morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-25
From: Hurd Brook Lean to 

To: Rainbow Stream Lean to
Miles today: 11.5

Oh today! Let's just say it wasn't the most fun day. The terrain was mostly mud which made for slow hiking and mud encrusted socks. The great part was at about 8 miles in we found some trail magic that had chicken so when we got to our beautiful campsite we made trail burritos with Tabasco sauce and rice that I had with me. So delicious!! Tired but happy ready to knock out an 8 mile day tomorrow but I might push myself to do a 14. Stayed tuned
Date: 2015-06-26
From: Rainbow Stream Lean to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean to 
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a great day! Easy start off not so mayor's and roots and some very beautiful waterfalls. Maine is one of the most beautiful places despite the roots, rocks and the mud that we had yesterday started off kinda late today but I needed the extra rest and the lean to was so beautiful. It had a stream running right in front with some falls and a pond to swim in. Anyways besides the beautiful waterfalls today I saw a little white admiral butterfly colony. 11 in all so beautiful!! The terrain was pretty easy so I stopped at this really nice spot by a lake for lunch Nightingale (Becky) showed up and we had lunch. I needed someone to talk to at that point so it was nice. Then as we were packing up to leave we saw not one but TWO moose at the edge of the lake on the other side! A mama and a baby moose. So happy! We've been on high moose alert for the past couple of days. Then we got to climb the first mountain which was hard but I can tell my body is getting use to these climbs. It's awesome I can already start to see better definition in my leg. I was a decent 8 mile hike today, one of the best days so far. Gonna try to do a 13 tomorrow!
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Raleigh Stream Lean to 

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was another wonderful day! Easier terrain than most of the other days. I started off in a bad mood because I didn't sleep well. By about 12:30 though I stopped for a water break and felt much better after that. We got into camp about 5 which was nice because we got to go swimming! Sitting around a fire right now full of food and happy as a clam. It's amazing how I can feel my legs strengthening. Not as sore today and I can feel my balance getting better. I am more sure of my footing on the rocks and roots. Life out here is wonderful. I am loving every minute of it. Tired gonna hit the hay!
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Antlers Campsite

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean to
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: clear sky

Woke up early today because they were calling for rain and decided to walk as far as I could made the 8 miles to this lean to in about 4 hours. Started raining at about hour 2. Rain in Maine is COLD! The temperature by the time I got to the shelter was 54 degrees. It'll be a cold one tonight. I've been gorging myself on food so that way when I pick up my food drop my pack won't be as heavy. Knees are hurting today so I am glad that I got to rest for most of the dad. The next couple of days are going to be rough because of the higher elevation. Just gotta take it one step at a time. Hoping to babe in Monson by the 4th of July. Excited to get my PBR tomorrow!
Date: 2015-06-29
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean to

To: Logan Brook Lean to
Miles today: 11.7

Today started off pretty rough. My knee hurt and was so swollen I could barely bend it. My right Achilles has really been bothering me as well. I've been stretching it in the morning and at night but it's been really achy. I also am having some feminine problems that I wasn't expecting so by my food drop that was on a road I almost called to get a ride outta there. BUT the first three miles in my heel stopped hurting and my knee wasn't bothering me I feel like it's good that it's not hurting when I am moving but I am not pushing myself past my limit. I'm sore but it's not unbearable. Just 40 miles til Monson and I am gonna roll in the 4th with guns a blazin'! So excited to eat pizza and maybe a cheeseburger! The hiker hunger has begun to set in! Love all of you so much! You have been on my mind while I am hiking you keep me trekking along!
Date: 2015-06-30
From: Logan Brook Lean to

To: Carl Newhall Lean to 
Miles today: 7.2

Today I summited 4 peaks all over 2000 feet. The first one being White Cap Mtn which was at 3600 feet. My knees are hurting today coming down is so slick and steep half the time I am afraid I am going to tumble right over myself. Nightingale the Beast went farther on today so I hope I can catch up with her sometime tomotrow. My plan is still to be in Monson for the 4th so I can celebrate the holiday. I think most of my group is doing that anyway so I hope to see everybody in town then. So tired gonna lay here and sleep.
Date: 2015-07-01
From: Carl Newhall Lean to 

To: Chairback Lean to
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

So today didn't end up being a 16 mile day. Left camp at 7 trying to beat the storms that I heard were coming in. The first 6 miles were a piece of cake. Nice easy terrain of course mud rocks and roots but pretty level then Chairback Mountain came. LONGEST 4 miles of my hike...no life. The summit was only 2180 but there was about 4 summit teases which is always a downer because you think you're about done then BAM you've got more to climb. This mountain also had a rock scramble about a 1/2 mile before the summit. Which is kind of a scary enough but when it feels like it's going to storm and you're exhausted already it's even tougher. Got to the shelter at 2 and it started to rain so I decided to stay here for the night instead of continuing on for the next 7 miles. Iron Horse, Sleeping Bear and I were the only ones here until about a half hour ago when a couple that hiked from Logan Brook all the way here which was about 20 miles! Crazy people lol. Their story is very cool though they have been section hiking on weekends for the past 2 years and they only have 200 miles left. The trail is addicting. The ups and downs emotionally and physically, the people you meet the surroundings and fresh air. It's all so amazing. Yes it's very difficult but it's all worth it. Gonna rest up 2 days left til Monson!! Can't wait for pizza, beer and ice cream. Actually anything but the weird thing is a bologna sandwich is what I've been craving the most. How funny! Got to talk to Mrs. Jessica Sumpter today. It was so wonderful to hear a voice from back home! It's weird because I miss home..I think it's because I keep having dreams about everybody. Love all of you so much!
Date: 2015-07-02
From: Chairback Lean to

To: Long Pond Lean to
Miles today: 10.9

Well today sucked....hard. Everything was bouldering, mud, never ending descents and more mud. We were going to shoot for 15 miles today and that for sure didn't happen. By the end of the day my left knee felt like it had a charlie horse throbbing around it the whole hike. No amount of stretching and rubbing would relax it. Word to the wise Maine is not for the faint of heart. I haven't really explained it well but the best way to compare it is a plate of spaghetti. The roots are the noodles then you have the meatballs which can vary from small to as big as a car (some as big as a tiny house) then to make it all yummy you have the sauce. The endless amount of sauce which is mud. You are constantly walking on this plate of spaghetti. Even if it's an 85 degree incline or decline it's all spaghetti. Right now I am pretty tired of spaghetti but I will push through. Everyone I have met that has hiked other portions of the trail says this is one of the toughest areas of the trail. So I'm glad it's putting me to the test. So tired can barely write. Good night and good luck.
Date: 2015-07-04
From: Monson Maine

To: Monson Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

So Monson Maine is amazing and all of the people that live in it! It's a small little quaint town and I love it. I am staying at the Lake shore House. It's a house that this wonderful lady Rebekah has made the bottom part into a pub and restaurant and the top portion is a bunk house. It's right on the lake and it has this wonderful homey feel to it. The food is great and so are the drinks. There are a ton of SOBOs here for the holiday which has been a lot of fun because we all have just got to relax and enjoy the beautiful day together. We hung out on the porch, did laundry, took showers, ate good food and watched fireworks at Shaws which is another hiker hostel here in town. Such a great way to spend the 4th of July. Leaving out tomorrow will be difficult I really love this place!
Date: 2015-07-05
From: Monson Maine

To: River Campsite
Miles today: 12.0

Woke up today around 8 thank goodness I had packed my bag in my semi drunken state last night. Tried to catch up on my journal without success but I will finish it when I get into Caratunk on Tuesday. Like I suspected I did not want to leave today. Rebekah almost had me talked into staying and working for her. She needs a bartender and I could help clean the hostel for my room. I gave it a thought lol I just love that place so much. Alas the trail was calling though. A nice guy named Chris who was just vacationing took Nightingale, Woodford and I to the trailhead which was really nice of him. Today was nice terrain following the Picatais River. Pretty proud of my mileage today since we didn't get on the trail til noon. In my hammock tonight which is nice and cozy and calling for me to snuggle in and pass out. Hoping to do 10 - 13 miles tomorrow. Suppose to be another beautiful day out tomorrow.
Date: 2015-07-06
From: River Campsite

To: Bald Mountain Lean to
Miles today: 10.0

Another great day today! The first six miles I had done by noon so I stopped at the lean to before the big climb today. Went swimming which felt great it was a hot day today and the bugs were really bad. After that had a long lunch and just enjoyed sitting by the water and soaking up the sun. Iron Horse caught up to me and I sat with him for a bit so it was about an hour and a half lunch break. Much needed though! The climb up Moxie Bald Mountain wasn't bad at all even though the elevation was kinda steep. The summit was absolutely breathtaking! Got to make a few phone calls while up there which was good to hear from some friends and family! Spent about an hour up there just enjoy the views and Nightingale and Woodford caught up to me so I walked down with them it was nice to have some company at that point. My knees kind of hurt on the way down but the top of my right foot hurt the most. Just popped some Vitamin I (Ibuprofen) before I got in the hammock, gonna read some GoT then pass out.
Date: 2015-07-07
From: Bald Mountain Lean to

To: Pleasant Pond Lean to
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Well to today I thought was going to be an easy day but even though the 4 mile climb up the mountain wasn't straight up it was just a very long day. Hot again today but there was a very nice breeze all day. The first three miles were great even and piney. Then we forged a river that we actually didn't have to get into there were plenty of rocks to hop across! It's the small things in life Then we climbed up the 4 miles and thought we summited like 3 times. By that time my right foot was in a lot of pain so the coming down was very painful. Tonight and tomorrow it's suppose to rain but it hasn't started yet. It's acting like it might start and any point. I'm hanging in my hammock off the front of the lean to. So I hope it holds. Fingers crossed. I am walking the short 5 miles to Caratunk so I can take the rest of the day off so my foot can rest. It's frustrating because I don't remember hurting it. It just started hurting. Anyways off to doing some reading before I can't keep my eyes open any longer.
Date: 2015-07-08
From: Pleasant Pond Lean to

To: Caratunk Maine
Miles today: 5.7

Pleasant Pond Lean to 145.5Caratunk Maine 151.25.7Today woke up at 6 so I could leave by 6:30 and I achieved that. My foot was in a lot of pain but I knew I had to walk the miles so I tightened my sandal really tight to help the pain, took some Vitamin I and told myself there was no pain. Well there still was a lot but by the time it started pouring rain I just got in the zone. The miles weren't bad but by the time I got to town I was exhausted from the pain and rain. These really nice section hikers offered me a ride to the camping area but then Iron Horse came up and they didn't look comfortable with him so I skipped the ride and walked with him. I really wish I wouldn't have because the process would have taken about two hours less if I just would have gone with them. Oh well c'est la vie. I'm here now and my foot is killing me. I am so frustrated. I can barely put any weight on it and it's just throbbing whenever I'm not on it. I called my mom balling my eyes out because I am going to have to zero again tomorrow which means I'll get behind the group that I'm in and I am mad because I can't get back on the trail. I'm afraid that something is really wrong. So today has been a big bummer. Send me some good vibes people I'm really needing them. Also, I don't know if I told everyone that I got my trail name like a week ago. I am officially Her Dudeness! People vary up with Dude. Dudette. The Dude. Whatever is clever.
Date: 2015-07-09
From: Caratunk Maine

To: Caratunk Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Been hanging here at Northern Outdoors by myself all day. Everybody left this morning which was really hard but I know they have to keep hiking on. My foot is still in a lot of pain not as bad as yesterday but still very painful to walk on and it's still very swollen. If it's still seriously swollen and in pain tomorrow I am going to have it checked out. I'm sure it's just a sprain but I don't want to make it worse. A big part of me is saying to let it go and get back on the trail. It's calling me. I want to be safe than sorry though no matter how bummed I am about it. Thank you everyone for the encouraging words and support you continue to send me. I love all of you so so so much.
Date: 2015-07-10
From: Caratunk Maine

To: Otter Pond Rd
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

Bad news friends. I went for it today and shouldn't have. About a mile in to the trail I slipped on a rock and went down on my bad foot. Sat there and bawled my eyes out for about 10 minutes until I had the nerve to take my sock off. Foot and ankle were swollen at least 2 times it's normal size. Sucked it up and walked the remaining 4 miles to a road. A nice gentleman named Oliver gave me a ride to the nearest town that had a medical center. The doctor looked me over and said I have a very bad sprain in my ankle which I think I did today and he didn't do an x-ray but he is pretty sure I have a stress fracture in my metatarsal (I believe that's what it is). Told me I should not try to hike any more of the trail for at least 2-3 weeks or I will just continue to make it worse and possibly break it completely. I am beyond bummed but I am trying to look on the brightside. This isn't the end of the trail for me. I called Rebekah at the Lakeshore House and she is going to figure out a way that I can do a work for stay for a couple of weeks until I can get back out there. The gentleman Oliver then gave me a ride back to Monson so I didn't have to hitch here. Shout out to him for being an awesome dude! I will continue to keep everyone posted on here. Like I've said before thank you for all of your support. I've done 160 miles of this thing and I feel very proud of myself for that and wouldn't have been able to do it without your kind words and encouragement!
Date: 2015-08-06
From: Monson Maine

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hey everybody!!! I know I've been incognito for the past several weeks but I've been trying to figure out what I am going to do. It's been hard for me because I have been feeling kind of depressed and upset that I have had to be off of the trail for so long. I am getting back on next Thursday which I am so so happy about. It's been way too long. Yesterday I hiked Borestone Mountain here in Monson which was awesome! I posted pictures of it on my Facebook. It was a sort of test run to see how my foot did as well as testing out my new shoes that I got. Everything went swimmingly and I was so happy to be hiking. My foot hasn't been bothering me at all for the past couple of weeks. So here's the plan. I am skipping down to Hanover New Hampshire which is about 290 miles it was a hard decision to do it but because of the very difficult terrain in southern Maine and the Whites in New Hampshire I decided it was the best decision to get myself acclimated with the Trail again. It also allows me to catch up to the group that I want to be with as well as give me enough time to finish the rest hopefully without another injury to my foot. I plan on coming back next summer and finishing that part hiking Northbound. I have loved being in Monson with all the awesome people here at the Lakeshore House. They have accepted me into the family so quickly and I have grown to love them all so much but I am restless to be back on the Trail. I love that I've got to meet so many awesome hikers and help them with their journey but I am ready to continue on mine. Thanks so much for the words of encouragement and love from home! You have know idea how it helps me to keep on trucking! Love all of you so much and miss you!!
Date: 2015-08-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone!!!So I went hiking on the Trail again!! If you remember reading on July 3rd my last day in the 100 mile I got pulled off the Trail. Well, I went back and did that part on Friday and Saturday and boy am I glad I did!!! Such a beautiful and very difficult part of the 100 mile but so worth it. I enjoyed so much more than if I would have finished it while I was in there. Mentally I had given up but going back and getting to fully enjoy those last 10 miles was so rewarding and it was also such a good test to see if I was ready to back on Trail. Let me tell you I am more than ready as long as the doctor gives me the okay on Monday!! My new shoes are working so great I love them so much and they support my foot so much better. Thanks for all the love you guys!!! I feel the good vibes coming from everyone!!! Photos are on Facebook and I updated my miles on the July 3 post.
Date: 2015-08-13
From: Hanover, NH

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 2.6

I started my journey today on a Greyhound Bus that lasted 12 hours. It was a long journey to Hanover. When I got here I immediately went for the trail which goes directly through Hanover and then crosses the Connecticut River into Vermont so I was in New Hampshire less than a mile. So far the trail is nice, soft and very beautiful. This is my first time stealth camping by myself which is a little nerve racking but I am happy I got here. I am just going to take it real nice and slow these next couple of days. There was trail magic right before my stealth camp and it had a log book. I saw Nightingale and Woodford are a week ahead and Ultraviolet just signed in the day before which I was pretty stoked about! Going to do some reading then get to bed it's been a long day!
Date: 2015-08-14
From: Stealth Campsite

To: West Hartford, VT
Miles today: 7.3

Today was awesome!!!! First off I have to say that I LOVE VERMONT!! The trail today was so nice, piney, even terrain. "I am in love and I don't care who knows it!" (Name that movie) Met a ton of NOBOs today I must have passed at least 20 of them by noon. All of them really pleasant to talk to. I stopped in at the Happy Hill Shelter which was this really cute rock shelter with a loft. Wish I could've stayed there but it was only lunch time and I am not going to do only 4 miles. Met a NOBO named Turkey and we had a good conversations. He told me about some awesome trail magic that was coming up in West Hartford by the bridge. So of course I went There are these really awesome people named Randy and Linda who live right on the corner of the AT so they can see all the hikers that are heading their way. They sit on their front porch and ring a bell for you to come over and have a soda and a donut, if you get there before 11am they serve pancakes, sausage and coffee. Randy also encourages people to jump off the bridge....literally. If you go on Facebook you can see me taking that advice and jumping. It's about a 25 foot drop and boy was it a rush. I did a booty smack which hurt like hell and is definitely going to leave a huge bruise. The water felt great after the really hot day I had. It was about 4:30 at that point and Randy told me I was more than welcome to stay if I wanted. FOR FREE! So I did that as well. They converted a room in their old barn into a little hiker hangout with some beds and a tv and lots of movies. So I hung out and watched Match Point which was a really good movie with a crazy ending. Then a whole bunch of hikers started filing in, and older brother and sister came and they were really nice then about 7 other hikers came in and we all were talking and swapping stories. Another awesome piece of magic. Linda drove some of the hikers in for pizza and one hiker gave me a slice. Heaven. Then I still ate all my Mac, cheese and tuna dinner. Awesome awesome day. Doesn't get much better than this. So happy to be back on the Trail!
Date: 2015-08-15
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Courtland Pond Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Another awesome day! Woke up and had 2 blueberry pancakes a sausage patty and coffee!!! Yummy! Talked with a mother and son hiking who are from Indianapolis!!! Crazy! Only the 2nd and 3rd person from Indiana I've met! They were Boilermaker fans but I couldn't hold that against them. Us Hoosiers have to stick together. The terrain was a bit tougher today lots of ups and downs. It was so hot and humid today I drank like 6 liters of water by noon and I was sweating like crazy. Beautiful forests today nice and wide open. It was so peaceful. Then there were some portions that you would come out of the woods and in the middle of a big open field where you could see mountains. There were also Black Eyed Susan's in the fields which remind me of my mom's garden. Stopped and took an hour and a half lunch break at Thistle Hill Shelter. Just as I was about to leave I hear the rumble of thunder so I sat for another 15 minutes to make sure it wasn't going to rain. Sun came out and I kept on moving. Was a tough decision when I got to the sign for the Shelter since it was a half mile off the trail. The thunder was still rumbling and the next shelter is about 10 miles away since I took a long lunch break it was about 3 when I had to make the decision. I could stealth camp but if it starts thunderstorming I don't have a rain fly. So I decided to park my butt here I am kinda regretting it now because it rained and now cleared up. Who is to say though it won't start raining again later. I have to be happy with my decision I would rather stay dry then walk 3 more miles. I doubt anyone is going to be staying with me tonight though. That's alright whole shelter to myself! Planning on doing a bigger day tomorrow a little over 11 miles we will see how I do. Looks like it'll be a bit of a challenge with all the ups and downs. I am up to the challenge though!! Oh forgot to say that I was right about the bruise on my butt takes up about half of my thigh and it's kinda puffy. Grossness.