hours. That night I was by myself in the shelter for only the second time since leaving Springer Mountain in GA. Going almost a full day with out conversation is a quite the experience. I did speak to myself a few times though.A great day for hiking, much less humidity and I got to cross Bald Knob. Other than Tinker Cliffs, balds are my favorite part of the trail. This one was several miles across with lots of false summits. The sun was shining, the butterflies were flapping in the slight breeze and I felt like I was in the "The Sound of Music"! Saw my second rattle snake of the trip while crossing a meadow. Luckily this one was moving so I just had to wait it out. I didn't see the head but this was a much larger snake with a huge rattle. The color was kind of tan with stripes like a tiger (not diamonds) so I guessed it was a copperhead.
Date: 2004-07-06
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

Tried calling the Dutch Haus hostel from the Seeley-Woodworth shelter for a ride when I got to Fish Hatchery Road, but of course there was no cell phone coverage. I still wonder why I carried the phone. With visions of a hot shower, warm meal, and soft bed I figured no problem, once I get to the road I will hitch to the hostel. Little did I know that Fish Hatchery Road was an old fire road that was nothing more than a wide trail path with no chance of any vehicular traffic. So I sat on a rock munching on a snickers bar trying to decide my fate. A couple of minutes later, "M", a thru hiker FL walked up the road after a day in town re-stocking with food and a nap. She told me it was a tough mile up a hill from the main road so at 5PM I decided to go another 5 miles to the next shelter. For the last couple of days I had been following small shoe prints in the mud. Come to find out it had been "M". At the shelter I met an extended family of four hikers from IN and Spider.Spider is from Marstons Mills on Cape Cod so we spoke about all the Places we had been on the Cape. There was also a gaggle of boy scouts camped down the hill. Tightening up my laces brought my heels up close to my shoes and thatbrought on blisters on the back of my heels. Once the blisters started there was nothing I could do keep them from getting bigger. I was a little frustrated because I used the very same shoe and socks for over 300 miles last year without a blister. Every morning I put on moleskin and took a couple of motrin to make things bearable. While painful at times, there was no stopping me. Longer day than I anticipated but very nice.
Date: 2004-07-07
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: few clouds

The first section of the hike was very uneventful, but when I got to the Harpers Creek Shelter around noon things started to change. The sky started to get dark and threaten rain. I hung around a little bit, put on my pack cover and decided to go for it. It never really rained, just a little sprinkle but it got real muggy. At least I got to see that my pack cover still fit and turns out I wouldn't need it for the entire week! It was only 6 miles between shelters but it took me 4 hours because the trail was so steep and overgrown. I did get to see some fresh bear scat so thing were looking up for a sighting.I got to the Maupin Field Shelter at 4:PM and thought about my options-Spend the night here-Hike another couple of miles and stealth camp because thenext shelter was 16 miles-Walk 2.5 miles off the trail to Rusty's Hard Times HollowAfter taking off my shoes, eating a snickers and drinking some water Irested on the picnic table. My friend Bedouin told me I needed to go toRusty's because it was part of the trail mystique. I always listen to Good advice so I decided to move on to hollow and I'm glad I did.Not 5 minutes off the trail I saw my first BEAR in over 825 miles of hiking!It was only a quick encounter because the cub was trying to get away from me. Even though it was down a little hill I thought it was best to not stick around in case momma bear was nearby. I've wanted to see a bear since day one and boy was I stoked. Started pumping my fist in the air as I walked and before I knew it I was on the Blue Ridge Parkway.I started walking the 1.2 miles to Rusty's hoping for a ride because the handbook said hitch-hiking was illegal (later found that to be false). About half way there a car stopped and asked me if I knew where he could find Rusty's Good Times Hollow. Turned out to be Ground Hog, a section hiker from last year (different from the GH we hiked with last year) and he was traveling from FL to PA. So I jumped in and together we found the hollow.Rusty's is an amazing place. From the time you arrive till the time youleave, your eyes are constantly looking at the different signs, pictures and what could be best described as American art scattered around the hollow. I had my picture taken and posted on the ceiling with the rest of this season¢s hikers. Rusty is quite the character and is a true friend of the trail. He opens up his home and heart to all hikers. He lives a very simple life my in my very short visit I learned a lot from him. I hope to return to the hollow in the fall to help him harvest potatoes and haul wood. I also got to see Pirate (from last year) who is spending the summer helping Rusty around the hollow. I met up with Spider and Brother and we all spend the night in the loft being attacked by little no-seeums.
Date: 2004-07-08
From: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow

To: Paul C Wolf Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Me, Spider and Brother got a ride back to the fire service road From Ground Hog. On the way back to the trail Spider and Brother decided to travel with Ground Hog to a music festival in New York. So after a quick good bye, I was off by myself. The 1 mile to the trail and the 16 miles on the trail were uneventful. Spent the night in the shelter with three teenagers from DE that had been out for a week.
Date: 2004-07-09
From: Paul C Wolf Shelter

To: Waynesboro, Va
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: broken clouds

Just 5 short miles from the shelter into Waynesboro and a nice hot shower. I enjoyed the walk and reflected on the past week and how good being on the trail made me feel. I don't think I want to do more than a week or two at a time, but hiking sure is great. The miles went by too quickly and before I knew it I was on the Blue Ridge Parkway looking for a ride into town. I was lucky enough to get a ride from Les, a true angel. Not only did he drop me off at the front door of the motel, he drove me by the bus stop so I could see where it was. Got a room at the Comfort Inn and took 2 showers. I also had a great AYCE feed at the Chinese restaurant. I certainly got my $6.50 worth. In the morning, I took my third shower and caught the bus to DC at 8:30. Nice ride through a couple of small VA towns and before I knew it, we were in DC. There was a festival set up on Constitution Ave that blocked off traffic. So the driver asked for help negotiating through the city to Union Station. Being a resident of our nation's capital I stepped forward and guided him to the terminal pretty much on schedule. Even though I had cleaned up pretty well, my backpack still had an interesting aroma to it. The smell led to some appalled looks while I was on the subway. I'm already looking forward to my next section hike!
Date: 2003-07-31
From: Roaring Brook Campsite

To: Katadhin Summit-Katadhin Stream Camp
Miles today: 10.0

What a long, arduous, exciting day. The Start. Planning for so long; 4 years. Started up the back side of Katadhin, on Helon Taylor. No switchbacks, just hand over hand climbing; soaked in sweat. The knife edge; spectacular, total boulder scramble. Lunch and picture at the AT Northern Terminus sign. Down Hunt Trail, the official white blazed AT. Kathy waiting at the bottom with cold soda, warm company. Hot tub waiting at the hotel in Millinocket.
Date: 2003-08-01
From: Katadhin Stream Campground

To: Hurd Brook Lean To
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Got to Hurd Brook Lean-to at 5PM (2.5 hours from Abol Bridge). Better than I thought I'd do. The heavier pack definitely slows me down. I'm here with ATV, Weeds, and Alligator. 14 miles on my second day; not too shabby. Wore the Tevas all the way. Met John H. at Pleasant View. He hikes Katahdin 4 times a year. He is 62.
Date: 2003-08-02
From: Hurd Brook Lean To

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Took time this AM to reorganize so I'd know where everything is. Slept well; started raining late. Still Raining. It's 11:15AM. Decided to stay here again tonight. Its 13 miles to the next shelter. Will get an early start tomorrow. Got out the stove and made some hot chocolate. Good! Have decided to eat all the heavy food first. Miss the water bed.
Date: 2003-08-03
From: Hurd Brook Lean To

To: Rainbow Spring Camp Site
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Only did 7 miles today. I'm at the Rainbow Lake camp site with Coco and Bulldog. I gave him his trail name. Nature Boy went on ahead. A good Christian man. He gave me my trail name, "The Colonel." He hikes faster than I do at this time. Hope I can catch up with him somewhere. No lean-to here so rigged my poncho in case it rains. Eating well using the stove. Started at 6AM. Want to do 12 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2003-08-04
From: Rainbow Spring Camp Site

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: light rain

After the arduous beginning, I've decided to dawdle thru the rest of the 100 mile wilderness since I have so much food. Thought it would be better to go slow initially till I get stronger. Did 4 miles today. Took a bath and washed clothes in the stream. Beautiful scenery. Heard more loons this AM. Camping under my poncho was OK last night. Plan on doing 8 miles tomorrow. Am here with Bulldog and a psychologist who is doing a study on thru hikers and two northbounders. Coco went on ahead. Will go into White House Landing in a couple of days. Wadleigh Lean-to is next for tomorrow. Bulldog is from Bull Head City, AZ. Small world, huh? It's so green here and damp. Nothing dries unless you wear it. Only light rain today and now a nice fire and dinner.
Date: 2003-08-05
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light rain

Eight mile hike to here. Continues to rain so could not see any views from the top (of Nesunabunt Mt.). Pretty area; hard wood and old growth pine and spruce. Here with Bulldog, Gambler, Flamingo and Pig Pen. Other northbounders came thru and moved on. Wore boots today. They felt like lead weights, but kept my feet and socks dry with the mini gaiters.
Date: 2003-08-06
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-To

To: White House Landing Wilderness Camp
Miles today: 7.7

Got a Great meal and shower and will sleep on a real matress tonight. Weather finally cleard up this PM. Will get an AYCE breakfast at 8AM, then across the lake and back out on the trail. Met 3 old guys on the trail; Triple 7, So Far So Good and Coll. Coll was looking for a trout fishing hole. Nature Boy and BullDog are here too.
Date: 2003-08-07
From: White House Landing Wilderness Camp

To: Antlers Camp Site
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: light rain

Got up early this AM about 5:30. Took one of the canoes and paddled out to the middle of large Permadumcook Lake where I could look back at Mt Katahdin and watched the loons fishing for breakfast. Very nice in the early morning, enjoying the lake scenery, guiet and solitude. Was back at 8:00 for the AYCE breakfast. Then the motor boat ride across the lake and back to the Trail. Antlers is a nice campsite by a lake. I think sleeping out on the soft gound is more comfortable than the lean-to (hard wood floor) if its not raining. The tyvek ground sheet works good. 40 degree bag is more than adequate and the military poncho makes a nice shelter. So far so good.
Date: 2003-08-08
From: Antlers Camp Site

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light rain

Here with BullDog. Guess we'll be hiking together as far as I go. He is going all the way to Springer, even thru the snow. Washed clothes and took a bath in the brook, then went for a swim. Best night's sleep was last night at Antlers by the lake on the ground under my own poncho lean-to. The ground is softer than these boards. The breeze off the lake was delightful. The lean-to's get crowded each evening.
Date: 2003-08-09
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To

To: Logan Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: few clouds

Steep climb up here, but gives us a head start up White Cap Mountain, which will be really steep. Met Turtle northbound on the trail today. She had lots of trouble with feet in boots. Now hikes in Tevas and has no trouble with feet. She hiked thru the Whites in the Tevas. Going to send my boots home when I get to Monson.
Date: 2003-08-10
From: Logan Brook Lean-To

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-To
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: moderate rain

Rained all night and most of the day. Mud and water everywhere on the trail. Grueling 8 miles over White Cap Mountain, Hay Mountain, West Peak and Gulf Hagas Mountain. Tevas did good in mud and water. Moisture wicking shirt and shorts are wet, dry fast but damp, but keep me warm. Could not see any of the great views because of clouds, rain and mist. Picked up 2 more southbounders; Midnight and Ramblin Rose. They are leaving the trail at Monson. School beckens.
Date: 2003-08-11
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-To

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-To
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took a zero day today for maintenance for body, soul and equipment. I'm OK but BullDog has a hurting ankle. Midnight and Ramblin Rose went on down the trail. Seven hikers from Arizona came thru today (so far 10 other Arizonans). Small world. Two older men came in a short time ago. They are southbounding. If they hike slower than I, then I won't be the last sobo on the trail. So far I have run into 2 Outward Bound groups with kids out doing part of the wilderness and two trail maintenance crews. The crew chief came over to our shelter with his guitar and three of the volunteers. When I saw his guitar, I put my radio away.
Date: 2003-08-12
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-To

To: West Branch of the Pleasant River. 
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: light rain

Decided to camp at the river after leaving Newhall and completing the Hagas Gulf and the Hermitage. It was an easy ford, but a long day. Hagas Gulf is pretty and wild. We have the same and better in the West. In hind sight I should not have gone in there. It's not a nature trail and it put us behind a day. Not good. Food is running low, but we have enought to make Monson.
Date: 2003-08-13
From: West Branch of the Pleasant River. 

To: Cloud Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We decided to do five mountains in one day because of the food supply and to make up for time lost in Gulf Hagas. We did Chairback, Columbus, Third, Fourth, and Barren Mountains. Tough! Took me 14 1/2 hours to cover the 13 miles over the mountains using my headlamp in the dark.. The hiking poles are a Godsend. It's hard enough hiking out here in the daylight. In the dark, its really tough. High elevation. It's chilly and windy.
Date: 2003-08-14
From: Cloud Pond Lean-To

To: Wilson Valley Lean-To
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: clear sky

10 miles to Monson. Yogied some pop tarts and cookies today for desert for me and BullDog after our last dinner in the wilderness. Really looking forward to dinner in Monson tomorrow and a big desert at the the Pie Lady's. Beautiful vistas from the top of Barren Mountain; 360 degrees. The last remaining watch tower is standing there, a silent memorial to those men who spent their lonely lives watching for forest fires. Been using the knee braces these last rough days. They really help; the poles too. Slugundy Gorge and Falls were beautifu today. Had to cross the raging Long Pond Stream, hanging onto a rope. Legs and feet got a bath.
Date: 2003-08-15
From: Wilson Valley Lean-To

To: Leeman Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

3 miles from Hwy 15 whick takes one into Monson. Only did 7 miles today. There's a lot of ups and downs and did not feel like pushing it hard. Forded Big Wilson and Little Wilson Streams today. Little Wilson Falls is exquisite. Should get into Monson in time for lunch. The barbeque is supposed to be really good. BullDog and I are going to get a whole pie at the Pie Lady's and eat half each. Finally I'll be out of the 100 mile wilderness.
Date: 2003-08-16
From: Leeman Brook Lean-To

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

I felt some reluctance as I left the 100 mile wilderness and stepped onto Hwy 15. The first vehicle stopped and dropped me right at Shaw's door. It was an old guy in a pickup truck going out to his property to cut some wood for the winter. I think he said it takes 11 cords to get thru the winter. I reached the Hwy in 2 hours at 8:50 and was at Shaw's by 10AM. I will never hesitate to refer to it as a wilderness. The experience in there is definitely like being in a wilderness. It was a fine time and I feel like I'll miss it as if the best part of the journey is already over. I hiked every day alone. No one else hikes as slowly as I do. Every day Bulldog waited faithfully at the next evening's stop. Most days you only hear the wind sighing through the pines and rustling the Aspen leaves. I heard loons, the birds, the chipmunks as they scolded from a nearby tree and a lonely train whistle. The train is the only one that still runs thru the area. An occasional float plane and fire watch would fly over. It was an awsome experience and I'm so glad that I did it. I can't imagine that anything coming could possibly be better. Day off tomorrow for maintenance and then down the trail come Mon. after breakfast.
Date: 2003-08-17
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Ate yesterday at the BBQ place for lunch and had a huge steak dinner at Shaw's. After a huge breakfast, Bulldog and I hitched into Bangor to the Walmart. Not happy with some of the pictures. The first 6 did not even take for some reason. Very disappointing! The food here is great and the Shaws are a nice old couple. Bulldog and I ate a whole pie at the Pie Lady's yesterday after the BBQ. Back to the trail in the AM after breakfast.