morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-28
From: HALFWAY

To: Susquehanna River
Miles today: 45.0

June 28 to July 1 HALFWAY to the Susquehanna River 45 milesIt was a long walk across the Cumberland Valley from Boiling Springs. It is the first time that the terrain was flat for miles and filled with fields of corn, wheat, hay and oats. Many farms graced the landscape and it was a nice change.The weather has been good for hiking and the storms seem to hold off until all of my camping chores are done: Hang the hammock, collect and purify water, cook, eat, clean the pots, hang the food out of harms way and put everything in a safe, dry spot. I am getting much better at hanging and sleeping in the hammock...but I do not sleep long or deep. Too many stars to see and sounds to hear.Everyday is an adventure and well worth the energy it takes to make it happen.Thank you to all my friends and family for the "care packages" and special treats.   It certainly gives my trail food a lift and adds variety to the dehydrated dinners I have prepared. Keep them coming.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Susquehanna River

To: Swatara Creek
Miles today: 46.3

July 1 to July 4 Susquehanna River to Swatara Creek 46.3 milesClimbing from the Susquehanna River (380 feet) to the top of Peters Mountain (1,320 feet) was an easy climb...or maybe it just seemed that way. I do feel stronger, my pack is lighter and the elevation is nothing like Georgia, North Carlonia, Tenn, or Virginia. We left Peters Mt and crossed to Stony Mountain 1,650 ft (aptly named), then Sharp Mountain (a good description of the rocks found there) and Second Mountain (not to be confused with First or Third Mountain).The trail follows an old stagecoach route from the 1800's, an abandoned: powerline, railroad bed, and canal towpath, and the ridgeline of long and ancient mountains. Views of the Susquehanna River, the Dehart Resevoir, and Swatara Creek followed us of 40 miles adding history and secenery to long hiking days.
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Swatara Creek

To: Pocahontas Spring
Miles today: 38.0

July 5 to July 8 Swatara Creek to Pocahontas Spring 38 milesThe trail in Pennsylvania is a challenge. You have to watch where you are putting your feet all of the time. The treadway is a rocky rubble of sharp, slippery, slimy, and unsteady footing. It is a stony maze that requires all of you agility and ability to keep moving forward.Every so often the trail will take a forest service road, or game land road or an old fire road, which gives you a break from the jigsaw of rocks... and there is the miles of ridgeline that takes you high above the valley floor with spectacular views. Everyday is a gift to still be healthy and hiking. So many of the people that I have met are "off" the trail because of injury, illness, homesickness, lack of funds, family emergency or loss of interest and energy.Thank you for all of the emails sent to my guest book. It is alway nice to know that someone is actually reading these journal entries besides my family.
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Pocahontas Spring

To: Delaware River
Miles today: 73.0

July 8 to July 12 Pocahontas Spring to Deleware River via Lehigh Furnace Gap, Lehigh Gap, Little Gap, Smith Gap, Wind Gap, Fox Gap, Totts Gap and Deleware Water Gap.This section of Pennsylvania is probably where PA gets such a bad reputation for haveing a few rocks. There is a seven mile streach were there is nowhere to have a safe foot fall unless you plan each step with all of the dexerity, agility, and balance of a Mary Lou Renton on the balance beam with a sumo wrestler on her back. I was fortunate to hike thru without a twisted ankle,wrentch knee, dislocated hip or broken bone. I enjoyed the views and vistas from the top of the mountain ridges and these looks outs: Pulpit Rock, The Pinnacle, The Cliffs and The Knife Edge. You can tell from these names...what kind of places they are!!Coming into the Deleware Water Gap was a lesson in ice age glacial formation. I really enjoyed the views coming down to the River and I have grown accustomed to dipping for gaps...
Date: 2008-07-14
From: Delaware River

To: Pochuck Creek
Miles today: 62.0

July 14 to July 17 Delaware River to Pochuck Creek 62 milesCrossing the Delaware River into New Jersey was a walk on a concrete expressway bridge with big, loud,& fast moving vehicles that sucked the fresh air out of the sky and turned it into exhaust fumes. Once we crossed the river and entered the state park we started to climb up, up and away from the cement jungle.We reached Sunfish Pond and were greeted by a chorus of bull frogs with no harmony or rhythm, and a glacial pond that was calm and peaceful. I felt like I was back in synch with the trail and all was well with the world.Hiking in New Jersey has been a pleasant suprise with the wonderful views of the Delaware River and of Pennsylvania and the kindness of people along the trail. The Mayor of Unionville, who has a hiker hostel in his basement, offered us rest and respite from the heat and humidity. Running Water (class of 1998) saw us at a road crossing and took us to her home for a swim and restored our hot and tired bodies with food and fluids. A gentleman gave us a ride to a store to resupply.Someone you do not know and will never meet- leaves a gallon of water on a streach of trail where there is none in July, or a cooler of ice filled with drinks, fruit and cookies. You never know when random acts of kindness will happen....but it always seems to come at a moment in time when you could use it most. I would like to say "thank you" to all the trail angels that have given me "those moments".
Date: 2008-07-17
From: Pochuck Creek

To: Hudson River
Miles today: 47.0

July 17 to July 22 Pochuck Creek to the Hudson River 47 milesThe trail in New York has been rocky,rugged,eroded and dry. The weather in New York has been hazy, hot, humid with intermittent thunderstorms. The insects in New York are blood thirsty, persistant and pain provoking. The water in New York has been scarce, scant, stagnant and sometimes slimy. New York has also been very noisy, with the sound of traffic, cannons, and machine gun fire. With West Point and Fort Montgomery near by there must be alot of war games going on. New York has also taken its toll on my friend Willow who has left the trail to rest and recuperate in the comfort and good care of her mother who lives in Rhode Island. She will take some time off to get her strength back and hopefully put some weight on and acquire an appetite. She is hoping to catch up with me in Connecticut, but until she does, I will miss her excellent company and good humor.
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Hudson River

To: Housatonic River Conn
Miles today: 66.0

July 23 to July 27 Hudson River NY to Housatonic River Conn 66 miles.Once I crossed the Hudson River the trail in New York changed..for the better. Mother Nature turned on the water and turned down the heat. It rained steady and heavy with thunder and lightening for two days and that helped put water in the streams, brooks, creeks and springs, and took some of the heat and humidity out of the air.I was able to enjoy some of New York Deli's that are close to the trail. That helped put some freshness into my food stores. The fresh bread melted in my mouth and the variety of meats and vegetables was a big bonus to my taste buds.I have met 3 young men who left Maine in early June and they have traveled 800 miles in 45 days. I am not sure what the hurry is, but they are "making miles". I wonder if they will slow down...to take a picture or smell the wild flowers, or meet each other. It is hard to believe that the "southbounders" are crossing paths with the "northbounders" this early.   It sure makes Kathadin seem that much closer.Entering Conn. I sense that the "New England" Appalachian Mountains will become steeper, rockier, higher in elevation and more difficult than what I have been hiking in WV, MD, PA, NJ, & NY. I look forward to the new challenges that await me in the Green Mountains of Vermont, the White Mountains of N.H., the hundred mile wilderness of Maine and the big Mountain..Kathadin.
Date: 2008-07-28
From: Housatonic River Conn

To: Spruce Swamp & Salmon Creek
Miles today: 33.6

July 28 - July 31 Housatonic River Conn to Spruce Swamp Mass. 33 miles The trail in Connecticut and Massachusetts has been unique because of all the water. Ponds with beaver, streams, swamps, bogs, and marshes. All requiring some fancy foot work. My hiking poles have become an extension of my arms and given me extra balance to cross over this slippery terrian. I have discovered that the more points of contact I have the less point of contact I will have with the ground. I have never seen such a variety of "foot bridges" or should I say a mismatch of logs, boards, rocks and homemade bridges that need traversing. You many think that you can day dream while you are hiking for 12 hours, but it requires a great deal of concentration and balance.I am enjoying "New England" and meeting all of the hikers that are going South. They are coming in waves now and it is interesing to hear their trail names, and when they left and the stories they share as we cross paths on this amazing trail. Mercury, a young man with beautiful hair, got his name when he put plastic bags over his socks and in his shoes (to keep his feet dry), and it looked like wings....thus Mercury. I even met Moose, who is carrying a guitar out of the back of his pack. He saw 10 moose in Maine. Meeting these hikers who have 1,566 miles or more to go has added a new perspective to this hike. One I could not have imagined before....they are going where I have just come from...for the past 5 months.
Date: 2008-07-31
From: Spruce Swamp & Salmon Creek

To: Gore Pond
Miles today: 60.0

July 31 to August 5 Spruce Swamp & Salmon Creek, Connecticut to Gore Pond, Massachusetts 60 milesI thought that when I left Connecticut the trail would somehow become dry and clear. Little did I realize that it only gets wetter, muddier and more difficult from here to Maine. Word on the trail grapevine is that the mud in Maine is so deep, your pack maybe the only thing to keep you sinking up to you neck.Willow has returned from her mothers house in Rhode Island, 3 pounds heavier, well rested and feeling much better. I was happy to see her and her company brings true meaning to the notion that the Appalachian Trail brings fellowship in the wilderness.One of the highlights this week has been the beautiful ponds. Guilder Pond,Benedict Pond, Goose Pond and the hiker haven-Upper Goose Pond. My favorite are the ponds created by the beavers, with lodges in the middle and knawed down trees all around. I was so lucky to see a beaver playing peek-a-boo with me. There is just no end to the beauty of nature.
Date: 2008-08-07
From: Gore Pond

To: Brook at mile 1,584.4
Miles today: 15.0

August 7 Vermont state lineAs I was walking down the trail this morning, I heard a crashing and thrashing thru the underbush. I stopped dead in my tracks, this being a most unsual sound, and to my amazement a very large MOOSE took the trail in front of me. I was fumbling for my camera and must have made a noise, because the moose took one look at me and crashed and thrashed his way back into the underbush. I did not get a picture, but I sure got a memory.Vermont is experiencing the wettest July and August in history and the trail is under water. Sometimes the water is flowing at various degrees of speed, and sometimes just standing.But it always has a thick, slick, shoe sucking, sock swallowing MUD! Hiking has become a bit like Tug of War with the Terra (not so ) Firma and my feet and hiking poles. So far I have kept all of my socks and shoes, but the palms of my hands have callus from the pulling.The feet that I have pampered for months with special socks, the best shoes, massage, foot cream and pedicures are now wrinkled prunes with a green fungus growing in all the dark places.
Date: 2008-08-10
From: Brook at mile 1,584.4

To: Kid Gore Shelter 
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

August 10 Hell Hollow Brook, Little Pond, Pete's Spring, Sherman BrookThe day started with sunshine and blue skys. Around 1PM thunder was rolling and rumbling across the Green Mountains. By 2PM it started to rain. A steady, solid rain. Around 2:30 PM the temperature dropped 20 degrees, the rain turned to stinging, biting hail that hit my bare flesh with venom. I kept hiking and decided to put up my umbrella for a little protection from the tiny, piercing snow balls. Just when you think things could not get worse...the lightening bolts started to strike so close it caused static electricity that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. The thought of being a lightening rod crossed my mind. As I approached Goddard Shelter, soaked to the bone and trying to escape electricution... it was packed with North and South bound hikers all snug, dry and comfy in their sleeping bags. Bad luck and time to hike on to the Kid Gore Shelter, 5 miles away. It was only 4PM and I could not get any wetter. As long as I was hiking... I could keep warm. Once I got to the next shelter there was a space, the rain stopped and I had a great view of Porcupine Ridge and the Green Mountains.
Date: 2008-08-13
From: Kid Gore Shelter 

To: Bear Mountain
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: clear sky

August 13 & 14th Bromley Mountain, Styles Peak, Peru Peak, Baker Peak, Green Mountain, and Bear Mountain 26 milesThe last two days have been beautiful...blue skys and sunshine. Each mountian top offers views of the Green Mountain National Forest. The mud has not had a chance to dry up or stop flowing, but with the good weather it somehow does not seem so bad. Of course my shoes and socks and feet don't think so....but much of hiking is between the ears and not in the feet.
Date: 2008-08-14
From: Bear Mountain

To: Hanover NH
Miles today: 86.0
Weather: clear sky

Aug 14   to Aug 21 Bear Mountain Vermont to Hanover NHThe past week has been a hiking joy. The weather and trail have been the best so far. Vermont has been a hiking heaven. We crossed the Connecuit River yesterday into New Hampshire and we are headed to the White Mountains. My camera is on the blink...but I hope to have a new one before the beauty and grandure of the famous White Mountains is in my sights.
Date: 2008-08-28
To: Mt. Lafayette 
Miles today: 0.0

August 28 Mt. Lafayette 5,249' It was the perfect day to be on the top of Mt Lafayette. The sun was shining, the winds were calm and the visibility was 100 miles in all directions. I could see Mt. Killinton in Vermont and the beginning of the Mahoosuc Range in Maine. I spent 3 hours on the top just taking in the sunshine and blue skies and the company of fellow thru hikers. They spent the night cowboy camping on the top...which was the perfect night for it....I would like to have joined them...but had miles to go before I slept.
Date: 2008-08-29
To: Mt. Garfield
Miles today: 0.0

August 29 Mt. Garfield 4,488'Another beautiful day in the White Mountains. We have been so lucky with the weather, blue skies and sunshine. I met some southbounders who hiked thru the White Mountains and could not even see 10 feet in front of them, with rain, fog and high winds.The vistas and the endless range of mountain tops just wants to take your breath away...but you need it to keep climbing.
Date: 2008-08-30
To: Mt. Guyot
Miles today: 0.0

August 30   Twin Mountain (4,902'),Mt. Guyot (4,560),Zealand Falls (2,450'), Crawford Notch (1,277')Today started at 4,902 feet and ended at 1,277 feet. It took 10 hours to travel 15 miles and drop 3,700 feet. When ever you see the word "notch" on the map....beware. It is like the word "gap" in Georgia. It usually means that you are going to drop like a rock into a town, river crossing or break in the mountains. It is good exercise and test of your knee joints.
Date: 2008-08-31
To: Mt. Jackson
Miles today: 0.0

August 31 Crawford Notch, Mt Webster (3,901'), Mt. Jackson It is nice being in a notch...until you have to climb out of it to get back to the mountain tops. Over 4000 feet elevation gain today.   The good news is the weather and how sweet it is being in the White Mountains while the sun is shining, the wind is not blowing too hard and you can see forever.
Date: 2008-09-01
To: Lake of the Clouds
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

September 1   Lake of the CloudsThe view from the Lake of the Clouds on this clear day was spectacular. We stayed at the hut and watched the sunset for hours. After the sun went down...we waited until it was dark enough to watch the stars and planets come out and decided not to go to bed until we saw a shooting star. We did not have to wait long. Truly a highlight to the trip.
Date: 2008-09-02
From: Lake of the Clouds

To: Mount Washington
Miles today: 0.0

September 2 Mount Washington (6,288'), Edmands Col, Israel Ridge, Mt. Adams, Thunderstorm JunctionIt was a bit windy on top of Mt Washington today (70 mph) but the visibility was 100 miles in all directions. Our luck is holding out with the weather. I spoke to a past thru hiker who had to use ropes between the carins to navigate the trial. It is rocky and steep, but with the sun shining and the cool breeze it is well worth the effort. Mt Washington is known to have the worst weather in the world. The wind has been clock at 231 mph.
Date: 2008-09-03
To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

September 3 to September 5 Pinkham Notch,Carter Notch, Gorham.Starting at Pinkham Notch (2,000') hiking up to Carter Notch (3,300') and then up to Carter Mtn (4,600') and finally down to Gorham (780') I am feeling a bit like a yoyo. The White Mountains are a true test of your trail legs. It took 5 months but I think my legs were up to the task, along with the heart and lungs. I have heard Willow espouse the virtues of New Hampshire for months, and I now see what this native has been talking about. Even with her funny accent, I think she has a good point about the mountains of her home state.
Date: 2008-09-07
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Wyman Mountian
Miles today: 0.0

September 7 to September 14 Goose Eye Mountain, Old Speck Mountain, Baldpate Mt., Wyman Mt.Maine greeted us with rain, cold and the rockiest,steepest, slipperiest,slickest,most difficult mountains we have seen. I heard for the first time yesterday that the first 100 miles of Maine are the most difficult of the entire trial.   I now know why. The hiking has slowed to a snail's pace and the terrain is better suited to mountain goats with four hooves and no packs.There is a chill in the air and a changing of the seasons, that makes me glad I have my 15 degree bag and my tent to sleep in. The cold has made hiking and camping harder and more time consuming. When there is ice on your tent you are less likely to jump out of your warm sleeping bag to start hiking.The leaves on the trees are changing and falling, and the morning frost lingers long after the sun rises. The days are so much shorter, there is not enough time to hike all the miles you want.Mt. Kathadin seems further away than it ever has. I wonder if that is my imagination or the notion that the end does not seem in sight.
Date: 2008-09-15
From: Wyman Mountian

To: Crocker Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

September 15 to September 20   Spruce Mountain,Saddleback Range, Spaulding Mtn, Lone Mountain, Crocker MountainMaine continues to challenge every part of our bodies, minds and souls. Medium Rare described the trail as "slippery as goose snot". I could not count the number of people who have met the challenge by skipping, slacking, blue blazing or going home to avoid the trail. Willow is coping with the pain and agony of hiking by taking advil,and hiking faster.The hikers that are hiking, look like the walking wounded..bumps, bruises, cuts, scratches, aches, limps, gimps, hitches and pains...supported by braces, bandaids and the friendship of other hikers.Even my equipment seems to be rebelling...my air mattress leaks, my tent "popped" apart , and my clothes have holes in all the wrong places.
Date: 2008-09-16
From: Crocker Mountain

To: Kennebec River
Miles today: 0.0

September 16 to September 23   Bigalow Mountain, Avery Mountain, Little Bigalow, all the ponds and the Kennebec RiverMaine is beautiful, but the trail is riddled with rocks, roots, bogs, swamps, and quick sand. When the sun goes down, there is frost on our breath. The morning is crisp, and there is frost on the tent and ground. The days are much shorter, and the sun never seems to warm the ground or us before it sets.Mt. Avery was our last 4,000' peak until Kathadin. We will be hiking in the "low country" for the next 150 miles. Lakes, ponds, and puddles are around every corner. I fell asleep last night to the sound of loons. How cool is that?When I passed Flagstaff Lake, a bald eagle was fishing for her dinner. These are the moments that keep these legs pumping.I crossed the 2,000 mile marker and the Kennebec River, and with each mile stone the end seems further and further away. How is that possible?
Date: 2008-09-24
From: Kennebec River

To: Lake Hebron
Miles today: 0.0

September 24th to September 26 Lake HebronThe last three days in Maine have been wonderful. The views from Pleasent Pond Mountain and Moxie Bald were spectacular. The changing of the leaves, the crisp cold clear air and the trail that was more of a foot path and less of a technical climb made the hiking "sweet". The temperatures were so mild in the evening I cowgirl camped (no tent) The ponds and streams reflect the surrounding fall foliage with red, yellow, orange and twinges of green.I can hardly believe that I have been walking 200 days and that yet another season has taken over the trail. Multi-colored leaves litter the path,
Date: 2008-09-27
From: Lake Hebron

To: 100 Mile Wilderness Abol Stream
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

September 28 Spectacle Pond, Bell Pond, Lily Pond, North Pond, Little Wilson Stream, Big Wilson StreamMost of the water that you cross on the AT is by some type of bridge. That is not the case in Maine. It requires takeing life and limb and throwing them into a fast flowing river. The first ford was wet but went smoothly..for me...others however lost hiking poles and footing and were swept down stream...making all of the contents of their pack wet.
Date: 2008-10-09
From: Mt. Katahdin

To: THANK YOU
Miles today: 0.0

October 9 2008It would be imposible to do a thru hike without the help of so many people. I was so fortunate to have family, friends, trail angels and the random acts of kindness from complete strangers that made my journey the tremendous adventure that it became.To name just a few:My brother Kelly and his girl friend Stacey. They were tremendous and tireless in the pursuit of my maildrops. They successfully sent, on time and in perfect condition, 33 drops along the entire length of the trail.My friends Mary, Mel, Cindy, Rita, Carol and my sister Lisa who sent "care packages" to me all along the trail. Filled with kindness, caring and good things to eat.My sister Ena who documented my progress for all who were interested, and my sister Erin who traveled far and wide to bring me home for a reunion.My sister Mike who never failed as my transcriber.My new friends, Geek, Amy and One too Many who took me to the trailhead in Georgia, and Stormy and Splash who brought me home from Maine.The many wonderful people on the trail who became my "family" over the six months of hiking, and will forever be a part of my life.The hundreds of strangers who were so kind, with the generous offer of food, rides to town and back to the trail, shelter in their home, hostel or boarding house.
Date: 2008-01-01
To: The beginning
Miles today: 0.0

So I decided to set up an account with Trail Journals for everyone to follow our hike, and am sure, many of the adventures that will follow in the five to six months it will take us to complete the journey. It will be our goal to keep you updated on where we are and what we are doing through out the hike. I hope you can find the time to visit our journal from time to time.