morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-28
From: Shore of Nahmakanta Lake

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Yay, we did it, we made it to Hurd Brook Lean-to. We couldn't find any good tentsites here, so we are sleeping in the shelter along with Rickles, who has flip flopped.Nice alarm clock this morning - awoke to a loon calling from the lake - beautiful.The terrain had more ups and downs today, and the surfact of the trail varied from good, to not bad, to poor. Got to the shelter about 5:30. Again, had the gnawing hunger all day - looking forward to the store at Abole Bridge tomorrow for more food.Passed by more beautiful lakes today, and hiked along the sluices and waterfalls of Rainbow Stream which were absolutely fantastic.Weather started out fogged in, and when the fog finally cleared, it was mostly cloudy all day, with one short bout of weak sunshine, and it was fairly warm all day.
Date: 2006-09-29
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: The Birches!!!
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: moderate rain

Yay, we're in Baxter State Park, here at the Birches, set to summit tomorrow as long as the current favorable weather forecast does not change. The only other person here at the Birches is Low Gear - all others I guess are in town.It started to rain this morning about *;00 (just before we started our hiking of the day), and it continued most of the day - sometimes light, sometimes hard. It was a wet day for hiking, but hike we did, so we could attempt our summit tomorrow.We got to Abol Bridge and pigged out on some not so good food - premade egg sandwiches and hamburgers that they just heated up in the microwave - but at least it did fill our stomachs, which felt good. We also shared a snickers bar.Met the ridgerunner Dave at Abol Bridge, and he hiked with us for about 3 1/2 miles. We were glad to get here to the shelter and get into warm, dry clothes, and relax for the rest of the day, and eat more food.While here, two previous thru hikers the Batchelders came by and brought dessert (homemade cookies and brownies) for us and chatted for a while. They did their hike in 1992 - he was 70 and she was 68. They don't look their current ages of 82 and 84. They completed their hike in six months and two days, quicker than we've been able to do. They are amazing.Just before we went off to sleep, Ridgerunner Dave came by and said that it turned out he had to go to Strong, ME on Monday and that he could drop us off in Farmington, ME (just 45 miles four our home in Stratton) if we wanted to wait around until then. Sounds good.Off to sleep and dreams of summitting Katahdin.
Date: 2006-09-30
From: The Birches!!!

To: Katahdin!!!!!!!!!!! (Millinocket for the nite)
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woohoo!@!!!! We did it!@!!!!!! We completed our AT thru hike from Springer to Katahdin.The climb up took us 3 1/2 hours, and at times it was a little scary, as there was ice on the grasses and on some of the rocks. The weather started out with a mix of sun and clouds, and stayed that way all day. We would have sunnier parts and cloudier parts. We got fantastic views on our way up, while at the summit and on the way down. It was spectacular.Also summiting today (either a little before or after us) were: Low Gear, Sleep Ninja, Fire, Junco, Gringo, Model T, Ranger Dawg, Bearcan, Compost, and Ghost of Nattie Boh.What a great feeling to finally complete our journey. We are looking forward to moving on. It took until almost back to the campground before it really sunk in that we had completed our journey.We got back to the campground just before 4:00 p.m, and were lucky to find that the Batchelders were still there, and waiting for us to give us a ride into town. They dropped us off at the grocery store. We stocked up on good foods - whole wheat pasta and bread, nut mix, and buffalo burgers. We then called the AT Lodge to see if they had a room for us, and they came up to the store and picked us up. We were glad of that since we were still at least a mile away from them. Don (the owner of teh AT Lodge) will bring us out to Abol Bridge in the morning, where we can wait for Dave to take us to Farmington on Monday afternoon.Shower felt great and we are tired and happy to be going to sleep.
Date: 2006-10-25
From: Canaan, ME

To: Wrentham, MA
Miles today: 0.0

Just a quick note to let people know what we're up to in life after the trail.We've moved into an "earth lodge" at Earthways School of Wilderness Living, in Canaan, ME. You can view what an earth lodge looks like at www.earthways.net, click on "lodge rentals" on the left side of the home page. We think we'll be living there for at least a year. We've moved into our lodge, have our solar electric system up and running for lights, computer and charging batteries, installed a wood cookstove and are in the process of gathering, cutting and splitting firewood, have begun gathering wild and cultivated food and storing them for winter (jerusalem artichoke roots, dandelion greens and roots, wild apples), have started planting (garlic) and preparing garden beds for next spring, etc. We're also helping Ray and Nancy Reitze (Earthways founders) with projects about the farm. Life is fun and full of variety. At some point, we may have to do a bit of work for cash, but our financial needs are extremely low these days.It took 3 weeks for our bodies to begin to feel ready to start hiking again. We started with a 250 foot vertical climb to a nearby firetower. Since then, we've gone for two trail runs in a state forest near Linc's mom's house (we're visiting with her in Wrentham, MA). It looks like we'll be getting lots of exercise dragging trees out of the woods for the next few weeks, spurred on by the motivation that we need to gather, cut (by hand with bow saws) and split (by hand with a splitting maul) and stack three cords of wood for the winter.Thanks for following along on our trip!Our mailing address now is:Linc Vannah and Jeanne Hergenrotherc/o Earthways159 Earthways RoadCanaan, ME 04924Linc and Jeanne
Date: 2006-02-09
To: DISCLAIMER
Miles today: 0.0

WARNING TO ALL READERS!!! The author will not be responsible if you find any of the material you are about to read offensive. This journal will contain situations of incredible spiritual, emotional, and physical highs and lows. This journal could involve encounters with wild beasts, poisonous reptiles, and insects in situations that are not desired by all individuals. Other content will include my encounters with strangers that could be carrying guns or just plain crazy. Also it will have content about dark, rainy, spooky forests. Some of the physical situations that will be mentioned sparing no details are aching bones and muscles, irregular natural functions, hypothermia, all sorts of diseases, blisters upon blisters, heat exhaustion, incredibly bad smells, mental exhaustion, and thirst depravation. It is not intended to be politically correct. I have certain religious and political opinions that might come out every once in awhile but I will try to keep them in. If at anytime you are offended please feel free to file a complaint by clicking the X button in the top right hand corner of your browser. If you are willing to accept responsibility for yourself then please fell free to read ahead and join me on my adventure. And I promise that it will be exactly that, a great adventure.
Date: 2006-02-10
To: Welcome
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Welcome to my Trail Journal. My name is Andy and I am a Gemini. I enjoy long walks in the woods, sleeping under the stars, carrying everything I own on my back, and getting caught in a rainstorm that lasts for days upon end. I have been known to have a good time and I like to live in the moment. You know kind of like that old saying "Carp in Denim". Well if you are still reading after that corny attempt to be funny then I will tell you a little bit about what this journal is and a little about me. But just a little, because I am a shy person. The purpose of this Trailjournal is to keep everyone who is interested in my adventure up to date on what is going on and where I am. I live a very interesting life where anything can happen at anytime with random people. People often ask me how I know so many people. The answer? I love people. They intrigue me. Meeting people of all walks of life is one of the things that drives me. Everyone is special in their own way. I feel it doesn¢t matter if you are a doctor or an auto mechanic, you are important and no different than anyone else. A doctor can¢t fix your heart if his car can¢t get him to the hospital. Meeting new people is part of the reason that I am making this journey. When I use the word "journey" I am reminded of one of the greatest bands of all times Journey. To quote them, "Don¢t stop believing. Hold on to the feeling". I believe that hiking the trail is something that I must do, I just have a feeling. So enjoy! Andy
Date: 2006-02-11
To: About me
Miles today: 0.0

I was born on the 18th day of the 6th month in the year of 1982 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Luckily by the grace of God I moved to Northeast Tennessee when I was less than a year old. I was never the studious one in school. I would have rather been entertaining the rest of the class than paying attention. I was never the child who needed video games or someone else to play with to have a good time. Just toss me out in the backyard or cow pasture with a stick and I was content. I have always had a knack for energy. I recently graduated from a small liberal arts College in Ohio (finally) and felt that this is the perfect time to hike. Since graduating I moved back home to Tennessee where I have been traveling around the country seeing the sights and meeting people. While this was fun I felt that I should probably get a job in order to pay for my thru-hike. I have been working for a fortune 500 company that represents other fortune 500 companies (both in the top 15) answering phones about credit problems. "Thank you for calling Home Depot Credit Services, my name is Andy; to better assist you can I have your account number." Even though it gets very repetitive, I work with some amazing people. As each day passes I get more and more excited about my adventure. With all the excitement I find if hard for me to sit still. Now for those of you who know me I know what you are thinking, "You never could sit still" True. However it is becoming worse and worse. I can¢t wait to get out in the wild. To not have any responsibility except to be in Maine before the snow falls. Till later.Andy
Date: 2006-02-17
To: family
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I just got back from snowboarding in North Carolina. While sitting there enjoying the view of the Appalachian mountains from atop the highest ski peak east of the Mississippi I started thinking about the trail. Well to be completely honest, the reason that I was sitting there enjoying the view was because I fell getting off the chairlift and didn't want to look like a jackass in front of the hot ski bunny next to me. While I was sitting there I noticed a family who was taking a photo. The mother was yelling at the kids "smile and look like you're having a good time". The 8 year old kid is looking at the sign with a black diamond on it peeing his pants. A great photo opportunity to say the least, not the best idea cause after the wonderful picture that will be a memory for a life time, the kid will be haunted by the fears of falling the entire way down the mountain. Seeing that family made me think about how lucky I am to have a family that loves and supports me on my adventure. While most of my friends' parents are telling them to start a career, mine are telling me to follow my dreams. I would not be able to do this hike mentally without my family supporting me. And yes, mom and dad, I will be careful and use my head. Only 43 days until I start and I can't wait. The weather today was exceptionally nice and I have started to get that itch to get out and start hiking. Similar to the feeling I used to get in college as it started to get nicer outside, except 10 times more. Andy
Date: 2006-02-23
To: Rafting
Miles today: 0.0

I don't know when I first got the idea to hike the trail but I have had it for a while. I grew up in Northeast Tennessee, my house only being about 20 to 25 minutes from several different points of the Appalachian Trail. After my freshman year of college when I returned home for summer I fell into the traditional job search that every college student does in hopes of finding a summer job that doesn't require commitment but pays enough that I wouldn't have to work during the school year. My mother would leave notes for me to look for a job in the paper. Like most 18 year old grown men (remember I was a "mature college student") I didn't really listen to my mother about looking in the paper. Finally I picked up the paper to look for a job. I found an ad that said "Raft Guides Wanted: Must have valid DL. Will train." I called and went for the orientation. The place was only 20 minutes away from my house so I figured I would check it out. As I pulled off the highway and down the windy back woods road to Cherokee Adventures in Erwin, TN I felt something pulling me there. In my Orientaion there were about 20 people. Then they told us that we wouldn't be paid for training and half the people left. After passing my training there were only 2 of us left. I worked as a raft guide when ever I was home for springbreak, summer, fallbreak, when ever needed. I worked on the world famous Nolichucky River. It is one of the last natural flowing rivers in this great country where I live. The river runs through one of the deepest gorges in the southeast. During your trip on the mighty Nolichucky you will encounter class III to V rapids (that's class 3 to 5 rapids for those of you who don't read Roman.) This job has changed my life. There is no way to start to explain how much this job has formed my perspectives both physically and mentally. There is just something about being able to help people experience the beauty of nature and discover something about themselves, while making their life flash infront of their eyes at the same time that gives you a personal high. The reason that I am telling you this is because everyday when we pull off the river to load the boats on the questionable out of commission school buses, many which are short busses, the AT is in my mind. We load up the busses and drive a tenth of a mile and get on the AT where it crosses the Noli in Erwin. We tell the customers that this is the only place that the AT crosses a road bridge (This is not true). They eat it up. Sorry to inform those few of you have had the honor to go on a rafting trip with me and for anyone who has ever been rafting. There is one way to tell if your raft guide is lying; his mouth is moving. Most everything that your guide says is B.S. Anywho, where we cross the AT each day and I give the speal on the bus about the AT, I would tell people, "If you want to go for a hike, that way to Georgia, that way to Maine. Pack a lunch." The AT has been so close but I never realized it. Just another reason why the trail is calling me. Andy
Date: 2006-03-01
To: 2 weeks
Miles today: 0.0

So it's official, I put in my two week notice today at work. It was tougher than I expected. The hardest thing was telling my boss and coworkers that I was leaving. I can handle not having a job and income. I can handle dropping everything to chase a dream. I don't like leaving something that isn't complete. Even though I don't have any projects or tasks that I was required to complete, it's just hard telling people that you aren't leaving for the typical job quitting reasons. (i.e. hate job, found better job, or medical reasons.) Only two more weeks of work before start preparing to join the army of one and become a foot soldier in the crusade to conquer the Appalachian Mountains.Andy
Date: 2006-03-12
To: computer
Miles today: 0.0

Sorry that I have not updated my journal in a while but I have been going through a very rough time. I have recently suffered a great tragedy. I knew that starting the trail would mean that several things that I am very close to, I would not be able to enjoy them in the same way that I used to. I just found out that my computer has died. I was hoping that I would be able to use it till I left but that didn't work out. So I am having to go pretty much cold turkey on my technology.        Since it was been a while, I will give you a quick run down on what's going on with life. I have 3 more days of work left. Couldn't be more pumped about that. Then I will head to Virginia to watch my school (Wittenberg University) play in the final four of the NCAA Division III Basketball Championship. Then after they are done winning the "Big Ass Rings" I am going to visit family and friends for a few days before returning home for the final countdown in which I will finish my planning and getting lose ends tied up. Currently my planning is coming along good. There is food scattered all over my dining room table. The days are getting longer and the weather nicer and harder to stay focused. I will try to write more later.Andy
Date: 2006-03-25
To: 6 days
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up this morning with a hangover to then get yelled at on the phone by my Aunt for not updating my journal. I only have 6 days left till I leave so I will try and get into the swing of things. Since it's been awhile I will give you an update.        I just got back home after a short adventure to relive my old glory days in college. It involved a crazy road trips with stops in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and finally back home to Tennessee. After a wonderful St. Patty¢s day filled with booze and basketball, we woke on Saturday to do it all over this time throw in a little lacrosse. My school won on Friday but lost a buzzer beater on a last second three. The game could have gone either way. Even though we didn¢t win the national championship, runner up ain¢t bad. Then I drove with my brother to Ohio to spend a few days visiting friends from school. That consisted of a trip to the riverboat casinos, the occasional beer or shot, visiting old professors, reminiscing about the old times and saying ¢I remember this one time back when I was in college¢. One night there was a few hour period that would have made Animal House look like a G rated movie. I hate to admit it but I don¢t think that I am still in as good of drinking shape as I used to be in my college days. But, that doesn¢t mean I can¢t hold my own anymore. After the crazy times I had to head home and the wonderful 7 hour drive home that I has soon forgot how much I loved college. The thing that I love about solo road trips is the time you get to think about things or not think about them.         Well now I am back home to prepare for my final days of preparation. I am pretty much ready just counting down the days. I am taking the approach that I will learn from my mistakes as I go. If I thought the 7 hour car ride was a nice time to think, imagine how much time to think I will have for 5-6 months in the woods.6 days.Andy
Date: 2006-03-26
To: wal mart
Miles today: 0.0

Hikers either love or hate Sam Walton. Me, I love him for creating Wal-Mart. Half of the people think it¢s great because they can get anything they want under one roof. Other people think Wal-Mart is the devil and the down fall of American society. Part of the fun of going to Wal-Mart is people watching. Now if you want to experience that feeling, try going on NASCAR Sunday in Northeast Tennessee, 15 miles from Bristol Motor Speedway. It¢s funny when people see you buying tons of camping food and ask what you¢re doing. Then I have to go through the standard ¢I¢m going to be walking around in the woods for 5-6 months.¢ Then answer all their questions. And the funny thing is, it never gets old. After I battled my way out of Wal-Mart I repeated this at K-Mart and Kroger¢s, then back home to continue my planning. In between all of my planning, I have been trying to get a hold of and talk to my friends one last time.        Well 5 days to go before I walk away from ¢the world of technology.¢ It will be tough. Well kind of, I do have some cool toys to take with me.Andy
Date: 2006-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As I pulled out of my driveway and started down my street I looked at the mountains in the distance where the trail crosses and saw something disturbing. Snow. Hopefully this snow storm has gotten it out of Mother Nature's system. But if I do get snowed on I won¢t be excited. At least I will be on the trail.         And I know some of you are wondering how I am going to keep a journal if I am in the woods? Well, thanks to my pocketmail. It is one of my high-tech toys that I will be carrying. I can type daily entries then send it through the phone when I get to civilization. (If that¢s what you want to call some of the towns I will be going through.) It also serves as an address book.         Another one of my toys is my iriver mp3 player. But since my computer is being fixed I am stuck with the songs that are on it until I get it back and meet up to load new songs. I also have my bad ass watch. It has everything I need on it.         The Watch has a clock, stopwatch, alarm, compass, barometer, and altimeter. I know I won¢t really care about what time it is on the trail but as we say in the rafting business "the only reason I carry a watch is if I need to pump on your chest."        And finally my most important high-tech tool is my digital camera and several memory cards. Everyone has told me to make sure to take pictures. Now that I know how to work my camera hopefully I won¢t erase all my pictures like I did last summer after visiting the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone.         So I will not be going completely without technology. But for those of you who say that¢s not roughing it, get your ass out of your computer chair and meet me in the woods.         Well that¢s enough rambling for the night. 4 days to go.Andy
Date: 2006-03-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My spirits about this adventure are high. I went out for a day hike today and to drop off some trail magic at one of the shelters. Some Mt. Dew and Budweisers. I didn¢t see any thru-hikers but I met some college section hikers and I had a great time hanging out. It reminded me of how great the people on the trail are. I am heading out tomorrow for my last overnight before I start. I got to test my gear today and I am very happy with it. Well I better finish up my planning.3 daysAndy
Date: 2006-03-30
To: knife
Miles today: 0.0

Ever since I have been telling people that I am hiking the trail they have been giving me advice on things to take and do. Some of the things people suggest are completely asinine. Other things people say have stuck with me. Everyone is their own expert to what's best suits them. Some of the best general advice that I have been given has come from former or active military members. One great piece of advice that was obtained through the military and passed on to me was to always be aware of your surroundings. The other is that with a good knife you can do anything. So today on my way back from a final check of gear, I stopped at Smokey Mountain Knife Works, "the world¢s largest showplace", and bought a new blade. Now I know what some of you are thinking. Rambo. No it¢s not that big but it will definitely get the job done.Andy