morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-14
From: Peter's Mtn. Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Another fun place = the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon, PA. I arrived in Duncannon after doing 25.4 miles (my personal best) from Boiling Springs. (Boiling Springs by the way is only 4 miles north of Alec Kennedy Shelter) The Doyle was a great place, cheap beer in the bar downstairs (yes, there was a bar on the bottom floor), good cheap food, and run down old rooms. It reminded me of what some of my fraternity brothers would have called "paradise". It was great. From Duncannon I went 11 miles to Peter's Mtn. Shelter, then the next day, 17.8 miles to Rausch Gap Shelter. The trail is getting really rocky, just as I've expected in PA and it's hot, and most scarey of all, I've run into a few rattlesnakes! I'm really looking forward to New York! (David, I'll be in touch very soon)
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm hiking out of Port Clinton today. I had a very long day on 7/16, I hiked @24 miles... they were flat for the most part, but VERY rocky, and supposedly it's the most concentrated part of the trail in PA with none other than... rattlesnakes! Of which, I walked up on one at the end of the day, around 2 miles south of Port Clinton. They're everywhere in this state! That and the fact that it's really dry (springs are dry) has made hiking a little bit stressful. On the brighter side, I've had some great trail magic lately. Back to 7/16... in the morning I came across a family of menonites that offered me breakfast. I gladly sat with them for about 30 minutes and ate 2 eggs, toast and sausage, very nice folks. Finally, at the end of the day I stumbled into Port Clinton tired and dehydrated. Desperate for some water, I quickly went into the first establishment I recognized was open, it turned out to be the local waterin' hole. So I rang the buzzer, the door opened, and all of a sudden I felt like the stranger from out of town that just walked into a saloon in the old western films. Everybody stared at me for a second, then went back to their business. The bar maid asked me what I wanted and I replied, "diet coke and a water." Then I quickly remembered I only had one dollar in my pocket, and saw they didn't take plastic. She said, "don't worry, it's happy hour, that'll be eighty cents." Whewww! Another minute later, I was talking to the locals, fitting right in, and drinking beers that some of the old men insisted they buy for me. Hungry, and seeing this bar didn't serve food, I asked some folks if there was anything good to eat in town. They said there really wasn't anything open, since it was such a one horse town, and must have seen how disheartened I was. So I left the bar after two beers, because I knew any more would have put me in a drunken state of discomfort, I was still feeling a little dehydrated and just down right tired! When they asked, I had told them I was camping just down the road at the town picnic pavilion. So I gave them many thanks, shook many hands, and mozzied on down to camp thinking about how another peanut butter and jelly sandwich would be dinner. Well, believe it or not, 30 minutes later I see a truck pull up to the pavilion and two guys I had met at the bar yell to me saying, "Tuna! Tuna! We've got your dinner here!" Not only had these guys bought me a couple cold beers, they brought me two of the biggest, warmest, tastiest slices of pizza I had ever seen. God bless the folks of Pennsylvania. (I'll add more details to the story when I'm not pushed for time on the computer)
Date: 2007-08-08
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Massachusetts!
Miles today: 0.0

@14 miles today, August 8th, 2007... and another milestone, MASSACHUSETTS! Mass has welcomed me with some more heat and a friendly reminder that the mid-Atlantic states are behind me, meaning it's back to climbing 'real' mountains again. This state will be difficult, ups and downs are back again, however I must mention that southern New York was rather difficult as well. Like all the other hikers out here, I'm not enjoying the heat and humidity. I'm pretty sick of it. Since southern Virginia, summer has been in full swing. Also, I've been thinking a lot about why Mosquitos exist. I mean... what purpose do they serve this world? I once asked another hiker that same question and they responded, "Well, they're the food source for animals like bats." Guess what hiker, the bats up here in Mass. must be pretty lazy because they ain't eatin' enough. I don't complain too much because I hear that down in NC it's been REALLY hot, and New England fall will be a cold experience.
Date: 2007-08-12
From: Massachusetts!

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Sadly, my digital camera is now on the blink, so it's being sent home and I'll be using a disposable from now on... so no more pics will be posted till October, bummer. On the postive side of things, I arrived at one of the coolest places I've been to on the trail so far, Upper Goose Pond Cabin. This place is run by the AMC and is only accessible by trail or canoe. The water has to be fetched from a spring across the pond on a daily basis, there's no electricity, everything's run by propane gas. And of course, it's located on a beautiful pond. I ran out of food upon arriving to the cabin, but no worries because there are all you can eat pancakes available in the AM. But I needed to eat dinner the night before, so Rex and I sweet talked the caretaker and talked her into letting us cook a couple big stacks in the PM. Tomorrow I'll be heading to a blueberry patch on Washington Mountain, and then on into Dalton, MA where there are two free hostels. Good stuff is always around the corner on the AT, or should I say... over the mountain.
Date: 2007-08-26
From: Hanover, NH

To: Moose Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow, I can't believe I'm in New Hampshire. I loved VT, but of course it's great to keep progressing north. It's still hot up here, but things have been cooling off a good bit. The mornings are cooler and the afternoons not unbearable. I had an unbelievably nice welcome to NH. I crossed the Connecticut River into Hanover, felt the college vibe of Dartmouth, stood on the main corner sweaty, tired and sticking out like a sore thumb, and heard someone whistle at me from over my shoulder. There sat none other than Baltimore Jack and Bag of Tricks, two living legends and reflections of the true spirit of the AT (in my opinion). Jack and Tricks invited Fuzzy Monkey, Uncle Silly and myself to some trail magic (a cookout, camping, shower, and laundry). Need I say more? These guys are great. Thanks a bunch Jack and Tricks, I'll certainly be in touch. As usual, others are waiting for the computer... into the White Mountains I go! woooo hooooo!
Date: 2007-09-11
From: Moose Mtn. Shelter

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hello again everyone, tonight is September 11, 2007 and I'm proud to say that I'm updating the journal from the great state of MAINE!!! It's hard to believe that New Hampshire, the White Mountains, and even the dreaded Mahoosuc Notch are all behind me. The past few days have been very wet and a bit chilly, but no worries! I'm a bit tired and slightly unmotivated to write at the current moment... the creative and detailed juices just aren't flowing. The hiking has been very challenging lately. Maine and New Hampshire are truly the toughest sections I've seen so far. My body is getting tired and the fact that the end is near hasn't set in yet because there's still much work to be done and weather to be reckoned with. Needless to say, time is flying by quickly and I'm still loving the journey as much as I ever have. Thanks to everyone for your support, messages, and wishes... sorry if I haven't spoken to many of you over the phone lately (Uncle Buh and Carla, I still remember you and love you very much. Bethanne, happy birthday!. Russell, can't wait to visit in Charlotte. Nolan, looking forward to seeing you soon. Everyone in Boone, hope all are safe, having fun, and staying studious... go APPS!). I'll write again soon hopefully... that is, if the wild and wide state of Maine has any more internet access, it's like the Alaska of the east! Over 1900 miles down so far! Love to all!
Date: 2007-09-16
From: Andover, ME

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Today (9/15/07)I woke up to a cold, relentless rain, water underneath me and finding its way inside of my tent. I was able to stay dry and restful through the night, however in the morning I discovered that the only thing keeping me "afloat" was my sleeping pad. My sleeping bag, filled with goose down, would not keep me warm for long if it got too wet. So, knowing that the road crossing for the town of Rangeley is only 2 miles up the trail, I pack things up quickly and make a break for it. My friend 'Dirty' from New Hampshire is hiking with me. As we walk through the rain, it comes down harder and harder, the longest 2 miles I've crossed in a long time. Wet and cold, we arrive at the road. Thankfully it was only a matter of @10 minutes before a pickup truck pulled over to pick us up. The driver was a waitress in one of the town pubs on her way to work. It's so nice when hitching a ride works out quickly!... esp. in the cold rain. Arriving in Rangeley, we were dropped off at the first necessary stop... breakfast! Soaking wet, we warmed up with some coffee, eggs, sausage and toast as I thumbed through my thru hiker's companion to find out what type of affordable lodging options we had. Bob O'Brian owns and operates the Gull Pond Lodge and picks up hikers from town, offers a bunkroom for 20 dollars and that includes breakfast. He also has a TV with sattelite cable! Perfect! It's Saturday and Dirty and I are ready to dry off and watch the Yankees / Red Sox game while we watch the rain fall outside... a place where we don't have to be today! Bob's a great guy, a sharp, older man around 80 who moves around with more energy than most hikers! Thanks for everything Bob.   (9/16/07)This morning, Bob shuttled Sweetwater and I back to the trail. The weather has turned a complete 180. It's nice and clear but brisk and cold. Today's hike will take me over what is said to be some of the nicest above treeline hiking in Maine... Saddleback Mtn., The Horn, and Saddleback Jr. Mtn. Dirty has decided to "yellow blaze" up to Stratton, he's ready to be finished. My conscious won't let me skip such a chunk of the trail, althouth it would be nice to see/hike with my friends Cobweb and Mayo again. Oh well, I'll visit them in Mass. some time before too long. So I said goodbye to Dirty in Rangeley, wished him luck and set out on what was a nice day over those previously mentioned mountains.
Date: 2007-09-17
From: Lone Mtn., ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Last night I tent camped by myself on an old, overgrown jeep/logging road just before Spaulding Mtn. Lean to. I went a little farther than I had planned yesterday, but that's ok. Some days I just go slow, steady, and feel like pushing a few extra miles at the end of the day... it almost feels like putting in overtime at work on days like that... and being productive always feels nice, plus those are miles that don't have to be hiked the next morning. I decided that I could push into Stratton today since the weather is nice once again. I met a few day hikers, one of which told me that Katahdin could be spotted on such a clear day from the top of Sugarloaf Mtn. So, enough said. There was a junction in the trail about 10 miles into my day where a blue blaze led about a mile to Sugarloaf's summit. Upon reaching the summit, I think I can see Katahdin, very small in the distance (I later learned that it was not Katahdin but Big Spencer instead, which was very close to Big K). Sugarloaf Mtn. is a huge ski resort in Maine. So, instead of hiking back down to meet back up with the AT, I decided to change things a little bit, deviate from the norm if you will. So off I went, walking down the slopes of a massive ski slope... taking my own trail to Stratton rather than the AT. I really enjoyed this decision. At the bottom of the ski slope, I bummed around the village and base lodge just enjoying the sights of what would soon become a booming vacation area for wealthy New Englanders and Canadians. I then followed the road out a couple miles and got to Maine Highway 27, not far from where the AT would have let me out of the woods. I grabbed a hitch to the Stratton Motel/hiker hostel from a young man named Cameron... a high school senior and what looked like would be a pretty avid snowboarder/ winter sports enthusiast to which he admitted he was when I asked. Thanks for the ride pal! Stratton is hardly a town, much like a lot of these little places in and around the Maine woods. Basicly there was a post office, a general store, bar/grill restaurant, the motel and hostel where I stayed, and a diner type restaurant... that's about it. The fall colors are really starting to show, and according to the Mainers, peak comes about the first of October. I love the colors of fall and I'm so glad that I'll get to enjoy them twice as long this year because at home, they'll peak a few weeks later when I arrive.
Date: 2007-11-09
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Things have come to a halt all too quickly. There are still many more entries that I need to include, however certain situations at home have not made it easy for me to take time away from the newly rediscovered, so called, "real world." I never thought I would create a trail journal entry from where I sit right now. Duty calls, I'll edit later
Date: 2007-05-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'm afraid of the dark. I run away from bees. I detest ants, especially red ones, and the sight of a spider sends me into a blind panic. I'm always cold. I stay in the shower until the hot water runs out. I don't like to smell like a foot. I drive to the gym because it's just too far to walk. I have trouble avoiding walls and corners even on the most level terrain. Rain irritates me. So hiking from Maine to Georgia- outdoors, in the dark and in the rain, with the bees and the ants and the spiders- might seem illogical. But I have a titanium spork and four pounds of Twix bars, and I'm ready.
Date: 2007-05-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

A lot of people plan their thru-hikes down to a T. They figure out their daily mileage, plan maildrops, and study the maps. The second they hit the trail, their plans go out the window.I'm way ahead of them: I'm winging it from step one. My parents and I will drive to Millinocket, ME on June 2nd. We'll stay in a hotel for the night, wake up at dawn and hike Katahdin on the 3rd. We'll stay in the hotel one more night, and on the 4th they'll head home and I'll head out solo. My goal: South. I have 10 days of food, enough to make it through the 100 Mile Wilderness to Monson. If you thought I was kidding about the four pounds of Twix bars- I wasn't. The 100 Mile Wilderness is one of the most remote stretches of the trail. Once I leave Baxter State Park, I'll be on my own for over a week. With a whopping four nights of backpacking under my belt, a rabid fear of bugs and the dark, and a body ravaged by the decadence of senior week, it should be interesting.The 100 Mile Wilderness will spit me out onto a road where I can hitchhike four miles into Monson, ME. From there, I have no plans other than: South.
Date: 2007-06-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

All my gear fits into my pack, just barely. I have a seemingly absurd amount of food, including the afore-mentioned Twix bars. My diet will consist of Clif bars, peanut butter and nutella, tortillas, ramen, dried pineapple, instant oatmeal and mashed potatoes, powdered milk and cheese, beef jerky, Wheat Thins, and brownie mix. All this should keep me going for ten days. My gear will be listed in the gear section once I figure this website out. It's all stored within many layers of plastic bags- I detest wet gear. All of my Ziplocks and trashbags combined probably weigh more than my backpack. With 10 days of food, my pack weight is around 35 pounds. I'll usually be carrying food for 5 days or fewer, so that's not too bad. Could be better, but it could be much worse. MAINE TOMORROW!!!!!!!
Date: 2007-06-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

One last gear check and we're off.Noteworthy pieces of gear include:1. A big, badass knife. Provided by my thoughtful parents. For spreading peanut butter and slaying aggressive fauna. 2. My tarptent. Weighs in at a whopping 1.5 pounds and I forgot to seamseal it. According to the maker, that's fine- it's pretty bomber. I'm noticeably lacking:1. A stove. I know, I know. If I want/need one, I'll know by the end of the 100 Mile Wilderness. You can say you told me so then. 2. A hammer. Suggested by my well-meaning and worried uncle. Before I start, I want to give a shoutout to my parents. This is probably (ok, definitely) not the direction you hoped I would take with a degree from Middlebury, and I know you're worried about me. But you've been incredibly supportive and I know you'll be there for me throughout the hike. Thanks- I love you.
Date: 2007-06-03
To: Monson
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

wow- Katahdin is a KILLER climb. What a phenomenal way to start the hike. Had a few dicey scrambles and one wrong turn left me basically hanging off the mountain, but we survived! Mom and Dad were troopers. I'm so glad they came and that the Hunt Trail was actually open for hikers. Met a bunch of SOBOers (SOuthBOunders for the uninitiated)- hopefully I'll see them on the trail. One more night in the hotel with the 'rents and then I'm off!
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Monson

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

They say southbound is the lonely route, but rain tends to send hikers to the shelter. I slipped off a boglog into a thighdeep bog in pouring rain a few miles before Hurd Brook and arrived to a full shelter tired and wet but happy. Pitched my unseamsealed tent and hoped for the best.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up dry and refused to leave my tent until the rain let up. When I started hiking my gear was wet but I was dry, so I was happy.Run-in with a spider! Had to bushwhack around a fallen tree, and a spider jumped onto my shoulder. I screamed and jumped around like a fool, and he fell onto my foot. I screamed and jumped around like a fool again and he fell on the ground. I screamed again for good measure and he scurried away, unperturbed. Nothing like a little thunder to put some spring into my step- ran the last few miles to Rainbow Stream. The rain never came, though, and one of the guys at the lean-to made a fire. We all dried our socks over the fire and experienced our first smoke baths. For those who don't know, standing over a campfire replaces the smell of body with the smell of smoke. You smell like a Slim Jim the next day, but it's better than smelling like a foot. Full shelter again- Kermit/Lone Ranger and Dave/Thorny (both solo), Heather/Dreamer and Caitey/Rambo, Caleb and Nick, and Dan/Prancer and Jim/Thorny. I am now called Twix. You should be able to figure out why.
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Nahmakanta Stream campsite
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Gorgeous day. Maine has a knack for situating the AT along lakes and rivers and streams. Adding powdered milk to a PB and nutella tortilla adds awesome texture. Adding cheese from mac n cheese to roasted garlic mashed potatoes, on the other hand, is absolutely disgusting. I should have seen that one coming. As in senior week, time doesn't exist. Especially because I have no watch. There is only light time and dark time. But unlike senior week, all of my activity occurs during light. Bedtime is around 8.
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Nahmakanta Stream campsite

To: Cooper Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 15.7

 Wow, long day! My knees told me to stop after 8miles, but I ate lunch and took some Ibuprofen and told my knees to shut up. Moleskin is a beautiful invention. We have a little SOBO family going on- Me, Thorny, Lone Ranger, Prancer, Jim/Teapot, Dreamer and Rambo.Saw a BEAR! A little baby one. Thorny got his whistle out in case of mama bear, and I grabbed my camera. Ah, priorities. Something about the trail makes me want to speak with a southern accent. It's inexplicable, but my inner voice has acquired a twang. New best friend: 100% DEET. Some privies are gross. Others are varnished and have curtains and windows and wallpaper and doorknobs. Luxurious.
Date: 2007-06-08
From: Cooper Brook Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Much of thru-hiker conversation centers around food: what we're eating/cooking, what we ate last, what we'll eat for bfast/lunch/dinner, what we like and on't like to eat, what we'll have when we get to Monson, what our last real meal was, how much food we're carrying, how much we have left.A butterfly chilled in my shoe for 20 minutes at lunch today, flew away, found a friend and sat on my sock with her for another 15. Odd. Rambo has a ukelele! We have some awesome musicians in our group.
Date: 2007-06-09
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

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

Thunder last night!Thorny has a soothing snore but Teapot sounds like he's dying. The lean-to has an aggressive resident chipmunk. He was running up to our packs in broad daylight and barely even flinches when we shoo him away. Dreamer and Rambo want me to dread my hair. I'm not so sure about that.
Date: 2007-06-10
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: top of Third Mountain
Miles today: 12.2

INCREDIBLE day. Forded our first river- a NOBOer tried to scare us by telling us it was hip-deep (which got me all excited), but it was only shindeep. Oh well. Took a break there with Lone Ranger and Thorny- skipped stones and whacked rocks across the river with my hiking sticks. Teapot, Prancer, Dreamer and Rambo got ahead of us today. We stopped to cowboy camp under the stars on Third Mountain. I have never seen the stars so bright in my life- absolutely gorgeous. The lack of beef is doing weird things to my mind. As we scrambled up rocks, Thorny said "I always wanted to be a mountain goat." I immediately thought "I would love to EAT a mountain goat." Hmm...
Date: 2007-06-11
From: top of Third Mountain

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Every part of the trail today was just a little too long, but still had a great time. Took a long midday nap, so that helped. Today hated me:- lost a flipflop on a river ford- my favorite Twix stick (hiking stick) snapped- i gave myself a fat lip trying to drink from my water bottle- i tried to flip a stick off the trail with my remaining twix stick so I wouldn't have to step over it, but it flew up and hit me in the eye- i cut myself with my big, badass knife. I knew I would. 5 Twix bars today. Awesome. Ryan/Hot Pursuit, who took a day off after Katahdin because he was feeling sick, caught up today. Wow. He was doing BIG miles.