morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-09-07
From: Monson

To: Cloud pond lean-to
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

We all positioned ourselves around the table this morning in anticipation of Keith asking for our orders. The breakfast consists of sausage, bacon, eggs, hash brown, and pancakes. All we have to do is specify the quantity by saying 1, 2, 3 or 4 by. I requested a 3by which meant I got 3 of everything. The breakfast was very good, just what I needed for my first day in the wilderness. I started hiking with Livestrong and Captain Patagonia. I had to let them go ahead as I could not make the privy, town food goes straight through me. We had a couple of interesting river crossings today, Big Wilson being the trickiest. Capt Patagonia went across first and didn¢t look too comfortable. As I started to move across he suggested I undo my hip belt but I replied ¢if my packs falling in, I¢m going with it¢. Our last 4 miles required us to climb up Barren mtn. The guys left me for dust but I still managed to get to the shelter before dark. There were 2 section hikers in the shelter with us and one was called Saco. Livestrong had mentioned him before and a labelled him his nemesis. He told me that as he started walking the blue blazes down to the shelter, Saco started running to the shelter incase there was only one space left. Livestrong still passed him though. Saco fitted into the Japanese tourist stereotype superbly. He took 4 photos of the shelter from the same spot at different times in the evening, 4 pictures!!!! Every ten minutes he seemed to be taking a dam picture. I had thought that the shelters would be fairly empty through this section but I am wondering if I had made a bad assumption. I sent my tent to Jim and Pam¢s in N.H. The other section hiker in the shelter told me that there were four men from Norfolk just ahead of me. I hope I can catch them, I never thought I would meet people from my home county on the trail. Dandylion
Date: 2005-09-08
From: Cloud pond lean-to

To: Carl A Newhall lean-to
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

All Livestrong did this morning was sit there watching Saco pack his gear. He was hypnotised by the effort and procedures Saco went through to pack his gear away. By accident I happened to stand in Livestrong¢s line of sight and he looked annoyed at me as if I had walked in front of his television set during the superbowl. I must admit it was Fascinating, Saco had oodles of gear and it took him 2 hours to pack it up.When I left the shelter this morning I only made it 200ft before biting the dust. It was an odd fall, I tripped and almost didn¢t even try to stay up right, and I simply accepted my fate. I was slow going over the peaks early on but the trail in the evening was easy going. Me and Livestrong took a look at Auger Falls along the Gulf Hagas trail. They say it¢s the grand canyon of the east. We spent most the time racing sticks off the waterfalls and then preceded to Carl Newhall shelter. The last 4 miles dragged a lot for me and when we got to the shelter it was full. Bear, shags and kaboos all came along unexpectedly, it looked like we were sleeping under the stars tonight. We were discussing roads in Maine and Kaboos said he wish he had a road atlas. This section hiker then pulled out a full size one and handed it to him. She could have carried a tent and let me sleep in the shelter instead of the atlas. We all found a spot to crash and hoped it wouldn¢t rain. Bear slept next to Livestrong so he could keep him in order. Bear hates snoring so he makes sure he¢s near the culprit so he can kick him.Dandylion
Date: 2005-09-09
From: Carl A Newhall lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

I was up and first out on the trail this morning trying to get to work on Whitecap. The climb was not bad at all and when I got to the top I was eager to pick out Katahdin. I was wondering where it was for a while but as I came around the summit, I was confronted by this huge mountain. She stood virtually alone, commanding and beautiful. I really got a buzz from that view.I met some more people at the next shelter and they told me a bit more about the group of Norfolk. I know a lot about these strangers. We really cruised most the day to Cooper Brook falls lean-to. The place was like Butlins. This wilderness business is not living up to its claim. There was a group of girls camping nearby and bear was trying to guess how old they were. I told him he was perving and he just cried out ¢I got to get off this trail¢. These girls were with counsellors and on a wilderness therapy course. Why are most the young people out in the woods loonies, don¢t well balanced young people hike? I set up my stuff in the corner against the wall and this lady called NOMEGA came along. She was a few logs short of a cabin. She asked me after she watched me put my stuff out and lay down if I would swap places with her so then she would only be sleeping next to one man instead of two. I was bewildered by the request but knew that I was going to stand my ground on this one. I just said ¢no, I¢m happy right here¢.I can¢t believe she wanted me to move all my stuff across just to satisfy her whim. Shelters are a first come, first serve basis and if you don¢t like men then don¢t hike the A.T or at least set up a tent. We still got on well enough and she talked about how she thru hiked in 94 when the 100 mile wilderness was still wilderness. Dandylion
Date: 2005-09-10
From: Cooper Brook Falls

To: Wadleigh Stream lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: broken clouds

We got off in our own time this morning. We did have a long day a head but it was meant to be flat most the time. After only two miles we came to a logging road and received trail magic. We sat there talking and munching for nearly 2 hours. A father and daughter then parked and went passed us. I used her as my motivation to start hiking again so we could catch them up. We caught them up quickly and then had to continue on after getting our fill of eye candy for the day. We won¢t see bear, shags or kaboos for a couple of days as they found a blue blaze they wanted to try. We got the most awesome view of Katahdin from Pemadumcook Lake. I knew someone was standing up on the mountain looking back at us. The trails end is so near but I really don¢t feel any different to what I have for the past few months. The last few miles were walked reluctantly again. I took a few short breaks on these sandy beaches along some of the lakes. I finally caught the 4 guys from Norfolk today. They travel to a different country every year and were just doing the wilderness on this trip. They were all located in North Norfolk, not far at all from me. I would have camped with them but I of course have no tent. At Wadleigh lean-to I met two Israeli¢s sharing the shelter with me. I was talking to the guy about the Israeli trail which Tal had told me about. This guy claimed the trail was aswell marked as this one and I would be fine out there. I gave him some tips on hanging his food and what gear to carry before turning in for the night.Dandylion
Date: 2005-09-11
From: Wadleigh Stream lean-to

To: Hurd Brook lean-to
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

I said goodbye to my Israeli friends before starting the little climb up Nesuntabunt Mtn. There was a nice breeze on top and once again I it looked set for a fantastic day. However I didn¢t feel motivated today despite being less than 40 miles from the end. I think the big miles have tired me out a bit. At Rainbow Springs campsite I met Vapor and Yardsale. I had met Vapor at Trail days and so I stopped to talk and have lunch. My day really turned around from then on. I went up Rainbow ledges with Livestrong and once again we were in awe at Katahdin's greatness. We sat for a while thinking. I was wondering where I would be in a few weeks, what will I be doing. As depressing as it sounds I will probably be stacking shelves!!!! However you can¢t underestimate the value of the fond memories I will have from this trip. I also have my trip to New Zealand next year to look forward to. I feel my situation is far from dire. Livestrong was dwelling on the fact he still has to go back down south and finish up. I think Katahdin is the best place to finish but it is true that the journey itself is far more important than the destination. We eventually moved down the trail to Hurd Brook lean-to. We met Harrier there who was waiting for cookerhiker to summit with him. Livestrong was concerned about his food bag as the mice have got into his food on 2 occasions. The mice in these Wilderness shelters are numerous and persistent. Back to civilisation tomorrow, the wilderness has been beautiful, would do it again one day at a slower pace. Dandylion
Date: 2005-09-12
From: Hurd Brook lean-to

To: The Birches
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: few clouds

We made our way down to Abol bridge campstore. We passed a cooler of trail magic near the road. I and Livestrong hung around Abol Bridge for a few hours. I bought a load of food for the last 2 days of my hike including 3 boxes of pop tarts. Livestrong went further and bought a 6 pack of beer. We sat outside with Katahdin looming right over us. I felt like I had finished except for the little thing of climbing that mountain. Bear, Shags and Kaboos came along with their families. They planned to hike the next 10 miles to the Birches together. We all kicked back for a while talking and chucking a football around. Eventually me and Livestrong decided to make our move and entered into Baxter state park. Abol Bridge was not as scenic as I had envisioned but Katahdin¢s presence certainly made up for it. Me and Livestrong moved along in a disorderly fashion. We had heard that this part of the trail had no rocks or roots. It had rocks and roots like the rest of the trail, that¢s what defines the A.T. We were lucky enough to stumble upon a moose. He ran halfway into the river and then just let himself float downstream before running up the other river bank. It was a pleasant walk and we soon found ourselves at Katahdin streams campground. The rangers were fine and everything but our shelter was located 14 miles away from the other campers and the water source. We still had to pay $8 aswell. I don¢t know if they thought we would scare the tourists away but sometimes hikers get treated like second class citizens. There was a nice crowd around the fire but I decided to chill in my sleeping bag instead. I could hear them discussing plans, some of them sounded like they needed another 6 months to think about it some more!I spent most the time in camp driving Livestrong crazy. Every opportunity I had I would make the statement ¢this is the last time I ¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦..¢ for example when I when I got in my sleeping bag I would say ¢this is the last time I will get into my sleeping bag on the trail¢. Today was a strange day, lets see how strange tomorrow will be.Dandylion
Date: 2005-09-13
From: The Birches

To: Katahdhin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I and Livestrong started off together up the Hunt trail after offloading most our gear at the ranger¢s station. The first couple of miles were no problem but you knew it was going to get a lot harder. Katahdin stream falls were pretty, the water was so clear, I just wanted to dip a cup in and drink it. When the hard stuff came, I had to slow down and Livestrong went off into the distance. The climbing was quite hairy at times made worse by the continual uncomfortable thought of what a shame it would be to fall and break my leg at this stage. I really hate it when I get these doubtful, negative thoughts lurking in my mind. I overtook Cookerhiker and Harrier once we got over the first wave of rocks. Further up I got the more impressed with the mountain I became, there really is nothing else like it on the trail. I eventually reached the Tablelands and I could see Baxter peak. I still thought I had a little ways to go because Baxter peak didn¢t look the highest but then I saw the sign. When I got to the sign all I can say is I simply felt good. I didn¢t feel sad or excited, just good. I feel that in the duration of this trip I have fulfilled every desire I had. I feel that I have improved as a person and gain some memories and experiences that I will value for a very long time. I cannot say how I have developed but I feel different to when I started. Maybe when I get home I can put my finger on it.I felt ready to finish, this was never meant to be forever, it was meant as a lesson, test and an adventure. I want to look at it like this; one journey must end for another to begin. Life is a linear journey like the trail and moving on to the next journey with a positive outlook is important. I feel a lot of people come out here partly because they are running away from something; those people may have trouble leaving the trail but I was never running away. I took time on the summit to take it all in and enjoy the moment. I was up there with Livestrong, Jules, dead animal, dragin, vapour, yardsale and the boys. From the summit you can see the knifes edge which looked impressive aswell as intimidating. Going down was a lot of fun to my surprise. I used my arms to lower myself down and I was flying down. When I got back to the waterfall I was congratulated by Terry and Joanne. They had Gideon and Noah in backpacks and had walked up from the campground. When we all got to the campground, Bear¢s family kindly rolled out subs and sodas for us. How will I survive without the hope that there just might be a cooler with free food and soda just around the corner!?!I had a pleasant night in Millenocket with Terry and Joanne, eating, swimming and relaxing. I am glad to be friends after my long voyage just incase I do get some post-trail depression!!!!!!!!!Love to allDandylion
Date: 2005-09-14
From: Millonocket

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

MillonocketI and Terry went to the supermarket this morning to pick up a few things during which Noah tried to bounce a ceramic football. Good job we were only in the dollar store. Being in the store I got the urge to resupply but no more is that necessary. I had moment like that all day. For example I was sitting on the toilet and wanted to start rolling the up some toilet paper for the trail. I did go wild and buy a full length toothbrush, pure luxury, once again I can brush my teeth without nearly biting my hand. We all went down to Bangor for the day. We went into a discovery museum and had a good time. They had a still shot camera which you can use to make films made up of a series of still shots. All I had to work with were farm and safari animals. So I made a film called ¢Cheetah eats the chickens. Terry thought it was good but Joanne unfortunately didn¢t see it due to some untalented youth deleting it. Apart from the struggle to drag Noah away from the Thomas the tank engine train set, all went smoothly. We went swimming in the hotel pool and soaked in the hot tub before turning in for the night. It¢s a hard life when not on the trail.Dandylion
Date: 2005-10-12
To: What the future holds
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it taken me a while to sit down and do this but i finally will. The trail seems such a blur now, a distant adventure. Its almost as if i was never really in the U.S hiking all those miles. I have had no problem readjusting back to civilian life. Its really not that hard to get use to not having to put chlorine in your water every morning or wear the same clothes for days on end. My last two weeks in the U.S after i had done the trail were grand. I met my friends Terry and Joanne after i summited and they hung around in maine with me for a few days. Jim, who i hiked with for a few days back down in Georgia, came to pick me up and took me in for most of the remainder of my time. True to form i was blessed with bucket fulls of generosity. I had a splendid time in New Hampshire with jim and Pam and got to do and see things that added to my list of experiences. We went to Boston, a wonderful city, i prefered it to D.C. Jim also insisted on taking me to lexington and Concord to see the first battles of the Revolutionary war. I always feel bitter about losing despite the war finishing over 200 yrs ago.I also got the opportunity to go back and see Rob Bird in Dalton,MA. Rob had helped out hundreds of hikers this year, again. Then finally i went to New York city for 5 days before flying home. I really loved it there and managed to see everything i wanted and more. On one outing i saw a man with a big cat on his head, only in new york. So whats next?i dont know really. I have so many options open to me that i cant decide but i am safe with the knowledge that i had not wasted a single moment of the past 6 months. To my suprise i dont think about the trail much, thou i am trying to keep in touch with some of the great people i met out on it. Next year i will be off to New Zealand and also i am thinking of doing a trip around Europe with a friend. I am looking forward to these trips but the trail certainly inspired a more awe factor for me. The danger that you may fail and all the uncertainties made the trail the most mouth watering prospect imaginable. I think on retrospect it was more fun planning and looking forward to hiking the trail than being here now with it done. I am proud to of my achievement but feel very detached from the whole thing, maybe because i am so far away from it all. I would like to thank you all for following my journey. I hope i entertained you and gave you a glimpse of the wonder of thru hiking. I think a few of you will be asking is there any more long trails in the future. I dont see why not is the answer. Take care and remember that something worth doing will inevitable turn out to be hard and indeed it was!!!Love Dandy
Date: 2005-05-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hiker¢s Bug Somewhere I caught the hikers' bug It¢s in my blood it seems. I used to lay on grassy banks, To drink from alpine streams. That may be how I caught it. It was in the clear, cold water. Or it entered in with campfire smoke As we filled the night with laughter Somewhere I caught the hikers' bug I don¢t know when or how. One thing is for certain though, It¢s got me! And how!
Date: 2005-05-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ready To Go I¢ve made my reservations, I¢ve double checked my pack. I¢m goin¢ to Appalachia, Don¢t know when I¢ll be back. I¢ve planned and planned. But still I feel that something¢s left undone Well¢¦ this is an adventure It¢s all part of the fun. My trip begins on Tuesday I¢ll fly the tenth of May And though I don¢t feel ready I want to leave today. So yes. I¢m going hiking Adventure in my heart From Springer to Katahdin And I can¢t wait to start.
Date: 2005-05-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hiker NutSoon I will be northward bound,Back on the great AT.My friends and family think I¢m nutsAnd hey, I must agree.Last year I left in early MarchBut I went home in MayMy pack was way too heavyTwice what it weighs today.I have a lighter sleeping bagI bought a hammock newI learned what I must do withoutGained a better attitude.I hope you like my journalIt won¢t all be in rhymeI¢ll try to tell you like it is¢¦In prose from time to time
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Springer Mountain

To: Horse Gap
Miles today: 10.0

I slept well at the Hiker Hostel in Dalonega. The people there are very accommodating and friendly. After breakfast and a long drive I started hiking south .9 mile to the "start" with a father/daughter team who are out for a few days. We took the obligatory photographs; I signed the register and headed north. What a thrill it is to be hiking here again. The one-ness with nature, the smells of the trees and duff, the LOUD songs of the birds ignite my senses. All of these things and more (that I can't find words for) are the things that I miss when I am not somewhere in the mountains.I saw tons of wildflowers; the few I can identify seemed to be the most spectacular as well. Trillium. One variety was Painted Trillium and the other... I'm not sure, but it's pink, much simpler, and yet just as beautiful as Painted Trillium. I saw many Dwarf Crested Iris - they look a lot like Iris, but tiny. It's hard to imagine such elegance in a small wildflower. Speaking of elegance! I saw two bushes of Flame Azaleas. This is an orange beauty with red highlights. It is so ornate it reminds me of an orchid.I saw two turkeys and two red-tailed hawks. The second hawk wasflying among the trees, so I stopped to watch it soar effortlessly through the high foliage. Then I decided to have some water as I had already stopped. As I looked down at the spot where I would set my pack I saw a big Eastern Rattlesnake coiled only a few feet away, near the side of the trail. I took a couple of pics and hopefully they will accompany this page soon.I lunched at Hawk Mountain Shelter and met Yellowstone Man. He is an older gentleman from Montana - a few miles from Yellowstone National Park. We had a long chat, and I found him very interesting. After sitting and resting at Hawk Mountain I started out again, but after an hour I decided to call it a day because I was beat.I am on a mountaintop just past Horse Gap. Sassafras Mountain looms ahead. I'll take it on early tomorrow.
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Horse Gap

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: few clouds

A very short day today. Two incidents yesterday left my ankle and knee pretty sore and swollen, but I think they both improved during the day. Since I was moving so slowly, I decided to stop early here at Gooch Mountain Shelter. I arose from my campsite near Horse Gap early today - awakened by at least two noisy owls. I watched a beautiful sunrise and listened to a turkey just off the mountaintop. I started hiking very slow hoping my ankle would loosen up, but it remained tight until I got to Justus Creek. I saw two deer atop some un-named peak and a couple interesting birds. One was a redheaded woodpecker, the other was blue on it's back and stood on tree trunks like a woodpecker. It was really pretty with a black band on its side and the band had smaller whitish bands on the top and bottom making a cool racing stripe effect. As for the deer I saw, they were dark and looked like moving shadows until they raised their white tails high in the air, (which of course means in Deer Language, "Kech dis!") as they bound out of sight. There's no water between Hawk Mountain Shelter and Justus Creek so I was running on empty when I arrived at Justus Creek. Wow! That first drink was NICE. I tried to conserve, especially since I camped in between water sources, but at the top of Sassafras Mountain I celebrated reaching the top with a PB&Honey sandwich and my last drop of water. Ooops!There's a tremendous psychological factor involved here. It is magnified by the several mountains climbed on my trail today and also by today¢s hot temps. Now... I don't mean to say I was in danger of dying from thirst but Man! I was dying of thirst!