morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Ore Hill campsite

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff NH
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

When I woke up this morning it was still pouring rain. Somewhere around 6 or 6:15 I started pulling my stuff together inside the tent to get as much packed so that when I did exit into the rain all I would need to do is take down and pack the tent. I ate my dry breakfast while still sitting in the sleeping bag. My guess was that all the younger thru hikers would be long gone when I got out a little after 7. To my amazement all the other tents were still up and I heard no motion from any of them. I could not believe it so I took a video. Well just before 7:30 I am walking out of camp with my raincoat on and pack cover snuggly fitted on my pack. I did a video in the rain but it had so little light you can't see inside my hood as I speak, probably a good thing. There were a few small hills and one Mountain to climb in this short day. Mt. Mist. A few miles in just before the climb I came upon a good stealth camp area and found a tent pitched near a creek. I was almost 10:30 and these folks were still waiting out the rain. Obviously tomorrow was not their last hiking day or they would have been out here with me instead on all dry and warm in their tent.True to form around 12:30 while I was stopped for lunch at a trail junction the first of the younger hikers caught and passed me. It was Naked Ninja who hikes in a hiking kilt. I saw my first Mountain Hardware hiking kilt. I may have to look into that.I passed the largest birch tree I have ever seen also, right next to the trail. Took a picture and continued on.When I came down to NH 25, before heading up the road to the Hostel in Glencliff, 4/10ths of a mile away, I looked down to see the spot where my journey would end at end of day tomorrow. The reason this is the spot is because I am taking a shuttle to where I came off last year and hiking back to this spot to connect the last dot. Doing it in reverse on the last day because the ascent up to Moosilauke is very steep and dangerous. If it is done as a descent it is even more treacherous. I prefer the climbing type pain to the falling type pain, hence, I will climb the steep side and descend the less steep side.When I got to the hostel and claimed a bunk, I chilled out with 9 Lives (another person that Greg had helped back in Hanover). Watched the movie Almost Famous. This hostel has what appears to be nearly 1000 videos, that is one of it's claims to fame. Later that evening I met Cowboy and Cornwall, two young hikers who had met on the second day back in Georgia and they were still hiking together 1787 miles up the trail. One is from Texas the other from England, quite a pair.Went to bed really looking forward to tomorrow and the climb to Moosilauke and return to NH 25 for the 2185.9th mile.
Date: 2015-03-10
To: Doing it again
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Just thought I would let my friends on trail journals and those I hiked with in 2013 and 2014 know I am going to do it again. Just to name a few Quaker, 2 Socks, Aqua Man, Orion, K2, Davey Crockett, Springbok and Kitty, Codger and Trashcan, Postman, DB Cooper...there is just too many, I will be starting again around 4/20/16. Come join me. See you on the trail folks.Fifteen!!!
Date: 2017-01-12
To: 100 Days to step off
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Ok, here we go. I hiked 1430 miles in 2013 with a flip in there and fell in the Whites and had to come off for shoulder surgery. Went back in 2014 and finished but since the rehab took me past the 12 month thru definition it was a couple of LASH hikes. Plan was to go back in 2016 and do a true thru. In March of 2016 less than a month before I was suppose to leave I had a motorcycle accident and spent 19 days in the hospital...then 2 months on a walker. I have a lot of hardware in my pelvis and a screw in my backbone low down. All well now but the rehab pushed me into doing it this year 2017. I'll be starting in Virginia just short of the Blue Ridge parkway and heading north, then after Big K I'll bus/fly back to Va and head south to finish.I'm getting a later start than the 2013 and that is the reason for the planned flip/flop. I will start somewhere around 4/22 or 23. Can't wait to get back out there. I have a 2013 TJ with over 1500 pictures if anyone is interested. Looking forward to seeing you guys on the trail. "Fifteen" is the trail name given to me on the trail less than a week in due to my boot size...AKA Rex.
Date: 2013-05-19
Miles today: 0.0

I never thought this dream of mine would become a reality and although I'm not quite there yet I feel that with 22 days until I leave for Maine it was an appropriate time to begin my journaling. Sometime during my adolescence I found out about backpacking and the Applachian Trail. I read books about hiking such as "Walk Across America" which made me want to thru hike more than anyone could ever imagine. As time went on and I moved into young adulthood I lost sight of that dream I had to thru hike the AT. I went to college, joined the Army National Guard, went to war, went back to college, and did everything except hike. One day last year I woke up with an indescribable desire to thru hike the AT once again and since that day I decided I would make my dream come true. I started gathering the necessary gear, liquidating all my assets, selling off all my worldly possessions, and most importnatly making no plans to get a job after college like the rest of my friends.    So here I am writing my first Trail Journals entry, making a list of the final preparations I have to do before I get on the plane, having as much fun with friends and family before I leave, and counting down the days with anticipation.
Date: 2013-05-23
Miles today: 0.0

Alright, 18 days left before I get on the plane and head to Maine. I made a list a couple days ago of all the things I have to do before I leave and it seems to get longer everyday. One of the items on my list was to get a new pair of trail runners for my thru hike. I decided last year that I would wear trail runners for my thru hike. Since I got my base weight down to 12-13 pounds I decided trail runners would be the way I would go for footwear. I like trail runners for a couple reasons; they breathe better than boots, dry quicker after getting wet, and you don't feel like you have cinder blocks on your feet each time you life your foot. The trail runners I decided on were the Brooks Cascadias. I hiked for a week in March in them and they performed excellently. Unfortunately the ones I have been wearing are a little tight in the toe box so I had to go get a half size up to allow for foot swelling and walking down hill on the AT. Luckily Mark and David at Athens Running Company hooked me up with a sweet new pair so I will be starting my hike with fly new kicks!
Date: 2013-05-29
To: none
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I kind of feel bad. Why you might ask? Well, I decided to take the opposite route of most people preparing to hike the AT. It seems that a common theme is to do a lot of physical preparation (hiking, walking, anything that gets the blood flowing) before hitting the trail at either Springer or Katadyn. I however have done the opposite. I was training regularly for triathlons and eating a strict vegetarian diet of nothing but healthy food up until two months ago. I decided that I needed to put on a little weight and acclimate my body to eating junk food before I begin my thru hike. So lately I have not been running or biking at all, and eating all the burgers and fries I can track down. Hopefully this will not come back to haunt me during the 100 mile wilderness. I have started fly fishing and that has hopefully prepared me for the task of fording rivers. I never really give any thought to how powerful a river could be until I was wading in one for six hours. Yesterday I got the wonderful opportunity to see my 2nd grade teacher and her husband. Their son finished a SOBO thru hike last year and they gave me great advice and encouragement. They will be in Maine in July and it would be awesome if I ran into them. John (my teachers husband) gave his phone number in case I need anything while I'm in Maine. Trail hospitality is kicking in and I haven't even started hiking yet! Twelve more days until I get I begin my adventure. Maybe I should go for a jog or a walk before I leave.
Date: 2013-05-31
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Its the final countdown...Seriously I have 10 days left! Preparations are getting serious. Gear layouts, making sure everyting on the homefront will be taken care of, and seeing friends before I head out into the wilderness. Gathering all my gear has been pretty easy since I have been using the same basic kit for over a year now. All my gear stays in a bin and to make sure I had everything I simply had to lay it out on a folding table. I still need to put a couple books on my Kindle (my luxury item) and upload music onto my iphone. My list of things to do that do not have to do with gear seems to be a little longer. I have decided to purchase a short term health insurance plan. It's just a super cheap, no frills, high deductible plan, but it will give me peace of mind while hiking if I get attacked by a sasquatch. I also have to get my dog six months of heartworm medicine. My parents are so great in that they are taking care of my dog Abe during my trip. The list goes on but I won't bore you with it, just know that there is a lot that goes into getting to the trail head.I still cannot believe I'm actually going to be thru hiking in less than two weeks. Best part is I'm not nervous at all, it feels like I am supposed to be doing this.
Date: 2013-06-04
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Last Friday my best friend moved into my parents house with me. He is inbetween apartments so my parents let him stay here. We have been friends for over five years, done a deployment in Afghanistan together, our first triathlon together, and so many other adventures that I don't have time to list all of them. He is leaving for Army training Friday so we only get to live together for a week and we have been making the best of it. Today we made some HUGE ribeye steaks and drank some wonderful stouts before heading out to the Georgia Theatre Rooftop Bar to enjoy drinks and music as the sun sets over Athens. My brother will also be coming into Athens from CA and it will be great to see him before I leave. Over the past two days I have been able to acomplish almost all my last minute chores before I hit the trail a week from today. I have all my food for the 100 Mile Wilderness and double checked all my gear. With food and water my pack weighs in at 32 pounds. That is the heaviest my pack should be for the entire trail! Tomorrow I have to take my dog to get some shots and more heartworm medicine. I can tell he knows I'm getting ready to leave him for a while because he has that super sad look on his face more than usual. With all my last minute stuff taken care of I now have the daunting task of relaxing for the next five days before I get to fly out to Maine...I wish that day was already here!
Date: 2013-06-10
From: Georgia

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 0: Got to the airport in Atlanta really early (like day before early) so I sat from 11 pm to 3:30 am reading and talking to fellow travelers. Flew from Atlanta to Charlotte to DC to Maine with only enough time to buy a muffin and coffee. I slept only an hour on one flight. I can't explain how relieved I was to see my checked box with my food and trekking poles and knife in it at the Bangor baggage claim. I took a bus down to the airport mall and ate subway while waiting for Phil with 100 Mile Wilderness Adventures and outfitters to come get me. He took me to the store and then drove me through the beautiful Maine wilderness to his cabin where I will stay the night. He is an awesome guy with so many good tips for thru hiking and most of all he has a great positive attitude that lets me know this is going to be an awesome adventure. I'm going to bed super early so we can get up and drive to Baxter State Park where I will begin my my hike. It is supposed to rain a lot tomorrow and Friday but the weather won't be too bad. Looks like I should get used to mud an really crazy river crossings.
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Katadyn Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 1: Today I tried to thru hike. I got up at 4:00 am ate and packed up. Phil took me to Baxter State Park. I planned to hike up Abol Trail and come down the Hunt Trail (AT) and camp at Katadyn Stream Campground. I dropped my full pack at the rangers office and grabbed a daypack for my hike. It started off rainy and windy as I made my way up the wet trail. The trail was actually like a small rushing creek. My feet got soaked immediately. Before too long I was done hiking and I had to start scrambling up rocks as I ascended Katadyn. Then the scrambling turned to bouldering. Really strong wind gusts and low visibility made the climb pretty terrifying. It started to get cold the higher above tree line I got. I was soaked even with my wind shirt and rain shell on. I finally reached the tablelands where it flattens out but the 50 mph wind gusts turned into a sustained 50 mph wind that was so strong I couldn't even crawl forward. There was absolutely no visibility. I threw my gloves and rain pants on to keep from getting hypothermia and made the call to turn around and go back down. There was no humanly possible way to move forward in that wind. I scrambled down the mountain as quickly as I could. I'll be honest I'm pretty bummed I didn't make it today. I got back down and hitched a ride with a ranger back to my campsite. Tomorrow I will try again.
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Katadyn stream campground

To: Katadyn stream campground
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: few clouds

Day 2: I started my hike today! I met back up with Phil and he took me and four other hikers to Abol Trail to summit Katadyn. The weather was much nicer this time. We worked our way up Abol Slide (an old avalanche site) to the table lands. The sky was clear and only a slight wind. We hiked up to Baxter Peak and there was an amazing view. After hanging out at the top (one mile above sea level) I began my thru hike on the Hunt Trail (the AT) 5.1 miles down to my campsite. It started as a ridge walk for a while and there was a lot of bouldering and scrambling. My legs started to feel like jelly after doing all that intense climbing. I got back to camp and the bugs were ferocious. I had to roll down my sleeves put on rain pants and a headnet just to keep my sanity. My calf got a crazy Charlie horse yesterday and I have been stretching like crazy. I bet it will take a week to work it out. I'm going to bed at 6:00 pm! Tomorrow I start into the 100 Mile Wilderness with my full pack. In 114 miles I will be in a town and it already sounds great!
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Katadyn stream campground

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

Day 3: Got up with the sun today. I didn't mean to but the sun rises at 4:30 in Maine so I just did. Got all packed up and went to see if the hikers I summitted with yesterday wanted to hike out together. They did so I waited for them. It was a nine mile hike out of Baxter State Park before actually entering the 100 Mile Wilderness. We got to the first over crossing and Hannah tried one spot but it was too deep. I tried another spot but it came up to my jest and started carrying me away so I quickly got out. We decided to take the "high water bypass" which added a mile to the hike but was definitely a good idea. The rest of the hike I did by myself. It was along a river and dice there had been so much rain the trail beside the river disappeared occasionally. Sometimes I was up to my waist in overflow. I made it to Abol Bridge at noon and went into the store to have lunch. I picked up a sandwich and snickers for dinner and carried it out in my water bottle pocket. I made it to the 100 mile wilderness and it is not too hilly but but rather a maze of roots and rocks. I got to the shelter and I had it all to myself...so far. I did some stretches since my knee and calf are still so tight from my first attempt at Katadyn. I figure it's probably just a pulled muscle since I can still walk 13 miles no problem. Tomorrow will be a short day so I can take it easy!
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 11.5

Day 4: The hike went well today. Left out of the shelter with Wes, Flip, and Hannah. I hiked to a beautiful view of Katadyn, along Rainbow Lake, and through lots of mud. Maine's trails are either roots, rocks, mud, or water. I had to ford a small river to get to the campsite but it only came up to my knees. Out friends from Boston college were already there. We all washed socks and cleaned up in the river, it was cold but refreshing. Today I met some rude people on the trail. There was an elderly couple with giant packs on moving really slowly up ahead of me. I heard the old man say "we aren't moving aside for anyone" when he knew there were folks coming up behind him. I walked up behind him and said " how are y'all today? If you get to a good spot would you mind letting us pass?" His response was "I'd rather not!" But he let us pass anyway. Hopefully that will be the only rude person I meet. I also got a trail name today! You can call me Mulligan from now on. It came from the fact that I had to take two tries to summit Katadyn via Abol Slide. I was standing around joking with Flip and Hannah and I said you should call me Redo or Mulligan and everyone looked at me and said "MULLIGAN!" Alright it's time for dinner.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-To
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 5: left out at 6:00 today. Had to hike a good 18 mile day today. I did two small fords and a walk through lots of bugs. I saw what Rooster called a "warren of rabbits." Rooster hiked with me all day. It was a good day. The miles came easy. It started raining in the last two and half miles. I only put a pack cover on. I was already wet from fording so I didn't mind getting wet. I got to the shelter and Dirty Mike and the Boyz (the three guys from Boston college), Chef, and Up were there along with Dr. Scholls, and Smooth. The shelter was made for six but we squeezed nine in because of the rain. We all sat around and joked for a while. We should be able to make it to Monson in about five days. Tomorrow will be a short day, only 11 miles. After tomorrow it's going to get hilly. I need to let my legs recover a bit.
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-To

To: Easy Branch Lean-To
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: light rain

Day 6: Got up late this morning (5:30) and didn't leave until 7:00am. The goal was to see how long it would take to go 11 miles. The deal was if I made it 11 miles by noon I would go the next eight miles to the next lean-to. Well of course I made it 11 miles by noonso today became a long day. I walked mostly on my own (always nice) but I also walked with Chef. Chef is a flip flopper, he hiked NOBO in 2011 and had to get off the trail so he started again this year but is doing a SOBO. He is a super nice guy and reminds me of my good friend Billy S. from high school. Billy was such a nice guy and was unfortunately killed in a car wreck. I'm actually hiking with seven guys who are all going to the same place each day. They are Chef, Dirty Mike and the Boyz (Yeah-Yeah, Smash, and The Friar), Up, Rooster, Dr. Scholls, and Smooth. Up says hi! Everyone is really chill and gets along well. It's funny because everyone in this group actually reminds me I someone from back home. It's also unbelievable how close to Monson I am! It will be a much needed rest, I mean my shoes have been wet for six straight days!
Date: 2013-06-18
From: Easy Branch Lean-To

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-To
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: moderate rain

Day 7: Today was the first day in the 100 Mile Wilderness thy there were any climbs. Right at the beginning of the day there was a long (3 mileish) climb to the top of white cap mountain. There was an incredible view and I say and took my shoes off while I ate lunch and enjoyed the view. The rest of the day was up and down. The down hills are the worst. They are really steep and have these rock stairs that are brutal on the knees. The ups aren't nearly as bad as the downs. Three awesome things happened today: 1) Dr. Scholls gave me some coffee this morning.2) I saw a grouse and 2 snakes.3) My feet stayed dry all day!Since I got to the shelter early today I will try to give a brief overview of what I do when I get to camp. 1) go get water for dinner, breakfast, and the next day 2) wash my socks 3) get my lunch bag ready or the next day 4) set out my sleeping gear 5) change into my sleeping clothes 6) make dinner 7) write in my journal 8) go to bed.It's a pretty simple life but so far I'm loving it. Putting on wet socks and shoes and clothes in the morning isn't even that bad. The soreness and tightness will disappear. And Monson, my first town, is only 39.2 miles away...that's just two more nights!
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-To

To: Cloud Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 16.8

Day 8: I started off the day hiking alone. I knew it would be a long and tough day with five climbs in sixteen miles. My legs, mind, and spirit felt good for the first eight miles. I had to do one river crossing but it was only knee deep and really wide so it wasn't a problem. Then as I was hiking up a hill my Achilles started screaming at me with pain! It had been a little tender the day before but nothing like this. I started favoring the other leg and it eventually subsided which was nice because I still had 12 miles to go. Then I caught up to Rooster at my lunch stop. He was chatting with a really nice guy who maintains the trail. His name was Don and be have us each a granola bar and an apple to split. It was the best apple I have ever eaten, it was also my first instance of trail magic! Rooster and I hiked the last six miles together which was nice because it kept my mind off my Achilles. I'm contemplating taking a full zero day in Monson to really give my body a rest. I'm having such a great experience but Maine is destroying my body. No one from my group had made it here yet so I will probably call it an early night.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Cloud Pond Lean-To

To: Leeman Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

Day 9: Today was rough. My Achilles was in lain today. I had to move pretty slowly all day. The terrain was pretty burning with minor ups and downs all day. There was a lot of rocky rooty groud which is what made my Achilles hurt in te first place. There were also three major fords today (but I think I actually crossed five). I have decided to take a full zero in Monson to heal up. I figure I'm not to hurt to walk 114 miles so I can't be that bad. I definitely not going to quit this hike, it's too much fun and I don't really have anything to do back in Athens now that I have graduated. It seems as though most people have some type of minor injury. I think it's just the "Trail Gods" testing us to see who has what it takes to push through the pain and discomfort and keep going. Eventually it will stop bein a physical challenge and just be a mental challenge.