morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-09-23
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 13.7

There are espresso shops scattered all through the Maine Woods. Secret hidden espresso shops. I am sure of it. That is the only possible explanation for how hyperactive the squirrels are up here. They skitter about, chase each other and their own tails, chatter furiously at me for intruding. I check each blueberry bush I passed, looking for the one berry that will keep my berry streak going another day. Finally near Mud Pond I found it. Small but a berry nonetheless. Then I found another. Then my eye fell on not just a berry but a big frosty lucious blueberry. Mmmmmm. Just above it were more and more. Big juicy sweet ones. I waded into the patch and picked several handfuls.Right after I started hiking again I was brought to a crashing halt by a bush of those dark sweet cherry tasting blueberries. And another. And another. They went on and on for half a mile. I grabbed a handful every few steps. Here it is, almost October and I am inundated with berries! I love Maine!At Antlers Tentsite I found something even more surprising. Half a dozen bushes of nice big blackberries, many of them not even ripe yet. And more dark blueberries, winding along the shore of Jo-Mary Lake. The path was starting to get bouldery but I was too full of berries to care.At Pemadumcook Lake a sign said "View of Katahdin". I followed it to the shore and on the opposite side under a clear blue sky and perfectly lit by the midday sun was the entire mountain rising high above the trees. I could finally see it in all its splender. It was magnificent! For thousands of miles it has been an almost mythical object; now it is real and is tantalizingly close. About 145 I got to the turnoff for White House Landing and followed the sidetrail a mile through the woods to the boat dock. An air horn was hanging there just as the guidebook said, and I gave it a short blast. After a while an outboard came across the lake with a large friendly looking dog sitting in the bow. In a few minutes I was getting situated at White House Landing. My mail shipment was right there waiting for me, with food enough to last nearly to the end and the rest of my warm clothing.I got a shower and read until suppertime. They serve a ONE POUND cheeseburger that is sensational. I had one, then a pint of Ben and Jerry's and finally an apple to fill in the corners. The amazing thing was I still felt like eating more, but decided enough was enough. 46 Miles to Katahdin!
Date: 2004-09-24
From: White House Landing

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: few clouds

Breakfast was at 8: orange juice, coffee, scrambled eggs, bacon, scrumptious potatoes, english muffins, and all you can eat blueberry pancakes. Then I got on the first boatload of three back to the Trail. We were dropped off at a spot just .2 miles from the Trail instead of the boatdock we had been picked up at, saving us a mile of walking.Still, it was 930 and there were 16 miles to Rainbow Lean-to so I had to keep a quick pace to get there at a reasonable hour. Nonetheless I kept my eye on the bushes watching for my first berry. I found one within an hour. Then at Nahmakantu Lake came a somewhat smaller version of the berry feast I had had yesterday at Mud Lake. The berries just keep coming.I tried asking the squirrels where they hide their espresso but they are not talking. They just scold me vigorously for being so inquisitive.I came across an amazing rock formation. Two huge boulders support a third roof-shaped boulder forming a neat cottage with a six-foot ceiling inside. It would make a perfect dwelling for a troll! Nesuntabunt Mountain was a fairly steep thousand foot climb. It has long high flights of well made stone steps that made me think of dwarves. But I knew it was the last time I will make that kind of climb with the load I have, in fact today is the last time I will carry this much at all, as my food could last right to the end. The "lasts" of my hike are starting to pile up fast. Last resupply. Last heavy load. Last night on the Trail in a real shelter since the rest will be at campgrounds at Abol Bridge and Baxter State Park. I could go on and on. The end of my thruhike is rushing towards me at unbelievable speed.Just 30 Miles to the finish!
Date: 2004-09-25
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow, I am nearly finished!The high milage is beginning to tell on me. My heels are sore, my achilles tendons protest when I step on rocks, my arches are getting twinges and I took Ibuprofin last night and this morning. But I don't care. This is the last long day and I am going to make the spell of clear weather predicted for Monday.I started off on the eight mile sweep along the shore of Rainbow Lake. It did not take long to find my first berries. I took my time, knowing I had all day and this would be the last full day of hiking the Maine woods. There were nice views of the lake with the trees reflected in the glassy water. Never quite the perfect photo op, but still nice for memories. Here and there a stretch would look almost just like the woods in Ohio where I grew up, then around the corner I would know I was in Maine again.This is bush-pilot country. Again and again I would hear the thrum of a floatplane taking off or flying by and once in a while I would see one through the treetops as it passed overhead.Rainbow Ledges was the last real hill before Katahdin. Those "Lasts" again! It was a granite dome reminding me of mountains earlier in Maine but much shallower and lower and easier to climb. On the open space on top is a truly enormous expanse of dark blueberries! For once I gorge myself properly, as there is no lack of either time or berries. I work my way through the bushes as methodically as a bear stuffing herself for winter. Finally even my appetite is sated and I wander on down the Trail again, just stopping now and again for a small handful as a refresher. Mmmmmmmmm!!!! There really is nothing so yummy as Maine mountain blueberries.On the east rim is a view of Katahdin, its upper reaches shrouded by cloud. Then I descend into the pine forest, the realm of the red squirrels who scold me vigorously as I pass.Hurd Brook is said to be a dangerous ford in high water, but it has not rained recently and I again get across dry shod over the boulders. At the very last regular shelter there is a maintainer who gives me the latest forecast. It is still expected to be good weather on Monday! Then come more pine woods down to the road. With elation I pass the warning sign that southbounders pass when entering the Hundred Mile Wilderness. I have gotten all the way through! A glow of triumph spreads over me, knowing I am nearly done with the Trail. There is a cooler of sodas and snacks left by a Trail Angel named Don Quixote. I stop for a diet Coke with lime, an odd choice but it sounded too exotic to resist. At the road it is just a short walk to Abol Bridge. I take a picture of Katahdin with its shroud of clouds. Then to the nearby campsite for the night. I register, get some snacks and a cheeseburger and go to set up my tent and eat and relax.Tomorrow I make the short 10 mile hike to Baxter State Park. Then if the weather holds, Monday comes the final climb to the summit of Mount Katahdin! Just 15 Miles left of the entire Trail. This is too amazing!
Date: 2004-03-03
From: Holiday Inn Express

To: Springer
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, it's finally here. So many emotions are bouncing around in my head that i can't even begin to describe them. Mom and i left Auburn at around 3 today. i tried to send off my maildrop to Fontana Dam, but the Post Office wouldn't accept my Jim Beam box. The realization is beginning to sink in. Tomorrow i will make the first steps on a trip that will take me into the unknown. In a sense, i've been preparing for this day for many years now. Ever since i can even remember hearing about the Appalachian Trail, i've been wanting to hike it. And now, no matter how much planning, strategizing and preparing, It is still the unknown. It's really sobering to think, that tomorrow morning my mom will drop me off at the edge of some trees and i will walk to Maine. Oddly enough, the thought doesn't really disturb me. My only regrets for leaving to embark on this trip is leaving behind my girlfriend Tracy. If this is to be a trip of overcoming obstacles, then not being by her side will be my hardest.
Date: 2004-03-04
From: Springer

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.8

Woke up late today and missed the continental breakfast, so we picked up some McDonalds on the way out. Finally got to the trailhead around 12:00. Mom took some photos of me and started to cry a little. The parking lot is about a mile north of Springer so i had to backtrack to reach the shelter. I hiked to the top, touched the shelter then turned right back around re-hike back north. When i got back down to the parking lot, and mom's car was no longer there; it really sank in. It was an overcast day and i thought it might rain, so i started booking it. I did 7.8 miles by 3:30. when i finally made it so the shelter, i don't think i've ever been so tired. As far as i can remember, I've never recieved a blister from backpacking in my life. When i took off my boots, i had grown an enormous one on the big toe of my left foot. I'm trying not to think of it as a bad omen. There are two other guys in the shelter tonight. Ashtray and his dog Cosmos from Vermont, and an older fellow named Dave from Florida. Both are thru-hikers also. It's only 6:15 and i'm about to go to bed, not a good first day, but maybe tomorrow will be better. God i miss Tracy.
Date: 2004-03-05
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked today in a perpetual cloud. A rain cloud that is. Overall a really nasty hiking day. There were some pretty tough mountains to cross also. I finally figured out why i had gotten a blister. Before i left i had bought some new Speva insoles for my 5 year old Sundowner boots. Well on the left insole i had accidentally cut the front too short. Needless to say my foot didn't like the lip of the too short insole. i got to the shelter around 12:00 and called it a day. no use rushing myself in the beginning. plus i was tired, hungary and wet. Ashtray and his dog were here. They stayed for about two hours then pushed on to try and camp tonight. This shelter is probably the nicest one i've ever seen, i think it was just built recently. after Ashtray left Dave showed up and so did Jason, a thru-hiker around my age from Maine. I caught a mouse last night with my trap. i'm hopeing to get another one tonight. I've always known that the shelters on the AT are infamous for having mice, so my goal is to kill one every night. I hope the weather tomorrow is better. I can't wait to get to Neel's Gap and call Tracy
Date: 2004-03-06
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Wood's Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a lot better than yesterday as far as hiking. A lot of mud on the trail, but otherwise a very pretty day. i saw some really good views off of Big Cedar Mountain. Hiked all the way to Wood's Hole Shelter at the base of the climb up Blood Mt. I'm still a little homesick, but it's getting better. At the shelter are two section hikers from Austin. They are both therapy mesuses. Dave is here also, it's good to see a familiar face. i'm going to try to get up early and make it in to Neel's Gap at around lunch. I"m actually about out of food. i guess i planned better than i thought. for a while i thought i was packing way too much food. I really hope the hostel isn't full. There is a boy scout troop here also; they're training for Philmont. I caught another mouse last night. I hope to make it 3 for 3 tonight.
Date: 2004-03-07
From: Wood's Hole Shelter

To: Walasi-Yi Hostel
Miles today: 4.1

It was really cold when i woke up this morning. I finally hit the trail around 9:00. Blood Mt. wasn't bad at all. It had some spectacular views too. LIke i remembered, coming down Blood was a lot harder than going up. There wer a lot of steep places where the trail just dropped straight down. i got to Neel's Gap at around 11. I was really torn between resting the remainder of the day, or pushing on to the next shelter. There are two guys from Auburn that i know, who started five days before i did. From the start i've been really dreaming about the idea of catching up to them. Though, today i was talking with a thru-hiker from last year and he told me that it would be pretty impossible to catch up with anyone over 3 days ahead. so i decided then to give up my chase and i'm staying at the Walasi-Yi hostel here at Neel's Gap. I was expecting the hostel to be packed with hikers, but instead i was the only one here until Dave showed up later that afternoon. I took probably the most enjoyable warm shower of my life. Then i washed all of my clothes. I hung out in the outfitter's store the rest of the day. i had to wear all of my rain gear because all of my clothes were in the wash. i can't express how dissapointed i am that i haven't met anymore thru-hikers. i was expecting the trail to actually be crowded. at the outfitters i bought some different water purification drops. the iodine i was carrying was beginning to leak brown iodine everywhere in my pack. i didn't catch any mice last night, i was really shocked. I was really excited that i got to call Tracy today. Just talking to her, i realize now how hard this is going to be for her.
Date: 2004-03-08
From: Walasi-Yi Hostel

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

It was really really windy today. The wind at Neel's Gap this morning was ripping through the gap like a mighty vortex. When i hit the trial this morning at 8 it was cutting right through me. Through the day, the wind never let up, but at least the sun came out. I ended up yesterday draining that blister on my left foot. It gave me a lot of pain tody and really slowed me down. Even so i managed to do 11 miles by 2:00. I got to Low Gap Shelter at that time and ate lunch. I went through a lot of debating as to whether or not i should push on. my sore left foot told me to stay. I only passed on group of hikers today and they were thru-hikers from 98. They told me that i was only an hour behind a group of other thru-hikers. That really spurred me on to catch-up, but unfortunatly those hikers were staying at the Blue Mt. Shelter, another 7 miles past the one i'm at now. if i were going to try and stay with them tonight, i would be doing an 18 mile day. i'll save that mileage for another time. At the shelter tonight is Wet Stone from Utah. He talks slowly in an almost whisper and i find it very difficult to understand him when he talks. Later a thru-hiker named Brother Nature pulled in. He's an actor from NYC. He seems like a really neat character. After him a woman from New Hampshire showed up. She calls herself Quincy Girl and started to explain to us all the the trailnames she has already been givin on the account that she looks like Martha Stewart; who she really does look like. I passed Dave early this morning and havn't seen him since. He probably stopped at that first shelter i passed. With his slow pace, that'll probably be the last time i see him on the trail. i'm oddly struck with a sense of loss. we've stayed at the same shelters so far every night on the trail and i'd come to find him as a very interesting hiking buddy. I haven't seen Jason either since yesterday when he decided to keep hiking instead of staying at the hostel. It's only 6:15 and i'm about to try and sleep. The temperature's in the low 40s and dropping. When it's this cold there's really nothing else to do but curl up in your sleepingbag and try to sleep.
Date: 2004-03-09
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Snow, snow, and more snow. Flurries started coming in today early in the morning, but everytime it would only snow for about 20 minutes and then the sun would come out. It probably went through these weather changes about six times. It would go from freezing snow in my face to blue skies and balmy sunshine that people at the beach would be envious of. At around 2:00, it got so hot that i zipped the legs off of my pants and turned them into shorts. That was a bad move. About 30 minutes after i did that, i notice storm clouds in the west, and moving fast. I started really booking it up Tray Mountain trying to beat the storm, but i caught me right before i could make it to the top. I've never cursed so much at a land feature in my life. I finally made it to the shelter at 4:00, still cursing and still wearing my shorts. i was too cold to take the time and stop to put pants on. There were already a bunch of people at the shelter, but luckily there was one spot left; which i grabbed. It had already snowed 3 inches according to Sweaty Pig, a snow plowsman from Maine. Two guys, Beavis and Butthead, from Conneticutt had a big tarp, so we strapped that to the front of the shelter to block the wind and snow. Ashtray and the two hikers from Austin are also here in the shelter. I'm still really cold even though i'm in my bag. i hope the snow melts soon.
Date: 2004-03-10
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

I froze last night. Two hikers showed up around 8:30, so we had to squeeze together and make room. I stayed in my sleepingbag this morning until way after the sun was up. Everyone was talking about heading into Hiawassee, so after finally getting out of my bag at around 11:30, i also opted to go into town. I hiked today with those two guys from CT, Beavis and Butthead. They're both around 20 years old and already dropped out of college. Just about every story they talk about ends with them saying "yeah, and i think i was tripping on acid". They actually hiked really fast. When we got to Dicks Creek Gap, all the other hikers from the shelter were there too. Amazingly all 7 of us managed to hitch a ride in the back of one pickup. We all got rooms at the "classy" Mull's Motel because it would be easy for Ashtray to sneak his dog in. When i say "classy" i mean wood panalling walls, brown shag carpet, rock hard beds and a ceiling tar stained from smokers. But hey, it's supposed to be freezing tonight, so i'm not complaining. We all went to Daniel's, and all you can eat (AYCE) steak place. It was pretty good except for some mystery foods we couldn't identify. Well i'm about to try and get some sleep on these rock hard beds. i've decided to call Tracy in the morning because i'm so tired right now.
Date: 2004-03-11
From: Hiawassee

To: Muscrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Today we woke up pretty late. We all went and got some great coffee next to the motel at a suprisingly really nice coffee house. The two hikers from Austin decided today they were going to head back home. They were out here preparing for a thru-hike probably next year. I also got to meet the two canadian thru-hikers, Midas and Freighttrain. Beavis, Butthead and i hitched back to the trailhead after breakfast. We started hiking around 11:30. Towards the end of the day we climbed a mountain called Sharp Top. That mountain was hands down the hardest climb i've ever experienced. It was also at the Georgia/North Carolina state line, so one state down, only around 13 to go. Beavis and Butthead are a few miles behind me now. Butthead left their water purifier back at where they ate lunch,and he had to hike the few miles back to get it. At the shelter tonight are Ashtray, Sweating Pig, and two weekend hikers; both from Georgia. I'm really tired today.
Date: 2004-03-12
From: Muscrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter's Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

What a beautiful day today was. The hike up Standing Indian Mountain was easier than i rememberd. The sun felt so good today after such a cold night. I even stopped at the sumit to take a nap and sun myself. I was asleep for about an hour before Cosmos, Ashtray's dog woke me up. Today was Ashtray's birthday, but for some reason he didn't stay at the shelter tonight. He left some weird messege in the shelter register about having to take his dog off the trail. I suprisingly saw a lot of unmelted snow today. It must have snowed harder in NC than in GA. Today hiking, I would freeze on one side of the mountain, and burn up on the other side. I got to the shelter today at around 4:00 and felt that was good enough for today. I sat in the fading sun for awhile and composed a poem for Tracy. Loneliness was really hitting me hard today. After a while Sweaty Pig showed up and gave me some company. It's going to be really cold again tonight.
Date: 2004-03-13
From: Carter's Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was probably my best day of Hiking yet. I had a late start, but still managed to make it to the top of Albert Mt. by lunch. I didn't realize it, but i actually sunburned my chest yesterday. It's not really that bad, but my shoulders can definatly feel it. The climb up Albert really wasn't all that hard. Just a few really steep sections. After lunch, i really started flying. I hiked a good 3 mile per hour pace. The first time i think i've hiked this fast so far. The only ones at the shelter tonight are Sweaty Pig and Takoma Tedd. Takoma has already thru-hiked a few times and he has even written some CDs about the AT. His latest CD is one that he has written music to poetry written by Earl Schaffer. After we all had dinner, Tedd pulled out his backpacking guitar and played some of his songs for me and Sweaty Pig. I've always been a big fan of acoustic primitive american music bluegrass and the likes, so i instantly enjoyed Tedd's music. Tomorrow is an easy day. Just 4 miles into Rainbow Springs for the day. Killed another mouse last night. Today i passed my 100 mile marker. Only 2000 more to go!
Date: 2004-03-14
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Rainbow Springs Campground
Miles today: 1.7
Weather: light rain

I didn't realize that Rainbow Springs was only .7 miles away. I thought that i had to hike to Winding Stair Gap to hitch to the campground. Though, last night Takoma Tedd informed me that i was only about 20 minutes away. So pretty much i could have easily been there yesterday. Oh well, at least now i got to spend the whole day here. So this morning i hiked the .7 to Wallace Gap, then another mile down the road to Rainbow Springs. The place is really neat. The bunkhouse is a Yurt. I took a warm shower, washed some clothes and loafed all day- it was great. I ate an entire Red Baron pizza for lunch. They have an outfitter store here and i hung out with those guys for most of the day. I tried to check my e-mail, but their computer doesn't open Hotmail for some reason. some other thru-hikers showed up today. Quincy Girl, Breeze, Wolf Cookie and Dances with Wolf Cookie. For a few minutes Quincy Girl had forgotten who i was. She was telling me how pretty her daughters were and showing me their photos in trailjournals until she saw my picture of Tracy sitting on the desk. Long story short, it was a funny situation. Later that night i convinced the two outfitter guys to drive me into Franklin for some items i needed. When i got back i recieved the best news of the day- probably some of the best news i've ever received. I called Tracy and found out that she got into Nursing School. That means that she can stay at Auburn instead of having to apply to a Nursing School somewhere else in the state. The hardest part about leaving for my trip was the thought in the back of my head that Tracy might not be in Auburn when i get back. Now i can hike everyday withought worrying about whether she'll get into the program or not. After i got off the phone, i went down and joined the rest of the hikers in a dry sauna that the campground provided. killed another mouse last night.