morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-09-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

Beautiful day today! Woke up this morning to calm/blue skies! Dried out stuff and got on our way. We decided to push to Caratunk so we could dry out the rest of our gear. The trail was just a continuous stretch of shallow puddles due to Katrina. Crossed a swamp with floating bog bridges, and that was interesting. We also crossed the Kennebec River via the ferry. Steve, the ferryman, said that this was the highest the river has been since May! Glad he was there! Well, we¢re at the Northern Outdoor Center now in a cabin tent. We had dinner and enjoyed the hot tub with other hikers. (the water was still clean when we all got out!) Well, it¢s bedtime for me, g¢nite!
Date: 2005-09-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.7

Overflow of outside information, it was really overwhelming. Saw CNN News about what¢s going on in New Orleans and suddenly the other day that was so crappy and rainy seemed like nothing. I can¢t even imagine how hard it must be there. Both Radio and I called home and Radio received some bad information about his grandmother. I really hope that things will go better for her and that she ahs the strength to get through this. Also booked bus tickets to get to MI because gas prices are outrageous! $70 each for a bus ticket to Michigan is cheaper than the gas it would require to get there. Got word from the Kineo Kid that we¢ll see him around Monson, so that we¢re excited. We lazed around town for most of the day, and finally headed here (Pleasant pond Shelter) and we¢re planning another short day tomorrow. Cooling off tonight, time for sleep.
Date: 2005-09-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.0

Great views from Pleasant Mountain this morning. Great easy-walking terrain! Got to Moxie Pond and Joe¢s Hole Stream and had to ford. A kid tried to tell us that we wouldn¢t make it across, but we didn¢t listen and put our sandals on and made it to the other side. We had to cross a ¢chincy¢ beaver dam just before the shelter. Now we¢re here with Oly and some other section hikers. The weather was great today! The swelling over my eye has gone down a lot, but it is still bruised¢¦ that would be a sweet Katahdin pose! Longer miles tomorrow with a possible Katahdin view on Moxie Bald. I am still having a blast out here with Radio! Only 10 days remain!
Date: 2005-09-04
From: Katahdin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.0

Another day full of good stories! Isn¢t Maine great! Got to the top of Moxie Bald and didn¢t see Katahdin, but as we descended the clouds cleared out and we speculated on which bumps in the horizon could be Big K! Got to Bald Mountain Stream (which isn¢t listed as a ford, but because of recent heavy rain, it was a ford) and got my sandals on. First step in the water and my feet hit slick rock and slid out from under me. One of my poles started floating downstream as I sat there confused. I got up dropped my (wet) pack on the side and dove in after my pole (losing a sandal in the process). I got to my pole, caught my shoe and started swimming back¢¦. Oops, the guidebook was in my pocket! Had some people going the other way that said it looked like a dramatic rescue and they were impressed!   We hiked on to the Piscataquis River Ford, and after hearing how bad and deep it was, Radio offered to take my pack across for me. The current was swift and the water just below my waist. Glad Radio had my pack! So now we¢re at the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to in our tent. Everything in my pack stayed dry despite my fording incident. Only nine miles tomorrow, then we¢ll go to Monson first thing Tuesday morning. Last town, last maildrop¢¦ this trip is quickly coming to an end.
Date: 2005-09-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.0

We got a late start, moderate to easy day though. Forded the East Piscataquis which was much more tame than the west branch. Ate ¢dinner¢ 5 miles shy of town so we could eat massive amounts in town (and we did). Got to town and we were able to find free camping!   We¢ll be hitting the P.O. early morning. Also called the Kineo Kid and met up with him at the Mobil for pizza. Great time remembering the trial in Georgia! Now we¢re in the tent (in sleeping bags because it is getting cold again) and ready to crash. 100-mile wilderness tomorrow!
Date: 2005-09-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.1

Less than 100 miles to go!!! Kineo Kid was very kind and met us in Monson this morning at the Post Office. The P.O. didn¢t have my resupply box though!   I did get the one from my cousin that was filled with yummy goodies! Kineo gave us a ride into Greenville where we over-supplied on food. I think my food bag weighs 20 pounds or more! It will be worth it though, and we¢ll need the energy. The three fords we did today were exciting and very fast moving. Big Wilson was really deep and wide, and the stream just before the shelter was all whitewater and kinda deep. Only three more fords! Well, I ate a lipton, and now it¢s bedtime!
Date: 2005-09-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.3

Katrina was a week ago today, and wow is there an extreme difference in the weather! Beautiful views from the Barren-Chairback range. Very tough 15 mile stretch! We¢re at the West Branch of the Pleasant River camped on the trail that goes to some parking lot. We have a big day planned for tomorrow that may prove to be just as tough as today. At least after White Cap it levels out for a while. Uber Hiker (Adam), Vapor, and Yardsale are camped 200 yards down the AT (we were too lazy to walk back through the muck). Well, I¢m exhausted!
Date: 2005-09-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.3

Quite a day today! Left out at about 8, and because there was a gradual incline, we made record time in getting to the first lean-to. We didn¢t get a chance to say goodbye to Yardsale and Vapor who are going to be on Big K a day after us. I hope that they have great weather the rest of the way! We got to the top of Gulf Hagas Mountain and saw a cow moose close to the trail and we were able to get a couple pictures of her. Topped White Cap Mountain (which is the last major hump until Big K), but didn¢t get views of Katahdin because it was in a super haze. We made it to the East Branch Lean-to just in time to get cover just as a big thunderstorm passed over. It even hailed too! While we were on Hay Mountain earlier we saw a military plane of some sort cruise by; it was REALLY loud too!!! Well, almost 12 way through the wilderness! Wahooo!
Date: 2005-09-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.5

Rain cleared out before we even woke, so we had a beautiful day today. The miles flew by because it is mostly sidewalk flat! Wahoo! We stopped at the first lean-to and couldn¢t resist the opportunity to go swimming! We also met Hippie Longstalkings there, and said goodbye to Cycle hiker (just met today) because we¢ll be finishing a day or two ahead of him. Draggin¢ and Dead Animal are just in front of us, but we may pass them tomorrow. Only four more days remain, and I can feel it. After pushing so hard the past few days my body is aching all over¢¦ the couch is calling! Sitting by the roaring fire Radio built to try and get warm. Saw a patch of poison ivy today (second patch in Maine), but it only seems to grow right next to streams¢¦ can¢t complain though, at least it isn¢t as bad as in Pennsylvania! Time to enjoy the fire.
Date: 2005-09-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.2

What a great day today! Chilly in the morning, but that wore off. Just after crossing Nahmakanta Stream I saw a black bear blur disappear into the woods. We got excellent views of Katahdin from Pemadumcook Lake and Nesuntabunt Mountain. I could even recognize a few surrounding mountains too! I¢m super excited to be here! We are at a shelter that Julie and I had passed when we hiked this section two years ago. We¢ll be at Abol Bridge tomorrow, then in Baxter State Park on Monday! Katahdin Tuesday!!!! Going to crawl in my bag and get warm now.
Date: 2005-09-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.7

Nice 15 miles today. We caught two great views of Big K today. We got to Abol Bridge and scarfed a few snacks and cokes. Saw Captain Patagonia, who we haven¢t seen since southern Virginia! We called Paul and left a message for him to let him know we were in town. We decided to walk to our old crew cabin and sit on the porch for a few minutes. Paul walked up a few minutes later and brought us to his house!   We got to shower and went to the Blue Ox for dinner, and McDonalds for seconds! Well, it¢s really late and we¢ll be getting an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2005-09-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.2

Got an early start this morning and had a beautiful, easy walk to Katahdin Stream. We saw an otter at one of the river crossings. It is slowly sinking in that we¢ll be done tomorrow. Paul is meeting us tomorrow afternoon at the campground. It seems surreal to be here! I decided, after much thought, to leave my pack at the bottom and carry a day pack to the summit. I¢ve carried my entire pack here from Springer, but I thought it would be cool to just take it easy and have fun up the last stretch. Here at ¢the Birches¢ with Captain Patagonia and Rabbit. Wow, it¢s almost over¢¦ words can¢t describe my thoughts at the moment, maybe I¢ll have better luck tomorrow.
Date: 2005-09-13
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin (Baxter Peak)
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It seemed unreal to be hiking the final stretch of the trail. Even after a week of reflection (now 9/24) it still seems somewhat distant and somehow not possible. I thought of the trail and simplicities today and I miss it. Anyhow, the summit was completely clouded over when we reached the sign, but we got great views until topping the Gateway. We opted to take our packs with just the necessary items inside, and it was great! I¢m not sure if it was the adrenaline, or being in shape, but the trail didn¢t seem hard at all. We saw Rabbit and Captain Patagonia at the top and spoke with several day-hikers. It was with a great sense of accomplishment to be able to refer to myself as a thru-hiker and not have any doubts. This has been the hardest, but most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life, and I hope that I can help others experience what I have been though. There aren¢t really any words or even sentences that can describe the emotions that come to you when you realize what you have accomplished. All you can do is smile and laugh, which is really what the trail is all about anyways.
Date: 2005-11-15
To: Settling back in...
Miles today: 0.0

It's been 2 full months since finishing and the journey is still fresh on my mind. I have met thru hikers from past years since being home and they are telling me how they felt when they got back and it seems I am feeling the same way. Even after 2 months I still feel like a big chunk of me is still out in the woods. I am sure that with time, I will adjust back to normal life. Me and Radio are moving into an apartment this week, so things do have some level of normal to them. I would like to throw out a quick thank-you to everyone that helped me on my way. My mom, Tricia, JP, and Omar, thank you sooooo much for helping me keep my journals up and sending care-packages that were very nice to receive. REI, Buford, my home team, thanks soooo much for listening to my stories that I every-so-often just blurt out of nowhere! Also for the tremendous help with the water filter situation. Eryn, John (the good-looking one!), Krissy, Lori, Adam, Lynn, Sartain, Colin , Peggy, Sarah, and the list just goes on, thank you!My family was there to support me and tell me to keep going when I wanted to come home.And to my friends along the way, Yappy, Dead Animal, The Odd Couple, Bassline, Touk, Gypsy Lulu, Rabbit, No Worries, Vapor, Yardsale, Jersey Jones, Waistdeep, Smilin' Joe (disease) , Captain Patagonia, UBER HIKER!, Julie, Draggin', Tulip, Cheerio, Jax, Souleman, Brownie, Rawhide, AJ... the list is so long! There's just so many people that I met along the trail that I know I won't forget! I just can't say enough how great this experience was! I hope to see everyone at Trail Days next year!The summit photos are online as CD10 which is right next to CD1 on the other site that is listed below. If any other thru hikers are reading this, send me your summit photo link!
Date: 2005-01-29
To: Anticipation...
Miles today: 0.0

I have been thinking, planning, and hoping to hike the A.T. for about 22 years now. As the time to begin approaches, I'm filled with anticipation (I'm excited!), self-doubt (Can I do this?), and determination (I HAVE to do this!).I have researched and purchased gear--see my choices, read every book I could get my hands on, and laid awake for many nights just thinking. I am preparing to resign my position as a school district administrator--this is BIG! I'm fortunate that my husband, Bob, is supportive--at least as supportive as anyone can expect. He's worried about my safety. He's the County Sheriff where we live in Martin County (Stuart), Florida and is typically what I call a "worst-case scenario person." This is, I think, to be expected of someone who has had a long career in law enforcement.   But, he's read the statistics and recognizes that I am probably safer in the woods than in many mall parking lots.I am planning a sobo hike and am looking forward to the solitude, but at the same time, know that loneliness and too much time to think could be my downfall. We will see how I do.Walk. Seize the dream. Everything else will follow.
Date: 2005-02-16
To: Little by Little...
Miles today: 0.0

Little by little I check things off my list. I have turned in my letter of resignation--4 months notice should be adequate, don't you think? This morning I put my reservation request for Baxter State Park Kathadin Stream Campground into the mail. February 22 is the first day that Baxter will accept a reservation for June 19th, my arrival date. My husband is driving me to Maine in our VW Vanagon pop-up camper. I'm thinking that if I arrive on the 19th, I can climb Kathadin on the 20th should it be a Class I day, otherwise will wait until the 21st. I'm hoping that Bob will hike with me that day, but he has a fear of heights and some of the descriptions of the climb have made it sound quite precarious to him. On the 22nd, I will hike without my pack down to Abol Bridge Campground, Bob will pick up our dogs that will have been boarded, & meet me there. This way I will have 2 days to ease my body (legs!) into mountain walking before I don my pack on Day 3. This whole idea is quite foreign to most of the people I know. Reactions range from absolute enthusiasm and excitment for me, to the head shaking & bewildered looks that can only say, "Are you out of your mind??"
Date: 2005-04-02
To: Almost Ready!
Miles today: 0.0

My most agonizing decision as of late has been my tent choice. I own a 1-man Eureka Zephy (3lbs., 6 oz.) that is several years old, but a great little tent. However, in the on-going attempt to reduce pack weight, I have been researching other options. I finally think I have decided to purchase a new tarp tent. I was leaning towards the Wanderlust Nomadlite & tried to contact the company for a little more information, & to see if I could get one in time for my June 12th departure from Florida. Although the company has a great website, the phone # listed is disconnected and no one responds to e-mail. The Henry Shire tarptents are on backorder, so that leaves the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo as my only option. I keep procrastinating in hopes that I will come across some other choices, but time is running out. Plans have been made for several rendevous points in Maine where Bob will meet up with me during the first couple of weeks. He is going to hang around just in case I change my mind about this & decide to come home. I hope I don't, but know that this is going to be a huge mental/emotional challenge for me. It's hard to think of being away from my home and family for so long. I think it's really hard because I will be working right up to my departure date. I think that if I had been able to enjoy staying home for awhile, it would be a little easier. As it is, I love the idea of being home, fixing up my house, & generally doing just what I want to do. But, this is the year I picked to do this a long time ago. I'm not getting any younger, so I feel like it's now or never. The trail is calling...
Date: 2005-05-03
To: Hiking for Kids!
Miles today: 0.0

I have 49 days until the start of my hike on June 21st! I am very excited that I have decided to hike for a cause that will allow me to continue helping children--even while I am on the trail! My hike is going to be a fundraiser for the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches. The Youth Ranches is an organization that was founded to provide a wholesome environment and support for at risk youth, including residential care, when needed. As a Florida Sheriff, my husband has been a big supporter of the Youth Ranches, so this makes my hike more meaningful for him, too! If you are interested in learning more about the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches, or making a donation, e-mail the Youth Ranches at            fsyr@youthranches.orgIn the past, I've run 2 marathons as part of the Leukemia Society's Team in Training. I know that I am more motivated to succeed when I have committed to help others and when I know that people have given money on my behalf. Hopefully, knowing that others are counting on me, will help me meet the physical challenges of the trail.
Date: 2005-06-03
To: The Ghost Writer
Miles today: 0.0

Hi! I'm Bob, Landcruiser's other half. I will be ghostwriting Landcruiser's journal while she is actually on the trail. I have to come back home, once she gets going, but will hopefully get regular updates on her adventure. I will put them together and enter them in the journal for those of you who are following her progress. Doing this entry is part of my "training" to prepare for keeping the journal up-to-date while Landcruiser is actually doing the hike. We will leave home a week from tomorrow and begin the trip north to Maine. We will take our time and make a couple of stops along the way, planning to arrive in the area of Baxter State Park on the 18th. Landcruiser's anticipated starting date, the date I crawl up Katahdin with her, is the 21st.I will monitor her progress for a couple of weeks by paralleling the trail and making periodic rendesvous along the way at road crossings. Hopefully she will make it to Monson by 4th of July weekend. A couple of days later she will be on her own for awhile as I will have to get back to work and keep the bills paid. If all goes well, I will make periodic trips back to intercept her at various points as she progresses southward on the trail. Our plan is to have this adventure completed by Christmas so that we can celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary, Christmas and New Years at a log cabin in the mountains near Springer Mountain.   What a reunion that will be!!Landcruiser is making this hike into a fundraiser for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. People have begun making contributions which will help all of the children who are served by this child care institution which was started in 1957 by the county sheriffs of the state of Florida. Landcruiser and I have both learned that having a worthy cause which will benefit from your effort takes much of the sting and pain out of the labor, and helps to keep you going when you feel like stopping. When you consider the pain felt by children from unfortunate family circumstances, the pain of hiking the trail seems to diminish. Landcruiser has run two marathons for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, so she really does know the benefits of doing something difficult for those who are less fortunate.Well, I will be looking forward to keeping you posted on Landcruiser's adventure........Sheriff Bob
Date: 2005-06-10
To: On the Road!
Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow we leave on our trip to Maine! Today was my last day of work. It was hard to turn in my keys & pull my half of the gate for the last time. I'm grateful to my staff and Head Start for so many challenging, but rewarding experiences these past four years. No matter what Washington may say...we know that Head Start works! Now, it's on to another cause...The Stuart News did a very nice front page article on my hike today. Thanks, Geof--even the picture wasn't too bad! Guess I should thank the photographer for that! I've received e-mails & good wishes from all over the place! The Trail Angel phenomena is already at work! For my friends who are not hikers, trail angels are people who help hikers along their way. Thanks to all of you who have signed my Guestbook. After today, I may not be able to answer messages personally, but know that your encouragement may be just what I need to get myself up the next hill. I'm going to unpack and repack my pack one more time in hopes of finding something that I don't need. I've received lots of wise advice from other hikers--one being, "Remember you can always get along with less than you think." Thanks, Swamp Fox, AT Class of 2000, for that reminder.I'm feeling a little excited and a little apprehensive. I'm very excited about the trip up--I LOVE a road trip! I just hope we aren't accompanied by Hurricane Arlene! By this time next week, we will be dropping the dogs off for boarding near Millinocket."Living your dreams can only begin by placing one foot in front of the other."
Date: 2005-06-20
From: Baxter Peak, Mt. Katahdin

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

Today the great adventure begins! My older son, Matt, refers to this hike as my "monster adventure." One monstrous thing about this is that you have to hike 5.2 miles UP the mountain before you start counting miles toward the total journey. And, I do mean UP. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous, and made the extremely strenuous climbing hike worthwhile. Bob (ghostwriter) and I camped in our VW van at the Katahdin Stream Campground, checking in there on the 19th. Then, at 7:03 AM today, we started out climb. We had been warned to take lunch, snacks, extra water, and flashlights. (flashlights?) It doesn't get dark up here, this time of year, until 9:00 PM. Well, we did need them, as the hike was much slower than we expected, due to the grueling climb, and the return was also slow due to the path over large boulders and such.I hit the marked end (or beginning) of the trail at about 3:00 PM and we began the return. As the sun slowly sank into the west, giving us some magnificent scenery to enjoy, Bob began mentally preparing to spend the night on the mountain. It was very slow going and Bob had to keep his "tachometer" (heart rate monitor) from revving too high. (Wish he rode his motorcycle like that!) We did wind up hiking into the night, loosing a couple of hours for Bob's "naps", but the night was pleasant, though windy and cool, clear skies, and a full moon began to rise a while after dark. It was after midnight when we returned to the camper.   And, did we sleep well!!!A few photos will be included to share the beauty of this part of the trek with you.   Oh, and by the way; Northbound hikers will probablly find the Katahdin climb somewhat easier, due to the 2,000 miles of conditioning their legs have experienced by the time they get here.All for now.................Landcruiser (and Ghost)
Date: 2005-06-21
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Recovery!
Miles today: 0.8

We slept in this morning, beginning our recovery from the Katahdin climb. We are both very, very sore. Simple small steps cause great aches!! Oooh! We are both hobbleing around like we are old and decrepit. (Well, Bob is old!)Today will be spent resting and soothing our sore muscles. As we begin to feel better we will have some gear preparation and camper cleaning to do. (Thank you, Lord, for the time to rest!!!) If the weather hadn't cleared a day early for us, we wouldn't have had the day to spend on recovery. The original target date for the Katahdin climb and trail start was today.. Later in the day, as our legs began to loosen up a bit, I hiked from our campsite, which was right on the AT, and walked down the road to where the AT again enters the woods. That was .8 miles, and made today a "nero" (near zero) day instead of a "zero" day.