morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-26
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: ME 27, Stratton ME
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Hiked from Crocker Cirque Campsite to ME 27. Was a short hike today. Hiked some extra miles yesterday so I'd only have a half day of hiking today. Wanted to get in early to get town stuff down. Had to climb two hills today. South Crocker and North Crocker Mtns. Hiked 7.3 miles today. Started up the trail at 8:30 and finished at 12:30. Was nice to be done by noonish. Staying at the Stratton Motel and Hostel tonight and zero tomorrow. Need to rest the feet and knees a day. Have to hike the Bigalows after Stratton. People are saying that it is the last of the big hills for a while. I hope so. I've had enough to last till I get to Katahdin.  Doug got out of the pack this week a bit. He insisted on getting his picture taken on as many summits as the trail went over. All the pictures so far are posted on FB:  www.facebook.com/midinges if you are interested. Stratton is a pretty nice town. Good long term resupply if you have to do it. Couple of good places to eat. Good beer on tap. Also a good selection of bottled beer in the market. Selection seems better than the markets back home. Had a whole 16" veggie pizza for dinner plus a really good Oatmeal Stout.Watched the movie Battleship tonight. The network really milked it. Took what was probably a 2 hour movie and turned it into a 3 hour movie with all the commercials. Would have been okay if it wasn't being interrupted every 10 minutes.
Date: 2014-08-27
From: ME 27, Stratton ME

To: ME 27, Stratton ME
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day today. Packed up my extra food and bounced it to The Sterling Inn in Caratunk. Only two or three days of food to get there. I think I sent five or six days ahead. May arrange a food drop midway in the 100 mile. I don't think I'm going to need 10 days. Maybe six or seven. Been sitting around watching old movies on TCM today. It's a bit warm today; glad I'm not hiking. It's supposed to cool off tomorrow. Hope so.  I tend to get real hot climbing the hills. Ate some of my own food for lunch; may go to one of the places in town for dinner.
Date: 2014-08-28
From: ME 27, Stratton ME

To: Campsite on Flagstaff Lake
Miles today: 17.6

Hiked from ME 27 to campsite at mile 2015.4 on Flagstaff Lake. Hike 17.6 mile. Crossed the 2000 mile mark today. Less than 185 miles to go. May get into Caratunk tomorrow or very early Saturday the 30th. Hope the place has a bunk. It may be Labor Day weekend. Just talked to them; sounds like I'll have a bunk if I get there tomorrow or Saturday.  I left the hostel this morning intending to get breakfast at the Looney Moose Cafe. The problem was they didn't to open till 7:00, I was there at 6:40 and did not feel like waiting. So, just started to hitch hike back to the trail. About 4 cars passed me. The fifth stopped and I was heading up the trail by 7:00.  Made fairly good time today. Stopped in at Horns Pond Lean-to/Shelter and commented in the shelter register. While checking some of the entries I noticed an entry from someone I hiked with last year. Turns out he got off the trail in Andover last year and is back on till Monson. As I was coming up to the Little Bigelow Lean-to junction he was standing there. He had been reading my log/register entries and was wondering if he would see me. We hiked together to the Flagstaff Lake campsite. Had dinner and here we are. Not sure if I'll be hiking out with him tomorrow or not. There are two other hikers here; Hawk and Wickid. Wickid wasn't real social. LarryBoy, Hawk and I sat around and chatted for a little bit. Now we're all in our tents.
Date: 2014-08-29
From: Campsite on Flagstaff Lake

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1

Hiked from East Flagstaff Lake Tentpads to Pierce Pond Lean-to. Started at 7:00 and finished at 14:00. Hiked 15.1 miles. Was gong to try to make the Kennebec River ferry by 16:00 but decided I didn't want to rush the almost 4 miles and not make it.  Stopped at East Carry Pond beach intending a short break and ended up there for an hour having an early lunch and soaking my feet. Probably could have made the ferry if I didn't take so long. Oh well. Hiked with LarryBoy till we got to West Carry Pond Lean-to. I moved on from there while I thought I was still going to make the ferry. LarryBoy probably stayed and went for a swim.  So, Hoyt just walked into camp, said Worldly and LarryBoy are close behind him. While I was going for water a group of seven or eight college kids came in. They use hikes in the woods as orientation and getting to know people outings. They all jumped in the pond for a swim. Looked like a good idea so I went in for a little bit too. Helped get some of today's grime off me. Getting close to dinner time. Although really not hungry yet. Ate the last of my snacks when I got into the shelter. Wordly and LarryBoy showed up along with Captain Ricco and Brave Heart. We all sat around and talked a bit. It's 20:30 now. Going to read a little then call it a night.
Date: 2014-08-30
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Caratunk ME, Sterling Inn
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked Pierce Pond Lean-to to Caratunk ME. Only hiked 4.2 miles. It was mail drop day which are usually short days. Gives me a chance to get cleaned up and get some town micro brewed beer. This time it was at Kennebec River Brewing. Stayed at Sterling Inn and Hostel. They do multiple shuttles a day back and forth from the trail, brew pub and the Inn. Great place to stay. They share the shuttling with the Brew Pub. I made two trips to the pub. Once for lunch and once for dinner. Spent way too much money. I should have just stayed at the Inn and ate my own food. Have way too much to carry tomorrow. Only need about 2.5 days and I have 5.5. Going to go to bed early tonight, maybe 7:30. That all for now.
Date: 2014-08-31
From: Caratunk ME, Sterling Inn

To: Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked from Caratunk to Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to. Hiked 15 miles or so. Was going to go 20 but decide I'd had enough. LarryBoy was here so offered him one of my meals. He accepted so now my pack is more than a pound lighter because I had lunch and dinner here. Wordly came in here, along with a SoBo named CornBread. We filled him in on all the places he should stop at on his way South. It's dark now and we'll all be probably turning in soon. Maybe read for a little bit now.
Date: 2014-09-01
From: Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to

To: Monson ME, Lake Shore House Lodge & Pub
Miles today: 22.0

Hiked from Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to to ME 15, Monson. It was my longest day so far, 22 miles. I'm feeling it too. Hiking along the Piscataquis River was anything but down hill as the elevation profile indicated. If it was 10 P.U.D.s it was 20. It was constant up and down till you get to the ford of the second stream, then there were some more hills. When I reached ME 15 there was a person sitting in the parking area, asked if I needed a ride. I said sure. His name was Strider. He through hiked in 2004, I think. He brought me right to The Longshore House Lodging & Pub. I have a double bed. There are bunk beds in here but they are empty. May make a trip to an outfitter tomorrow and see what I can find in sleeping bag liners. If I can find a heavy enough one -  temp wise, the sleeping bag may be going home. I know I talked about this before. Just may do it this time.
Date: 2014-09-02
From: Monson ME, Lake Shore House Lodge & Pub

To: Monson ME, Lake Shore House Lodge & Pub
Miles today: 0.0

Today is a zero day. Just sit around; do not much of anything. Organize my food drop. Arrange for a food drop about 60 miles into the 100. May go to an outfitter today. Looking to lighten my pack with some different sleep gear.  We'll see. What to do with the extra food... Hiker box it, eat it here, send it home. Everyone here has resupplied and doesn't need food.  This may be my last journal entry till I finish. I think I'm going to send my 2 pound iPad home and have the better half bring it back a day or so before I summit. My camera battery doesn't hold a charge so it's going home and coming back to for the trip up Katahdin. Along with the various chargers. Would really like to be about 10 pounds lighter for the 100 mile starting tomorrow.
Date: 2014-09-03
From: Monson ME, Lake Shore House Lodge & Pub

To: Cloud Pond Leanto
Miles today: 19.2

Okay, it's taken me a year and a half to finish this journal. I did finish in 2014. Will put the last entries in now.Hiked from Monson to Cloud Pond Leanto. Hiked 19.2 AT miles and .4 miles into the leanto. College of the Atlantic orientation group is here tonight. It's almost 20:00 and they are just starting to cook bread on a stick. I'm getting ready to hit the sack so to speak. I bought a SOL and sent the sleeping bag home. I have a base layer and down pants and jacket. Should be warm enough. There are 8 people from the group. Two leaders and six freshman college kids. Didn't really get any of their names. Nothing to read. Hiked with Helen today. A young women from London England. May hike with her tomorrow if I'm up early enough.
Date: 2014-09-04
From: Cloud Pond Leanto

To: Carl Newhall Leanto
Miles today: 16.0

Hiked from Cloud Pond Shelter to Carl Newhall shelter. Hiked about 16 miles. They weren't very fun miles. Thought about going farther but the body said no. Feet hurt, knees hurt, back hurts. Looks like may only be 2 or 3 people in the shelter tonight. Dennis is here a SOBO section hiker along with MArk who is in a hammock. Eugene came in with his dog. Lost his sleeping pad. May not stay in the shelter. Helen moved on to the campsite up the hill.
Date: 2014-09-05
From: Carl Newhall Leanto

To: Cooper Brook Falls Leanto
Miles today: 18.9

Hiked from Carl Newhall leanto to Cooper Brook Falls Leanto. Hiked about 18.9 miles. Hiked over Haggas Mtn, West Peak, Hay Mtn, and White Cap. All of that was in the frist 6 or 7 miles. After White Cap it was fairly easy hiking. Stopped for an hour for lunch at the shelter down off White Cap. Spent about 40 min. on White Cap taking in the views. Took a swim in the lake/pond before Cooper Brook Falls Leanto. Eugene and Max are here tonight. Along with Billgoat, Cupcake,Sprinkle Burst, and Duff.
Date: 2014-09-06
From: Cooper Brook Falls Leanto

To: Nahmakanta Lake campsite
Miles today: 21.1

Hiked from Cooper Brook Falls Leanto to Nahmakanta Lake campsite. It was a 21.1 mile day. For the most part it was an easy hike. Took another swim in the lake that was before the leanto that was 11.7 miles from Cooper Brook Falls Leanto. Stopped for another hour lunch again. Got to Nahmakanta Lake at 17:00. No swim here just got the tent up had dinner. Going to hit the sack soon. Billygoat is here along with JAson who is doing the 100 mile for his vacation.
Date: 2014-09-07
From: Nahmakanta Lake campsite

To: Abol Bridge campgrounds
Miles today: 25.0

Hiked from Nahmakanta LAke to Abol bridge camp grounds. Got here in time to get dinner at the restaurant. They had good beer on tap and veggie burgers. The camp ground has hot showers till about 8 or 9pm when they shut off the generator. Billygoat and got a campsite near the pond at the campgrounds. Sprinkle burst and Cupcake are her. Cupcakes parents came and are going to slack pack them to Katahdin.
Date: 2014-09-08
From: Abol Bridge cmp grounds

To: Katahdin Stream Campgrounds
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked from Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream Campground. Got a ride from Alyson and Jake to Millinocket. Was able to call Pat and let her know I would meet her at the hotel instead of Abol Bridge.
Date: 2014-03-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

March 25th....that is my carefully calculated start date..Yes, I am really going to do a trail journal! In the last week, my pack has been loaded and unloaded more times than I want to admit.....I am ready to go.....or as ready as I can be at this point....I think I have found all of my ducks and have them in a row!!
Date: 2014-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Ok, I have just gotten a smart phone....well last week....yes, really.... the little green slide phone is gone. Got the smart phone just for this trip, I might add. Kind of seems funny to me that I upgraded my phone to go walk in the woods. I am really kind of a low tech person. So this is my practice post using the new smart phone....This thing really is kind of cool...hmmm makes me wonder why I waited so long to upgrade.
Date: 2014-03-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am of course walking, walking, walking....I love the beach, so get as many miles as I can on the beach. I am lucky that I am just a mile away....the problem with that is...flat, flat, flat and that is not going to help me with the ups and downs of the mountains.....enter the bridges....around here the bridges in downtown Jacksonville are the only way I have found to get in the ups and downs...since I have been volunteering 3 days a week at the food bank downtown it is a good opportunity to do the bridges since I am already downtown....10 days...not that I am counting :-)
Date: 2014-03-22
To: Daffodils!!
Miles today: 0.0

Daffodils are a sign of spring and new life...The daffodil in the picture is the handiwork of my friends son ( the picture does not do the flower justice )....It makes me smile to look at it and know the work that went into it is just like real daffodils breaking through to greet the spring.....time and focus and patience and he has all of these qualities....hence the beautiful daffodil! I know first hand that he has patience and focus as I have spent time with him doing oragami and he is a very patient teacher....and fun to learn from. Always with a smile and little laugh when saying 'here let me show you how'...but never laugh at me....when I was folding a completely wrong way!!As I prepare to embark on this journey ( Monday to be exact! ) I have gotten a bit frustrated, impatient, and anxious and nervous ....when I put this daffodil on my shelf this afternoon it made me realize that these are not the feelings that I need to have as I embark on this grand adventure....what I need is focus and patience!! Thanks Quinn!!Thanks to everyone that has signed my guest book and to everyone that is following my journey. I welcome all the prayers and positive thoughts you can send me.*Meagan
Date: 2014-03-24
From: Springer Mountain GA

To: Horse Gap
Miles today: 10.5

Today was great! The weather was beautiful though I understand it is supposed to be very cold tonight. Definitely bundling up. There were some beautiful streams and even an old cemetery. There were some good uphills and when they got challenging I eoulf.here a voice telling me that it was good and I was getting a good workout! Very excited to see what tomorrow brings.
Date: 2014-03-25
From: Horse Gap

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 11.0

Today was another good day with lots of uphill. There was a very chilly wind on some sides of some mountains but was nice and sunny all day. I will write more when I have a better internet connection. Thanks to everyone that has written in my guestbook and has given me well wishes. I appreciate it very much I will load some pictures as soon as I can.
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Woody Gap

To: Mountain Crossing Outfitter - Neel Gap
Miles today: 10.5

Very very cold in the tent last nightIt was 20 degrees when I Got up. I slept in all the clothes I had. 2 pairs long underwear ( tops and bottoms ), 2 pairs wool socks, fleece jacket, down jacket, rain pants, gloves and ear band. Good thing I had all of that to put on! Since it was so cold it felt good to get hiking and warm up. I wore all of the clothes that I slept in to hike for the first couple of hours. The hiking was good today. Nice trail and beautiful views. I am staying at the hostel at Mountain Crossing tonight. It was nice to have a shower even after only 3 days of hiking This, also, where my parents dropped off my next 3 days of food after they dropped me off at Springer Mountain. I am enjoying every step of this journey...no matter how challenging.
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Mountain Crossing Outfitter - Neel Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

It was very nice to stay in the hostel and take a shower.....even if it has only been three days since I took one. There were about 10 thru hikers in the hostel and a few more camped outdide. At the outfitter I got a warmer sleeping bag and a new air pad...hopefully I will be nice and toasty no matter what the weather! Very nice hiking. At the bottom one of the mountains that comes to a road there was very nice trail magic. That is when people either set up tables or leave treats,drinks, small supplies or even trash cans for you to empty all your trash in for thru hikers. This one had cookies, chips, fruit, warm and cold drinks and more. They were from a church two hours away...it was sooo nice and definitely a welcome surprise. One foot in front of the other!
Date: 2014-03-28
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tent Site Just Past Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

There were about 20 people at Low Gap last night. The shelters only hold a certain number of people, so when the shelter is full everyone uses their tent. Lots of nice people and even a campfireThe new sleeping bag is a welcome change. Loving it for sure! It rained last night but let up in time for packing up camp, but my tent was still wet when I packed it. The hiking was challenging for me today as my muscles are a bit sore, but I keep telling myself all I have to do is walk a little and rest a little then repeat! It was foggy and rainy all day not a good day for pictures. Everything I had on is soaking wet from sweating under my rain gear. So glad that I had mice dry long underwear and socks to put on tonight. Not quite sure what I will put on in the morning. ..probably wet clothes so I can keep at least some clothes dry. It is supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow, so more wet and muddy days.Even with the rain and clouds and mud it is very beautiful and I am lucky to have the chance to take this walk.
Date: 2014-03-29
From: Tent Site Just Past Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain breaking down camp and continuing through the morning. I was a bit tired today and had packed up my tent and gear wet so cut the day short at Tray Mountain Shelter. The short day was good for my muscles. We fit 8 people in the shelter and there were about 7 tents. The rain was steady and the wind seemed to blow harder and harder. Luckily someone had left 2 tarps that we used to cover the front of the shelter. It was close quarters but better than a wet tent. There were a couple of chsracters in the shelter that entertained us with jokes and stories and even song as we layed there in a row all tucked in our sleeping bags. We decided it must have looked like a bunch of cocoons waiting to be butterflies.
Date: 2014-04-05
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahalla Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.9

The Wesser Bald Shelter was very nice. It had a porch with an overhang and a table so it was nice to be able to stand up and cook dinner and I not have to sit in the dirt. It was a bit chilly this morning but not bad and warmed up nicely as soon as I got moving. It was a 5.9 mile hike from the shelter to the Nantahalla Outdoor Center which was my goal today. Vews were great today. There were several places above the tree line where I could see for miles. Also,many wonderful mountain streams. The outdoor center is a pretty neat place. There are 2 restaurant an outfitter a small store and there's a river that runs through the middle that people are kayaking in. It is a very active place. I was able to do my laundry which was nice and take a shower in a coin operated shower....25 cents a minute. I am thoroughly enjoying myself even though it has been tough at times. My muscles are sore after 13 days of hiking so I am hoping the shorter day today( I got here just before noon) will rejuvinate me a bit.Thanks so much for the wonderful posts to my guest book. I enjoy reading them. I am trying to update the journal as often as possible but do not always have a connection on the mountains, but at least try to get the mileage in there so you know I am still at it.
Date: 2014-04-06
From: Nantahalla Outdoor Center

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

After nice breakfast of biscuits and gravy at the NOC I hit the trail. It was mostly uphill all day. It went from 1749 to 5062 feet of elevation. Needless to say, I got a good leg workout in today! There are 7 other tents here tonight with some people I had not met before so that was nice. We made a fire and had nice conversation until the impending rain came at around 9.....funny though it started out as snow flurries. I am very very slow on the steep uphills, but I am ok with that. I get to where I need to be eventually. I keep reminding myself this is not a race.
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 0.0

It was raining and cold when I got up today and the word was that it was going to get colder and continue raining. A few hikers headed out and a few of us decided to see if it cleared up....well the rain turned to hail and then snow.....so I decided the last place I wanted to be was on a mountain with wet clothes when it froze overnight. All day long wet,cold hikers poured into the hostel and I knew I made the right decision.
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Happy Easter...I left Hot Springs today. The weather was beautiful with blue skies all day. There was not as much green todsy with the exception of the flowers...especially the little purple irises.....they were great. There was, also, trail magic today which is always great.....two coolers with cold soda and 4 gallons of water...a very nice surprise. I would have liked to go farther today but it was alot of uphill and my legs were feeling it so I called it a day at the shelter at 10 miles. Still having a great time!
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 5:30 this morning, so I got an early start. The morning started out with mostly downhills, but that changed drastically after 5 miles. It was all uphill from there for the next 5 miles at least. Just over 2500 feet of elevation gain. At one point it was 1100 foot gain in 1 mile. This then led to a mile and a half or so of climbing up and over large rocks to get up on a ridge.....what a breathtaking view. I could see for miles. The rock climbing and scrambling was challenging but probably one of the most fun sections so far. Very tired and hungry when I got to camp and ate the rest of my chocolate before I even put up my tent.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

Overcast and threatening rain when I left camp....threat came to be....it did rain. Luckily it was not cold so I was cmfortable in my shorts and tank top under my rain jacket.....no need for rain pants as they are just hot anyway. After a steep uphill the trail joined an old flat mountain road....yes flat!!!! That was a nice treat and I got to stretch out and go. It was nice even in the rain.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap, US 19W
Miles today: 15.8

Blue sky and sun all day with a nice breeze. Interesting that there are some areas that are greening up and some that still look like winter. Lots of steep uphill today and that is still my biggest challenge. But what goes up must vome down, so that means I get the downhills I like...it all works out!