morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-16
From: Cooper Brook Falls lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream lean-to
Miles today: 29.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Back to back 30ish milers. Even though I had a few calf cramp problems, probably mostly due to dehydration, I really feel good. Sitting in Monson, I was so worried about the Four Days to Freedom push, but know I feel very confident it will be completed. The days and miles are just going by so quickly. It has been amazing today passing other hikers and asking the whereabouts of Slick Wood, everybody replies ¢yea, the guy running, we saw him a couple hours ago.¢ He got a 4:20 a.m. start but I didn¢t hear him get up and go. Apparently he unwrapped his pop-tarts the night before so he wouldn¢t wake us up. Impressive. Speaking of pop-tarts, we have been doing these miles, and walking all day every day fueled almost entirely by pop-tarts and Fritos. It is the quickest and easiest way to get calories along with vitamin deficiencies. I guess by the time the effects of the poor diet kick in, we¢ll already be done. As part of the 4DF campaign, the Giardia Tour 2009 has also been launched. We¢ve heard it takes a week or so for Giardia to take hold of the body. We¢ll be done in a couple days, so the guys have pretty much been drinking everything. Sharptooth hasn¢t treated his water since Massachusetts. Since I¢m carrying a filter that I really like, I¢ve been using it, and offering it to everyone if they want it. But the Tour is in full swing. It will be interesting to see if anybody does end up with Giardia. Getting into Rainbow Stream lean-to this evening was bittersweet. It was the first shelter I stayed near when I came through in 2007. So it brings back great memories. I am really proud of the last three days and 85 miles. It took 6 days on my previous trip, so I feel like I have come a long was as a hiker. Tomorrow we complete the 4DF, leave the wilderness and will sleep at the base of the beast. It will be my last full day on trail. I don¢t know exactly how many days it¢s taken to get here, but I think I¢m in the 130¢s. Almost there.I have really enjoyed hiking the last few days. The days have been long, but the trail has been great. My body has responded well and there isn¢t any real pain to speak of. Since last night at Cooper, I have been thinking about how much I am going to miss hiking. After all the breaking in and getting re-adjusted to trail life, these days have been awesome. A far different feeling than at the end of last year¢s adventure, and certainly the start of this years. I feel like after all the hard work, I am finally experiencing the joy of hiking. It helps that we have had good weather and terrain. But in a way, it makes me want this trip not to end. I am 11 days or so ahead of schedule, so I¢ll bet it¢s the fact that I am almost done and was mentally prepared for hiking late into July. Either way, I am leaving the trail soon, loving to backpack.
Date: 2009-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Getting anxious====Have been hiking at least 5 miles every other day. Trying to pick different loops, so the locals don't call the cops reporting a vagrant backpacker. Having gotten any blisters, alternating between the Australian boots and Vasque Trekkers, trying different sock combinations. Gonna enlist the help of a 20 pound rock to add to my pack today, for training hikes only, it'll not be traveling from Maine to Georgia!!! Got a dozen socks from Ebay last week, they feel really great in both pairs of boots. Cell phone crank charger might arrive in mail today, the solar one will be in pack also, it charges batteries fine but doesn't seem to reliably charge the Blackberry, but it hasn't been real sunny here lately, as I expect it won't be on the trail either.
Date: 2009-04-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have been toting this 20 pound rock in addition to my base load. Today it rained in Pennsylvania, so I got Around to painting it. After 2 weeks the extra weight feels almost normal.I am modifying my prep training to be a 2 hour minimum, with skips due to other distractions. I have been hiking exclusively with the Vasque boots, and I have found a Columbia wicking poly shirt, that makes sweat much more comfortable, searching Ebay for a few more!!! Oh it was April Fool's day too.
Date: 2009-04-11
To: Clarksferry ,Pa
Miles today: 0.0

Good Friday, was supposed to be rainy, it did sprinkle a little bit. Took the Rock on the AT today.Hiked 3.2 miles to Clarksferry Shelter. When I got there the Rock wanted to check out the privy. 4 guys passed me several times on way up the mountain, they didn't have a 20 lb Rock. Picked up the spray cans from Vandals, empty cans from the new recent rock graffiti, oh and I removed one rock from the trail, left the other 10,000 rocks alone, for your enjoyment.
Date: 2009-05-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

2 weeks from today, Yahoo. So much for friends, will start adventure via Greyhound bus. Cheaper than driving anyhow. My rock today was joined with my hydration Platypus.My stack of trail food is growing.Second pair of boots are broken in, actually third pair. Treeshere a fully leaved, ready for shady hiking. Got a new dog the other day too, but it will stay home with the Rock!!! Finally got the Blackberry to charge from an emergency recharger using AA batteries.Now I gotta figure out how to program the email back into it. Will hike everyday now, till I leave. Oh bus tickets in mailbox, gotta walk after em now. A step forward is a step closer!!!!
Date: 2009-05-19
To: TrailMagic!!!!
Miles today: 0.0

Did a good deed today.Was at the Peters Mountain Road Crossing today with Hotdogs, Gatorade, and Hamburgers. Most of my inlaw relatives attended about lunchtime. They had no Idea what Trail magic was. Day started off slow, so I hiked to the Peters Mountain Shelter, and signed the logbook, saw a blacksnake on the way back. When I got there my sister in law was there, entertaining a thru hiker. We had 11 thruhiker/flipfloppers till 3:00. I'll pass most of them again on my way down from Katahdin. The hotdogs and hamburgers disappeared amazingly fast!!!! This is a great thing to do if you aren't hiking!! 2 gents were from the UK,and Sallie was a beautiful Lab, she liked the hotdogs too. My BIL Richard also had his new baby groundhog along,so everyone was amazed. Was a spectacular hiking day!!! Thanks to the ATC for the bridge to cross, that road is ridicules!!!!
Date: 2009-06-02
To: sydney tappan campsite
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Arrived quite late due to distance and trail conditions. Found campsite full of Maine Conservation Corps. They were very friendly and allowed us late arrivals to use their campfire and even shared some grub. Making entries from Monson Hostel while washing and drying stinky stuff. Entries from trail are just locatrions and miledge to conserve battery power, sun not enough to recharge using solar charger. Scenery is fantastic up here but the trail must have been designed by the MOOSE. MATC definitely meabs Moose Appalachian Trail, The trail is where the noose nove and crap. Some parts of trail piled high.
Date: 2009-06-03
From: sydney tappan campsite

To: chairback gap leanto
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Due to bugs, we are camping in tents beside the shelters. The climb from the north was quite hard, but surely vetter than sliding down. Very windy and chilly.We think we can no longer see Katahdin. My 2 hiking partners got trail names today, Mr. Hungry, and Stumbles!!!!
Date: 2009-06-04
From: chairback gap leanto

To: long pond stream leanto
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Met a West Pointer Grad. She even runs with a full backpack, put us to shame. Long day tomorrow into Monson, First mail drop. Still have enough food for at least another week. Appetite has not arrived yet.Fords were easy!, the water le vel is low but way cold, guide lines were in place.
Date: 2009-06-05
From: long pond stream leanto

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sleeping on dry soft beds. Washing stinky stuff. Doing maildrop.Ate steak.Today was awesomely hard, the 4 500 foot bumps seemed to kick my butt! Left knew painfull, cured by a Alleve. 4 C Energy Drink also cures it, seems like fatigue. It also cracks back into place by kneeling in lean to. Will slow down the pace abit. Little Wilson Falls is fantastic, Nobody ever sees it. But a few hikers. This area is all slate tops, vertical strata, saw my first Moose today!0f0courseit was on the trail. Passed a NOBO, said he saw a bear.
Date: 2009-06-05
From: long pond stream leanto

To: Monson
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sleeping on dry soft beds. Washing stinky stuff. Doing maildrop.Ate steak.Today was awesomely hard, the 4 500 foot bumps seemed to kick my butt! Left knew painfull, cured by a Alleve. 4 C Energy Drink also cures it, seems like fatigue. It also cracks back into place by kneeling in lean to. Will slow down the pace abit. Little Wilson Falls is fantastic, Nobody ever sees it. But a few hikers. This area is all slate tops, vertical strata, saw my first Moose today!0f0courseit was on the trail. Passed a NOBO, said he saw a bear.
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Monson

To: Moxie Bald Leanto
Miles today: 18.0

We have modified our sleeping habits. Because of BUGS we now set up the bug proof part of our tents inside the shelter. We would not do this if others needed the shelter, but this is an advantage of SOBO. Allows us a nice sleep, the buzzing stays outside. The mountainless terrain today was great, but there were steady PUDS along the stream. Crossed several low fords and rock hppoed the beaver dams and short fords, Maine's water level is low.
Date: 2009-06-08
From: Pleasant Pond Leanto

To: Pierce Pond leanto
Miles today: 36.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sometimes things happens, some times shit happens. Was planning the day to make it to Pierce Pond, but otherwise. We hiked into Caratunk, but there is no way practical to make it to the Ferry by 11 am. I called the Ferry service and got no answer, meanwhile my travelmates found a guy to Yellow blaze us into Stratton. They have a mail drop arriving here, but it is somewhere in transit. So I will hike form rte 27 to Crocker Cirque Campsite tomorrow weather permitting, and they can meet me there Wednesday. Therefore the great mileage today, we tried but fate says otherwise!!!
Date: 2009-06-12
From: piazza rock leanti

To: rangeley, maine
Miles today: 1.8
Weather: light rain

Rainy day break and mail drop. Staying at Gull Pond Hostel. It's way out in the boonies. Ready for mad dash next stop Gorham, N.H. Had a great fish sandwich and a hot sausage too, and water with real ice.
Date: 2009-06-15
From: hall mt leanto

To: Frye Notch Leanto
Miles today: 10.5

Dunn Notch falls super beautiful. Another rainy day in Maine. Atop Bald Pate now,buzzed by 2 Navy jets!!!! Mt Washington clear now,can see snow in Tuckerman Ravine, and to the north of it. Headed toward Goose mt, drying everything from wetness. My feet are happy!!!
Date: 2009-06-22
From: Joe Dodge Lodge

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another rainy day.Creek was too high to ford at Osgood so I took Madison Gulf trail, was unmarked and followed streams mostly, had to bushwhack to find stream crossings. Arrived at hut very totally wet and cold. Was even cold inside, but food was great.
Date: 2009-07-04
From: winturri

To: rutland
Miles today: 19.9

Off the trail. Ate at a Firemans Fundraiser Picnic, then attacked a Ponderosa Steak House. Watched Rutland's fireworks. Will zero Sunday, shop for a fleecr cheap slumber bag. Got a bag liner yesterday at EMS, will send sleeping bag and tent home tomorrow with everything else that I don't need for warmer weather.
Date: 2009-07-17
From: Brassie Brook Leanto

To: Belters Campsite
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

After the extra long Detour, it started to rain so had to make a quick camp after rt 7.Best way in this section would have been to follow the AT then hitch on a truck to get over the one lane bridge work. Used the new hammock that leaked, luckily it was a warm rain.Lightning zapped a tree somewhere pretty close, and the mosquitoes were terrible.
Date: 2009-07-25
From: Outhouse Hostel

To: brink road shelter
Miles today: 26.7
Weather: clear sky

stopped short of shelter due to millions of mosquitoes>. bad mistake. Heavy Tstorms during the night. I was flooded. Semi slept in poncho, then I put poncho into hammock netting casue the bugs got hungrier!! nHammock is on it's way to storage, Friday, will switch back to tent.
Date: 2009-08-07
From: Rt 225 footbridge

To: Cove MTn Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Yahoo, took a needed week off the Trail. Washed everything several times. Bought a new Spork. Weeded some weight out of the bag. Set up my remaining Maildrops. Set a goal of October 1. Figures that it hasn't rained much since I've been off the Trail. Will be leaving from East end of Clark 's Ferry Bridge at 7:30 am and and shuttling several people to the Rt 225 Footbridge, with a hopeful start about 8:00. Gonna stop at the Doyle to test the Yuengling. I have reloaded the tent and ditched the Hammock, so miles will not depend on shelter distance. My new boots are another set of Vasque's, another size larger. Trying to give the toes abit more space. Regained about 15 pounds due to daily pigging out!!!
Date: 2009-08-29
From: Howard Johnson Inn

To: HJ INN
Miles today: 0.0

Hmmm, ate and drank, got new footbeds. Feeling like a zero. Need to test footbeds and pack the bag then reconsider. Rhinehart email me I can't find address in Blackberry. Forecast says rain next couple of days. Hate to hike and carry 9 beers with me, probably will be the deciding factor. My feet really need a rest. But I wanna get DONE!!!!
Date: 2009-09-04
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

On mt. South of town.Ate at small Chinese Buffet. Was listed at 4.95 somehow bill was 7.95 or so.But I was stuffed. Drank a Foster's Ale and climbed the steephill, which got better up higher. Met a weirdo named Forager,dressed in fatigues and hiking all Nam era issue gear.Met a southbounder named Strider too.
Date: 2009-09-09
From: Lick Creek

To: Atkins, Va I 81
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

Okay today it really did rain! Ducked under poncho to wait out a quick shower,but it went on and on. Finally started hiking in poncho in the rain. Need a dry room and shower now. The Exxon station makes great Hiker FOOD!!!!!!
Date: 2009-09-12
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Damascus Dave's Place
Miles today: 28.0
Weather: broken clouds

Bought new boots, duct tape couldn't save old ones.Jeff took me along to church BBQ!!!Then I had a half gallon of ice cream, thenb some beer, then some boneless wings and fries and some more beer. Downed a box of cereal and cookies this morning. Beautiful day to rest!!!!
Date: 2009-09-29
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: few clouds

Trail Magic at Fontana Dam Shelter. I resupplied from Trail Angel peanut butter, trail mix (2 types),Gatorade,power bars,and even oatmeal,tuna,chicken, and ranch dressing. Got a ham sandwich from gas sattion and a six pack of Busch!! Caught a ride last 3/4 mile to trail crossing. "Iife is good. Chased 5 bears today. Saw no pigs!
Date: 2009-10-02
From: licklog gap

To: Wateroak Gap
Miles today: 38.8

I know the mileage is high. I was gonna fake the log, I did hike well over twenty miles, but since I took the Kinsey Creek Trail, I bypassed some of the AT. It made sense when I planned the trip, when I was hiking in the rain, and when I'm tired of the the Trail getting off track. So I Blue Blazed and my feet thank me for it. Going into Hiawassi tomorrow.
Date: 2009-10-03
From: Wateroak Gap

To: Hiawassee Hiker Inn
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Actually stayed in tent at the Hiker Inn due to full House. Chinese Buffet is next door. I ate almost all their food, but it was all great!!! Got Bagels, peanut Butter, Cheese crackers at Grocery. Got a ride back to Trail at 9:30.
Date: 2009-10-07
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Springer mountain/ Amiacolola Falls
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Done Done Done!!!!!!!!!! Plus the 8.8 miles to the Visitor Center. Going downhill hikes much fatser. The sunshine helped too. I met some people at the center who gave me a ride to Dahlonega. We stopped at Burt's Pumpkin Patch, I got an apple loaf there and a bag of popcorn. They dropped me off at the Visitor Center in Town Square. I walked to the Econolodge a 1/2 mile and when I went to register my wallet was missing!!! Still missing, had to get Credit Card faxed to Motel, so now I'm basically broke till it either turns up, or Saturday night. My pack still has Trail food and the Continental Breakfast will keep me from starving. Hopefully there will be good news in the morning!!
Date: 2009-10-10
To: R&R
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Been relaxing, if ya call eating everything, and searching for wallet) for 3 days now. The remnants of blisters gone past are fading well. The Plantar facilitus is still present but only lightly. The heel spurs still feel pretty bad walking barefoot on hard concrete. My lower right rib still dully aches, it was the result of sliding out of an upper level bunk several weeks ago, something cracked I think, due to lack of foothold and sliding over the edge of the wood.   I finally slept the second night solidly to be rudely awakened by the alarm. My fortune cookie yesterday said I would be be pleasently surprised by something, but my wallet hasn't surfaced yet. So the 12 dollars plus my change cache will have to see me thru till my ride gets into town tonight. Must migrate to Super 8 motel this afternoon, cause the Econolodge wasn't booked full for Saturday night. Will go attack the great Chinese Buffet and hang out at the Library till 3:00. Will be heading back to Pennsylvania in the AM, weather looks like rain starting shortly, so suppose it'll be a crappy ride home, but It'll be a dry ride. Thanks to a local here named Dave, he helped greatly during this dilemma!! And thanks to the Bro-in-Law who will be my Taxi home.
Date: 2009-10-25
To: Great NEWS!!!!!!
Miles today: 0.0

Wallet has been located.It was in the door pocket of a ride I got from Amicolala Falls to Dahlonega!! I knew it would surface about the time I got the Important documents replaced. I am sooo grateful!!! Lesson for others, either get the name of your driver, or jot down the license number. Trail Angels are great people!!! Beware that hiker shorts lose their contents while riding vehicles!! My Hike has just risen a few degrees now to being successful.   Blister remnants are almost all gone now. I still lightly feel the heel spur on right foot, will maybe upgrade to 2 Alleves for awhile. My inner 2 toes on both feet still feel like they have grown together.I'm beginning to consider hiking with plastic steel toes from here on out, I think the toe box from being wet most of time and then shrinking caused most of my foot problems, now maybe to convince the manufacturers of Backpacking boots to offer a hard toe box. Maybe then the root kickers would stay attached longer.   My lower rib that I thought I may have cracked or broken while climbing down from upper bunk still bothers me a bit. Someday a chest Xray will confirm my suspicions, but until then I'll live with it. Bet the Alleves will remedy this too. Finally somebody claims there is a video of me on Utube, if you stumble across it, forward me the URL, thanks!!!
Date: 2009-10-29
To: Bounce boxing
Miles today: 0.0

Somebody has asked me if a Bounce Box is a good idea. I bounced my food forward once because I wasn't eating as much during the beginning of the adventure. One tip for you that will make sense. Send your food to yourself using the Flat Rate box, and when you get to the Post Office if you know what the box contains, and you don't need it yet, the box can be forwarded down the line at no charge. I reckon that you could do the same with careful planning with nonfood supplies. The mail is getting quite expensive. Stuff I didn't want or need I sent home using my food supply box, when I needed it again I had it mailed back to me. Bouncing is only free if you don't open the box, otherwise it may turn into a major expense.
Date: 2009-12-06
To: Status Update
Miles today: 0.0

First staying snow of the year arrived yesterday while deer hunting.Has been another unsuccessful week of Pennsylvania Whitetail season. Toted Flintlock most days when it wasn't raining or snowing.The hunting gang has gotten a buck and a doe,one of them got a bear. Feet are being stubborn, the pads on the balls of my feet still haven't returned to being flexible,and whatever maybe broke in the right foot,still is tender.Still not able to properly navigate with hiking staffs!!! Will do some trail walking next week of hunting season,kind of have an urge to backpack and camp out over night. Merry Christmas to all!!!
Date: 2010-11-25
To: T day, 2010
Miles today: 0.0

hey it's snowing, the first of 2010. Sitting here reading my new issue of Tom Waites Laughalachian Trail book.I just put water on the stove, for RAMEN noodles on T day!!!! Just finished the section on loss of Buttocks. Been over a year from the trail, and my pants still fall down!!! Now if the beer belly would have stayed gone. Gonna hike around in Allegheny National Forest this spring and summer, unless I can get back to Yellowstone. I have fairly well completed an Adirondack Shelter among my forest, give a holler and stop by for week!!!! Oh yeah Yogi Bear movie in a few weeks!!!!
Date: 2010-11-26
From: comtemplating!!!!

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Haven't been here in a long time. Goal for this year, Long Trail in Vermont. Hiked Mt Mansfield region last year for a week till Irene showed up. Looking for someone to hike from the North end to Killington., so a ride can be already set up at both ends. Also plan to do the Quehanna Trail in Allegheny National Forest, loop trail. Application in the works for Yellowstone again!! happy hiking!!!
Date: 2012-06-27
To: Yellowstone National Park
Miles today: 0.0

If anybody saw me hiking on the AT this year, it wasn't me. Application was accepted by Yellowstone, so I was silly enough to take a Job (hehe) there again. When not working I've been exploring trails out here that I neglected the last time. Been hiking wherever the snow is not lingering much. Almost July and snow is above 8500 feet mostly. Focusing on doing all the CDT in the park. I've been told that last year even at this time there was still nearly 5 feet of snow at Grant Village yet, they opened by shovelling down to doors, power supplies, and water lines. Kind of glad (real glad) I skipped last year. But due to them not hiring full staffing, I will cut my stay here short, and return east to section on the AT before Labor day. It is nice to hike with Elk out here, where the sky is almost always blue, and the Yellowstone Lake is at my doorstep. Paddled to one of the closer paddle in sites last weekend (12 miles) and enjoyed some glassy calm water on the way out, but fighting howling winds and bashing waves on the return, my wood and canvas canoe now needs more sealant!!! Will hike on Pitchstone Plateau tomorrow, which am told is minimally marked , so GPS might get tested, it seems like they consider trail markers to be damaging to trees out here, even though most the big trees are dead anyhow, from the 1988 fires (24 years and still standing)