morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-25
From: Maine 15, Monson ME

To: Maine 15, Monson ME
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day. Went swimming in the lake behind the Lakeshore house. Hit my toe on the boating dock and split my toe nail in half. Used antibiotics on it and hopefully it will be good enough to hike on by Monday. Trips and Hippity Hop showed up and we hung out by the dock. Looks like they are going to take a zero and will head out on Monday as well. It's about time they caught up with me!
Date: 2012-08-26
From: Maine 15, Monson ME

To: Maine 15, Monson ME
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day. Good news, Johnny Walker has caught back up with me! Today, hung out, went swimming, and ate a lot. Met a local that took us to a swimming hole that included an over 30 plus footer rock to jump off of.  I Didn't do it. Couldn't risk anymore unnecessary injuries!  Toe is healing good.
Date: 2012-08-27
From: Maine 15, Monson ME

To: Maine 15, Monson ME
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day. Just chilled today and hung out by the boat dock most of the time. Day ended with card games. Getting really anxious to climb Katadin! Tomorrow, we'll be wet but the rest of the week looks good. I'm anticipating finishing before Sep. 7th even though I've slowed down. I'm so glad that I did the trail starting from GA because ME has been pretty sweet and climbing Katadin will be icing on the cake! Will probably stay in Millinockett for a couple of days until Amanda and the kids arrive. Can't believe the journey is almost over and that I've hiked all the way to Maine. Looks like I'll be finishing with Trips Alot and some other good friends that I've met or hiked with along the way. IHope the 100 mile wilderness is ready...because here comes HOT SHOT!
Date: 2012-08-28
From: Maine 15, Monson ME

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

First day in the 100 mile wilderness! Got dropped off at the trailhead and hiked close to 10 miles to the Wilson Valley Lean-to.  Trail was not difficult but was muddy and rockswere wet from the rain last night. Planned on going to the shelter 4 miles further but had a change of plans. On the last ford, right before I started to cross, I slipped on a wet rock and had a pretty hard fall. Left knee is swolen! I hope it's OK. Will find out tomorrow how bad it is...
Date: 2012-08-29
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Got going this morning around 8:00am.  Knee was stiff but loosened up quickly and soon I was in a groove.  Guess it's just a bad bruise...thank goodness! I was nervous that I really messed up my knee.  Lots of rocks and roots today but I'm very used to it by now.  Banged my other knee on another rock today. Got to quit all that mess. Total miles hiked close to 16. Destination was Chairback Gap Lean-to. Been really cold at nights lately. Good thing I still got my cold gear!  Nice views from Third Mtn, Monument Cliff.
Date: 2012-08-30
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Carl A. NewHart Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9

Hiked around 10 miles to the Carl A. NewHart Lean-to.  Great views from Chairback Mtn which was at the beginning of the hike today.  Got to the lean-to pretty early but decided to chill and do a longer day tomorrow.  I have 78 miles to go and 8 days to do it.  It's been me, Trips, Caveman, and his little brother since the start of the 100 mile wilderness.  They would be cool to summit with.   Chipmunks here at this Shelter are  pretty aggressive.  Rocks don't phase them...they keep coming back for more!
Date: 2012-08-31
From: Carl A. NewHart Lean-to

To: Crawford Pond
Miles today: 16.6

Hit the trail near 8:00am. Lots of strong winds most of last night and this morning made sleeping difficult.  Hiked close to 17 miles to a beach on Crawford Pond. This is the place in ME that I've pictured in my head before I even started the trail.  I knew ME would be gorgeous and I always imagined hiking down from the trail to a amazing clear lake in the middle of nowhere and here I am camping at the place pictured in my head...WOW!!  UNBELIEVABLE!!
Date: 2012-09-01
From: Crawford Pond

To: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up and went down to the beach for final picture. Then packed up and took off.  Saw Katahdin from a shoreline view at Pemadumcook Lake.  It was an awesome sight and it  made me want to get there sooner.  Took the side trail to the White's Landing Hostel.  Wanted to get a burger with my small resupply but the guy there said "no burger" unless we were staying. That wasn't cool so we jetted after resupplying.  Ended up hiking 18 miles to another cool camping spot in ME...the Nahmakanta Stream Campsite.  ME is by far the coolest and my most favorite state on the trail!
Date: 2012-09-02
From: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

Woke up this morning to Coffee!  A couple who stayed here, got the campfire going and offered Trips and Me some coffee.  It was nice warming up by the fire before getting the day started! Their names were Scott and Lisa...trail angels!  Afterwards, we hiked around 14 miles to the Rainbow Stream Lean-to. Great weather with several good stopping points, views, and beaches.  Trail was pretty easy.  Only 30 miles to go!  Going to miss the Wilderness!  Would definitely do it again one day...my favorite part of the AT!
Date: 2012-09-03
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Golden Rd, Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

Great Campsites in the Wilderness!  Was very cold this morning but my routine is still the same which is to put on my cold gear while slowly getting out of my sleeping bag, eat breakfast, finally break everything down and wait on Trips.  We hiked 15 miles to the Golden Rd, Abol Bridge, West Branch/Penobscot River. Trail was nice and weather felt like Autumn.  Perfect hiking conditions.  When we got to the Golden Rd., there was a bag of trail magic with Trips and my name on it. It was from Scott and Lisa, trail angels that we met a couple of days ago at a campsite in the Wilderness...Awesome!  It's really cool when people understand what we've been through and want to give which makes a huge difference! Got Another great view of Katahdin when I crossed Abol Bridge! Afterwards, ate at the Restaurant/Gas Station and camped at Lean-to right by the river.
Date: 2012-09-04
From: Golden Rd, Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground, The Birches
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Entered Baxter State Park and hiked close to 10 miles to the Katahdin Stream Campground. Trail had a few hills, roots, and rocks. Seems like Maine had all the different type of terrains combined...like a test I had to pass before I climb Katahdin. It wasn't very difficult and several times I was doing over 4 miles an hour just to make sure I still could. We stopped a few times today to enjoy the final stretch before climbing Mt. Katahdin. At one stop, we went swimming at the Big Niagra Falls and hung out on the rocks for over an hour. Got a shuttle ride to the Hostel in Millinocket. Tomorrow the forecast is rain 70% so we decided to take a zero and summit on Thursday. Going to be an exciting finish and I'm glad my body is back to 100%. Can't wait to see Amanda and the kids on Friday!
Date: 2012-09-05
From: Katahdin Stream Campground, The Birches

To: Katahdin Stream Campground, The Birches
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Zero day. Relaxed today and prepared for the Big K tomorrow. Can't believe this is it! Wow, what an experience! I'm so blessed to have had this opportunity and the health to hike the Appalachian Trail. I'm glad I took the time to journal every moment so I will never forget all the cool things, all the cool people, and all the cool places I've seen or met. The bumps, bruises, pains, and sorenesses will be worth it after tomorrow! Going to miss it all!
Date: 2012-09-06
From: Katahdin Stream Campground, The Birches

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Couldn't sleep at all last night! Kept on looking at my watch and the time went by so slow. Finally got up and took a hot shower. The owner (Paul) of the Hostel dropped us off at the ranger station in the Katahdin Stream campground and I took off! It took me two and a half hours to summit. Waited over an hour for Caveman and his brother to get there for a picture of all of us together then headed back down. Took me and Trips less than 5 hours to complete the hike...less than 6 hours if I include the time we waited on Caveman. As soon as I summitted, I gave a big yell. I was pumped and felt like I was standing on top of the world! Being there on the top of Mt. Katahdin with my friends was special. I said a prayer and gave all the glory to God! Without God, I have no strength. He protected me, kept me safe, and guided my every step. It's finished and I look foward to spending quality time with my family. Still in disbelief that I hiked 2184 miles. I did it! I wonder how long it will take for me to walk normal again (without the hiker Gimp Limp) after I get back...
Date: 2012-01-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Upon further analysis of the everglades trip I decided that a major gear adjustment was in order. I used my ancient 10 year old Sierra Designs clip flashlight CD tent and just wasn't pleased with it. It was cramped and the zipper constantly was giving me trouble and snagging. But it is a solid tent and kept the bugs off me. Although a racoon almost fell on my head one night. He slipped off my cooler which was up against the vestibule and he fell onto the vestibule where my head was.So if I'm going to hike some more of the AT then a new tent is something I will be getting for sure.
Date: 2012-02-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The decision has been made. I will be heading out to the AT in May and will walk another section of trail. This time things will be a bit different though. On this hike I will not have any guidelines or goals. I will get out there and start walking and will go until I feel like heading back home.   That way I can take my time and do it at my own pace.It's nice being freshly retired with no time constraints.
Date: 2012-04-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Final details for the hike are coming together nicely. Yesterday I contacted Great Smoky National Park to acquire a backcountry permit because I still need to do the section between Newfound Gap and Davenport Gap. After this section, I will jump to Erwin and take up where I left off last time. And hike North until I feel like stopping. Traildays in Damascus seems to be perfect timing for this hike. Since my truck will be along the route of the hike, I have the option to drive to Damascus for Traildays. Then I can leave my truck in Damascus and shuttle back to the section of trail I left off. It just kind of worked out that way. Unfortunately my son isn't able to join me this year so I guess I don't have to worry about keeping up with him I've done a lot of switching up of gear since going on another everglades camping trip last month. A larger 2 person Big Agnes copper spur UL2 will be my tent even though it's about a pound heavier. The option to switch back to the 1 person tent is there if the extra weight bothers me.   I also figured out a better way to cook the veggie burgers without having to carry the jetboil fry pan which is too heavy. The smart phone is an incredible piece of electronics. Instead of a camera, a smart phone with 2 extra batteries and large capacity data card are a more efficient option. Besides being a phone, it stores many documents and important information on it with some of the cool apps that are out there (Inkpad). Plus it has a kindle app so the option of reading is available which is a nice luxury while camping. The GPS is an additional feature that probably won't be utilized but it's there if needed. The key to using a smart phone hiking is to put it into airplane mode so it won't drain the battery in remote areas with no signal. Because if you turn off a smart phone in an area with no signal, it will still drain it's power looking for a signal. I found this out the hard way in the everglades. The phone will be stored my kayak phone pouch which is waterproof. I also figured out how to upload journal entries and pictures with the phone. Technology has sure changed since my last hike.The first couple weeks of this hike I plan on taking it slow and easy. I'm in no hurry.
Date: 2012-05-03
From: Gatlinburg

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

On my way to Gatlinburg. Everything packed and ready to go. Before walking out the door I noticed a note attached to my pack from my wife. Here is my prayer for you:I pray that:Your Steps will be light and comfortableYour pack will feel like a featherThe forest will offer up all its secrets to youThe weather is perfect for hikingThe rain holds off until you are safely in a hotel somewhereYour food is delicious and fillingWater is plentiful and cleanThe animals view you as a friend and stop to say "hello"You always find a perfect spot for your tentYour body feels invigorated and strongYour mind is peaceful and open to the thoughts and words of the spiritsAnd most of all:I pray that you come home safe and sound TO ME!All my LoveMrs. Hotfoot------------And this is why I call my self the lucky guy
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Leaving Newfound gap in a nice mist was a great way to start the hike. Even with the busload of teenagers that scrambled up the trail with me the first tenth of a mile laughing and screaming the entire way. After about 15 minutes silence resumed and I passsed a number of people day hiking .The plan was to stop at Icewater gap because I didn't know when I would be able to start the day. I originally had reservations but after stopping in at Sugarlands backcountry office, was told that I could retain my thru hiker status so I wouldn't need reservations. That was good news as I could go whereever I wanted depending how I felt. And so the first day I pushed on to the next shelter which was Pecks Corner. The first 5 miles was pretty decent but after that my knees started talking to me. The last 2 miles were complete agony but was expected. It will take a few weeks to get the hiker legs back.Stopped in at Icewater shelter and talked with a trail maintainer who has been out there for a few weeks working on the trail. He was an older guy ... probably late 60's or 70's and was busting rocks with a sledge hammer. The first night sleeping in a shelter .... well ... I didn't sleep well at all. It was completely packed and my new sleeping pad just didn't cut it. I thought about getting up and setting up my tent in the night but eventually fell asleep. Met some nice people at the shelter. Tugboat was just getting back on the trail after 5 days off nursing a bad ankle. All in all, a great first day on the trail.
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Tri Corner Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

After getting packed up, a downpour opened up. A good reason to spend a little more time organizing my gear. After about a half hour it turned into a light rain so I headed out. As I felt a hotspot on my left foot and the sore knees, I decided to make a shorter day than yesterday. I enjoyed hiking with 3 weekend hikers who had humungous packs on. As I passed one, he asked me how much my pack weighed. I told him 33.5 pounds and he looked at me and said that his was 35. I chuckled to myself and thought the pack alone looked like it weighed 35 pounds. His pack was closer to 45-50 without a doubt. He even had one of those giant plastic water holders that we use in hurricane prep in Florida. Their leader who told me he did a lot of physical prep and leg squats ended up being debilitated by his knee and they stopped at the next shelter with me. He was in bad shape and his friends carried his pack the last mile or so. The ridge runner stopped by and allowed them to deviate from their reservations due to the injury which was nice of him.I pitched my tent in a tiny space on a steep hill which was a little difficult to get to but not too bad if you grabbed onto a tree limb. It was luxurious sleeping in the tent compared to the packed shelter. I slept great and was able to read for awhile.I experimented with a new platypus with hydration tube but didn't like it at all. So it was in my pack as extra weight and I was mad at myself for bringing it. A guy in the shelter had a similar water bag and it developed a leak. He was stressed out and trying to figure out how he was going to carry water. So I offered to loan mine to him. Sometimes things just work out perfect. I guess there was a good reason for me to carry this after all. Met a lot of nice people in the shelter. Talked a lot with a couple who lived in Japan for the last 4 years and learned a lot about the Japanese culture. Very interesting conversations. She was getting off the trail because she completely lost her appetite and had no energy. She was going to a doctor to try and figure it out.
Date: 2012-05-06
From: Tri Corner Shelter

To: Crosby knob
Miles today: 7.7

Fairly easy day of hiking today. Mileage was just right for me. Knees were not as bad as yesterday although I felt it still. I've been keeping on top of the blister using propel and moleskin as well as using hiking sock liners. Passed plane wreckage of a F14 that crashed in 1984. I was on a ridge and the wreckage was on the other side of the mountain from the side it slammed into. The wreckage I saw flew over the mountain. Apparently 55 planes have hit the mountains in The Great Smoky Mountains.When I got to the shelter, I almost was tempted to throw down my sleeping bag and pad in the shelter. At the last minute I decided to pitch my tent and was glad I did as the shelter once again filled up and was packed. Plus I could hear a lot of political talk which I wasn't really into listening. Not my favorite topic.The campsite was beautiful and I was able to open one of my doors to a beautiful view of a valley with a stream. I should have taken some pictures. A hiker from Germany (Ki) also pitched his tent at the campsite and we cooked together and talked. He was disillusioned by the economy in Europe with all the countries having financial problems. And he was completely burned out with his job working 60 hours a week so he decided to thru hike. It was hard for him he said because he had trouble understanding people. I think that was one reason he preferred the solitude of camping in his tent. He said he could understand us older guys more because we spoke slower. But the younger people bantering and joking back and forth was harder for him to follow.Got cell service and was able to call Yvonne which was cool. I wasn't sure how it would cook but made a delicious quinea veggie burger. Just before dark, a lot of thunder but it just blew by and we didn't get any rain. Slept ok but when I get to a town, I'm getting rid of this inflatable sleeping pad and going back to a thermarest. I switched it out because my cat chewed some holes in my old trusty thermarest.
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Crosby knob

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a long descent from the mountains to the end of The Great Smoky national park. And downhill is what kills the knees. Even doubling up on the IBprofin didn't save me. My left knee was sore the whole way so I wrapped it in an ace bandage.And then I started thinking about how I was handling the downhills. I was using my knees to slow my descent. Kind of like riding your brakes going down a mountain. So I experimented with different ways of walking and realized that you have to go with the down hill and not use your knees as much going down. It's hard to explain but I developed a different rhythm and by the end of the day I was cruising again. Still in pain but not as bad. A few down days and I'm sure the knee with be fine.Got picked up by Curtis from Standing Bear hostel and shuttled back to my truck at Newfound Gap. Time to get a pizza and hot shower and then jump to Sams Gap which is where I left off last time.
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Davenport Gap

To: Sams Gap, Tn
Miles today: 0.0

Spent the night in Gatlinburg after a long hike down from the smoky's. Knee was quite painful all the way down. On the way I kept thinking about what I would do when I hit Gatlinburg. I figured I needed to change up a few pieces of gear and get a cold beer and pizza.First thing I did was go to the outfitters and exchange my pack for a more modern version. Sane basic model but a pound and 3 ounce lighter. My older pack is still pretty good but the straps are so worn that they loosen up after you tighten them. Which give you a pack that wobbles around on your back. The new Osprey Exos 45 is a very nice pack with everything I liked in my old pack plus a lot of new enhancements and pouches. The other piece of gear I picked up were a new thermarest. I experimented with a blow up mattress which is light and takes up little room but I missed having a thermarest.By the time I got cleaned up and got my new gear it was about 9:30. So I hobbled about a mile away to a pizza place (the mellow mushroom). That was about the time I entered the twilight zone. After I was seated, the waiter asked me what I wanted to drink. I asked for a bud light and he then asked to see my identification. Ok, no big deal. I'm old and grey but I know they have rules to follow. However he looked at my license and gave me a funny look. He then walked over to his manager with my license and they had a little conference. I'm wondering what's up when they came back and said "I'm sorry sir, but we can't serve you any alcoholic beverages". When I asked why, they said it was because it looked like I altered my license since it was a little dog eared. My license was 17 years old since the state of Florida doesn't give you a new one and just a new sticker. At this point, I was expecting cameras to come out and someone say that I was on some reality TV prank. But ... NO they were serious. When I went to ask for a manager, he came out with a smirk and said that they all go to school so they can detect underage people who try and alter licenses. I asked him if I looked 20 and he said that since the license was dog eared, they decided it was altered. I came close to losing it but just told him that there would be a lot of letters written to corporate headquarters and the chamber of commerce due to the fact that they were complete idiots and had no common sense. I'm 57 years old and could not pass for 20 if I tried. So I hobbled back to my hotel and ended up getting a pizza from pizza hut.
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Sams Gap, Tn

To: Low Gap campsite
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: light rain

After dropping my car off at Mountain Harbor hostel, I was shuttled to Sam's gap which is where I left off in 2007. It was cold and very rainy so when I got out of the truck I took off to build some body heat. Since I got a later start, I ended up only going 4 miles when I found a campsite by a stream. It wasn't very level but level sites are not easy to find.After getting in my sleeping bag to warm up for a few hours, the rain stopped and I was able to make dinner. Then a young hiker named Andrew stopped by to fill his water from the stream and he told me a good story. He said that on top of the mountain he found a young cat shivering and starving. Since he knew nothing about cats, he tried to get it to follow him but ended up carrying it to the next shelter where a lady (Slow-Lee) helped him warm up the cat and they all fed it scraps of hiker food. Andrew put the now warm kitty in his jacket with the cat's head poking out of the middle. He carried it down to Sams Gap where Uncle Johnny met him and took the cat to the hostel. He told Andrew that he would make it a hostel cat.Cold night and the angle of the tent had me all bunched up at the bottom of the tent in the morning. Didn't hang my food and left it in the ten with me. So I dreamed of arguing with bears in a campground parking lot. Pretty weird .. I know.