morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-10-10
From: Caratunk, Maine

To: Monson, Maine
Miles today: 33.4
Weather: light rain

Unbelieveable - this is the last real town on the AT - we ended up staying here for an extra day so Donnie could go to the doctor to have his feet checked (he waits til the end to have problems!). So tomorrow we'll be heading out to the 100 mile Forest - there will probably be no cell coverage so we won't have access to communication til we get thru it - unless we can get a ride to a logging camp along the way. We are really excited but anxious about getting finished - seems so strange to think that in about 7-8 days we'll be done!! Keep us in your thoughts as we hike through the woods - and Mom - don't worry about us!! There will be at least four of us hiking together. Can't wait to talk to you "on the other side of the woods" - truly our "walk in the woods" as titled by Bill Bryson! Catch you in a few days...
Date: 2007-10-11
From: Monson, Maine

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Well this will be the last time we check in before we get to the end of our journey to the top of Mt Katahdin! Donnie's feet are all fixed up, we're stocked with food, and of course, it's drizzling out - soon to become rain at least until Saturday. We're heading out of Monson (our last town on the trail). We'll be hiking fast with Wyoming & Hawkeye so that we can get out of the forest in five days and have our traditional last nite in the shelter before hiking up to Mt Katahdin! Once we're out of the forest, we'll only have two days left - one day to hike to the base of the mountian and the next day to hike to the summit! It's a long time coming - remember we started March 24th! We're only about a week behind schedule but what's a schedule when you're about to complete this incredible experience! Yes we've persevered and we're really excited to be so close. It has been great to share this trip with all of you who have checked out our website and have left us messages along the way. Thanks...we love you!!! Sarah and Donnie
Date: 2007-10-14
From: Mt Katahdin

To: Mt Katahdin - of course!!
Miles today: 102.7
Weather: light snow

We made really good time and have gotten through the 100 mile forest! It is really COLD up here, cloudy and damp. Since Sunday we have been staying in a small town called Millinocket which is about 10 miles from the Abol Bridge - that's the entrance to the last part of the trail to Mt Katahdin. Millinocket is the last town 10 miles "off the trail". The hostel here is "packed" with hikers waiting to hike to the summit. But just like yesterday, the mountain is closed due to the weather (ice and snow) so we'll have to wait another day or so to finish up. We're hoping every day for a break in the weather - it's really hard to be so close and unable to finish up. We think we'll be able to climb the summit at least by Thursday - by then there will probably be at least 40 hikers waiting to finish so the celebration at the top will be HUGE! We'll keep you posted as to what day we finally finish!
Date: 2007-10-15
From: Mt Katahdin - of course!!

To: Mt Katahdin - of course (still waiting to climb)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Unfortunately the mountain is closed again today due to the weather (Tuesday 10/16) - even though it's sunny out, there is still snow on the mountain - now there are 37 hikers waiting to go up - and get this...the rangers are having a meeting tomorrow so we won't be able to climb tomorrow either - so it looks like Thursday is our best day. We are really disappointed but have no choice. The other problem is that there is NOTHING to do in Millinocket unless you like indoor golf or bowling! And the TV in the hostel only gets 4 channels plus there is only one computer in the whole town! and no library but there is a hospital but so far no one needs to go there. Someone mentioned playing cards but to be honest, I am so done with playing cards - I may never play again! since its been our main entertainment on the trail. The closest movie theatre is 50 miles away so that's out! So we just sit around and wait wait wait! We're also still waiting for Donnie and Hawkeye to get here - they are still hiking into town since we split off from them on Sunday due to the cold. So we may have to bum a car and go get them since they can't wait for the trail to reopen. I'm also without a camera since Donnie fell in the river a few days ago and his camera got wet so he has mine and I can't even take pictures of everyone that is here! So here we all are just sitting around - talking and waiting. The good part is I just met a guy from Raleigh who actually lived near us but we didn't know until now. We're planning to get together once everyone gets back home. So you get to read my "whining" until Thursday I guess - pray for sunshine and for the rangers to work so we can get to the summit! Talk to you later...Sarah
Date: 2007-10-16
From: Mt Katahdin 

To: Mt Katahdin - Tomorrow's the Day!!!!!!!!!!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!! the rangers have decided to postpone their meeting tomorrow so that we can summit Mt Katahdin on Wednesday - everyone is so excited - we're all getting showers so we'll look good in the big picture at the top!! It is so amazing that it's really going to happen - unfortunately 2 of the 37 of us have to leave tomorrow to catch flights that cannot be changed (heading to California) but the rest of us are so ready. I hope we can sleep tonite...we won't be able to leave too early - need to let the sun melt the ice although there will still be snow - it's only 5.2 miles up but it will take 4 to 4 1/2 hours to get to the top - we'll have about an hour to hang out and celebrate and then take 3 to 3 1/2 hours to get back down - and the rangers insist that we all stay together and make it back!! Anyway, I guess the next time I write, we will have made it "to the top" - can't begin to think how it will feel but we'll take lots of pictures and tell you all about it. Oh by the way, once we're back, we'll put the rest of our pictures on the website so you can see everything since Manchester at Labor Day.So tomorrow when it's sun-shining where you are, think of us in the sunshine at the summit of Mt Katahdin!!!Sarah and Donnie
Date: 2007-10-17
From: Mt Katahdin

To: The Summit
Miles today: 0.0

Morning note: We're off, up the hill! Evening Note: Well we made it to the top of Mt Katahdin today!!!!!! it was a GORGEOUS DAY - sunny, in the 50s, a perfect ending for our hike. There were 22 of us who actually hiked to the summit together - we made great time (around 3 1/2 hours) and got to the top with lots of time to spare - we stayed up there for over 2 hours - taking pictures and looking all around - we had a 360 degree view of all the mountains and it was so clear so we could see forever! It's hard to describe how we felt when we got to the top - relief, excitement, wonderment of what we're going to do next...so many emotions! But it was just such a great moment to realize we had actually made it! After much celebration, we started the climb down - and once we were back at Millinocket, it was hard to "come down" off the high of the day - now we have to start thinking about "heading home" (not sure how yet) and leaving our new friends - that's the hard part now. But to think that we've hiked from Georgia to Maine, survived and had such a great time! We're excited about seeing our families and all our "pre-hike" friends and getting back to work, school, finding a place to live, driving again!! So much to think about - but can't do it right now - too many thru-hikers to hang out with for a few more days! I'll catch up later...Sarah
Date: 2007-10-18
To: The Day After...
Miles today: 0.0

Didn't get much sleep last nite - too much excitement still going on - but today we managed to get up and hike a final 10 miles (the approach to Mt Katahdin) so we're done with all our hiking up here in Maine. We're working on a ride with other hikers to begin making our way south but plan to take Friday and Saturday to hang out at a thru-hiker's house that sleeps 30 people! Hopefully tonite we'll get some much needed sleep..
Date: 2007-10-20
To: The coast of Maine
Miles today: 0.0

On Friday we spent the day in Acadia National Park - it was beautiful and lots of fun to hang out with the other straggling thru-hikers, not quite ready to head home yet. We were on the coast of Maine - the fun part was cooking about 30 lobsters for a grand feast on Friday nite - we were all stuffed and happy campers! We're still with our friend Mr Hawkerman at his huge house - there are 20 of us still staying there. But we do have a plan for heading home...we're going to catch the bus in Portland and head to Bangor then we're going to catch the train and head down to Virginia - a great big thank you to Donnie's parents for sending us train tickets - we are really excited about taking the train - have no idea how long it will take or if we have a sleeper or what but it should be lots of fun! And we finally went into town to buy some clothes - the trail clothes had to go! So tonite's our last nite in Maine with the everyone heading out tomorrow. We'll keep you posted as we head south - we're planning to meet Donnie's grandpa Elwin in Virginia - so catch you later...and thanks again for all your fabulous support and encouragement the past 6 months or so - we couldn't have made it without you!
Date: 2007-10-22
To: Heading South
Miles today: 0.0

We're getting ready to board the bus in Bangor and head to Portland - later this afternoon we'll be getting on another bus to head from Portland to Boston - hopefully we'll be able to have dinner with some of our trail buddies - then we'll board the train tonite in Boston and ride to DC where we change trains again and head down to Virginia - should take til late tomorrow afternoon to get to Virginia - we have 30 miles to make up so we'll take two days this week to slack pack and really finish up the "entire" trail! Looking forward to riding the train - should be fun!! should be in North Carolina by the end of the week!! Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Date: 2007-10-23
To: Back in Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

We took the overnite train from Boston to DC - not as much fun as we expected - not much sleep! but Donnie's grandpa Elvin picked us up in DC and drove us to Waynesboro, Va - we'll be camping outside the YMCA and slack packing tomorrow, Thursday and Friday to make up the 40 miles we have left on the trail - then we'll be heading down to North Carolina...see you soon!
Date: 2007-10-24
To: Heading to NC
Miles today: 0.0

Well we hiked 10 of the 40 miles we had left on Wednesday - in the rain of course - pretty miserable - on Thursday, we found out that it was going to rain all day (Friday too) - will have to come back to Waynesboro later - just didn't want to hike in the rain rather than with the beautiful views in Va. So Donnie's grandpa drove us down to NC - we'll be hanging out with his Aunt Terry for a few days - helping her recover from keeping Parker and Rocky - we know she's ready for their "vacation" to be over! plus we need to get on track with jobs and school and seeing family and friends. I still need to close out my journal - especially relative to the day at the summit - will do that soon - in the meantime, we need to get our pictures on the website (since Labor Day) plus we're trying to get used to being "off the trail" - we'll be in touch...
Date: 2007-01-16
To: 48 Days And Counting
Miles today: 0.0

My first entry - wow. My typing skills aren't the greatest but here goes. I'll apologize before hand for spelling and gramatical mistakes. Luckily for me and you -my wife will be keeping my journal up to date while I'm on the trail. I've been in the planning process since September of 06 for my departure date of March 5th from Springer. I've had nothing on my mind but white blazes for months. My wife and I along with two friends hiked part of the Georgia section last Spring and it as been "Georgia" on my mind ever since. So technically, I have been secretly planning this trip since last Spring (don't tell my wife, haha). Seriously, she has given her blessing and is my biggest supporter.
Date: 2007-01-17
To: Still Counting
Miles today: 0.0

It is official I am unemployed. I'm not sure how I feel about that, kind of strange. Makes me feel more anxious to get on the trail and get moving. My co-workers think I'm crazy, well, I guess to them maybe I am. For a person who is unemployed, I've never worked so hard in my life. There is gear to order, test, shake down hikes, ounces to weigh and cut, menus to prepare, food to fix and try, schedules to make, mail drops to organize, books to read, web sites to search, maps to look over, etc., not to mention all the things that need to be done around the home before I leave.My wife and I are avid backpackers. We have quite an extensive collection of gear. We have learned from previous trips and especially doing the Georgia section, weight of the pack is everything. Now, it's a matter picking and choosing to get my pack at 30 - 35 lbs. I have ordered a new sleeping bag, trekking poles and rain gear but the rest is gear we've used before. Check out the gear section for more information.
Date: 2007-01-17
To: I'm Still Counting
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, they say three entries to get you up and running this is the third one. Let me tell you something about myself. You already know - I'm unemployed. I'm married to an awesome woman who goes by the trailname of "Paws", without her, I wouldn't have known the AT existed. Hiking the AT has always been a dream of hers but for now, we felt we were at a time and place where I could hike the AT for the both of us. Family and friends ask, "Why do you want to go off triapsing through the woods, sleeping on the hard, cold ground, eating nasty food, and fighting lord knows, what kinda critters and varmits?" My reply, "I have a fever, white blaze fever that is!" But honestly, it's more than that, it's about personal growth, challenging my self, testing my limits, getting to know what makes me tick, meeting people, experiencing nature up close and personal and it's an adventure of a LIFETIME! It's also about passion for the outdoors and the environment. My wife works for the Girl Scouts as an Outdoor Program Manager and is also the WV State Advocate for Leave No Trace, her passion for the outdoors and the environment is quite contagious and I have been infected. Through my journey I will be working with her to educate and enlighten youth on the benfits and importance of the AT to hopefully inspire them to become future advocates of the AT and other natural resources- aka "The Earth." Through my journal she will be sharing my trip but also facts, history, environmental news about the AT with youth. It should make for some interesting reading.
Date: 2007-01-19
To: Meeting Paws
Miles today: 0.0

Hi I'm Flint's wife and I'll be keeping you posted while he is on his grand adventure. It's my goal to post everyday if possible, although at times it may not be, because of the nature of my own job I may be in the middle of nowhere myself, in that case I may have a proxy updating for me, anyways I'll do my best to keep all of our friends, family and strangers updated and spread some AT history, lore, culture and cool facts and fun.We live on a big old couple hundred acre farm and we are actually sleeping out tonight with the cows along with three great dogs. I noticed a lot folks talk about hiking here and there for prep hikes. Not poor Flint, he just hikes the hills and hollows of our farm up and down, up and down, not that it isn't a good work out because it is, we have some pretty good elevation changes, rock scrambles, waterfalls, water crossings, swamp areas, cliffs, steep gas lines - he has been concentrating on that area, he calls that climb "the calf burner", lots of cow patties too - he says he has developed a one foot jumping dodging technique that may actually help him when it comes to hopping stream crossings, and the best part he is never alone - he usually has a cow or two some where in view. Flint received his new sleeping bag and he wants to test it in his trusty old Hennessey hammack tent (it is supposed to get to 20 degrees tonight w/ 15/20 mph winds, possible snow and with such a mild winter he wants to take advantage of it asap). We just might do a hike on the Allegheny Trail for the first week in February - we do a get away every year (14th annual) at our family cabin in Pocahontas county, we are thinking about splitting the time half on the trail and half at the cabin with our family and friends. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for reading, hope I made you smile. Life is about laughter.Paws
Date: 2007-01-20
To: Keeping You Updated
Miles today: 0.0

Hi It's Paws again, as I was completing my journal entry I learned that the cows got out and decided to visit a neighbors farm - the family had already began the task of rounding them up. So at last count they were all spoken for.I also went and read some other trail journals and was happy and sad to see Just Jim was back - happy to see him back but sad to learn he is feeling under the weather. We followed his 2006 journal and was touched by his dedication to homeless veterans. He hopes to start Springer again around the first of March if his health will allow. We want to wish him all the best. More about Flint; he has diabetes and has to watch his diet. He takes two pills a day. Planning his menus has been a challenge. We are still working out the kinks. If anyone out there has any suggestions drop us a message we would appreciate it. Flint is currently out on the ridge setting up his hammack tent - he said he would be back in about an hour. We are going to try and down load some photos this evening and work on some menu items before he heads back out to the ridge for the night.
Date: 2007-01-20
To: The AT Sate by State
Miles today: 0.0

The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is a 2,174-mile long footpath stretching through 14 eastern states. Depending on which way you're going the trail could begin or end at the southern most terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia or the northern terminus at Mt. Katahdin, Maine. The mileage of the AT changes from time to time due to trail relocation projections. The At was conceived in 1921 and first completed in 1937, it traverses the wild, scenic, wooded, and culturally significant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. The AT is part of the National Park Service and is known as the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. State by StateGeorgia (75.2 miles)North Carolina (87.7 miles)North Carolina/Tennessee Borders (293 miles) the trail meanders between the two states.Virginia (546.7 miles)20 miles of trail run along the borders of (southern)West Virginia and Virginia. One-fourth of the AT lies in Virginia. Shenandoah National Park claims 107 miles of the AT and the AT will cross the infamous Sky Line Drive 32 times.West Virginia (7 miles) and is the home of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at Harper's FerryMaryland (40.9 miles)Pennsylvania (229.3 miles)New Jersey (72.4 miles)New York (88.2 miles)Connecticut (51.6 miles)Massachusetts (90.2)Vermont (149.8 miles)New Hampshire (161 miles)Maine (282 miles)
Date: 2007-01-21
To: Hanging Around
Miles today: 0.0

Last night wasn't bad - the new bag worked well. The old sleeping pad has to go. I haven't got my new one yet. The temperature got down to around 26 degrees w/ wind chill around 22 degrees. My legs were the first to feel it about 4:00 am this morning. That's one thing about a hammock tent, you need the right type of insulation around your back side or it could make for a cold night of sleeping. Once I get the new pad, I'll keep you posted.This evening we worked on menus. The wife and I usually repackage and prepare most of our food in freezer ziplock bags - that way we don't dirty our cooking pot and we have less clean up and trash. We aren't big fans of ramen noodles, so we decided to dress them up a bit. They turned out pretty darn good. We took two packages of chicken flavored ramen - removed the chicken flavored packets. Placed the two hunky squares of ramen noodles in a quart size freezer ziplock bag, crumbled them a bit, then added a Lipton onion/mushroom soup mix envelope and two cups of boiling water and let it set for 6 minutes or so. They were tasty. Next, we took 2/3 of a cup of the Idaho Baby Red instant potatos and added one of the flavor packets from the ramen noodles and added 1 cup boiling water, let it stand for 3 minutes and it turned out pretty good too. Anyways, we are just going to keep experimenting to see what works and what my taste buds like.
Date: 2007-01-21
To: Interesting
Miles today: 0.0

I found this interesting, we called to make a reservation at Amicalola SP Lodge for my departure, and could not get a room at the lodge, although we were able to get in at the cottages. We were told it was because they were going to be filming a movie at that time. The clerk explained to us it was Bill Bryson's "A Walk In The Woods", she was not sure if the production of the movie was on schedule or not. We searched the internet to find out more info but the search came up empty. Just thought we would pass on this bit of interesting information.
Date: 2007-01-21
To: Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Miles today: 0.0

We visited the ATC at Harper's Ferry in December of 06, when my wife had to attend a meeting in DC. We just happened to arrive on the day and time of their Christmas party, they were all awesome and great folks. They took the time to talk with us and to share their knowledge and experience about the AT. Thanks Laurie and John. The ATC is a volunteer based, private nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the 2,175 mile long AT, which works in partnership with the National Park Service.
Date: 2007-01-21
To: Where on the AT?
Miles today: 0.0

We are trying to creating excitement and enthusiasm with the AT in our youth. Our seven year old granddaughter came up with this idea and we thought others may enjoy it. From time to time throughout my journey Paws will be listing a place with information and facts, you have to figure out the state in which this place is located. Here is the first one -Blood Mountain - legends describe a terrible battle between native American tribes, the Creeks and Cherokee; during the raging battle the mountain ran red with blood. A Cherokee legends also tells of the Yunwee Chuns Dee (little folks) who dwelled in caves and made "magical music" heard on the mountain.
Date: 2007-01-23
To: Plans and Prep
Miles today: 0.0

40 days and counting until departure. It seems everytime I think I have formulated a good plan (packing list, equipment, finances, distances, safety, shelter, water, etc.) Paws comes up with a new what if question. Which is kind of what she does for a living, she just does it on a bigger scale with more people, who are smaller, who don't eat as much, who understand the cat hole concept but are freaked out by it, who are just learning that a spider in their tent does not constitute an emergency at 2:00 am. We've spent many grueling hours scouring through the pages of the Thru-Hiker's Companion and Data Book for 07 - working out possible mail drops. We were originally set on doing mail drops about every two weeks or so. After Paw's "what if" questions and viewing the DVD "How To Hike the AT" and reading some other journals etc., I may have changed my mind on the subject. Perhaps doing one initial mail drop and then I'll call Paws for additional mail drops when needed. I'm also trying to work out a very flexible schedule to give Paws an approximate location of my whereabouts on the trail. She and her posse will join me from time to time. When we came across our next dilemma, which is going to Trail Days in Damascus. Paws and posse will be meeting up with me about that time to get in some hiking so it would all depend on where I am on the trail. We have never been to Trail Days but have heard mixed comments about it. I guess we will have to play that by ear too.