morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-26
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: broken clouds

Just another beautiful day in a woodland paradise. Sunny again today, yea! There is some haze accumulating though, so rain is coming... I climbed the last of the major stuff today, so between here and Big K it should be pretty smooth sailing! I took a short side trip down the Gulf Hagas trail to Screw Auger Falls, which is a neat waterfall that formed such as to cause the water to sort of twist and fold over as it plummets down. Also hiked thru the Hermitage, which has a section of forest which has never been lumbered - some of the pines there are 150' tall, and quite large around. Much of the trail here in the 100 mile wilderness seems to be pretty well maintained. There were a number of stone stairs built on steep ascents/descents and overall the trail was pretty good today. I rolled my right foot twice today and had to fall both times, it seems OK tonite, but I will be suprised if it isn't sore some in the morning.
Date: 2004-08-27
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I head butted a gnat today - the weather turning warmer and being down low (500') has meant the bugs are back in force. As the gnats were buzzing about my head, I misstepped (they were getting in my eyes) and with a rapid forward motion - bam - I got one with my forehead. Otherwise the trail was great today, as evidenced by the fact that I did 23 miles in less than 8 hours. it seems that most of the trail maintenance in Maine focuses on these last 100 miles. There were some great bog bridges and areas where the trail was built up and good drainage ditches installed - it is almost as if they want this section to be easy or something - I don't know, but it is good! Anyway, I am glad that I could do the miles in less time than expected. It is so wonderful to see the shelter, knowing that you are early, but not knowing that you are REALLY early - extra daylight to lounge around in camp with - eat till I am stuffed, do all my other tasks, and maybe get some reading in.
Date: 2004-08-28
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: White House Landing Wilderness Camp
Miles today: 2.3

Yesterday I did 23 miles, today it is 2.3 - a NERO right at the end of my trip - only a few days left! I finally saw some moose this morning, 2 bulls walking through the woods right past the shelter! They are some big animals - sure wouldn't want to get in there way! Made the walk to the logging road, where it is another mile along the lakeshore to the boat dock with air horn to sound for the boatride over to the camp. This place is just beautiful. Built right on the shore, no electricity, no running water, but they have propane, and they cook a mean cheeseburger - a one pounder, so big I couldn't get my mouth around it! Spent much of the day relaxing and sorting through my mail from Tina, and a special box from Pam Bennett - seems her trail magic follows you, even to Maine! Did my laundry (hand wash - line dry) and read my book a fair amount. A very nice, easy day in a wonderful place - the best hostel on the AT - not as many comforts, but the views! - I went out on the lake in a canoe this evening and saw Katahdin up close for the first time! It looked good!!
Date: 2004-08-29
From: White House Landing Wilderness Camp

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Looked a little ominous this morn, the clouds were gray and low. Starting out from White House Landing with bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, toast and AYCE blueberry pancakes, and by noon the clouds were breaking up, and this evening it is a blue sky. Had a nice day of walking, yet again today - some tough areas, typical of Maine, but I am making consistently good time. Had some more views of Katahdin today, but the summit was socked in, so it wouldn't have been so good up there today. I keep hoping that it will be a good day when I summit. The trip is almost done, prob only one more nite out in the woods, as I should be able to meet Mom and Dad in Millinocket on Tuesday. It is difficult to comprehend this trip ending - six months ago it seemed utterly endless, now I am almost there. I keep reminding myself that the trail is so close to home, anytime I feel like it I can take an overniter out there - that makes it seem much less final to be heading home. The journey is never over.
Date: 2004-08-30
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: The Birches Campsite
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: light rain

My last nite on the trail - tomorrow, whether I summit or not, I will be in Millinocket for the night. The weather has turned a bit rainy. It seems that there are remnants of a hurricane coming though - so tomorrow may not be a good day to take on "the most challenging climb on the AT". Last nite it rained, and today there was a bit of mud and the rocks were slippery too. I slipped on a rock at Hurd Brook and scraped my shin, which was quite painful, reminding me to be careful. I rolled through the miles again today - arriving at Abol Bridge just after noon, in time to have lunch there. Then I decided to go ahead and push it all the way to The Birches - right at the base of Katahdin. This is the last shelter on the AT -pretty amazing - I finally made it - now it is just Katahdin.
Date: 2004-08-31
From: The Birches Campsite

To: Katahdin Inn - Millinocket ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up at 0600 this morn - got bitten by a few bugs thru the nite, not oo bad though. Ate cream of wheat and hot chocolate for breakfast - talked with Hawkeye a little while, and then began walking/hitching toward Millinocket. A guy picked me up in Baxter and got me to the Trading Post, where I made a couple phone calls and had a little to eat - began hitching again and two gals picked me up and took me into the main part of Millinocket, where I stopped at the Appalachian Trail Cafe for lunch, after which I walked down to the Katahdin Inn to wait on Mom and Dad. - Met up with them about 1800 - I showered and changed - then we went to the Hotel Terrace restaurant for dinner - after that, a quick call to Tina and off to bed.
Date: 2004-09-01
From: Katahdin Inn - Millinocket ME

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

Summit on Katahdin - an amazing journey completed today. Dad and I paused for a moment - as we reached the summit at 1100, to reflect on anothers journey - Mary Jane Crickenberger, who passed on this past Sunday. Her memorial being held at this same hour. It was a foggy day on top - good views on the ascent though, and I could see the sign on top - that was all that mattered! A good hike up, challenging in areas, but surprisingly the descent wasn't too bad - it was a well laid out trail, very enjoyable, as long as you took your time. I wavered between happy and sad, so happy to finally be here and to see and do this section - but sad that the adventure is ending (at least for now!)
Date: 2004-11-25
To: Thanksgiving
Miles today: 0.0

Here I am, almost three months after completion, not sure where all the time has gone. Reintegration has been fairly easy (so far) - maybe because I am too busy at work to think about all the oddities of our modern life. The trail is a wonderful place, where life is simple. It brings you into touch with the more basic portions of yourself - eat, sleep, walk - that is all there is. Plenty of time for self reflection and to ponder the meaning of it all. I am enjoying being home, running water and four walls are pretty neat, and the car makes it easy to zip to work, and the store, and up to the mountain for a short walk. So now it is thanksgiving time, and I give thanks for my family and friends, both old and new, without the people this would be a pretty lonely world. I am also grateful for my luck on the trail this year, I had no major injuries, and everything went better than I could have hoped for. Soon we will embark on yet another new year, to unknown adventures - but life is like the trail, one foot in front of the other, and you keep moving on.
Date: 2002-07-14
From: US 30

To: Big Meadows
Miles today: 165.0

I am going to try something here...I am going to use this 2004 journal as a summary for all of my section hikes starting 2002 and thereafter...rather than start a new journal each year for those miles. This way the journal will keep the running total. On the other hand, it won't be limited to 2004...we'll see if it works. This entry I have attempted to add the "shakedown" hike miles from way back in 2002.
Date: 2004-03-18
To: This Year's Plan
Miles today: 0.0

Since I am going to do a lot of hiking on the Trail this year, including a hike with Charlie form Berea, I thought I¢d start a journal of this ¢section hike.¢ The plan is to eventually cover all the white blazes a 2nd time. I will try to make entries for each day but will be relying on memory for some of it when I¢m not carrying my Pocketmail.The first leg of this section hike was my ¢shakedown¢ hike back in 2002. That¢s when Julia dropped me off where the Trail crosses The Lincoln Highway in PA and I hiked 158.2 miles south to Big Meadows in SNP. You can read all about it in my pre-hike journal last year¢s thru-hike. That¢s when I learned a lot, got dehydrated, met Baltimore Jack in Harpers Ferry and contracted Lyme Disease¢¦a real learning experience.The 2nd leg will be this spring when I take my RV to Rainbow Springs Campground and set up ¢base camp¢ about a mile off the Trail from Wallace Gap on old 64. The plan is to start with the approach trail at Amicalola Falls and ¢leisurely¢ hike NOBO for several weeks and, at some point, take some time off to do trail magic for other hikers.Mid April I will leave my RV and drive the Blazer back to Ohio to take Julia on a week¢s vacation to Holmes Beach FL. When I return for Trail Days in May I hope to do some more of the Trail.In June, Charlie from Berea is talking about getting on the Trail at Manchester Center VT and finishing his NOBO hike to Kahtadin. You may recall he got off there last year with a knee injury. These last 500+ miles were some of my favorite and I am looking forward to returning. I had a lot of bad weather in Maine and the views will most likely be much improved.In late August some of us are going to California to do the John Muir Trail. I¢ll do a separate journal for that hike.One other thing, I purchased a new lightweight pack from Six Moons Designs. It has a special zip pocket in the front for the Zrest. It also has front mesh pockets for those items you want to keep handy. It sounded intriguing and I am anxious to see how it does.
Date: 2004-03-19
To: On My Way
Miles today: 0.0

Thursday I spent the day driving down I71/I75 to Rainbow Springs Campground south of Franklin NC. Things went well until I got to Old US64 on the way to the campground. Not realizing it was ¢loop¢ road, I turned on it at the north end, driving up a winding narrow mountain road pulling the Blazer behind my 34¢ motorhome. When I got to Rainbow Springs I realized it was only a mile or so off the highway that I should have continued on.After setting up camp I dropped by the yurt, the round tent-like structure where the thru-hikers stay. It has bunks, frig, deck, campfire, many of the comforts of a hostel, etc. There I met Freedom, Blue Sky & Sir Fix-a-lot, Dave Mueller, Chester and Tinder. A long time thru-hiker, Seiko, also was tented nearby. We had a nice chat.Friday morning I took Seiko, Tinder, Blue Sky & Sir Fix-a-lot to breakfast at Shoneys in Franklin. Following breakfast at 9:30 we went to the library so they could use the internet. It didn¢t open until 10 so we ended up returning to the campground. I ran Tinder to the Trailhead.Around noon I drove up to Burningtown Gap where Apple the Trail Angel was doing trail magic that week. You may recall we met at Wesser Bald last year during my thru-hike when he provided some excellent trail magic. We kept in contact via email and he had given me directions for this year¢s event. He is really something else¢¦he drives up from Texas to do magic for a week every spring. This year he erected a huge dome like tent structure. Inside is cooking facilities, chairs, coolers full of beverages, and plenty of room for hikers to bed down at the end of the day.When I got there a half dozen hikers were enjoying the festivities. I sat with them until early evening when I drove an hour back to Rainbow Springs for the evening. There, Seiko and I built a campfire at his tent site and chatted for awhile. He is going to run me down to Amicalola in the morning and return my Blazer to the campground before resuming his hike NOBO.
Date: 2004-03-20
From: On My Way

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: few clouds

I was up by 5 even though Seiko said we¢d leave for Amicalola around daybreak. So, I was ready when he came knocking at 6:30.   We stopped in Hiawasse for a great breakfast buffet and it took us over two hours to get there.   I really appreciated Seiko taking the time to run me down and take the Blazer back to the campground where it would be waiting for me.The day started out a little cloudy and overcast with some drizzle. By the afternoon it had cleared up and was partly sunny.I had skipped the approach trail last year on my thru-hike, so I was anxious to see how it went. I started at 8 and it did go well. I found it somewhat difficult but not terrible. I guess my exercise program this winter paid off as I reached Springer before noon and felt like going on another 7+ miles the Hawk Mtn Shelter¢¦not that tired and no feet problems. When I got there around 5ish the shelter was full. That was okay cause I wanted to tent as much as possible this hike.Among the hikers at Hawk were Stretch, Mad Monk, Jerry, Jay, Dirt Nap and Hopeful. I believe Hopeful said he also thru-hiked last year and came down this year to start out with Peekaboo and/or Welsh Nomad. Anyway the new hikers enjoyed hearing his insights on the Trail.It was actually quite warm and buggy in the evening, so much so that I had bites all over my ankles¢¦more gnats than I can remember at any time last year. I called them gnats but some said they were too big to be gnats. A strong cold front moved in over night with brief thunder showers. The wind dried out the tent by morning and it had cooled down dramatically. I did sleep well in my tent.
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

I believe I was up at daybreak and hiking by 7. I never bother with cooking anything on my stove for breakfast as it¢s more important for me to get hiking and hence ¢warmed up.¢ I might try a canister stove on my JMT hike this fall as I won¢t be any rush to do miles and some hot chocolate in the morning would really hit the spot.It was another great hike¢¦at least the early part. I ended up doing 19 miles to Woods Hole shelter. All I remember is it got progressively windier and colder as the afternoon went on. So much that I had put on my Pategonia stretch top and hiked with it on¢¦something I rarely did last year.Woods Hole was .3 miles off the Trail and the water source, a steam back a ways from the shelter. It was so cold and windy I didn¢t bother going back and just ¢ate cold¢¢¦peanut butter on pita bread for supper.The shelter looked full so I immediately started to put up my tent. It was so windy a couple of guys came out and helped me. I immediately put on my long johns and climbed in the bag fully dressed. I never once slept with my pants and stretch top the entire hike last year.   The winds roared all night and the temp dropped easily into the teens¢¦maybe even single digits. It was my coldest night ever on the Trail¢¦a good test of my gear which fared well.I¢m not sure who all was in the shelter. A couple were section hikers. I believe Doug who is thru-hiking and doing a weekly article for a home town paper to raise money for a charity was there. One other guy tented. In the morning they asked why I didn¢t sleep in the shelter. No one spoke up and said ¢we¢ll make room, come on in.¢ I really wanted to see how my tent preformed anyway. One other thing, in the morning, the end of my sleeping bag almost always seems damp or wet on the outside.
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: clear sky

It was cold this morning as I packed up and left as quickly as possible at daybreak. It was cool all day but not so bad once my body got warmed up. I did wear the power stretch top most of the morning.Today¢s goal was to reach Neels Gap and stay in a warm bed at Goose Creek Cabins. Last year I stayed in the hiker hostel at Walasi-Yi and it was fine, but I had heard so much good about Goose Creek. I did reach Blood Mtn about noon. Talked with some of the hikers who stayed at Woods Hole last night. In the register someone had written that it was 9 degrees last night¢¦obviously very cold!Got to Neels Gap where I got to talk with Skittles who I got to know last year. He seems to be enjoying working at the outfitter there and helping other hikers out. I bought a couple of hot chocolates which tasted sooo good. Also bought a ¢mini pocket knife¢ that clips on your belt for $30. That¢s right $30¢¦I normally wouldn¢t spend that much especially since I lost my last one. I just liked it.Seiko apparently gave my name to Goose Creek as they knew I was coming. He told me to stay at the top of the hill in cabin #9. Nice HEATED cabin with a kitchenette.   They have a nice reception/gathering area with satellite TV where you can hang out. A young hiker was also staying there with TWO dogs. I didn¢t see the dogs as he left them in his cabin when we went to town to eat this evening. He had hiked as far as CN with one dog last year and I believe he said he had started from FL this year. The other thing, he said his feet were bothering him¢¦didn¢t sound good.We all went to the Cookie Jar for supper¢¦a little higher price this year but still a great value at $6.95. There must have been 30 people there from Walasi-Yi. Chatted with Mad Monk a bit. Doug was there with us too. We went to the grocery store for a few things after dinner and then back for a good night¢s sleep.I realize I¢m not giving a lot of details about the hike this journal¢¦that¢s cause I¢m doing this from memory and didn¢t do the Pocketmail thing every night. I can tell you the hiking went well this first section.
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Neels Gap

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

It was cold this again morning. I had the heat turned up in the cabin all night and it was nice! They got me back on the Trail at Neels Gap by 8:30. The sun was shining (unlike last year) and the initial climb seemed easy.Early on I caught up with Mad Monk. We hiked together to Low Gap shelter and had a nice chat along the way¢¦a really nice young man who seems dedicated to his hike. I sure hope things work out well for him. We arrived at Low Gap by 2, had lunch and also ran into Doug. Mad Monk didn¢t want to ¢push himself¢ too much too early and decided to stop there for the day. That¢s the last I saw of him. He¢s not on trailjournals so if any of you know where he is along the way please let me know in my guestbook. Thanks.I arrived at Blue Mtn shelter early evening¢¦around 5. Found a great tenting spot. Several people were already tenting and in the shelter. Later two SOBO thru-hikers arrived. I wish I had gotten their names down. I believe they were English. Also there were the Honeymooners¢¦just married a week or so back and obviously, the happiest people at the shelter. Some section hikers were trying to get a fire going and a local guy hike to pass out bags of M&M¢s¢¦pretty nice trail magic.Another great night in my tent¢¦cold but the bag and tent are still doing there jobs.B
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

The one thing I remember about today¢s Trail was the hike up Tray Mtn. Last year, I thought it was the worst climb¢¦I remember having to stop several times to rest on the way up. This year it was a piece of cake. The difference was that last year it occurred at the end of the day. This year it was early in the day. The miles always seem tougher at the end of the day. I remember talking with a hiker in Maine. He said no matter where he was or where he was headed, the last 2 miles seemed to drag on forever.I had a nice visit at Tray Mtn Shelter around 11 am. One tent was still pitched but I saw no hikers. Last year I pulled into a full shelter during a cold steady rain. It continued to be cold and dreary through the next day. Today it was beautiful and sunny with great views. So far each day seems the opposite of last year.At Dicks Creek Gap I ran into Doug and two new hikers, Caroline and Adam. I believe Caroline and Adam are just friends (as opposed to an ¢item¢) who are out to thru-hike to Maine. Doug and I started to try and hitch to Hiawassee while Caroline called someone for a ride. There wasn¢t a lot of traffic and it took us a half hour or so to get a ride.The Holiday Inn was great, same rate as last year ($55). Doug and I met for dinner across the way at Daniels Steakhouse where they have a great hiker AYCE buffet. There, we were joined by Eileen & Walter (on trailjournals) and Laroc (Carol backwards) Caroline & Adam showed up later. Had a nice chat over dinner. It sounded like Eileen & Walter were loving it¢¦then I heard they got off after developing some problems their first 15 mile day (blisters and knee). I wish them only the best.
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

After gorging myself on the breakfast buffet at the Holiday Inn, I was hitching back to the trail by 9. Got a ride right away and began the ascent up Little Bald Knob. I did stop a few times to make adjustments but, as I recalled from last year, it was an easy climb, some of it with views.When I got to the GA/NC border I had just met another thru-hiker, John. I offered to take his picture but his camera wouldn¢t work. I asked him if he needed anything and he said I could help him back on with his pack. Geez was it heavy! Must have been at least 55 pounds. This guy is not that big himself¢¦maybe a 150 pounds soaking wet. Hope he makes it.Early evening, a couple of thousand yards before Muskrat Creek Shelter I met a young backpacker, ¢Headsup¢ resting beside the Trail. We chatted for awhile and he said his right knee was killing him. It was wrapped up in an ace bandage. He talked about leaving the Trail at Fontana Dam and getting a ride to Gatlinberg to meet a relative. I offered him my Blazer to Clingman¢s Dome if it would help. He said he was hiking with another guy (ACYE) who had hiked on ahead. He sounded like he was going to have to stop for the day at Muskrat Creek.I hiked on to Standing Indian Shelter where I met ACYE, CuppaJoe, Thor, Kickstand, and two guys out with a hammock club.   I pitched my tent and fixed some mashed potatoes with bacon bits for supper. I was surprised when Headsup limped in about an hour later. He really sounded like he was through for the day back at Muskrat Creek. Someone started a campfire (which I learned the term for is ¢cowboy tv¢) It was a nice fire and we all sat around and talked. It was great to get to know CuppaJoe. He told me all about his hike so far. This guy is dedicated and will make it Maine (you can read about it here on Trailjournals).