morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-12
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: John's Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

I absolutely could NOT sleep last night. I just couldn't get comfortable. I was up probably all night and about 5:30, I decided to start packing and get going. Everyone was still in bed as I hit the trail at 6:15. The trail was on a ridge with tons of technical rocks and I was really not enjoying scrambling over them. Around 7:30, I got caught in more torrential downpour. It was all around not fun at all and I even skipped the short side trail to the Dragon's Tooth, which is supposed to be really cool. I made it to a road around 1:30 and walked a mile into Catawba VA. The weather cleared up and I got some cold drinks at the general store and my moral was greatly improved. I sent Chelsea a couple of post cards while I waited for friends to show up. They finally did around 5 and we all went to the Home Place restaurant nearby which was probably the best place we've eaten so far. It was a homestyle, all you can eat for like $13. We definitely got our money's worth and hitched back to the trail to hike a mile or so to the next shelter. Once there, I heard a few gun shots... not so sure about that.
Date: 2009-06-13
From: John's Spring Shelter

To: The Witcher Home
Miles today: 18.8

Epic day. With no rain too! McKaffe Knob was just a few miles from where we camped and it very well may be the best view on the entire trail. We hung out there a while and then pressed on. Later were Tinker Cliffs with more amazing views. Later in the day we came across a couple doing some trail maintenance near a shelter and they offered everyone a soda. It was delicious. We get to talking to them and it turns out that they are the Witchers, who thru-hiked several years ago with their 2 kids, ages 8 and 11. Their daughter, Cascade, who is now 18 is hiking the trail again this year. They offered to let us come to their house in Daleville so we could shower and do laundry and sleep in a bed. We pushed it to Daleville and hit up a Mexican restaurant and then Teresa and Homer came and picked us up. (Us being myself, bandammit, buttchinz, penny and tron) They really hooked us up! Another cool thing was that Cascade, who's near New Jersey in her hike had come home for the weekend to attend her high school graduation so we got to meet her. The Witchers are pretty much amazing!
Date: 2009-06-14
From: The Witcher Home

To: Fullheardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: broken clouds

We woke up and had big bowls of cereal for breakfast. We did laundry and for the first time in a while, I feel like my clothes are actually almost clean. Homer returned from shuttling some other hikers and dropped us off at the grocery store. I bought supplies and the headed to Bojangles to get on of those cajun chicken biscuits and it was everything I dreamed it would be. There was an outfitter in the same shopping center but it is closed on sundays. I don't know why you'd have an outfitter less than a mile from the most popular trail in the world and not be open in the middle of hiking season but they were. We did however, find a very interesting flyer on the door of the outfitter. It mentioned a free cookout for hikers and just happened to be today at 3! We had planned on hitting the trail just after resupply but for the whole trip thus far, we've seemed to miss all these things so we decided to hang around the nearby coffee shop until 3, eat and then hit the trail. 3 o'clock rolls around and we make our way to the field behind the Hojo. There were a bunch of hikers we knew as well as the people throwing the party. They were a group of college aged friends that dig hikers and just wanted to throw a party. It was really fun. I ate my share of hot dogs and chips and apples. I also climbed a tree. They even brought out several guitars and penny and tron whipped out their penny whistles and everyone just had a swell time. We didn't actually hit the trail until after 6. The hike was pretty easy and I'm tenting nearby. One interesting thing about this shelter is that there's no nearby spring or stream so they have this system set up where rain water drains off the roof into a cistern where you can get some from a spigot. It's really nice to have the water source right next to the shelter but the color of the water coming out was an interesting marriage between brown and orange. Yummy.
Date: 2009-06-15
From: Fullheardt Knob Shelter

To: Bearwallow Gap
Miles today: 16.7

I crossed over the blue ridge parkway today which begins a section of the trail where it crosses the parkway all the time. Later in the day, bandammit has a wonderful idea. Since his family lives nearby, we could get picked up and spend the night there and then do a 20+ mile slack-pack tomorrow and then take a zero day, getting very well fed and sleeping in beds. He makes the call and we get picked up and taken into Bedford VA. Bandammit, buttchinz and I enjoy showers and a BBQ dinner. The warnalis family knows how to spoil some hikers, that's for sure. Now we're relaxing and watching a movie.
Date: 2009-06-16
From: Bearwallow Gap

To: BRP m 76.3
Miles today: 20.1

We were very glad to be slack-packing today as there were a few tough climbs. The weather was pretty cloudy for most of the day and then it rained only slightly later. Other hikers were jealous of our brown bag lunches of sandwiches and fresh fruit. We didn't make it quite as far as planned but still made it over 20 miles so it wasn't much to complain about. After dinner we went to dairy queen for some ice cream and the went and bought some root beer. I don't know what it is but I have never been crazy about root beer before but since I've been out on the trail, I crave it all the time. We're planning on watching another movie later and I'm really excited about a zero day tomorrow!
Date: 2009-06-17
From: BRP m 76.3

To: BRP m 76.3
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day! This was a pretty good one too. We drove about 30 minutes to Lynchburg VA so we could go to Chick-fil-a. We timed it just right so that we got there about 10:15 so we could get breakfast. We then went to Barnes and Noble and then back to Chick-fil-a for lunch. It tasted even more amazing than usual. This may be the last time I get some until I get back to ATL so I savored every bite. We went to a thrift store and I bought a pair of shorts for $2 since the ones I had were bothering me a bit and had become just a little to large. I also bought a lot of books since I found several good ones and they were so cheap. I mailed most of them home to read later. We spent the evening uploading pictures and relaxing. I worked on a birthday letter for Chelsea and we watched Little Miss Sunshine. It was probably the most perfect zero day possible.
Date: 2009-06-18
From: BRP m 76.3

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Bandammit dropped buttchinz and I off at the trail since he is taking several more days off to visit his girlfriend. He's planning on meeting back up with us in Waynesboro later next week. After yesterday's rain, today's weather in beautiful. It's sunny and warm but a steady, cool breeze makes it really nice. I also crossed a really cool footbridge over a large river. I'm tenting behind the shelter and just after dark, we all hear a huge branch break and then fall to the ground with a loud crash awfully close to my tent. I got out a looked above me and there didn't appear to be any that might fall on me.. Hopefully I won't die tonight.
Date: 2009-08-06
From: Blue Mountain Summit

To: Kent CT
Miles today: 0.0

Hello faithful followers! You may be wondering if I'm still even on this trail given the time it's been since my last update. My apologies. It turns out that all the hiking, adventuring and beard growing has been quite the full time job lately. Do not worry though; all of the said adventures have been fully chronologed and will be on this site eventually for your enjoyment. Here's but a taste of some of the things that have happened lately:I've hiked through West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and am now in Connecticut!I took time off in the DC area and New York City. I stayed in the house of the old mayor of Unionville NY with 30+ other hikers. I saw a crap ton of bears. I got struck by lightning on the Brooklyn bridge. Don't worry, I'm okay. I saw Harry Potter at a drive in with no car and stealth camped right in front of the screen. I've night hiked by the light of moon. I got some sweet trail magic from a guy named Patio that included chocolate milk and trail bombs, as well as a lot of Frank Sinatra trivia. I swam in a glacier-formed lake by the light of the moon. Also with shooting stars. I've eaten hundreds of wineberries. And I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.   Obviously, a lot more has happened and I will be doing my best to get it on here for you soon. I've only got a few more states left!
Date: 2009-08-07
From: Mt. Moosilauke 

To: Crawford Notch 
Miles today: 551.1
Weather: fog

Hi from Kage's mom, Lisa. Kage has not had a chance to update this journal so I thought I would just give a little info on where he is at this point in his journey to Katahdin. Kage has made it to New Hampshire and the White Mountains. I spoke with him on Saturday from the Hiker Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH. Mostly we communicated through Facebook as his phone crashed! So unless we can figure out a way to get a computer to him to restore his phone, he will be without one for the rest of his hike. Yesterday he climbed Mt. Moosilauke which means he has hiked 1,785.5 miles on his journey with only 392.8 miles to go!Kage has been dealing with a lot of wet weather which means he has hiked in A LOT of mud. He is not hiking with anyone specific as the people he was walking with have mostly gotten off the trail for one reason or another. Kage has said he doesn't mind and is still enjoying his walk in the woods. When I spoke with him on Saturday, it was a very frustrating day for him. Since arriving in the Whites, the weather has gotten colder and his sleeping bag was not sufficient for the cold. He spent a couple of chilly nights. Kage was trying to order a new bag but the one that he wanted was put on backorder and could not be shipped. We spent the day looking online, calling outfitters and trying to find him the bag AND somehow get it delivered to him ASAP. Finally, we found an outfitter in Oregon that had the bag he wanted and is overnighting it so that he receives it in Bartlett, NH tomorrow. That on top of losing his phone made for a very frustrating day. But in typical Kage fashion, he still had a great attitude and when I told him to try and find a good cap for the cold, he replied that he didn't need one because he has lots more hair to keep him warm!Kage has said that he hopes to complete the Whites by next week and then he will be in MAINE! He has also said he will probably slow down a little as he wants to enjoy this last part of his hike and these last two states have some of the best scenery on the trail to enjoy. He is planning on reaching Millinocket, Maine by September 25th, summit on the 26th and fly home on the 27th. His two best friends, Trey and Chelsea will be arriving in Millinocket on the 25th as well so that they can summit with Kage and help him celebrate. I can't believe it is almost done!I know that Kage is planning on writing more details of his journey in this journal when he returns. He has kept a little notebook that he makes notes in everyday. So please be patient, keep looking for updates, sign his Guest Book, and keep those prayers coming. Kage will need those prayers especially as he hikes the Whites as they are very challenging and more than one hiker has had to leave the trail from injuries sustained in these mountains.Until next time, Keep the Faith!Lisa PS. Ignore the daily miles in this entry. I just wanted to total miles to show how far he has come!
Date: 2009-09-02
From: Crawford Notch

To: Mt. Washington
Miles today: 53.5

Hi again from Kage's Mom, Lisa. I spoke with Kage this evening from Crawford Notch Campground. He had to call me on a pay-phone as his phone is history. He sounded good but said that he was exhausted. He did 18 miles yesterday as he climbed Mt. Liberty and 15 miles today. Kage said that he was tired more from these 15-18 mile days than when he did 34 miles in one day. He said the climbs were VERY challenging! Last night he stayed in his first hut which was the Galehead Hut. He was able to work for stay by sweeping the dining room and straightening out the game shelves. He was then given space on the dining room floor to sleep, which as cold as it was last night was very welcome. Kage received his new sleeping bag today and a package from home with the last of the Companion pages as well as a great stocking cap. Thanks Aunt Luanne! He laughed when he told me he had just bought one but that he likes the one Luanne sent much better to sleep in because it's so soft. Now that he has everything he needs to combat the cold, it's time to climb Mt. Washington tomorrow. Mt. Washington is the highest peak in the Northeast at 6,288' and is known for very unpredictable weather. He has reservations to stay tomorrow night at the Lake of the Clouds Hut.Kage is planning on slowing down his miles to about 13 for the next couple of days so that he can enjoy as well as be very careful about not getting hurt. He is hoping to be in Maine on Monday which will leave him with only 281 miles. Kage said it is finally hitting him that the end is getting nearer and nearer. He has endured much but with a fabulous heart and steady spirit. We are very proud of him!Please keep the prayers coming and also words of encouragement in his guestbook would be greatly appreciated.Til' next time...Lisa
Date: 2009-09-07
From: Gorham, NH

To: Mahoosuc Notch
Miles today: 58.3

Hello again from Kage's mom, Lisa. Spoke with Kage this morning from a hotel in Gorham, NH. He was just heading out for his hike and planned to camp tonight at the first shelter in Maine. He was glad to stay in the hotel last night as he was worn out from the strenuous climbing the last several days. He summited Mt. Washington on Wednesday after staying the night at the Lake of the Clouds Hut. In order to do the work for stay, he would have had to wait to eat until the guests had finished which wasn't until about 9PM. He arrived there about 6:30 and was hungry and tired. Kage decided to pay the fee to stay in an underground bunk house, cook his own meal and go to bed. He started out Wednesday morning with a little cloud cover but it blew away as he finished he ascent to the summit of Mt. Washington. Kage said the views were incredible but as it was cold and windy, he didn't stay to long.Tomorrow, Kage is going to be hiking the famous (Infamous?) Mahoosuc Notch. Many people call this the most difficult mile on the entire trail. Basically, you are climbing on, under, around, over or between huge boulders marked with the white blaze of the trail. Keep those prayers coming that he doesn't get hurt!Kage has 281 miles to hike in Maine and 18 days to do it in. This means he needs to average 16 miles per day. He hopes to be in Rangely by Friday and Monson the following Friday. After Monson, he has the 100 Mile Wilderness and finally Baxter State Park and Mt. Katahdin!Stay tuned and I will update when I hear from Kage again.Lisa
Date: 2009-09-12
From: Rangeley Maine

To: Monson, Maine
Miles today: 60.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I spoke with Kage this morning from Rangely, Maine! He is really loving this part of his hike. Kage said that Mahoosuc Notch was a blast to climb and it was actually the climb after that really kicked his butt. He has had perfect weather, not to warm during the day and cool at night and no rain to speak of. Kage said that the river forges that he had heard were difficult were no problem at all and that he hardly has gotten his feet wet. Kage told me of one special day and some surprising trail magic. He was hiking and came to a large pond. Right there on the banks of the pond was an empty canoe with oars and 3 life jackets. He couldn't believe someone carted this canoe into the mountains but he felt that he was meant to take it for a little spin. He loved going out on the water for a bit! Kage never did see anyone that the canoe belonged to.His plan today is to go to the grocery store for his last (GASP!) grocery run. Kage said there is not a real grocery store in Monson so he was going to stock up now and mail his food for the 100 Mile Wilderness ahead to pick up in Monson. His goal is to reach Monson by next Friday or Saturday which leaves him 5 or 6 days to get to Baxter State Park for his summit. Shouldn't be a problem as its only a little over 100 miles and no major climbing.Still no moose sighting! This is one of Kage's goals for the trip. He has seen LOTS of moose poop but no moose. I hope he gets his wish. He is hiking Saddleback Mountain today and will hike 105 miles in this next week. He will be checking in next in Monson so Kage or I will post an update then. Thanks for reading this journal and encouraging Kage on his hike. Please sign the guestbook if you have the time.Keep the Faith,Lisa (Kage's Mom)
Date: 2009-09-19
From: Monson, Maine

To: Millinocket, Maine
Miles today: 105.5
Weather: broken clouds

I spoke with Kage this morning from Monson, Maine. Last stop before the "100 Mile Wilderness" and last resupply before Katahdin. Kage had hoped to update his journal himself but the library is closed on Saturday. He arrived last night and stayed at Shaw's Lodging. The Monson General Store holds a Blue Grass Jam every Friday night and last night also had a fish fry that was all-you-can-eat. Kage really enjoyed the fish!Kage said that the hike in Maine has been amazing with near-perfect weather. The leaves have starting turning and he said it is so beautiful! He has been hiking with Cool Hand Luke and Two Lions. They were heading to the store to resupply and then heading to the "100 Mile Wilderness". Kage said they should reach Millinocket by next Thursday, the 24th. He said there is a pretty big crowd that plan on summiting Mt. Katahdin on Saturday, the 25th which means party at the top! I would imagine that the Saturday night in Millinocket will be a lot of fun as well. Before leaving Monson, Kage pulled everything out of his pack that he wouldn't need until Millinocket and was able to pare his pack down 2 pounds! Since he has to carry 5 days of food, he wanted to lighten the pack as much as possible. I couldn't imagine what he wouldn't need so when he called back, I asked him. He removed his sleeping bag liner, cut his book to just the pages left to read, dead phone and cables, camera charger, socks, mugs and all the letters he has received. I guess that adds up to quite a bit.114.6 miles to go! Kage still has not sighted a moose so lets start praying for a moose encounter!Keep the Faith,Lisa
Date: 2009-09-25
From: Millinocket, Maine

To: Millinocket, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

so.. i made it through the 100 mile wilderness to baxter state park and am currently only 5.3 miles from the end of the trail! booyah! i can't really even believe i'm here and that this adventure is almost over. the trail definitely saved the best for last though. Maine has been incredibly beautiful and so has the weather, and I saw a freaking epic moose. Chelsea and trey made it into town tonight so we're just hanging out tonight and tomorrow morning we're all climbing mt. katahdin together! the weather is supposed to be perfect. stay tuned for tons of pics and stories of the summit and the last part of the trail. great times indeed!
Date: 2008-12-14
To: Prep
Miles today: 0.0

Still working on the preparation. ordered a "No Sniveller" Quilt from JRB. the sale was to good to pass up. will need it in the spring. going to be spending tomorrow sewing my top quilt. i also just got a Golite Pinnacle Pack, hate the color, but the size is perfect. enter my Mail Drops for my maps and anything else i may want to put in. its getting close. got the train ticket 12/28, reservations at the Hike Hostel 12/29-12/30. then up to the New Years Eve Party at Springer.TYKK
Date: 2008-12-26
To: 5 days
Miles today: 0.0

It's getting close. Pack packed and 7 days of food. Came in at 33#. Not bad from my first summer hike 1 1/2 years ago at 55# for 3 days. I have the feeling I forgot something. Train leaves Wilmington Del. 4:19 PM Sunday the 28th. I'm staying at the Hiker Hostel for 2 days (to wind down) then will do the approach trail on 12/31. This has been along time happening. On the forums comments have been made that my chances are slim to none (not from all). There is a bet on only 11 days on trail at my work. The way I look at it is, this is the first thing I've done just for me in a LONG time. If I get this 53 yr old body to Springer and START my hike, I will be a happy man. From that point I will hike till its no fun no more plus 7 days (i make no major decisions in less then 7 days)). I am hammocking. Will be using a EXPLORER ULTRALITE A-SYM w/zipper mod. and webbing ring buckle system. A Warbonnet Superfly Tarp. Jrb Mt. Washington under quilt and an Adrenaline 0 degree bag modified. Thank YouKarl
Date: 2008-12-29
To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I can't upload photos here, but check out Hiker Hostel on the web. Beautiful place. Log cabin exterior with standing seam metal roof. The interior is very rustic with 1-6 v-broad pine just polyurethaned not stained. nice! the floors are all hard wood in a very light oak color. Daring choice as it will show the dirt and scuffs, but there is none All doors are 6 panel solid pine w/1-4 pine trim same color as walls. the stair rails and posts are stripped timber (round) with black rebar as the spindles. the rebar is carried through and used as curtain rods throughout. the bathrooms have 12-12 ceramic tile floors with pedestal sinks. even the tub enclosure is tiled. So many details. Can't thing off a one I would add, nor one I would take away. WELL WORTH THE STAY. Not what I expected. I start the approach trail Wed AM. See ya's on Sringer. PS You should check out their deck. it has a horseshoe jut out with a fire pit. Too cool!
Date: 2008-12-30
To: Dave and Karls Great Adventure
Miles today: 0.0

After breakfast a guy from Florida asked me if i wanted to go on a drive about around the area. I said why no. I had planned to wander around the Hostel mentally going over my gear list ,AGAIN. We drove in a big loop. Past a place where the trail crossed the road. The to a little store where we had coffee with the locals. One of which used to live in Berlin, NJ (my son lives there), so we talked about traffic circle, pine barrens, Bruce, boardwalks and dinners. More like two cups. then we drove to Neel's Gap. Cool store, BUT and I'm glad I found this out early, THEY DO NOT SELL SPAM. After talking to the owner, he set me up with a supplier. There's a secret handshake involved, but iI will nit go Spamless. Then Dave turned on Creek something road, We drove 10 mi. down a dirt road, through a creek, and switchbacks up a mountain till a sign said ROAD CLOSED. I was glad to see this since we were in a 2 wheel drive and Dave liked to sightsee. Back to Hostel we went, where Swamp Fox and Rocky had showed up. Had dinner. And just a bit ago Five-leaf Clover (Marta) showed up with her daughter. Tomorrows the big day. Good Night.
Date: 2009-01-01
From: Dave and Karls Great Adventure

To: Spinger Mt.
Miles today: 0.0

i didnt post on the 1st - 5th because i didnt think i would be hiking much farther. when i got top of Springer my knee was BAD. didnt talk about it much that day, but i knew i hurt it. just starting out on 1st was very, very painful. it got better with time as i favored it up and down those mts. just goes to show you can walk things off.