morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-01
From: Moxie Bald

To: Pleasant Pond Lean to
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Day 12 13.1 Miles Pleasant Pond Lean to. Today I¢m hiking for Jason Peters. He is a good friend who I used to race bicycles with. He would be the only person besides my dad that I would want to go on this trip with me. He¢s a big banker man now in Chattanooga, TN. Another good hiking day with stayin. Up over Moxie Bald, Then up over Pleasant Pond MTN. Beautiful views from the top, very steep descent. My Achilles tendon is in my right ankle is hurting and is swollen. I¢m leaving it relaxed and took some Ibuprofen for the anti inflammatory trait. We¢re trying to get to Stratton, ME in 2 more days.   We¢ll cross the Kennebec river tomorrow, trying to go for 20.
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Pleasant Pond Lean to

To: West Carry Pond
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 13 19.7 West Carry PondToday I hike for Mike Massey on the longest day I have ever done. I figured to pick Mike because we¢ve been friends since the 6th grade. He was the Best Man at my wedding. We haven¢t talked for a while, but I hope for it to come around. We went to bed last night at 8:30 and were on the trail by 7:00. The weather has been sunny, 45 degrees in the morning, 72 during the day, Great hiking weather. We crossed the Kennebec river today. Steve ¢The Ferryman¢ canoed us across. My Achilles feels better today, but my left leg is hurting from shin splints. I figured I would get those. Terrain was pretty flat today. We hiked the 20 miles in 9.5 hours. I gave nick his trail name ¢Mower¢, he slept near a road a was awoken by the sound of a lawnmower. He¢s been hearing it ever since.
Date: 2007-07-03
From: West Carry Pond

To: Horn Pond
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 14 17.5 Miles Horn Pond Lean toToday I hike for David Norris. He and his dad opened Norris Schwinn bicycles in 1981. I got my first bike from him in 1988, and my first job in 1994. I got a bike from him instead of a motorcycle, which eventually lead to my bicycle racing career. He has faced many challenges being an independent bicycle dealer. Today I faced a significant challenge, we are to hike 17.5 miles through steep 4000 ft peaks. I didn¢t know if we could do it. We hiked 11 miles the climbed 2000 ft in 1.9 miles up to Bigelow Mtn, Avery Peak. I found that with this trail, these mountains, there is no compromise and no negotiation. The only way to get where I want to go is to hike straight up to the top. We made it to the top 4000 ft to see beautiful views. The descent was just as treacherous.   We then climbed up to 4100 feet, the West peak. Then I thought that the trail would take us down to the shelter, but the trail was not done with us yet. Back up to 3800 feet. Then finally down to the shelter. This is nothing like hiking in Tennessee. 17.5 miles on a climbing day like today was a challenge. I know that the trail holds hundreds of more challenges for me, but for today I am happy to have completed this one. This time 2 weeks ago we were at the summit of Katahdin. I can¢t believe it¢s only been 2 weeks.
Date: 2007-07-04
From: Horn Pond

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 15 5.3 miles Stratton Motel. I slept with my bugnet on.We hiked out to Highway 27 today. Hitched a ride to the Stratton Motel. I drank a quart of chocolate milk, took a shower, and a pizza. Oh yeah, the Rocky marathon is on. Just relaxing for the rest of the day before the next push into Andover, ME. Everything is amazing. Happy 4th!
Date: 2007-07-05
From: Stratton, ME

To: Spaulding Mtn
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 16 13.5 mileToday I hike for Ms. Brummit, my 7th grade science teacher. She absolutely loved her job, and nothing was impossible for the kids. In one year she created a salt water aquarium, a walk through heart diagram, and 4 huge paper mache dinosaurs. She definitely did not teach for a test. I got my other boots in the mail today. Lighter is better. I can tell a big difference each time I pick up my foot. It was a direct climb of 2500 ft to 4100 ft North crocker out of Stratton today. We were at the first campsite by 2:30. We pushed another 5.3 mi to Spaulding Mtn lean to for the night. It had rained so I stayed wet from all the trees along the trail. My stomach hurts from the half gallon of chocolate milk I drank yesterday. Seth and contact who started with us rolled in about sunset.
Date: 2007-07-06
From: Spaulding Mtn

To: Poplar ridge
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 17 8.0 miI woke up this morning with ¢migraine eyes¢, the ones where I can¢t see anything I look directly at. I haven¢t had them since cycling. I can only figure that is due to the amino acid vitamins I am taking. GNC mighty man, they have too much of every vitamin. So I¢m not going to take those and see what happens.It was an uphill battle today. Lots of climbing. I felt tired from the headache all morning. We hiked into poplar ridge leant to, contact came in right after. It started to rain, thunder, then hail. So we all called it an early day. I took a nap which was much needed.
Date: 2007-07-07
From: Poplar ridge

To: Sabbath Day
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 18 20.1 miToday I hike for Sherman Jackson, My great Grandfather. I never spent much time with him, he didn¢t pass until I was 15. As a young kid I picked up on his easy going attitude, which felt familiar to me. Today started with a climb of 1100 ft straight up to Saddleback Mtn. They say on a clear day you can see Mt. Katahdin and Mt Washington. Beautiful views. It was then straight down to Highway 4, which goes to Rangley. Some of the others are going into town there, but we¢re making a push to Gorham, NH and out of this state. Pretty flat terrain for the last 10 miles. When we got to Sabbath Day lean to there was a boyscout group and Marley (Northbound ¢06) with his daughter who was out on her first overnight. Marley gave us 5 hotdogs, and the boyscouts, real macaroni and cheese. I ate my regular dinner of lipton noodles after that. A good meal after 20 mi.
Date: 2007-07-08
From: Sabbath Day

To: South Arm Rd
Miles today: 17.0

Day 19 17.0 mi South arm rd campToday I hike for Vincent Dial. He was my middle school band teacher and percussion instructor. He could take kids who knew nothing about music and make them extraordinary. He is another that taught for the love of children. Today was a long day. Started out in the rain, so it was hard to get motivated. My boots are still soaked from the hiking before today. Me and Stayin¢ hiked 8 long miles to the first lean to, No water available. We climbed 3 more mountains, and then dropped down and down some spots used rebar ladders. Knees hurting, sweating and the roots and rocks were super slick. We camped at South arm rd. I soaked my wrinkled, wet feet in the stream. Made a dinner of Lipton Noodles and went to sleep at sunset.
Date: 2007-07-09
From: South Arm Rd

To: Hall Mountain
Miles today: 4.1

Day 20 14.1Woke up this morning jumped out of the tent because we heard cars at the road, and we needed a ride to the campground for our food drop. We crossed the creek, jumped right into a car a road a redneck pace down the bumpy road. Our mail had not arrived yet, but she was going to the PO at 10 am. It was 8. I had a big piece of carrot cake, and sat around while it rained. We got our package, got dropped of at our camp. We headed out at 12:30. Straight up and straight down again. I wrote a song in my head called ¢The Maine Appalachian Trail Club is trying to kill me blues¢ Came to Hall mtn lean to after 4 miles. It was raining. Stayin came in, we called it a day. The dryness of the shelter called me in.
Date: 2007-07-10
From: Hall Mountain

To: Bald Plate
Miles today: 14.0

Day 21 14.0 miToday I hike for Mike Foster. He has had many roles in his life. Mike is one I looked to for inspiration when deciding to make this journey. I slept well last night. We started out at 6:30 this morning with soggy boots and cold wet clothes, but miles to hike.   I crossed a stream about 6 miles in around 8:30 and couldn¢t resist a bath. I climbed over Baldplate Mtn after lunch. It was straight up the rock face. Where are my climbing shoes. We could see the White mountain from there. Then down to Baldplate Shelter where we laid our clothes out to dry. My boots are still wet though. We had 4 northbounders stay with us. It¢s the first time I cut up with some of them.
Date: 2007-07-11
From: Bald Plate

To: Full Goose
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: haze

Day 22 12.0Today I hike for Becky because she is all that was on my mind when I woke up. I fooled myself into thinking that my job was the hardest consideration in taking on this journey. A week before I left I could tell that her not being around me was going to be the hardest thing to deal with. I haven¢t talked to her since Stratton, ME and looking forward to Gorham when I can. Today was the hardest hike yet. Out at 6am. I descended down to 1400 ft, then climbed straight up to 3985. I thought that the summit would never come. Then it was straight down wet, rocky, rooty, rock face to Mohoosuc notch. A house sized boulder field that we climbed over, under, beside. We took our packs off to squeeze through. I saw ice, snow, and a dead moose that had fallen in. Stan said that it had rained all days but 1 since Stratton. It¢s hard on the feet. Camping at Full Goose Shelter.
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Full Goose

To: Trident Col Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 23 14.5Today I hike for Stephen and Carole, my Uncle and Aunt. They have always been permanent fixtures in my life. I¢m almost too tired to complete this entry. It rained all night, last night. Hard. It was in the lower 40¢s when we woke up. Straight up the mountain¢s spine and straight down again. The rain had turned the trail into a stream bed. At the top of the mountain the wind was blowing 40-50 mph. We passes the first lean to at 5 mi. Then it was a rock climb up the next mountain. We crossed in to New Hampshire and out of Maine. Maine did not say goodbye so sweetly. 281.4 mi in 3 weeks and a day. Woo hoo! We passes the Gentian pond shelter for lunch, I dried my socks there. Shortly after we came to a bog where the bog logs were 6 inches under water. There goes the socks. I¢m out of food but for 1 dinner and one breakfast. Good timing to go to Gorham tomorrow.
Date: 2007-07-13
From: Trident Col Campsite

To: Gohram, NH
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: moderate rain

Day 24 6.9I¢m in Gorham New Hampshire. Not much time to relax. Eat, talk, go to the outfitter for gear issues, type journal, resupply. I feel good. My blisters I usually let go for a while to toughen my feet. All is good, a now it is a big push through the White Mountains. I¢m looking forward to it.
Date: 2007-07-14
From: Gohram, NH

To: Rattle River
Miles today: 1.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day 25 1.6 mi Rattle River Lean toLast night was crappy. The traffic kept on all night. In Gorham everything is too far apart. I finally put earplugs in to block out the traffic. We spent $18 on lunch. Everything was rushed and hurried. I bought a half gallon of ice cream because I craved it. I really couldn¢t eat it. I was at the post office and a gut walked up to me and asked if I was hiking Southbound. I said yes, he asked if I knew Farsang. I said I was him. He introduced himself as Bruce Darby from Johnson City, and his friend John Tomko. from Jonesborough.   They were up for a hiking trip in the Whites. I was just amazed at the fact they had found me. We shipped out our packages, ate some lunch and it was time to go relax finally back at the trail. We started to hitchhike and who should drive by, Bruce & Tom. They gave us a ride back to the trail. So our first true Trail Angels were from my home town!So we kicked back, relaxed, and I swam. Only 1.6 mi in from the city. It was good to get a break.
Date: 2007-07-15
From: Rattle River

To: Carter Notch
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: fog

Day 26 13.4 mi Carter Notch 1st day in the White Mountains. We started with a climb of 1200ft, Today we walked across North Carter, Middle Carter, South Carter, and now we¢re at Carter Notch. So who better to hike for than Carter Pierce, almost 2 year old son of Sean and Andrea Pierce. I hope that my kid will be as bright, happy, and animated as Carter. But with all of this Deet I¢ve been putting on me, I¢m not sure.My pack is heavy again with food. It¢s hard to make that transition. I¢m carrying 7 days worth. I added some bittersweet baker¢s chocolate to my snack regimen. I think that¢ll be good. The White Mountains have huts that allow tourists to hike and pay up to $110 a night for a bunk and a dinner and lunch. The huts are manned with a ¢croo¢ who provide support for hikers. All we have heard is we will be able to get ¢work for stay¢ at the huts.   That allow us to do some menial chores in exchange for leftover food and sleeping in the dining room. This is nothing that I really wanted to deal with, and Carter Notch hut turned us down straight off. We tented nearby.
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Carter Notch

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 13.6

Day 27 13.6 mi Madison HutToday I hike for Bruce Darby and John Tomko. I am very tired. We started the day by climbing up 1000 ft to 4300 ft in .8mi. We hiked across the ridge at Wildcat Ski Slopes, then dropped down to Pinkham Notch. We weighed our packs, 6 days of food, full water, it weighs 40 pounds. Stayin¢s too. We headed out from Pinkham after lunch to our first presidential mountain. Mt. Madison. Climbed from 2250¢ to 5365¢ in only 2 mi. Once we broke above tree line, it was all roots and boulders. We were hiking at only 1 mph. We could see Mt. Washington at our back 1.5 mi away. We topped the mountain and hiked down all rock to Madison Hut. We asked for the work for stay and got it. So here I sit in the sunshine writing my in my journal, waiting for leftovers. I¢m glad we got this one, because I¢m tired. I noticed today that my feet feel good and do not stay sore like everyone told me they would. Sore muscles and tendons have stoppe too. I still remind myself that I am living in the middle of my ¢chance¢
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Madison Hut

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

DAY 28 11.4 Mizpah HutToday I hike this day of memorable importance for my parents. My parents had me as teenagers, and by stereotype I should have been a great disaster. I was given love, care, and most of all time. I feel, looking back, that their world was me.I started 4 weeks ago today! We did our work this morning sweeping the bunkhouse. We headed out about 9am for Mt. Washington. I hiked the 6 miles up in only 3 hours. Over all boulder rock. I was excited. I tried to be conscience of every moment to remember the day that I summated Mt. Washington. I made it to the summit and then¢¦¢¦..people everywhere. I was directly approached by a couple and their kids who had many questions. They videoed me, took pics with their kids all before I could breathe. I enjoyed it though. I saw a Northbounder caterpillar who I had seen in Trail days in Damascus this year. The wind was blowing 30mph making the wind chill 39. I went to the snack bar and had a chili dog, clam chowder, a cinnamon roll, two cookies with whip cream in the middle, and a coke. I called it my celebration dinner. We stayed up there for about 2 hours, I called my parents and Becky. We hiked another 5 or so to Mizpah Hut. We got another work for stay, this time at night so we can leave early. So I can¢t believe I had two good weather days for Katahdin and Washington. I¢m very thankful. There is a sign on Washington that states ¢The worst Weather on Earth¢. Today was one of those pinnacle moments on the trail.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Zealand Hut
Miles today: 14.1

Day 29 14.1 Zealand Falls HutToday I hike for Sharon Crowe, My Wife¢s mother. I have never felt like the guy that just married her daughter, she welcomed me into her family as her son right off. She recently retired from the VA and is making the most of every day. We skipped the free breakfast at the hut and headed out. I slept bad last night. We dropped straight down to the road. We climbed back up and I took a nap for an hour. It¢s started to rain again. We mad it to Zealand falls by 3:30 and got another work for stay. I helped change the propane tanks. Remember left is tightie on propane tanks. So pretty much I figure that I saved dinner for all the tourists. We had turkey for dinner. I ate until my stomach was tight. Lights out at 9:30. This hut was laid out bad and had people walking all around us to go to the bathroom. I woke to two teenage boys playing criminals who decided they wanted to steal a sign from the hut. The sign was only reachable by putting a bench on top of the table and standing on it. I was just about to hit the table and scare them to death, but in their sneakiness the didn¢t turn their lamps off and woke the crew who was sleeping on the other side.   They hid, and when the crew turned their lamps off they jumped off the table, and one stepped on me. Now I¢m not sure how I was able to get out of my sleeping bag in the time the kid took only 2 steps, but I did. I grabbed him hard and directed a few explicatives his way. Now all this happened in the dark. I was back in my bag by the time Stayin¢ turned his light on and wondered what all the yelling was about.
Date: 2007-07-19
From: Zealand Hut

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 30 9.7 Garfield Ridge.So I slept badly again last night, not from getting stepped on, but everyone going to the bathroom, and the Lipton dinner I had for lunch. It¢s funny to see how much consideration or lack of people have for others who are sleeping. We had a breakfast of cinnamon rolls and Cream of wheat, very filling. I felt so tired. We climbed up right off. We caught up to the teenage boys. I asked them what they were planning on doing with that sign if they got it. No one answered. I insisted on an answer. One said ¢what sign?¢ I told him not to play dumb and hiked on. I felt so tired all day. We arrived for lunch at Galehead hut. I laid my pad out, and went right to sleep. My stomach has been hurting quite a bit lately. I hope that it turns out well. I felt good from my nap, and good from not eating lunch, but I know not eating will not work. We hiked another 3 to the shelter, I ate dinner and felt bad again. It¢s raining and about 42 degrees, not like the weather where I come from.
Date: 2007-07-20
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Eliza Brook
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

Day 31 19.1mi Eliza Brooke ShelterToday I hike for Ruth Evans. She let me mow for her when I was 14 till I was 21. She is a wonderful person and near to my heart. Woke up this morning to rain. We put cold, wet clothes on and sloshed up the trail. Today we have big dreams of big miles. We¢re looking for a good but kicking day in the Whites that we haven¢t done yet. We climbed up 1700 ft to 5249 ft to Mt. Lafayette. It was closed into the clouds. We dropped down of Franconia ridge and me and Stayin¢ felt good enough to hike on. We climbed up Kingsman mountain and my other hiking pole broke. This was frustrating because it was a ¢boulder scramble¢ down. Much harder on the knees and I fell 3 times because of it. My boots were as wet as they would get, so I just tromped through the middle of the mud holes. We were tired and frustrated from the day. Stayin¢ had lost $20. When we got to the shelter it was full, and the tent sites with groups, so we set up behind the shelter. So we were looking for a butt kicking day and got one.
Date: 2007-07-21
From: Eliza Brook

To: Jeffers Brook
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 32 15.9 Jeffers Brooke Shelter. Today was a day of tremendous ups and downs. Not just the terrain. We slept in this morning. Back on with my wet socks and boots. Terrain was very muddy, I sunk up to my knee a few times. It was hard acclimating to hiking with one pole. I started thinking about logistical thoughts of how I would get it replaced, which made me madder. I finally dropped it after hiking over wolf mountain. We had lunch at Kingsman Notch. We packed up and walked into the woods about 100 ft and there was a cooler with ice cold Coke. It¢s funny how the trail can take care of you. We drank one and directly climbed up Mt Moosilauke 2700ft to 4802ft, the last mountain of the Whites. I stood on top and could see Franconia ridge, Mt Washington, and everywhere we had hiked in the Whites over the past 7 days. It made me feel like I had accomplished a great feat. I sat on top for a while alone and reflected on many things. My mind felt clear. My feet hurt from being wet all day. On the way down I found a bag hanging on a tree full of camper food. I took advantage of a few items. The trail provides again. I walked down into a sun lit field, the first in the trip, things are looking better already. So for dinner I had a 8oz tuna pack with mayo & mustard on tortilla, a mountain house dehydrated dinner of chicken pot pie and potatoes that ¢serves 2¢, a box of pistachio pudding, and a box of lemon pudding. It seems my appetite is increasing!
Date: 2007-07-22
From: Jeffers Brook

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 1.6

Day 33 1.6 Hiker¢s Welcome HostelHiked out today to the Hostel to make the All you can eat brunch in town. It was great. I ate and ate and ate! Came back, watched movies, listened to music, and relaxed all day. Now that I can sit here a little over a month after I started, I¢ve hiked 400 miles over the most rugged terrain the trail has to offer. I can tell you that I am hardened physically and mentally by this. I am proud of myself. Of course there have been times that I would rather be at home in that soft bed, but quitting has never come to mind. I am looking forward to opening these legs up and stretching the miles out. Things are great & I am happy.Stayin¢ (Stan Seals) has been a great guy to hike with. He is from Lumberton, NC went to school at Appalachian State in Boone, NC. I didn¢t know him till I met him on the Mountain. We plan things out great together, hike about the same pace, same sense of humor. I am lucky to have met him. Thanks to everyone for all of their support, it really helps. Messages from people telling me that I am hiking their dream, brings it home for me.   Oh yeah, My stomach feels better!
Date: 2007-07-23
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 34 14.7 mi Hexacuba Shelter.Today I hike for my cousin Eric Riddle. Crazy guy, great story teller, Great person to hear laugh. He has turned into a good father and Husband.Today was kind of weird. It was seemingly flat. I was kind of weary of it because I didn¢t know when it would start whooping my butt again. Felt good to stretch out my legs and not watch every step. It was hot and buggy. I still have a lot of food left over from the Whites. We finished today with a North Carolina Style climb. Good to be back in normal Mountains.
Date: 2007-07-24
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 35 17.7 Moose Mountain ShelterStan had to wake me up this morning. I was stone asleep. Today is the first day that I really felt the heat and humidity. Still a lot of climbing just not over rocks. Looking forward to Hanover tomorrow.