morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-23
From: Bald Mtn Brook Campsite

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Bald Mtn. Brook Campsite to Horseshoe Canyon Lean-toWoke up to yet another perfectly gorgeous day. I had some trouble waking up, despite the long night's sleep and Gravity let me sleep in without and pestering. We were on our way by 8:30, climbing up to Moxie Bald right away. Although the horizon was too cloudy to see Katahdin, the views of closer mountains and into the valley were wonderful. Even better than the views though was the enormous blueberry patch heavy with fat, ripe sweet, juicy berries. These by far were the very best berries we've had. We spent a half hour wandering about in the patch picking handfuls of berries and gobbling them up.By the time we'd had our fill of berries we were a little turned around and disoriented. The cairns seemed to end abruptly, we didn't see a continuation of white blazes on the rocks. We followed what looked like a trail for a short bit, but it petered out. After some back tracking and a little wondering around and getting distracted by berries again, we found the trail.Had a long break on the shore of the pond in front of Moxie Bald Lean-to. I waded out up to my knees and Gravity went for a full swim. It was wonderful to sit there, reclining on the cool rocks watching the fluffy white clouds sail across the blue sky and the sun twinkle and play off the ripply water.Although Moxie was out only real mountain for the day and the trail leveled out, it was not without a price. We were sinking and unsuccessfully dodging around puddles and mud the rest of the day. We had three river fords although the West Branch of the Piscataques was the only one where we actually had to fully submerge out feet and lower legs, walking through the water to cross.We followed the Piscataques the rest of the afternoon. Although the trail was rolly and frustrating the scenery along the river as we made our way up into Horseshoe Canyon was beautiful. There were a couple smaller waterfalls pouring out of the mountainside into the river before they earthy mountain side gave way to a sheer rock face.We got into camp fairly early this afternoon, about 3:45, and spent a couple hours making a fire and having our dinner.Now, in the tent enjoying the cool quiet evening. TOmorrow we go into Monson, the last stop before entering the 100 mile wilderness...Danger
Date: 2005-08-24
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson, Me
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to to Monson, MeWow, a night completely alone at the shelter. A surprisingly rare occurrence, even here in rural Maine. Too bad we decided to tent anyway as the spots were poor at best and neither Danger and I enjoyed the roots digging into our backs all evening nor sliding slowly but surely down to the foot of the tent. One would think after all this time we would know how to pick a camp spot, especially not one so close to the privy!After we left the shelter we were shortly greeted by a brisk, knee-deep ford as well as several beautiful campsites by the river. Sometimes the trail likes to kick you when you are down. But wait! What is that in the culvert by the next road? Why it is several Mountain Dew's in a cool stream Then a cooler full of fruit and Barq's Root Beer on the other side of the road! Amazing how some sugary, caffinetic, bubbly drink can lift your spirits. After that it was a jittery sugar-rushed sprint in to Monson where Matt & Trip were being dropped off by Moose who worked for the Shaws. We talked to them real shortly and it was off to town.TOwn was bitter-sweet. As we went about our errands we realized this would be the last trail town we would see, the last time we sat around a laundrymat in the only pieces of clothing we weren't washing, our rain gear, the last time we would wander the streets of an unfamiliar town trying to find Ben & Jerry's (maybe...). We were fortunate enough that Danger's Mom sent us 5 day's worth of Mountain House Dinners so we resupplied for the 4 breakfast and 4 lunches we would need to get us to Whitehouse landing.This was it. We were preparing to enter "The 100 Mile Wilderness", a section of trail used to terrify small children and newbie Thru-hikers with stories of it's remoteness and untamed wilds. Except after 75 miles there is a road down which you can get picked up, by boat, for showers, cooked meals and a bunk called White House Landing. But I guess "The 75 Mile Wilderness" doesn't have the appeal the 1000 miles has. Still, we would be carrying food for 4 1/2 days which we haven't done since we learned better somewhere in Virginia. And in actuality I think we bought enough to get us the full 100 miles to Abol Bridge, the official end to the wilderness.After errands, call all the 'rents one last time from the trail and getting a pizza and some beer, we headed back to the Shaw's for dinner and relaxation.Gravity
Date: 2005-08-26
From: Long Pond Lean-to

To: West Branch of Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Long Pond Stream Lean-to to West Branch of Pleasant RiverThe temperature dropped last night and it was cool enough this morning that we were reluctant to get out of the toasty sleeping bag. A full day lay ahead though, so we knew we couldn't doddle forever. Fortunately the sky was blue and promising, so that made facing the day more encouraging. We packed up and lowered the food bags down to have breakfast. When I picked mine up I noticed two silver dollar sized holes had been chewed through. There was a cheeky chipmunk skittering around the shelter last night, and several register had assaulted food bag stories. I apparently had also fallen victim to the rascally chippy. He'd eaten into the bagels and of course rather than eating just one, chewed chunks out of each of the six in the package. Hard to believe that almost 2600 miles and no critter assaults until now at the very end.The day was tough but beautiful, though not quite as nice as all of the water falls yesterday. We had several mountains to traverse but fortunately they weren't nearly as difficult as what we saw in southern Maine. Also, for the tough and rugged trail Maine has thrown at us, she's given us equally fantastic weather. It stayed warm, sunny and clear all day.We're camping on the south side of the west branch of Pleasant RIver tonight. It is surprisingly busy here actually. We met the ridgerunner who it turned out also hiked in 2001, and we spent quite a while shooting the breeze with him. A very nice guy, and it was neat to meet someone here in the 100 mile wilderness who was on the trail with us four years ago. It's a small world and an even smaller trail community.We're really counting down now. Both of us find our minds more regularly drifting to life after the trail, like work and the home to-do list. We can feel ourselves slowly beginning to disconnect, to separate from this world and prepare for the transition into the other one. I am grateful that we have each other to have shared this experience with and to rely upon for understanding when we feel overwhelmed with the requirements of "real" life. I am so grateful not to have to worry about having no one to understand what I've been through. What a gift to have a partner who I can relate to after such an epic and profound experience.I think that must be one of the real difficulties for many thru-hikers past hike - having no one around in their "normal" environment who understands where they've been, what they've felt and seen and how that impacts them as they try to transition. It is just such a gift to have been able to take this journey and then to have been able to share it with my life partner. We are blessed.Danger
Date: 2005-08-27
From: West Branch of Pleasant River

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 16.3

West Branch of Pleasant River to East Branch Lean-toWe had our first material, undeniable view of Katahdin today from the summit of White Cap Mountain. At first site, Gravity recognized it at once. I, however, was incredulous. The mountain has been described as standing great and alone, rising 5000 feet from the low lands below, with nothing else around. I was picturing a perfect cone shaped volcano-esque pyramid of a mountain, erupting out of the plains below. Now, she does stand great and alone, coming powerfully forth from the plains, but she isn't exactly a perfect pyramid but rather a great massif with a chain of smaller peaks trailing behind. I was in denial that what I was looking at was truly Katahdin. The denial couldn't stand up in the face of reality.We sat there under the blue sky swept across with wispy mares-tails clouds, the wind flapping our bandannas and tangling the tendrils of hair falling loose from my bun. I realized that I wasn't in denial that what I saw was Katahdin, but unwilling to accept that the end was literally in sight. There she stood, solid and seemingly eternal, relative to my existence at least. Out grail, our goal, the object representing the end terminus of our journey. The abstract has slowly, like a dream waking and turning out to be real, materialized.I have been suspending the true recognition that this will actually come to an end. Yes, I've been talking about it, waxing poetic and nostalgic. But the emotion has been suspended at arm's length until today when it came careening toward me at light speed.I thought I'd feel excited, triumphant when I got my first solid look at her. Instead I feel quiet and introspective, a little anxious even.It was a long, somewhat rugged day today, although the first 11 miles were worse than the last five. We're both amazed that 16 miles can still feel so hard and tiring. I was exhausted by the time we reached the lean-to. I just sat dumbly, with the 1000 mile stare, unenthusiastically got the tent and therma-rest all set up.Today was supposed to be the last really tough one in the 100 mile wilderness and it definitely eased up the last few miles. Tomorrow should be gentler. We crossed over 2100 miles today. The last "century" mile mark ticked off. Fewer then 70 miles left now. I don't think I'll believe we're almost done until we've come back down from summiting. Maybe not even then...Danger
Date: 2005-08-28
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

East Branch Lean-to to Antlers CampsiteNot much remarkable today. After climbing Little Boardman Mountain (from which there was no view) the trail leveled our and became smoother and easier over the day. We'd been hearing that there was a chance for rain today from several people. When we woke up, the sun was shining and the sky looked blue. As we packed up, the clouds moved in though, and it was soon overcast. It drizzled on us ever so slightly while we ate our breakfast, but nothing significant.Our first break was on the small sand beach of Crawford Pond. Gravity went for a swim while I just took my shoes off and enjoyed the feeling of the sand under my feet. As we ate, the cloud cover thickened and the ceiling dropped. Fortunately, still no rain.Though the trail was smooth and easy and we covered the next six miles to Jo-Mary Road/Cooper Brook quickly, it felt like it took forever. Funny how while we are traversing mountains we wish for smooth easy trail. Then, when we get the easy trail, we are soon bored and the time seems to creep by. Guess you just can't make a hiker happy.The sky cleared, exposing some patches of blue, briefly while we took a nice break along side the brook. Shortly after we left the break to cover the last four miles for the day, it finally started to rain. It rained on us all the way to the campsite, and is still raining now as we relax under the cover of the tent.We made it to camp nice and early today and it's nice to have the afternoon to relax and gaze out over Jo-Mary Lake. The loons cry every few minutes and there's a squirrel scampering around with a pine cone. It's a beautiful campsite, right on the lake. Perfect moose sighting area, I hope we see one!Tomorrow we have a nice short six miles into White House Landing. I am looking forward to the short day and a real hot meal. Then, just three days with the Big K on Sept 2... Still hard to believe that the end really is coming at us like a freight train...Danger
Date: 2005-08-30
From: White House Landing

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

White House Landing to Rainbow Stream Lean-to"...when obessives are given their object of desire, what do they feel? In a sense their lives end; yet something else, some other life, has finally, finally begun... filled with so many emotions at once, it is impossible not to be confused..."                        -Kim Stanley Robinson RedMarsSpent a wonderful day yesterday, watching the rain come in waves, darkening the sky and exciting the lake in thousands of tiny, watery explosions. Then the sky would lighten some and that wave of storms would pass, only to be followed by more. The thunder and lightening came at night, illuminating the room and making the cabin tremble.The weather report over the weather radio predicted 100% chance of rain today and tonight. No zeroing to escape the rain this time, so we just accepted what would come, knowing we'd be done with it soon. It rained hard through the pre-dawn hours. In my dreamy half-sleep I tried to prepare myself for a few last gloomy days of a wet trudge through the woods.Dawn started to hint her arrival around five thirty and we were awake to the filtered gray morning light around six. Though heavily overcast, it was not raining. We packed up, enjoyed a wonderful breakfast and talked with Bill before heading back out across the lake. FOrtunately no rain on the boar ride or when we started walking.We took our first break on the pebbly shore of Nahmakanta Lake, watching the low wispy clouds sink and wind around the green hills and the lake wave and lap at the shore, inspired to such movement not by wind, for there wasn't any, but y all the water rushing in off the mountain through the rain swollen inlet streams. Such a peaceful sight. Perfect for a moose. Saw no moose. We though we were stealing the moment, dry and beautiful, to take a break, I was certain that at any moment the sky would open up and soak us.And yet, she held off. As a matter of fact, by the time we reached Pollywog Stream for our second break, the sun was shining and a significant portion of the sky was blue! SO even though the terrain was rooty, rocky, slippery, bumpy and generally ankle twisting, I had a fabulous day because I was expecting all that in a cold wet miserable downpour. Nothing like being saved from a certain death slog. I don't know what's going to happen tonight - they're saying certain storms through tomorrow - but I feel that today was another gift of a day. Thank you rain Gods for saving me from a day of certain misery!Other than my elation over not having to hike in the rain today, I am having at once an absence of and onslaught of (conflicting) feelings about the end being just three days away. It is very confusing and therefor difficult to describe. SO for now I won't try and hopefully understanding and the words will come....Danger
Date: 2005-02-13
To: ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm James Butler, a retired engineer. I finally have the time to hike the AT. I've been reading TrailJournals for years and have enjoyed the desktop hiking. Last year I got more serious about the hike and did 160 miles of the AT in 14 days. I got a good taste of the trail. The Pinoti Trail journal is at the end of the AT Journal in April 2007.
Date: 2005-02-17
To: prep 3
Miles today: 0.0

The items in my pack have been weighed again. Leaving out my thermorest , cell phone, and batteries added some weight. I'm thinking about many details. I'm wondering about food. Planning to resupply on the trail at locals has a wide range of food. The white flour and junk food needs some real stuff to keep the body going. I have six weeks of training and planning. I'm putting waypoints in MapSource for my GPS, which I will probably use. In my early career I was a map maker and still have some of those tendencies. Looking at the errors, I try to see why things are different including my own errors. The GPS is a fantastic instrument at a price I thought was a pipe dream in the past.
Date: 2005-02-19
To: prep 4
Miles today: 0.0

My account is not doing what I think it should. The add journal isn't quite right. It's those computer blues! I sure mess my IT staff that helped me thru many years of work. I figured out my problem and fixed it. Most of this journal stuff is really good! thanks to the net men! Yesterday, i walked 6 hr on a hike around Monte Sano Mountain near Huntsville, AL. This is the place I grew up. It was more a trip down memory lane. The winter let me really see and the sun was so bright. The warm weather had me thinking about starting my hike earlier. The spring fever was going good until I began to tire and think of hardships of the trail. The mind games of worry and the future finally waned and I was back looking at the sandstone cliffs. The beauty can take me away.
Date: 2005-02-23
To: prep 5
Miles today: 0.0

Several hikers have used my guestbook and have given me some good advice. i'm having more thoughts about how much food I can buy locally. There are three or places a mail drop could be useful. I decide to buy another battery and flash card for my digital camera. I'll take my wife's cell phone and charger. My pocketmail will not work with my phone but works with my wife's cell phone. I need to put some hostel info into my pockmail. I need some AA batteries for the toys. Yestrday I took a trainning walk after a heavy rain and the sun was out. Half way the dark clouds returned with rain andd sleet.
Date: 2005-03-08
To: mail drops
Miles today: 0.0

I did my mail drop list today. The mail drops will be for little things like camera batteries and cards, letters from home, clothes, and special snacks. I used a conservative estimate for dates. This list brings home the fact the hike will take over 5 months. My start will be in a week unless the weather turns bad. My wife is taking care of the home front with help from the kids. I have enough gear and toys. My brother will take me to Springer and transcribe for me. I've been using my pocketmail and feel comfortable with it.
Date: 2005-03-08
To: prep 8
Miles today: 0.0

It has been a strange week that started as a vacation to DisneyWorld with the grandson, but was a trip to the er. My wife was in the hospital for a week and now she's ok. Her energy is low, but it's coming back. I plan to take 3 camera batteries, cell phone and charger, gps?.. I plan to hike a month and then reevaluate. I've done some planning for the whole trip and will concentrate on the first month. I plan to slow down for the first week..10 miles/day , maybe 12. I've moved my start date to 15 Mar if the weather permits. I want to start in good weather. I know I'll have some rough weather later.
Date: 2005-03-09
To: Prep 9
Miles today: 0.0

Planning is continuing as I think about new shoes. I have put many miles on my boots and think my feet will want more. I have enough time to break in new boots before the trip. My wife's surgery went well and I'm helping with the recovery. This has changed my training and has me thinking about things other than the trail. I've been telling people about my trip and journal. I did not realize the power of the journal and the diverse audience of friends and readers. I've used my pocketmail to keep the family up todate about my wife. I had plenty of time in the hospital to use it. I also got a good dose of the cell phone. In my career, I prided myself for not having a cell phone and now it's a must. I've missed calls, left it places, and had bad batteries. Earlier I thought the trip would take me to simpler times, but now there's a little more. The simplicity will be in my mind.
Date: 2005-03-12
To: prep 10
Miles today: 0.0

It's getting close to the 15 Mar start date. Thanks to my wife Rita for listening to the trail talk. She's an inspiration to my life! We'll see how pocketmail does at keeping us updated. Thanks to my brother Bart for transcribing and taking me to Springer.Thanks to family and friends who are supporting this effort. I think most things are in place as I've thought much about it. THe hike has been dominant the last few months and led me to start early. I might see part of the winter before the spring. So much spring fever sees the winter return. Mother Nature has her way and I should follow. I've packed many times and feel the weight should come down. The other side is take it and learn on the trail. The dreams of the trail are peaceful, energetic, worrisome, and scary. I need some reality to help me along.I'll miss Rita, family and friends, cat, cleaning up after cat, washing loads of laundry, washing a sink full of dishes, water from the tap, microwave,car.... Last week I drove the car 1500 miles.Next week I should walk 60 miles!
Date: 2005-03-15
From: prep 10

To: Stover Creek
Miles today: 2.6
Weather: light rain

total 2.6 milesThe day went well. My brother drove me from Huntsville, AL to Amelicola Falls, to the lodge for lunch and then to the trail. Five in the shelter and five tents and tarps..The weather is clear but expected to change. My brother hiked to the shelter and is staying here. The first night out is such a contrast to the other world.
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Stover Creek

To: Justin Creek
Miles today: 11.0

Red said 25 stayed here last night and are off to Gooches. Although the miles are short I'm thinking of staying here. The day is early 1200. I passed the army special ops training. After I walked a while, I thought I saw hikers on the hill. It was more army. I saw a pileated woodpecker and later heard him knocking in a tree. Last night it rained and the day was cloudy. I walked fast to warm up. I almost stayed but got itchy after a few hours. I had on most of clothes and was still cold. The hiking warmed me up quickly. The rain jacket was getting me hot from the inside. At Justin Creek someone left 5 days of food and a waterlogged tent. I got a pound of almonds and some noodles. My food supply is more than ample. Tonight I have pasta primavera.
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Justin Creek

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light snow

I got a good night's sleep.Some hikers woke me at 7 pm. The tarp worked good. I left at 715 and warmed up. In an hour it began to snow. At Gooch Gap I called home on the cell phone. It's been a long three days. I had noodles for lunch to warm me and went on. This is my training session. Tomorrow I'll be at Walaysi for resupply and journal transmission.
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Hogpen Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Woods hole shelter to Hogpen gap10.5 miles total 37.1I thought I did more miles than that. I went over Blood Mountain in the snow and got to Neels Gap. I resupplied, called home, emailed,and bought a jacket. After some fruit and m&ms I headed up the trail. The weather turned sunny and the views were great. I hiked the afternoon with Bearbait and swapped stories about getting here. I took his picture and will email it to him. At home this would have been easy, but not out here. It was a long day and I was in bed by 7.
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was cold so I got going quick. PUDS is what they call GA. I took a nap and had a hot lunch. I met Rabbit,Sunshine,punk,chicken legs. The sun was out and the temp climbed. The gang is at the shelter. Earlier I talked with some trail workers and found out I missed some magic...maybe later. We talked football and basketball and some trail. I got to Blue Mt shelter with the gang. We had steak from chicken legs brother's hike along. Torch,the geologist, and I had a short orogeny talk.