morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-30
From: Monson

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0

Marco had a bad night since we had a snorer in the room (not me), for some reason he still woke up at 6:30 and couldn't go back to sleep. He went for breakfast with toasted toad and 19 while I slept in. Later we were able to have skype phones with my in laws. Rebecca who runs the hostel we stayed at let us hang out longer so we could get all our online stuff done. Toasted toad left to hike on, we told him not to go too far so we could catch up with him before kathadin. We called Phil who builds and runs the place called "100 mile wilderness adventures and outfitter". This year he was able to open the first cabins and that's where we wanted to stay at. Surprisingly when we got here in the afternoon only one other person was here, but by now all the accommodations are full. So I guess the word about this place will spread fast. It's one of the cleanest and neatest places so far on the trail! We really like it here and would love to stay longer. We just had a good and relaxing time here. Phil promised to let us know when he will sell the place in about 8 years when his wife retires. We'll see what we are up to then.
Date: 2014-08-31
From: Monson

To: long pond stream shelter
Miles today: 18.4

We got up early, Marco took a shower and woke me up, we were on the trail before 7am. The miles today were harder than we had expected, many small hills which took a lot of time. The trail is well maintained as everywhere in Maine but mudholes, roots and rocks slow us down. We had several rivers to cross, two of them we had to ford. Wet feet aren't fun but both of our shoes dry fast. We wear socks made of merino wool, they feel warm and dry even when they are damp - perfect for wearing in wet shoes. By 7pm we got to the shelter and were lucky enough to get two of the last spots. By the time we ate it has gotten dark, so we hurried up to get to bed. We have less than 100 miles to go!
Date: 2014-09-01
From: long pond stream shelter

To: pleasant river
Miles today: 15.2

It didn't rain last night so we slept in the shelter for no reason. We had a bad night, two old men were snoring, getting up often to go pee and were tossing and turning so loud I thought they take the shelter apart. We were glad when it got light outside and we got up, we did everything as fast as possible to leave early and those two men behind. We had a long uphill first thing and then several peaks afterwards. They actually gave up on naming them and gave them numbers. Besides others (which have names), we climbed number 4, 3.5 and 3. The trail was similar to the one yesterday, same difficulties just no fording but a downhill boulder field instead. Yesterday we had to realize that night falls fast up here in Maine. So when we found a tent site just after 6pm we decided to stay, the next 2 miles it's forbidden to camp and we knew we couldn't go further while we still had daylight. Several other hikers showed up after us. Joe (a thru hiker from Germany), scrubs ( a hiker who almost finished a few years ago and then had to give up due to injury who will now finish this year), siesta (thru hiker) and one other thru hiker whose name I forgot. And they all found a space. We passed the 2100 miles marker today!
Date: 2014-09-02
From: pleasant river

To: east branch shelter
Miles today: 16.4

We had set the alarm for 5:30am but it was still dark so we actually got up at 6am. We packed fast since we were afraid it would start to rain and then had breakfast. Today it never rained where we were, so worries for nothing. First thing this morning was fording a shallow river. We did it barefoot since we didn't want to hike all day in wet shoes. Plus I already have a cold, I think the first time on the trail. Wading through cold water in the morning felt actually pretty good and my feet were warm for the rest of the day. We hiked today the last mountains before kathadin. Four peaks, on the first two we had sun but no viewpoint, on the third we ate lunch sitting in a cloud, on the fourth we would have had a view of kathadin but we actually couldn't see further than the next white blaze. I was badly reminded of the Whites: bad weather, fog, wind, no view and a rocky trail. At least the trail was only bad for a few hundred yards. The rest of the trail was awesome! Up and down the hills we had rock steps in a perfect size, yes this trail was maintained amazingly, thank you Maine Appalachian Trail Club! We got to the shelter early and since it looked like rain again we set up in the shelter. The hikers which showed up later and which we share the shelter with is a cool group and we had a good evening. We heard that toasted toad is about 5 miles ahead of us, we hope to catch him tomorrow.
Date: 2014-09-03
From: east branch shelter

To: nahmakanta stream campsite
Miles today: 23.8

t took me long to fall asleep and I wondered if it would have been better to sleep in the tent. But then after midnight it started to rain heavy and I was glad we were in the shelter. By the time we got up we had clear sky and the sun came up behind the trees. We got lucky today, even so it had rained last night we were able to cross all the rivers on stepping stones and didn't have to ford. Marco had wished to do another 20 miles day before we finish and I guess today was that day. We had planned to go at least to the shelter which was 19.5 miles away. The trail was nice and we had only two little bumps and the rest was flat. A lot of roots and muddy places but we were able to keep the 2 miles an hour pace. Siesta got his halfway resupply today and offered us to leave the trash in the bucket which will be picked up by the providing person. Awesome, carrying 7 days of trash would not have been fun. We got to the shelter at 5pm and decided to go a little further. At the next lake just a half mile from the shelter we got a great view of kathadin. Wow, this mountain stays alone, high up over the surrounding woods and lakes. It's huge! And I have no clue how we should be able to climb it within a day (and back down).We hiked on in the hope of finding a tent site but couldn't find one. In the end we hiked a lot further than planned to an official campsite.If we hike two more big days we could be on kathadin on Saturday, a day earlier than planned. Unfortunately we have to stay in Millinocket till Monday to get our packages at the post office.
Date: 2014-09-04
From: nahmakanta stream campsite

To: rainbow lake tent site
Miles today: 21.0

We had set the alarm but just didn't want to get up, so we left the campground later than planned. We couldn't make up our minds if we wanted to take it slow and be on kathadin on Sunday or if we wanted to do two big miles days and be there Saturday. We called the hotel in Millinocket and since they actually have space on both days we decided to get there Saturday. The trail was often difficult and we were slow. We both are already on painkillers since a few days and tried to not get hurt more. But we both twisted our ankles halfway several times and hurt our knees and feet. But we kept going, knowing it will be for only two more days. I can't wait to finish but on the other hand I would love to take it slow and enjoy the wilderness here in Maine some more. It's so beautiful but most of the time I have to look on the ground and check on every step I take. This made me sad and angry today. We hiked until the sunset, then we were at a beautiful place at a lake and found a ok spot to put up our tent. I'm glad that it shouldn't rain tonight, I think we wouldn't stay dry. But the view is amazing and we are alone, the first time since we are on the AT!
Date: 2014-09-05
From: rainbow lake tent site

To: the Birches
Miles today: 17.6

We slept great, we had heard some loons and coyotes but seen no animals, also no moose. We got up as soon as it got light outside, we packed fast and left. After 4.5 miles we got to the shelter and took our first break. Toasted toad hadn't signed in what surprised us since he had left a message at another shelter that he would sleep there. We made a new speed record and did the 8 miles from our tent site to the end of the wilderness in 2 hours 40 minutes. It has a small convenient store at the road where we got us breakfast and lunch for today and tomorrow. Siesta and scrub where there too. Scrub stayed and waited for the restaurant to open, we headed on to the Birches. We had two rivers to cross and were able to cross both dry, most other hikers got wet. At the Kathadin Stream Campground we registered as thru hikers, we are number 418 and 419 this year! The ranger told us the weather will be bad tomorrow. They expect heavy rain all day and thunderstorm in the afternoon. He thinks if we want to climb tomorrow we have to start really early in the morning and if we see lightning we have to turn around. 3 miles (one way) of the trail will be above treeline and we will be hiking on top of the ridge, hiking this part during a thunderstorm would be too dangerous. We went to the Birches, a shelter and tent site reserved for northbounding thru hikers. We knew due to the login that toasted toad should be there. He was and he was surprised to see us so early, he didn't know how close behind him we were. We discussed the situation and decided to sleep at the shelter, get up really early and see how the weather looks like. It still can change! But even if we have rain we can hike and finish our journey, as long as there is no thunderstorm we are ok.We convinced Siesta to stay as well, cooked the last time dinner in the woods, got trail magic (beer) from a flip flopping thru hiker and went to bed as soon as it got dark.
Date: 2014-09-06
From: the Birches

To: Mount Kathadin
Miles today: 5.2

We got up at 4:30am, had a breakfast, packed and went to the ranger station. We are allowed to leave our backpacks there and got small daypacks for today. It was still dark but the sky seemed almost clear. We started hiking at 5:30am and had the first two miles done easily. Then we got above treeline and the one mile long boulder climb started. The sky was cloudy and the wind blew hard, it looked like it would start to rain any moment. We couldn't see or hear any thunder or lightning so we started to climb. It was difficult and I could feel the miles we had done the last few days. My body felt strained and tired. But I just needed to get to the top, to the end. Marco went in front, spotted for me to find the best way up and over the boulders and sometimes he had to pull me up. Luckily the last two miles were a bit easier. We made it to the top, to Baxter Peak on Mount Kathadin, at 9:40am! The end of our journey! We celebrated with Siesta and Toasted toad, took pictures and left as soon as possible. We were in a dark cloud with heavy wind gusts, fortunately still no rain. We hiked down in a strange mood. We were really euphoric and happy and minutes later sad. The day hikers we met on the way down all congratulated us. But we still couldn't really process the fact that we are done. We hitch hiked to Millinocket, got a little cabin for two nights and went with Siesta and Toasted toad to have dinner, later we celebrated some more at a pub.We still can't really believe we are done. It feels strange, the end of a journey, the end of an adventure!
Date: 2014-09-26
To: thank you! 
Miles today: 0.0

Dear family and friendsWe made it, we summited Mount Kathadin on Saturday the 6th of September! We have hiked over 2000 miles which took us 5 months and 11 days. We had good times and bad times but looking back they aren't so important. The important part were the people. And those people, you, we want to thank. Fellow hikers, thank you for sharing your journey with us! It was great meeting you. Talking in the evening or during a break, sharing storys, point out important things, helping in making decisions, and most important just understanding, thank you! Please keep in contact, maybe we will hike another trail together, maybe we meet somewhere again! Write us on Facebook or tresch1981@hotmail.comTrail angels, thank you for being there with us, thank you for trail magic, for your support. You were able to lift our spirits! We want to thank our families and friends for understanding and accepting that we sometimes need to leave them for an adventure and that you always welcome us back. We thank you for always being there for us, for helping us as much as you can. Your love helped us to be able to succeed!When we find the time we will update our gear list, letting you know what worked and what doesn't need to be carried! We will also let you know which Brand customer service was helpful and which let us down. And later we will let you know how the trail changed our lives and if we will hike the PCT or not!  All the best, Bathia and Marco
Date: 2013-08-04
To: Introduction
Miles today: 0.0

I was born and raised in Delaware. After high school, I was drafted into the Viet Nam War and spent a year in Ft Hood, Texas training as a combat infantry soldier. Then in Viet Nam, I operated in the I Corp area between Duc Pho and south of Da Nang during the 1968 TET Offensive. I trained and fought with the 198th Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division and left the army after two years of active duty with the rank of Sergeant E-5. After my military obligation was complete, I obtained my journeymen's mechanics rating in Air Conditioning And Refrigeration and worked for a large medical facility receiving the best schooling of my working career. For a few years I operated my own air conditioning business in addition to my regular job. Except for two years where I was an HVAC contractor working out of a truck, my entire career has been in the industrial HVAC environment.In 1974 I won the Delaware State Bodybuilding championship and competed in other contests in 1976 and 1992. I have cross trained weight training with running most of my life. From a previous marriage, I have seven children ranging in age from 30 to 45 years of age; three boys and four girls. As of this writing, I have eighteen grandchildren and one great granddaughter.In 1982 I went to work for a large global corporation and worked there for 31 years as a shift worker with an emphasis on electric, pneumatic, electronic, and hood saftey controls. On Friday April; 26th 2013, I retired! The following Wednesday I began my training for the March 1st 2014 departure from Springer Mountain Georgia.The Appalachian Trail has fascinated me since I first learned about it. I have hiked on many parts of the A.T. in most of the A.T. states. Knowing for years of my eventual thru hike, I purposely did not hike certain area's so I would be excited to see these parts of the trail for the first time. I have never hiked up Mt Katahdin, or hiked the 100 mile wilderness in Maine, nor have I hiked across the Presidential Range in New Hampshire. These area's and many others along the A.T. will be very exciting for me to encounter for the first time.I am counting down the days, and looking forward with great anticipation, to the beginning of a great journey on the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. I am also looking forward to meeting many people along the trail and embracing the great adventure that awaits me.
Date: 2013-08-26
To: The History, Culture, And Language Of The A.T.
Miles today: 0.0

There is much that can be written about the Appalachian Mountains. It's history, since it's formation 250 million years ago, is vast. The formation of the mountains, the early Native Americans that lived in these mountains, the settlers that pioneered westward from these mountains, and the conflicts and wars that these mountains played a part of, in history, are all well documented.Many of you are very well informed about backpacking the A.T; it's nature, it's moods, it's language. Generally you know the culture of the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker.Still, I have met many people that need to be brought up to speed on what a thru-hike on the A.T. is and given a brief explanation of our trail language so they can understand what they are reading in my journal entries.The Appalachian Mountains are one of the oldest mountain chains in North America. At one time they were as tall as the Rockies are today. They extend from central Alabama into Newfoundland Canada. Over millions of years they have eroded from their original height of approximately 14,000 feet to the highest peak in the Appalachian Mountain chain now being Mt. Mitchell at 6,684 feet high.In 1968 the Appalachian Trail was named a National Scenic Trail protected by the National Park Service and is maintained by many trail clubs from Georgia to Maine. The A.T. travels through 14 states and is approximately 2,180 miles long equating, to about 5,000,000 footsteps.The first official documented thru-hike of the A.T. was in 1948 by Earl Shaffer. Today thousands of backpackers attempt to do a complete thru-hike of the A.T. in it's entirety, but twenty percent or less will be successful. The A.T. is enjoyed by many people, some people section hike, others only want to do a day hike; the Appalachian Trail is there for all of us to enjoy.On March 1st, 2014 I will attempt to become one of the twenty percent that makes the journey from Springer Mountain, Georgia to the top of Mt Katahdin successfully. There is really no failed attempt because being able to experience any part of this wonderful trail would be an accomplishment. I have enjoyed, for years, reading the trail journals of the hiking community on Trail Journals. Com and have recieved much practical and useful information from all of the journals. Reading trail journals has enriched my hiking and backpacking experiences, so I want to thank the trail journal community and this website Trail Journals. Com for all that you have shared with us.Happy Trails,
Date: 2013-10-25
To: A Special Meeting
Miles today: 0.0

This is an unexpected journal entry that I did not know I was going to write.I am on vacation, in Florida, with my family, and my daughter had a special surprise for me , a meeting with David Miller (AWOL). My daughter called me several years ago and explained to me that she had spoken with a guy named David Miller, who had hiked the Appalachian trail. His trail name was AWOL, she said, and he had written a book about his adventures on his Appalachian Trail thru hike in 2003. I puchased and read the book, and also purchased his AT Guide Data book that he publishes and updates yearly. I also read his trail journal on trail journals.com. The surprise was that my daughter had arranged a meeting at a Denny's with Dave Miller (AWOL).So the three of us had breakfast while I asked him what seemed to be about a hundred questions. He was very nice, and answered all of my questions, and gave me links to some of the gear we were discussing.It was very interesting getting to know him, and I thank my daughter for arranging this special meeting. Thank you AWOL for taking time out of your day to meet with a fan of yours. I do hope we meet again on the trail.Happy trails,
Date: 2014-02-02
To: Cold Weather Hiking
Miles today: 0.0

My " Welcome to Medicare" physical and my eye exam went well. I am good to go.Like many parts of the country, the Chadds Ford, Pa. area where I live, has had above average snowfall and very cold weather. The wind chills on some of my hikes have been below zero degrees.I am using these last weeks in my training to become more weather tough. I have hiked more than 100 miles in snow up to one foot deep, and some snow drifts above my knees. I walk in my regular hiking boots, no snow shoes. I workout mainly in two state parks. My favorite is French Creek State Park in Pennsylvania and I also like Fair Hill Park in Maryland. I have been wearing my backpack loaded up to 30 pounds. I hike at a speed of 3 to 3.5 MPH. While backpacking, I go as fast as the terrain will safely allow me to go, but seldom faster than 4 MPH.I find it fascinating to be hiking in the woods after a fresh snow and to observe all the activity from the forest wildlife. The animals in the forest use the same trails we do. The other day I followed some critters paw prints (possibly fox or coyote) up the trail for over one mile before the prints veered off the trail. The footprints in the snow have actually helped me to navigate the trail and stay on it. The trail is hard to follow when everything around you is white. The snow was above the rocks and tree roots, so following the paw prints helped me to avoid rocks and roots I couldn't see (less tripping). There are tracks everywhere from the forest critters and with a fresh snow you can see that the night belongs to the wildlife. My wife won't be able to hike the Approach Trail with me. She has not been able to find the time to train because of all her commitments, so I asked her to reconsider and she reluctantly said, OK. Presently she is in North Carolina helping her daughter's family because of the birth of a new baby. She will get home about one week before we leave for Georgia.I thank all of you folks who have signed my guest book. Your comments are a great support to me, and help me to keep psyched for the journey ahead. I have been able to get back to most of you through email, but I am afraid that once I start the trail I will only be able to read them and comment generally in my daily journals.I am enjoying my children being in town for the Baptism of my daughter's twin boys. My daughter is a twin herself. The Lord has blessed me with a great family. My son is up from Florida and on Saturday 02-01-14 we will do about a nine mile hike in the snow in French Creek State Park. He is Air Force Special Forces so I know I will be in good hands. I will miss them dearly while I am away.Time of departure is getting close, I have much to do, but I am still on track for starting the Approach Trail February 28th, 2014. And then on March 1st, I will start from Springer Mountain the great journey north. My last prep journal will be just before I leave. After that I will see you on the trail.