morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Mizpah Spring Hut

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: fog

Today was what I have been waiting for! We were above tree line pretty much all day! We climbed Washington but it was socked in with clouds. The odds just weren't in our favor as it's this way over 60% if the time. This mountain is the second highest we've crossed on the AT -- over 6,000 feet. However, once we got off of Washington, the clouds disappeared and we got a chance to see the Presidentials in HD. Unreal. I'd say this type of hiking is the best I've ever done in my life! It's strenuous but so worth it.We're chilling right now at Madison Spring Hut. We just finished doing a work for stay by washing the dishes while simultaneously watching the sun go down. Great day for the Georgia Trio -- Stride, One Flop and yours truly.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: thunderstorm

After we climbed out of the Madison Spring Hut, we descended into Pinkham Notch. Once in the visitor center, we pigged out in the cafeteria. Stride, One Flop and I hitched into Gorham from the notch to the White Birches Hostel. This is a sweet place and we've decided to slack back into Gorham tomorrow from Pinkham. We know this going to be a rather ambitious task but we're all GAME.Sweet day!**Oh yeah...my camera is working again. Dang technology:-) I only missed a few pics but One Flop got some real good shots of us and the Whites that I can copy from him later on**
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Gorham, NH - White Birches Hostel again
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: fog

Today was a tough slack. We had a pretty good climb out of Pinkham up and over the Wildcats. The weather was pretty crummy today but overall a good day. The Whites have been the most beautiful and toughest terrain we've seen up until this point. Hard to believe Maine is within sight!Looking forward to another good night's rest here at the White Birches Hostel.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Gorham, NH - White Birches Hostel again

To: Gorham, NH - White Birches Hostel again
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday was tough and we slept in until 9:30. Our knees are screaming at us from the Whites so a zero was in order.I was hungry all day today -- really hungry. I ate a rotisserie chicken, foot long Italian sub, a row of Oreos, one snickers bar and a pint of Ben and Jerry's. It's safe to say that I have what¢s known as "hikers hunger".We¢ll be in Maine tomorrow. Crazy.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Speck Pond
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was really fun. We hiked through Mahoosuc Notch, what some call the "toughest mile" on the AT, and thought it was more like a jungle gym. There were huge boulders and crevasses. This notch is the result of a glacier carving its way through here many years ago, and there was still ice in some of the pockets. Southern Maine has been pretty tough so far. We're staying at Speck Pond tonight. There is a caretaker here and a small fee to stay. Tomorrow is Andover, Maine.
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Speck Pond

To: Andover, ME (East B Hill Rd) - Honey and Bears
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was pretty easy. The terrain was beautiful. Hiking into Grafton Notch was very cool.Stride knew of Honey and Bear, who my brother's thru hiking posse stayed with back in 2005, and secured us a place for the evening. They said they were officially retired as hostel operators, but still help the hikers when they can. They cooked a huge supper tonight that was awesome! They have a guitar here which is something I've dearly missed playing. I played it until my fingers almost bled. There are tons of movies in the basement, too. Life is good.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Andover, ME (East B Hill Rd) - Honey and Bears

To: South Arm Road - And back to Honey and Bears
Miles today: 10.1

After a huge breakfast this morning, Bear offered to slackpack us today. After a easy decision made by our group, off we went to East B Hill road where we hiked North to South Arm Road. Since this was only a 10.1 mile slack, we were done in no time. The terrain was difficult which made me happy that I was only carrying water and a few snacks. Moody Mountain was beautiful and is what I remember the most about today's hike.Bear is cooking another big dinner tonight. Unreal.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: South Arm Road - And back to Honey and Bears

To: Sabbath Day Pond
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Our stay at Honey and Bears was fantastic. You can tell they have been hosting hikers for a long time as they knew exactly what we wanted. Thanks guys!Today wasn't a bad 17 but it was tougher than most 17's we have had in a while. Old Blue put up a good fight. She was a tough one to climb:-)Glad to be out here enjoying Maine. This is some beautiful country.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Sabbath Day Pond

To: Poplar Ridge
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

While Maine is very beautiful, it is full of bugs and water this time of year. No worries though as I have two jugs of deet and a head net.We crossed Saddleback Mountain today and even though it was raining with steady 20 mph winds it was really cool. I bet the views would have been awesome!One Flop had to go into Rangeley today due to some minor pack troubles. At this point, due to our own timelines, I'm not sure Spencer will be able to catch up as I pressed on to Sabbath Day Pond. I have to register for classes on the 14th which means I need to summit Katahdin next week. I won't have to do big miles...I'll just have to stay steady at it... And fortunately for him he's not under this constraint, so he may take it slightly easier through these last few miles. It's been one heck of a trip and I know he'll finish strong with or without me -- albeit a day or two later.Tonight we're chilling in the lean to, as they call them up North, listening to the rain dance on the tin roof. It's pretty cold, too.
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Poplar Ridge

To: ME 27 - Stratton, ME
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept like a rock last night. Thankfully I still had my down jacket. I had to use it in conjunction with my worn out 35 degree sleeping bag. The temp reached a low of 41 last night. Today was an awesome day of hiking. There were some real good climbs. Had a nice view of Sugarloaf mountain and the climb out of its northern notch up Crocker was a beast.Got a pretty quick hitch into Stratton and we¢re chilling here at the Stratton Motel. Tomorrow we're out of here but not before I mail my journal entries home to my brother. Only 180+ miles to go!!!
Date: 2008-06-30
From: ME 27 - Stratton, ME

To: Little Bigelow Lean To
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I am never ceased to be amazed by the trail! Today Stride and I were absolutely blown away the Bigelows. Hiking above treeline is like living a dream. I cannot get over the fact that we're in the last state of this journey. Caught back up with the crew today also. (Waterbear, Stormennorm, Strides(dude), Stride(girl), just to clarify once more and me). We all plan on finishing together and we are all looking forward to these next couple of days.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Little Bigelow Lean To

To: Pierce Pond
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Does not get any better than this. No question about it. We all made it to the shelter by 2:30, and a sweet shelter I must say. All of us went for a swim and wiped a couple of layers worth of deet off.( Such a spectacular view here at Moxie Bald shelter and plenty of flat spots to boot, it will be great to set up my tent. I honestly think that my tent is saving my sanity here in Maine. I won't say that the bugs are terrible but they are definitely a presence here at Moxie Pond. Not having to worry about being bit by mosquitoes while I'm sleeping is such a great feeling. Taking it as it comes and loving every minute of it.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Pierce Pond

To: Moxie Bald Lean To
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Had breakfast this morning at Harrison Camp. 12 pancakes 3 eggs, 3 sausages and 2 cups of coffee. Great start to a great day. Crossed the Kennebec today and dealt with a little storm later in the day (nothing new). Before Stride, Strides and I hiked over Moxie Bald we had to wait out a little storm, but Moxie Bald was gorgeous. I even saw the Bigelows from there. Good day.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Moxie Bald Lean To

To: Monson
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Nice and easy day today. Looking at the profile was very comforting....flat. Had a few fords today and West Pesquatiquis River was raging. Waterbear was swept away and Stormennorm had to swim downriver to save her. This all happened minutes before I walked up! So wished I would have been there to see that. Not to help but to laugh of coarse! (just kidding Waterbear). Monson is a great town and all of us have decided to shack up at Shaw's. The Lakehouse(a local bar and grill) had all you can eat tacos tonight for $8! Looking forward to a good night's sleep.
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Monson

To: Long Pond Lean To
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Great breakfast this morning at Shaws. Stride, Strides, Norm, Waterbear and I went to Greenville to resupply. It ended up taking almost 2 hours because our car broke down, but no big deal. I ended up walking to the Lake Moosehead pier. Had a cold Budweiser and watched a sea plane take off from the water. Happy 4th to you all. We finally made it back to trail around 11:30, and so the final leg of the journey began. Waterbear brought sparklers to the shelter and it really got out of control.(Just kidding) Happy to be out here.
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Long Pond Lean To

To: Carl A. Newhall
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: clear sky

Yet another beautiful day here in the "100 mile wilderness". Walking is starting to feel like gliding at this point in the journey. A large part of me is ready to complete this journey, and yet another part feels like this adventure should keep going. It's going to feel bittersweet to have this life (my dream) stripped from me in 5 days. For the past 5 months I have gotten up, not having to worry about anything accept putting one foot in front of the other. The simplicity of the trail will unquestionably be one of things I will miss the most.
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Carl A. Newhall

To: Cooper Brook Falls
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: few clouds

Ahhhhh today. Another gorgeous day out here and for the 1st time of the trip we saw Katahdin. To finally see what we have been striving for.....I'm at a loss for words. It feels great to have the Big K in our sights. Right now we have just set up our tents and are about to go swimming in Cooper Brook Falls. Loving it.
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Nahmakanta Lake

To: Abol Bridge Campsite
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: few clouds

Incredibly tough day, but as usual so beautiful. -Saw a plane land in Rainbow Lake today. Really neat-My feet will definitely not be missing Maine-Abol Bridge=Smiling Faces. Must have spent $25 on food alone-Finished the 100 mile wilderness. Awesome.
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Abol Bridge Campsite

To: The Birches
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

-Took our time 4 once this morning. (It was great)-Saw a moose today in Elbow Pond.-I think we swam in every swimming hole possible.-Going to be strange not walking anymore.-And so here we are! Katahdin in our sights.
Date: 2008-07-10
From: The Birches

To: KATAHDIN!!!!!!
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

At a loss of words today, and I cannot possibly describe how bittersweet this day is. Katahdin was the biggest and longest climb of the trail, but by far the most fun. The clouds cleared for roughly about a minute on the summit which was perfect for me, Stormennorm, Strides, Stride,and Waterbear. I will definitely not miss the bugs, but the lifestyle, the people, the places, the views.....etc. An emotional day as expected and having this dream come true would have not been possible without all the help we recieved along the way. The neverending hospitality from complete strangers is one of the things I will never forget. I also want to thank the trail itself. For restoring my faith in people and enlightening me in so many different ways. Thanks again and I also want to apologize for taking so long to update this journal.
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

My wife Paula, my Mom, my Dad, and I left PA on March 20th at 6am and arrived in Charlotte 10 hours later. My two daughters Cindy and Jess were there to greet us as well as my son-in law John and my 20 month old grandson Jake. We had a great lasagna dinner and spent most of the time talking about the big adventure that was finally going to begin tomorrow. My wife, Mom, daughters, and I left the next morning bright and early to head down to Springer Mountain GA. It took longer to get there than we anticipated because we stopped by the post office in Suches to drop off a package for later. We had lunch together at the top of Woody Gap. At last we made it to Amicalola Falls State Park around 12:30 pm and weighed my pack at 52 lbs and registered. We started hiking up the falls around 1:15 pm and took our time taking lots of pictures. It was a beautiful day! Everyone was excited, nervous, anxious, sad, happy, etc. Lots of mixed emotions. I said my goodbyes and started on my journey. 8.5 miles to go until I actually even begin the AT. The hike up the falls was not as difficult as I anticipated. I was feeling great. Next stop Woody Gap.
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Woody Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it to Woody Gap today around noon. I was not planning to get here until Tuesday but I didn't really sleep or eat... just hiked to stay warm. I was absolutely freezing for 4 days and 3 nights. I was hiking in the snow and I was with a great group of hikers for awhile. I went to the post office in Suches today and lightened my pack of an extra pair of shoes and my fishing gear. I sent everything else along to Fontana Dam. I got a shuttle to a hotel in Dahlonega because the hostel was full. It was so cold everyone was heading for shelter I guess. I ate a hot meal and got a hot shower and lots of much needed sleep. In the morning I was feeling like a new person with a better attitude and more energy. Off to Tray Mountain Shelter. I am hiking at about a 10 mile a day pace.
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

I hiked about 7 or 8 miles today in the rain with a nice guy about 70 yrs old named RJ Illinois who reminds me a lot of Uncle Coffee. I was also hiking for awhile with a nice guy named Papa Bear who is about 68 years old. We are all hiking at about the same pace. We are about 7 or 8 miles from NC now and I am hoping to be in Fontana Dam by the end of the week. While we were hiking today there was a big black cloud which looked like a mountain ahead of us. There was so much rumbling around us it sounded like military fire but it was thunder. We couldn't tell if we were wet from sweat or rain but nonehtheless we were soaked. I have been hiking with so many great people and sitting around the campfire at nights and listening to lots of stories. My first night at the Tray Mountain Shelter I could hear mice running around all night long. It was freaky. At least it was just mice and not a bear that these 2 guys I met ran into earlier during the day. They said the bear came into the shelter during the daytime and took one of their backpacks and drug it into the woods. They found the pack later and they were able to salvage their wallet and phone but the bear took all the food. When I reached a place called Blood Mountain I stopped and rested on the field of flat rocks on the top. It was a strange feeling because there were vultures flying around me the whole time I was there like they were waiting for me to collapse. It was a really neat place and definitely worth mentioning. Another interesting observation are the signs of wild boars along the trail. They dig up the sides of the trail on both sides looking for food. When we reached our destination, RJ and I had a great all you can eat steak dinner. Tonight we are going to get some good sleep at the Hiawassee Inn. I am probably taking a zero day tomorrow to rest my right achilles. I have been wrapping it and it feels better but it could use a day off. I am heading to the store tomorrow to resupply. Next stop Fontana Dam. North Carolina here I come!
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Franklin NC

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Yesterday and today were zero days for me and RJ. We spent the days resting, recovering, eating, drying out, and watching the final four. We have been staying at Ron Hagan's Sapphire Inn. He is well known for being a great host and friend of the thru hiker. He picks everyone up in his half bus at the trail and drives back into town about 10 miles. There must be about 22 of us here tonight! I am definitely not out here all alone. For those of you who have been reading other journals, we have also been hiking quite a bit with Vigil Auntie and Y. So maybe they mention us in their journal.Scott arrived in Franklin tonight around 5pm. He packed in less than one day! It took me about 4 months to get all my gear together. It is great to have him here. We are going to take the shuttle over to the Baptist Church in the morning around 7am and eat pancakes, bacon, and coffee. Then we will catch a shuttle back to the hotel to grab our packs, check-out, and catch the bus to the trail around 9am. We plan on walking 11 miles tomorrow. We are not going to take it easy on Scott, but we do need to find him a walking stick.Our goal remains Fontana Dam. When we reach our destination Scott will take a shuttle back to his car in Franklin and RJ and I will keep going. It is going to be nice having more company this week. Scott has a camera and will be able to put some new pictures in the journal. I have a camera but it is not digital. We think we are going to have better weather this week. It will be warmer so we will sweat more and need to take in more water and more breaks. It may slow us down a bit but it will be nice to be dry. We will be hiking some bald mountains which I have not done yet. We will see how it goes. Hopefully we will see some amazing views!
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Franklin NC

To: Wright Gap NC
Miles today: 30.0

We are now just north of Wright Gap. Since Scott joined us on Sunday, we have hiked about 30 miles. That brings my total up to about 142. Scott will probably hike another 10-12 miles with us tomorrow to Stecoah Gap, camp, and leave the next day. His knee is hurting a bit. I shouldn't have made him carry all my gear plus his own...just kidding! Today we stopped at the Nantahala Center around lunch and had pizza. It was beautiful there. We have been seeing different people the last couple of days so I guess everyone is finally starting to spread out. During the past few days we hiked a couple of balds which was pretty cool. Last night we camped out in a tent at a site that had a bit of a slope. I woke up this morning still in my sleeping bag but about 2 feet outside of the tent. I must have rolled downhill out of the tent in the middle of the night. Too funny except now my back hurts a little for the first time since I started my trip.   Scott took a lot of pictures so he should get them posted shortly after he returns to Durham. Mom received the envelope today with the photo inside that the Baptist Church took for us at breakfast Friday morning. It is a good picture.Thankfully we have finally had some nice weather and it has only rained a little. Today it actually got hot. I imagine we will be having many more hot days ahead!
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Wright Gap NC

To: Yellow Creek Gap
Miles today: 13.0

We are now just north of Fontana Dam. Yeah! Scott left us this morning at Stecoah Gap. He took a shuttle which took forever to get back to Franklin. Like I said before he took a lot of great pictures so hopefully he will update the journal soon. RJ and I hiked another 9 miles to Yellow Creek Gap.The weather was beautiful here today so we got up early and didn't eat breakfast. We came upon some tail magic this morning. His name was Bear Bear from Florida who had hiked the trail in 2006. He was handing out hot dogs and sodas for breakfast. Needless to say it tasted great! He told us that there was some bad weather on the way. A foot of snow is expected on the trail. He also told us that it is very remote for 71 miles after Fontana Dam so we are trying to find a place to stay before they are all filled up.My back is feeling better but now I think I pulled a glute muscle. There are no flat parts on the trail whatsoever. You are constantly hiking up and down and up again. I know I already mentioned that but I can't get over the difficulty of the AT. It is much tougher than I expected!
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Yellow Creek Gap

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 80.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I am writing this journal entry from Standing Bear Farm Hostel in Tenn. RJ and I hiked the Smoky Mountains. We went up in the heat and down in the heat, but the 5 days in between we were in the snow and cold! The storm hit when we reached the base camp for the climb to Clingman's Dome. 11 hikers tried to reach the road. We didn't see them again. RJ, Longportage, and I stayed. It was 12-14 degrees and we had about 6 inches of snow. We made the only footprints in the snow to the Dome. All of the roads were closed. It was beautiful with all of the snow on the evergreens and the blue sky above. We are only a couple days from Hot Springs. I will write again soon.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 42.0
Weather: broken clouds

We made it to Hot Springs today on the one month anniversary since I started my journey on the AT. I have now hiked a total of 280 miles. I am feeling really great. I don't have any aches or pains and each day it seems to be getting easier and easier. I have probably lost about 30 lbs so far. I sent my camera home to Paula so she should be able to upload some new photos to the journal shortly.Tonight RJ and I are staying in a cottage with hardwood floors and a river behind it. Hot Springs is a great little hiker town. We had dinner and now I am eating lots of candy which I will easily burn off tomorrow. If you can imagine this, the other day we walked for 3 hrs straight up a steep hill with our 50 lbs packs! Not to mention we have been hiking in the snow and sleet. Two nights ago, at Roaring Fork Shelter, I set up my hammock and RJ set up his tent about 25 yards from the shelter. There were about 6 or 8 hikers in the shelter and everyone had their food bags hanging up on the line in the trees. Around 12:30 am we woke up to screaming and yelling and people banging sticks on pans. A bear came into the shelter area and took a bag of food. About 2 hours later, it was really scary because we could hear the bear running fast breaking branches through the woods on its way back into the shelter area. This time the bear took 2 more bags of food. You couldn't really see anything. All we had were our flashlights and chaos. I just kept on thinking I am ready if he comes after my food but yet I still didn't know what I would do.The other night it got so cold that RJ and I had to share his tent to stay warm. We also had to make campfires lately. I am known for making the best campfires out of everyone. Sometimes the coals are still hot in the morning when everyone wakes up. I guess all that experience has paid off!   Today was the first day since Franklin that we took a nero day (nearly zero) 3.2 miles. We have been hiking a little longer these days. We are up to 15 miles a day now. I think we will hit the next town (Erwin) in a couple of days. Sorry I missed you guys( Cindy, John, and Jake). There was and still is absolutely no AT&T cell phone service in this whole area. Congrats on your spring tourney Jess. Way to go!