morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-22
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Packed up my tent this morning, realizing I wouldn't be sleeping in it for while. The folks who slept on the porch said the no-see-ums were bad so good thing I set up the tent.While Croft and I were eating breakfast, this tiny fawn with all its white spots scampered by. Incredible! So young, but already has the deer-in-the-headlights look perfected.Hike today was good - knowing it was the end. Got to the turn-off for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy but continued to the Potomac foot bridge where I started in 2007. I was determined to find the first white blaze I saw then but either my memory was bad or they changed the blazes. Walked back through town to the ATC headquarters. So HOT walking through town without any shade from the trees. Had my official picture taken - the 144th section hiker this year. I announced that I had fabulous parting gifts and the ATC guy asked me what that was. I told him I was trying to get rid of my extra food - which I did easily. Picked up my maildrop - town clothes and a novel - so glad I thought to do that.Checked in at the Town Inn, showered, then went across the street to eat. These two lady tourists were horrified at my legs - I have horrible heat rash that takes longer to go away every day - good thing I'm not hiking tomorrow.Had Cobb salad and wheat beer at the Secret Six tavern with Sticker and Croft. Now lying in bed in the AC at the inn.Had a great hike this year - looking forward to the next section!
Date: 2010-03-24
To: Getting Started
Miles today: 0.0

I've had the grandiose plan of hiking the Appalachian Trail in its entirety ever since I first stepped foot on her in the early 1990's. I decided around the new year that this summer would be the perfect time for this event to occur. I graduate from college in the beginning of May and feel this will be one of the few opportunities (for many years to come) for me to put my life on hold for six months. I can defer my student loans for just the right amount of time, and my outstanding boyfriend has also agreed to take care of my two doggies (all of whom I will miss dearly). I must take advantage of such a luxury! I have put away enough money for the hike itself - $3000 (just need to save more $$$ for bills). I have also put in my notice at work regarding my last day (May 16th) and over half of my packing list is checked off! I am confident that I will be in Maine on or before the first of June. What happens after that only the goddess can be sure of, but I feel half of the battle is actually acquiring and applying motivation. Yes, this IS going to happen!!!
Date: 2010-03-25
To: Packing List
Miles today: 0.0

Packing List (version 1.4)On Body:- Backpack - Kelty Trekker 3900 (5 lbs. 6 oz.) w/ Ultra-Sil pack cover (4oz)- hiking boots x2 (pre-broken in; will only carry one at a time)- Baseball hat- Converter pants - North Face, nylon- T Shirt - synthetic material- Socks w/ linersIn Pack:- Trail Sneakers - Keen Newports- T Shirt x2 - REI Polartec Power Dry, lightweight; Life is Good Good Move Tee- Shorts - nylon- Gaiters - REI low Cut (7 oz.)- Water proof Rain Jacket - North Face Hyvent - Headlamp (w/ xtra AAA batteries)- Fleece Jacket- Socks x2 pairs- Sock Liners x1-underwear/Bra- Thermal Top/Bottom- Glove Liners- Wool Cap- 7x15" Stuff Sack (.9oz)Sleep System: - Ground Tarp- Sleeping Pad (Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Mattress - 10 oz.)- Sleeping Bag -REI Zephyr +15 (3 lbs.)- waterproof Compression Sack- Tent - Eureka Spitfire Tent (2 lbs. 12 oz.)Kitchen:- MSR WhisperLite Backpacking stove (11.5 oz.)- Fuel Bottle- Spork-compact scraper (.4oz)- GSI Outdoor Cooking Pot (1.3 L)- Fry pan (7.5¢)- Iodine- S/P - EVOO - Maple Syrup- Water Bottle- Steripen Adventurer Water Purifier- Waterproof matches/lighter- stuff sack for food w/50' utility cord and carabinerToiletries/First Aid:- Toilet Paper- Ziplock Baggie(s) for trash- Dr. Bronners Bio. Soap (2oz)- Toothbrush/small tube of paste- Sunscreen (2oz)- Chapstick x2- Foot Powder (3oz)- Band-Aids, Moleskin, Aleeve, Needle/Dental Flossmisc.:- Trekking Poles - Leki- Water Bladder (2 L)- Bug head net- Insect Repellent- Bandana- Multipurpose tool - Gerber- Camera- Some cash; Debit Card; Driver's License; list of important #'s- Compass and Map/Data book- Food- H2O** Also contemplating on bringing a neck warmer and a pack towel. Any feedback/comments would be greatly appreciated
Date: 2010-04-10
To: First Shakedown Hike
Miles today: 0.0

I managed to get in almost a nine mile hike today. I started at the Shanahan trail head in south Boulder and took the North Fork Shanahan Trail for 1.8 miles till I got the to Mesa Trail. I hiked the Mesa Trail for 1.2 miles, then hopped onto Shadow Canyon Trail. Shadow Canyon goes for 1.5 miles and has a 1,620 foot elevation gain. I planned on doing a loop, but there was too much snow and ice in the canyon to the north. So, finished at Bear Peak - 8,461 feet, and then headed back the same way I came. It was a beautiful day, with a cool breeze and maybe a high of 60. I wore my pack and took the equipment I have thus far for my trip. It felt good to be on the trail with the weight. I¢m sore as all heck, and I know more poundage is only to come, but it was still nice to be out there! Definitely made me realize that I need to work more on my cardio - was thinking of starting a running regiment next week, but we¢ll see how ambitious I am then I am tirelessly searching Craigslist for a used food dehydrator but with no luck. I may just have to $uck it up and buy one new - which could work out better in the long run, anyway. Thank you to everyone who has passed along links on info and ideas for trail meals and preparation. They¢ve all been really helpful!
Date: 2010-06-09
To: foooood
Miles today: 0.0

The final countdown has begun! I¢m getting a later start than I had originally intentioned - life is incredibly difficult to plan - but I believe this has all worked out to my advantage. I have used this extra time wisely by keeping busy with long hikes, personalizing my own sort of data book and also dehydrating/prearranging my meals. All the food is coming out amazing, thanks to many of your suggestions and online sources (two great ones are Loon¢s 09 Northbound hike http://www.trailjournals.com/about.cfm?trailname=7612 and www.backpackingchef.com). I never realized that you can dehydrate anything/everything and have literally been doing just that 24/7 since graduation. I¢ve cooked up a lot of recipes from the Moosewoods cookbook. Some of my favorites that smell tasty are the bulgur chili, cauliflower marranca and punjab eggplant w/ black rice; however, dehydration is a crazy long process and wish I had bought a food dehydrator much, much earlier. So far, I have enough breakfast and snack material to last me the first 100 days of the journey and am quite confident that after a visit to Costco I will be all set in those two departments. Making dinner, on the other hand, is more time consuming, and as of now I only have enough meals for the first 73 days - getting there, but will most likely have to buy comida toward the end of the hike. Making my food ahead of time will help cut down on cost$, and I need to pinch my pennies wherever I can since I¢m trying/having to do this hike on the cheap. I found this great store called Simply Bulk out in Longmont, CO that carries a massive selection of beans, rice, granola, dried fruit etc., all in bulk and at a reasonable price. I paid less than .90cents a pound for oats and nearly all the granola was marked at $3.99 a pound - now that¢s exciting! They also had chocolate covered sunflower seeds!Just prior to leaving Colorado, I will preassemble 17 boxes and stock them according to the length in between predetermined re-supply points, being anywhere from four to nine days apart. Then my *amazing* boyfriend will mail them out to me! Really hoping this plan fits like a glove Oh, I¢m so excited!Next update will probably be from the trail! Wish me luck!!!
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Katahdin

To: Katahdin 
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: moderate rain

I ended up getting to Katahdin Stream a little later than I had wanted (my dad and I took the "scenic" route) and didn't start up the mnt till 9:15ish. The weather report did not look promising - t storms all day - and I felt like I was in a race against the clouds and distant thunder. I only passed three others on the way up the Hunt trail (also southbounders), all carrying their heavy packs. I wisely opted to use a day pack offered at the ranger station. Don't think I would have made it otherwise!!! More people were headed down as I got closer to the top, many just out for the weekend. Later saw in the registry some NOBOs finished up that day - uncle frank and roadrunner! Inspiring! It rained a little, and the clouds never really parted but I made it to the top and back in just under 7 hours. Never thought a 5,268 foot mnt would be able to kick me arse like katahdin did!I cooked up butternut squash risotto for dinner, but was too exhausted/excited/nervous to eat it all. I was curled up in my sleeping bag by 6:30. Rained for a few hours during the night.
Date: 2010-06-21
From: Katahdin 

To: Hurd Brook lean-to
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: few clouds

Today was beautiful with little humidity. The trail started off flat and followed along a river. I probably took way too many breaks, but I kept catching amazing views of Katahdin that I just had to stop for. The terrain changed almost immediately upon entering the 100 mile wilderness and started going uphill. After so many miles, I lost my breakfast and the little bit of dinner I had the night before - luckily not too far from the shelter. There I met three section hikers from Florida and a fellow southbounder, Ghost Pirate from Vermont. Managed to get my entire dinner of cauliflower marranca down, and man it was tasty!Set my tent up not far from the shelter and bear bagged my food (not sure if this was necessary, but felt i should get some practice in). The privy was absolutely disgusting, and is long due for a change!
Date: 2010-06-22
From: Hurd Brook lean-to

To: Rainbow Spring campsite
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I hiked the first part of the day with Ghost Pirate, but was still not feeling well (threw up again!) and was able to convince him to go ahead without me. I stopped for a good hour by Rainbow lake with two SOBOs, Jeb and Edge, before moving on to a close campsite - which I had all to myself! I arrived by three, set up my tent, took a nap, cooked food (greek pilaf) and then went back to sleep. I know it is only day three, but I am beginning to think my body may not be cut out for this. Every time I move some part of me cramps up.
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Rainbow Spring campsite

To: Wadleigh Stream lean-to
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

Woke up to rain, which never really let up. Nesuntabunt mnt was amazing, esp the staircase on the southside, but incredibly steep. Was able to eat a good bit today, but the energy level is wAy down! Ate Punjab eggplant w/ rice for dinner, and it was my first night sleeping in a shelter - must say I prefer my tent due to a loud snore coming from one of the two sharing the space.
Date: 2010-06-24
From: Wadleigh Stream lean-to

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 7.8

Another morning rain so made an unanticipated stop at the oasis in the 100 mile - white house landing. Good food and great people. The owners, Bill and Linda, were so nice and their location on the lake is gorgeous! Getting my appetite back - split a 14" pizza w/ hiker Tired Dog (who hiked the AT in '95) and drank two Gatorades. Took a shower, made some phone calls, then had a boca burger for supper, although I was very tempted to eat the infamous 1# burger. Stayed in the bunkroom for the night. Feeling much better!I recommend stopping here If you have the extra $$$ and time to spend. It is worth the 1.2 mile walk! And if the weather is favorable you can take out their canoe.
Date: 2010-06-25
From: White House Landing

To: Cooper Brook Falls
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: broken clouds

Started the day right w/ eggs, English muffin, oj and all u can eat blueberry pancakes. It was an easy day, terrain wise (minus the roots and mud), and it wasn't too hot. Stopped to have an early lunch at the sandy beach on Jo-Mary lake. It was sooooo nice!Shared the lean-to with Tired Dog and also a kid from Oregon who ate dandelion greens for dinner and AntsPants from Maine - who also stayed the night at White House. He'll be the first to tell you, get to the dock and sound the airhorn well before it is dark - or you'll have an angry Bill to deal with cooked up couscous with babaganoosh. A little bland.
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Cooper Brook Falls

To: Logan Brook 
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

This site probably has the best water you will find in Maine - so cold and crisp and it flows down sets of waterfalls. I arrived at the lean-to before Tired Dog and Ants, looked like rain so I decided to make a fire. Perhaps the first one I have ever made by myself! It didn't amount to too much, but I was still pumped! Ants got it really going, tho, with his 19oz hacksaw!Tomorrow will either be really short or really long.Store bought teriyaki noodles for dindin.
Date: 2010-06-27
From: Logan Brook 

To: Carl A Newhall
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Finished hiking the remainder of White Cap mnt today, and it was absolutely beautiful up there!!! What a way to start one's day! I was thinking it may have gotten it's name from all the quartz? Hate to admit this cause my pack is heavy enough, but picked up my first rock today Tired Dog and I hung out on top for a good while, enjoying the views and the early morning breeze. He is finishing up his section tomorrow and getting off the trail. I am sad to see him go - nothing but great fellowship and sound advice - but I suppose that will be the way of the AT! I arrived at the shelter quite early but decided not to keep going so I could hang with Tired Dog for one more day. More southbounders and a flipflopper (Coop) trickled in, and for the first time there was a full house. Woke up in the middle of the night with a mouse on my arm, but easily fell back asleep (thank u zanax!).Tonight I Ate three bean lentil.
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Carl A Newhall

To: Cloud Pond
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

Woke up to heavy, fat rain this morning which continued thruout the day. Surprisingly, I had a lot of fun the first half of the day. Hiked around the Gulf Hagas area (which I will one day return to because it seemed oh so magical) and forded a wide, thigh deep river with Ants and Weatherman. Then it was onto Chairback Mnt. I had planned on stopping at the first shelter, but Ants motivated me to cont. with the promise of a fire! How could I refuse?! Three and a half more mnts later (and still raining) I somehow made it to cloud pond. The place was full w/ the crew from the previous night (ants, weatherman, bread and butter, stump and finally skittles), plus two other SOBOs (hat trick and Lancelot) and a couple w/ their dog out for the weekend. I set my tent up by the pond and even tho everything was soaked in the morning I woke up to loons and bullfrogs - yes, making it all worth it! And, true to his word, Ants made a really nice fire!Such a loooong day - Forced down spaghetti mixed w/ instant mashed potatoes.
Date: 2010-06-29
From: Cloud Pond

To: Wilson Valley
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

Didn't start the day off till about 9:00. I was just too tired from yesterday's mileage to get up early. Arrived at the shelter just as the rain started to fall so decided to stay put! If I hadn't been such an equal contributor, the stench of all of us packed in would have caused me to vomit! we smelt so bad! Oh, glorious Monson only a wakeup away!!! I cannot wait for a shower!Getting to town a day early so I ate two meals - bulgar chili and veggie lasagna from backpacker's pantry (which was delicious).oh, and the black flies and mosquitoes have been next to nonexistent!!!
Date: 2010-06-30
From: Wilson Valley

To: Monson
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

everything was wet and cold this morning, but i still managed to crawl out of the sleeping bag for an early start. i needed town bad - one begins to go loopy after eleven days in the woods. plus, i was hungry as all heck! got to the Maine and Atlantic Railroad just in time to see a train pass - about 6:30. the ford crossing at little wilson was intense, to say the least. the past couple days of rain made the water deep and fast. my legs were shaking bad, and i was honestly afraid! but alas, i lived to tell the tale and made it to the ever beautiful and powerful Little Wilson Falls. i ate a snack and hung out for a bit, then headed on my way to Monson - thinking of what wonderful food i would eat when i arrived. i was so deep in thought that i missed a quite obvious turn around one of the ponds and went a mile or so in the wrong direction. just my kind of luck! I ended up walking the four miles into town. Not yet sure how i feel about hitchhiking - first, any crazy could pick you up & second, i'm out here to walk so why am i asking for a ride? anyway, exhausted I found my way to Shaws (www.shawslodging.com), where Dawn (the owner) took good care of me! shower, laundry, nice bed, .50 sodas. oh, and my dad called ahead and paid for my stay! so, decided to take a day off (a zero) tomorrow. Met some more Southbounders here - Crazy Talk, Chipmunk, Boss Lady, Sherpa and Coop (a highspeed flipflopper). The other guys I've been hiking with for the past few days all stayed at the Lakeshore House. I went there for dinner and had a pizza and a bottle of vino.i now have a (temporary?) trail name - just jill.it feels great to finally be out of the woods. the 100 mile wilderness broke me, day after day. She was challenging, for sure, from the terrain, to the weather, to my ego. an untouched and wild place. a truly humbling experience!
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Monson

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

took a day off from walking. had all you can eat breakfast at Shaw's. went to the post office to ship back unneeded items (ground tarp, extra tent stakes, a pair of socks, extra chapstick, extra t-shirt). i also broke up a package of food i had previously sent to Shaw's and "bumped" it ahead to Stratton - about five days from here. i had originally planned on carrying nine days worth of food, but after the 100 Mile realized this would be way too heavy!I had dinner with two section hikers at Lakeshore - Birdwoman, a retired school teacher from Pennsylvania who is finishing up her AT hike after 20 years! and G.R.U.M.P (grateful retired united methodist pastor), a 72 year old Korean War vet who is slowly making his way up to Katahdin.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Monson

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

The day off helped immensely, and I felt great hiking today. I'm sure another AYCE Breakfast at Shaw's didn't hurt, either i'm still traveling with Ants, weatherman, stump, butter (bread got off the trail in Monson), skittles and "the bros" (as they do not like to be referred as). I typically hike by myself during the day, except for moments in passing and lunch breaks, and then at the end of the day we all end up at the same place, more or less. it's nice to have company. there's actually more people on the trail than i thought there'd be. And everyone is super nice and pretty funny!lots of loons on Bald Mnt Pond tonight!
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was incredibly tuff. The miles and elevation gain from yesterday made my legs feel like bricks. But Bald Mnt had beautiful 360* views, with little cloud cover ¢ but tons of wind - and it made me forget about how tired I was (at least momentarily). The day got even more spectacular with the clouds totally parting by the time I reached Pleasant Pond Mnt. This ascent was a long one with many false peaks. I kept thinking I was at the top, but then knew better because there would be no signs (the MATC does an excellent job telling you where you are). Finally made it to the summit and, jeez, was it amazing! Woods and lakes as far as the eye could see. I am falling in love with Maine!If you follow one of the footpaths from the Pleasant Pond Lean-to it leads down to a dock on the water and AT hikers are allowed to use it. I took a nice and refreshing swim/bath. Tons of people were out there today, celebrating the Fourth.   I tented tonight a bit away from the shelter and ate Black Quinoa with corn and beans.
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Pleasant Mond Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: few clouds

For the past couple of days I have had these dreams that I miss the ferry across the Kennebec River and it forever ruins my hiking trip. So, I anxiously woke up early this morning to hightail it to the river. I made it there very quickly, by 9:15 ¢ this section was perhaps the easiest terrain I have encountered so far on the AT. Ants caught up with me and we flew through it, after getting dive bombed by some angry birds. The gentleman who canoed me across the Kennebec is a volunteer for the MATC and he works the ferry once a week. He and his wife are responsible for the awesome new bog boards north of here.The day shaped up great, and I took it pretty easy. The group met up at Pierce Pond Lean-to, and it was just too nice for me to pass up. I immediately set up my tent lakeside and jumped in the water for another desperately needed swim and bath! Ants and The Bros pushed on ahead to get in some more miles. The gentleman working the canoe told me Pierce Pond was the best shelter in Maine and I do believe he is right!!! Stump and I backtracked to Harrison Pierce Pond Camp to sign us all up for a 12 pancake breakfast in the morning. Tim Harrison, the proprietor since 1986, is an interesting guy and seems hardened like a typical Mainer ¢ but he was very nice and very passionate about the wilderness. He is currently working to stop wind turbines from being placed on the Bigelow Mnts just south of here. He will let you look around his place, too, and there are some awesome waterfalls just up the river. He also warned me about setting up my tent too close to the pond because of the gnats and noseeums ¢ but I surprisingly had no problems with them!
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was by far the hottest day yet. I really didn¢t think Maine got this warm, and the clothes and sleeping bag I packed are way too much. Every bit of me was dripping yet with sweat, making me feel pounds heavier. Luckily, I had pancakes and eggs in my gut to get me thru it all. To make it worse the horseflies were relentless so I had to wear my bug net. I met two old MATC volunteers who were out cutting down some fallen trees. They gave me cold water and extra to take with me. They also told me about ¢the tubs¢ at Little Bigelow Lean-to, which are pools of water along a little crick just near the shelter. The prospect of dunking my body in cool water motivated me to keep on going. The water was great, and I even did a load of laundry! I was all set up to sleep in the shelter tonight, but it was so darn hot that I ended up setting my tent up. The place was crowded with a large youth group and four northbounders, plus Stump, Weatherman, Butter and Skittles. Tonight I ate Cheddar Broccoli Noodles (Lipton pasta sides), which was not very fulfilling.