morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Fontana Dam

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, this is not how this trip was suppose to go. I'm at home, trying to rehab this knee before I head back out again.Appears that I have injured it a little more than I had originally thought. When I went to head back up Shuckstack - even before I got across the dam - my knee started acting up again with the some of the warning signs that it was going to give me problems.A friend of mine - MoonWatcher - was sectioning in the area and agreed to give me a ride home. I really appreciate his assistance - this was uber Trail Magic.Give me a week or so to rest and work on this thing - I'll post more once I have gotten a good assessment of just how bad I screwed it up. If all goes well, though, I should be back in the Smokies in about two weeks max. Meanwhile, I will go through the pictures I have taken and get some more posted.Thanks for all the good wishes on the recover - keep your fingers crossed.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: home

To: still home
Miles today: 0.0

Finally am getting my act together on returning to the trail. I will be flying out this Friday to Ashville and will spend the night with my oldest daughter and her family in Black Mountain. Saturday they will shuttle me back to Fontana - depending on the time we get there I may just crash in the shelter and start up on Sunday morning or might just go as far as the Birch Springs campsites. Can't wait!! The knee is feeling great, and I am taking a different knee brace with me just in case it starts acting up.I know all of my trail buds are way up the trail by now. I will miss them but am sure that I will run into some more trail family as I hit the Smokies.Just hope I haven't put too much of that 11 pounds I lost getting to Fontana back on while dining on some most excellent food here at home - my wife is a great cook and feeds me well!Will get another update while up in the Smokies - probably from Standing Bear Farm.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Ashville

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Heading up to Fontana Dam for Assault on Shuckstack Redux! I flew into Ashville yesterday (I didn't even know they had an airport...) and stayed last night at my daughter's place in Black Mountain. Had a most enjoyable evening with her, her husband and my two granddaughters. We went to a sushi place in Ashville for a great dinner and topped it off with some ice cream at the "marble" place.Started out the day by gong to a softball game with my youngest granddaughter - they are growing up so fast! After the game we headed west to the dam for a picnic lunch and quick tour of the shelter and dam. Hated to see them go but they had a long drive back to Black Mountain.The shelter was filling up fast so I called the Village and got a shuttle over to the lodge and got a room for the night. This gave me a chance to have another meal (that I didn't have to cook) and one more re-pack of my pack before heading out.There were several car groups there at the lodge that had all the earmarks of planning to be partying tonight - hopefully they won't go too late.The knee is feeling much better and I think is ready for me to resume the trek. I will continue to wear a brace on it just to be sure, though. I have also upped my onboard ration of Ibuprofen in case it starts acting up. Cross your fingers...Tomorrow I will catch the early shuttle and head up Shuckstack.
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Got a later start than I had originally planned, as the lodge restaurant was busy and the shuttle had taken a large group over. Still was at the dam by 0930, though.Dropped off my park permit and headed back across the dam (again!). The two guys that had been dropped with me (Backtracker and Rain Check) were already disappearing across the dam - I wasn't planning on catching up with them as they were chugging along. I wasn't overally optimistic about still having my trail legs after an almost 3 week hiatus from the trail.Got to where the trail heads up the mountain, took a deep breath, and headed up. Weather was good - a little warm - and I felt good. No twanges of pain coming from my knee but I was taking it easy anyway. Dropped my pack where the trail intersected with the tower trail and had lunch. Didn't bother heading up to the tower - been there, done that, and didn't want to task the knee any more that I needed to.Stopped in at the old Birch Springs campsite and got water. There was suppose to be more water further on but no sense letting a good source go to waste. Past a few people out for day hikes and one southbound hiker that was mumbling didn't seem real happy - I ran into the Ridgerunner - Carl - and talked about her with him for a few minutes - she was heading to Birch Springs and so was he, so he was going to keep an eye on her.Took a break about 2 miles from the shelter and plopped down on some rocks. I kicked at a rock that was just sitting there minding it's own business - it bumped into an old tree stump about 10 feet away. As I looked at the rock it started to change - got a little fuzzy and dark (no, I had not been smoking anything...). Took me a few seconds but it finally sunk in - I had just disturbed a bee's nest and they were not happy. I grabbed my pack, water bottle and food sack and tried to saunter away without raising any alarms - they were just beginning to fly around and had noticed me sitting there. I ran like hell.... no stings, thankfully.Got into Mollies Ridge shelter about 4 PM and decided to stay for the night. Backtracker and Rain Check were there along with another young couple.It had been very hot during the day, and most of the trail was exposed to the sun - I got a little sunburned but also a little dehydrated. I slurped down a full liter of water and just sat for awhile. Wasn't too hungry so only had a pack of chicken for dinner along with some instant tea. Staked out my spot in the shelter and got things ready for the night. When I visited the "privy area", I realized that I was walking in a minefield of TP and "stuff". Very few individuals appeared to have been burying anything. Not good. I treated my water with extra drops...Time to call it a day - I am beat. The knee did well but I went ahead and took some Ibuprofen anyway just to keep any potential swelling down during the night.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Mollies Ridge

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Headed out about 0830 this morning after a quick breakfast of coffee and oatmeal. I had left the little MSR coffee filter at home and was just using instant coffee - bad choice, the filter thingie made better coffee than the instant stuff with a minimal weight difference.A couple had come in late last night - Josh and Sarah. Spoke briefly with them this morning - seemed like really nice people. Sarah had gotten a little overheated the day before - she was doing the same thing I had been doing by hiking from shade-tree to shade-tree to try and cool off.Got to Spence Field around 11 and decided to stop with Backtracker and Rain Check for an early lunch. Spence Field was as far I had gotten in one of my aborted section hikes a few years earlier, so getting here again was a little bit of a personal triumph - tried to call my brother (StewMan) who had been with me before but couldn't get enough signal (Sprint - not good for the mountains). The area is a large, grassy bald that goes on for a ways. The grass calls out for nap and if I had not been warned about deer ticks in the area I would have answered that call....Headed on up towards Rock Top but could not find the water source that the guide book indicated, so I hid my pack in the bushes and walked back about 2/3 mile to the Spence Field shelter and got water. Ran into Josh and Sarah there and talked with them for a few minutes before resuming the trek back to where my pack was stashed.Rocky Top was kind of neat. Just to be a litle contrary, I belted out a few stanzes of the Gator fight song instead of the Rocky Top song. Glad no one was around to hear my very off-key singing. The short section between Rock Top and Thunderhead was very exposed to the sun, and it was hot. No shade, anywhere. I stopped on the downside of Thunderhead for a few minutes for a snack and some more ibuprofen - the knee was beginning to grumble, and since I had been compensating for my hurt right knee, my left one was also letting me know it was tired of the up/down stuff. I will double up on it tonight and see how they feel in the morning.Stopped in Sugar Tree Gap and fixed some early supper. It had been awhile since lunch and I was hungry. The young couple that had been at the shelter last night were there as well - I did not get there names.Finally got to Derrick Knob shelter at around 5 PM. Backtracker and Rain Check had been there for awhile as well as a group of high school seniors from Madison, Wisconsin - this was there senior trip. There were about 6 kids and their advisor and they appeared to be having a good time. Don't see too many youngsters up here doing stuff like that. After they ate they played frisbee for awhile and then played a guitar and sang songs till after 9.With the kids in the shelter I opted to risk putting my tent up - I knew that I would not get any sleep if I stayed in there. Josh and Sarah came in a short time later and opted to doing the same thing.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Gatlinburg

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well. I am back home. Again. Yes, I am off trail. The knees just will not let me continue on, even with 1000 mg of Ibuprofen. Often. I need a little time to finish sorting all of the emotions/feelings/etc. out and will post a little more. I am not going to go back to work on the through hike. Section hikes maybe, just can't do a thru with this knee.<>Later.
Date: 2007-08-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Tommorrow, I spend 30 hours on a bus heading to Bangor, M.E. I look forward to starting a southbound hike this year. This will be my first from North to South and I'm hoping for a more solitary hike then my previous hiking experieces have afforded me. I have not felt the need to plan out this hike and have opted to resupply primarily through town stops. I'm trying to accomplish this hike on a budget. By budget, I mean to spend as little money as possible. So far, I have bought a used pack ($70), a bus ticket ($68!), and a digital camera ($199). Everything else I have wether it be through work or through past hiking adventures. This is something that I've looked forward to for some time now and I can't wait to start the journey.
Date: 2007-08-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I was able to shave off a few hours of the trip in NYC. This is where I met a my homie, Adam, with whom I ended up chatting the morning away until we reached Boston. I was then able to cut a few more hours away from the trip by transfering to a nicer bus line. It didn't cost me any extra so I said why not. I met a nice lady, by the name of Charlotte whom I shared pleasant conversation with. She was also kind enough to share her p-nut butter and bagels with me. I still don't know what possesed me to lick the knife but for that I'm sorry, again. Finally made it to Bangor after 29 hours on a bus. From there it was a 70 mile hitch to Millenocket. It took only a couple of minutes on an inter-state ramp before I got a ride with a gentleman, by the name of Mike Brown. Mike at one time was a potatoe farmer in the North Woods. He said he has spent some good times in Baxter Park and he wouldn't mind getting me where I needed to go. The ride was quick and before I knew it I was in Millenocket. I said good-bye and walked down to Katadin Ave. where I stood only a few minutes before a couple ( the Richardsons?) offered me a ride to Abol Bridge. Once there I hiked until dark and made it to the Birches. As I cooked my dinner in the dark, I looked forward to a beautiful day on the mountian.                                             -Wicked
Date: 2007-08-20
From: Katahdin

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and at it early this morning. I cooked myself a quick breakfast and I was so eager to get started that I didn't bother cleaning my cook pot. I was on the trail by 7:00a.m. I didn't realize how out of shape I am. Nor did I take into consideration that I'm not the 20-something hiker that I used to be. It took me plenty of starts and stops before I finally reached the tablelands. Once there, it was an easy stroll to Baxter Peak and the start of my A.T. adventure.I stayed up top for over an hour enjoying the perks of a Class 1 day. Reluctantly, I started to head back down only to be faced with the same bouldering challenge, except in reverse. I hit it hard, bounding and pounding down the mountain. I finally made it to the campground at 2:15p.m. I had a quick lunch packed my pack, and started the trek out of the park. The stroll through the park took me past several ponds, a waterfall, and ends up following a stream till you reach the park bounderies. By the time I made it out the sun was setting in the sky. I cooked dinner in front of the Abol campstore. Once I was done eating it was time to find a place to sleep for the night. As I crossed over Abol Bridge, I was amazed at how many stars were out. I could definitaly see stars in Maine than I can back home. I then continued to follow the trail which brought me to the 100 mile wilderness sign. I found a flat spot beside the sign and figured that it would be as good as any to call home for the night.                                                _Wicked
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Abol Bridge

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Awoke to the sounds of hurried foot steps. It's funny to think that as many hikers are finishing off a long hike, I'm just beggining one. I'm extremely happy to be out in the Maine woods. Once I reached Rainbow Lake, I ran into Spyder. He is a young man who lives in my town and we had the opportunity to meet at Traildays. He and his crew flipped from Delaware Water Gap to Maine in order to take their time. We stopped be Rainbow Springs for lunch and I had the chance to watch a Bald Eagle soar. Spyder was stopping at the next shelter, so I thought that that would be a good place to call it a day. After a good dinner and better company it was time to get some rest.                                                   -Wicked
Date: 2007-08-22
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

I left earlier than the rest of the guys determined to put in a good days worth of hiking. I sat atop Nesuntabunt Mountain enjoying the view for a while. It is an absolutely glorious day. I felt that I was getting into the rythem of things when all of a sudden I felt a sharp pain in both my knees. All the grounding and pounding on Katahdin has finally caught up with me. Thankfully, it was only 3 miles to the shelter. Once I arrived, I decided to stay put and try to relax. I shared the shelter with a kid from New York (Young and Dumb) and a gentleman by the name of "Featherfoot". Good company and a good night's rest.                                    -Wicked
Date: 2007-08-23
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5

Awoke to find that my knees still hurt yet I was prepared to hike on anyway. I took my time packing up and shared a hot cup of tea with Featherfoot. He in turn gave me a fresh carrot from his organic garden. After sharing good-byes I was hiking once again. I struggled with the hike until a Northbounder gave me a knee brace. "Flaxseed", thanks again bro! You really saved me from some unwanted pain. A little ways down the trail, I ran into 3 people out for a day hike. We shared meaningful conversation and I even hiked with them a bit before saying farewell. As I approached the shelter, I heard what seemed to me to be the sounds of construction or logging. The 100 mile wilderness is not as remote as the name may suggest. Once at the shelter, I boiled some water to drink and had lunch. The carrot that was given to me reminded me of a time in my childhood. I remember when I could go to my grandfather's garden and munch on carrots that I had just pulled out of the ground. What a treat! After lunch, I hiked well into the night. I struggled with the pain hoping that my destination was near. I finally made it to the shelter and to my dismay it appeared full. Someone inside noticed that I needed space and before long there was a spot made for me. It took no time at all to get my sleeping bag out, climb inside, and fall into a deep slumber.                                             -Wicked
Date: 2007-08-24
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Carl Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The entire shelter awoke early this morning. My first challenge of the day was Whitetop Mountain. My knees felt a bit better than yesterday but I was still concerned about the downhills. I've never had problems with my knees before. I now can sympathize with anyone who has ever told me about the pain that they had to endure. It's a scarry and humbling feeling to struggle physically with hiking a trail that at one time was so easy for me. At the peak of Whitetop it was socked in. The rain was cold and the wind cut like a dull knife. It was all I could do to get up and over as quickly as possible. Made it to the next shelter by 12:30p.m. and decided to call it a short day. I'm trying to listen to my body and I don't want to push myself to hard. Ended up napping out till early evening. Got up to cook dinner,ate, and then went back to sleep. Surprisingly enough, I had the shelter all to myself.                                                -Wicked
Date: 2007-08-25
From: Carl Newhall Lean-to

To: just north of 4th mountain
Miles today: 14.4

After enjoying some solitude, it was back to hiking. Debated the whole 3.5 mile hike to Gulf Hagas cut-off trail wether or not I would check it out. At the last minute I decided to blue blaze down to the rim trail. The trail spit me to Buttermilk Falls. It's a nice little fall that you can swim in and spend the day at. The 2 miles it took to get back to the A.T. took me on the rim of the gulf with some fantastic views, swimming holes galore, and several waterfalls. The only problem is that there is only 24 hours in a day and many more miles to hike. On the hike to Pleasant River, I passed many day hikers out enjoying the day with babies and dogs in tow. It's awesome to see so many people enjoying the great outdoors. It's also concerning that the 100 mile wilderness is more populated than it ever has been in the past. The concern being a higher impact and a lack of backcountry ethics. Here's hoping that people "take only pictures and leave only footprints." I make my way to the river and run into the caretaker of this section of trail. He just happens to be a buddy of mine from a previous hiking adventure. "poptart" your the last person I expected to see. I talked with him for an hour and we made plans to hang out once I reached P.A. Continuing onward, I hiked up and over Chairback Mountain until dark. I found a little spot right off trail, just a bit north of 4th Mountain. The heat lighting was fantastic as I sat up my tarp for the night. I felt like I was at a disco with a strobe light going off all around me. At a certain point, the temp dropped and the wind picked up. The sky fell out and the hard rains began. Thunder and lighting cracked and boomed above me. Even though I had some concern about the lighting the sounds of raindrops lulled me into a dry and safe sleep.                                       _wicked
Date: 2007-08-26
From: just north of 4th mountain

To: North Pond Road
Miles today: 17.3

Today felt like a bit of a grind. I placed the expectation upon myself to make it as close to the road to Monson as possible. About 8 miles from my mark I ran into a sign saying North Pond Hostel. What intrigued me was that I haven't heard of the place before and in the corner of the sign it reads "I would really like your input about what you think of this hostel." Since it was only a five minute walk from the trail I decided to check it out. As I approached the proprietor's cabin, I caught sight of the view from out front of the place. The way the property sat was one of those splendid beauties that only Maine can offer. I knocked on the door and out walks Paul. He shows me around the property, the bunkhouse, and the billards cabin. He asked my advice about what else the hostel might need to which I gave him my humble opinion. He then offers me the chance to stay for the night and partake in dinner. It's at this point that I'm told that I am the first visitor to the newly opened hostel. I may be the first vistor but I have a feeling that I will not be the last. By the time I got done with my solar shower dinner was ready and the moon was rising through the colored sky in which the sun was still setting.                                                            -Wicked
Date: 2007-08-27
From: North Pond Road

To: Monson(Pleasant Rd.)
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

As I left the hostel, I looked forward to heading to another one. the walk into town was pleasant and relaxing. The day is perfect with blue skys and comfortable temperatures. I ended up at Shaw's where I was able to camp on the lawn, have breakfast the next morning, and get a few chores done all for $20 dollars. The added bonus is that I ended up scoring 3 and 1/2 days worth of food out of the hiker box. All in all, I ended up spending under 40 dollars for all my needs in town. The day was spent being productive and yet I was able to get in some quality hang out time in town by the lake.Met a bunch of locals, who are all friendly and interesting to talk to. It seems that everyone has a story. The neighbors of Shaw's introduced me to a Whoopie Pie. If you've never had a Whoopie Pie your in for a sugar laidend treat. I also ran into a northbounder named "Highlife". He started at Harper's Ferry with plans to return there and hike south to Georgia. It seems that he didn't budget his money and now he has no capital in order to finish his hike. I feel for this guy because I've been in that boat. As I told him, "Where there is a will there is a way!" That probably applies to every aspect in life. All the best to you , my friend. I headed back to Shaw's with plans to cook hotdogs, watch a movie, and dream of a huge breakfast in the morning.                                                      -Wicked
Date: 2007-08-28
From: Monson(Pleasant Rd.)

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

After a huge breakfast of 5 eggs,5 pancakes, 5 saugage, and what not I was ready to bust this morning. Spent many hours in the library flirting with the librarian and catching up on my journals. By the time I got back to the hostel the crew that I had met at Rainbow Lake in the "100 mile" had come in. I hadn't seen them since that day. Also had the chance to meet Dan, the only other true Southbounder in the area. As I'm saying my good-byes, "Professor" walks up and in all seriousness says "Wicked, you have alot to offer people and don't let anybody tell you differently." Professor is a cool man. That kind of statement is one that leaves you thinking.I end up leaving at 2:45 P.m. I hike for awhile till I run into "Frog" and we sit and talk for awhile. It's possible that I won't see him for awhile if at all. By the time I continue on, it's 7:00p.m. Good night for a hike. By the time I'm done it's 10:45p.m. and I'm at Moxie Shelter all by myself. Time for some dream time.