morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-08-02
To: The Mayor's House (Unionville, NY)
Miles today: 0.0

If you're ever planning on hiking the Appalachian Trail, you should skip this blog entry! All you need to know is that The Outhouse as it's called now is located in Unionville, NY and you need to go there to meet Dick, Bill, and Butch. The rest that happens there should remain a surprise!Dick is the former mayor of Unionville and is now an amazing trail angel that hosts hiker's at his house in exchange for the company and inspiration we give him through our daily perseverance on the trail. He is no hiker himself and thinks we're crazy, but takes amazing care of us nonetheless. Besides all the great things that Dick and friends offers us at the Outhouse, Dick makes it a point to round up every new hiker to his house after dinner and shed some inspiration of his own. Not only does he offer a place to rest, refill, and resupply, but with his kindness and hospitality, attempts to rekindle the original spark that initiated every one of us to begin this journey. At this point in the journey the initial freshness of the trail may be dying down but the amazing guys at the The Outhouse provide a breath of fresh air that will undoubtedly propel me to the end. Vincera~
Date: 2009-08-04
To: Rocks, waterfalls, beach lakes, and Paddy-O!
Miles today: 0.0

We crossed the NY/NJ border the day before and after performing a days worth of rock scrambles over the NY hills, Hot Chocolate, Son and I decided to cowboy camp it on the boulders of Cat Rocks in NY and flicker our eyelids asleep while gazing at the starry skies above. The gorgeous yet humid landscape of NY continued on throughout the following day beginning with Fitzgerald Falls in the morning, an afternoon soak in a remote lake crossing, and finished off with some lounging on the lake beaches of Tiorati Circle in the nearby state park. Good thing a number of lakes were present because the humidity was kicking in and exhaustion was among us all. We were spoiled with the flat ridges of PA and seemed to be caught off guard with NY's sporatic blips in the topo. All of us, Hot Chocolate, Son, the Hiking Poles, and Flash Gordon, were spent as we finally reached the crispy lake at Tiorati Circle and decided to take a lengthy break until the magic happened...As we were cooking an early dinner at the picnic tables a jolly fellow walks up to us and asks our hiking status, "Northbounders?" he asks. After a weakened reply 'yes,' he continues to tell us that his name is Paddy-O and that he's a trail magician and must have just missed us up at the road crossing a few miles back. Nevertheless, he decided to scout us out at the park anyway. Confused about the odd situation, we hobbled after him to his truck, only to find that the magic he mentioned was actually a truck of goodies filled with every thru-hiker craving imaginable: hot dogs, bacon cheeseburgers, donuts, brownies, gatorade, chocolate milk, soda, chips and salsa, calzones, beer, alcohol...... etc. Paddy-O ended up entertaining us with some fantastic rock/folk classics on his stereo, cooked up a storm and offered words of wisdom that moves a hikers heart. He lifted our spirits till our stomachs were about to burst and left us in his Paddy Wagon to hike a few more miles in the dark to the next shelter up. Sometimes the best things in life come at the most needed moments from the least expected places.
Date: 2009-08-09
To: Hannah's Hiking Tips
Miles today: 0.0

At every shelter there is a trail register or logbook where hikers leave messages for fallen behind friends - a medieval means of communication that works amazingly. I remember following behing hiker's and reading their comments for months and then when I finally caught up with them I knew all about their adventures whereas they had no clue who I even was.Since sometime in Virgina as I flipped through the pages of the shelter log during an afternoon break I recall seeing an extremely colorful page littered with multi-colored sentences and girly stickers and everything titled "Hannah's Hiking Tips." Apparently we now have Hannah Montana hiking the Appalachian Trail and leaving upbeat hiking tips that brings a smile to my face every time I notice it's there. Today was no different and I hope you get a kick out of this one (sing it to Sound of Music's "My Favorite Things"). Thanks Hannah for always bringing me up when I'm down~
Date: 2009-08-15
From: Noth Adams, MA

To: Slackpacking in Dalton, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

"Slackpacking" is when a hiker gets some kind of shuttle that allows them to only have to hike the days worth of miles with a limited amount of supplies usually consisting of lunch, a snack, some water, and a small jacket or rain coat. The shuttle usually drives the excess gear ahead or shuttles the hiker forward allowing them to hike back southward to where their stuff is waiting. Being a stubborn purist for most of the hike so far caused me to decline slackpacking opportunities, primarily because they usually cost money, but also because I thought I should not only walk every foot of the AT but lug my massive backpack every foot as well. However, in Dalton, MA I ran into the best reason to change my mentality and undergo the lightweight spoiling that is a slackpack: Mr. Rob Bird of the Birdcage. Meeting Rob was such a pleasure as he welcomed me into his home and treated me with such reverence that I felt like his own son. He offered to shuttle the Hiking Poles and me nothward so we could slackpack back south to his home, and knowing that this opportunity allowed me to stay with Rob for another night and share is company prompted me to take the offer. I felt like I was flying with that small pack! My feet felt bouncy and my shoulders didn't ache for the first time since day 1. We slackpacked over Mt. Greylock and back to Dalton, placing us back at the Birdcage for a nice dinner out on the town, a few beers, and some guitar playing with Rob for the rest of the night instead of having to beat off the Massachusetts Mosquitoes for outdoor evening. Just some more great hospitality with another 'angel' on the ole trail~ Thanks Rob!!!
Date: 2009-08-20
To: ... in Vermont!
Miles today: 0.0

Being from Florida and having already traveled to other southeastern and mid-atlantic states in the past due to closer proximity, my anticipation out of all the trail states were really for Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Although only having only been in Vermont for a few days, this new countryland has already exceeded my expectations. I Lovermont!Today was a typical day in Vermont. I started the morning trekking through misty and magical sunshine filled green trails. A few of my friends and I took a swim in a crystal clear pond on the trail and did some cliff jumping before lunching on the shore. A little down the trail I added a formation of my own to the hiker's rock art collection we came across before snacking bya rock ledge view of the Green Mountain range. I took another swim in Clarendon Gorge, getting a shoulder massage from the cascading waters and at the end of the day I made my way to the trail's secret shelter where I stayed for the night all alone, illuminated by the candles left over there and a fire I made nearby. Just another day at work on the ole trail~
Date: 2009-08-27
To: Squam Lake - HC's Lakehouse
Miles today: 0.0

I got a call the morning I woke up when I was couchsurfing in Hanover, NH from Hot Chocolate: "Rufio, if you can somehow make 17.5 miles by 5:30 I can come pick you up at Lyme, take you to the trail magic I'm pulling at Wentworth, then you can come zero with me at my lakehouse. Waddya say?" The answer to that is obvious..Trail magic is special no matter what. My experiences range from a soda on the trail to a wedding reception. But it's exceptionally special when it comes from another thru-hiker, and Hot Chocolate definitely rocked the trail magic after he raced ahead of me by 4 or 5 days. I arrived at the Lyme road crossing right at 5:30 as HC was pulling up and then took me to a cookout he was performing with his mom at the road crossing at Wentworth. Deja vous moment: I first met HC for two days in NC but didn't see him after that for about a month and a half until I stumbled upon a road crossing in MD in pouring rain only to have HC jump out of the only parked car by the trail, holler Rufio!, and demand that I get in the car for some pizza and coke :D It's really crazy how the trail turns. One moment you're hiking through the woods all alone, the next you're going on a sunset boat ride on the lake, eating mom's home cooking, and sleeping in a comfortable bed at your friend's lakehouse. It was more expected for me and some others that heard HC mention these possibilities earlier on in the trail, but for Dragon Breath, whom I only met the evning past in Hanover and who had never met HC before, it must have been a pleasant surprise to find himself in our company.
Date: 2009-08-30
To: The White Mountains, NH
Miles today: 0.0

The granduer of the White Mountains is simply awe-inspiring. As a thru-hiker you have already been hearing about the White Mountains and Mt. Washington since day one. "The toughest section on the entire AT - Dangerous, rapidly changing weather, gail force winds, people die out there!" Northbounders are first exposed to the alpine zone (above treeline) in the White Mountains with rocky summits, exposed ridgelines, and 360 views (when the weather cooperates). Although possessing the propensity for amazing views, being above treeline is also extremely vulnerable to the natural elements. Despite the difficult climbs the White Mountains had to offer, knowing what was waiting for me at the top made it all worth it, providing a climactic element to the climb as well. Initially blessed with an amazing viewing on top of Mt. Moosilauke upon entering the Whites two days earlier, the wonderful weather on top of Franconia Ridge that traverses along the open ridgeline for miles connecting Webster, Lincoln, and Layfayette peaks was simply magical. My pace practically slowed down to a standstill as I moseyed along the ridge, gasping at every view, front, back, and on both sides. Occational wind gusts would cool off my sweating body and the sun was playing peak-a-boo with the clouds all day long. I spent a few hours basking in the sun and soaking in the beauty and it was difficult to walk back down into treeline but the Whites have still just begun.. there's a lot more excitement coming up and forecasted great weather ahead!
Date: 2009-09-01
To: Mt. Washington - Presidential Range
Miles today: 0.0

Let's just say that spurts of good weather that I so fortunately witnessed during the Whites Mountains doesn't happen, hardly ever! Ever since the one rainy day before Franconia Ridge, the weather has been spectacular. The day I started up the Presidential Range heading for Mt. Washington was crystal clear sunny skies, which continued everyday for the following week. Statstically Mt. Washington is in the clouds for approx 300 days a year and I got to see it everyday-all day for at least a week! It even takes locals a handful of tries to get a view from the summit but I got a beauty on my first attempt. Such fortunate weather had me jazzed and adrenaline pumped the entire time I was there. I understood the scope of my luck and knew I had to take full advantage. Utilizing the work for stay and food at the AMC huts and snack bar located on top of Mt. Washington, I managed to thru-hike the entire Whites from Glencliff to Gorham, a span of almost 9 days, without getting off the trail once for resupply (I had only packed food for 4.5 days). I took blue blazes for the first time so I could summit every presidential peak, backtracked and rehiked sections once I arrived at my shelter or hut, took morning strolls before breakfast, and simply squeezed everything I could out of this amazing section. So much for the hardest and most dangerous section; hiking was never more pleasurable in my life!
Date: 2009-09-07
To: Level 14 - Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Everytime some dayhiker or towny asked where I was headed, I would excitedly exclaim, "Maine", and today I actually reached that goal. Upon arriving to the state line crossing into Maine and just as I was taking pictures of the landmark, "The End" by The Doors coincidently shuffled onto my iPod. Although one of my most anticipated states, I was semi-reluctant to actually enter because of the indication that the end is truly approaching. After Vermont was New Hampshire. After New Hampshire was Maine. And now, after Maine is...?
Date: 2009-09-07
To: Mahoosuc Notch
Miles today: 0.0

"The Hardest Mile on the Trail" was actually a hiker's jungle gym/obstacle course of rock scrambles, narrow squeezes, and funny picture opportunities. The awkward terrain definitely made me appreciate the fact that I had reduced my pack weight significantly since I started. If I was still lugging around that 60 pounder, my perception of the Notch would be much different.
Date: 2009-09-13
To: Sugarloaf Mtn. Summit
Miles today: 0.0

Sugarloaf, Maine's second highest mountain next to Katahdin is also used as a ski slopes mountain during the winter and snowy season and actually has an old gondola storage facility/lounge type building on top. Recommendations not to stay there due to some mold build-up wasn't a strong enough deterrent for us when we arrived close to sun down, accompanied with cold winds kicking up, and the next campsite still a handful of miles away. Eating dinner inside with the sunset gleaming through the windows that made up the facilities entire walling was a special treat we got on this summit visit. However, waking up and hiking to the actual summit 100 yards up to catch the sunrise was icing on the cake. The fortunate weather has continued since the glorious days in the Whites and Maine has been proving itself a magical and serene place to wind-down one's thru-hike.
Date: 2009-09-20
To: 100 Mile Wilderness
Miles today: 0.0

After tackling the difficulties of southern Maine, the last well renowned section before Katahdin is the 100 mile wilderness: "100 miles of pristine wilderness where you need to carry all your necesary food and supplies to survive the remoteness of the section," or something along those lines. The Wilderness takes you all the way up to the base of Katahdin, and you can even catch distant glimpses of the giant mountain a number of times during the section, adding to your already heaping mound of anticipation. However, it's wilderness hardly lives up to it's hype. A number of logging roads cross the trail, dayhikers clog the Gulf Hagas trail on the weekends, planes fly overhead daily, and I even woke up to the sounds of a wild chainsaw one morning.. how pleasant. Someone wrote in the log book that it should just be renamed the "100 inconvinient resupply."Nonetheless, in comparison to the rest of the trail, it was definitely remote and full of good treats along the way. With the weather being as clear as it was, the moon cycle in the new stage, and it's distance from city light pollution, the stars were out in full bloom, filling the skies with millions of twinkling diamonds. I cowboy camped beneath these amazing blankets of stars on rock ledges of canyon walls and on the sandy beaches of ponds. The cool weather had produced the best foliage colors yet with reds, oranges, yellows, and purples scattering the trail floors and hillsides. My friends gathered and boiled mussels from the lakes, the campfire was my stove every night, and loon and owl calls eerily broke the silence when the winds weren't rustling the leaves and the water from a waterfall or stream wasn't rushing nearby. It was undoutedly the perfect place for my culmination as a being of the woods.
Date: 2009-09-24
To: Abol Bridge - Baxter State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I hiked out of the last shelter in the Wilderness early with anticipation, and as I approached Abol Bridge and saw Katahdin at such proximity, I was finally able to size up my final ascent. Sleep the days prior were extremely restless because the presence of the mountain so nearby was overwhelming. Now in plain sight we all just sat there and gazed at it for a while. I know I talked about hiking Katahdin but I've been talking about it for over 4 months and simply talking about it was the extent. I always knew it existed but actually scoping it out with my own eyes so close filled me with awe and wonder. The next ten miles to Katahdin Stream Campsite where my departure would take place the following day was a time for mental and emotional preparation. I had to remind myself over and over again that this wan't a dream, and the bald eagle that soared around in circles with Katahdin as it's backdrop didn't help...
Date: 2009-10-01
To: Thank you to all supporters!
Miles today: 0.0

As you can imagine, living in the woods is not as financially burdensome as having a mortgage to a house with tons of accompanying bills to tack on. Nevertheless, trying to make it for half the year without an active income is tough, especially when unaccounted costs such as broken or unreliable gear and a raging appetite comes into play. I definitely started with a tight budget and after a few months realized that I was already overusing far beyond my projections. Gear was falling apart and I couldn't find a Walmart to shop at every time I crossed a resupply town. Therefore, in attempts to raise a little extra money to get me all the way through to Katahdin, I attempted to gather some local company sponsorships as well as asked for help from friends and family. I want to thank the following people for their generous and kind donations that have helped me get this far without having to fall off the trail due to financial problems:Mr. Tom Farkash representing the Law Firm of Fine, Farkash, and Parlapiano; Mr. Ed Ellett representing Ellett Insurance of Gainesville; Mr. John R. Nettles - Attorney at Law; Mr. Jeff Davis; Paul and Brad (my first sponsors on the trail); Mark Walker of SOAR; Frank from The Place; my cousin Charlene and her husband Kenny; Sam and Susan Butz; and last but not least, my loving and extremely supportive parents!
Date: 2009-02-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I guess It's final, now. Even though I'm pressured to get ready, the excitement is building for another hike in "09". Yahoo!! In about 45 days I'll be heading out from Springer Mt. with my house on my back. Ah! how I long for that simple uncomplicated life. Last year I Hiked 1100 miles to Boiling Springs, PA with the trail name "Red". Since there's another hiker with the name Red, I've decided to change my trail name to Rusty. New year, new hike, new name!!I hiked the first 620 miles with my good friend, Aries. Because of a leg injury, though, she had to leave the trail. I hiked the next 70 miles with "Stitches", a Thru-Hiker who was hiking sections at the time. Then I was on my own. I can't say that it posed any problems, but I sure missed my buddies. I just think it's more fun to have someone to hang out with.That said, I'm starting by myself this year. I certainly don't expect to be lonely on the trail, but it's nice to have someone to share the wonders of the trail with. I couldn't convince my husband, Rich, that it was the trip of a lifetime, and most of my friends think I'm crazy. I didn't finish the trail last year.( see About) It's been eating away at me ever since. This is the last time I'm shooting for the whole shebang. If I don't make it all in one year, "so be it!" I'm off to something else, and I'll finish up with section hikes if I can.Being retired gives us the freedom to do what's fun. So, Lets do it!!
Date: 2009-02-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'm getting packed, now. The food is the biggest logistical problem because of the mail drops. Because I hiked last year, I have a good idea of how far I can get in a day and where I want my drops. I have a lot of food left over. ( It's been in my big freezer since August.) That saved me from dehydrating any more food. I have food for the first half of the trip pretty well covered. I may not do mail drops in the second half. We'll see. First things first! We're going to the local Amish store to find bargains on the rest of the goodies.I'll take about the same gear I took last year, but I hope I can pare the weight down some. I don't have as much stress this year because I already know what I'm carrying. I don't have to weigh every single thing I'm taking 5 times! I probably won't be happy with the final weight, and I'll probably make adjustments when I get everything together, but at least I'm not stressing about it. Last year my starting weight was 38 pounds. I'd like to get that down to under 35 lbs. I'm starting 3 weeks later than last year, so I hope I won't need too much of the Arctic gear.
Date: 2009-02-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'm really starting to feel the crunch, now. Somehow it will get done. I'm really ready to go. All this planning and packing gets old. Especially because I always impose time restraints on myself. My husband, Rich, our sheepdog, Brady, and I just got back home a week ago from a 7 week escape to the sunny South. We spent time with lots of friends and relatives that were gracious enough to put up with us for awhile. Now it's time to pay the Piper!! I have 3 weeks to pack before we leave for a canoeing trip in Florida. We have 3 weeks of paddling planned. We'll finish off with 114 miles of the Okfenokee Swamp and the upper Suwannee River. The plan is to take out of the river on April 4th. It will then be a dash to Springer Mt. Who ever said that retirement was boring? So, I've not only got to pack for the big hike, I'm trying to get another 3 week camping trip together. I work better under pressure, but I sure am longing for the simple life of the trail.
Date: 2009-02-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

      Days ( even weeks ) of packing make the first day on the trail even sweeter. I now have 11 boxes packed with only 4 more to go. I see the end in sight! I have plenty of dehydrated beef, tuna, ham and veggies left over from last year. I only need to buy about 20 easy to cook meals and lunch items to finish off the first half of the trip. I have no idea what I'm eating for the last 1000 miles. I'll worry about that when the time comes.         I do have one victory, though. I did the taxes yesterday, and they are ready to go. Yea !!   We'll be visiting my in-laws next week for a few days, but I should have time to pack for the 3 week canoe trip we'll be on before the hike. There! Now that I wrote it out, I feel more organized.        Getting in shape is another matter. I've managed to lose 7 of the 10 punds I gained on our southern tour this winter. I go to Curves 5 days a week. Without that, I would be in bad shape. It's amazing how it tones the muscles and revs up the metabolism. Last year I was not sore at all when I started hiking. I give all the credit to Curves. This week I have started hiking up the hill behind my house with 20 lbs in my pack. I climb up about 500 ft. in almost a mile to reach the AT. Tomorrow, I add 5 pounds and hike farther. In a week I should be up to 30 pounds. Hopefully I'll be able to climb the hill then, without too much effort.        The problem is that I'll be canoeing ( not hiking ) the 3 weeks before I start at Springer. This old body gets out of shape quickly, now. I'll have to start out slow and see how it goes, I guess.