morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-06
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Catfish hiked 17.7 miles today and got to the camp late. Mr. Harrison wasn't there to check him in, so he took a nap on the porch of a cabin while he waited. He said the cabin is next to a river with a waterfall, and it had started to rain, so a nap was the perfect way to pass the time. Some other hikers came and talked for a while, and the Harrisons came in about 7:30. They felt bad about Catfish having had to wait so long, so the fed him a seafood pasta supper on the house! The cabin was cozy--especially since it rained all night--and Mr Harrison served his special "hiker" breakfast in the morning. It includes a dozen pancakes, 2 eggs, sousage links, juice and coffee! Amazing the hikers can walk at all after eating that breakfast!
Date: 2008-09-07
From: Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather cleared up, although it was cloudy. Catfish had to cross the Kennebec River today, and the only way hikers can do that is by ferry. The ferry only runs certain hours, so hikers have to adjust their schedules to be at the ferry on time! He still got in a good day's hike, and hopes for the decent weather to continue.
Date: 2008-09-08
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Catfish called about 2:30--the fist time he's been able to get cell service since Friday. He was on top of Moxie Bald Mountain, and the service wasn't great. Our contact may be limited for a while, due to the low elevation and the area he'll be in. He was headed to Moxie Bald Lean-to (another 2 miles), and says everything is going well. He is planning to make a big day tomorrow (about 18 miles) to get into Monson, the last town on the Trail! He has been hiking some with Old Buzzard, and they are looking forward to hitting the 100 Mile Wilderness in the next few days. After that, Baxter State Park...then Katahdin!!I'll update as I hear from Catfish--please keep him in your prayers and continue to cheer him on as he tackles the last leg of his journey! --Catfish's Mom
Date: 2008-09-09
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Monson, ME--Lake Shore House
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Catfish and Buzzard hiked into Monson today, taking a blue-blaze to get into town to pick up Catfish's last mail drop before the Post Office closed. It rained most of the day, and the river fords were COLD. After one crossing, they found trail magic--Cokes and apples. Catfish said to cross the water they just take off their shoes, put on their Crocs, and go for it! It was pretty easy terrain today, and the hiking went well, despite the rain. Tomorrow Catfish will leave the last town on the Trail and head into the 100 Mile Wilderness.
Date: 2008-09-10
From: Monson, ME--Lake Shore House

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: scattered clouds

The miles for today look strange, but Catfish and Buzzard hiked back to where they took the blue blaze yesterday, then hiked the Trail into Monson (Catfish is a purist!) He and Buzzard decided to stay in Monson another night and plan the rest of their trip. That way, they won't be making a short day into the 100 Mile Wilderness and can make the days--and their supplies-count. They ate breakfast at Shaw's--a hiker institution--where you order by a number. Whatever number you order, that's how many of everything you get. So Catfish ate 4 blueberry pancakes, 4 fried eggs, 4 sausage links, 8 strips of bacon, home fries, juice and coffee! It going to be hard to feed him when he gets home!!
Date: 2008-09-11
From: Monson, ME

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

The weather is cool--mid-30's at night to low 60's during the day. Catfish says that it's so much better than the heat and humidity he hiked in for so long. The stream crossing today found water up past his knees--his shorts were wet when he got across (can't be too comfortable with the cooler temperature!) He said the water is REALLY cold. The hiking was good and he and Buzzard were able to make a lot of miles.
Date: 2008-09-12
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Carl A. Newman Lean-to
Miles today: 16.8

It rained all day and there were some pretty big climbs, so hiking wasn't the most fun today. Catfish and Buzzard have fewer than 100 miles to go now, and their focus seems to be just on getting to the end. At one time Catfish had talked about stopping at White Hose Landing and spending the night at the only bunkhouse in the 100 Mile Wilderness. Now he says he just wants to get to Baxter and not spend any more time getting there than he has to. He'll make some big days from here on out.
Date: 2008-09-13
From: Carl A. Newman Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

The day was cloudy and overcast and kept threatening rain, but it held off. Catfish called from White Cap Mountain (I think) and said he should have been able to see Katahdin, but couldn't because of the clouds. He remarked on what a beautiful state Maine is--so many ponds and streams (some which he has to ford!)--and he loves hearing the loons on the ponds at night. It good to know that he is still appreciating his hike and enjoying his surroundings.
Date: 2008-09-14
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5

Another cloudy day with rain predicted later. Catfish called from Antlers Campsite about 10:30 this morning and had already hiked 8 miles. Today the terrain is pretty easy and he doesn't expect to have any trouble making 13.5 more miles. It was odd for him to get cell service where he did, but another hiker had told him that he probably could. When he tried it and it worked, he called to get a weather report for the next few days. He's making quick calls to save his charge so he can phone family and friends from Katahdin, but I did take time to tell him about the Georgia-South Carolina football game. That news put him in great spirits for hiking the rest of the day! He has found the woods now to be very quiet--no bird calls or insect noises--the birds must be migrating. He says sometimes he just stops hiking to listen and that it's strange not to hear sounds in the woods. This Georgia boy has really enjoyed experiencing the differences in each state, but his mama thinks he'll be glad to get home!
Date: 2008-09-15
From: Wadleigh Stream Falls Lean-to

To: Hurd Brook Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained some last night, but weather improved today. A good day for hiking, with no water to ford! Catfish and Buzzard have a little more than 4 miles to make it out of the 100 Mile Wilderness, and 18.6 miles to the summit of Katahdin. Catfish's long hike is almost finished!
Date: 2008-09-16
From: Hurd Brook Pond Lean-to

To: The Birches, Baxter State Park
Miles today: 13.4

Catfish called today at 11:45 A.M from Abol Bridge. He was able to get a 3 minute call on a "rented" phone to say they finished with the 100 Mile Wilderness in 5 1/2 days! He got his first glimpse of Katahdin since before Monson (50 miles away), and said that it was spectacular!! They'll hike on to The Birches today, and be ready to make the last climb of this incredible hike early in tomorrow morning. The weather is great, and the forecast for tomorrow couldn't be better! He promised to call his mama from the summit if he can get service, so I'll post when I hear from him.
Date: 2008-09-17
To: Katahdin-Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

On Day 177 of Catfish's Appalachian Trail hike, he reached the summit of Katahdin at 10:15 this morning. The weather was cold and windy, but clear and sunny--a beautiful day to enjoy the magnificent views. The climb to the top is one of the most difficult on the Trail, but Catfish didn't even feel the hike--he was so elated at the prospect of realizing his goal. There was pure joy in his voice when he called me from the summit! He met two hikers there--Zack and Tetras--who he had met back in Georgia (actually, he had given them a ride from Hiawassee to Helen). He had not seen them since, but they, along with Buzzard and Catfish were the 4 hikers who climbed Katahdin today. Catfish has had an amazing journey--many of us back at home are awaiting his return to celebrate his success and hear about his adventures. Thanks to everyone who has offered support, prayers, interest and encouragement over the past (almost) 6 months. I feel sure Catfish will have some words of his own to add when he gets home!--Catfish's Mama
Date: 2008-01-21
To: In the beginning
Miles today: 0.0

Before I get started on this, I want to point out that this is all your fault, mom. You never should've sent me Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods" when I was in Iraq.Hello family, friends, random strangers. This is the captivating first-hand account of my (most likely disastrous) attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. The AT is a 2,000 mile wilderness hiking trail that stretches along the estern seaboard of the Unitied States. Each spring, close to 1,500 people head north from Springer Mountain, GA towards Mt Katahdin, ME. On average, less than 25% of them finish the entire trip.So what would possess someone who hasn't gone camping since the age of 12 to set off on a 6-month long backpacking trip? After doing two tours in Iraq, I started to realize that one of the things making me most homesick was the the absensce of trees, black soil, even the color green at all. Just an absolute desolation of scenery. I've spent the last 6 years in the service of this country; now I'd like to see some of it up close and personal. I'm getting out of the Army in March, and there's a wide open space on the horizon before I start school at SIU in the fall, which just happens to line up with the prime season for hiking the trail. I have enough money saved up from this last deployment that I can afford not to be working all summer. That, and I'm still young and dumb enough to think I could actually pull this off. That kind of trifecta won't be in play again for a long time, if ever.I've already started buying gear, trying to get in shape, and marking days off the calendar. I'm giddy, excited, and have no idea what I'm really getting myself into.
Date: 2008-01-25
To: First mail-drop
Miles today: 0.0

Hah! UPS man came yesterday with my new backpack and sleeping bag. I went with an Osprey Aether 70 instead of the Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone I was originally looking at. It fit great right out of the box, but I'll take it down to the REI in Austin to get the hipbelt custom-molded when I get the chance. The sleeping bag is a Big Agnes Encampment three-season. Fell in love with the design at the store in Austin, but they didn't have the exact one I was looking for in stock. It's a little larger than a standard mummy bag, but makes up the weight difference but not having fill on the bottom. The idea is that the insulation will be too compacted to be effective, so out it goes.It's been cold and rainy all week, but if the weather clears up this weekend I want to load up the pack and do a few laps around Stillhouse Hollow to get the feel for it. Some friends are planning a 3 day trip to Big Bend National Park next month. If I'm still in town then, I'll be joining them for that. Good chance to actually field test the equipment.
Date: 2008-01-27
To: No hip belt for you!
Miles today: 0.0

That's a first...I just had a salesman try to convince me not to buy something from him.I called the REI store down in Austin to see if they could do the custom-molding for the hipbelt on my new pack. He told me that yes, they do have that capability, but they strongly advise against doing it. Apparently, the molding works great so long as you're always carrying the exact same load in the exact same way as when the belt was fitted. The process they use to reshape the belt also reduces the integrity of the foam inside the belt, which shortens it's overall lifespan. So anyway, in today's news...there is no new news.
Date: 2008-01-31
To: Good for morale
Miles today: 0.0

I happened to run into one of my old lieutenants today when I was picking up my clearing papers. We got to talking, and when the AT came up I was surprised to learn that he and his wife had hiked a section of the trail a few years ago. It was nice to talk about gear with someone other than a salesman. And was really great to get a response other than, "You're going to do WHAT??" when I mentioned I was planning to thru-hike.My separation from the Army is set for February 21st. I'm planning on spending at least a week back home in Illinois to see the family and friends, but I want to get started on the trail sometime in the first week of March. Now that I've got most of my gear in place, it's time to start working out the rest of the plan, like transportation, food, and mail drops. I'll probably end up winging it for the most part.
Date: 2008-02-07
To: Sleepless Nights
Miles today: 0.0

I couldn't get a wink of sleep right now if I tried. I'm too keyed up about the hike, how soon it's coming, how much work I have left to do. It's all good energy, but it's alot to process right now.If everything goes as planned, I'll be on the trail in less than a month. After spending some time reading through the other journals on here, it's starting to sink in just how woefully unprepared for this whole undertaking. A lot of the people planning on the '08 hike have been researching gear and plotting things out for a year or more...I made the impulse decision back in November that, sure, I'd hike the trail. Why not?Less than a month to go, and only today do I have enough gear (not all) to load up my pack and try it on. No practice hikes under my belt. No mail drops scheduled. No rations have been accquired. No ticket purchased to get me to Goergia in the first place! All I've got is a lot of expensive equipment and blind optimism...I've gotten further with less before.I did try lying down earlier, and then I thought, "My sleeping bag! I should air it out instead of leaving it crammed in a stuff sack overnight." I was very barely on the edge of drifting off again when I thought, "My old Camelback! I'll throw some iodine tablets in there to clean it out!"I hadn't even crawled back into bed yet, when suddenly, "My journal! I haven't updated it in awhile, I need to get some of this off my chest!"Here's a running tally, for my own benefit, of what all I still need:-Rain cover for the backpack-Rain gear for me-A second set of hiking clothes-Fleece jacket, or some other cold weather gear-Hiking socks. I can probably use some excess Army boots socks. Have plenty...-Lighter for the camp stove-Food-Food-Food-Digital camera or recorder-Paper journal-Divine Intervention
Date: 2008-02-12
To: Setting the date
Miles today: 0.0

That's one more thing to check off the list. Just bought a ticket to Atlanta and got a reservation at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega for March 4th. I should arrive at the airport in the afternoon, get to the hostel in time for dinner, and have plenty of time to not sleep at all before starting the hike on the 5th.In other news, the plans to hit up Big Bend National Park this weekend have been finalized. We'll be spending three days in and around the High Chisos section. I'm planning on picking up a digital camera this week before we head out, as I will probably never see any of these people again in two weeks.
Date: 2008-02-19
To: Back from Big Bend
Miles today: 0.0

Just got back from a 4-day trip to Big Bend National Park with my friends. First time any of us had been out there, and it was a great in every way. As advertised, the views from the South Rim were fantastic. I've uploaded a few pictures from the trip already, more will be on the way.I learned a lot over the weekend. Most importantly, that I am physically capable of doing the AT, even if I won't be breaking any speed records. The gear I have all works as advertised, and there's only a few pieces I have left to pick up. Also, backpacking with a cherry red sunburn is not a good idea. Pack some sunscreen.I promise, I'll put up more details about the trip later. For now though, I gotaa slather some aloe vera on my back and pass out.
Date: 2008-02-22
To: Motivation
Miles today: 0.0

I so very badly do not want to sit through another briefing this afternoon. And since I'm technically on vacation and can set my own schedule, I ain't gonna.Which is a terrible idea, really. This finance meeting is one of the last things to check off my list before I can finish proccessing out of the Army. If I put it off till Monday, then I have to push my DD214 session off till Tuesday, which means I have to push a half a dozen other things, including leaving town for good, off till Wednesday.And yet...I so very badly do not want to sit through another briefing this afternoon. Or any at all, ever again. I just want to shoulder my pack and head off down the trail and start pooping in the woods and having each time I get to take a shower be a special occassion.I've read before that if, in the months leading up to it, hiking the Appalachian Trail isn't the most important thing to you, you're fooling yourself to think you'll ever make it. In the last few weeks, this baby has dominated my mind day and night. I just...want...to...go. Now. Now!
Date: 2008-03-02
To: The Day Before The Day Before
Miles today: 0.0

One day, 14 hours, 37 minutes, and 22 seconds till my flight down to Atlanta. I've just completed the first of several last minute obsessive-compulsive equipment checks (thanks, genes I got from dad).As of right now, my pack weight is a mere 26 pounds, minus water and one or two other things to be tossed in tomorrow. I'm fairly certain that the actual hiking load will still come in under 35 pounds, which is pretty respectable for a complete newb who has only scant second-hand knowledge of what he's doing.One area I was able to save weight on was navigational aids. The complete and total set of maps I ordered from the ATC arrived, minus the Georgia/North Carolina sections. Back ordered. No big deal...if Bill Irwin could hike it blind, so can I. With any luck, I'll pick up a copy in the Gooch Mtn Shelter from someone else who's had enough already.One day, 14 hours, 28 minutes, and 37 seconds to go. Not that anyone's counting...
Date: 2008-03-04
To: The Day Before
Miles today: 0.0

So here I am in sunny Dahlonega, GA. This place, the Hiker Hostel, is a fantastic layover for the night. During my last second packing, I decided to forgo the pipe or any cigars...too bulky, too time-consuming, too aromatic. Bear bait. For tonight at least, I'm regretting it. The rocking chair on the back deck is custom-made for thoughtful musing over a smoking bowl at sunset.My flight out of Illinois was timed almost perfectly, it seems. It started snowing in Bloomington right after I left, and stopped raining in Atlanta right before I arrived. Still some turbulence on the way in, though. Babies crying, old ladies gripping the arm rests, all the fun of air travel.There are 17 of us staying the night here, although we're not all starting at the same point in the morning. What with 2,000+ miles ahead of me already, the last thing I need is the optional approach trail from Amalacola. Springer Mtn, here I come.
Date: 2008-03-05
From: Springer Mtn

To: The beginning...
Miles today: 11.8

Note: This is Andy's mom, transcribing his journals as he sends them to me...bear with me, his handwriting is atrocious!This journal is bound to be a failure from the very beginning. Simple words cannot describe what is like to actually be out here.Forgive me if I occasionally break into flowery praise or bad poetry. I want to capture this sense of exhiliration now, so that soon, when my pack keeps feeling heavier, and my feet ache more and more, and it hasn't stopped raining for weeks, I can look back on this and remember why I came. And call myself an idiot.I made it further today then I had intended to. Having reached Hawk Mtn shelter at only 2:30 this afternoon, I decided to press on to the next campsite.   Unfortunately, I didn't stop to check my guidebook at the time. No way I'd make it all the way to Gooch before sundown. Still, Cooper Gap, 11.8 mi from Springer is a respectable start.I'll be paying for it in the morning...
Date: 2008-03-06
From: Cooper's Gap

To: Day 2
Miles today: 0.0

Today, not off to so great a start. After only an hour or so from leaving Cooper's Gap, I came into the very lovely Justus Creek campsite. Stopped for breakfast and to refill water...........Alright, so my pen died on me mid-sentence. It's days later now and I've completely lost that train of thought.
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Day 5

To: Blairsville--Walasi-Yi
Miles today: 0.0

Ahoy, It's 3:23 PM Eastern Time. I'm staying in town tonight, at the Walasi-Yi Outfitter / Bunkhouse. This is where I was trying to get to yesterday before my unintentional detour. These guys are great. One of their perks is that the outfitters will go over ever piece of gear in your pack and give you advice on what you really do and don't need. I didn't really end up pulling too much out of my pack, but there are a few items on their way back home. Just learning how to properly load and balance the weight has made a huge difference. My next town stop out to be in Franklin, in roughly 8-9 days. I've got more than enough food to get me that far, but I'd appreciate it if you guys could send two more feed bags to the post office for resupply. I've decided, and the outfitters confirmed, that it's worth carrying the extra weight of food for the peace of mind. If you can get that voice recorder working, or find another one that takes SD cards, that'd be a huge bonus, too. Also, I've just noticed that I forgot to stick my SD card of photos into the box I just shipped off...I'll either upload them myself in Franklin, or mail it home with the journal then. There's a time limit on internet use here, so I can't post to Trail Journals right now...copy and paste this e-mail as a quick update to all my adoring fans? Love you all, Andrew (No Trail Name Yet)
Date: 2008-03-09
From: somewhere near Blood Mtn

To: Zero day
Miles today: 0.0

My first "zero day" ( a day in which no forward progress is made), and so of course it's the nicest weather I've seen so far. It starting raining 4am Friday morning (3/7) and turned into snow all day Saturday. Today--sunny, clear skies, 60s.I have poor decision making skills it seems. Yesterday, in an effort to get into town quicker, I took what was supposed to be a shortcut around Blood Mtn.Eight hours later, I came across a little roadside bed and breakfast and decided "This looks good enough" Turns out, if I had taken a left down the highway instead of a right, I would have been there in half an hour. At the outfitter's today, I invested $5 in a map. No worries, ma.(Mom's note: Before Andy left, he got a big box of all the maps for the trail...except Georgia..that was backordered. I wondered if he might need the rest, without being able to find his way out of Ga....maybe I was right!)That being said, I am having the time of my life so far. I've been keeping roughly the same pace as 7 or 8 other people, in addition to crossing paths with a handful of new faces each day. They are as follows: Aunt Mame, V-8, Cookie, Puppy, Mary Poppins, Ruby Tuesday, Speed Turtle, Leslie, Shepard and various unnamed persons.As of yet, I still have no trail name. If that continues much longer I think I will officially be "No Name". I'm already getting tired of introducing myself to everybody, "Hi, I'm Andrew. No Name yet."