morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-10
From: Bald Mountain Brook Leanto

To: Monson, Maine
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: few clouds

I have to say, only 114.5 miles lef to go. Big whopping day on wonderful, easy terrain, sliding smoothly into the last town on the trail. We had a beautiful day, and things couldn't be better.We got to ford our first river today. Usually, there are rocks to hop across, but the Piscataquic River didn't allow us the luxury. Swansons and I just trudged on through with our shoes and socks on. It felt great. Maybe we were too lazy to take our shoes off, but it was fun.We also got great trail magic in a cooler after the second branch of that river. Caffienated sodas and fruits. It was wonderful, just the thing to get us through the last 6 miles. I am going to miss being able to drink all the soda I can handle. I'm going to miss trail magic!It was a great, smooth hike today, we even got to see Katahdin from Moxie Bald Mountain. By the end of the day we were excited and anxious for the last town and our last zero day! To accent our excitement, we ran into two day-hikers who congratulated us enthusiastically for making it, which made us feel on top of the world.We are staying at Shaws Hiker Hostel tonight with Homeward, wiggy and Rockchalk. It is a great place and the best way to end off our town life.   Lot of soda, beer and pizza....plus lots of talk about finishing and the 100 mile wilderness.
Date: 2006-09-12
From: Monson, Maine

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

Left our last town today and hiked out into the 100 mile wilderness. We had a beautiful, beautiful day for hiking. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the sun shown brightly all day long.We had an awesome river ford today, the middle actually came up to my thigh and the rocks were crazy slippery. Once thru it Swansons and I sat on the shore taking pictures of everyone else fording, trying to catch it if anyone took more of a dip than they meant to.Then as we were walking up to the lean-to for lunch, Swansons almost had a little chunk taken out of him by a very aggressive tiny snake, who then decided he didn't want either of us passing him on the trail. everytime we took a step forward he would lunge for us. Silly little snake. We finally got him to move away and go be pissed off at something else.We were supposed to only stop at the 14 mile shelter today. But we got there relatively early and still had some walking left in us, so we did an extra 4 miles to the next shelter, and it was worth it. We had to go up and over Barren Mountain but we first had to go past Barren Ledge, which turned out to be one of the prettiest views I have ever seen on the entire trail. It was literally mesmerizing. And the sun was at a perfect height for so late in the afternoon, making it a perfect sight.That is how we ended our day, with gorgous views, and to top it all off we have this beautiful shelter on a pond. Hopefully we might see some moose in the morning.
Date: 2006-09-13
From: Kurly's Dad and Mom

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

We've heard rumors that the wilderness is easy...well we are waiting for it to get easy. Today kicked my butt, it was beautiful and fun, but a definite butt kickin. But we have only 78.6 miles left! 4 full days of hiking and then Katahdin.This morning started out great. The sky was blue and the first few climbs were beautiful up on top. Lots of roots anf rocks everywhere, I keep getting my feet hung up on them. Unfortunately, now the holes in my shoes are getting bigger and they are looking a little sad and sorry.Forded another little river today. Makes it feel like more of an adventure when you have to take your shoes off and carefully pick your way among the slippery rocks and frogs. It also makes the feet feel better for a time.The reason I felt so beat today mostly was a newly pulled muscle in my calf that has decided to pester me. My first pulled or strained muscle on the trail and it had to be in the last week. But, that is how we do things out here.Now that I am comfy and relaxing in the shelter it is feeling better. But I'm not looking forward to having to deal with it in the morning when we have our last huge climb before the big "K".As for the "wilderness" we are in, there are people everywhere! Section hikers, weekenders, day hikers and us. I thought this was supposed to be the big scary deep 100 mile wilderness. It feels more like we are back at the Whites. But, it is still wonderful. There could be a million people here and it couldn't break how happy and excited I am.
Date: 2006-09-14
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooperbrook Falls Leanto
Miles today: 18.9

We had a very lively shelter last night. All the animals were very excited that there were so many hikers around, hoping maybe they would get a crumb or two. There were many red squirrels chittering all about, and you have to watch them, they'll get right under you. There was also a very large snow shoe hare wandering around, we even got a picture of him. But in the middle of the night we had the biggest commotion. Something very large went stumbling across the front of the shelter. Sounded very much like hooves on rock. And with all the moose poop and tracks around the shelter, I can only assume it was a moose.Then early this morning as I was up on the first mountain waiting for Swansons to take care of some "business" a big buck came walking right in front of me. He was more surprised than I was to see me. He stared at me for almost a minute then darted off as if I had jumped at him.So the animals were out in force, and we had rain to get us going this morning. Plus, 4 montains to climb, one right after the other. But once we got over the big white cap it was smooth sailing for the rest of the day. Finally the 10 mile wilderness shows the beautiful face we've heard so much about. We had about a 2 mile stretch that was one of the prettiest sections I've ever seen.It was all flat forest, covered in a thick "rug" of moss, with large boulders and red spruce dominating the trail sides. The moss gave it a look of total enchantment. It felt magical. Maine is just so damn beautiful. This is definitely the state to be in for the home stretch. Tonight we have 59.7 miles left. I couldn't even have fathomed this a month ago. Now, here we are.I had something quite odd happen to me while I was coming down off the mountain. I ran into a nice old man who was hiking south and he told me to "watch my step". Well, I didn't think anything of it, except that it was a little different. No one has ever said watch your step out here to me. Of course, I'll watch my step. I have no choice. That's all I do all day. But wouldn't you know, not 5 minutes later, I fell right on my butt! Almost crushed my leg underneath me too, but thanks to softball teaching me how to slide, I got it right out from underneath like I was hittin's home. So the old man was right, and I should have listened to him. Another lesson learned, listen to the wise old man.Tomorrow we are swinging by the last hostel on the trial.   1 lb. cheeseburgers and beer. I can't wait. I might even be able to call my parents and remind them to bring me real person clothes. Jeans and cotton, oh how great it will be! Only 3 more nights on the good ole AT. Very crazy.
Date: 2006-09-15
From: Cooperbrook Falls Leanto

To: Whitehouse Landing
Miles today: 13.8

Tonight is our last night in any sort of AT hostel. It's surreal. It's making me nervous. We are all so ready to be done and go home, but do we really want to leave this life behind? I'm starting to get the feeling that it is going to be a little hard adjusting to the real world again. But, oh well, all good things must come to an end. And I'm glad it is ending the way it is. We have a great group of people we are hiking with right now, Homeward, Mr. Parkay, Ms. Parkay, G-walk, Rock Chalk and UpHill. And we are all going to summit together on the 18th. Plus we are here at the awesome, beautiful Whitehouse Landing in the middle of nowhere just enjoying life.This hiker hostel is set on the gorgous Pemadumcook Lake and to get to it you have to blow a horn and wait patiently on the dock until they decided to come and get you on their motor boat. They are expensive, but they have 1 lb. cheeseburgers and beer. It's incredible. The downside is you have to walk an extra mile off the AT to get to it.When we got to the blue blaze side trail that led to the house, we practically ran to get to the dock. Ran, that it, until we were stopped short by a giant moose and his girlfriend that were walking right next to us. I stopped dead on a dime, and uttered a few profanities as this huge bull moose with a great set of antlers stopped and looked dright at us. He was only about 10 yards away, and uttering his sweet mating calls to the girl we had not yet seen. But we quickly spotted her hiding behind a bush. The bull just went on staring at us as we flashed a few choice pictures and gawked. Then we got our senses back and decided we better leave the big guy to his business. Moose in rutting season are bad news when pissed off. Ad we turned the corner I looked back over my shoulder at him and he was still watching us intently. He didn't want us to make a move on his lady friend. Finally Swansons met something bigger than him up close and personal!The rest of the day couldn't have gone better. Beautiful views. Hiked 15 miles buy 11AM and a boat ride. Plus we got to meet up with old hiker buddies, Pumpkin, Gotta Go and Little Engine. Add two bottles of wine and a bottle of champagne to celebrate our near victory. We played horseshoes and pictionary and now we are watching the Parkay's get crazy with some chess. I'm gonna miss this little world of ours. But it will be nice to have a comforter and a shower every day.
Date: 2006-09-16
From: Whitehouse Landing

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

The excitement is beginning to gather. It's the night before, the night before. If that makes any sense at all. I can't even begin to explain the anticipation that is building up inside me. Sleep is a distant option at this moment. We are all so wide awake, sitting around the campfire thinking about just night hiking to where we need to be. But I don't want to get hurt now with all the mud and roots and rocks.We got out of Whitehouse Landing a little late this morning, but we had a great breakfast to fuel us through our first 8 miles before we needed to lunch. Maine keeps on throwing these gorgous lakes at us, and sometimes it is hard to concentrate on the walking and not tripping aspect. We had a beautiful climb up Nesuntabunt Mountain where we got our first up close and personal look at Katahdin. We were all dumbfounded and in awe of the big out of place monster. It looks like a beast compared to the land around it. A very tough beast. I cannot wait.
Date: 2006-09-17
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite

To: The Birches
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: few clouds

5.2 miles left. We are here at the "Birches" campsite, nestled at the foot of Katahdin. And waht a crazy thing that is. I'm not even sure I can put into words any of the thoughts in my head at the moment. This is so unreal. As Ms. Parkay just said "it has been such a ride.   And now we are only a few hours away from the end. Will we know what to do once we are done?Today was a crazy day. It started at 5:00AM and flew by. We began hiking by 6:00AM and were at Abol Bridge campstore, 11 miles away before even 11:00AM. the view of Katahdin from Abol Bridge was incredible. It looked rediculously intimidating. But the campstore provided us with many good treasures such as roast beef sandwiches, cheeseburgers and lots and lots of coca cola. Plus we bought a few beers to hike out for celebration purposes.The last 10 miles were cake and before we knew it we were at the sign for Katahdin Stream Campground, and it was mind boggling. There we were, already, finally at the doorstep of the end. I did all I could do to stop myself from singing and dancing and prancing about like a fool. Finally, we have hit our long awaited dextination.The greatest thing was we got to congratulate the thru-hikers coming off the summit this afternoon. FDR, Hannah and Wyoming. And FDR's girlfriend had beers for all of us. Plus, FDR popped the champagne and we all celebrated for his accomplishment and for our big day to come. And it was all done with an amazing view of Katahdin at our backs. we couldn't have asked for anyting better.The day ended with us around a huge fire, stuffed from eating our last meals and everyting left over in our food bags. We spent the time recalling favorite placed and times and one by one went off to our sleepig bags to stare wide eyed up at the ceiling of the shelters. No sleep tonight. Not when Katahdin is 5.2 miles away.
To: Time to get going again.
Miles today: 0.0

Well folks, it's that time of year again. School lets out in just four days and I'll be hitting the trail shortly after that. Still have lots to do. It seems I can't get my poop in a group until just a day or two before I leave. I always have worked best under pressure. I spent my spring break doing a few day hikes around the Erwin area, where I left off last year. Ms. Janet shuttled me around and helped me get in about 30 more miles. Thanks Janet! I hope to stop in and say hi when I get back up there. Check out the photo page here where I've uploaded some pictures from that trip. If you want to check out the gear I'm using, click on my '05 journal to see what I've selected.
Date: 2006-05-22
To: My Left Foot
Miles today: 0.0

I've been having some problems with my left foot for quite a few months now and with only 1 week left before departure, I'm starting to get very concerned. When I hike, the pain in my heel afterwards is almost unbearable and I hobble around for days. I'm hoping it's not a heel spur. Time will tell I guess. I had this problem at Ms. Janet's house too, but by the fourth day of hiking, it was starting to feel better. Hopefully it's just a tendon that needs stretching. Oddly enough, while I'm hiking, it doesn't hurt very much. As soon as I stop hiking and rest for only 15 minutes, it starts to hurt.
Date: 2006-06-02
To: delays
Miles today: 0.0

My leave date has been pushed up a few days to June 4th. Works out best all round this way so I have no complaints. Met a girl on Whiteblaze that is starting on the 4th as well, and at Sam's Gap, so we've decided to try and hike together. We'll play it by ear as I'm sure she will be able to outhike me by a long shot. She's 22 and she'll have her dog with her which is a plus in my book. That is, if it's well behaved. With my foot acting up, I'm not going to even try to keep up with her should she out distance me.I found out what is wrong with my foot. It's call Plantar Fascitis (sp?). Basically, my arches are falling and is hurting a tendon. I've had custom orthotics fitted in my boots so hopefully I won't cripple myself. I've been walking around in my crocs for over a week and that has helped tremendously. I'm not limping at all now. Glad I'll be using these for my camp shoes.I've included in this journal my mail drops in case anything needs to be sent to me. Let me know in the guestbook if I should be watching for something. If you are reading this, please take a moment to sign the guestbook, I'd love to hear from y'all.Getting very restless, feet are tapping, nails are bitten, just waiting, waiting now. Never was very good at waiting.......
Date: 2006-06-04
From: delays

To: Big Bald Shelter
Miles today: 8.0

Today was the start of my next section of the AT. I started at Sam's Gap in Erwin, Tn., after making a quick stop to say hi to Miss Janet. It always feels so great to be back in the woods and true to its form, the AT welcomed me back with a six mile climb uphill, all the way. Oh yes, and of course......rain, some things never change.I have a hiking partner this year. A young girl named Hanna who is 22 years old and working on her Master's degree in stage lighting. She's hiking farther than I, and with a dog, which will make for an interesting hike. So far, the dog seems to be really well behaved so that's a plus. We got off to a late start today. Hanna's parents were at the trailhead and offered some lunch before we hit the trail. So we ate and chatted for awhile. I think her parents are relieved to have me along.After we ate we hit the trail. It was around 2:00 when we left so I knew we'd be hiking after dark to the shelter. I was hoping we'd get to Big Bald before dark and fortunately we arrived at the bald right at sunset. It was Gorgeous!! 360* view that were well worth the climb. It was very windy and quite cold as well. As the sun set, we quickened our pace to the shelter. The last mile was in total darkness. On the way to Big Bald, we came upon a newborn fawn nestled in some tall grass right next to the trail. If I had stepped off the trail just six inches I would have been stepping on it. I got quite a few pictures and will post them as soon as I get a chance. It was so very small, and so cute! The doe was probably off grazing as I'm told that they will leave their fawns alone most of the day. I was glad to hear that because I thought it was abandoned.After we got to the shelter, we ate and headed right to bed. It was a long, hard first day's hike.My foot is stilled messed up and I ended todays hike with quite a limp. We'll see how this is going to turn out.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Big Bald Shelter

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We got a late start today. Miss Janet met us at Spivey Gap,(we were an hour late, sorry M.J.)and she brought us back to her house.I'm hiking very slowly. My foot and calf are causing me a bit of pain and I find myself favoring it as I hike, which is slowing me up. I can't put a whole lot of weight on it and that is causing its own set of problems. One tends to need both their feet to hike.Had a close call today. I came upon a blow down that was very tricky to manuever. A HUGE tree was across the trail and with my shortness, it was impossible for me to straddle over it the way I usually do. Plus, there were other branches in the way. It's these types of things that give me headaches. To make matters worse, it had rained and everything was a total mud slick. So I get on top of this tree trunk, straddling it with a leg dangling on each side. I'm thinking that I am going to have to make a leap of faith over this tree and land on one foot, at the same time trying to get my other leg up and over the tree. I've done this before with other large blow downs, but with the mud, it wasn't as easily done. Did I mention that this is all occuring on a steep hillside? As I sat there pondering my situation, I noticed that another person had done what I was about to, and had slid a good 4 to 5 feet down the hill when they landed. I knew this by the very long foot print in the mud. Not wanting this to be my fate I decided to nix this idea. All the while I'm straddling this tree trunk, I'm fighting gravity, and losing. I had all I could do not to slide down this very wet and slick tree. On to plan B. Some folks had gotten downhill about 4 feet and managed to get over the tree that way, so I made my way down to do the same. Once again I'm straddling the tree and fighting gravity. I knew I was going to have to leap over, but at least there was some brush where I wouldn't slide, or so I thought. I dropped over the tree, and proceeded to slide about 5 feet further down the mountain. Did I mention it was VERY steep. Thankfully I had the forethought to remove my pack before trying this feat, or I probably would have slid ten feet down the hill and ended up on my back like a turtle. Now I'm ten feet below the trail and had to scramble, on slick mud, back up to the trail. I finally make it back up the hillside and faced my second dilema. I was on one side of this HUGE tree and my pack was on the other side. I stretched my short body as far as I could over that tree and managed to snag that pack and get it over the tree. The whole episode lasted about a good half hour. I was covered in mud and all scratched up from sliding through the brush, but I made it. Turned out, it was Hanna who had left that five foot mud slide print. She had had quite a time of it too. We laughed ourselves silly over dinner that night, reliving our ordeals. My foot and leg are still very sore. As much as I hate to take a zero day already, I'm going to take one tomorrow and give this leg a rest. You were right Michael, couldn't hold out till Damascus. Oh well.....
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Spivey Gap

To: Miss Janet's House
Miles today: 0.0

Spending a quiet day at Miss Janet's house. The other hikers here are slackpacking so I'm just putzing around the house. Baked some cupcakes for a surprise birthday party for Hanna. Her birthday is tomorrow. We're going to roast hot dogs over the fire and celebrate. My leg is feeling better today, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this problem is not going to go away. I may just have to hike through the pain and forget about it. I'll decide if I have to cancel this hike when I get to Damascus.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Indian grave gap

To: cherry gap shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

It was a gorgeous day today. Climbed Unaka Mountain. When I got to the top it was covered in huge pine trees. The ground was a carpet of needles mixed with the green of moss on rocks and logs. Absolutely surreal. There is something about the smell of pine that sends me back to my youth in Michigan. Love it. I found a comfy log on the top of the mountain and sat there for awhile listening to the silence. No car noise, airplane, nothing but birds, wind,and the smells. It reminded me of the verse in the bible that says something like, "Be still and know that I am God". I was very still for some time and just enjoyed the breeze. I've heard people complain about climbing Unaka because there are no views, but this can be just as breathtaking.Got to the shelter after dark again tonight.... We spent the night with Cap'n Nemo and Danger Dave. Hanna's dog is keeping the mice away. This is a very good thing. My leg is feeling better today..
Date: 2006-06-08
From: cherry gap shelter

To: Greasy Creek Hostel
Miles today: 6.9

Got yet another late start today. We were having breakfast, our daily oatmeal, and up walks Baggins. Baggins is a 63 year old woman who started hiking the AT in April. If you're thinking of Bilbo Baggins when you read her name, you would be right. Baggins is no more than 4'8" tall and can't weigh more than 90lbs. Her pack is almost as big as her and I swear she could climb into it if she wanted to. Her boots were a size 3! How she manages over some of these obstacles that I have trouble with is beyond me. She's a charming woman and well loved by the entries I've read in the journal encouraging her to keep going. One person even wrote her a lengthy, very sweet poem. Gear review time.My new gaitors are wonderful. I love them and I don't know how I got thru the Smokies without them. In case you're wondering what gaitors are, they are waterproof leggings that go from the knee to covering the top of the boot. My feet are still bone dry even with all the wet grass I've walked through. I'm very pleased and so are my toes.It threatened to rain all day and I could see it raining in different areas all around me, but I managed to stay dry. I did my rain gear dance today. It goes something like this... Looking like rain, unpack rain gear and put on. Sun comes out, take off rain gear, pack away. Looks like rain, put on rain gear. Sun comes out....you get the picture. After some discussion, Hanna and I decided to split up tonight. I'm staying at the Greasy Creek Friendly, and Hanna moved on to the next shelter. I have the bunkhouse all to myself tonight and I'm liking it.