morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Rainbow Lake, ME

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

We got a late start today because of the rain that started falling late last night and into the morning...it's not a heavy rain...it's kinda off and on light drizzle stuff. I haven't actually taken down my tent in the rain before and we only had to hike about 14 miles today so we didn't start hiking until around 10:30am. We managed to take everything down with minimal wetness and off we went. We arrived at Rainbow Stream Lean-to around 1:00pm and ate lunch here. We left around 2:00pm headed for Wadleigh for the night. The terrain to Rainbow Stream was light and nice hiking. After the stream it started getting a nit tougher...we climbed Nesuntabunt Mountain right before Wadleigh and that was the first tough part of the 100-miles. We couldn't have been happier when we saw the lean-to...we practically ran to it and got out of the rain. It was about 7:oopm when we got there. We decided to stay in the lean-to rather than camp out because there was only one other person in it and it was raining. We cooked dinner and said goodnight...we were tried
Date: 2010-06-24
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to, ME

To: Antler's Campsite, ME
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

We woke up to the sound of another day of rain...not the sound you want to wake up to usually, but we had to get going early today. The first 8 miles or so seemed to fly by even considering we couldn't find the side trail that would tell us we have gone 4 miles or so...we ended up past where we thought we were which was a needed boost. We lost the trail for about 15 minutes...there were no white blazes that we could see...we finally found it after walking almost across a stream and the turning around. That was frustrating. We struggled to say the least to get to the Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to...our energy was running low and we needed a lunch break. We took a pretty long break here and then headed off for Antler's. WE got there around 4:20pm, set up our tent to dry and made a clothesline to dry things since the rain stopped. The sun had come out and the lake was beautiful. This was the first site that we both got cell phone reception at...we both called our parents and I called Shaw's to reserve a room and a pickup once we were in Monson. We ate dinner by the lake and I took another bath, which felt amazing! Then we crawled into the tent and went to bed for the night
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Antler's Campsite, ME

To: East Branch Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 16.0

Woke up early today! It was a special re-supply day for us!! We had planned on meeting my Dad at the Kokadjo-B Pond Road to have a late lunch and to pick up more food for the second half of the wilderness. Turned out we had more than enough time to get there...we stopped at Cooper Brooke Lean-to for about an hour and a half...Tay took a nap and I read the resisters...we just relaxed for a bit before moving on. We got to the road around 1:00pm or so...we weren't suppose to meet my Dad until 3:00pm so we had another long break. When my Dad finally pulled up in his pick up we both jumped up and were smiling like crazy!!! Real food and cold drinks! This was exciting I had a whole still-warm pizza and a iced tea drink with fresh fruit..I was stuffed. All Tay really wanted was cheese (I have no clue why, but that's what she got). She had other things too but mostly cheese...haha. We re-supplied our bags with fresh food and then my Dad had to head off back home. Oh how easy it would have been to jump in the truck and be home in three hours...dream on buddy, dream on. Anyhow, we had some emotional ups and downs as we continued onward to East branch Lean-to...and to add to that the terrain was step up Little Boardman Mountain and we were stuffed full with good food...the hiking was rough but we made it there by 7:30pm. WE stayed in the lean-to again...we didn't even have dinner because we were so stuffed. We basically just got there and went to bed.
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter (old)
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

A little wet today, but we're drying out and somewhat safe in the old carter gap shelter. If the winds don't blow it over tonight we'll head towards Franklin in the morning. KrazyFox, Bump, Wizard, Mike, Daniel, Cooper & Radar
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin, NC

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Set out at 12:30PM , hiked 11 miles to Wayah Shelter by about 7:00PM. We have been joined by our good friend Loose Bruce from the class of '07. Hoping for another good weather day tomorrow.
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Wayah Shelter

To: A Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

I arrived at Wesser Shelter mid-afternoon and after an hour or so decided to press on to A. Rufus Morgan Shelter. Bump and Loose Bruce are back one shelter at Wesser Shelter. I'll wait for them at Nantahala Outdoor Center tomorrow where we'll likely move on some.
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

Left Standing Bear Farm about 12:45, made it to Groundhog Creek Shelter at 4:00. Sitting by a nice fire now after an evening of roasting marshmallows! Heading for Hot Springs and looking to find a ride up to Traildays Friday.
Date: 2010-03-14
From: SPRINGER MT, GEORGIA

To: MT.KATAHDIN, MAINE
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

IT ALL STARTED ON A RAINY MORNING..BACK IN EARLY MARCH 2010. I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE EXCITED IN ALL MY LIFE. I TRAINNED AND WORKOUT LIKE NEVER BEFORE FOR THIS JOURNEY. I WAS DOING A THRU-HIKE. HIKING 2,179 MILES ACROSS 14 STATES INTHE EASTERN UNITED STATES. FROM ALL I RESEARCH AND READ...NOT AN EASY TASK. BUT ME, BEING A VERY COMPETATIVE PERSON, I SAW IT AS A CHALLENGE. FOR 3 1/2 MONTHSI HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE. I MET GREAT AND BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. SOMETIMES WE HIKED TOGETHER FOR DAYS BUT MOST OF THE TIMES I WOULD HIKE ALONE. OTHER TIMES WE HIKE THE SAME DISTANCES BUT AT DIFFERENT PACES, SO..WE ENDED THE DAY AT THE SAME CAMPSITE..WE TALKED,COOKED DINNER & GO TO SLEEP OR HIT THE SACK. TO WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING TO DO THE SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN. I LOVE WAKING UP WITH THE DIFFERENT SOUNDS OF THE MORNING BIRDS. ALONG THE WAY SPOKE WITH GREAT PEOPLE, SAW BEAUTIFUL VISTAS, CLIMB THE HIGHEST PEAKS IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN, ENCOUNTER TIMBERRATTLES AND COPPERHEADS, 3 BEARS RUNNING AWAY FROM ME,THE FAMOUS "WHO COOKS FOR YOU OWL"..lol...A STORMY WEATHER,SOMETIMES..A LOT OF SNOW STILL IN THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS IN LATE MARCH..EARLY APRIL. EXPERIENCED ROCKSYLVANIA. I CALL IT MY WORSE NIGHTMARE FOR WHAT IT DID TO MY POOR FEET. BEAUTIFUL STILL PICTURES OF WHAT I SAW THAT MOMENT.....THAT I WILL SHARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR EVER. I WAS A HAPPY HIKER...NO PROBLEMS, NO WORRIES, PEACE OF MINE. I REDISCOVERED MY LOVE FOR SIMPLE THINGS ON DISPLAY..EVERYDAY ON THE TRAIL. SPEND A DAY WITH MY BROTHER ON FATHERS DAY. I WAS LIKE A PROGRAM MACHINE TO HIKE EVERYDAY UNTIL I GET TO KATAHDIN, MAINE.THEN SUDDENTLY, ON JULY 1,2010 A HORRIBLE ILLNESS FORCE ME OFF THE TRAIL THAT I LOVE SOO MUCH. I WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IN PITTSFIELD,MA. THE DOCTOR DIAGNOSED ME WITH A "TICK BORNE DISEASE" NAMED "EHRLICHIOSIS"..SIMILAR TO LYME DISEASE. WELL. I HAVE BEEN HOME RECOVERING FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS, AND DREAMING ON GOING BACK TO THE TRAIL.. TAKING ANTIBIOTICS FOR 21 DAYS. A FULL RECOVERY TAKES 3 WEEKS!!..I AM NOW HAPPY TO TELL YOU I FEEL STRONG AGAIN AND READY TO GO BACK ON THURSDAY,JULY 22,10 . I WILL PICK UP AGAIN ON MASS 2..ON NO.ADAMS. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING OLD FRIENDS AGAIN OR MEETING NEW ONES. I WILL UPDATE MY JOURNAL EVERYTIME I CAN. FOR THOSE WHOM I MEET ON THE TRAIL..IF YOU R STILL HIKING...GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND HAPPY TRAILS!.GOD BLESS YOU.....RAFI!!!
Date: 2010-07-22
From: NO.ADAMS, MASS

To: sherman brook camp site
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: scattered clouds

got back on the trail today about 3:45pm. very suave day!!..only hiked 2 miles to camp site.Legs felt a little rubbery as soon as i put my pack on but it got stronger as i hiked. Tommorrow is another day..we will see. Planning on hiking 12.1 tommorrow.VERY HAPPY TO BE BACK
Date: 2010-07-25
From: goddard shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

today was a test of stamina for me with 19.5 miles, but it went well. just soreness at the end of the day. climb stratton mountain in rainy conditionsand heavy fog, so ...no viwes today on top of the stratton..Mices chew a hole on my food bag last night and eat my organic cookies!!!(what smart mice).MANCHESTER CENTER TOMMORROW.
Date: 2010-07-27
From: LITTLE ROCK POND

To: LITTLE ROCK POND
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

the hike today started under sunny skies and its getting very cloudy. great vistas on white rock cliff. hiked with papa smurf on and off the last few days. seeker is a day behind me now. have not seen old friends form the trail. they must be still ahead of me. But miss you guys. Im doing good. rafi
Date: 2010-08-01
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Moose Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

Realy excited guys to be in New Hampshire. Cant wait to see the White Mountains. It's going to be amazing. Finally saw a familiar face on the trail, itRod. We met way back in Virginia. The trail today went passed Dartmouth College in Hanover, beautiful town. rafi.
Date: 2010-08-08
From: Crawford Notch

To: Naumans Tentsite
Miles today: 6.4

Nero today. I was beat up from the last two days. Was running low on food so i pushed hard the last two days, but when i got to crawford notch, trail angels helped me by giving me a cold drink, crackers, and chips. Then on the road i got a lift from another trail angel and a cupcake. I hope the rain holds up until after Mt Washington.
Date: 2010-08-10
From: Naumans Tentsite

To: Gorham
Miles today: 41.0
Weather: few clouds

summit mount washington on monday the 9th in a cloud of fog. very amazing mountain. intimidating coming down such big mountain indense fog. thank god for rock cairns. so many trail intersections to make things more confusing. the whites were beautiful but the trail was brutally hard. 297 miles to go. cant wait to get to katahdin. talk soon guys. rafi
Date: 2010-08-13
From: Carlo Col Campsite

To: Speck Pond Campsite
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Another rough day on the trail guys. Maine is picking up right where NH left off, very rugged terrain. Extremely difficult trail. Mahoosuc Notch was fun but very slow. Met with Hobbit today in camp. last time I saw Hobbit was in the Smokeys. Was great to old face from a few months ago. We hiked together a couple days. Hopefully i meet David and Seminole tomorrow at Grafton Notch, before i go on to the next campsite. rafi.
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Speck Pond Campsite

To: Sabbath Day Pond Leanto
Miles today: 42.0

Last 3 Days update. Counting down the days now, 15 days to go. Scheduled to be at Summit Katahdin if everything goes well on Sept 1st. We had 6 days of nice weather until yesturday 8/16, raining in the morning on and off all day. Will dry everything off in Rangeley today 8/17. rafi
Date: 2010-08-19
From: Rangeley

To: Croker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: clear sky

These last 2 days. I saw first Moose in the wild yesturday, a female. I crossed the trail and stayed there for a few minutes looking at her, when I saw her back hair beggining to stand up I knew she was getting mad and may charge at me so I backed off and she left for the woods. 13 more hiking days to the big finale in Baxter Park. rafi
Date: 2010-08-24
From: Moxie Bald lein-to

To: Monson
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

Last few days have been amazing. Two nice trail magic. Moose hanging around all night close to my tent. Then i started having nightmare about two mooses playing pingpong with me, one pushing me to one side and the other pushing me to the other side to hit the ball, super weird. The mind can play weird games with you sometimes. Then the perfect scene of a sunrise and a moose drinking on Moxi on the Bald Pond. A beautiful fullmoon reflecting on the pond lastnite. These memories will last a lifetime. rafi
Date: 2010-08-27
From: East Chairback Pond

To: Logan Brook lean-to
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Finally i saw Mount Katahdin from a top of White Cap Mountain, what a view. It was amazing to see the mountain that you been chasing for the last 5 months, very impressive looking. Cant wait to meet her face to face in 3 days. rafi
Date: 2010-09-01
From: Katahdin stream campground, Birches

To: Katahdin (Baxter peak)
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

This GA-ME is over!. On a glorious day the journey has finally come to a very joyfull END, on top of the greatest mountain, katahdin, the jewel on the neck of Maine, the mtn with double beauty, beautiful to look at, and beautiful to look from. what an incredible feeling, hard to put in words. I't is true what a magical way to end the journey of a lifetime. To my facebook friends thank you for your support thru-out. my family, love you dearly, you made it possible with your continued blessings. To my best friends on the trail, White jeep and Seminole you were there for me whenever I needed you, I will never forget you. To all the nice thru-hikers i met and hike with on the AT, if you finnish your thru-hike congratulations, for those who did not for whatever reason, we were in it together ans I will always remenber you guys. Let's celebrate with a drink tonight, we did something most people only dream about. God bless... Rafi
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Springer Mtn., GA

To: North
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hello to all who will hopefully follow me throughout my journey along the Appalachain Trail over the next few months. I look forward to sharing it with you all. First I have given myself the trail name Red Fox for anonymity reasons but it may change as time goes one. A little about me, my wife, My Lady Mink, and two dogs live down south. I have quit my job in an attempt to hike the AT over the next 5 and half months with the support of her, friends and our families! So far I have the first 70 days planned with all the usual resupply points, mileage and shelters/camp sites to stay but as with all well laid out plans they normally are worthless before the ink is dry. Right now I figure my backpack weighs 30lbs or so with days worth of water. My gear includes an awesome sleeping bag (Thanks Dad!), ultralight tarp, sleeping pad, 3 pairs of socks/liners, 2 shirts, long sleeve shirt, croc shoes, long underwear base layer, an amazing rain jacket (Thanks babe!), food bag, first aid/misc bag, water purifier pump, rope, gators, hiking poles, fire starter and I am sure a few other things I forgot to mention.Things that I think I will miss the most while hiking:my wife and dogs, my family and friends, TV (sports), a pillow, hot morning showers, fishing, AC, grilling out, sitting on the couch, a roof when its rainingThings that I look forward to while hiking:waking up and smelling the morning, cooking for myself (maybe?!), not having to walk back to the car at the end of the day hiking, being outside, exploring the trail towns that I visit, hiking with friends and family along the wayand finally here is a little information on the trail:The Appalachian Trail, completed in 1937:¢¢Is a privately managed unit of the national park system. ¢¢Is the nation's longest marked footpath, at approximately 2,178 miles. ¢¢Is the first completed national scenic trail, designated in 1968. ¢¢Crosses six other units of the national park system. ¢¢Traverses eight national forests. ¢¢Touches 14 states. Houses more than 2,000 occurrences of rare, threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant and animal species at about 535 sites. ¢¢Crosses numerous state and local forests and parks. ¢¢Is maintained by 30 trail clubs and multiple partnershipsI have to thank my wife for the encouragement and gear to take on this challenge!Best regards,
Date: 2010-04-28
To: North
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Three days until I start! I have been busy getting moved and the house cleaned which I should accomplish tomorrow and be at the folks place by mid-afternoon. Tomorrow is the big day that I sell my truck...what a shame but at least I got a good offer for it so by late afternoon I will only have my feet to get me somewhere, dont even have a bike.My pack feels heavier every time I pick it up wish I could make it lighter, I will go through it tomorrow night once more to see if I can shave any weight off. I hope to weigh it tomorrow night and find out what it actually is. I decided to add my coat to the pack, its been chilly the past few mornings here in Virginia.Going to enjoy TV for one more night and watch the Capitals play!Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-01
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawks Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

So it's been a few days since my last entry and well here I am on the trail, last couple of days were pretty hectic getting ready for hiking. Sold my truck Thursday, gave my mom a briefing on the mail drops, said goodbye to friends and family and gave up all of my belongings except what I deemed necessary to put on my back....awesome!!!! Now don't get me wrong, there was some hesitation and the usual concerns, but I just couldn't resist after all the planning - and I think My Lady Mink wouldn't let me into the house if I had decided not to go....haha!'Yote (dad) drove me down 10 hrs to Dahlonega, GA where we spent the night Friday, got up early Saturday, did some last minute adjustments to the pack and we headed out to breakfast. 'Yote had some sausage gravy w/ biscuits; I had eggs, bacon, toast and homefries. It took us awhile to get to Amicalola state park but it was a neat place. I signed the registry and weighed the pack...35lbs....awesome!!! And then we took off to springer mtn and started hiking the trail at 1200...shortly after (35mins) 'yote conviently gave up when we got back to the parking lot (1 mile into it) and so I was on my own for the rest of the roughly 2177.8 miles.Started hiking and it was wet all the way. It was a great forest, mtn laurel and pine trees, and at time wide enough to be a road. About halfway through at three forks I met Nick while taking a water break and we hiked the rest of the way to hawks mtn, thanks man for hiking in with me! Hope you can join me for another weekend. We got in around 5, did the camp chores, got water and we sets up tents. Mainly I set up my tent because there was a three yr old kid in the shelter who had too much energy for me; I started talking with him as soon as I got in, which was cool because I enjoy little guys, but I was super tired. Razor, a ridge runner, came later and we talked (hare and toutoise, no cash and brother, papa smurf, Nick and some others I did not get a chance to meet formally) found out about a bear problem on Blood mtn, which is coming up, so I will hike through that without camping in a couple of days. Got to bed around dark thirty and listened to the rain come down. I also learned that I had to repack my bag differently - too much weight on the right side. Mtns climbed today- springer, hawk. Until the morn'Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Hawks Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

Woke up this morning to fog and rain again. All is well, doesn't bother me because I'm in the middle of the woods...Sweet! I was able to talk to My Lady Mink this morn! Service has not been as good as I hoped but I will manage. Got up about 7:30, ate, said good bye to Nick, and hit the trail between 9:30-10:00 I think (didn't bother to bring a watch). The weather cleared up about halfway through the hike and I took a break on the summit of Sassafras Mtn, which is about a 1000' elevation change over a mile and my legs were tired at the top, but I felt a heck of a lot better than the first one this morning. I had some service so I called home and talked with mom. Met up with a couple of hikers who are hiking the trail in a group of 14; they are being slack packed the whole way by a guy (warren) who has hiked the trail 15 times. Slack packing means they don't carry any gear than what one would carry for a day hike... nice. Eventually Eddie, another member of the group, caught up with us and the four if us hiked for a while and me and Eddie pushed on when the two guys stoppd for some lunch. We sumitted Justus Mtn and came down onto Justus Creek. Met a group of three ladies who were shy at first until I said something about having a wife and showed them this bright orange salamander that I had taken a picture of. What was really awesome was taking off the boots and soaking them in the cold water! Ate some snacks refilled the water jugs and we kept on. Got into Gooch Mtn shelter at 3:30, no service Got the thngs unpacked and set up camp to let things dry out with No cash and CT, cricket, matt, chris and switch, radio, pin cushion and a couple of others.
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Jarrod gap
Miles today: 10.6

It was a long day hiking but the first double digit mile day! First though it rained about 4" last night - thunderstorms and all - and I slept in the tent all night and was damp the next morning, not soaking wet though which is great. But the gear being wet made the pack super heavy for the day. Started out on my own again got a late start - about 9:30 - but i was waiting for the rain to break and when it did i took off! The trail was soaked and muddy but not tough going. My legs took some time to wake up but the body is just sore. Into my hike I met Buffer, but he quickly stopped to have breakfast so I moved on. Matt finally caught up with me at a small mtn stream as I was getting water and we hiked into woody gap and had lunch together. Sitting there, Buffer, radio, old man walking, and pin cushion came through and sat with us for a bit. I hit the more modern bathroom that I had seen in the last couple of days and hit the trail. Some where down the trail the clouds cleared up and had some decent views, had a lot of tough climbs today. Buffer caught up with me at a lookout and we decided to make camp down the trail from woods hole shltr at Jarrod gap. Sitting there the usual cast came through and they were moving on but Spoon stopped to make camp with us and come to find out all 3 of us had quit our jobs to hike. We made a fire which took forever to get going - everything was soaked from 3 days of rain. Saw Warren came through again. I know the others guys were heading for Neels Gap and I believe No Cash, Cricket, CT, chris and switch stayed at woods hole shltr fir the evening but there is a bear problem at that shltr and the next three so i have been planning accordingly. I have camped in my tent every night so far and don't mind considering the shelters are full of mice and all the other noises people make, but the next time it is going to rain I will try sleeping in a shelter.Woke up in the middle of the night wondering what the bright light outside my tent was, figured it was the moon after some time and sleep and seeing the shadows move over time. Heard a dog going crazy in the middle of the night may have been Everest, a young pup at the last shelter (GMS), hope not.