morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-04
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to at At mile 1965.3

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite at AT mile 1979.5
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Total miles today 14.4Trail miles today 14.2Start at Poplar Ridge Lean-to¢¬finish at Crocker Cirque Campsite at AT mile 1979.5Staying in tent   It took awhile to get going having stayed in the shelter. When they are full it is hard to move fast. But after awhile I was on my way. Everything was soaking wet as one would expect so it was not long before I was too. But it was not raining though it was cloudy.   I kept up a good pace, but the roots and rocks were slick so I could not really move out even though the terrain was not difficult.   Tomorrow I cross 2 more 4000 ft peaks. The day after that there will be 2 more and then the last big mtn will be Katahdin at the end. It will be mostly low land travel otherwise. Supposedly lots of boggy areas but I should make good time.    I have just under 200 miles to go. Not a great distance but for some reason it seems like a long ways. At times I cannot wait to be done as I am worn out. A day of rest in town only gives me a boost for a day or two. I believe that I have gained a couple of pounds since entering the Whites. I can only think that this comes from not being able to do repetitive 20 mile days anymore and having access to lots of food. But I still feel a deep fatigue that only a significant amount of downtime will fix.    WyomingWhich way is North?
Date: 2006-09-05
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite at AT mile 1979.5

To: Horns Pond Lean-to at At miles 1991.9
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Total miles today 12.7Trail miles today 12.4Start at Crocker Cirque CampsiteFinish at Horns Pond Lean-to at AT miles 1991.9staying in tent   Not a real eventful day. I hopped up over Crocker's North and South and zipped down the hill to hitch into Statton. It took me about 3 1/2 hours so I figured I was not going to make breakfast at a restaurant. But fate was on my side. As I approached the trailhead a Jeep drove by and stopped real quick. Hmm..I was thinking..whats up here. But it turned out it was the Hostel owner who had just dropped off some hikers and as he was driving off he naturally looked up the AT path and saw my blaze orange pack cover through the trees. So I got my ride into town without even having to hitch. Sweet. I made it to the restaurant 10 min before the end of breakfast. Another hiker saved from starvation. 2 meals (ham, 3 eggs, 2 orders of hash browns, toast and an order of french toast), 3 cups of coffee and a pint of ice cream later I was another step farther away from deaths door.   Off for groceries and repacking. Yakking with all the other hikers and back to the trail. I went in the hostel and saw a scale and weighed myself. I guess I was a little optimistic yesterday about gaining weight. Either that or I had lost more than I had thought. After eating all that food I was still down 20 lbs from when I started. If I have actually gained weight back then I must have been down about 25 at one point. No wonder I was feeling weak. But I am feeling a little better now. Bring on the flatlands.    Hopefully, the trail will allow more mileage tomorrow as a 17 mile day would be ideal for setting me up to get into Caratunk where my replacement hiking pole awaits me. My wooden stick will soon be returned to the forest from which it came. WyomingWhich way is North?
Date: 2006-09-06
From: Horns Pond Lean-to at At miles 1991.9

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to at AT mile 2009.4
Miles today: 17.5

Total miles today 17.7Trail miles today 17.5Start at Horn's Pond Lean-toFinish at West Carry Pond Lean-to at AT mile 2009.4Staying in tent   2000 MILES!!! Yabba dabba doo!   Not only that I crossed over 3 more mountains today and am done with any more big ones till Katahdin. There are 2 more mtn's in the 100 mile wilderness but they should not be too hard. I have to cover the 14 miles to the Kennebec River tomorrow before 4 pm so that I can catch the ferry across. You do not want to try and cross this river by yourself as it is easy to drown here. Then to the PO to get my replacement hiking pole Scribe 2 sent me. Then resupply. I will probably stay at River and Trails hostel (that is where you buy your supplies).   165.2 miles to go.WyomingWhich way is North?
Date: 2006-09-07
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to at AT mile 2009.4

To: US201 at Caratuck, ME at AT mile 2023.4
Miles today: 14.0

Total miles today 15.8Trail miles today 14.0Start at West Carry Pond Lean-toFinish at US201 at Caratuck, ME at AT mile 2023.4Staying at River and Trail Hostel   It was so nice hiking today as the trail was very gentle and not very rocky or muddy. Pretty sweet. I did the first 10 miles in 4 1/2 hrs. Mr. & Miss Parkay and I crossed the Kenebec on the canoe ferry about 2 pm.    Then into Caratuck to get my replacement pole at the PO. Then down to the hostel for food and a shower. Could have gone a few more miles but decided to rest up and eat.   It will be 2 days to Monson for a last shower and resupply. Then it is into the 100 mile wilderness which ends at Abol Bridge and Baxter State Park the home of Mt. Katahdin and the end of all this. I can almost taste it now.   Once I enter the 100 mile wilderness there will be no more communication until I hitch out of the park back to civilization after I am done. There will be 2 more days journals sent after this one from Monson and then It will be a week or so before I am at a place that has electricity and phones.WyomingWhich way is North?
Date: 2006-09-08
From: US201 at Caratuck, ME at AT mile 2023.4

To: Moie Bald Lean-to at AT mile 2042.2
Miles today: 18.8

Total miles today 20.6Trail miles today 18.8Start at Caratuck, MEFinish at Moie Bald Lean-to at AT mile 2042.2staying in tent   It was a good day for making miles. I got an early start and the miles just rolled by. The terrain was pretty easy or I should say the trail was. Hiked over 2 small mountains. One of them was just bare rock on top so there were nice views. Supposedly one of the mountains to the north was Katahdin, but I do not know which one it was. You kind of need to know the shape and I don't. Then again it was kind of hazy and Katahdin might not have been visible.   I was talking to a flipper this afternoon (someone who started north and had to go up to Katahdin and head south to complete because they were out of time.) and it really hit me about how close I am. I feel this big pressure building in me over finishing. They will probably hear me screaming clear down at the bottom of the mountain.   Well, I finally succumbed and took Motrin in the middle of the day. Innocence lost. So sad. Now I am just another addict. And it was not over my feet or knees as one would expect. It was my hip that I hurt in a fall about a week ago. It has slowly been getting worse. It needs the rest I cannot give it. Today I was sort of limping for the first couple of hours and it just would not loosen up. Then on a downhill it felt a couple of times that it might not hold when I took a big step down. A big pain would shoot through it. So, I decided that the time was right to try the Motrin. Worked like a champ. The pain went away and the muscle loosened right up. The real test will be in the morning. Hope I am not totally locked up. Funny thing though, the pain in the hip went away but my feet kept right on hurting as I walked. Doesn't seem right.Wyoming Which way is North?
Date: 2006-09-09
From: Moie Bald Lean-to at AT mile 2042.2

To: ME 15 (Monson, ME) at AT mile 2060.1
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: haze

Total miles today 18.4Trail miles today 17.9Start at Moxie Bad Lean-toFinish at ME 15 (Monson, ME) at AT mile 2060.1Staying a Shaws boarding house   I have rolled good miles the last 2 days. Even with the sore hip. Which required 2 doses of Motrin during the day today. I have some concern about this in the 100 mile wilderness, but I have to go on. Drugs are the answer I guess. lol   I am planning on heading out into the wilderness tomorrow so there will be no more communication until after I am done and hitch back to the town nearest Baxter State Park. There are no services at all in the park as it is really a wilderness area. There is not even any electricity in the park.   I do not know for sure how long it will take to get across the wilderness and up Katahdin. I am expecting that it will take 7 or 8 days. I am 114.5 miles from the end.    Off to find more food.WyomingWhich way is North?
Date: 2006-09-10
From: ME 15 (Monson, ME) at AT mile 2060.1

To: Long Pod Stream Lean-to at AT mile 2075.2
Miles today: 15.1

Total miles today 15.3Trail mile today 15.1Start at ME15Finish at long Pod Stream Lean-to at AT mile 2075.2staying in tent99.4 miles to go   I wanted to get in more than 15 miles today but it just was not in the cards. By the time we got finished with breakfast at the boarding house and I was dropped off at the trail it was 7:45. An hour of prime walking time gone. Then there was my hip. I took a Motrin to start the day and a second about 1100. It was hurting again by 1600 when I reached this shelter. I would have liked to gone another 4 miles but I was feeling out of energy and sore. So I bagged it for an early supper.   The trail in the wilderness is not as well maintained as is the norm. Lots of blown down trees to climb over or around and in many places the trail is very overgrown. And there are the usual rocks, roots and some mud to get past. One can still average about 2 mph but it is hard work. I had my 2nd small river ford today. It was much more challenging. The water was butt deep and moving fast. I had to be real careful not to fall. The bottom was slippery round rocks...what else. I hope the rest of the stream fording is a little less challenging.   I need extra sleep tonight to make up for last night's poor sleep so I am going to sign off. I will see what I can get in tomorrow.WyomingWhich way is North?
Date: 2006-09-11
From: Long Pod Stream Lean-to at AT mile 2075.2

To: South of the West Branch of the Please River
Miles today: 15.1

Total miles today 15.2Trail miles today 15.1Start at long Pond Stream Lean-toFinish along side trail just south of the West Branch of the Pleasant River at AT mile 2090.3staying in tent84.3 miles to go   It was a vigorous day even though the miles were not long. The trail went up and over 4 small mountains so there was almost no level walking today.   I wanted to do more than 15 miles but I just was not fast enough. By about 3 pm I was dragging just like yesterday. I guess I must just be thoroughly worn out. I slept about 9 hours last night, which for me is a huge amount even out here on the trail. It is about 7 pm now and I already want to go to sleep. Just have to keep pushing for a few more days.    Tomorrow has the last mountain until Katahdin. There will be about 3900 feet of uphill climbing and about the same amount down. I hope the trail is not too rugged, but it most likely is. I need to do about 17 miles tomorrow to set myself up for the following day. I am trying to reach a wilderness camp called White House Landing on the evening of the 4th day out of Monson. I can get a meal there and some supplies.Wyoming Which way is North?
Date: 2006-09-12
From: South of the West Branch of the Please River

To: Near Mountain View Pond at AT mile 2108.8
Miles today: 18.5

total miles today 18.7Trail miles today 18.5Start at AT mile 2090.3Finish near Mountain View Pond at AT mile 2108.8staying in tent65.8 miles to go   Well I have seen her and she is big. From the top of White Cap Mtn I got my first view of Katahdin. I got a huge lump in my throat as my emotions were going full tilt.   The mountain was about 30 miles away and looms over the lowlands. In between the 2 mts is a maze of lakes, bogs, rivers and forest. The rest of the way is largely flat, but the trail will likely be wet as well.   I got my wish today as the trail conditions were suitable for good mileage. Even though I went over 4 mts and climbed a total of over 4000 ft and descended about 3000 it was not difficult to make time.   Tomorrow I am trying to make it to the wilderness camp called White House Landing. It is about 20 miles from here. If the trail is not too bad I should make it. If I do make it then it is 3 more days to get to the Birches campsite where the summit hikes start. 2 more days in the wilderness to get to Abol Bridge where the park starts. Then I sign in and it is 10 miles to the Birches. The next day I will climb the mountain if the weather allows.   My hip is holding up..barely. I had to take 3 Motrin today. I am going to try and skip the one tonight but only if I can get to sleep easily. I am pretty tired so that should help.Wyoming      Which way is North?
Date: 2006-09-13
From: Near Mountain View Pond at AT mile 2108.8

To: Mahar Tote Road at AT mile 2128.7
Miles today: 19.9

Total miles today 20.9Trail miles today 19.9Start at AT mile 2108.8Finish at Mahar Tote Road at AT mile 2128.7 This is where the side trail to White House Landing starts. I am staying in the bunkroom there. I have it all to myself so I sort of have the suite.45.9 miles to go   The trail was very easy today. I covered the 19.9 miles in 8 hrs 15 min. I am only planning on 15 mi tomorrow and the next day. That will get me to Abol Bridge. Then a short day to the base of Katahdin and one more to summit.   I will be getting on the trail very late tomorrow as breakfast is at 0800 and then I have to get a ride across the lake and hike a mile back to the AT. Probably be about 1000. I might actually have trouble getting the whole 15 miles in, but it is not critical as I can make it up the next day.   I have a growing sense of anticipation of the end of this journey. I am ready for it to be over but at the same time there is going to be a giant void created by not having a significant daily task staring me in the face very morning.   One that no one can help you with. You either get it done or it does not get done. I have been thinking a lot about this as I walk. It probably explains why I fall down a lot. No answers yet.WyomingWhich way is North?
Date: 2006-09-14
From: Mahar Tote Road at AT mile 2128.7

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to at AT mile 2144.5
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Total miles today 16.7Trail miles today 15.8Start at Mahar Tote RoadFinish at Rainbow Stream Lean-to at AT mile 2144.5staying in tent30.1 miles to go!   Today was kind of a grind. Nothing interesting to see and it rained all morning. Also, it was like the Trail does not want to give up easily. The roots were mean, big and slippery wet today. The rocks too. It was a constant fight not to fall down. But I am going to beat the bastard anyway.   Now the good news was food. Always an interesting subject. White House Landing did up a great breakfast and best of all I had them cook me a large pepperoni pizza last night, wrap it up and stored it in the fridge overnight. It went in the top of the food bag and I have been eating pizza in the wilderness all day. It was so big that I even gave some of it away to another hiker. The downside is that the body does not like to hike fast with large amounts of pizza in the stomach. I felt kind of lethargic today. But I should be caloried up for tomorrow.   15 miles to Abol Bridge where I will camp. They have a camp store and are the last place to get anything one needs. Just after there one enters Baxter State Park which has no services.    If all goes to plan it will be 3 more days.    Today was my 47th with rain. Hope it was my last.WyomingWhich way is North?
Date: 2006-09-15
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to at AT mile 2144.5

To: Abol Bridge Campground at AT mile 2159.5
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Total miles today 15.2Trail miles today 15.0Start at Rainbow Stream Lean-toFinish at Abol Bridge Campground at AT mile 2159.515.1 miles to go   Another step closer. I am now out of the 100 mile wilderness. I am at Abol bridge where there is a campground and camp store. I have bought a few supplies just to make sure I have enough to finish up. The weather report says sunny for the next 2 days. That is all I need.   I have been able to tell for some time that finishing this hike means a lot to me. But I am surprised at how much. It has gotton to the point that I cannot talk with other hikers about it without getting chocked up. Most all of them are the same way.   I can tell that when I touch the terminus sign and place my rock upon the cairn that it will be a very intense feeling. So much of me has been wrapped up in this for so long now that I can already feel a kind of sadness that it will soon be over. There is going to be a giant void to fill. At the same time I have this incredible urge to put it all behind me and go home. I have turned into some kind of schizophrenic. It will be interesting to see where my feet land after this adventure. My life seems to have been full of unexpected turns and I suspect another is coming.   10 miles to the campsite from where the final climb starts. WyomingWhich way is North?
Date: 2006-09-16
From: Abol Bridge Campground at AT mile 2159.5

To: Birches campsite at Katahdin stream compground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Total miles 10.3Trail miles today 9.9Start Abol BridgeFinish at The Birches campsite at Katahdin stream Campground at AT mile 2169.4Staying in tent Today was cake. Hannah (a section hiker I met who will finish the whole trail tomorrow with me) and I just loafed along and got here by lunch. We checked in with the rangers and got our loaner day packs for the climb tomorrow. I am stoked.   I have spent the day lazing around yakking with a troop of Canadian military who are on an excursion hiking a 100 miles of the AT. They are climbing Katahdin tomorrow as well.   It should be fun. I expect 3-4 hours to the top and several back down. Then it is hitch into Millinoket to clean up and head home.WyomingWhich way is North?
Date: 2006-09-17
From: Birches campsite at Katahdin stream compground

To: Top of Katahdin Mountain at AT mile 2174.6
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

I'M DONE!!!!Total miles today 10.7Trail miles today 5.2Start at Katahdin Stream Campground (Birches)Finish at top of Katahdin Mountain at AT mile 2174.6 Staying in Bangor, MEOh man! It is done and over. I reached the top about 1100 with 2 other hikers finishing their long journeys. Tears, joy, exultation, sadness, a spinning heart. I cannot describe the mix of emotions.    All kinds of day hikers were taking pictures of us and congratulating us. I could barely talk. It was a perfect day. While we were on top it was warm and clear. A perfect end to an epic journey.   One last piece of incredible trail magic. A man named Martin, who was up hiking the mountain trails when we came up on top, offered to give Hannah and I a ride all the way to Bangor. Thus saving us a hitch to Millinoket, a cab ride to Medway and a bus ride to Bangor. He even is picking us up in the morning from the motel and taking us to the bus station to get a ride to Boston. Amazing.   The 5.2 mile hike back down to the campground was agony. Not just the effect of a 4300 ft descent on the knees and feet, but it seemed like 25 miles and actually took longer than the ascent of 4 hours. Our motivation to beat feet was gone and we were emotionally exhausted. We just dragged ourselves along.   A couple of beers and champagne at the bottom helped though.   DONE, DONE, DONE!!! OH YEAH!WyomingWhich way is North?
Date: 2006-09-18
To: Epilogue
Miles today: 0.0

Well it is all over now and I wanted to say a few words.   Thanks to all who sent me messages and support. Over time, as I tired and the days lengthened into months, they became a major pillar propping up my motivation.   The 2 scribes, of course, get the bulk of the credit for the success of this endeavor. I owe them a lot for this as well as innumerable other things. It is clear that I have little chance of evening the tally with them and am at a loss when I think about it.   I am forever in their debt.   To those upon the trail, I hope I helped you as much as you did me. This kind of activity would be immeasurably harder if there was no one else out here who share the same joys and hardships. To Woodstock and Jo Cro, special thanks. Beat feet boys, you'll make it. To Blister Bill, Hannah, Beth, Bill & Anne, Nanny Goat, Sy, Cornbread, G Man, 42, She Bear, The Parkay's, FDR, Compass Rose, Dirt Diva, Mouse Hat, Forest and dozens of others whom I crossed paths with for a few days, I appreciated your companionship.   I will probably never know which of you will complete this incredible journey, but the best of luck and weather to you all. To the trail magic ghost's who always seemed to appear when and with what was needed most, I salute you. To do what you do is an inspiration and an example of the best in us.      I think it unlikely that I will ever do another extreme hike. The physical limitations of where this aging body has come to are painfully apparent. I suspect the feet both need surgery I am loath to get and I doubt that I would put myself through the pain of a long walk again knowing now the true state of the deterioration of them. But who knows, the PCT is out there and it would suit the scribe should she decide to free herself from the rigors of the corporate world. And there is always the bottle of ibuprophen.    As always, I have a host of other possible paths and adventures to choose from. Though I would not chose to be by myself for so long ever again I think. We all change over time and the desire for emptiness has waned somewhat over the years. That lonely knot in the heart of me, that sprouted and grew out on the windswept plains when I was small and had no weapons to fight it, may not ever be vanquished, but I am much more capable these days of giving it the good fight. I will most likely always hear the cold winter wind somewhere in the back of my head, taunting me as it ever has, but I choose to no longer run to see where it has gone or wants to take me.   I know that this hike has changed me in many ways. Some I am aware of and I am sure that there are many others that will come as surprises to me. The one thing that I am even more certain of then ever, is that the only thing that really counts for anything is to live a life that has meaning and value. It is not about the money, or the position, or being comfortable, or having the best time. It is about those last thoughts before you die, and knowing that you did not waste this brief time and opportunity you had to try and make a difference.   I'll see ya'll up trail.Wyoming   Which way is North?
Date: 2006-04-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Preparations for this year's AT adventure has been much more relaxed than last year. The plan is to pickup the AT almost a year to the day, when I last saw Ole Yeller by the 300 year Oak on the Dover Rd near Pawling, NY. I have 7 weeks available to thru-hike Connecticut, Massachuetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. My only objective is to find a parking lot in somewhere in Maine to be picked up by my wife, Nancy, the third week in August, for a wedding in Toronto, Ontario. Then while in Toronto, the plan is to participate in the COC's, Canadian Orienteering Championships. I should be in shape by then!