morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-04
From: NY 17A

To: Arden Valley Rd
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

This was another good start to the day. The weather has really been nice lately. The hike today proved to be much different from the hike yesterday. Today the trail was all up and down over big rock piles. I also walked through some swampy sections. In these sections the mosquitos were very bad. Water is becoming a real concern. There just has not been that many opportunities to get water in NJ/NY. There have been some stagnant water in ponds, but it's pretty much undrinkable. Trail angels have been leaving water in jugs at road crossings. Even a lot of the shelters don't have water. A little more rain would help ease the water problem. The plan is to take another 0-day tomorrow. There won't be any 0-days after that until I get off for the wedding.Happy Trails
Date: 2004-07-06
From: Arden Valley Rd

To: Bear Mountain
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: broken clouds

Wicomico and I did not get a shuttle back to the trailhead until about 9:30 and were hiking by 10. The weather was good today. New York and New Jersey were supposed to be states you could cruise through, but I found New Jersey to be tough and so far I'm finding New York to be just as tough. There has been a lot of 500 to 700ft climbs and most have been over rock piles. It makes for a very tiring day. I did get a good look at New York City from atop Black Mountain. There were a lot of outstanding views today. I picked wild blueberries along the trail today and they were delicious. I felt like I was hiking in about 4ft of water. I seem to have hit a few bumps in the road lately. I'm sure this is not unusual when attempting a thru-hike. It's how you handle the bumps that will determine the outcome of the hike. I look forward to a good day of hiking tomorrow.Happy Trails
Date: 2004-07-07
From: Bear Mountain

To: Graymoor Hostel
Miles today: 7.1

We got another late start today. The post office opened at 8:00 and we were back on the trail by 10:00. The trail smoothed out some today, and that's a good thing! I continue to see a lot of blueberries along the trail. They offer an oppertunity for a snack at various times during the day. I struggled again today. Basically I'm having trouble with my energy level. I seem to be tiring way too early. My breathing has also become much more difficult when climbing. Within the next couple of days if things don't improve I will get off the trail a week earlier than planned. This would give me more time to get checked out by my doctor. I'm taking antibiotics for Lyme Disease and would like a second opinion. We are staying the night tonight at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center (formerly the Graymoor monastery), which is the home of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. Hikers can use the campsite/shelter at the ballfield. We are sleeping under the picnic pavilion. The Friars also provided dinner for the hikers and only ask for a donation. I would like to thank the Franciscan Friars for their hospitality and generosity. Here's to a good day of hiking tomorrow.Happy Trails
Date: 2004-07-08
From: Graymoor Hostel

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: few clouds

We hiked in the rain most of the morning. In the afternoon the sun came out and everything dried out except my boots, socks, and feet. Today was more up and down hiking, but you know that's kind of what the trail is about. So I'm going to stop complaining. When Wicomico and I got the the RPH shelter we met up with our old friend Mellow Yellow. He's a nice guy and it was good to see him again. The three of us plan to hike out together tomorrow. Some of the other hikers at the shelter are The Roman Noodles (husband and wife, both doctors), Toebreak, K2, and Walk Softly. Wicomico and I have been hiking in the same neighborhood with these guys for some time now. Well, tomorrow is another opportunity to hike.Happy Trails
Date: 2004-07-09
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Wicomico, Mellow Yellow, and I started hiking about 6AM. It was a beautiful morning and the forest produced an array of colors. Mostly different shades of green, but also some yellows, browns, and oranges. The light was filtering in from the rising sun. The sight was pretty impressive. The forest is more alive early in the mornings, there are more animals roaming and always plenty of birds singing. At about the 5 mile mark we came to a road that led to a store that had breakfast. I had 2 eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, and cheese. This was all delicately placed on a large bun. I also had a honey bun, coffee, and Gatoraide. This was great! There's nothing wrong with my appetite. The rest of the day was just as good. The temps never got too high and the humidity stayed low. I have been reading a lot of info about Lyme Disease. This stuff is acutally posted on the trail and in some of the shelters. Lyme Disease is a very serious disease if not treated properly. Since I'm getting off the trail anyway for my son's wedding, I am going to get off a week early. This will allow me to see my doctor and have more tests run. I haven't been feeling good for a while. This will mean that after 7/10/04, I will be off the trail for about a month. I can still finish by the end of Sept. I think that's a good plan.Happy Trails
Date: 2004-07-10
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 21.7

It was a good start to the day. The temps were in the low 60s and it was a good footpath for most of the hike. Today the trail will cross into Connecticut. This will be my first New England state. It is really hard to believe that I'm closing in on the 1500 mile mark of my hike. Mellow Yellow plans to go about 13 miles today. Wicomico and I will hike into Kent, CT and Robert, Wicomico's son, will meet us there. He will shuttle me to Washington, D.C. where I will catch a train home. I am really conflicted about this situation, but I know that I will come back and finish the trail. However, I am leaving all the people I have been hiking with. Wicomico Walker and I have been through a lot together. He has been a good friend and we had planned to finish together. I will also miss Mellow Yellow, Just Pete, Bear Behind, and all the other people I have hiked with. It's like a little community moving up the trail headed north. I wish them a good footpath and happy trails.
Date: 2004-07-11
From: Kent, CT

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 0.0

Robert shuttled Wicomico back to the trail and then we headed for D.C. Robert is a true trail angel. He came all the way from Bute, VA just to pick me up. We arrived in D.C. about 5PM and my train was departing at 7PM. He didn't just drop me off at the train station, he went in with me. He wanted to be sure everything was okay. Robert, thank you very much. Your kindness is very much appreciated. So I'm writing this journal entry on the train headed south. I look forward to being home, but will miss the old AT. I'm already looking forward to getting back on the trail. Sometimes things don't go according to plan, but you can't give up on you dream.Happy Trails
Date: 2004-08-13
From: Kent, CT

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Since my last entry, I have traveled to Italy for my son's wedding. My wife, daughter, son-in-law and I spent several days in Rome and Sicily. I kept my trail legs the best I could by walking the many miles and stairways in Rome. We saw the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Vatican along with many other sites. In Sicily we stayed in Catania, my new daughter-in-law's hometown. Sicily is very beautiful and even has an active volcano, Mt. Etna. Currently, I am traveling back to the trail. Bill Matheny and I left today and will drive to North Carolina. Bill will run in an ultra-marathon tomorrow and then we'll be on our way to Conneticut. I will be back on the trail where I left off on Monday morning with about 720 miles to go.
Date: 2004-08-23
From: Kent, CT

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well folks, it's not going to happen! I'm off the trail. I went back to Connecticut and hiked for a few days. It became apparent pretty quick that I didn't have the energy to carry the pack up and down mountains anymore. I could tell that it was more than just being off the trail for a month. I felt very fatigued and washed out. When I got off the trial for my son's wedding, I was taking antibiotics for Lyme Disease and I don't know if how I feel now is associated with that. What I do know is that I couldn't hike anymore. So in 3 years I have hiked 2800 miles of the AT. I did close to 1500 this year. This will have to be enough. I won't try a fourth thru-hike. I have a lot of good AT memories. I met a lot of wonderful people like Wicomico Walker, Mellow Yellow, Bear Behind, Just Pete, and many others. I will never forget them. It's been quite an adventure. I would like to thank my daughter Karen for transcribing my journal. She did an outstanding job. Her husband Matthew, my son Michael, and his wife Rosy were all very supportive. Most of all I would like to thank my wife. She made a lot of sacrifices while I was out walking up and down mountains. I would also like to thank everyone who has been following my journal. I'm sorry it couldn't have a better ending.Happy Trails
Date: 2004-02-17
To: sideburns are dreamy
Miles today: 0.0

5:38 in the PM As I sit here looking at a script for Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs, I come to this realization....I've got a crapload of shight to do still!! And by crapload I, pretty much, mean everything. Grrrr....procrastination is a bitch! Good thing my plants are watered, my bed is made, and my room is, some what, clean, or I may have to start doing more useless, time-gobbling activities, instead of planning for a 2,100 and more hike. Hell, I spent almost my entire day setting this journal up and I'm not even sure if I'll be able to really use it while I'm on the trail! Oh well....at least my board is getting waxed, and I have contact solution and toothpaste, and my menu is figured out for the cast party, and I've read all of my current rejection letters....other stuff in lu (I can't spell) of thinking of hiking. No worries....I'll do it tomorrow!
Date: 2004-02-17
To: destination, where?
Miles today: 0.0

Not more then 2 minutes later      Yeah, so I'm still learning how to use this wacky site. I thought I was typing in a title to my last entry....but in reality, I'll be heading for "sideburns..." today. I don't even have sideburns anymore! That was a scream, by the way. I used to have the burns, but I had to shave places that have NEVER seen the edge of a razor since I burst from the womb for a play I'm currently a part of....apparently boys didn't have sideburns in the 30's. This coming from a guy who had 3 inch long lambchops in 7th grade! I think my milk man may have been a gorilla...or a wooly mammoth or something. It ain't natural....ain't natural! I sure hope this entry works. I already feel like a dope because I'm pretty much talking to myself on an online journal! But what's new....I'm always been a dope....or was that something I smoked? I can't remember...there must be something wrong with my short-term memory.
Date: 2004-02-17
To: all about the atmosphere
Miles today: 0.0

After dinner, 7ish   So all of my fears about this site have yet to be realized, while some I realize are nothing to fear! I'm figuring it all out AND getting my quota of entries so people can see this on the journal list. So feel free to read, enjoy and follow along. Yall can be a part of history, and a part of the Chris Bont video game...in the works since 4th grade and being developed by the dude who will probably be my best man...assuming I can hold onto someone that long without resorting to some unauthorized bondage! Sooooo, believe it or not...I must go study and learn about what I need to have for this voyage at my local coffee place, something I feel the need to do ever since college. Hopefully, I'll get more done there than I used to when I was in college! Distraction....you know what she is! NOT that I'm saying that she's a she or....dammit!...I'm getting in trouble again! Someday I'll learn to stop talking....heheheh, right.
Date: 2004-03-08
To: For aesthetic appreciation...always a little time!
Miles today: 0.0

1:33 on the button....until I'm done writing, at least      So I went out and did the unthinkable last night...well, two unthinkables, I guess. Must be a sign of the times...the winds of change are a blowin'! Second of all, I watched, what most would consider a most "unmanly" film, "Harold and Maude" all by my lonesome. And you know what....I FREAKIN' ENJOYED IT!! Well, maybe not being alone, but that's a whole different problem with its own long, drawn-out Bont-story. Aaaaaaaaanyway, that movie is chalked full of hilarity! Coincidently, I borrowed it from a gorgeous gal, with whom I also walked with last night as well, assuming that's grammatically correct (I'm still trying to barrel through English As A Second Language!). God, am I gonna miss that one....yet another different problem with it's own long, drawn-out, full of pointless details, and destinationless side trips, that make for a wonderfully irksome Bont-story!      But first of all....I actually bought a plane ticket from Detroit, Michigan ALL the way down to Atlanta, Georgia. March 31st is the date and I'll be startin' the approach trail to almost 6 months of sweaty, outdoor bliss, on April 1st! No more, "I'm starting April 1st, so if everything falls through, I can just pawn if off as one really big April Fool's joke", joke, because this trip IS happenin'!! WWWWOOOOO!! HELL YEAH!! TAKE THAT, PRINCIPAL SMITH FOR SAYING I'D NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING!!! IN!!....YOUR!!!....FACE!!!! Yeah, so I'm mildly excited. It's going down...in the real.      Now, the reality of this adventure is setting in...and it's not a bad as I think. Sure I won't be sleeping in my own queen-size, waveless, water-bed, or drinking beer with the guys, or walking in the snow with beautiful girls...BUT, I will be sleeping on ultra-king-sized beds of grass, and drinking beer with someone different daily, and walking in the snow, AND the rain, AND the sleet, AND the fog, AND the bugs, AND the sun, AND the big, blue sky...all with those I've left behind in my thoughts. And it'll be those thought's that'll keep me smilin' for the months to come....well, that and everything else because I laugh at everything! Can you believe that people have only about 15 laughs a day!?! So it won't be that different at all...I'll even be able to eat dinners made by my mommy everyday!    All in all, everything is looking up...and I don't think that the 1st will come soon enough! Well, now it's 2:10 and I'm finally done...I get easily distracted. I'm like a squirrel...and I can even wiggle my nose...although that's more like a bunny. Ahhhh yes...the meaningless sidetrails of my thoughts. There's only more to come!
Date: 2004-03-23
To: Yes! Michigan!
Miles today: 0.0

10:34 PM   So, you gotta love Michigan, my home state. Just yesterday, I was looking outside at the beautifully, sunny day. Not a cloud in the blue sky and, yet, there is this white stuff, fluttering about...what the hell is that?....is that...is that SNOW!?! Yes, only in Michigan can one get a blizzard right smack-dab in the middle of a cloudless, blue, sun-filled sky. And the sad part is that I have everything all set, packed, and dried a week earlier than I thought possible. So now, when most people would think I have a week to relax, I have a week to stress out about not being able to start! I just wanna walk!...is that too much to ask? But really, I don't mind...either way, I'm still starting what will, essentially, be a six month vacation. Whether I'm here, drinking beer with friends or having a final dinner with family, or down south, debating on whether to have pasta or rice tonight, is really just a moot point. I have no worries and will continue to have none until September! "And that is an encouraging thought." (Who said that, eh?)   And on a completely random sidenote...I got to hold my first newborn baby last night!! One of my best friends and his girlfriend had an incredibly cute, baby boy early yesterday morning and we went to visit them yesterday at the hospital. We, of course, stole him away for a little while to smoke the celebratory, "It's a Boy!" stogie. It was so cold, though (and you can't smoke in a hospital...although, that didn't stop us from having a celebratory beer!) that we had to move our party to one of our cars...which we, ultimately, ended up hot-boxing...not cool with cigars. I had to shower when I got home because the smoke had permeated every inch of my body...and I mean EVERY inch! But it was inspiring to see one of friends happy and content, embarking on his new journey with a family of his own...and yet I couldn't help but be envious as well. Seeing him holding his newborn son, gazing, adoringly at his fiance, I came to the realization that I really haven't done anything with my life. But, being the ever caring friends that I have, he just told me that wasn't true. He told me I've done things that he's envious of..."Hell, you're hiking for 5 months. That's something I could never do." And he's right. Sure my life hasn't turned out quite as I had envisioned, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I've been to more places, seen more things, and experienced more than the vast majority of my friends. And I'm about to embark on a new journey of my own...one for which everyone I know is a little envious. But it still gives me that joyous smirk, seeing one of my friends happy at where they're at...just one of the things for which I live. And I've lived my life in a way that has made me happy and continue to do so...and so I trek on. Congratulations, Shawn and Jen.
Date: 2004-03-31
To: the final countdown...da na na na
Miles today: 0.0

5:42 in the early, still dark, morning So, after almost 4 days of no sleep, 12+ extra trips to Meijer, and just a pinch of freakin' out!....I'm finally off! For once in my life, though, I need to keep this short....mostly because I have to leave in 10 minutes for my flight and I have to pack my bag yet. Ah yes, what a life it is! Aaaannnyway, feel free to continue following along as the madness has only begone. Muuaaahhhhh!!! Yeah, I stole that from one of my favoritest girls...who always helps me to relax and did so last night...thanks cutie . Anyway....I'm freakin' off!!! [zzzzoooommm!!!]
Date: 2004-04-01
To: mom hass
Miles today: 15.2

At 10:15 AM today, after a good nights sleep in the Lodge and a warm home cooked style meal, our hiker is off! He is hoping to make Springer Point in 3-4 hours on his way to Hiawassee, Ga by 4/5 or 4/6 (in time for the NCAA Basketball Playoff Game to be viewed at a yet to be determined local watering hole). The Lodge did not have Internet access so notes are being added by the trip coordinator in Grand Haven, Michigan (Mom Hass!). Chris' goals for this first trek are to see how many miles per day are reasonable (his shuttle driver, Richard, has already advised him to lighten his pack), how many other hikers he sees, and if that human interaction with fellow hikers impacts speed and distance. The weather is good (partly sunny and low 60's predicted for next couple of days, rain by the weekend). Chris will add other notes relating to the trip to Atlanta via air, the tales shared by his shuttle driver (who also helped him solve his first challenge - where to get white gas for his cook stove), etc., when he gets to a place with internet access. Otherwise, via cellular technology (ie quick calls to the home base), updates will be posted on a regular basis. First photos should start to appear the week of 4/12/04 as soon as the first film is mailed home for developing. Go get 'em, Chris! We admire your courage to chase your dream! (PS the trail map is now hanging in the dining room so we can post your progress.)
Date: 2004-04-02
To: mom hass
Miles today: 12.4

After leaving Amicalola Falls State Park on Thursday, Chris has completed approx. 30 Miles of trail. The first night he slept in a trail shelter with several others (first outdoor overnight). He met four young men from Georgia (3) and Michigan (1) and spent Friday hiking with them. Friday evening they got a ride into Dahlonega, site of the first gold mine, where they stayed in a hotel and ordered pizza for dinner (9:45 PM). This morning, they got a ride back to the trail where they hope to make Blood Mountain or beyond. Chris will call Sunday to dictate a more complete journal entry and mileage update. Still hoping to make Hiawassee on schedule (4/6). Mom Hass
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

7:45 after dinner So, I'm sitting here on the third night of my trip...watching "There's Something About Mary" in the warmth of the Walasiyi Hostel! So, three nights out and only one spent in the actual woods! Last night, I hooked up with a couple of guys from Georgia, local boys, and Jim from MI and they convinced me to follow them to Woody Gap...and to a hotel and pizza! Good timing too. I was lamenting earlier about needing someting to give me the strength to make it the whole way (some imspiration if you will)...and WHAM!! I meet some people who are pretty damn cool and had some fun. I even hiked with fellow Michigander Tim today and he's pretty cool...good guy, funny. But enough about others...and more about me. My first day out (sorry, I didn't write in my journal for the first couple of days...just plain lazy, sadly because I probably had nothing else to do!) on April Fools and I ended up hiking like 17 miles or something...so much for taking it easy. Anyway, I met this really cool old dude named Kruezer and we walked together from Springer to the Stover Creek Shelter. Old guys freakin' rock! He had a butt load of stories and he liked to talk...and he did his first thru-hike in 2000 at the ripe age of 55! Anyway, he stayed at that shelter and I (for some unknown reason) decided to press on...damn, was I tired! I was the last one in and there was still some room in the shelter. So I just made some dinner, talked to some of the folks around the fire and retired with everyone else...where I proceeded to move around enough at night to WHACK! the gal next to me in the face! Wait...did you hear that?...THAT is the sound of awkward! The next day (April 2 for those that can't keep track) I set out for the next shelter along with all those I "beated" up and slept with...a plan to which I totally planned on sticking to, until I met the guys from GA...which brings me back to watching movies. Tim from MI and I hiked today from Woody Hole where we veared from the trail to the siren lure of pizza to a hostel at Neel's Gap. Oooo, we trudged up to the top of Blood Mountain today too! Yeah, that was the cat's meow (rrarr!), one of our first really great vistas. Man, you can see for freakin' miles and the hike up was all cool with rocks and stuff you could jump around and through tunnels of Rhodadendron! Very jungle-ish...I almost had flashbacks...and when I came too, I was pointing my walking stick at "Charlie" (Tim) yelling at him to put his *!#@ weapon down!!! But not so much. Well, my bed is calling me and, for now, it is a real bed so I better succomb while I can. I can't remember the last time I was in bed by 9...someone's a looser!