morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-15
From: Trail to Harrison Camp

To: Plesant Pond Mountain
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It was hard for me to get going today.The roots & rocks are really putting the beat-down on my ankles!We got to the Kennabeck a little early so we had to wait on the Ferry.Got a bit nervous when Old School said I had to paddle but it turned out to be fun.On the other side we hiked to the post office to get our boxes and called for a shuttle to go have some breakfast & COFFEE!They didn't have pancakes so we had French toast & ham lots of coffee and the use of running Hot water!Met a few of the hikers that passed us yesterday,One Step & Fat Kid (they are insane cause they forded the river)rode back to the trail with us ,Dusty Bottem and a few others who's names I don't recall at the moment but I should get another chance to get them.It was only 3pm when we got to the lean-to so we decided to get the climb out of the way.On our way down we found a good spot and called it a day.It's a little chilly tonight and it's supposed to get colder by the end of the week.We had a little rain last night and it was cloudy most of the day but it did'nt rain so I was happy.We're wanting to be in Monson on thursday so that means getting up early so it's time for bed.                                    Tomorrow is a...                                       New Day!
Date: 2009-09-16
From: Plesant Pond Mountain

To: West Branch Piscataquis River
Miles today: 17.6

We had a great day today.Up & rolling early we were on Moxie Bald in time for lunch!The climb up was easy and the scenery was breath taking with all the awesome rock formations.The trail had lots of mud spots and quite a few swampy areas.Glad I managed not to fall in!The weather was cold & cloudy but thankfully NO RAIN!Don't mind being cold but I try my best not to get wet! We were trying to make it to the shelter but right before the river we found a great campsite!Lots of flat,the sound of the river,and plenty of fire wood to warm up with.Then to make it even more excellent before we could take our packs off we saw our first Bull Moose!Man was he huge!Fast too,he ran off before we could get his picture.Bummer man.On the up side we only have 12.1 miles to go before we reach Monson!I'm really looking forward to some town food and a real bed!Hard to belive the journey is almost over.It's been a hard one but worth every step!                           Tomorrow is a...                              New Day!
Date: 2009-09-17
From: West Branch Piscataquis River

To: Monson,Maine
Miles today: 12.1

Woke up ready and excited to get to town!Monson,Maine the last trail town!It won't be long now!We got to meet Medicare Pastor last night.She hiked in as it was getting dark.We chatted for awhile and I was amazed to learn she was double section hiking the AT & the PCT!How awesome is that?Our first ford so far was right after we left camp and just let me say the water was freezing!But what do you expect when it's only in the 40's?We got Cheese Burgers when we got to town the caught a ride with Sue down to the hostel.Shaw's is a really wonderful place.And busy too.I went for a shower and had no hot water!Not the end of the world though it's not like I haven't stunk before.We made a trip to the post office to pick up a couple packages then headed back to our soft bed and T.V.Sure gonna sleep good tonight!                                 Tomorrow is a...                                    New Day!
Date: 2009-09-18
From: Monson,Maine

To: Little Wilson Stream
Miles today: 6.8

What a way to wake up...to the smell of bacon being cooked!As I went down the stairs the smell of coffee kicked in to.It feels like a little slice of heaven.After a huge breakfast of eggs,bacon,sausage,homefries & french toast we went to the store to finish re-suppling then packed it up and went back to the trail.It started to rain a little before we left and we even thought about staying over another day.But then I decided that it was time to finish what I srarted so long ago.At the trail head I made a few last minute phone calls (getting the wonderful news that my sister & husband are expecting!Congradulations Tanya & Donnie!)thenput on my heavy pack and headed into the 100 Mile Wilderness.Had lunch at the first shelter then went on to the campsite.Only 6.8 but my pack is so heavy it's making my neck hurt.Worst part is I'm worried I don't have enough food!Wow how can that be?Guess I better get to eating. The day was cloudy with light rain then got a bit cold.We built a fire but it got windy so just going to bed now.In the morning we're still headin NORTH!                                 Tomorrow is a...                                    New Day!
Date: 2009-09-19
From: Little Wilson Stream

To: Cloud Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: scattered clouds

It was pretty cold when we got up today so I had my coffee & oatmeal in the tent.Got lucky with the ford at Little Wilson stream it was just a rock hop.Hasn't rained for awhile so the water is down.But Big Wilson didn't disappoint it was a full fledge ford!Old School Crossed first then it was my turn.Man was that water COLD!And it's true about the small rocks being less slippery.About half way accross I forgot how cold I was and am pleased to say I made it without even getting my shorts wet!After the ford the rest of the day was up,up,up!Not much fun.I was a little angry when Old School wanted to go the .4 back to the shelter but we found a great spot and then was treated to an amazing sunset! I'm a little on the tired side and thanks to the heavy pack my back hurts too.Can't wait to see or feel what the Chairbacks and White Cap are all about so I guess it's time for bed.I think I'm gonna need the rest!                                 Tomorrow is a...                                    New Day!
Date: 2009-09-20
From: Cloud Pond Lean-To

To: West Branch of Plesant River
Miles today: 11.3

Woke up to the sound of a Bull Moose but when we got out of the tent we didn"t see him. The day was full of ups.Up 4th mountain,up 3rd moutain(but not to the summit)then up to 3rd moutain ledges only to climb up Columbus,then we went up and over the Chairbacks!We took a break at Chairback lean-to where we met Duck Man.The lean-to was just rebuilt and there was a nice smell of fresh cut wood.They did a real good job but anyone who stays there will have to be real careful getting out in the middle of the night cause that place sits up high off the ground.After we left we were passed by Rufeo who is a high mile hiker.He left Springer on May 11th!Wow what a hiker.It's only been 20 days for me this time but I'm so tired most days that all I can think of is the end of the day. I hurt a little more than usual but I think it's all the extra water I'm carrying.Lost a little weight through food consumption but the water sources over Chairbacks are sketchey so we cameled up and loaded up cause we know first hand that running out of water really sucks!We desided to call it a day at the river cause neither one of had another two miles in us.It will still be there tomorrow.So far the wilderness has been hard on me.My feet & back hurt and I don't even want to discuss the cuts and brusies I have.In time they will heal and I will have Finished What I Started!                                 Tomorrow is a...                                    New Day!
Date: 2009-09-21
From: West Branch of Plesant River

To: Logan Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 12.7

Walked to the river today in my crocs cause we had a ford first thing!Wow was that water COLD!The trail seemed to be all up again today.The climbs we over quickly though and in alot there were these real cool steps that in my oppinion made some of the climbing much easier.Comming down off White Cap I got my first view of Kathadin.It looked so close that it's hard to belive it's still days away!We manage to find a place for our big A** tent at the lean-to a called it a day.After dinner we chatted with Woodsmoke before calling it a night.We got a big day planned for tomorrow cause the trail is supposed to flatten out!Man I gotta see this!Tomorrow is a...New Day!
Date: 2009-09-22
From: Logan Branch Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is the first day of fall.I have now hike this trail in all seasons!The leaves are beautiful shades of red,yellow and orange.Our hike today was long but easy.We got a real early start and only had one climb!It was amazing to me when I calculated our miles at lunch and we had already gone 11 miles!We are now on Maine FLAT! Got to the shelter right before the sun set and decide to stay in it so we could get another early start.Not to mention we were too tired to put up the tent!We finished the day with 23.1 miles!Our biggest day yet.Hope I don't feel it too bad in the morning.                                 Tomorrow is a...                                    New Day!
Date: 2009-09-23
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

We were the only ones in the shelter last night which felt a little weird.Wish I could say I slept good but I didn't.Lots of noises in the night but when I looked there was only darkness.(A bit on the scary side)I was draggin a little getting up and going so we got a later start than we wanted.The weather was warm all day and it looked like rain all day.But we were fortunate and it held off!The first 10 miles today were quite easy.Then in the afternoon we had a good climb.Not real bad but all the rocks & roots around the ponds were very slick so we had to be real careful.Goofing around too much today cost us the day light but we had gone too far and couldn't find a spot for the tent til we got to the shelter.It wasn't easy finding a spot that wasn't slanted but we did the best we could in the dark.After a quick dinner we climbed in the tent and not a moment to soon cause here comes the rain!Hope it stops by morning cause I plan to cross over the Abol Bridge and will technically Finish What I Started!                                 Tomorrow is a...                                    New Day!
Date: 2009-09-24
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Millenocket,ME
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

Got up at 5am and I must say lastnight was the best nights sleep I've had in awhile!Got a awesome view of Kathadin from the Rainbow Ledges then kept pushing for the last shelter at the end of the Wilderness.On our way we decided we were gonna skip the 10 miles into the park(cause I did them back in 06')and just get into Millinocket for some R&R and to check for the best day to summit.Did that in 06' too but I've come along way and this will be my Victory Climb!As I pushed for the road I was overcome with tears.Some of disbelife,sorrow but mostly of Joy!I couldn't Belive... I MADE IT!In 06'I cried for Old School & B-rad,today the tears were for ME!We got a hot dog & Coke at the campstore and then hitched to town.We got a room in the same hotel as in 06'and I took a long,hot shower.Checking the weather it looks like a pretty day but sunday looks Prettier.Guess we have so decisions to make.Gonna take advantage of the hot tub the chill for the rest of the day!One more climb to make than it's back HOME!                                 Tomorrow is a...                                    New Day!
Date: 2009-09-25
From: Millenocket,ME

To: Millenocket,Me
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Decided yesterday we were gonna take a day off and wait for a clear summit day.The weather is supposed to be beautiful on saturday just a little chilly.The last time we went up the Moutain it was a socked in and we are determined to get a view.I'm not argueing either cause I need a day off!My body seems to know we are almost done cause I feel real sore.Won't be long and the Journey will be done!                              Tomorrow is a...                                    New Day!
Date: 2009-09-26
From: Millenocket,Me

To: Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2

We were ready to go when our suttle arrived.The moment I've been waiting 4 years for!It was real cold outside but the weather channel promised a beautiful day.In 06' when we climbed we had a ugly day so I was real excited to know we would actually be able to see what we were climbing and all the amazing views we missed then.At the gate we were in a huge back up and we were being told we wern't going to be aloud to climb!What?I've come all this way and spent all these years trying to get here and now you say I can't climb!I felt the most pain for Two Lions and all the other hikers who had come all the way from Georgia!I told Old School I would leave Maine without another summit(I went up in 06')before I waited another 2 or 3 days because the weather was changing and RAIN was comming in.Not to mention this was the BEST day one could hope for!When we finally reached the gate the Ranger told Paul to bring us right to him and he would give us our permit to climb!Thanks Ranger Bruce you are the BEST! The climb was hard but the views were AWESOME!I couldn't belive my eyes!How could I have even concidered not summitting?We had a small lunch at the table lands to rest up from the huge boulder scramble we just climbed then proceeded to the summit!Wow what a feeling!I Finally Finished What I Started!I was over come with emotion but quickly got myself together.What a VICTORY!We didn't hang out long cause it was cold now that we wern't hiking.I got my summit photo taken,placed that small stone I've carried from Springer on the Cairn,Congradulated all the hikers on their success then bid them farewell!The climb down was a little tougher than I remembered but it didn"t take too long.As promised Paul was waiting on the bridge when we came down and he took us back to our hotel.Now I'm just chilling waiting for the morning so we can finally make our way HOME!I still can't belive I'm done!I really did it!I Finished What I Started!Wonder where we'll go from here?Guess I'll have to wait an see what the future holds!                                 Tomorrow is a...                                    New Day!
Date: 2008-12-09
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Today the plans are set in stone. I have an airline ticket to Atlanta and reservations at the Hikers Hostel in Dahlonega. I will arrive in Georgia on Feb.14th and will start the hike on the 15th or 16th.I may stay the night on top of Springer Mountain on the 15th and start on the 16th or I may jump in and start hiking the trail on the 15th.It is 8 miles up Springer Mtn to the starting point so alot depends on when I get there and what the weather looks like.I have most of my gear and I am hiking a couple of miles every day with my backpack. Dallas Nature Center has some pretty good "up and down" trails to practice on.It's not the destination, it's the meal at the destination!
Date: 2008-12-10
To: NOBO
Miles today: 0.0

Dec.11,2008Well it was very cold in Texas today and I hiked along the lake with a strong wind in my face. This is making me think about being on a mountain top in a snow storm and being days away from the nearest town. The good news is my gear seems to be working out OK and I was able to stay plenty warm with the cold weather clothes I have. I do expect to upgrade to an Under Armour cold weather gear turtleneck, long sleeve shirt for the trail while the long johns issued by the US govt when I went to Afghanistan kept my legs warm...Socks may need some more work as my feet were cold to start out.John
Date: 2008-12-11
To: Gear
Miles today: 0.0

Gear I have so far GOLITE backpack - really lightweight, basic but with over 4000 cu of space.Field & Stream lightweight sleeping bag rated to zero degreesJet Boil system to cook on - not so light but really easy to use and convenientKatahdyn water purifier pump - I'll take along some tablets as well ..GIARDIA is something I don't wantUltralite two man tent with rain fly -3lbs.John
Date: 2008-12-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Dec. 31st Only 45 days until I leave for Springer Mountain. The weather is my only concern and I am just about done with buying the clothing I will need to stay warm. Although when they say no cotton I just realized they mean underwear too!!!I am hiking for the Ulster Project Arlington, a non profit group that brings Catholic and Protestant teenagers from Belfast, Northern Ireland to Arlington Texas every summer for the month of July. It is a Peace project with the goal of showing the teens who may come from segregated neighborhoods that we are really all the same.If interested visit their web site UPATX dot com.I have been doing daily hikes of 6 to 8 miles every day this week to break in new shoes and boots and to build up my feet. I found some great up and down trails at what used to be the Dallas Nature Center. I can get quite a workout there even if it is in FLAT Texas. The park is built on an escarpment and overlooks Joe Pool Lake. Probably the highest place in Texas east of Ft Worth.My Gear keeps showing up day by day and Patty, my wife has said STOP spending money but what can you do , can't freeze or starve out there you know. I should be to the end of my purchases but now the hard part is getting all the stuff to fit in the backpack and pretend it is only 20 lbs. I know I need to carry 10 lbs of food (5 days worth) and about 5 lbs of water every day. So my mission is to find out what foods have the most calories per ounce so I can reduce the weight. Just about everything is around 100 calories per ounce, some high fat or high sugar items get up to 140 calories per ounce and only a few things get over 150 calories per ounce. Those would be Godiva chocolates and Nutella almond flavored spread (like peanut butter). I have been reading labels in the stores for weeks in search of the perfect food that is high in calories and weighs nothing.That's all for now ...Here's to 2009 !!!!!!O.M. River (formerly TEXMAN)
Date: 2009-02-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

How high are the Appalachians anyway? At 6,643 ft, Clingmans'Dome is the highest point on the AT. Does that make these mountains baby mountains compared to the Rockies???Well not exactly.The Appalachians are the oldest Mountains in North American, originally part of the "Alleghanian" mountain range with peaks as high as 30,000 feet before the Rockies were even formed. Thousands of years of erosian from wind and water have whittled them down to size. Also the constant banging together of the African continental plate and the North American plate have caused these ancient mountains to be disrupted and pushed around causing them to break apart becoming a series of smaller mountains. If you fly over them in an airplane and look down you can see rows of mountains going in the same direction. Think of a rug that was pushed from one end and has a series of bumps in it.The scientific word for this is "orogeny" . Lastly the glaciers covered the sections of the Appalachian trail in New England and New York creating the distinct carved out valleys. Evidence of the glaciers can be seen on the mountain tops of Maine where rock ledges have long scars etched into them from rocks being pushed across these ledges under the tremendous force and weight of the glaciers.The main point here is,as "James Michener" states in his novel "Centennial":> "First, the height of any mountain is significant only in relation to the height of the tableland from which it rises; the low Alleghenies, rising steeply from sea level, were just as high as a ten-thousand -foot mountain rising from a tableland of six thousand,eight hundred feet."So the Rockies which start out from tableland over a mile high are not that much more of a rise than the Appalachians starting close to sealevel.O.M.RiverCan you tell I am killing time until this hike starts in two weeks?
Date: 2009-02-08
To: Still doing research
Miles today: 0.0

One week to go so a brief note on what I plan to see on this journey.Spring is already here in Texas as the daffodils are blooming and the dandelions have started to flower.In Georgia it will still be the end of winter and as I travel North I will see spring gradually appear at the lower elevations while O.M. WINTER ( no relation) clings to the mountain tops.As I hit the Smoky Mountain National Park in about a month I will travel through 5 distinct forests. First let me point out the following from the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Website:¢The Smoky Mountains National Park has more tree species than northern Europe and contains one of the largest blocks of virgin temperate deciduous forest in North America. Almost 95% of the Smokey Mountain's National Park is forested, and about 25% of that area has not been disturbed. Some trees attain record size in the Smoky Mountains and are over 20 feet in circumference...During the Ice Age, the Smoky Mountains were a refuge for hundreds of plant and animal species retreating before the glaciers. These species found suitable living conditions in the upper elevations of the Smoky Mountains. Because the Smokey Mountains National park contains a variety of habitats, it is now home for some 1,500 species of vascular plants, 10% of which are considered rare, and well over 4,000 non-flowering plant species.¢So if you have never been to the SMNP then put it on your bucket list because it is one of the few places left to see old growth trees in areas never harvested by man.As I said earlier, there are 5 distinct forests in the park.At the lower levels I will see hardwood forests that are made up of tulip trees, poplar, red maples, sweet gum and dogwoods. These require long growing seasons and plenty of rainfall.Along the streams there are stands of Hemlocks. Hemlocks used to dominate the lower forests but the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid has devastated this group. This insect was not natural to the area and was introduced to the U.S. in the early 1900¢s. The cousin to this insect, the Balsam Wooly Adelgid is currently decimating the balsam forests in Maine due to warmer than usual winters since the 1990¢s. As you gain elevation the northern hardwoods, sugar maples, beech and yellow birches start to appear. They thrive between 3500 and 5000 feet. Above 5,000 feet are the spruce and fir forests.For every 1,000 feet you gain in elevation the trees change the same as if you drove 250 miles north.Look for my blog next week as I start to hike on the 15th and finally see what I have been reading about for months.O.M. River
Date: 2009-02-15
From: Springer mtn

To: Hawk Mtn shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

Sunday Feb. 15 Started out at the hiker hostel run by Leigh and Josh. They gave us a nice breakfast of eggs from their own chickens. french toast. grits. and coffee and juice. Then Josh drove me and Pound Hound and GArage man to the trail via a dirt forest road (think Mr Toads wild ride at DISNEY) The other person who stayed at the hostel, CATALYST and her brother followed us in their car. We hiked 1 mile from the parking lot to the top at Springer Mt. and started back down as our hike was now official. My pack was 45 lbs. because I Added water and oranges and my winter coat. I walked with the others for about a mile and then I went on my own. I passed thru beautiful rhododendron and pine/Cyprus forest along a river,passed a waterfall and then hiked up 700 feet to tonights shelter. I passed a lot of quartz rocks near the top of this mountain (3400 feet) which is interesting because the local town, DAHLONEGA,GA, WAS THE FIRST PLACE IN AMERICA where gold was discovered. I always heard gold was often found with QUARTZ. There are 8 of us staying at the shelter. Only 1 is in the shelter...4 of us have tents...and the couple from ALASKA have hammocks that go between two trees. The hammocks have a rain cover over them. SO there is pound hound and garage man from Alaska ,CAtalyst a out of work symphony bassoonist from NC, wobbles and bubbles(foot blisters!) a father son team. from Nova Scotia, mike from Tennessee.and flatlander . 8.7 miles today (.9 to get to trail beginning)