morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Danburry, CT

To: View Entry
Miles today: 132.2

Well Justin is now in Connecticut with two more states under his belt! He was arriving in CT yesterday,Tuesday, June 8th. He had some familiar faces visit him the past few days. Saturday 3 of his buddies, Kenny, John, and Brandon, met up with him for a few hours- I am not sure exactly where. Their visit came to an end right before a big storm came through. Being out on the trail now, he has a good sense of when a storm is going to hit. His friends didn't believe him when they said they had about 30 minutes to get out of there and were taking their time. Finally Justin starting grabbing everything and just in time they got out before a really bad storm hit. He also told me him and Athos witnessed an amazing light show which was great because they didn't get struck by lighting; I would have to agree! His mom picked him up from Pawling, NY on Monday night and stayed in a hotel in Danburry, CT (that was the closest hotel). Terry, his mom, was kind enough to put up a few of the other hikers Justin was with- Athos, Sock Burn-who apparently Justin had just run into, Moonpie, and I think there was one more. When I spoke to Terry last night she said that Justin was planning on hiking until he hit the CT border by foot, she had dropped him back off in NY, to get one more state over with. When I had spoken with him a few days ago I asked him to rate his favorite and least favorite state. The least favorite went to PA. It was suppose to be very rocky, but he didn't agree; he felt it was just not well maintained and there was only one 'good' view that wasn't all that great. Suprisingly New Jersey was very pretty with some great views- who would've thought! The winner, as of now, is Virginia and probably because he saw so much there. The southern states were nice, but because of the snow there is no way they are getting his top pick!With the end not too far off, I also asked him how he felt about getting off. He said that in a way he didn't want it to end, but he is really getting tired of the food. He cannot wait to eat real food again, especially fruits and vegetables. Only about 7 weeks left and around 700 miles to go!
Date: 2010-06-17
From: North Adams, MA

To: Killington, VT
Miles today: 126.5

Justin was just under 600 miles in North Adams, MA yesterday Wednesday, June 16th. He stayed in Dalton, MA on Tuesday night at a guys house, a trail angel (a guy who just lets hikers stay in his house- kind of like a hostel but doesn't want to deal with the business aspect of it), who drove him, Cake On, and Mellow Yellow up to North Adams. They then walked the 24miles back to Dalton (south) to stay again last night. It was his first time walking with a slack pack and he enjoyed walking without as much weight. Today they are heading back to North Adams and will continue on. He will either be entering Vermont tonight or staying just outside of it and will hit his next state in the morning. He has been doing really well, although not loving the rainy weather they've been getting. He has met back up with a lot of the people he first started off with- Mellow Yellow, Sock Burn, 12%, etc. Sock Burn had to return to Germany so they celebrated his last day and his 21st birthday on Sunday night. He was excited to hit the 600 mile mark, but is really looking forward to getting to 500. The climbs are starting to get big again and his daily mileage will start slowing down within the next few days. This morning he was going to head into town and get rid of some of his 'luxury' items- his chair, radio, crocks, pillow, etc. His pack would drop about 10 pounds. With the steeper climbs and downhills, it puts a lot of strain on his knees so he wants to see if lightening his pack weight helps. If not, he plans on adding them back in Killington becuase well who wouldn't want their 'luxury' items if at all possible!I will try to get some good stories the next time to share; our timing hasn't been great lately. If anyone wants to write in his guest book, I will print them out and send them in a package I am sending out tomorrow- Friday, June 18th. Melissa- I just got your message today and will make sure he gets it! Hopefully the rain holds out and the weather stays nice for him!
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Killington, VT

To: View Entry
Miles today: 136.2

Justin has less than 500 miles to go! He had 460 as of this morning and was very excited about it. He got to Killington Mountain yesterday and went into Rutland to resupply. They were planning on going back to the trail, but were told a big storm was about to hit so they decided to stay the night. He was a little upset, because the storm didn't happen until later at night and was still going this morning. Around noon they were finally heading back to the trail and planning to do about 20 miles.Yesterday on Killington he took yet another wrong turn and ended up on one of the ski slopes! He has really been enjoying being back in the mountains and seeing great views again. On the day when he hit 500 mile remaining he saw an amazing sunset, I don't remember the exact place-sorry! Not only was it a great experience to see an amazing sunset, but he recalled seeing the sunrise on Clingmans Dome the day that he hit 500 miles in the beginning- pretty cool I thought as well. He forged his first river the other day- it was only for about 10 steps and the water went up to his knees. They had been hearing bad things about it, but luckily it ended up being nothing at all. Only about 5 weeks lefts to go! Keep praying for good weather and a safe ending!!
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Hanover, NH

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 18.2

Quick update for you. Justin is in Hanover, NH- yes he has completed another state! He has had to take it easy the past couple of days, not totally by choice but more because he had been lazy. He bounced a few of his packages up without looking at the miles. He bounced them to Glencliff where he would have been arriving on Sunday and as we all know the Post Office is not open on Sunday. It was probably a blessing in disguise, because it forced him to slow down a little and give his body some rest before he hits the Whites!Today he was trying to kill some time in Hanover where he ran into a student at Dartmouth College who invited him into his fraternity house to hang out. He was going to take advantage of running water and take a shower while getting the change to enjoy some non-hikers company. Its amazing to hear that there are still nice people out there, some of whom you might not expect.Oh yes- one more quick story. The other day Justin was walking along and noticed a gray dot moving pretty fast in the distance. When it got closer he noticed it was a Coyotte running very close too him. Luckily nothing happened but at the time it doesn't sound like it was too much fun. I should be back in a few days with some more updates!
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Glencliff, NH

To: View Entry
Miles today: 68.5

Justin is in the Whites! He arrived in Glencliff on Monday, June 28th.He was with Gandolph, Beans and Shadow Fox (a dog) and they were fortunate to have a house to sleep in the past few nights. Parker, a section hiker they met down south a few months back lives right outside of Lincoln. They stayed with him Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night. Tuesday he dropped them off about 26 miles north for them to do a slackpack. It was a difficult section- gains and loses of 7-8,000. They made it just as it was starting to get dark which was good. Yesterday, Wednesday, they took a much deserved zero day. In the next section of the trail you have to pay to camp at most places and camping just anywhere is not really allowed/a good idea to do. So with getting a late start yesterday, they decided just to take it easy. It was a good thing they did, because today when I talked to Jusin he was saying that had they left yesterday they would have been on Mt. Washington. He heard that the temperatures were in the 30's, it was snowing and hailing, and there were some pretty strong winds on the top too. Hopefully when they get there tomorrow it will be better as the forecast the rest of the week is in their favor.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Maine Border!

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 93.3
Weather: clear sky

Justin has JUST entered into Maine with 280 miles left! I spoke with him briefly this morning as he was on Mount Success and then just received a text that he reached Maine. I cannot believe how far he has come in such a short amount of time.The weather has been pretty brutal lately. The valleys have been really hot and have slowed him down a little. Yesterday he stopped to take a break from the heat and nap in a shelter when he woke 2 and a half laters to a boy scout troop! The other day on top of Mount Washington, however, it was the complete opposite. Temperatures were in the 30s, it was hailing and extremely windy-scary to say the least. He said that people aren't kidding when they say to expect anything. He's been enjoying the amazing views, especially the ridge lines on the Presidentials. He tried waking to see a sun rise, but with the humidity and clouds it was not clear enough. Unexpectantly Athos caught up with him yesterday after having one night alone, the guys he had been with decided to take a zero day. Only 280 miles and 3 weeks! Let's hope and pray for a fun and safe ending!!
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Rangeley, ME

To: View Entry
Miles today: 80.3

Justin was heading back to the trail this morning after taking a zero day yesterday, Tuesday July 13th. He got into Rangeley on Monday and stayed the night at a hostel. When he woke yesterday to a rainy day, he decided to stick around. Being that he does not have much more to go, about 200 miles in 2 weeks, he is able to not have to walk in the rain when he doesn't want to! He was able to relax and did a little kayaking when the rain stopped last night. The place he stayed was Gull Lodge or something similiar- he didn't know the exact name himself. Only two weeks, give or take a day depending on my schedule, and Justin will be finished the AT! I will keep everyone posted on exact details and anything else he reports in the mean time.
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Monson

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 85.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Justin is heading into the 100 mile Wilderness with one week to go! He got into Monson on Sunday night and decided to zero there yesterday since there were some pretty bad storms and he had time to kill. The place he was staying at The Lakeshore House which not only had lodging, but a laundromat and a pub-it was like a mini town all in one. Not much else to report in. He has mentioned a few times how its funny to meet the southbound hikers who are just starting off and how different their views are on what a hard day is. He is trying to be more aware when they ask how the terrain ahead will be, because what he thinks is easy may not be for them and may take longer. I will be summiting with Justin on Thursday, July 29th. Depending on the weater and if he gets up there earlier, he may also summit before I get there. I will be getting into Millinocket on Wednesday and we will be staying at the White House Landing. Heading into the 100 Mile Wilderness he may not have reception until I see him so the next post may be from Justin, Camp Chair, himself after he has finished!
Date: 2010-01-31
To: January Conditioning
Miles today: 0.0

As I write this, I am deep in winter of February 2017. My 2010 AT Journal sits before me in handwritten form and has never been included in my on-line journals. I am dreaming of my 2017 May Section Hike through NJ, NY, CT, and MA with great anticipation. But it is time to insert this missing year into my AT journal.The conditioning for 2010 along with the gear preparation details are but a memory now with no written record of what I exactly did. I recall there being very little gear modifications except for a beautiful new very expensive raincoat being added LOL. Dave and I began to explore much more of the Ice Age Trail for practice hikes. I do vividly recall a 3 mile practice hike being a big deal back then. There was so much to learn yet about how to prepare for this properly. I did start a cardio, weight bearing, ankle strengthening, knee conditioning type set of daily exercises. But no where near enough to help me properly tackle the monster mountains I was going to have to hike. But then the best way to learn is to try and so the conditioning began, at first with no additional weight.
Date: 2010-02-21
To: February Conditioning
Miles today: 0.0

By February I was carrying a small backpack with 10 lbs in it. Dave and I began to explore other trails near home other than the Ice Age Trail. I was familiar with the horse trails in the Kettle Moraine State Park system, but we had never hiked any of the trails in the Mukwonago, Fox River lowlands of the Vernon Marsh. The Marsh east of Hwy 83 and north of Mukwonago has river channels laid out in a huge grid. Dave and I have never figure out why. During February, we had a foster dog named Willie along with our two dogs Sandy and Bandit. One day, we decided to hike this grid area in the swam. As seen in the photo, there was a decent snow covering and much of the snow covered the channels. Though we tried to stay on what appeared to be proper paths, Bandit wandered too far out on a patch of ice, fell in and was unable to pull himself back up on solid ground. Fearing for his safety, Dave approached Bandit to grab his collar and pull him back up. Unfortunately, Dave was standing on ice over water and he too dropped down into waist deep water. With things much more serious now, getting Dave out of the water became the priority. He was able to climb back onto the path on his own at which time we notice Bandit was on the path as well. We were a good 1/2 hour from our vehicle, it was in the 20s and Dave was soaked. So we immediately had him walk at a brisk pace (hard to do in wet jeans) back in the direction of the car. So long as he was moving he should stay off hypothermia. Once at the car, he stripped and we put him in the front seat with the heater on full. He was very lucky that day that we weren't much further than that from the car. We no longer hike the grid area.
Date: 2010-03-14
To: March Conditioning
Miles today: 0.0

In March, I was up to carrying an 18 lb pack. This little pack was getting too heavy for a pack that sits on your shoulders but I hadn't yet graduated to using my full 5 lb pack. Yes, at that time I carried a 5 lb, 75 liter pack that has since been replaced with a much lighter one. Our practice hikes were becoming more frequent, 4-5 times a week and Dave would join us for 1-2 of those. In the Scuppernong section of the Ice Age Trail, Dave and I adopted a bench in a favorite stretch. Many moraines and kettles had to be negotiated to arrive at this bench and it made for a great elevation practice hike for the day. To this day, we still refer to The Bench as though it were ours.
Date: 2010-05-05
To: Travel Day to Newport, TN
Miles today: 0.0

We rose at 4 a.m. at our home in Wisconsin and hit the road. Getting through Chicago with morning rush hour traffic is always a picnic. Best to get through as early as possible. We traveled to Tennesee in Aunt Janet and Uncle Al's Trailblazer towing their covered trailer that contained their motorcycle. They liked to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway while Shawn and I hiked. As no one else liked to drive through Chicago especially with a trailer, I was enlisted for driving duty. We arrived at the hotel in Newport, TN around 7 p.m., got dinner, and settled into our room. Shawn and I did the gear shuffle and repack dance and then we all hit the rack.
Date: 2010-05-06
From: I-40

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 10.6

Day 1. We got dropped off on the AT at I-40 just north of Davenport Gap at 9:00 a.m. We headed NoBo and up we went, straight up, 3100' straight up! Wowser! Beautiful day, mid to high 70's. There were lots of young hikers and two older gentlemen hikers in our bubble. After 7.7 miles, we arrived at Ground Hog Creek Shelter around 2:30 p.m. We'd planned to spend the night here and were surprised to arrive so early. So we headed onto Brown Gap to spend the night at the campsite there. The elevation maps showed it was a 700' climb up. It was a three mile hike and it shouldn't have been a bad climb but we were exhausted from the 3100' climb and this being our first day out. Very hard climb for the end of the day. It wasn't the best campsite, but it has a great water source and it was a beautiful night. The two older gentlemen were thru-hikers and they also spent the night at the campsite.Aviation Tower was cool with stunning views at the top of Snowbird Mountain. We found lots of workers working there, clear cutting brush.
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Brown Gap

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 2. We woke early and back on the trail by 8:00 a.m. It was another hard climb, this time up to Max Patch Bald. Temps climbed into the 80's. Max Patch was beautiful!!! Today was the day that my oldest son Michael was to have some very serious surgery done on his left arm. This was from a deep cut he'd gotten from a plate glass window. The surgery was required for him to regain his mobility in that arm. Being that he was working on a Graphics Art degree, use of that arm was critical. On top of Max Patch, I got a text message that Mike's surgery went perfect!!! A memory I will never forget, being on such a beautiful Bald and getting such great news. More text messages came in, our neighbor Tamara had sold her farm across the street and Dave and put a large deposit in our plumbing business bank account. It was a GOOD day! Cell phone service via AT&T is terrible on the AT and I couldn't get AT&T to let us call out, so I couldn't talk to anyone about all the great news! :-(We stopped at Roaring Fork Shelter for lunch. Lots of day hikers there. A little boy was there to greet us. Lots of warnings about bears at this shelter. A thru-hiker was sleeping on top of the picnic table with his mosquito net over his face.It was a very hot hike to Lemon Gap and then climb to Walnut Mountain Shelter. I attempted to count out the tenths of miles in my head as I hiked along wishing the shelter was around each next bend in the trail. It seemed to take forever to arrive. It was a very small shelter and the two older hikers were already here too. They had staked out space in the tight shelter. Shawn and I setup my three man tent. As night fell, you could see city lights off to the west. Man, we were up high!Overnight there was a terrible rain and wind storm. I couldn't sleep for fear of bears after seeing all the bear warnings at Roaring Fork Shelter. In the early morning hours, Shawn and I lay awake listening to the wind howl up the west side of the mountain and rush over the top of ridge we were on. The wind was so strong it would blend the tent poles and tent all the way over across my chest and then pop back up with each gust of wind. It was amazing to watch how the design of the tent was to work this way.We began that night with the rain-fly not on the tent because the night sky had been so beautiful. We had to jump outside in the middle of the night in our PJs and throw it over the tent via headlamps as the storm rolled in.
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 3. Rose to rain so we stalled before leaving hoping it would stop. When it finally did, we packed up the wet tent and all gear without eating any breakfast and headed to Bluff Mountain. It was too cold and windy to make breakfast, best to get moving and eat at the first resting place. When we stopped, Shawn at 3 oatmeal packets with cold water and I ate several granola bars. It was a good lesson in a HOT breakfast was worth the extra effort.Just like last year, I once again had trouble with my feet hurting. Especially when I hiked downhill. I was not fully enlightened as to why they hurt but I'd researched the issue enough to know that soaking my feet in cold water sometime during the day would be beneficial. I was later to learn that this was because my boots were too small and when my feet would finally swell from the gruelling activity, the boots became too small and too tight. Cold water took down the swelling. Bigger boots in 2011 solved the problem but to this day, I like to soak my feet at least once during the day in a cold stream. Does wonders for the health of my feet.We stopped at for a great break at Garneflo Gap. Sat in the sun, looked over maps, snacked, took lots of great pictures. Next stop was Deer Park Mountain Shelter, but I didn't go to the shelter but went straight to the spring and soaked my feet. It was a long downhill into Hot Springs, especially with those tight boots. It was our first trail town on the AT! Shawn arrived in town 40 minutes ahead of me and located Aunt Janet and Uncle Al on Main Street. They'd acquired us a lovely cottage a block off Main Street. We got showers, dinner, and dried out all our wet gear. I was also starting to have trouble with my knees. We planned to check out the Outfitters in the morning so I'd be looking for some knee braces. Downhill is so much harder on the body than uphill!
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Allen Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

Day 4. I understand this is called slack packing. We bought lighter & smaller backpacks at the Outfitters and hiked the next section backwards (SoBo) into Hot Springs. While at the Outfitters, I invested in a Cho-Pat knee brace for my right knee.We had an awesome breakfast in town with Uncle Al and Aunt Janet and then they drove us out to Allen Gap on NC 208. We had an awesome time at the Rich Mountain Fire Tower. It was so wonderful that we hung there in the bright sunshine way too long. This put us back late into town. Uncle Al walked a mile on the trail from town NoBo up the AT towards Lovers Leap Rock to meet us. There were lots of rocks on the hike back down into town. The beautiful French Broad River runs through Hot Springs and the AT follows it for a good stretch. There is a lot of canoeing, kayaking, and rafting on this river.We rolled into town and dinner 15 minutes before the restaurant next door to the cottage closed. We sat at the bar as we ate and watched the season finale of The Amazing Race. The Cowboys came in 2nd! Rats!