morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-19
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: West Branch Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

About 20 minutes after turning our headlamps off last night I heard a rustling in Backfire¢s grocery bag of food he had hanging in the shelter. I yelled over to him to check his food because it sounded like a mouse was in his food bag. He got up and chased the mouse away and crammed the food that was in the grocery sack into his Ursack food bag. Just for kicks he hung the empty grocery bag back on the hook, and we turned out our headlamps once again. It wasn¢t even five minutes later that I heard the sound of mice scampering across the shelter rafters, so I turned on my headlamp again just in time to see a mouse using the tuna can on the string as a pivoting point to get into what was now an empty bag. Backfire got up once again and took his trail shoes and smacked them together at the bottom of the bag. That was the end of that mouse, and he hung the bag once again. This process was repeated twice more before I finally drifted off to sleep. Backfire said he battled the mice until midnight and managed to eliminate five of the food bandits in the process. After that he didn¢t hang the empty grocery bag on the hook any more. The temperature plummeted overnight, and I sure did not want to get out of my sleeping bag early this morning. But I knew we had a full day of hiking planned so I did get myself moving and very quickly once I was out of my bag. We made the climb up to Barren Ledges first thing in the morning, and were rewarded with one of the best views of the entire trip. Coupled with the warm sunshine and lack of a breeze the view was so gorgeous I wanted to stay there all day. After a nice long break we finished the climb to the summit of Barren Mountain, and the views were very nice, although not as good as that from the Ledges. As we marched northward we also had great views from Fourth Mountain, Third Mountain, and Chairback Mountain. We saw J. Beard and Mangrove on top of Third Mountain, and J. Beard was moving very slowly with foot problems. We also saw Dragon and Little Foot at Chairback Gap Lean-to before making the climb up to Chairback Mountain. After making the long, and sometimes steep, descent from Chairback we made our way to a stealth site near the West Branch Pleasant River for the night. It¢s been another very long and tough day on the trail.Total Ascent:        4,510'Total Descent:        4,600'
Date: 2007-09-20
From: West Branch Pleasant River

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 16.3

I was up last night battling the deer mice again. When I got up in the middle of the night to empty my bladder I decided to check on my food bag hanging in the tree. When I shined my headlamp on it, there were two mice scampering up and down my food bag line to the food bag. I decided to bring my food into the tent for the rest of the night rather than allowing the mice to chew more than the two holes they had already managed. When we got up in the morning Backfire found that something had chewed into his Ursack Bear Bag too, so we will have to come up with a better strategy for battling these little suckers. We forded the West Branch Pleasant River first thing in the morning, and by the time I reached the other side, my feet were numb from the frigid water. Overall, the day consisted of a series of four successive climbs, of which the first three were viewless. Only White Cap Mountain had good views from the top, but the sky was so hazy you could barely make out the distant mountains, including Katahdin. We are definitely getting close to the end, and the excitement is really building. When Backfire and I got to the East Branch Lean-to late in the afternoon, Philmont, Tennessee Jed, and Brisk were already here with a fire going. We passed the 2,100 mile mark today, and as much as I am ready to go home, it seems as though this journey is ending far too quickly. Total Ascent:        4320'Total Descent:        3740'
Date: 2007-09-21
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It was very cold again this morning, but the blue sky and bright sunshine brightened the day. Tennessee Jed and Philmont managed to trap 8 mice during the night with a water bucket they found behind the shelter, and that was a new acclaimed high for them. After eating breakfast and leaving the shelter it didn¢t take long to make the climb to Mountain View Pond, which lived up to its name. I think it was the most beautiful pond I¢ve seen on the trip so far. In fact, I think this has also got to be one of the most magnificent days I¢ve spent on the trail too. There are too many things to mention individually, but the fall colors, good trail, beautiful ponds, waterfalls, and the magnificent weather all coupled to make it so. Life on the trail really doesn¢t get any better than it has been today. We hiked a long day today to make it to a shelter tonight just in case it rains, but there were a couple of places we passed on the trail where I would rather have tented for the night. We got to the Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to late in the afternoon, and it looks as though it will be only Backfire and I here tonight. I haven¢t even turned out my headlamp yet, and I can see the mice running across the rafters. It appears as though there might be another battle tonight.Total Ascent:        1,990'Total Descent:        2,530'
Date: 2007-09-22
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night we watched the mice trying to get into our food for quite awhile before we were confident enough they couldn¢t get to it. After watching them make their attempts we learned the can on the food bag line has got to be at least a soup can size so the side of the can is long enough the mouse cannot slide down the can and onto the bag. In other words, the tuna cans you commonly see hanging in shelters are worthless when it comes to these savvy mice. It was warmer this morning than it has been for some time, and the sky was grey and overcast. I stopped early in the morning where we were supposed to get a view of the Big K, but it was still too cloudy to see anything in the distance. I just hope to get a glimpse of it before making my final climb. Shortly after taking a late morning break we were treated to trail magic by two former thru-hikers, Java and Jeopardy. We spent an hour there eating hot dogs and snacks and telling of our travels. Reluctantly, we continued hiking the trail to reach Rainbow Stream Lean-to for the night and another big mileage day. Overall, it was another great day on the trail as the leaves are adding vivid colors to what is already a gorgeous place. It was very late in the day when we arrived at the shelter, and Spock rolled in shortly after that. It¢s just us three in the shelter tonight and only 30 miles left to go! Wow, it¢s really hard to believe we are so close to the end of our journey.Total Ascent:        2,820'Total Descent:        2,230'
Date: 2007-09-23
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Spock was up at first light, so Backfire and I followed suit to get an earlier start than normal. The trail started out a little rough but soon smoothed out for some easy hiking, and we made good time. It was a beautiful hike along Rainbow Lake, but the wind was really gusting on this clear and cool day. Right after pausing for a break at the east end of Rainbow Lake I tripped and fell over a limb that caught in my shoe laces. I was falling face first, and when I tried to catch myself, my left hand landed on the top of my trekking pole. Unfortunately, the pole had bridged itself across two rocks, and the force of the fall ripped back my thumb. It was very painful to say the least, and I knew, at the very least, I had sprained my thumb severely. After sitting there for a couple of minutes I managed to push myself up and continued hiking, but not more than five minutes later I slipped on a rock and fell again. It was a case of paying too much attention to my thumb and not enough on where I was stepping, and this time I scraped up my right leg badly. Not being happy about the situation I decided that if I wanted to finish this trip I needed to slow my pace and pay attention to where I was stepping. From there I managed to limp my way up to Rainbow Ledges, and got my first good view of Katahdin. The view was simply magnificent, and we took a long break there to take it all in. For the remainder of the day we had some pretty easy trail to follow all the way to Abol Bridge. That turned out to be a blessing for me because my left hand had swollen, and it was too painful to hold the trekking pole in my hand. When we got to the Abol Bridge Campground, Riggy, Spock, Backfire, and I got a tent site with one of the most beautiful backdrops I¢ve ever seen while camping. Katahdin in all its majesty stood before us, and all I could do was stare at it in awe. After eating dinner I climbed into my sleeping bag for the night, and now, I am just laying here staring out the tent¢s door at Katahdin in the bright moonlight. It will be difficult to sleep tonight with the thought of all this coming to an end.Total Ascent:        1,980'Total Descent:        2,360'
Date: 2007-09-24
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

After packing up we went to the campground¢s store to buy some food for breakfast. About that time Iceman, Shadow, and Numbtoe all came rolling in and joined us as we sat at the picnic table to eat. Backfire¢s friend, Blueberry, came in a little later to join him for a portion of the hike into Baxter State Park. Riggy and I didn¢t start the day off too well when we finally got going. The trail follows the road for a short distance from the campground and we missed a turn. After discovering our mistake and turning back, we were treated to a little trail magic from a former thru-hiker. Some things just work out for the best, and it didn¢t take us long to catch up to the rest of the group either because they had to stop at the entrance of Baxter State Park to self register. For the most part it was an easy hike to The Birches, a pair of lean-tos reserved for thru-hikers. It was a beautiful autumn day with a touch of coolness in the air, and the day¢s hike was a great way to begin the process of unwinding from this very long trip. We caught a few glimpses of Katahdin along the way, but mostly the trail followed rivers, streams, and passed by ponds, all nestled deep in the Maine woods. When we got to The Birches we asked the ranger about staying at Katahdin Stream Campground instead, and he managed to get us two lean-tos there for the night. Now it¢s only a matter of waiting for morning to see how the final day of our trip will unfold.Total Ascent:        1,110'Total Descent:           470'
Date: 2008-09-26
To: Injury & Illness Report
Miles today: 0.0

When I got home I decided to have my left hand, injured just beyond Rainbow Lake in a fall, x-rayed. Sure enough I had a fracture at the base of my thumb and went home with a cast on my arm for the next 4 weeks. It wasn¢t a bad fracture, but it made hiking the last 30 miles of the trip and climb up and down Katahdin quite difficult and painful. I also had the doctor look at my little finger that I injured while hiking into Franconia Notch. I found out that I had a condition known as mallet finger, and the doctor I saw in Lincoln, NH should have put it in a splint for at least six weeks to allow time for the ligaments to grow back together. Consequently, I had to keep it immobilized in a splint for the next 12 weeks. When I went in for my regular yearly physical in February, I asked my doctor about being checked for Lyme disease. I explained to him that I did remove three ticks during the course of my hike, and it was suggested to me by others, while on the trail, that it was a good idea to be checked after completing the trip. My doctor was a little hesitant at first, but he did decide to have me tested. Unfortunately and much to my surprise, the test came back positive. I was surprised because I didn¢t have any symptoms while on the trail or after returning home other than fatigue while on the trail. Of course, who doesn¢t get fatigued while hiking the AT? So I¢m not sure how one would distinguish the difference between expected fatigue while hiking and fatigue resulting from Lyme disease. In any case, I took the antibiotics as prescribed and cannot tell you if the medication worked because I don¢t feel any differently now than what I did before taking it. The one thing I really want to stress, and the reason for telling of this, is I really believe it is a good idea that anyone who hikes the AT, or an extended time through tick country, should have themselves checked whether you have symptoms or not. If I had not listened to this advice from others there is no doubt I would have the disease today, but what is worse, are the consequences of allowing the disease to go unchecked. Get yourselves tested!! Lastly, while on the trip I got very sick while hiking to the Partnership Shelter, and eventually spent three days recovering at one god awful motel in Atkins, VA. Looking back at what happened, and what my symptoms were at the time, I¢m fairly certain it was a case of crypto. The night I first felt sick was after dropping my outlet hose of my water filter while filtering water the previous day. The water looked to be very clean, and I thought, mistakenly, I will be okay this time. Of all things that happened to me on the trip, I think this had the most severe impact because it definitely weakened me for at least two weeks. For those of you who do not know what Crypto is: Information on Crypto
Date: 2007-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

1. March 23rd. Last day at work. 2. March 24th. Picacho peak with Arizonahikers.com people. Then will drive to Tucson to hang out with Erin for the day3. March 25-April 1. "Shakedown hike 1". Grand Canyon backpack with a few Arizona Hikers. Test gear, food and water needs, etc. 4. April 2-April 6. "Shakedown hike 2". Planning to backpack the 50 mile highline trail near Payson - both ways. May just see how far I hike in 2 days and then hike back. 5. April 7-8. Last overnight backpack with Autumn T in Arizona. Maybe will do Hellsgate trail. Maybe something else. And If Autumn can't come, I'll still do it. 6. April 9th. Drive to Salt Lake. Drop off truck. Hang out with family for a couple days7. April 11th. Depart SLC at 3:45 am on Amtrak. 8. April 14th. Arrive in early AM at Gainesville, Georgia - hitch a ride or walk to AT southern Terminus.9. April 14th - September? Appalachian Trail - Georgia to Maine__________Looking back - what actually happened:skipped Picacho peak with AZH since I was hung over from last day of work celebrations. slacker. Shakedown hike 1 in Grand Canyon was amazing. Ended up being 6 days 5 nights. My longest BP ever. I think I'm a natural.Shakedown hike 2 turned out to be 2 days on the Highline Trail, 1 day in Phoenix taking care of other business, and 3 days back in Payson on other trails. In total, 5 days hiking, 3 nights camping. Was a good time saying goodbye to friends.Now in Salt Lake twiddling my thumbs, packing, unpacking, repacking, and getting more and more nervous for the long train ride to Georgia. A good nervous.
Date: 2007-04-14
To: Hawk Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1 - Saturday April 14th - Started hike from Springer Mtn at 10:30 am. Shuttled to trailhead (skipped approach trail only because other shuttlers/hikers weren't doing it). Hiked 7.6 miles to Hawk Mtn shelter. bunked with Harry (59 yr old retiree), a father and son combo named Rocky and Bullwinkle(though they may change that), Shavonne (a girl on day 3. ouch), and Josh (a ridgerunner who works for ATC and is paid to backpack Georgia section and checkout trail/shelter/water conditions). ********************************************If I had one word to describe my first evening on the Appalachian Trail, after walking from Springer Mountain, past that first blaze, climbing those first hills of Georgia, and finding myself 7.6 miles into the adventure, but 3000 miles from home, that word would be FEAR. I remember lying in the shelter trying to get comfortable. The other hikers were nice people, but really just strangers. I remember pulling out the data book and seeing that I still had 2166.4 miles to go. I might as well have been trying to walk to Jupiter. One phrase kept repeating itself over and over in my head: What in the hell have I gotten myself into?I remember finally falling asleep listening to the rain. And then I remember getting up in the early morning, eating breakfast, packing up, and beginning the walk.
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Hawk Mtn. Shelter

To: Blood Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 20.5

Day 2 Sunday - Hiked to Blood Mountain Shelter. 80% of hike was in a sideways blowing snowstorm. Yuck. Was going to stay in Woods Hole shelter, but it was completely full and I didn't feel like getting my tent out...ended up being the only one in Blood Mountain Shelter and used my tent inside. Still turned into an icicle. Miserable conditions, but it gave me confidence that if I can hike 20+ miles in these conditions, I can hike in anything.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Blood Mtn. Shelter

To: Blue Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 3 Monday - Bought a few things at Neels Gap outfitters, which is right on trail. Ditched filter and bought a couple vials of potable aqua. I hate filtering with the fiery passion of a thousand suns, so until Giardia finds me, this should work. Hiked to Blue Mountain Shelter. Met Brian and Nate, the coolest hiker dudes ever. Brian had a Banjo and Nate had a Mandolin. They are damn good. Hope to run into them again sometime. Also camped with Doo-da Man (chuck), Stacy from Idaho, Goldilocks, Lisa, and Piper. All nice.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Dicks Creek Gap + 1 Mile

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 5 Wednesday - Longest day yet. Yay - passed my first state line. Camped with a few people who were on day 10..yikes! but they were cool, just taking their time. Mark, Tom, Bruce, and Dave. Nobody had a trailname yet. Didn't sleep well in the shelter this night. I'm thinking my next shelter night, I'll just use my tent in the vicinity. realized I'm dangerously low on food.
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Mile 106.Day 6 Thursday - Moved at a blistering pace to Winding Staircase Gap and hitch hiked to Franklin NC for resupply and general town mental health at the Haven Inn. Awesome place. They shuttled a few of us thru-hikers thru town to the grocery store, Walmart, outfitters. They even drove me to laundry, even though it was only 1 block away and I insisted on walking..they were going that way so hey, why not. Super accommodating town. Oh yeah, and got my trailname today. On a big mountain lookout, I had lunch with Crockett (or Crock, can't remember), Doc, Root Down, and Carucho. They saw my red shorts with "M" on the side for Minnesota and decided to name me Gopher. so there, I'm Gopher now. \------------I know I'm talking a lot about people I've met, but really, 95% of all hiking has been quite solitary. I really only see people at the shelters or at various junctions. This has been one of the more surprising parts of hiking the AT. From what I've read, I had the impression the trail would be a highway of people. This is not the case at all. Anyway, that's all for now..
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 10 Monday - Silers Bald shelter (tented it) lots of section hikers there, who have priority at shelters since they actually paid for their permits. Thru-hikers have to get permits, but don't have to pay.. mile 191.1
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, Va
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 28 --- Hosteling @ Damascus, Va. A "Nero" day today. Gopher called first from a Hostel phone then from a pay phone at laundramat to update his progress. His cell went junk. He is thinking of replacing it when he gets to a larger community. The library is closed so no internet access today. He will try and fill in some color commentary on Monday AM @ the library before heading out of town. Suffice it to say at this point he is still thoroughly enjoying life. I've taken on the job of statistician. His next major town stop is most likely Pearisburg, Va. --- UPDATE: Gopher just called again --- The Damascus library doesn't open until 11AM Monday. He's boogeying out early Monday rather than wait that long. He will update at a better opportunity down the trail. I read him the newer entries in the Guest book. He enjoyed his time with Laura/1Pint and is sorry she is out. He also remembers fondly Scratch's hospitality in the GC. His time with Tim, Ambika, Guru and Cholla in the GC Gems in March was most enjoyable and greatly helped his preparation for this "Walk In The Woods". He also thanks all his other friends and well wishers from Arizona and at arizonahikers.com.
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Johns Spring Shelter

To: Daleville, Va.
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Day 35 --- Stayed @ a Howard Johnsons on hiker discount. Got new shoes @ outfitter. He figures shoes in general to last only 700 miles or so. Switched from hiking shoes to trail runners. Next stop is probably Waynesboro, Va.(pa of Gopher)
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: clear sky

Day 38 --- Sheltered. This dude is a veteran thru-hiker. Already hiked the PCT and CDT, the AT is the last one he needs for the "triple crown." This photo was at the top of one of Virginia's monster 2,000+ ft climbs. (I couldn't catch him)
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 39 --- Tent. This was Part I of what may go down as my favorite day on the trail. Renegade, or as others call him, "The Mileage Assassin", camps out by the trail and feeds hungry hikers. I got here at 8:30 and probably sat with him for 45 minutes drinking soda, eating cereal, fresh fruit, etc. He loves the trail and loves the hikers. Part II of a great trail day. At a particularly hot and tiring part of the day, I ran into these folks. They thru-hiked 7 or 8 years ago and love giving back to weary hikers. I must've sat here for at least an hour listening to their trail stories while being fed root beer, tuna sandwhiches, chips, and chocolate cake. love them. (See photo section)
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 40 --- Sheltered. I only talked to Bligh for a few minutes on my lunch break. He is one cool guy though.. taking his time, singing on the trail, etc. His trail name comes from Captain William Bligh of the British Royal Navy in the early 1800s. There is some history here about a mutiny and long voyage which inspired him to take this trail name.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap, U.S. 250, I-64
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 41 --- Staying tonight in Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waynesboro, Va. They are acting as a hiker hostel for a few months. Today is their 3rd day. Free stay (though I'll give them a donation). Quite a unique experience.Trail Runners are doing much better than previous shoes. Not perfect, but by far, the easiest week on my feet yet.   LaterThe previous is an edited version of an E-mail he sent.He called later and will be heading out into the Shenandoah National Park Friday morning. He is 4.5 miles from the trail head and hopes to hitch a ride there. Next check in is probably Front Royal, Va or the Northern end of the Park after 107.1 miles. (pa of Gopher)