morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-13
From: East Flagstaff Road ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 2002.9

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 2018.8
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: few clouds

Day 162 ¢ 9/13/07Start: East Flagstaff Road ¢ 2002.9End: Pierce Pond Lean-to ¢ 2018.8Day Miles: 15.9It was another late start from town today. I am still hiking with Shadow, Numbtoe, and RI Red who are a great trail family. The profile shows the day¢s hike as almost flat in comparison to previous days but only the inexperienced AT hiker would assume that anything could ever be flat. Just after we start out we run into Granite who had stayed at the hostel the night before. Granite seems to be a lost spirit on the trail carrying a heavy load of issues with him. His persona is a California beach bum on a vision quest. He has setup camp to do ¢trail magic¢ in the form of dinner for thru-hikers. It was morning so we exchanged greetings and moved on.Maine is beautiful and today is truly a ¢walk in the woods¢. After many miles of challenging mountain climbs flatland hiking can seem somewhat boring. The birds sing less in the fall because as I learned from Band-Aid Kid there is no reason to advertise for mating or to protect their territory. This makes the woods quiet. We did run into a moose or at least hear one splashing around in the water just out of sight on a long plank crossing. There is plenty of moose sign everywhere.I am still struggling with the pace of the group. It is not the daily mileage but the go fast and rest style versus my plod along and keep moving style. When I lead I am pushing hard to set a good pace and then I stiffen up when we stop every hour or so. I took a bad fall rushing over a brook crossing when a root I was using for a foothold broke sending me into a series of careening steps that found me face down on a rock and both knees badly bruised.Peirce Pond Lean-to usually has great sunsets. I have a picture from my last stay here and we are hoping for a repeat performance but alas there is only a hint or red in the sky. The water is quite a hike and it is almost dark. Tent sites are limited so I opted to stay in the shelter with Spock and another hiker who was doing a section. The rest of the crew setup tents on the edge of the pond.We had wanted to go to Harrison¢s for breakfast which is a camp nearby but the book said you must make a reservation and that it was a mile walk there. We had no cell phone service and no one felt like doing the 2 mile round trip over the dam after dark so we decided to take a pass.
Date: 2007-09-16
From: Caratunk, ME ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ US 201 ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 2022.8

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to 2037.5
Miles today: 14.7

Day 165 ¢ 9/16/07Start: Caratunk, ME ¢ US 201 ¢ 2022.8End: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to 2037.5Day Miles: 14.7Well all hit the trail around 8:45 when Steve dropped us off. There are actually a few mountains in the profile that are around 2,500 feet. I am hoping to make it over Moxie Bald which is the second mountain but that would take a 19 mile day. I want to make Monson in 2 days about 37 miles away. I am feeling the need to finish now as I start thinking about my life after the trail.I am plodding along and not making good time today. The trail is the trail, you can¢t change it, you can only walk it. I know by now to ¢settle-in¢ on days like this and let my body dictate my pace.At one point I feel my attitude slipping. I am not enjoying this right now so I stop and drop my pack and eat. I just sit there and stuff calories in and look at the trees and veg. After about a 12 hour my body tells me it is okay to move so I start hiking. My mood is vastly improved. The climb over Pleasant Mountain was steep but not quite as bad as I had imagined it. I know I will not get 19 in today I am whipped. Moxie Bald will have to wait until tomorrow I am stopping at around 15 miles.I hit the brook before the shelter with Popeye and Lightweight. There are a few tent sites here and it looks like this used to be the location for the old shelter. There is a trail to a privy and a good water source. The trail to the new shelter is about a 1/10 of a mile farther up the trail. I start up but it is up hill and I am in no mood. I have to set up my tent anyway because it is damp from Monson. Popeye and Lightweight and I setup our tents. Shadow, Numbtoe, and RI Red head up to the shelter. They are talking about cooking dinner and moving on. JB rolled in and headed up to the shelter as well. He told us the Band-Aid Kid was behind and may make it in tonight. Band-Aid Kid has been nursing a bad ankle since Rangley and has plenty of time to summit the Big K. His wife is meeting him at the end of the month. Just before dark the Band-Aid Kid rolled in and setup his tent with us. I slept well with the sound of the brook next to my tent.
Date: 2007-09-19
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 2069.9

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 2085.5
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 168 ¢ 9/19/07Start: Wilson Valley Lean-to ¢ 2069.9End: Chairback Gap Lean-to ¢ 2085.5Day Miles: 15.6I took my time getting out of the shelter this morning. There is peacefulness in the solitude of being alone in the middle of nowhere. There are mountains to climb for the next few days before I hit the relatively flat lake country in the last 50 miles of the Wilderness. Today is the Barren Chairback Range which I remember as challenging.I stopped by the Long Pond Stream Lean-to for a snack and to sign the register. I find numerous complaints about the mice and an entry from my old friend Usual Suspect who reported losing a good deal of his food in a rodent attack.The climb up Barren is long and hot. I am drinking more water than I planned but I stated out with 3 liters so it should hold. It is 3/10 of a mile each way into Cloud Pond Lean-to so I decided to take a pass on going in for water. There are streams ahead according to the book. Forth Mountain is small on the profile but is also a challenge. The stream in the saddle between Barren and Fourth that the book mentioned did not exist. The same was true for the intermittent stream between Fourth and Third Mountains. I am now out of water but I push on. I pass 2 sets of section hikers going south. These are the first people I have seen since Monson. No one remembers water on the trail ahead but the book says there is a stream after Third. I meet 2 guys headed south who swear they have passed no water since Chariback Lean-to and that was ¢nasty¢. Two minutes later I hear water running and find a small, cold, stream running across the trail. How could they have missed it? As I am filling up Butch Cassidy and Sundance catch up to me. They had left Monson about an hour or so after me yesterday. They had seen Numbtoe, Shadow, and RI Red camped at the Big Wilson stream crossing. I figure they will catch me tonight. Butch and Sundance rush off still trying to make a 4 day trek through the Wilderness. I am suffering from dehydration so I sit and wait for the drops to work and then drink my fill of water. Water at the shelter is really bad so I want to camel up and carry enough for dinner and the morning.Columbus Mountain turns out to be a good climb as well and now I am bonking. I get to the top and stop and eat dry ramen noodles with honey and sit for 20 minutes. It is getting dark but I just don¢t care. Finally I hang my headlight around my neck and start down what turns out to be a really steep descent. It is pitch black when I hit the gap but I spot the fire by the shelter. Dragon Breath and his mom are here along with Butch and Sundance and maybe a section hiker. There is room for 1 more but I decide to camp out back to avoid the mice and enjoy the solitude. I finally find a spot thanks to Dragon Breath¢s Mom who had scouted tent sites before dark and get setup. Sometime afterwards RI Red came through camp and pushed on over Chariback. She needs to finish on Sunday to meet her family.
Date: 2007-12-11
To: In Summary?
Miles today: 2175.0

How do you summarize a 174 day, 2175 mile journey? I am not sure. People hike the trail for many reasons. A lot of people are looking for something and others are trying to escape something. The trail will change you but it won¢t directly change your life.For me, I hiked during a transition in my life. Hiking changed who I am but as I stepped back into what I call ¢the real world¢ is was like getting hit by a southbound freight train. All the pressures were still there and maybe even a little more. I think for the young people just starting out or retired folks who have fewer family and financial pressures the trail can have a greater impact on their lives. But for people like me who hiked ¢in the middle¢ of their lives with people still depending on you and you still depending making money the opportunity to change your life is a little more limited.The trick for me will be to take what I learned about myself and apply that to my everyday life. The changes will be there but perhaps more subtle than joining the Peace Corps or taking on an entirely new career, for now anyway.Well, more on this subject as I sort through my thoughts. I have the journal done and the pictures are next. I also hope to go back and ¢flesh-out¢ the early days of the trip before memories begin to fade. Thank you to those that followed my adventure. I love hearing from you and all the friends I made on the trail.
Date: 2009-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My brother Montana Mac is on the trail this year. Our thru-hike together did not work out in timing. I hiked in 2007 and Mac was unable to go that year. It is now 2009 and Mac is on the trail and I am here in society battling a corrupt government who forgot the precious words ¢By the People, For the People.¢Enough for the politics. I have been posting pictures for Mac and realized I never finished posting mine after the hike. It has taken me this long after returning to ¢real life¢ to go back over my journal and start adding my own pictures.I noticed the hike counter has been climbing on my page since Mac started his hike. I hope those who stop by enjoy the new picures.
Date: 2007-03-31
From: ngreyhound

To: harpers ferry wv.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

missed the train to harpers ferry by 10 min.so tonight i stay in the same d.c. ghettotel i stayed in last year to end.43$ at the end of the yellow line.got a cheeseburger and of to d.c. for night photos.got reaquainted with subway system.making the best of my non hiking time.there is no respect or mercy for a foot traveler;dirty bus stops,shaky buses,delays.they dont care.
Date: 2007-04-01
From: garvey sheltr

To: garvey shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

keeper of this dumpy hotel reminded me when checkout was(not friendly).i hiked the mall of d.c.,then to union station to catch the train to h.f. no luck ,sold out. i thought i was stuck in d.c. another night. with the gift of gab i found Nelson. an amtrak employee just finishing his shift.my first trail angel of the year had me hiking by 5;pm i got a roast beef wrap in h.f. and packed it up the 6 miles to the garvey shelter. a very cool shelter w/loft. now back to the basic routine;hike,eat,collect water,bed down, journal,brush teeth,pee,sleep. be glad to do it all again tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: garvey shelter

To: pine knob shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: few clouds

slept great last night with new sleeping pad and rain on tin roof.glad to be out of d.c. 65 and sunny good lunch with nice spring. as i reached the top of a mountain i smelled a carcass then immediately spooked 6 hawks having luch.they ganged up and were swooping down closely to let me know i should keep moving.as i crossed i-70 i found the dog patch tavern. i got cheeseburger,fries, cold beers, and a hitch back to the trail by burt(local earth driller).a perfect day of hike,food,and drink!
Date: 2007-04-03
From: pine knob shelter

To: devils racecourse shelter
Miles today: 13.0

nice sunny 80'day.water is scarce in maryland,very rocky.i am doing less miles and seeing more,being careful.spring has begun,trees budding,butterflies,flowers...in tonight with "hardway". great hiker ,from omaha ne,retired. he was on the same greyhound bus as me!
Date: 2007-04-04
From: devils racecourse shelter

To: rocky mt shelters
Miles today: 20.0

set out for a rainy day w/ hardway. it only rained on us for about 3 mi. not many others out as it is mid-week and the temp is dropping. 3 teens in the next shelter,locals learning ,they ruined their first mountain house dinner. i had thoughts of shortening my day to 13 mi. as a storm was threatening and the terrain was tough. i was worried about hardway with all his weight in his pack. the storm had not hit and he is a tough ol vet so i pushed on to the next shelter.
Date: 2007-04-05
From: rocky mt shelters

To: toms run shelters
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

woke this moring w/ temps in the 20's. tough to get out of the bag. oatmeal and onward. snowy all day. the miles are coming easier as the food bag is getting lighter. snow expected tonight on all the budding trees and flowers. i journal w/ gloves on as dinner cools quickly. 4 sectioners in the last shelter and 2 locals inthe neighboring shelter. many shelters in the area have a twin. found a brand new nalgene bottle on the trail today. i have not seen any southbounders yet so i know this fresh bottle belongs north. carried it 7 mi. and returned it to one of the thankful sectioners (empty).
Date: 2007-04-06
From: toms run shelters

To: ironmasters mansion hostel
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

slept in today because i could not get in the hostel until 5;pm. plus i had a mail drop there. american youth hostels have different hours and rules. bunk lodging with a big galley kitchen. a huge mansion where revolutionary firearms were forged in a huge furnace out back. cold today w/ a little snow,but none sticking. met a family from sheridan in. out hosteling for vacation (thanks for charging mp3!) i raided the comm. fridge before bed. scored some ravioli,cheese and hot sauce. added my last meal of taco flavored rice... good to go!
Date: 2007-04-07
From: ironmasters mansion hostel

To: alec kennedy shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light snow

it was creepy last night doing laundry in the basement of that 1800's mansion. 15.5 mi. to alec kennedy shelter, down in the gap w/bunks.cold all day again w/ snow flurries in the 20's.still hiking with hardway,who took a spill today. not many people out here at all. in tonight w/ hardway,barkeater,and boulder. tomorrow i push on for solitude! turns out boulder(whom i named) is going to col. u. learning arabic and foreign affairs. so i told him good luck please go fix the world.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: alec kennedy shelter

To: darlington shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

this mornings temps were again in the 20's. ice chips in my water and boots as cold as ice.your feet instantly go numb then after about 1 mile a warming sensation runs all the way up your body as they come to. i found an easter egg today w/ 2 hershey kisses inside. so i gobbled 1 and left the other! boiling springs was a neat trail town although no restaraunts were open on sun.. i did score a ham&cheese and a milk at the gas station. so i had my easter dinner out on the front porch of the a.t.council at 30'. in solo tonight enjoying a hot cocoa. in my 18 mile day i crossed 17 roads. boo.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: darlington shelter

To: clarks ferry shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

long day w/mild temps. spooked some grouse and a fox today(to quick for camera).stopped in duncannon pa. at the "doyle" bar/hotel. i got a cheesesteak and some beers. tempting to stay but i got out for another 5 miles before the rain. solo again.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: clarks ferry shelter

To: rattling run creek
Miles today: 17.0

this morning before i started out 3 deer passed by my open outhouse door. from their looks we were both surprised! stealth camping out in the tarptent. the shelters were to far apart today. plus i have carried this 1 1/2 pound very light,tiny,hard-to-get-along-with tent so i guess i should use it. feels lonelier without the shelter. no cell reception when i really feel alone. sleeping 10 feet from the ceek tonight. i can hear the wildlife coming down for a drink.tonight as i journal the military choppers fly overhead in formation.it is loud and seems really low.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: rattling run creek

To: william penn shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

slept good on the piney earth floor. babbling brook got to my bladdder. tried to start early but still didnt hike until 9;am. i guess that is part of "hiking my hike" had to walk all day to get 20 mi. whew! passed cell tower and had phone all day. none last night when i wanted it. plenty of grouse again. srill seem to be on a constant ridge. pa. is beginning to be a lot of the same forestery. indiana-like? cant say its boring because you still dont know what is around the next bend. penn shelter is cool w/loft, lincoln log style.solo again. got off the trail 1/4 mi. today, a local motorist set me straight. also ranger fire all day.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: william penn shelter

To: econolodge
Miles today: 4.0

rained hard all night with limbs knocking shelter @#*%&@.hiked 4 miles to the 501 shelter and got a 7 mile hitch from the caretaker as it is early season and they had time.maildrop at the pine grove pa. econolodge. showers,beers,phone,fast-food,cable. no coin laundry so i sinked it. barely dry in the morning.
Date: 2007-04-13
From: econolodge

To: eagles nest shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

pine grove has no taxi service so getting back to the trail took some doin. the foreigners who ran the hotel did not drive so i started walking. i found a lawnmower dealership and went in to aquire a ride. i was hoping to catch an old farmer but the owner gladly took me back to the trail. nice shelter tonight. i am in w/3 generation of n.j. hiker g-father,father,son. how cool.plus their retriever.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: eagles nest shelter

To: windsor furnace shelter 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

turned out to be a good weathered day for hiking. 50's and no precip. a few dayhikers out as it is sat. passed a group of scouts. when i got to the shelter there was another group of scouts eating. glad to meet them ,also glad to see them go before the storm. this shelter would have been crammed. instead ,solo.drizzles as i journal and the scouts probably are getting in the car.they the storm coming is a noreaster a good one that only happens every 20 years. great! rain steady and hard now.
Date: 2007-04-15
From: windsor furnace shelter 

To: allentown shelter
Miles today: 17.0

woke early to do a privy run in the pouring rain. always a good way to start your day.geared up for a rainy day and it did not let up!17 miles of constant rain. no mapping no lunch.trail held 3-5" of water most of the way. boots saturated within 2 miles. got to the shelter to find some of my gear damp, as expected.the rain wicked in to my pack cover and got my bag and pad a little wet.got myself dry and in the bag. i have wet gear on every nail of this shelter! once again solo. only crazies out here on this wonderful noreaster sunday night
Date: 2007-04-16
From: allentown shelter

To: lehigh pa.
Miles today: 4.0

stormed hard all night. woke to 3" of snow and 50 mph winds! snow is stuck to the sides of the trees covering up the blazes making it dangerously easy to get lost. still have frozen boots and damp gear as the snow blew in all night.no taxi service again so i called enterprise to bring me a car to the blue mt.summit b&b. too much of a white out to hitch.i waited one hour on the porch in the snow and wind. when the driver got to me i had snow stuck to one whole side of me and had muddy frozen gaiters. perfect for the brand new ford explorer.this storm is supposed set here for 3 days and that is all the time i have to hike so i am homeward bound.drove around town for one hour just to thaw out.got a room and did luandry .found a bus route home.
Date: 2007-06-29
To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hangin' at the Super 8 in Front Royal, VA tonight. Raining. Rained last night too and we left the tent fly open while making supper, so all our stuff is pretty damp. So a short hike today and got a ride in to town so we can take a break and dry out. Since the motel has internet access, I am trying to get this journal started. Pretty excited about getting to Harper's Ferry in a few days. Glad to be out of the Shenendoah Natl Park not that it was that bad, just not what we expected. Almost always, you were hearing the traffic on Skyline Drive.Yesterday was a very exciting day since we ran into some of our friends we haven't seen since Damascus, Cobweb and Mayo; they have been hiking with Tuna Bag lately. We had a lot of catching up to do.Then, here is a great story: later that afternoon, we essentially stumbled across a BIG bear, it was just standing in the trail in front of me. I was walking along looking at my feet and Yonder said "bear", or I would have walked right into her. So I backpedaled some and we waited to see what it would do. It did not run off, and seemed unafraid of us, it just sat trailside and watched us watching her. I could here her breathing. We eventually retreated up the trail aways, but every time I went back down to look, I could hear it in the bushes right along the trail. Pretty creepy when they don't seem to be afraid of you. So anyways, a few minutes later, another hiker (Copperhead) comes along and so we felt a little more brave with three of us and kept on going. The bear was not where we last saw her, but as we kept going and came to a switchback, THERE SHE WAS AGAIN in the trail. I mean this was a BIG BEAR! She moved to the side of the trail and turned to face us. We saw a cub behind her. The bear huffed and blew at us, seeming very agitated. The cub went up a tree, and Yonder was in the lead when she decided to fake-charge him!! I seriously don't know why they call it a fake charge, cuz it looked pretty genuine; my heart just about stopped, she lunged to within about 20 feet of Yonder making very vicious noises. But Yonder stood his ground and we all hollered and raised a ruckus and she retreated, and we saw a second cub scoot up the tree with the first. I tell you what, I beat feet then. That Copperhead, she is cool as they come. She lagged behind with her camera, trying to get a picture.
Date: 2007-06-30
From: Front Royal, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Still at the Super8. Trying to get this on-line journal started, but I think we need 2 more journal entries for this to post or whatever. So I'm just gonna ramble.Ate at the chinese restaurant last night. This should be an easy day, laundromat and ATM are just down the block next to the grocery. We should be able to get underway as soon as we are through ravaging the continental breakfast station. Yonder has lost so much weight, he looks like a scarecrow. Janet & Yonder
Date: 2007-06-30
From: Front Royal, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 955.2

One last bogus journal entry so I can set our mileage to display. I hope. Everlasting thanks to the gentleman who picked us up yesterday, sodden as we were in the pouring rain, on the busy highway (dangerous!).A shout out to all others who have helped us along the way, there are too many of you to list but I eventually hope to contact as many of you as possible.
Date: 2007-07-02
To: north
Miles today: 33.0
Weather: broken clouds

Stopping in at Bear's Den Hostel for shower, soda and then on-ward. Harper's Ferry is calling to us. We are alone in the hiker room, the place is totally deserted---where is everybody? Last 2 shelter's have been sparsely occupied as well. Couldn't be nicer weather...quite cool in and morning and evenings.