morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-07
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 20.7

It did end up raining slightly last night. Our bags were damp in the morning and the rocks were wet underfoot. As I hiked down Chairback Mountain, I had to be careful of my footing, I slipped several times, especially on the larger rocks, so I went slowly.       I made it down to the river around 9 am. Ziola and Spartan were there. We forded the river and we were putting on our shoes when Pop Tart, the ridgerunner from Monson showed up. He brought me the cookies I had given to him at the hostel! We laughed and all of us indulged in some Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies! What a great suprise.   After the break, I headed out with Ziola. It is overcast today and I am getting chilled, so I have to kep moving, or stop and put on clothes. I kept moving.    I hiked uphill 11 miles, past Gulf Hagas, and over Gulf Hagas Mountain (2,683), West Peak (3,178), Hay Mountain (3,244), and finally over White Cap Mountain (3,650). I made it down to Logan Brook Lean-to where I saw Pi and K'ache. I felt pretty good and decided to make it to the next shelter as it was still early and I have plenty of daylight left. It is supposed to rain tomorrow and I won't have to hike as far in the rain if it does. If it doesn't, I can make it to Potaywadio Spring Lean-to or maybe to Whitehouse Landing for a cheeseburger and possibly a shower.   I got into the shelter and Pi and K'ache arrived as well. We were the only ones there. It was nice and relaxing. We talked alot about the trail and our mixed emotions on finishing. Pi had finished the trail last year, so K'ache and I were curious about "after Katahdin".   I was tired, so I went to bed early and slept well.
Date: 2007-09-08
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Potaywadio Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: broken clouds

Well, it didn't rain last night. I guess that is a good thing for me. Today the trail is relatively flat and easy... pine needles and a slightly downhill slope. Perfect.      I hiked along and I felt really good. Today is sunny and warm. Another great hiking day. I stopped at Mountain View Pond and bathed and washed my hair. It felt great. I hiked to Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to and had lunch. There was another nice swimming hole there, but I wasn't going to go in. Pi and K'ache were there having lunch. Pi was trying to talk me out of going to White House Landing. He said I could make it through the 100 mile wilderness without resupplying...and that was part of being a thru-hiker! Ishmal said he wasn't planning to go. He said he was going to spend an extra day at Abol Bridge viewing Katahdin. What a wonderful thought. I liked the idea of not resupplying in the wilderness and spending time reflecting before finishing my hike. I did pack the food I needed, so why bother? I didn't need to shower, or get any other supplies. What the heck...I was going to go all the way through. After all...I hiked through the Smokies without resupplying, so why not? It felt right to me.   This is one of the lessons I have learned from the trail. You can plan something, but always remain open to change, when you do, good things usually happen. If it feels right to me, I am open to change. I cannot begin to count the numerous times I changed my plans (for the better) on this trail. If I had remained rigid, some of the most wonderful events would not have unfolded. For that I am truly blessed!    Later I headed down to Lower Jo-Mary Lake. Ishmal showed up and we played around in the water a bit. It was so beautiful on the beach. Warm and sunny. The sun reflected on the water like a million diamonds sparkling in the sun. I miss the beach. For most of my hike I have been under a canopy of leaves, and not out in the sun. I miss my kayaks. There are so many beautiful places I could drop my boat in up here...perhaps I will come back to kayak and camp.      I arrived at the shelter and a group of section hikers were showing up. They said they made too much spagetti and offered Ishmal and myself some. That was so generous of them and we were very grateful. Pi and K'ache declined as they had already made dinner and they were full. The mice were rampant at this shelter and raided the section hikers food. They didn't even care! Can you imagine? They said they were carrying too much anyway. We chuckled about it a bit but, Wow! As a thru-hiker, my food is precious and I need all the calories I can get...I cannot imagine. Words fail me.
Date: 2007-09-09
From: Potaywadio Spring Lean-to

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

I slept in today and enjoyed the sunrise and the cool crisp air. There won't be too many days like this left, I want to enjoy it as much as I can. It looks like another sunny and glorious day. I have been so blessed with good weather!    I am still having mixed emotions about finishing the hike. It is hard to put into words. I want to be done, I want to go home. I miss my family and creature comforts. I miss my pets. I am tired and sore. And yet, I know I only have another five days or so and it will be finished. It seems so final! So, then I think how I don't want it to end. I love seeing the fantastic views...the sunrises and sunsets over the misty ponds. Maine is such a beautiful state. I love hearing the loons calling as I drift off to sleep, or smelling the pine forests as I hike and hearing the babbling brook rushing as I hike along beside it. It is sooo bittersweet.   Even though the trail is relatively flat at this point, there are many roots and rocks in the terrain. They are giving my feet and ankles a good workout, and by the end of the day I feel it. They say this trail is the most difficult because of rough footing. Many people think it is a smooth path, like the Pacific Crest Trail. But that trail is made for pack animals...this one is not. It can slow you down enormously. And it gets to you mentally.   I hiked past White House Landing and walked down to the beach at Nahmakanta Lake where some people were camping. It turns out they were thru hikers from 1996 and were doing trail magic! It was wonderful...just the pick-me up I needed! They offered me a coke and some other goodies and Ishmal and Ziola showed up and had some too. They were great people. They mentioned that Soko and Chef had just left. I keep missing them. They are only 2-3 miles ahead of me. I hope I get to see them before I summit.   I had lunch at Wadliegh Stream Lean-to and then climbed up Nesuntabunt Mountain (1,520). There it was...Katahdin...I could finally see it! It was clouding up fast and beginning to drizzle, but I finally saw the biggest mountain in Maine, the terminus to my hike. I would be there in a couple of days. Breathtaking!      It was starting to get cloudy and rainy. I hiked fast to get into the shelter before the downpour. I made it in and so did Ishmal, Ziola, Pi and K'ache. We talked late into the night and reflected on our experiences. It was wonderful.
Date: 2007-09-10
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke to pouring rain this morning...and didn't want to hike. Everyone was trying to encourange me to hike, at least to the next shelter. I got up reluctanly and started to get ready. Ishmal and Ziola had already left. Pi and K'ache had to take down their tent, so they were still making breakfast.   I forded across the brook and was on the bank putting on my shoes. I knew I could take a shower at Abol Bridge Campground, so this shouldn't be as bad as I was making it. Sheesh...does cheese come with this "whine"?   The trail actually wasn't so bad...very flat terrain, but their was alot of roots and rocks and the roots were very slippery. It made it slow going. As I hiked, I could hear the birds and squirrels chattering. It was very peaceful. I will get through the 100-Mile wilderness today. I am hiking solo and it is nice to reflect on the past six months. It is dreary out, and I am feeling incredible emotions of sadness. I definately will miss seeing all this beauty on a daily basis. The smell of pine, the sound of rushing water or the calling of loons. The blue, green and brown that has been so soothing to me while I hike. I think again about how this hike has affected me. Have I changed? Is my perspective different? Have I grown? Will I retain what I have learned, or will it slowly slip away as I go back to my responsibilities? Will I be able to stay connected to the earth like I have for the past six months? Or will I forget? I walk in solitude and try to take it all in.      I see Ziola and we hike across Abol Bridge together. When we arrive at the campground, Soko and Chef are there. YES! I get to see them one last time. They are heading out and are going to summit tomorrow. Chef's Dad will meet them at the top. They try to convince me to go with them. I would like to, but it will be a cloudy day, and Bob isn't due until Friday. The weather is suppose to clear up and I explain to them I have decided to take a day before hiking to the Birches, so I can take photos of Katahdin, and then I will have a day in Millinocket after I summit, to gather my thoughts and see other hikers. Ishmal arrives and wants to hike on...he has a plane to catch. Ziola decides she is going to go along as well. They leave and I am left alone with my thoughts. Pi and K'ache show up, and meet their friend Lou.      It is getting late, so I set up camp and make dinner. I am alone at the shelter, and it is nice. I have a great view of the Penobscot River. It gets dark rather quickly and I fall asleep watching the water flow and the sun setting behind some trees by the river. Life is good.
Date: 2007-09-11
From: Abol Stream

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

When I got up today it was rainy and overcast. I am glad I have decided to wait before climbing Katahdin. Pi and K'ache are hiking to the Birches, but Lou and I will pick them up when they arrive, they are going to stay at Abol campground again, and then Lou will drop them off tomorrow and hike up Katahdin with them...if the weather is good. They may wait until Thursday as well.   I walked over the campstore and had hot coffee and some breakfast. I picked up a book to read and went back to the shelter to write in my journal. It was wonderful to have some time to write down my thoughts and reflections.    Lou came by around noon to get me so we could go pick up Pi and K'ache. We saw them and then went into the Birches to see if any hikers made it down yet, and to have a bite to eat. As we finished our lunch, who should come walking down the trail but Sublime - my "trail son"! He reminds me so much of Brian. Shortly after, Sandwitch and Gorilla arrived. We congratulated all of them and gave them some celebratory beer! They showed me their pictures and videos and we laughed and reminisced about our hike. Then Dances with Sloths strolled down. It was so wonderful to see all of them. They said it was cold and they couldn't see much, but it was memorable still, and amazing. We said our goodbyes and good lucks and they were on their way. We drove back to Abol Bridge.   I went back over to the store later in the day and spoke with BlueBeary, a ridgerunner who happened to grow up in Akron, Ohio! We talked about how the area has changed, our thru-hikes, SkyWay drive-In, and how we came to be where we are now. It was nice.   When I went back to the lean-to, Nuclear, Barry Manilow, Spartan and Ox were there. Barry Manilow decided to get up at 3 am, and hike to the Birches and then summit. The rest of us just planned to go to the Birches.   We ate our dinner and went to bed. The hike tomorrow will be an easy ten miles. The last stretch along the trail besides climbing Katahdin. That will be five miles up to the summit (and then five back down).
Date: 2007-09-22
To: Chicago
Miles today: 0.0

I am in Chicago for Parents weekend. I just have to say I am feeling overwhelmed to say the least. I have gone from one extreme to the other...and it is very strange and bizarre to me right now.   Rachel is doing well at school. We brought her a care package, and it was fun to see her dorm and get a taste of her campus life. I am glad she is doing so well and I am proud of her.   Brian has moved into his own place and is working and putting himself through school also. He is trying hard to make enough to pay his bills...I am so proud he is on his own and trying to make a life for himself. It is not easy, and I think he really appreciates that.   Bob is doing much better as far as his health. He had a virus in his heart and has to make some lifestyle changes...diet and exercise. He is making those changes for the better. He feels much better, and we are starting to make healthier choices as far as both of our meals and lifestyles. I am glad we are both involved in this. I am glad to be home and back with him. I really missed him alot, and it feels good to be with my best friend again.      We will be home in a few days and I will be going through bills, cleaning my gear, updating this journal and changing it to completed hike. I will be focusing on building clientele for my personal training business and I am looking forward to training again.      I have been requested to speak about my journey by a couple of organizations, so I will be pursuing that and perhaps putting together a powerpoint presentation, in the hopes of inspiring and encouraging others to get out and hike.      I will be posting my final thoughts for this adventure in the next day or so.
Date: 2008-10-19
To: unknown
Miles today: 0.0

It has been a year since I hiked the AT. It almost seems as if it has been an eternity. I have hiked some since then...but nothing compares to the magnitude of this thru-hike.I have gotten back into the daily routine...going to work, making a living, taking care of my family. My Mother has passed away this year. I hiked with her blessing and was able to come home and share my experiences with her. In a lot of ways she was responsible for this hike. Teaching me to be self reliant, love nature, and improvise... lessons that served me well while I hiked. I am forever grateful to her and my father for the great job they did in raising me.It is strange now. I smell a scent, hear a bird call or see a sunset, a flower, or a breeze brushes my cheek and I am instantly transplanted back to the trail...and I realize that I have become a part of it in a way I cannot describe. Life is enriched now.The other day I went on Google Earth and summited Katahdin...it was kind of cool, it brought back memories, but of course it wasn't even close to actually being there. I have that gift in my heart and will always carry it with me. I can just stop now, see the sunset, really listen to the bird, feel the breezes and smell the earth, and, if I really want to, I will close my eyes, and be back on the trail.What a great gift I have received...from both of my mothers......and for that I am grateful.
Date: 2006-12-23
To: Announcement
Miles today: 0.0

Game on! I am planning on a southbound AT thruhike starting mid-June 2007. Why you ask. Well, why not! How cool would it be to spend six months playing in the woods, meeting random people from all over the U.S. (and world), and having random adventures on the AT with our trail families and as we encounter the "front country" along the trail. Mix in trail magic and you have one great adventure on your hands! Life simplified. Plus, I get out of work. Don't get me wrong I enjoy working hard and staying busy, and hiking is hard work too, but a different kind of work. I live in urban jungle of Seattle currently. I will be graduating from University of Washington on June 10, 2007 (wahoo!) with my 4-year degree that took me 9 years to earn, and there was a 4-year side trip to New Orleans, so that really means it took me 5 years! No trail name yet as I plan to acquire it on the trail. I will keep everyone posted for further developments and breaking stories.For those who are not familiar with the Appalachian Trail you can check out any of the books that people have written about their hikes, read other people's trail journals, or do a Google search for the Appalachian Trail.Game on!
Date: 2006-12-23
To: Countdown
Miles today: 0.0

Okey dokey. There is now 174 days until I start my hike. I am waiting to see what Santa brings me before I start with the gratuitous gear purchasing action. I have a good amount of gear from the last 10 years of advendures, I just need to refine my collection for the hike, again, I will keep you updated with any breaking stories that may develop. Despite living for the most part on the left-coast I have made it over to the AT in Virgina one summer in August after some migrant work in Iowa, and hiked about 100 miles on the trail. On our first day of hiking, we were getting tired after a straight 20 hour drive all night to the trailhead. The data book said that the shelter was in the field just beyond the "stile." Well what the heck was a stile??!!! We had no idea and we were tired and grumpy. We soon found out what a stile was, and that was the start of our great AT adventure. I can't wait for more!From Wikipedia.comA stile is a pair of steps or ladders that is accessible to pedestrians but generally incessible to animals. Stiles are often found in rural areas or along footpaths and allow access to a field or other area enclosed by a fence or wall. Unlike a gate, there is no chance of forgetting to close it.That is the random information lesson of the day. Enjoy!Game on!Becca
Date: 2007-01-03
To: New Year's Festivities
Miles today: 0.0

I spent the New Year's weekend in a small town on the Eastern side of the North Cascades, in a town called Mazama, WA. I went with a group of 11 other friends from University of Washington "Outdoor House." We played in the snow, went x-country skiing, watched a biathlon, and a few hearty souls partook in some vertical action on skiis and snowboards. We "roughed" it in this really really nice cabin/home in the Lost River community, and had an excellent time. I recieved some gift certificates to REI and I will be slowing updating my gear section. Check out some other photo's that the talented Chris Cass took of our adventure.http://www.cascadesfreak.com/gallery/NewYearsWeekend-12-30-2006-to-1-1-2007http://www.cascadesfreak.com/gallery/goat-wall-methow-valley-12-31-2006Ciao, Rebecca
Date: 2007-01-24
To: Olympic Sculpture Park
Miles today: 0.0

So, I went to the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle today. Very cool, the sun was out. I got Lasik eye surgery 6 days ago, so that is really neato too, no glasses/contacts to deal with on the trail. It was a xmas present for myself, to me, from me. I was supposed to have it done before the new year, however their power was out the day of scheduled surgery...electricity was certainly an important component. I can't run for another few days because of the Lasik, but then it is on for training for the first annual Eugene Marathon for the end of April. Oh, yeah, I also am going to Haiti to volunteer at a rural medical clinic/rescue center for spring break in March. Check out the blog sometime of one of the nurses that help runs the place. (CAUTION: don't go to this blog if you have a hard time looking at photo's of people's injuries!!!)http://www.xanga.com/haitinurse4life
Date: 2007-03-24
To: Haiti
Miles today: 0.0

I have a few more days left on my medical volunteer trip to Haiti. Just a few things I have done is;I have been to a Haitian wake, sutured a kids head up, started a few IVs, helped with brain surgery (a team of pediatric neurosurgeons from Miami with Project Medishare were in Port au prince at a hospital the last few days, and Lori randomly helped them with translation, and therefor we were allowed to watch brain surgery), accidently drove through a way sketchy part of Port au Prince trying to find a place where they do CT scans, ate hamburgers in a barn inside of a shipping warehouse (it had A/C and a TV, can you blame me?), did some 4X4 truck riding to get to the small town I was staying at, helped plant trees, and got stared at by thousands of pairs of eyes because I am a "blanc," a white person. Talk about being a minority.So, on that note, the REAL planning and gear hoarding for the trail will commence when I return to the states next week.
Date: 2007-03-28
To: Haiti Nursing Education Scholarship
Miles today: 0.0

So, I have arrived back in the States safe and sound today but in reverse culture shock. I had to go for a short run to decompress and process my re-entry as soon as I got back to my apartment. The cool air never felt so good on my skin and to breathe. My last quarter of school starts tomorrow, and I am ready to go. To prepare, I spent the evening looking at the REI catalogs I received while I was gone (if only one of those water filters could filter all the drinking water in Haiti...).On that note, during my trip, I came to the conclusion that MY contribution to the country could be to provide scholarships to motivated indivduals to attend nursing school. In a place of widespread poverty and a 75% unemployment rate, if at least 1 person in the family has a good paying job, then not only is that person's quality of life better, but the EXTENDED family's life improves dramatically because they live in such a communal setting. Also, with a reliabe income, people in general, and women specifically make much better life decisions (i.e. they don't sleep around to put food on the table, or don't intentionally get pregnant and hope the father supports them financially, dont use drugs, dont engage in risky behavior because of lack of hope). Nursing school in Haiti is 4 years long, and costs approx. $2500 in US dollars for 1 person's life to totally change. So, if you feel that education is important to you - consider donating ($1, $5, $20, or more) to the scholarship fund through: REAL HOPE FOR HAITI P.O. Box 23Elwood, IN 46036 (PLEASE write SCHOLARSHIP on the MEMO line, and if you need a receipt please note that you need one). IF you are OK with semi-gory medical pictures then check out Lori's blog, the nurse that runs the clinic that I volunteered at while I was in Cazale, Haiti.(DISCLAIMER: I personally enjoy the blog for the pictures and the people's storie)http://www.xanga.com/haitinurse4lifeHAPPY TRAVELS...My own blog/site for the scholarshiphttp://haitinursescholarshipfund.blogspot.com/
Date: 2007-04-11
To: Tent a hoy!
Miles today: 0.0

I just made a reservation for June 24th for the Katadin Stream Campground! AT here I come! So, I actually bought this tent with my REI dividend before I went to Haiti, and I am just now playing with it. I live in the city with no yard, so I if set this up on the sidewalk I am sure the neighbors would be calling the cops with a quickness. Pretty sweet tent, the 3rd and lightest one I have ever owned. Next up, a stove. Yes, I have pondered the use of the cheap-o pepsi can alcohol stoves, but until I get my trail skills down I think I will be starting with one of those jet-boil jobs. Perhaps the 0.5 mile trek to the REI Flagship store is in order today...Happy Trails.
Date: 2007-04-17
To: Resignation letter
Miles today: 0.0

So it is official. I will be starting Sunday June 24th, 2007. The plane tickets are bought, the hotels are booked, and my letter of resignation is going to the big boss today, my last day being June 18th. I ran the Whidbey Island half marathon 2 days ago on April 15th, with a time of 2 hrs 9 minutes, and I got reconnect with an old friend that I had not seen in years, very pleasant surprise. Very sad to hear about the university shootings in Virginia yesterday, especially with the University of Washingon shootings only a short time ago. Bravo to the EMS and ER staff that helped saved countless lives yesterday. My virtual flag is flying at half staff today for you.