morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-16
From: Horn Pond Shelter

To: West Carry Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.2

Slept with cloths on & im still cold. got an early start thanks to mildew getting up at 5.30am.Its very cold & not a cloud in the sky.Out of the shelter & climbing up South Horn Mnt 3831ft,way above the cloud level,its like being in an inland sea with all the Mnt summits sticking out.Soon got to Bigelow Mnt (west peak)4145ft, crossed the ridge with only a little up N down too Bigelow Mnt (Avery Peak)4090ft.Only one more Little Bigelow Mnt (East Peak)3010ft to go & then i am into the flat lands.Little Bigelow(east end) didnt take long, but the terrain is still very draining.Some spectacular views are coming ,the clouds are disappearing.I can see Flagstaff Lake off in the distance.Had lunch on top of Bigelow Mnt (east end).Soon arrived at Flagstaff lake & took some photos,can here moose plodding thru the thick bush.Saw a large moose swimming across the lake, i ran along the trail for a while hoping the trail would go near where the moose was going to come a shore.The trail diverted away from the lake so i missed out again on that photo.can here more moose while i am walking around West Carry pond.Arrived at West Carry Pond Shelter & home alone . What sounds like a lot of coyotes i believe are really LOONS.It has been a long time since the sound of the coyotes kept me awake all night,but the loons are doing a good job.Another cold night looms.
Date: 2009-09-17
From: West Carry Pond Shelter

To: Pleasant Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

What a night with the LOON atics calling all night long. Very peaceful & beautiful except for the moose walking around & the little fury things running around in the bush looking for dinner.its freezing cold,feels like its well below zero deg.Have to get up early as i have a ferry/canoe to catch or paddle today during limited time.The service runs 9am to 11am   then 2pm to 4pm.I have 12 miles to do to reach the Kennebec River.Up at 5.45am hiking by 6.30am. Such fun on these bitterly cold mornings where i cannot feel a thing for its so cold.Am very grateful the weather is still fine.Have only had 1 night of rain in 3 weeks which is the longest stretch of fine weather in over 5 months.There are no more Mnts to really worry about just rocks roots & mud/bog holes.The ponds the trail go by are really beautiful.The serenity of the ponds with the autumn fall foliage & the mnt back drops is very scenic & i have them all to myself.I really do enjoy "gods play ground".Passed by West carry pond Middle Carry pond, East Carry pond ,North Branch Carry pond ,plus a few beaver ponds all are very beautiful.Got to the Kennebec River by 1pm so i had to have lunch & wait until 2pm. The river taxi(canoe) arrived just after 2pm,i had to paddle as well. The trip was over fairly quickly.The river was so calm & sunshine just to set the trip off.i didnt want to hang around as i had a bounce box in Caratunk PO to send up the trail to Millinocket & 6 more miles to hike.The A.T. Companion book has an error in it & i know ive done more miles than the 6 i was meant to do.Because i do not know how many miles it is the time just takes for ever to reach Pleasant pond shelter.I was very relieved to arrive, after a long beautiful day.Im home alone again ,2 days in a row & the loons are out to voice themselves.
Date: 2009-09-18
From: Pleasant Pond Shelter

To: Horseback Canyon Shelter
Miles today: 23.0

Im on the trail by 6.30am & its very cold again. I slept well considering the noise the loons made all night.Basically i just did miles,no exceptional views.just low Mnts & ponds.I just want to finish this hike as ive had enough.I love the physical condition my body is in.The only draw back is the loose skin hanging from where my fat gut used to be.Got in to the shelter in the afternoon & greeted by bison & lunch box.. I find it quite amazing that im nearly at journeys end & so many hikers ive not heard of or seen before . Im tired so its in the sack early
Date: 2009-09-19
From: Horseback Canyon Shelter

To: Monson
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

Its freezing, I want a hot breakfast & its only a short distance to Monson.Not to sure if i am going to Shaws Hostel or Lakes Shores pub.Got on the trail by 6.30am .Bison & lunch box were not very impressed at being woken so early but thats trail life in a shelter.Terrain is flat & im at the trail head to Monson in no time at all. Its a 1.7 blue blaze into town.came across SHAWS lodging first & its packed with section & thru hikers. I was offered left overs for breakfast which did not last long.I could have 3 times as much but i had to be polite.so many old & new faces again.Am told the other hostel is full so i booked in here & set up my tent for the night.Got a shuttle into Greenville to resupply.Did laundry & watched tv, just rested.Went to the pub for dinner with Doc & Dr john.had a lovely sunset meal & wine.Also met trail angel PADDY-O.He is such a wonderful guy & his trail magic is legendary.Paddy-O has a big generous heart & spirit.Back at Shaws i just watched movies & relaxed.Its another cold night with loons calling & dogs are barking.
Date: 2009-09-20
From: Monson

To: Long Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

Filled up on breakfast & packed my very heavy pack with 7 days of food.Ive decide not to resupply. Just carry what i need.Garry gave me a ride back to the trail head on the blue blaze which saved me an hour in time plus hiking a bit more refreshed.Did not take long to reach Maine 15. Spectacular pond was stunning,as are so many ponds.The terrain is low & easy going. Have Little Wilson & Big Wilson to ford but the water is low.Got told by doc that Paddy-o is setting up his tail magic at the 100 mile mark (Long pond stream).Arrived at the PADDY WAGON with music blazing away & a cold beer on offer at 6pm.its amazing what paddy-o does for hikers.I had a beer & ham & cheese burger.We being diko doc rookie & 4 others ate, then we shifted about a mile away to a campsite near the stream.Paddy-o made pizzas & also offered coconut rum& pine apple juice YUMM.I ate pizza sipped the rum & collapsed straight to the ground.It happened so quickly it took everybody by surprise.I just layed on the ground for about 15 mins.I feel ok but in reality i am very dehydrated.To much beer & not enough water.Sat around the campfire & collapsed again.Soon went to bed & drank water & peed all night long.A night not to forget.
Date: 2009-09-21
From: Long Pond Shelter

To: East Chairback Pond
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Ive never peed so much in one night. Did not sleep much.Paddy-o was up & cooking breakfast at 6am. Bagels bacon & cheese & choc milk & coffee.Paddy-o is amazing.Us 4 older hikers have had our fill & were dropped of at the trail head.said our good byes & back on the trail with still 7 days of food in the pack.I decided to slow down & hike with doc for the day plus the terrain is getting a bit harder.Up Barren mnt 2660 ft was hard & slow, then over to Fourth Mnt 2660ft & Columbus Mnt 2325ft.The day was rather slow.Doc was going to hike on but i was going to to stay at Chairback Gap shelter.Got all set up in the shelter & went to get water BUT there was none.SHIT SHIT SHIT the water supply was dry.I repacked in a hurry as the sun is going down,its 6.30pm & its 2.8 miles to the next water supply.I passed doc & kept going.Reached East Chairback Pond about 8pm.Was good going in the terrain i had to hike over.Set up home for the night on a bed of pine needles filtered water ate dinner & crashed.Only a couple of loons calling out tonight.The blue blazed trail should be fun tomorrow as it quite over grown & i came down in the dark.
Date: 2009-09-22
From: East Chairback Pond

To: East Branch Shelter
Miles today: 18.0

Slept so well on the pine needle bed.Ready to go by 6.15am,now to find my way back out.It took me nearly 1/2 hour to find the trail.I bush bashed around & around .It was hard to find the trail & a relief to get back to the trail head & get going.Soon came to Pleasant River(West Branch) & off with the boots .The water is freezing.Met the 2 Israelis on the other side of the river.Today should be the end of the big Mnts until the end at Katahdin.Still have to get up & over Westpeak mnt 3178ft,Hay Mnt 3244ft & White cap Mnt 3650ft.some of these trails just piss me right off.You can climb up a Mnt with hard yards for an hour & the trail at the top gives you nothing.Just grin & move onto the next obstacle.On the northern side of White cap Mnt, Katahdin Mnt is right there,but it will take another 3 days to reach.A little excitement creeps into the soul as i can see the finish line,its just there.Got to Logan Brooke Shelter & met by Ketchup & creep.They moved onto another camp spot.I went onto East Branch shelter.In camp tonight is kiwi stud mclovin mcbride & 4 others.When i started this adventure i did not know anybody to begin with & now the same is here at the end not knowing all these new thru hikers.Thats the trail.Everybody is tenting & im in the shelter as rain is due tonight.
Date: 2009-09-23
From: East Branch Shelter

To: Nahmakanta stream campsite
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: overcast clouds

No rain during the night but very warm. Got up at 6.30am Ive had enough & just want to finish, all the other hikers here feel the same.The trail is easy except for 2 more climbs which made me work a bit more than i expected.(Its not good to have expectations in the soul but im tired) The trail has flattened out & is quite smooth except for the rocks roots & bog holes. The scenery is spectacular around the ponds. The light in the green tunnel changes to yellow & red with fall foliage very special.Got to Cooper brook Falls & was filtering water & the damn handle broke on my water filter. Its more of an inconvenience but it just takes a little longer to filter. The water falls were lovely. I am not taking more time to enjoy them as ive had enough. The going is easy its 11.4 miles to Potaywadjo Spring Shelter - arrived at 4.30pm. Had 2 dinners to lighten the pack.Back on the trail by 5.30pm, hoping to get to Nahmakanta Stream Campsite. its 4.3 miles with a fading light.Some rain is falling but not much. Walking besides the river ive camped short of the campsite, ran out of daylight & dont want to night hike.Very nice to camp on pine needles beside the river, another long day over
Date: 2009-09-24
From: Nahmakanta StreamCampsite

To: Hurd Brooke Shelter
Miles today: 25.4

From a lovely warm night the temperature dropped very quickly. Then the rain came but not too much Thank god. The sound of the stream kept me awake & the local squirrel or chipmunk kept paying my back pack a visit all night. Did not sleep well but rested.Im getting close to the end of this journey.The fall foliage is absolutely amazing. up on Nesuntabunt Mnt 1520 ft the view to Katahdin Mnt is AWESOME. There seems to be a lot of snow on the summit. Hopefully it will be a lovely day on saturday.Am planning to summit 26/ sept 2009 if all goes well.Today is a long boring day of miles with beautiful pond views.Not many hikers out today which is a bit odd.Normally the young guns are flying past me. Talked to an old guy who traveled AUSSIE in the early 1960s. It was a trip down memory lane for him to talk about Australia & his adventures. saw a sea plane take off from Rainbow Lake(east) would be lovely to experience a fly over Katahdin at sunrise/sunset. Well its another cold night coming up & a big day looms.THE END IS NEARER.
Date: 2009-09-25
From: Hurd Brooke Shelter

To: THE BIRCHES BSP
Miles today: 13.4

Well i had thought of a night hike to finish the trail off, the the weather god had other plans.I camped just short of Hurd Brooke Shelter in the pine forest.my last night on a bed of pine needles. Glad & sad.It just did not rain it poured torrentialy. GREAT. I hope the weather blows away so it will be a NICE day on saturday. Packed up & arrived at Hurd Shelter 10 mins later.Son & kitchen synk had camped there,also tiger & gator but i did not meet them.Its only 13.4miles to Abol Bridge(west branch of the Penobscot River). Got a photo of a minx very unusual it had a dead mole in its mouth. Son kitchen synk & myself got to the shop & stuffed our faces with food.Its very windy & freezing cold. Meet the ATC ridge runner a nice funny little guy. Left Abol Bridge an hour later for the stroll to KATAHDIN STREAM CAMSITE. Signed up for THE BIRCHES. The BIRCHES campsite is for long distance hikers only.It feels an honour & privilege to be able to spend the last night here. The birches is 2 shelters(8 hikers) & 4 hikers in tents. 12 only.The 3 of us got to the camp ground @ 3.30pm.I dried my pack & tent. The sun was out but a slight chill in the air.We were all sitting around the shelter near the beginning of the Hunt trail. Its where hikers begin & return from there summit of KATAHDIN. Did not have to wait long before thru hikers started arriving ,gleaming with pride & spiritual satisfaction. The 2 hiking poles wish bone hot chocolate rufio & a few others ive never meet. It was a very joyous moment to share with my fellow hikers.MY DAY IS TOMORROW.cannot wait.Have been told it will be less than 20deg F (-10c). The ranger signed us up for the BIRCHES. We all walked up to the BIRCHES. to settle in for the last night. Its so bloody cold & the sun is still up.In THE BIRCHES to share this last night of the trail is SON KITCHEN SYNK TIGER GATOR KIWI STUD McBRIDE McLOVIN & 2 others & me PHATMANDU. Sat around the campfire for a while. In the sack by 9pm as the last day is coming so is the coldest night.
Date: 2009-09-26
From: THE BIRCHES BSP

To: MNT KATAHDIN SUMMIT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Ive got a 20Fdeg (-10c) sleeping bag thermals fully clothed beanie socks gloves & i still froze.The temperature dropped to 15Fdeg (-15Cdeg). Its freezing BUT no clouds no wind & a perfect day looms. Had my usual 3 honey buns water & ready to go.we all stood around the campfire. The fall leaves are falling, so many of them its like lemon red & green snow.A wonderful feeling to be here.kitchen synk & myself have teamed up to summit.we want to get going up the HUNT trail by 9.00am.Hoping the snow & ice have melted by the time we arrive at the summit.There are an estimated 80>100 hikers that have come to summit Katahdin 15 of us are thru hikers. The rest are all day hikers.This will one of the last beautiful days available before the park shuts down on 15 oct Mnt Katahdin at 5268 ft has its own weather system so to get a magnificent day like this is an absolute blessing.Its time to get going. The first mile is flat & easy up to the stream falls. Then the climb begins.1st the rocks steady & easy then the incline. Hands off the poles & starting to rock climb.The incline is about 40 degs. Its quite easy really, then a plateau & then about 70 deg incline over much larger boulders.The rocks are freezing to grab.Some ice is still around.After about 1 1/2 hours we are only half way up. Its freezing but BEAUTIFUL.Cannot wait to get up.There are so many people on the summit.Still have to get past the 70 deg incline. My knees dont like it at all Even with a small day pack this hurts.Eventually got over the incline & onto a plateau with a steady climb up to the summit.The finish line is so close.The views horizon to horizon are stunning.SO many Mountains ponds fall foliage & the atmosphere of so many people who have come up to help us thru hikers celebrate the end of our journeyFinally im there here & there sits the plaque telling me so.All of us thru hikers are grouped together about 15 of us. 2 lions gave me some trail magic (choc milk & bannans)to celebrate.Had a great photo of tops off showing our mean & lean bodies cool hand luke 2 lions son kage & phatmandu. Kitchen synk for his own reasons does not celebrate with us.Got a lovely photo of kiwi & all the other hikers.Did a special group photo for the MAYOR of UNIONVILLE to honour our commitment to him. NO ONE FORGOT the honour.it was special moment of triumph for us all.Stayed at the summit for an hour .Took a photo of the snowman who also started at SPRINGER MNT nearly 6 months ago with snow around finally got to summit MNT KATAHDIN. It took over 3 hours to decline & my knees are unbelievably sore & relieved.Got back to the camp ground & meet by rufio & his parents & an esky & table full of trail magic.Also trail magic put on ny sunbird who could not finish his hike because of tendinitis in both feet.I now an APPALACHIAN THRU HIKER. Met Paul OLE MAN from the A.T. cafe & backpackers .Im booked in for 2 days rest in MILLINOCKET.My APPALACHIAN TAIL journey is complete. A new journey begins right now.
Date: 2009-02-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So I can¢t believe I can no longer say my hike is ¢¦ months away¢¦ and now I have to count in the weeks remaining¢¦ Things are so different this time around. In 2005, I was so nervous and had no idea what to expect, but this time I am just letting everything fall into place, as I know it will. I¢m down to some of the final pieces, including working as much as possible so I can create as big of a cushion as possible before I begin the hike; I have found a place to store my stuff and my car, now the last major item to be taken care of is who will take car of Amelia (my cat)¢¦ I¢m also working on sewing some of my gear (I hope to complete this over the next weekend) and then I need to seam-seal¢¦ which isn¢t something I normally do, since rain in AZ isn¢t exactly a daily occurrence. I am also in the process of re-creating my fundraising page, as the National Brain Tumor Society just upgraded the donation system of their website, which I hope to have completed my Friday night, so please stay tuned for the website!
Date: 2009-02-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

What was the one thing all kids dream of in the winter? (well, at least those who live in the Northern parts of the country) SNOW DAYS! I've heard of all sorts of ways to encourage the snow to fall... spoon under the pillow, pj worn inside out... only I do any of the tricks last night and I wasn't really hoping for a snow day this time! But I decided to spend today taking advantage of the snow day from school check a few more items on my list of stuff to do before Springer...Papers are sorted; oddly enough I found some papers mixed into the mess that had never been filed from BEFORE I was on the trail in 05! How that happened I have not idea, but sorting and filing are done and now I just need to either burn or shred pages with personal info and one more project is done. Next it's on to finishing my hiking skirt and starting the mittens. So I'm off to the next project. Phoenix Rising
Date: 2009-02-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Sunday is the only day of the week that I have off, so it is the "how many things can I check off my list of stuff to do" day... Today I have been cleaning out my kitchen cupboards, boxes under the bed, and stacks of papers... and as I was going through the later, I found a few quotes that have always made the smile remember why I am spending my only days off packing, sorting and cleaning instead of cross country skiing with my roommate... so I thought I would share them with who ever reads my journal. Better to be lost in the woods than in a maze of cubicles¢¦White Blazes are a Pavlovian response for thru-hikers. Follow them to your reward. (Cuppa Joe)The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be out doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith. (FDR)I have nothing to say of my working life, only that a tie is a noose, and inverted though it is, it will hand a man nonetheless if he is not careful. (Life of Pi)Walking is the very best form of exercise; habituate your self to walk very far. And my all time favorite:. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. (Twain)
Date: 2009-03-24
From: Flagstaff

To: Boston tomorrow
Miles today: 0.0

Ok, here we go! My last night living with my roommate Angela (yes we have the same name); Amelia is at her new home for the next 6 months; car is parked; stuff is stored... the time has come. I feel so blessed that so may wonderful friends are helping me out with this... it is wasn't for them I know I would not be at this point ready to head to Phoenix for my flight. Last week was a bit tough, I ended the week at the Dr's office getting pre-cancerous cells cut out of my left arm... needless to say this will make the first few weeks on the trail tougher than I expected, but I know I will get though. I expect by the time I get to Neel Gap, the 17 external stitches will be ready to come out and then I just need to find a fellow hiker to put on the suture strips to keep from opening up the 3.5 inch incision. This should only make it more interesting right?!?!? When it comes right down to it, my arm is nothing compared to what a brain tumor survivor goes through! One week to go! Springer here I come!
Date: 2009-03-28
To: Mail Drop Info
Miles today: 0.0

For those of you who have been screaming for mail drop information, I have the first 4 posted¢¦ I don¢t plan to have too many, but at the very least these are the post offices or hostels I plan to stop at. Once I get into Trail Days I will be sure to post the next batch.Oh and for those of you who are wondering what to send in a mail drop¢¦ Hikers don¢t like to get boxes of oatmeal, ramen noodles, mac and cheese or all those other ¢normal¢ hiker foods¢¦ we eat too much of that stuff all the time! Basically when filling a package, think of what you can¢t get in a small town grocery market and I promise it will be appreciated! Personally I love almost anything Trader Joe¢s including dried fruits and beef or turkey jerky which are always great¢¦ but please note I DO NOT eat Tuna so if you send me any fish products it will be placed into a hiker box (a free ¢give and take system¢ for hikers!!!) And Ziplock Freezer bags (1 qt) can almost always be useful.   In case you didn¢t know this, I really appreciate your assistance with my hike and I an thankful you are following along with my hike!
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Boston

To: Atlanta tomorrow morning
Miles today: 0.0

Well, this is my final entry from ¢home¢¢¦ the prep ends here. Ok, so it¢s 11 pm here on the east coast and I am trying to get the last load of laundry done before I leave for Atlanta in 5 hours¢¦ I should be asleep, but I really don¢t want to have a suitcase of dirty laundry to come back to in September, so I am still up.   I also realized that I made an error by not sending a bounce box to Neel Gap, so I will need to carry all the supplies to take care of my arm¢¦ I knew I was forgetting something! Oh well.So I was playing with my phone and the internet and it looks like it will be raining for my first few weeks on the AT again¢¦ maybe I should blame it on Lion King¢¦ I¢m heard when ever he hikes the AT it tends to be really wet¢¦ man, I¢m beginning to think cold and wet might be my life for the next 6 months!
Date: 2009-03-31
To: Starting the trail
Miles today: 0.0

http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/Events/General?pxfid=19410&fr_id=1370&pg=fundAtantaSpringer in the morningMarch 31I feel so blessed by the hospitality of the Ruders. Never would I have thought the AZ 3-Day would bring me to the start of the trail, but here I am resting comfortably spending the evening before my hike with a new friend.   Looking forward to writing to all of you from the trail in the next day or two! PR
Date: 2009-04-02
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Hawk Shelter
Miles today: 5.0

start stover creek shelterfinish Hawke mt shelterdone early as i only hiked 5miles today. even with the pouring rain, i am having a blast! amazingly enough last night there was only 3 of us at stover creek shelter. i am loving my new sleeping bag as i was warm for the first time in years whie sleeping out. i have met some real characters, but some really great people too. i am hoping not to have water spilled on my bag tonight like last time i stayed here. miss everyone but so happy to be out here!