morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-09-05
From: Gorham, N.H.

To: Trident Col campsite
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

We took full advantage of the buffet breakfast here at the motel. I had forgotten to stop at a grocery store yesterday while we had a car,so that meant a walk into town to resupply. We stored our packs in a closet of the lobby and headed out. The air was crisp and cool. It felt good to be without a pack. Gorham is a small,hiker freindly town,except for the taxi company. We had suffered sticker shock when we came out of the woods and saw the price of gas. I had called earlier about a taxi. The fare was $ 35.00 to take us 6 miles. We decided to walk. I told Papermaker we would hitchhike the 3 miles to the trail head from the motel. We found an outfitter in town and replaced our water filter cartridge that was on it's last leg. Starting back to the motel,we passed a Subway and decided to grab a soda and a couple cookies. Another customer in lines hands me a coupon for a $.99 footlong sandwich,so we quickly decided to eat an early lunch. We bought an extra sandwich for later and went to the motel to retrieve our packs. I was in the process of asking permission to hitchhike from the motel's parking lot,when the manager offered to take us to the trail head. In a matter of minutes, Cathy had our gear loaded in her vehicle and we were cruising down the road. We were much apreciative of the ride. It saved us at least an hour's worth of time and a long road walk. After some confusion about where the trail went,we finally got on our way. For a mile or so,we were walking along a paved road,untl finally the trail took a turn into the woods. The climbs out of town always seem to be hard physically and mentally. And they always seem to be up hill. At one point I had to stop and get Papermaker to take some of the weight out of my pack and put into his. We had sent some unneeded items back with Oreo Angel to keep for us,it seemed like we should have sent back a whole lot more. The forest is filled with White Birch trees. Their trunks striking out at the sky like bony fingers with green painted fingernails. It is a hard climb,but we stay steady and come to the campsite well before dark. We feast on leftover baked chicken and boiled potatoes. Once again we set up out tent,crawl into it and fall asleep. I am just a little bit apprehensive tonight as I fall asleep,because of the presence of a strong metal box placed here to keep your food safe from bears that are in the area. I am awakened at one point by an unknown noise,I listen but here nothing else,then just as I drift back off to sleep,Papermaker snorts and scares me half to death. I punch him hard in the side for good measure. He thinks I am trying to get him to roll over and quit snoring. Later a chorus of coyotes sing their mournful good night song and I finally go back to sleep   Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for Polio Appalachian Trail GA-MA Bumpkin More in 2004
Date: 2005-09-06
From: Trident Col campsite

To:  Trailside Campsite
Miles today: 7.4

As far away from civilization as we seem to be,it was disconcerting to wake up to the sounds of heavy equipment working. The morning was chilly and it did not take us long to eat,pack and get started hiking. We are not making near the miles I had hoped we could by this time. The terrain is wickedly tough and slow going. Still just being out here is so rewarding. Today the smell of pine needles being baked by the sun filled the air. That is one of my favorite smells. We hike to Dream Pond and opt to eat lunch here rather than go onto the shelter. Papermaker likes this idea very much as he will get to soak his feet in the cold inlet that feeds the pond,although it is one of his knees that is giving him pain,maybe he could just wade in and soak everything at once. By the time we get to the shelter we have decided a nap would be in order. Gentian Pond Shelter is surrounded on four sides by mountains and daunting views of trails we have either been or are going. The open side of the shelter is facing directly into the sun,and the board floor is warm and inviting. In minutes we are both asleep. I want to stay here for the night,it is already mid afternoon,but Papermaker wants to keep going for a couple of miles. We filter water for supper as the next water supply is farther than we will hike today. After some more climbing we find a wonderful bald just south of Success Mountain Summit. With a clear view of the night sky,we decide to camp here. We do not put up our tent as the ground is solid rocks,so tonight,we will sleep out underneath the stars. We eat our last MRE,beef steak and mushroom gravy,complemented with the baked potatoes we had fixed before we left town. We convinced ourselves it was delicious. I am even more uneasy about going to sleep than last night,thanks to an article I read at the shelter today about a bear attacking a camper in New Jersey. The bear just pulled the guy,sleeping bag and all away from the ground where he was sleeping. I tried to concentrate on how beautiful the stars were over head. I did not sleep sound at all,but at least I got to look at the stars alot! Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for Polio Appalachian Trail GA-MA Bumpkin More in 2004
Date: 2005-09-09
From: Speck Pond Campsite

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: few clouds

The air was frigid when we got up this morning. A nice warm sleeping bag makes it harder to get up and going. The pond was covered with a thick fog,and our hopes of seeing a moose before we left did not materialize. The caretaker posted the weather forecast for tonight. The low temperatures were expected to be in the upper twentys. I took stock of our food supply,and given the fact we were out of snacks,we decided to call "Bear" from The Cabin and get him to come get us. Zip was not prepared for the colder temperatures and asked if he could split the cost of the shuttle with us. We finally got a cell signal and made arrangements to be picked up by mid afternoon. The last section of the trail today was a knee grinding downhill. The fact that we had a ride waiting to take us into civilization made the descent more bearable. We had met Bear and Honey back in 2003 at Trail Days. A stop at their hostel here in Maine had been on my list for the past two years. Bear met us at the trail head with fresh fruit,bagels,candy bars and water,and a big warm welcome. The thirty minute ride to the hostel seemed to take minutes. After walking for days to do a few miles,the car seemed to be flying. We decided to sleep out in a pop up camper that was parked in the yard rather than take a private room inside the hostel. Experience had taught me that a bunk room full of hikers could be noisy,and the double room was just of of the bunkroom. The first order of business was a hot shower. There was a closet full of clothes that hikers could wear while their clothes were washing. It felt great to be in clean comfortable clothes. Supper is served at 6:00pm and we sat down at a huge table ladened with more food than I have seen in weeks. The hostel is full tonight. I have met some thru hikers that, to date I have only been reading thier names in the trail journals. We all sit at the table and before long the huge platters of lasagna dissappear. Baltimore Jack had been here yesterday cooking up his famous lasagna,and we were having the leftovers. Fresh ears of corn,and garden vegetables,dripping with butter,thick slices of garlic herb bread and a tossed salad completed the meal. I felt like I had stepped off of the mountain and into heaven. Just as we all leaned back to rub our stomachs and groan in delight,homemade chocolate cake and ice cream appeared. We were a contented bunch. Bandanna Man,Tampa,Africa,Hoosier,Phoenix Rising,we all agreed we were in a most wonderful place. Zip had called his wife to come pick him up and he missed a really great meal. We missed his companionship at the table. The next few days we will spend slack packing around,hoping to make up some miles to help keep us on schedule.Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for Polio Appalachian Trail GA-MA Bumpkin More in 2004
Date: 2005-09-14
From: Saddleback Mountain

To: Perham Stream
Miles today: 15.7

start Saddleback Mountaindestination Perham Streamtotal miles 15.7We had stopped by the grocery store on our way in last night,so we had cereal and fresh fruit for breakfast this morning.The selection was too much for the both of us,starved undernourished hikers that we are.We came out of the grocery store with four big bags offood.Poor Papermaker bought a case of tangerines,a couple were not enough!! The climb up Saddleback Mountain was a long steep climb.When we reached the top,we were already drained.The sun was out and it's heat beat down on us without mercy when we came out from the shelter of the trees. We reached the summit of Saddleback Mountain at 4120 ft.The air was unusually warm,almost balmy,and the humidity seemed higher than previous days.We stopped for a break before heading up to The Horn at an elevation of 4041 feet.On a clear day there are views of Katahdin to be seen rom here,but today was too hazy for any kind of long distance views. We used the cell phone to call Sue and move or pickup time later.We were not making! good time at all.By the time we reached the third highest peak,Saddleback Junior at 3655 feet,Papermaker and I were both feeling like we had been in the saddle way too long,and then thrown outof the saddle and dragged behind the horse for awhile. In other words,we bonked!Tired and worn out we literally dragged ourselves mile after long tedious mile. Our water fitler finally gave up the ghost and it took us almost an hour to pump a quart of water from a small spring that ran across the trail.The only benifit to that was Papermaker got to soak his feet longer than usual,since he soaks his feet while he filters water.I always remind him to put his feet downstream of the filter.I usually don't stay around to make sure he remembers to do that.By late afternoon we were both convined we had somehow missed our stopping point.I started making some plans to spend the night in the woods,unprepared,unrehearsed,and totally uncalled for.We crossed yet another stream,and there was Sue,waiting at the road crossing!We had not mised the road after all.We were delighted to see her,and after handing us each a cold drink to revive us,we climbed into the truck and headed into town.We did not have time to clean up before going into town to eat,so we limped into Mainely Yours once again and had another good hot meal.Back at the hostel a hot shower and clean clothes revived us and we fell into bed. Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for PolioAppalachian Trail GA-MA BumpkinMore in 2004
Date: 2005-09-17
From:  Maine Road House Hostel

To: No Where
Miles today: 0.0

Zero Day I think I am jinxed.It seems that where ever I go I have hurricanes followingme.Maybe they do not go as far inland as I go,but the effects of their weathersurely seems to be following me. The rain continued off and on last night.Africa and I decided to wait untilthis morning to decide whether to hike,if so what to hike or whether to take azero. I got up and made coffee,baked a couple of potatoes for our lunch shouldwe hike today,then toasted some bagels for breakfast. Don came by to pick us upand after some serious weather talk,we decided to stay put here at the hostel.There can be a vast difference in weather at 1400 ft. and weather at 4000 ft. Africa rode into town with Don and he was coming back to get us aroundlunchtime.So Papermaker and I lazed around the hostel.We watched a movie abouthiking the Appalchian Trail.Imagine my suprise when I recogonized several of thethru hikers that were being interviewed.Come to find out,that the documentarywas filmed the year I started me thru hike.It brought back so many memories. Ithink that the summit date was even the day I climbed Mt.Katahdin. Just before lunch I heard voices downstairs and who should be coming in thedoor but Bear and Spicy! They were headed into town and offered to give us aride. We found Africa at the White Wolf Inn and joined him for lunch. We alchecked our email and the weather before heading back to the hostel.Clean andwell fed we caled it a night.miles zero Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for Polio
To: My appologies
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, So I realize that I neglected you all and I am sorry for that. In case anyone has any further interest in ever reading my journal again, I left the trail on the 4th of July last year. I was simply ready to leave and I was near Roanoke airport so I just took off and headed home, CA. I have been working at a bakery in IL this past year and am now moving back home to California. Needless to say I am not thru-hiking this year but I will be hiking two weeks with Grinds to cover a large part of SouthWestern VA that I did not make last year. Check out my 2006 journal.
Date: 2005-05-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have officially quit my job, I am moving into a 5x10 storage space, and there is a one way ticket to the east coast in my name. Agggh!Exciting? No doubt. Nerve wracking? You bet!So here I go, alone into a world unknown. With no idea of what to expect in the days to come I am anticipating the worst (a fatal plummet from towering peak or complete mental breakdown only to return penniless, homeless, and broken) while hoping for the best. What is it that I am hoping for? Why would any sane person do such a thing? What is worth risking the time, the energy, the security?... Life! Freedom! The sweet serenity of letting go and allowing myself to just be. To learn about myself, to learn about God and to seek an understanding of my place in this world and what I want to do about it. No longer just going along for the ride, taking things as they come, but taking a step towards living intentionally. Making goals and pushing myself to achieve them. In truth, I want to make this journey because I am lost. I do not know who I am or what I want. Maybe I will find out. In the meantime I will just be spending a few hundred miles walking in the mountains, carrying my life on my back. Come along for the ride with me. I'm sure it will be an adventure.Mel
Date: 2005-05-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity..."-Gilda Radner
Date: 2005-05-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, here it comes. I can feel it. Tomorrow I fly to D.C. and then in 4 days I will be in Harpers Ferry completely clueless as to what to do next but walk. So walk I shall expecting the rest should come to me. If not I will simply keep walking. But now I must get back to doing what should have been done weeks ago, hoping that God will take pity and just slip a few more hours in the day.Mel
Date: 2005-05-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The nation's capital.I've been so busy planning the hike that I neglected to realize the enormity of the importance of the city I will be spending my last few pre-hike days in. My companion, Josh, was extremely excited and I, completely indifferent. Until, that is, on the way to our friend Ben's house we pulled over and walked up to view the Marine Corps Memorial. The night was perfect, with a clear sky and the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Capital building each lit up and on axis with each other set as a perfect back drop. At 2:00 in the morning the surrounding area was silent except for a lone biker doing jumps near the steps of the memorial. How could one not be moved when experiencing these things for the first time? The size of the memorial surprised me. Looking up at the marines straining to uphold the American flag which, in contrast, blew perfectly at ease in the night wind I was filled with awe. And as my eyes moved down and around to read the list of American wars in which these men fought that wrapped around the base of the memorial I was moved. And for the first time I realized that this is the place to be on Memorial Day weekend. And I am here. I realize that many have experienced this before. Just as many have experienced the trail before. But it is one thing to hear about and dream about what it is like, and another to experience it ones self. I have enjoyed reading about and pondering the trail. Now I am ready to get out there and touch something real.
Date: 2005-05-29
To: hours before the beginning
Miles today: 0.0

I leave today. Wow. How exciting? Although, once I step off the train in WV at 5:00 I will only have a couple of hiking hours before dark. But at least it will have begun. I am actually going to do this. I really want to tell my friend Todd how much I appreciate all that he has done and is doing for me in order to make this trip happen and I can't wait for him to meet me on the trail. I'm excited you all reading will be following along with me on this hike. Are you ready? Get set...let's go...
Date: 2005-05-31
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

So, the guys I mentioned yesterday hiking south. I did in fact meet them again¢¦and again, and again¢¦I got started at about 8:00 this morning and when I passed them 2 hours later they were just breaking camp. We would pass each other repeatedly throughout the day. Nice guys, just my age. This hike is a graduation celebration for the one and the other, unfortunately, will only be joining him for this first week.Today was a rocky day. Literally. A mini Pennsylvania. With boulder fields, sharp stones and lots of tiny loose rock. I began what is called the roller coaster today. It is so named for it¢s brief but steep and repetitious ups and downs. Well worth the views. Halfway through the day a northbound hiker, Chillout, suggested that I loosen the shoulder straps and that would allow more weight to shift to my hips. Great advice! I was no longer needing to stop ever 14 mile on the steep inclines. I could go much longer without a break. I was able to wait for my legs or lungs to get tired rather than my shoulders or lower back which tend to give way much sooner. Thanks Chillout!So far the majority of the hike has been under the shade of many trees but I paused for an extended lunch when I saw the sun toasting a rock past the foliage. I ate, listened to some music and laid my head down for a while on the cliff¢s edge with a nice view and warm rays. I filled up my water bottles with filtered water from fresh springs a couple of times today. The water has stayed surprisingly cool in the shade and tastes great. Bob, if you¢re reading, this is how water should taste. It has the least flavor I¢ve ever had. Mmm mmm good! And I also got to play frogger today. I had to cross four unprotected lanes of highway coming quickly around blind bends on either side. Luckily I had just taken a long break (10 or 15 minutes) with my back on a rock and my feet up on a tree branch above me to let some of the blood that has been gathering there get back into circulation. So they were fresh for the running.Tonight I am staying at the highly recommended Bear¢s Den Hostel. I have heard nothing but good things about it and have arrived to learn that its praises were justified. Great people, great food, free meal, free shower, free Internet, cheap laundry and expensive Ben & Jerry¢s. Great place altogether. In the short time I have been here I¢ve encountered a possible seasonal job lead that would include me in the west on horseback (in essence, a cowgirl) and cook for hunters and fly fishermen, and a promise to be fed upon arrival in Shenandoah National Park. Oh, and another potential trail name also linked to my fingertip chopping incident yesterday. Slice and Dice. Which can also be associated with cooking, so it stands in my favor thus far. Tonight I have witnessed a Johny Cash slash bluegrass version of hit me baby one more time (which actually made me like the song), learned that all SNP visitors smell like they are covered in goodness, and heard about suicidal dogs in a Virginia shelter. Well, got to get up early so it¢s bedtime. All in all¢¦a very good day.
Date: 2005-06-01
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Resevoir Hallow
Miles today: 5.4

Today was a lazy day for me. I am on a very tight schedule to make it to Front Royal by Saturday afternoon. That means about 10 miles a day which is more than recommended for the first week but definitely doable. However, for some reason today I took my time. Got a late start because I was up late having fun with the other hikers. Then, 3 miles later I stopped at the next shelter for lunch and dressed some blisters on my feet. The next couple miles were just some intense ups and downs. Nothing much to speak of. Then I arrived at a river crossing that caught my attention. It is just beautiful. To the right of the trail just a few feet from the river bed was a large rock overhang where, apparently, other hikers have stopped. I noticed there are remnants of a fire in the stone cove. Just outside the rock shelter I hung my hammock. It is the perfect spot and I must say that I was very proud of my camp. I tried taking a picture but my camera ran out of battery power a bit earlier.As I lay here inside my hammock I feel at peace. The rushing water beside me is very soothing and relaxing. The reason I decided to stop early was because I really haven't had much time to just sit back and think. I am surprised at how difficult it is to focus on anything other than the trail while hiking. I focus on where to place my foot next, how long it has been since I last saw a white blaze, where the next water source is and how long this incline will continue. I do not think about life outside of the next couple of miles ahead. I do not think about what I want to do when I leave the trail. I do not think about home, or work or friends while I am walking. Very rarely anyhow. This is why I stopped early today. Because it is then that I look up and appreciate the beauty of the place that I am in and how I allow my mind to wander and my senses to indulge in all the greatness of my surroundings. That is why I am here doing this. I did not choose to walk simply to get from point A to point B. There is something I wanted to learn out of all of this and I will not learn it if I focus on the destination as if it were the most important thing. The little fortune inside my cookie a while back had it right. Whether it's life in general or life on the trail, the journey is what I am here for so I intend to make the best of it. Rather than racing to the end empty handed, just as lost as when I began.