morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-10-10
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2

Well, here it is at last. The big day. The day I've been thinking about for a long time. About 6 years ago I hiked on the Appalachian Trail. I learned about thru-hiking from that trip and since then it had always been a dream of mine of do it myself one day. When it came to me actually attempting it, I definitely had the odds against me. I began the trail fresh out of college; I was horribly out of shape. Also, graduating in May left me little time to complete the trail. Basically, this would have to be a flawless hike if I was to be successful. No sicknesses, no injuries, very little rest days. Despite all this I started, May 20, 2009 and overcame any obstacle which stood in my way. As it turned out, I did not start too late (as I was told countless times by people I met along the way) because here I stood on October 10, 2009 at the base of Katahdin, the final climb.The climb up was awesome. Katahdin is a one of a kind mountain. Once I got up to the table lands I was socked in by clouds and it began to get cold. Passed Thoreau Spring, one mile to go. When I got within a quarter mile of the top, I just became overwhelmed. It was an indescribable feeling. Then, from out of the fog, I saw the sign. I walked up and just stared at it for a while. I had done it. I hiked the Appalachian Trail. I couldn't stare too long, though, or I would have frozen to death. I put on all my clothes and was still cold. It was snowing a little bit on the summit making it the only time on my trip that I witnessed any. I placed the rock I picked up and carried with me from Springer Mt. on top of the giant rock cairn, took my picture with the sign and before long I was heading down the mountain. I wished I could have spent more time up there, but it was too cold. I got down, waited for the shuttle to the hostel and with that, my hike was finished.Back in Millinocket I was eating at a restaurant and above my table there was one of those maps of the entire trail. For the first time I looked at it as a whole. Every other time I had looked at it only as a section I had yet to complete, but now, having done the whole trail I saw saw the map as a complete thing. I could now look at that map and say, "yeah, I did that." It was a pretty cool feeling.So I guess that's it. Time to go home and get back to the real world. I'll be hanging up my hiking boots for a little while, but rest assured, this will hardly be my last big adventure.
Date: 2010-01-28
To: Conclusion
Miles today: 0.0

It's been over three months since I finished my thru-hike and I felt it was time to add a conclusion to this journal. I still have trouble articulating my experience hiking the AT. When people ask me about it, I wish I had something inspiring to say about it, but for now, I do not. It was what it was. There's little more I can add to what I've written in this journal. Feel free to take a look. Also, for a visual take on my trip, check out:http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacobdsutton/Thanks,
Date: 2009-06-14
To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

6/14/09: I learned a few things today.#1 Don't tell a 5-yr old u don't know where u are or how far the shelter is. He held himself together over 3 rises and falls of the topography and when the 4th climb didn't produce the shelter, isaac started to cry. He imagined darkness falling & us lost in the wilderness. I was shocked to see the fear escalate to quickly to panic and i had to pull my 'Helen Reddy' card. Yes u guessed it. "I am woman here me roar..I am invincible." I took Isaac's pack, strapped it on my front. Took his hand & dragged him along, telling him how able and invincible I was. Half mile later we found the shelter. Never take mileage estimates from other hikers. Check your own map!
Date: 2009-06-15
From: William Penn Shelter

To: random campsite short of Sawatara Gap
Miles today: 4.2

Oh Dear. Almost Six has serious "runs", and I'm afraid it must Mom's fault. We drink creek water, purified with iodine. Maybe I didn't wait the required 30 minutes. Our pediatrician says, what needs to come out is coming out, and that's good. While I'm happy to have a signal strong enough to call NY, I'd be glad for a few extra pairs of pants and underwear right now.
Date: 2009-06-16
To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

6/16/09Isaac found 2 rattlesnakes curled up under a lookout rock. Naturally we decided to skip the view. But so began Isaac interminable line of query regarding snakes. Where do snakes live? Do they bite human beings? Why? Why are they afraid of humans? How long is the longest one? Where does it live? Snake in Swiss Family Robinson real? What kind is it? Do snakes live in the water? Where? I'm useless without Google. Our animal sightings include: the aforementioned r-snakesa tortoise that was almost too big for Isaac to lift with one handsoldier bugsmothsbutterfliesfirefliestent caterpillerschipmonksfrogs (tinier than your pinkynail)newt (orange with spots)toadThings i love about the AT:1. walking at rithmic pace helps me think out things, plan, organize, unhinge the confusion of my to-do list. Walking long distances with a 5yr old is like inventing the need for encyclopedia (or more currently the need for pocket PC encyclopedia. As if walking allows his compressed queries/thoughts 2 download. 2. I love moss. It's purest expression of the color green. So bright it glows.We have to stop to place our palms on the cool spongy mounds of verdent green.3. I love the hikers. They've got my back. They 'high5' Isaac (trailname: "Almost 6" as they pass by.
Date: 2009-06-19
To: duncannon, pa
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sat: In the end a naboring camper gave us enough food to get to the road. We were relieved. Then at the road, our 'NEAREST TOWN OR STORE' sign availed us no ride. We approached some weekend fishermen who said there are no towns or stores for miles around, but then they & others who had overheard our plight plied us with fruit and granola bars, cheetos and hot dogs -- enough for two more days. I am so thankful and so relieved. Angels abound. Isaac reveled in Hike Naked Day, as any 5-yr old boy would-- cathartically. I just winced and kept my eyes averted. All but one hiker wore a bandana flopping across their privates. I'm amazed at isaac's fast acquisition of trail legs and God faithfully providing for me/us as i grope toward being a Long Distance Hiker. More food donations will get us thru to Duncannon. Can't wait.
Date: 2009-06-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Almost-6 has asked me to give up my hiking habit after this hike is over. Hmm. Cud be that i've pushed him too far. He finds walking terribly boring. Unlike me Almost-6 experiences it as endless monotony. Agonizingly clear re the shud- he-stay or shud-he-go question: he stays along with Wildberry & Black Toe for 2 weeks, JoeDirt takes them all to NC for 1 week then back to trail for 1week, then the grand finale of 3 weeks with JoeDirt, then the whole jamfam together.
Date: 2009-06-20
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: random campsite near stream
Miles today: 5.0

It rained here today. We got quite wet. Our shoes will probably not be dry for a week or so. The trail was mush-- where it wasn't actually a creek. We had to bushwack to find a safer crossing for one swollen creek. It was up to my knees & would easily have swept Isaac away. Each day in the 1st week has presented a challenge. Sunday was Isaac's shock/dismay that these months of planning actually involve walking long distances. Mon/Tuesday: I had to finally accept that my pack fits horribly and strains my mid-back, chafes my hipbone, is just too dang big for me. Wednesday: finding a ride to the trailhead. Just as i was calling for a taxi a mom and her 8-yr old volunteered.Today/Sat: Wet cold soaking misery & trying to hide from Almost Six my discouragemt.I let us stop early and set up camp. We are uncomfortably short on food/behind schedule, which means Sunday will be a hungry day--see * under Sunday,06/21/09.
Date: 2009-06-21
From: duncannon, pa

To: duncannon, pa
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Friday: snakephobia sets in...causing our pace to slow to .5 miles an hour. We had been clipping along at a grand 1 mile an hour. * I have enough for a sparing breakfast and lunch, but by dinner we'll need to either hitch a ride from a road (if we can make it there) or bum calories from other hikers.
Date: 2009-06-24
From: Duncannon

To: Thelma Marks Shelter
Miles today: 4.0

Spanky is Almost 6's new love. He's a tiny trail dog who was also at Peter's Mtn. Shelter. We've enjoyed him here at the Hotel in Duncannon. We've resupplied, met great hiker friends, laundered the poison ivy from our clothes. Spanky's mom and dad gave us a ride to the Rite Aid trailhead. Thanks guys.Darn it. Left our hiking poles in Spanky's car. And the trail was rocky and straight up. Oh well, time to strengthen my feeble knees!
Date: 2009-06-26
From: Harpers Ferry Hostel via Keep Tryst Rd

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: moderate rain

Friday: Love Mtn to darlington. 16 boy scouts. Isaac befriended them all. Big Fish & firecracker w/ a broken arm is still hiking. Big Fish, 34, played hide and seek with Isaac. Quarry Gap Shelter, PA 1103.4. Caledonia State Park Pool $4, is 1106.0. Pine Grove Furnace swimming is 1086.1. Tumbling Run Shelter is 1115.6
Date: 2009-06-29
From: Harpers Ferry Hostel via Keep Tryst Rd

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Monday: This is Wildberry writing. Black Toe & i have just joined Almost 6 and sobo at boiling springs. Joe Dirt (our resupply-financier) dropped us off, but drove back to NYC afterward to go back to work. We had a nice time at the pool and we are sleeping now in a playhouse in the backyard of a trail angel. 2moro we hike 3 miles to get our legs adjusted.
Date: 2009-07-03
From: Tagg run shelter

To: pine grove furnace state park
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

Friday: kids enjoyed beach and fries but the exceptional trail magic story starts now: heart dropped into my stomach when park office said No Vacancy; had marched the kids 7 miles; cud not push them back out on the trail with storm forecasted. We ducked on the grand porch of the Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel. The managers took pity on us and put us up for the nite. Got teary. Kids watched TV in lounge and played tetherball. I washed our rank clothes. God is great.
Date: 2009-07-04
From: pine grove furnace state park

To: Tom's Run Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: broken clouds

Saturday: beached some more in the AM. Hit the trail early PM. wildberry found a stick as we climbed passing stone ruins & "to die for" log cabins. Camped near the shelter as the shelters were "full". Finished 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge. Cookies & cream.
Date: 2009-07-05
From: Tom's Run Shelter

To: birch run shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Sunday: Wildberry's carrying huge branch along with her on the trail, trying to appear inconspicuous... I'll try to ignore the sprawling thing. Hmm...can we make it 6 miles without commenting on this huge obtrusive addition to our entourage? Issue: not enuf food, running out fast. Trail magic: 3 sectioners and 1 thruhiker at BirchRun pool their extras to provide 24 hours of caloric needs for 4.
Date: 2009-07-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Monday: Wildberry carried a big stick for 2 days. She and Almost-6 developed a peculiar relationship with the monster stick. Pet of sorts. I'll let Wildberry explain the event of the stick herself (as time permits). Trailangels continue to feed us when i have once again miscalculated our caloric needs. Hikers have shared oatmeal, ramen, apples & carrots. Tomorro we'll arrive hungry but alive at Caledonia State Pk. Looking forward to swimming. I am especially interested in the grocery store.
Date: 2009-07-09
From: rocky mountain shelters

To: Tom's Run shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: scattered clouds

thurs: water at spring tested drinkable. no purification needed. yay. tired of fruit punch covering the taste of clorine. mom exhausted. had to stop. let her nap for 1.5 hours. Almost Six is improving dramatically in reading and writing skills and his attitude toward both.
Date: 2009-07-12
From: motel 6 in waynesboro PA

To: Hilltop 5 miles south of PA border 
Miles today: 7.0

Sunday: free cont brekfast and more cartoon channel, packed car including newly washed clothes--stolen--from coin laundry. Kidding (joe dirt). went down I-81 a few miles for nearest bookstore for wildberry summer reading books. Joe Dirt, Wildberry, Black Toe and Almost 6 hiked 2.2 miles while sobo drove ahead and left car for Joe Dirt in Del-Mar State Park (which is great place w/ music snacks swings & west.overlook) while hiking ahead 5 miles: four of us hiked to PA/MD stateline while 1 of us hiked well into (and south of) PA/MD stateline u see. Joe Dirt wordy as always.   Sobo adds: It killed JoeDirt to leave us in the middle of the forest. He kindly sherpa-ed us to a tentsite somewhere up on a ridge south of the creepiest old shelter ever. It was even called "Devil's Race Shelter". No thanks.
Date: 2009-07-13
From: makeshift tentsite

To: 5.5 miles south of Mason-Dixon Line
Miles today: 6.0

Water was scarce and muddy at the designated water source so we hiked 0.4 mile off-trail to FRee State Hostel where we ordered pizza in addition to refilling our water vessels (a plastic bag called a "Platypus", a Gatorade bottle, and a 16ounce peanut jar) A very nice respite, but it puts us back on the trail far too close to dark. We end up night hiking, but no campsite nor a clearing big enough for our tent materializes. I have to hide my anxiety from the kids. (There's no camping except at designated camp sites in Maryland, and fines are about $100.) So with vaque discomfort, I set up the tent while the kids climb boulders to see a view. Poison ivy and oak abound.
Date: 2009-07-13
From: High Rock View, Maryland

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

Stopped for lunch at the lovely new Cowall Shelter. It was actually a mistake, we followed the shelter trail by accident. Then stopped again for water at Pogo Campsite. Kids play in the watersource for some time. Low on food again, big surprise.Kids make a lovely bonfire at Pine Knob Shelter.
Date: 2009-07-14
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: few clouds

Okay so, we've run out of food. When we finally get to the "restaurant" we discover it's a high-end dining experience and charges $30+ a meal. The closest real food is 4 miles away. Too late to hitchhike. So we go to the campsite and regroup. A kind bunch of 20-somethings come to our rescue. Let us use their cell-signal to order pizza, stromboli and salad. They also give us s'mores and chips. Thanks you guys from Hagerstown!
Date: 2009-07-16
From: Dahlgren Backpacker Campground

To: Maple Tree Campground at Crampton Gap
Miles today: 6.4

Raspberries are resplendent! They are Wildberry's new favorite. Hiking is getting easier for kids.Super kindness at the Maple Tree Campground: reduced the price of a TReehouse shelter, considerably for our rag-tag starved crew.Just can't carry enough food/weight to keep us fed. Current dilemma: Ran out of stove feul.
Date: 2009-07-17
From: Gaithland State Park, Crampton Gap

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Black-Toe's pink-eye is peaking. Called Joe to call pediatrician. Visine to come tomorrow with Joe. Kids enjoy cavorting in the rain at Maple Tree Campground befores we hit the trail for a short day of hiking. Must make a fire with wet wood as all we have is hotdogs for dinner and it rained heavily this afternoon. Fortunately it stopped raining just as we started hiking. Fire was touch and go, but after peeling the bark off the wet wood and much blowing, we got a good hot fire.
Date: 2009-07-18
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: harpers ferry
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: broken clouds

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAAC! His name is now "Finally Six". It suits him. We celebrate at Harper's Ferry Hostel where we enjoy the company of many wayfarers. There's cake and presents and loads of outdoor games. Southbound Lady Slipper joins our entourage and we go get resupply at Walmart.BTW, The hostel staff are so friendly and helpful. And the facilities are CLEAN!Okay, amazing trail magic. Remember our hiking poles, left in car of trail angels (Spanky's parents)? Well I walked into the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Saw some desirable-looking poles leaning behind the desk. I asked the volunteer if they were for sale. Upon closer inspection I realized they were our lost poles! Spanky's parents had brought them to the office, anticipating our arrival. With this note: These poles belong to Almost 6 and his 30-something Mom.. Due in Harper's Ferry about 7/10. How amazing and kind. Our own poles returned to us. Thanks so much you guys!
Date: 2009-07-19
From: Zero Day

To: Harpers Ferry Hostel via Keep Tryst Rd
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Taking a Zero Day b/c of following to do list:-drink coffee-buy l/s quick-dry shirts for Black Toe and Wildberry-buy new trail shoes for Wildberry-sort 5 days resupply food-buy needed resupply food-plan 2 weeks hike itinerary (including fun diversions)-p/u lost backback at ATC (Appalacian Trail Center)
Date: 2009-07-24
From: Harper's Ferry

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: broken clouds

Thanks to my lovely mom friends, I will be able to return to the trail today. Thanks Jeannette, Lilar, Michelle and Kim for taking my kids in my absence. I know WildChild, Blacktoe and Finally Six are enjoying being part of your families for a change.This evening I was practically running up and down the trail trying to beat the sunset. I hate getting to a shelter after dark. Creeping around in the dark, trying not to wake anyone, but wanting to get a feel for who you're going to be sleeping next to for the next 8 hours. Not fun.Okay, so it turned out fine, got to shelter at 9pm. Two hikers not quite asleep yet. But I did have trouble winding down enough to sleep. My restless leg was jumping til about midnight.
Date: 2009-07-25
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Long but good. Had to stop at 8:30 this morning for a nap. Note to self: don't take Benedryl at 12 midnight. It's still in your system at 7:30am. I am now at Bear's den Hostel, simultaneously eating pizza, talking to Tracfone customer service, and web-journaling. I'm living a double life between the trail and the hostels. Roughin' it to creature comforts all in one day.
Date: 2009-07-28
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Tuesday: A doe, a buck & their fawn walk into a bar. But truly, they came down to the creek where i--sobo-mom--was soaking my legs. I made a movement so they would not be startled by my presence. Buck saw me first. He bounded forward to collect his family and they cantered off after him. Sighting this beautiful in-tact family consoled me. Just 4 miles earlier i had no choice but to pass by a dead fawn white spots still soft on its back, sprawled across the trail in mad swarm of flies. It's face was mauled and i'm loath to ponder what had happened to the poor creature. This section of the trail was nicknamed the Roller Coaster by the wicked trailblazers that made it. It was brutal and unforgiving toward my shoes. I averaged 1.5 mph and finished with several holes in each shoe. Reconnected with Pigeon and met Slow & Steady, the mom of an injured hiker I enjoyed talking to at Bear's Den.
Date: 2009-07-29
To: Manassas Gap
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: moderate rain

Wens: The trees in this part of VA are very tall, giving the forest a majestic feel. Keep meeting up with Pigeon, a kind joketelling retiree. I hope BlackToe gets to meet him when he returns to the trail. Pigeon not only knows fun jokes but he also has a genuine Black Toe. Tho we believe Pigeon's was the result of a bee sting. Manassas Gap Shelter; i don't like having the place to myself. At least there's a group of young Quaker campers at the adjacent tent sites.
Date: 2009-07-30
From: Manassas Gap

To: Tom Floyd Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Thurs: 2.5 miles off trail. Shower once at the lovely Denton Shelter. Ate more Wakeme-and noodles for lunch then pushed on. Wow, did over 15 miles today. The trail was easier and i am getting stronger. Another lone night in shelter. The next day (friday) i hiked four miles before noticing i'd left my jet boil camp stove back at Tom Floyd Shelter. Up in the nifty little gear loft. So what was meant to be an easy 10 mile day became a grueling 18.3 mile day. As i walked i tried to imagining the lemonade that God would squeeze out of my big fat lemon of a mess up. Then i saw a bear: a beautiful, big black bear. He was lumbering along 50 yards away, decidedly ignoring me. Even as i spoke to him (in the insane way humans do when they spy a truly wild beast), he gave me a bored glance then kept trolling along. Pretty exciting for me. But there's more: moments later i saw yet three more bear, a big mama and two overgrown cubs. They bound away in a reckless, clumsy fashion while mama bear stared me down hard. "Don't u worry about me, mama bear," i said aloud; "i'm a mama too and i'm just hiking thru!"So there: lemonade to be sure. Then it started to rain. After about 30 minutes it let up and almost stopped. So i sat down to make my breakfast-- u know, now that i had retrieved my camp stove. Just as i unclipt my cheststrap an ominous whooshing sounded in the trees above and a moment later the sky split open and pummelld me. It was hard, cold splattering rain, and wind to go with it. When u'r in the wilderness all alone rain feels personal, like it just wants u.The grass, trees, creeks and stones: they're all loving it. But me? I'm cold & already exhausted, approaching a naked summit, where it will probably dish out some lightening and strike me dead. Yeh, it feels very personal. So now i'm back to lemons because had i not forgotten the stove i'd be dry and toasty at Gravel Springs Hut. You take the bad with the good with the bad/good.I can't stop or i'll chill. The trail has become a creek and it keeps going up.I try to to will it down; it duzn't. It's me against mountain and the mountain is winning. I've pulled a spleen in my lower gizzard and both are lodged in my left thigh. I can't feel my hands. "Just get there." I imagine the foul horror of this situation if my kids were with me and i think again lemonade.In the end i get to shelter, soaked to bone, strip down and get in my sleeping bag. It's 4:30. I take an exhausted nap.
Date: 2009-08-01
To: Byrd's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Sat: Thanks to Ridgerunner John i am safely ensconced at Byrd's Nest Shelter. He showed me a shortcut on the map so i wouldn't have to stay at the shelter just south of here, where supposedly a raging bear had scared a woman into the privy and gone into the shelter looking for food.   davesAThike@blogspot.comThanks also 2 trail angels pat and husband who gave me a ride to my trail head.Blessings on ur relocation. In the small miles that i walked today i saw another baby bear. He was so tiny and cute i just wanted to go hug him... but i didn't cauz i need to stay alive.Also saw three young deer. Their antlers still soft & fuzzy & their spots were just about gone. Strangely they didn't run away. In fact they ambld along with me up the trail turning around every now and then to look at me. Sometimes tak-ing a few steps back toward me as if to say "come on hurry up, we're waiting 4 u". By the time they finally chose to get off the trail they had me in stiches with their quizzical looks. Okay, signing off. Got to go stretch my stiff gams.