morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-31
From: Saddleback Mountain

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a perfect night until about midnight when some clouds rolled in. By morning I was pretty damp but I didn't care because I am in a state of euphoria. I got an earlier than normal start to the day. The rest of the Saddleback Range was clouded in which was a little disappointing. I passed Compass and Southern who were cowboy camped in the Gap between Saddleback and the Horn and were just waking up. They probably thought I was crazy coming by at that time of the morning. When I got to the Horn I had the urge to just yell as loud as I could thinking that nobody was around. Much to my surprise, just as I had let loose I noticed Marty McFly was cowboy camped on top of the Horn. Oops, sorry I woke you up McFly. Funny how so many people had the same idea to cowboy camp that night. When I got to Poplar Ridge Lean-to I saw in the shelter log that Tree, Hotfoot, and Kumquat were there the night before so I thought that I would try to close the gap and catch up to them. I ran into Rock n Roll and Cowgirl at Spaulding Mountain Lean-to and they said that everyone would be camping at the next campsite. So even though I was beat, I went the extra few miles to catch up to everyone. It's an understatement to say that it was nice to see them all again. They are on a more ambitious schedule than I am so after tomorrow I probably won't see them again.
Date: 2010-09-01
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: ME 27 - Stratton, ME
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: few clouds

Did the tough climbs over the Crockers this morning. Ended up running out of water which is not pleasant on a hot day like today. Got to the road and the owner of the hostel in Stratton was dropping a southbounder off at the trailhead so she gave me a ride into town. I ate at the restaurant across the street and did all my chores for the day. I plan on taking it easy today then hiking out tomorrow morning. Tree and Hotfoot went on but Kumquat decided to stay. Compass, Southern, Marty McFly, and Kentucky showed up later on. Southern carries a nerf football in his pack so me, him, and Compass would take turns running pass routes. Southern has quite the arm. Kumquat cooked a vegetarian dish with some stuff that we had pitched in to buy at the grocery store and made a heck of a meal.
Date: 2010-09-02
From: ME 27 - Stratton, ME

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Everyone at the hostel chipped in and bought stuff to make breakfast with. I ended up getting a late start out of the hostel and hitched a ride to the trail. I lost my hat on the ride up. I was in the back of a pickup and should have been more carefull to hold on to it. Kumquat said she could barely recognize me without it. That hat along with my yellow shirt are my signiture clothing items. It was a very hot and humid day and there was a lot of climbing. Today I hiked the entire Bigelow Range which is one of the more scenic mountain ranges on the trail. There was a nice view all day of Flagstaff Lake off to the left though it was a bit hazy out. Most of the peaks were above treeline which gives you 360 degree views. This is the last time I will be above treeline until Mt. Katahdin at the end of the trail. There are only a few more mountains to climb period as the trail mellows out considerably. I also went over the 2,000 mile mark today. I'm not big into keeping up with milestones but this one seems to stand out. I unfortunately ran out of water again today for a 5-mile stretch. Due to the drought, many of the water sources listed in the guidebook are dry. I ended up toughing it out and making it to the shelter where there was a nice spring. There was supposed to be a great swimming hole here at the shelter which I was looking forward to all day but it was dried up. I'm set up in the shelter tonight with Kumquat, Kentucky, San Gabriel, and Ladybird.
Date: 2010-09-03
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a little rain last night but it quit by morning time. That's the story of my hike right there! I took 3 swim breaks today as it was an extremely hot and humid day and made for perfect swimming weather. We're basically done with the big climbs so today wasn't all that bad except for the heat. Hurricane Earl is supposedly on its way so I'm glad I will have a short day into the Northern Outdoor Center tomorrow. I saw Not Bad today at one of the ponds who I haven't seen since Waynesboro, VA. She is hiking with her sister and Klarity. I set up in the shelter which is one of the coolest shelters I've seen on the trail. It sits on the bank of Pierce Pond which everyone took a swim in. We caught a pretty nice sunset before heading off to bed. There are a lot of people here tonight and the shelter is packed like sardines. Tree and Hotfoot are here which was a surprise as I thought they would be ahead. It just keeps getting better!
Date: 2010-09-04
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: US 201 - Northern Outdoor Center
Miles today: 4.0

Earl showed up last night. It rained heavily all night long but of course it stopped raining by the time I was ready to get on the trail. A group of Freshman Orientation students were camped out by the shelter last night and their tarp collapsed in the middle of the night in the pouring rain. I felt so sorry for them as they all took cover under the overhang of the shelter and had to just wait there until morning. The 4 miles of trail today were awesome. A raging whitewater river and waterfalls the whole way to the Kennebec River where a guy in a canoe paddles across and takes you to the other side. It's too dangerous to try to ford because of an unpredictable dam release. After crossing over I said goodbye to Hotfoot and Tree for the last time. We've been hiking together since Dalton, Mass and have had a lot of fun but they are scheduled to finish on the 13th. Thankfully Kumquat is planning on finishing on the 15th and having her parents come and meet her then. I decided that I would finish on the 15th too and get a ride with her and her parents back to their house in Damariscotta, ME and she offered to give me a ride to the airport in Portland. When I got to the road there were two coolers there with sodas and candy then I hiked the 2 miles on US 201 to the Northern Outdoor Center where I will be staying in a cabin-tent. Saw Stix here which was a huge surprise. He has taken 3 days off and we will probably end up finishing on the same day. I mean really, it just keeps getting better. I saw Rock n Roll and Cowgirl but they are taking off today and will finish a few days ahead of me. Apparently I missed Rock n Roll's legendary rendition of "I believe I Can Fly" during karaoke at the NOC last night. Luckily Stix does an impression.Spent most of the day catching up with Stix then got showered and did laundry. Saw Rabid and Safari there too. Not Bad, Klarity, and Tracie had a pretty good adventure hitching back to Tracie's rental car. Saw Sideways and Moonshine who are a very nice couple from Knoxville. Sleepy and Eatmore were there as well. There's a band that's going to play tonight and this place has a brewery, hot tub, pool, and restaurant. It gets better. That night we were basically treated like rock-stars. People buying us drinks, the band was awesome, Sleepy was a dancing machine, folks diving in the hot tub, I could go on and on.
Date: 2010-09-05
From: US 201 - Northern Outdoor Center

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.7

I got to sleep in a little today and it was so nice! Tracie gave me a ride to resupply before heading back to the airport then it was back to the trail. Tracie, do you even know how awesome you are? Just when everything was going right, I realized that I left my hiking poles in Tracie's trunk. Stupid me. Luckily I got a hold of her and she dropped them off at Shaw's in Monson. The day of hiking was pretty easy the only climb being over Pleasant Pond Mountain which I was surprised to find had a nice view and was close to being over treeline. Not only that but there was a rainbow off in the distance which made for a really cool picture. My thru-hiking experience has been charmed in such a way that stuff like this doesn't even surprise me anymore. I'm am living the dream for sure! After that it was all downhill to Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to where I camped with Kumquat, Rabid, and Safari.
Date: 2010-09-06
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

Nice and chilly this morning. It's nice to have cooler weather. I had two plans today, one was to get close to Monson then nero the next day. The other was to get all the way to Monson then take a zero the next day. I decided to play it by ear today. The climb up Moxie Bald was pretty tough and the view on top was spectacular. I was looking for Mt. Katahdin while on the summit but nothing stood out so I figured it was probably behind one of the mountains that you could see from the top. Then, as I was descending from Moxie, the trail takes you around a corner and right there you could see it plain as day. I've only seen it in pictures but it looked exactly as I remembered it. At first I couldn't believe it was actually Katahdin because it looked so close and it's still about 120 trail miles away. But there was no mistaking it, it must be much closer as the crow flies. The rest of the day was like being in a dream. The trail goes right beside the East and West branch of the Piscataquis River and into Horseshoe Canyon. There were two river fordings that were about knee deep. I saw two hikers who had goats carrying their packs, then I hiked into Monson where I am staying at Shaw's Lodging. This is the last town and the beginning of the 100-mile Wilderness. I'm taking my last zero tomorrow then starting the end of my journey. I'm ready to be done hiking but wish the experience and the lifestyle of the last 5 months could last forever.
Date: 2010-09-07
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A day of lounging around and doing nothing. That night we went to the lakeshore house where I saw Hedgehog again. It was the first time Stix had seen him in a very long time. They had met on the first day of the trail and me, him, Hollywood, and Stix pretty much stayed together through a lot of the early part of the trail. Pretty pumped about starting the 100-mile Wilderness tomorrow.
Date: 2010-09-08
From: Monson, ME

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Had Shaw's legendary breakfast then hit the trail. Today starts the 100-mile Wilderness and I wasn't dissapointed. Passed several ponds and did a few river fordings. Much of the trail was solid rock and there were a few rock ledges to negotiate but the trail was pretty flat. Little Wilson Falls was definetely the highlight of the day. The stream by the Lean-to is a nice whitewater stream with several small waterfalls. There was some on and off again drizzle today but I didn't really get wet.
Date: 2010-09-09
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was cool with periods of drizzle. It was a surprisingly tough day over the Chairback Range. I did get a few views but it was mostly clouded in. Did a fair bit of slipping and falling but I didn't hurt myself. I forded Pleasant River then camped on the other side. King Krawler is the only one camped with me tonight.
Date: 2010-09-10
From: Pleasant River

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 16.3

Woke up to a really cool and crisp morning with a light rain that started shortly after I began walking. I saw a bull-moose on a stream bank on the gradual climb up to Gulf Hagas Mt. The temps got cooler and the winds stronger as I made my way up in elevation. There were 4 peaks to climb today, the last of which was Whitecap and was pretty close to being above treeline. On a good day you can see Katahdin from here but today wasn't a good day. Rain was blowing pretty hard right into my face so all I wanted to do was get off the mountain. The descent wasn't all that bad as there were stone steps and the weather got better the lower I got. I made it to East Branch Lean-to where I set up in the shelter and watched Diehard on Kumquat's I-pod. Also here with me are Conan and Backwards who are probably the cutest couple on the whole trail.
Date: 2010-09-11
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Sand Beach on Jo Mary Lake
Miles today: 17.7

A mouse chewed into a side pocket on my pack during the night. I left some candy wrappers in it and that's all it takes. First time in 3 days that it hasn't rained and the temps got up into the 70's. Kumquat's parents set up some trail magic at a road crossing and a bunch of us sat there and pigged out for a few hours. Afterwards I took off and made good time through flat terrain and ended up camping on a sand beach on Jo Mary Lake. I took a swim then had a good sunset followed by a night of star-gazing and Loon calls. It was really cool because this lake is in a bowl shaped area which caused an echo. It ended up being one of the best camping spots on the entire trail.
Date: 2010-09-12
From: Sand Beach on Jo Mary Lake

To: Wadleigh Steam Lean-to
Miles today: 11.9

Got up and hiked to the boat dock to Whitehouse Landing. You blow an airhorn and the owner comes to pick you up in a boat and takes you across the lake to their hostel. I couldn't stay the night because I need to finish on the 15th but I stayed for lunch and had a 1-lb hamburger. After lunch, I bought some supplies then hiked on to Wadleigh Stream Lean-to. There is a large group of thru-hikers here who are all planning on finishing on the same day so I'll have a lot of company the last few nights on the trail.
Date: 2010-09-13
From: Wadleigh Steam Lean-to

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: moderate rain

I woke up really early today because I knew I needed to do some miles to get to Hurd Brook. I also knew there was a chance of rain today and wanted to get a spot in the shelter so I booked it all day long and got to the shelter by 4:00. The trail was absolutely beautiful today. I wish I could have slowed down and enjoyed it more. I got a little bit of a view of Kahtadin today from Rainbow Ledges but it was half obscured by clouds. Heard someone fall into the stream before the shelter and start cussing. Figured it was probably Stix. It was. I stayed in the shelter with the same bunch from last night. We had a pretty good time and stayed up late reminiscing. Hedgehog showed up right before dark and brought Stix a Coke. Hope he feels better about falling into the stream now. What he doesn't know is that we are all plotting his demise and stealing his Coke.
Date: 2010-09-14
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: moderate rain

I woke up early this morning to the sound of Stix opening his cold, refreshing Coke and singing select parts of Rock n Roll's version of "I Believe I Can Fly". I hurried to Abol Bridge Campground to get some hot food at the store. It was just a microwaved sausage-biscuit but anything is better than trail food. After lounging at the store for a while I headed out and proceeded to get drenched by a short rain shower. It was a pretty nice trail going through Baxter State Park. Most of it is along a river with several waterfalls then you pass a few ponds. I made a wrong turn and ended up at Daicey Pond at one point but I got a really good view of Katahdin there. The summit is clouded in but you can see most of the mountain. When we got to Katahdin Stream Campground Stix, me, Kumquat, Hedgehog, and Sleepy split a shelter which you have to pay for. We plan on climbing Katahdin tomorrow rain or shine. Kumquat's parents are coming tomorrow and a big group of us are going to their house on the coast of Maine so we are all ready to get this over with.
Date: 2010-03-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

In five days I will begin the multi-day journey down to Georgia with my mom. I have a few little things left to get (matches, a flashlight, make a pack cover, get some fuel for my stove), but for the most part I'd say I am ready to go. I want to go. I have dreamt about thru-hiking since I was in 8th grade, and now I am finally doing it!
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Franklin, NC 

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Franklin, NCThe first hundred miles have been put behind me and with any amount of luck I will soon be on my way through the Smokies. With only a few exceptions, life has been relatively uneventful. I get up shortly after sunrise, pack up all my stuff, alternate eating, walking, and drinking for the majority of the day (mostly walking, though), get into camp, either set up my tent or sleep in the shelter, unpack my stuff, cook supper, go to bed, sleep for a few lovely hours, and then start it all over the next day.The scenery (when it's not too foggy) is mostly brown and gray. Lots of pairs of mating canada warblers, and a few woodpeckers. Saw one (nonpoisonous) snake, and lots of signs of bear.I hiked 19.8 miles on Sunday in a drizzle, driving wind, and bitter temps. It really wouldn't have been too bad if I'd been able to dry out my hiking clothes, but when I woke up yesterday morning all my clothes had frozen solid and there was snow on the ground. Decided to head into Franklin to dry out my stuff. Spent a wonderful night in a hotel, dried out, warmed up, and am ready to head out to the trail this afternoon.Life is good. Happy Trails All!
Date: 2010-03-28
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Fontana Dam, NCHiking from Franklin to Fontana Dam has been a breeze. Lightning, Monkey, Ringleader, TickBight, Prophet, and a few others and I have been hiking about the same pace for the last few days. Great group to hang out with. Did 21.8 after 10:15 yesterday and ended at the 'Fontana Hilton.' Taking a zero today and will start the Smokies tomorrow. Paid for some overpriced food at the Fontana Dam Village Resort and should have enough to get me to Hot Springs if the Smokies don't get me first.Life is good. Just gotta keep hiking...
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Gatlinburg, TNWasn't planning on getting off the trail here, but my mom is sending me some warmer and drier clothes. Yay! With the exception of today, the Great Smoky Mountains have so far been smoky, and not so great. Two day ago the weather was cold with a cold driving rain and lots of wind, temps probably around the 30s. Did a record-beating 3.3 miles in about 45 minutes to end the day. Yesterday was very foggy and misty with snow and freezing rain in the evening, temps probably around the 30s again. Did 1.7 miles in less than half an hour, racing the remaining minutes or sunlight. Hiked through A LOT of snow, up to Clingman's Dome, and was able to hike in a t-shirt the last 10 miles or so to Newfound Gap where I got a ride into Gatlinburg. Good day today with sun and some spectacular views... finally! Weather forecast looks good for the rest of the week, and with any amount of luck I will be back out there tomorrow.
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Gatlinburg, TN (still).I have succesfully spent way too much money. I can't wait to get back out onto the trail for multiple reasons. For those of you who don't know, Gatlinburg is a large tourist attraction. A ski lift, gondola, multiple mini golf places, aquarium, wax museums, ripley believe it or not museum, over 100 hotels, and equal number of steakhouses and pancake houses just begin to paint a picture of this hideous (sorry, Gatlinburg) place. In addition, the weather is supposed to be nice for the next few days and it would be fantastic if it stayed that way at least until I get out of the Smokies. Thanks to my wonderful mom I have new rain gear and warmer clothes. Yay! Thanks mom! And my brother sent me the most delicious lemon cake I've ever eaten in my life! Got a 10$ haircut from a crazy mexican ghetto-wannabe guy with a southern accent who only knew things from movies... and can't wait to be back out on the trail tomorrow. Back to grape nuts for breakfast and ramen for supper. Mmm. Mmm. Good!
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hot Springs, NC.I have to preface this by saying that if you have never been to Hot Springs, I highly recommend coming and staying at the Sunnybank Inn with Elmer.OK. I have now made it through the Smokies and am ready to put in some long days to get up to Virginia. The weather since Gatlinburg has been sunny and around 80 degrees every day. It is a relief to have this kind of weather and will hopefully not run into anymore 5 foot snow drifts for the rest of my trip. Spring is on it's way down here and I have more than the weather for proof. I saw two deer in the Smokies, am starting to see lots of cardinals, blue jays, and the occasional indigo bunting. I nice relief to finally start seeing other birds besides Canada warblers... at least I think that's what they are. And there are flowers!!! Lots of little colorful flowers are popping up all around me. Daffodils in Hot Springs are in full bloom right now.I pushed hard the last three days between Gatlinburg and here, averaging 19 miles a day. I could definitely feel my feet by the time I got into town, but was rewarded by space at Elmer's, a place I have read about in many AT books. He is known up and down the trail for his homemade vegetarian meals. Unfortunately, he did not cook supper or breakfast while I was there, but I was able to take a zero day and work in his garden for a few hours instead of paying for the room and was invited back for a delicious breakfast this morning.I have to keep this short, because I am on my way out of town. But I should be in Erwin in about 5 days and Damascus perhaps another 5. Although I'm not sure when I will be able to update my blog. Please let me know if there is a particular aspect of thru-hiking that you would like to hear about. I have a few things I wish to comment on at a later point (mainly women on the trail... or the lack thereof).Life is good, and the journey continues.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Erwin, TN

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Erwin, TNGreen. Green. Green. As much as things were consistently gray, brown and lifeless, they are now looking green, blue, and beautiful. That's not to say that there are not lots of dead leaves on the ground, but for the msot part spring is on its way full force. Lots of wildflowers along the trail, and more and more birds each day. The birds I thought were Canada warblers aren't actually (don't know what they are), there are still lots of woodpeckers, I've seen a few turkeys now, and robins seem to be replacing grouse.The weather (with the exception of yesterday) has been sunny and rather warm. I even had to take a 3-hour break in the middle of one day to avoid heat exhaustion and sweating bullets.So, all in all, life has been pretty carefree.For a fair number of days, though, I thought I had some sort of cardio disorder. It sounded like my heart was being overtaxed. It would beat steadily for a couple of beats, then speed up... kinda of like the way a bouncy ball sounds as it's bounces reacher lower and lower heights. I was quite worried, but decided to push it toward the back of my thoughts, not really believing it was actually my heart. Perhaps my ears? Who knew... However, I was quite relieved when a fellow hiker pointed out the sound of male turkey beating its wings. I think that's how they attract mates? I had forgotten that that same noise my heart was supposedly making was also the noise a turkey makes when it beats it's wings. Wow. I felt like an idiot!Well. That's it for now folks. I have a friend from home meeting me in/near Damascus, my next stop. I'm thinking of possibly staying at Kincora hostel for a night, considering it costs all of 5 dollars. We'll see though. Life is good, and my legs are strong (though not as strong as my spirit)!