morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-27
From: Caratunk

To: Bald Mtn. Brook
Miles today: 17.0

We went down to breakfast, and found that the owner of Sterlling Inn was able to work out a slack for us. We were shuttledc 17 miles up the trail, and then headed south. The weather was great, and with light packs, we were able to make great time. We stopped In the afternoon for a swim in Pleasant Pond, and then finished up our hike.
Date: 2012-07-28
From: Bald Mtn. Brook

To: Monson
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: light rain

We arranged for the Inn owner to take us back to the trail, and deliver our gear to Lakeshore House, so we could slack into town. Monson is the last trail town before Katahdin, and it is a great place to meet other hikers. Monson is also the beginning of the 100 mile wilderness.
Date: 2012-07-29
From: Monson

To: Otter Pond
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

We arranged 3 slacks for the first part of the 100 mile wilderness, to help lighten our food load on the final push. It was a coll cloudy day. The clouds kept the temperatures down all day. Our driver took us north to Otter Pond, and we hiked back. We arrived to a new group of hikers. It is fun seeing the different faces that you have seen off and on along the way. There is a feeling of excitement, as the end nears.
Date: 2012-07-30
From: Otter Pond

To: Katahdin Iron Works rd.
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

We shuttled back to the trail and headed north. Climbed over Fourth and Third Mountain and then over Chairback. The first part down is pretty rugged, and then it smoothed out a bit. We helped a SOBO with a bad ankle get back to a shelter, so the day was a bit longer than planned.
Date: 2012-07-31
From: Katahdin Iron Works rd.

To: Crawford Pond
Miles today: 22.0

A beautiful hike with a gradual climb up Hagas Mountain,then over West Peak and Hay Mountain, then the climb up White Cap. I got my first look at Katahdin. The rest of the day was downhill to Crawford Pond. I saw a moose at the pond, then set upy tent on the beach.
Date: 2012-08-01
From: Crawford Pond

To: Whitehouse Landing
Miles today: 17.0

A rainy hike on relatively flat terrain with some rock hopping and slippery roots. The bog bridges were also slippery from the rain. I made it to the dock and sounded the air horn to be picked up. Nice boat ride over, and I was in time for lunch. I had a one pound burger for lunch, and then another for dinner.
Date: 2012-08-02
From: Whitehouse Landing

To: Polywog stream
Miles today: 13.5

The terrain stays low and rolling till the final ascent of Katahdin, never getting much above 1500 feet. The excitement is growing. We have checked the weather, and the forecast for our Sunday ascent is sunny and 80 degrees. It is hard to believe that end is in sight, and that I have actually walked thru 14 states to get here.
Date: 2012-08-03
From: Polywog stream

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It is about 17 miles from Polywog to Abol Bridge. Abol Bridge is where the trail crosses Golden Roa. Golden Road is a paved road used by the big logging trucks, and is a good way to get into Millinocket. A lot of hikers will go to Millinocket after they summit, but my last mail drop was there, so I decided to finish the adventure from there. Bat, Yappy, Beacon and I decided to get a room in town. We arranged a shuttle for Saturday and Sunday. We will do the 10 miles from Abol to The Birches early Saturday before it gets too hot, and then summit on Sunday. The forecast is calling for sunny skies and upper 80's
Date: 2012-08-05
From: Birches

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

A perfect day to summit. It was sunny and cool at the base. The climb was slow and tough. The ridge was very windy, with clouds rolling over. The weather broke as we reached the summit, and there were cheers all around. We took our photos and then popped the champagne. I am sure it will take some time to fully set in.
Date: 2012-01-01
To: Prep #1
Miles today: 0.0

First prep journal entry: 59 days until Springer. These will not be frequent, as I'm not much of a talker. I have 99% of my gear and I have tested it to the best of my abilities here in Central Florida. I've had my 0* sleeping bag down to about 28 degrees here in FL last winter, so I'm fairly confident with it. I had to take the rest of my cold weather gear home to Texas to see if it would be decent or not. I was promised 20's, but was only able to get to 33* or so. Still, jacket choices were made and I'm satisfied with my sleeping bag.I've had to send my hammock off for repairs, but will (hopefully) get it back soon. If not, I have a couple of light weight tents I've used before that will work. My Pocket Rocket also needs maintenance. I'm waiting to see if the stripped gas cylinder threads are under warranty or normal wear and tear. I picked 29 Feb as a starting date for several reasons: a. It's my deceased mom's birthdayb. It's fairly uncommonc. It gives me an extra day to complete the Trail!Train tickets are bought, hostel reservations are made, gear is almost ready. Bills are paid forward, so my wife won't have to worry about that. I do have a LOT of house/yard maintenance to complete, but that will fall in line. I'm going to start trying foods to see what will work for me. I plan to buy most of my food on the Trail, as that seems to be the conventional wisdom these days. Now for the nervous countdown to begin.
Date: 2012-01-29
To: Prep #2
Miles today: 0.0

29 Jan 2012 - Did a 7.75 mile practice hike in the Balm/Boyette Scrub. Got my Clark Jungle Hammock back from repairs and I wanted to check it out, plus play with different hanging configurations. Works great - tried with canopy up and down, hammock tied up to check out the living space underneath, bug net unzipped and put away, etc. Wasted about 50 minutes playing but that included a 20 minute nap. Didn't eat lunch - had things to get done at the house. This is the 3rd practice hike here: 1st one was about 7 miles and the 2nd was 11.75 miles. I'm trying to get out each weekend. Remember: 5 miles in flat FL is 1 mile in the mountains!Pack weight each time was 35-40 pounds. I load up with almost everything I'm actually taking and dump more in to bring the weight up. Pack is riding well. The only problem is my left knee is pinging at about mile 3 or so - starts to ache after that. I'm worried about the tendons on the back of and just above the knee joint, as this is where the pains are usually. Can't take vitamin I anymore with my other meds, so hopefully Tylenol will work.One problem: driving back home is when I actually stiffen up the most! I hobble into the house and it takes 15 - 20 minutes to unkink!Weather was cool and dry at first - started at 0800, temp about 56 - 60 degrees. Shared the 2 track with the mt bikers for a mile, then cut over to the north side of the scrub. After the first mile, I take my GI issue field jacket liner off, since I have started to warm up and sweat by then. Started to see wildlife after getting away from the bikers. Several groups of wild hogs, ranging from 8 to 3-4. I liked seeing those - they would crash away through the palmettos and when they hit a clump, the dew would spray up into the air. Actually saw a rainbow through the spray once. No piglets this time, just mid-range size hogs. Saw one whitetail, gracefully (of course) bounding away, unlike the mad rush of the hogs. 31 days until I stand on Springer and start!
Date: 2012-02-10
To: Prep #3
Miles today: 0.0

Improvise, adapt, overcome. AMTRAK threw me a curve and then fixed the problem. I was told that my itinerary was changed. I was going to have an 8 hour layover in Raleigh, NC during the daytime hours. Because of track repairs, my layover was changed to 13(!) hours, beginning at 0330. I called the Raleigh NC police department who firmly and politely told me NOT to stay in the station, but to take a hotel. I did so, since I couldn't get through to AMTRAK customer service. The reservation was non-refundable, but that was OK. About an hour later, naturally, I got through to AMTRAK. AMTRAK re-routed me with a sleeper to Washington D.C., with an 7 hour layover from 1000 to about 1700. Grand Central Station. Free baggage hold area. Lunch, dinner, breakfast provided. No transfers up or back. Arrive in Gainesville, GA at the same time, same day as before. Jump on that one! Called Holiday Inn reservations and actually was able to get a refund on the non-refundable reservation. Thank you both, AMTRAK and Holiday Inn! My only worries are the 8 hour trip back to Raleigh, NC in a coach seat, the only type they have and the carry on bag size. I may have to get a small duffel for some of my gear so the pack will fit the box.I'm laying out gear, packing it as if it was real now. 18 days until Springer. I'm waiting on one more piece of gear to come in next week. I was going to order more socks for backups, but found 4 pair in the top of my closet that I had purchased almost a year ago when I decided I was satisfied with the LLBean Cresta hiking socks. I'm glad I did - LLBean no longer carries the Bug Shield version.Going to check out technology for updating the journal and communicating with home this weekend. Lots of deals, lots of prices, lots of confusion. 18 days.
Date: 2012-02-28
To: Prep #4
Miles today: 0.0

Last prep entry - tomorrow is the start day. Thanks, Giunta Giants! The compressor bag was JUST what I needed to make room in my pack. My puffy down jacket lost 75% of the volume and freed up a lot of needed space! How did you know?!?AMTRAK: 1st leg great - sleeper was small, but a LOT better than the 2nd leg coach. Hostel: really nice - clean, comfy, friendly. Willy, Lea and Josh made me feel at home and the amenities are great. Location is spectacular in the mountains. 5 star recommendation!I'm really worried about the pack weight: 12 pounds alone in food. With 8 pounds of water, this brings the pack weight to about 43 pounds. I was going to cut down the food, but I'm not sure of my mileage. The extra weight will slow me down, but not enough food won't see me through the first 30 - 60 miles. I've cut down on almost everything else and still 43 pounds! Maybe only 4 pounds of water to start. Getting really antsy - got to the hostel at/about 0830 with nothing to do but try and re-think everything. This goes, no stays, no goes, no stays, until I'm biting my fingernails off at the quick. Gotta settle down - trust what I've done before and wish I'd done more practice hikes!Tomorrow: 0930 - Springer and the start of at 2,181 mile hike.
Date: 2012-02-29
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

Tired - not enough prep - too many years. Cool or cold, rainy and I forgot my poncho at the hostel. Not too wet, just damp. Thanks for the guest book encouragement and advice. Typing into phone now - won't say much more. Heavy t-storms tonight. Hope I'm battened down and ready.Thanks again for following my adventure.
Date: 2012-03-01
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

First: update last night. 3 waves of storms rolled over. I found out that seam seal does NOT last 4 years for some reason. Not much, just drops every now and then. 0* bag too much - very hot in the night. Lots of explosions and gunfire (M-60?) from the Ranger base. Today: up at 0710, but 2 hours to get on the Trail!! Not good. Overcast, cool, almost cold. Only 7 miles again - hard to grind more out. Slow ups, slow downs. Any flat sections and I can't get any speed up at all. Calves are aching, etc. Have met 2 other Pauls - each with a hammock. Orange Lightning and Paul from Pittsburg. We pass each other at the shelters and on the trail every now and then. In at Gooch about 1630 with a crowd of about 19 in and around the shelter. In bed at 1830, but only dozed through the night. Heavy t-storms predicted, but only rain about 0300 for 30 minutes or so. Took only 5 minutes to re-configure the fly from open to A-line. Supposed to have heavy t-storms tomorrow. No poncho - will be interesting.
Date: 2012-03-02
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: light rain

Woke up at 0700 again. As I had my light shining down the hamnmock, I noticed vapor going THRU my hammock set up. Dense, dense fog. Visibility down to 30 feet max. The fog lasted until my ride to the Hiker Hostel for the night. Again - 2 hours out of camp. Get up, start the packing process, eat (not hungry enough for the entire meal), finish packing, water up, bathroom break, start walking. When the Troop was hiking, Gordon and I got on the Trail in 45 minutes or so. I probably need someone to compete with. Had heavy t-storms predicted today and tonight, possible tornadoes. Orange Lightning and I got to Woody Gap - I decided to go to the hostel to spend the night and get gear. He went up the Trail about 5 minutes and came back down with a worse weather prediction for tonight. He's staying at the hostel as well. We walked about 2 miles out of the 6 to the hostel before getting picked up. He saw a copperhead that I stepped over and didn't see at all. Luckily, it was about 55*, so the snake was very sluggish. Good pictures, though.Fog lasted ALL day - sometimes you could see 100 feet, sometimes only 15. The wind constantly blew from the west, dripping water from the trees. I stayed dampish, but warmish while walking. I have some GREAT fog pictures, but my card reader is dead from the moisture. I'll try to get another later. Got more, LIGHTER food for the next 4 days. 7 miles a day is going to be bad. Tomorrow, it may either be 10 to Neels Gap or 5 to a camp site outside of the nuisance bear zone and 7 to the other side of Neels Gap. Got a rain jacket and found my beloved poncho. Mailed at least 8 pounds of cold weather gear home plus my heavy poncho, but just the extreme stuff. I hope my pack is down to about 40 pounds now or less. I'm prepared for several days now. Hike on.
Date: 2012-03-03
From: Woody Gap

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: few clouds

Exciting night at the Hiker Hostel. Tornado sirens went off at 2300 - strong T-storms and a tornado in Dahlonegah. I was in the basement, so I woke everyone up and we went into the kitchen for 30 minutes. Slept well - hospitality great. Got lighter food, but still too much. I will eventually get enough food for 3 meals per day on the trail. Woody Gap cold, very windy and foggy again. Orange Lightning bounded up the trail at once. I dug my cold weather stuff out and layered up. Got to Woods Hole - guy with Aussie shepard OFF leash was 50 off trail getting water. As I continued past him, his dog came charging up from behind: no growl, no bark. I spun around and had to put my stick up to stop it. I told the guy that it was supposed to be on a leash. No apology, no nothing. Up to shelter: another guy was around the corner, using the bathroom right at the shelter wall. Hmmmmm. Went up the hill a bit, pack off/candy bar break, pushed on. Too much trashy behavior for me. Got to Slaughter Creek campgrounds - very windy and cold. Exposed positions, no matter which site. Positioned my hammock to break the wind, but wind shifted during the night. Very cold - mini-thermometer down to 20* - not sure if correct. Hammock and sleeping bag getting cumbersome to use. I'm getting tired of having to get up and get dressed in the wind, elements, etc. Trying to decide if I should go back to my light tent or not. 7 miles again today. Hike on.
Date: 2012-03-04
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Wolf Laurel Top
Miles today: 6.5

Out of camp - cold, windy, bad. Mini-thermometer down to 20*, but I'm not sure if it was correct. Water bottle half frozen. All the mud from the previous rains is frozen solid. Lots of ice needles: the ice crystals that come up out of the ground and are rather interesting to see. No breakfast - decided to eat at Blood Mt. Shelter. Still took 1.5 hours to break camp and leave. Got up the Mt - only one guy with a dog on a leash - thanked him for the leash! No one else there. Ate, took pictures of perfectly clear, cold windy views - science video for my kids, but not sure when I'll be able to upload it. Lots of pictures as well.After I packed up, hoards of tourists arrived! Had one kid carrying a machete around! LOTS of tourists. Started down and got to Neels for a few supplies and lunch. Spent too much time loitering. Got a new pair of fleece gloves and a new canister; the old one started to leak and would not stop. Got a couple of Coleman meals. I gotta stop buying food.Got to Wolf Laurel Top to camp - looking for location out of wind, but took a while to find. Wind died down around sundown, so I was hopeful. North wind started again about midnight, though. Almost full moon was nice. Night hikers passing by at 0100 were not.
Date: 2012-03-05
From: Wolf Laurel Top

To: Low Gap Shelter planned
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Planned Low Gap Shelter - cold north wind all day, rumors and propaganda about 20* or worse tonight. PANIC TIME! Took 1.5 hours to get moving today - bagels and PBJ for breakfast, as wind and temp too cold. New gloves are great - I am so blessed that I was led to buy a rain jacket instead of a poncho on 02 Mar. The jacket has worked great at keeping me warm and blocking the wind. Out of the wind at Raven Cliffs for lunch - sunshine, great views, new daffodils coming up. Every time I start to feel sorry for myself, someone comes by with the same or worse tale of woe. Hat guy - kid with hood and hat - was first today. He actually started that day before me and was just now catching up. Chief from Hollywood, FL was next. Thanks, guys! Still worried about miles, but with 9 today, it may be looking up. Every day I hike, I'm a day behind a 15 miles per day schedule to finish at the end of July. Hot food, hot choc/coffee helps as well. North side of trail still frozen all day - saw 3 foot icicles on a spring as well. Cold, cold, cold today. Worse, supposedly, tonight.Trail was good up to the camp site. Up a gradual grade on an old mountain road, so I could move well. This helped the 9 miles total, plus the panic to find a spot out of the wind/cold.
Date: 2012-03-06
From: Low Gap Shelter planned

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

So much for PANIC TIME! Not anywhere near as cold as 2 nights ago. Layered up with all thermals, etc. but sweated all night. Took my hat off at midnight, socks shortly thereafter. Actually warm enough to cook breakfast today. NO ice in water bottle. Going with the tent anyway. I've seen too many good, flat campsites to worry about finding one. Tired of trying to get the pack all packed up in the wind, etc. Cant imagine what would happen in a rain storm, trying to pack. Had good place out of the wind behind the laurels and just over a ridge. Actually could see it on the topo map where the Trail went from straight east to a sharp north turn. still had a few gusts of north wind, but the hammock fly kept them out. At Blue Mountain Shelter, gave fig newtons to Man Cub and Kit Fox. I'm tired of carrying them and I don't really like them anyway. Decided to go to Helen, GA to rest/resupply/reset. Mail drop with tent, etc, arranged with my wonderful wife. Ankle is aching and i want to stop the Tylenol 500 mg in the morning for breakfast and at night to make sure I'm not masking anything bad. Questions to brother answered - thanks, Mark, to you and your bosses. Just before I left, Animal came up - carrying pack and 5 gallon bucket for extra gear. Nice guy - staying at shelter tonight! Helen tonight and tomorrow - I'm spending WAY too much money in the first week of my hike. I am getting a routine down, but I still need to figure out meals better. Everything else has seemed to gel fairly nicely except for the hammock problems. Hike on.
Date: 2012-03-07
To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Helen, GA today. I want to make sure the 500 mg of Tylenol morning and evening are not masking anything. Bought very little food - now have 9 meals for the next two days, which is still too much, but is much better. Aiming for Hiawassee, GA to pick up the mail drop by next Sat.Unpacked entire pack - can't find anything to drop, so my gear seems to be OK. Food is the problem. Helen is a nice, German-themed town. Maybe I'll find some spaghetti-eis. (Sorry, sweetie!) Again, spending WAY too much money at the beginning of the hike. AT Guide sent to my dad so he can follow me more closely - I'll bet my 7 miles per days is not visible with his push pins!Knee is OK - calves are slowly getting to where they don't ache on the trail. Ankle pinging, but seems not to be swollen or sprained. We'll see tomorrow when I get back on the Trail. Until today, was back up to the 7 miles per day average. With 9 miles 05 Mar, there seems to be hope in miles increasing. Hike on.
Date: 2012-03-08
From: Helen, GA

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dropped off at Unicoi Gap by Doug at or about 0800. I had 5.5 miles in by 1200! Almost went past Tray Mountain Shelter, as it was being worked on by the Georgia AT Club, but went in, since it was close. I'm glad I did - talked with a few older guys who had done the Trail and were with me on the mileage per day. I'm still hung up over it. Hiked into the fog in 15 minutes - stayed until about 1200 or so. It seems like being covered by a bowl of cotton that stays 50 - 75 feet away. Sun started to try and come though about noon. The fog went away and I could see through the sleeping trees at what we had always missed during the summers: the views of the mountains around. The boys don't know what they are missing. Got to Sassafras Gap just ahead of Flowers and Vika (sp?). I decided to go ahead and give them some privacy, but 1/2 mile up, nothing. Had to go back down, but was able to find a place across the Trail from them. Was clear and cool when I set up, but of course, at midnight, the rain started. I had to re-configure the hammock to rain mode. Can't wait until I get to Hiawassee to pick up the tent so I can get dressed and packed out of the wind, rain and fog.
Date: 2012-03-09
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Oh, oh, oh. Read the map, Old Hiker. I thought the pick up for Hiawassee was only 4 miles away, but got up at 0600 to try and reach it at 0930. I hit the Trail about 0700. Half-way there or so, I realized: 6.5 miles and I had to be there by 1115. It was cold, foggy and spitting rain when I got up - everything wet - hard to pack in the rain, etc. I decided to eat a little ways up the Trail when I could find a place out of the wind. After seeing my mistake, I decided to continue on. Very rough ups and downs, esp. with no breakfast. I ate a candy bar about 0800 or so, which helped for a little while. When I got to Deep Gap shelter, I was going to stop and cook something hot (COFFEE!!), but realized I had 3 miles to go. Deep Gap is .3 miles off Trail, so it would have added another .5 mile or so to the trip. I decided to push on after another candy bar. About 1015 or so, I HAD to have something, so I took a 15 minute pack-off break, ate 4 slices of bacon and the last 1/2 cup of trail mix and pushed on. I made the pickup just in time. I took my pack off and the van pulled in. 6.5 miles - 4 hours 15 minutes - very tired - kinda sore. Got the tent and Thermarest (Thanks again, Sweetie!). About a pound or 2 over my hammock, but the ease of morning pack-ups should make up for the weight gain. I have 40 miles until a pick-up to Franklin NC - 5 days or so, maybe less. We'll see. I'm slowing down the next day or so - I can't afford 2 nights in Hiawassee, but I need to rest a bit more. It looks like the terrain will be mellowing out just a bit for the next few days. Saw my first bear track on the Trail - very fresh by where it had been digging into a rotten log for insects and what not. The only other wildlife has been a few birds. I'm 8 miles from North Carolina. I remember that just over the border, they used 16 inch logs for steps up a mountain. Have a great Spring Break, everyone!Hike on!