morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean to

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 7.7

I hiked out of the leanto pretty early. Within a couple of miles I came upon a road and a camping area on Nahmakanta Lake. A dog approached me but the owners called it back. We started to talk and they seemed impressed that I was planning on doing the AT. They gave me a delicious orange and a chocolate bar. My first trail magic! Then I did a very short day to White House Landing. I had not planned to stop, but it came very highly recommended, and I'm really glad I did. I beeped the foghorn at 1:15 hoping I wasn't too late for lunch, but I was. The motor boat arrived with six hiker who had just had enjoyed one pound burgers and were headed back to the trail. It is a shame they missed staying here. Now I am freshly showered and my clothes are hanging on the line. I washed them in a washtub with a washboard in water from the lake. Then I put them in the wringer before hanging them. Everyone is working on lightening our packs. We have dinner at five, then breakfast in the morning. For now we are relaxing in our bunks, reading, playing games or whatever. Some folks went for a canoe ride. This place is gorgeous!
Date: 2008-07-07
From: White House Landing

To: Cooper Brook Falls Leanto
Miles today: 13.8

After a huge breakfast at White House Landing, we were dropped off near the trail. Today's trail was glorious, the best so far! For several days I've been thinking about writing a poem about the trail in Maine. I would call it "Bogs and Bugs" or "Rocks and Roots". Maine gives more than its share of beautiful views, but the hiker has to pay bigtime. Today was great with just a few bogs, bugs, rocks, and roots. There are even a number of sandy beaches along the lake shores. I stopped for lunch at the Antlers Campsite and saw Doughnut again. He was doing the 100 mile wilderness northbound, then heading back to Georga. I hiked the entire 13.8 before I even knew it. At the leanto, I couldn't even count all the people! There is a group from a girl's camp in Quebec, besides all the AT hikers. I pitched my tent away from the crowd, cooked dinner, and went to bed early. I'm still trying to catch my summit buddies, but they are always a day ahead...
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Cooper Brook Falls Leanto

To: Logan Brook Leanto
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

I was up early to get a head start. I figured that if I could do nearly 14 yesterday, I could do more today. It started out well, with trail like yesterday, and I was doing about 2 mph. I forded my first river but it was mostly just rock hopping like I've already done. About noon came the climb... less than a mile an hour to the shelter. I was worn out and knew there was no chance I could make the Sidney Tappan Campsite where I wanted to be. Here at the shelter are the flippers, Stretch, Dakota, and the Austin trio (Jim, Jonathan, and Eric). There is another group of summer campers (wilderness hiking is a big thing for summer camps up here). I am still wanting to catch my summit buddies. Maybe tomorrow...
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Logan Brook Leanto

To: Chairback Gap Leanto
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Don't faint at the 17.1 miles, part of it was blue blaze, road walk, but here's the story...I was just doing the 7.2 to the Newhall Leanto, but after climbing White Cap, there was a sign at a trail going down. I checked my map and saw that the trail went down to a road and that road went to a bridge and the bridge went to Katahdin Iron Works Road which would bring me back to the AT. So I could do a long day and maybe catch up with my summit buddies by walking faster on the road...So I decided to go for it... (sorry to all you purists) It was a long, hot day on the roads. Now I'm not talking concrete, I'm talking gravel, four wheel drive kind of roads. But at least it was walkable. When I got back to the AT, was I in for a rude awakening!First I needed water, so I headed down to the pond. Nice area, maybe I should've tented somewhere around there. Then came the thunderstorms... But luckily they cleared for a little while when I got to the boulders. I'd past a NOBO and asked how far to the shelter. He said it was just past the cliff. "Not a big deal, just basic bouldering", he said. Folks ask me if I'm ever afraid on the trail, and I never have been... until Maine... But here I was climbing up a cliff of boulders the size of small cars! Straight up! One miss and I'm gone. This requires all fours and is not hiking in my humble opinion... It's not my idea of fun. Wonder how Earl Shaffer or Grandma Gatewood would handle this? Well, I made it, and guess what? I caught up to my summit buddies! We had a great reunion. Of course, there were a few comments from some others about my blue blaze.   I'm just glad to be able to hike with my friends again.
Date: 2008-07-10
From: Chairback Gap Leanto

To: Cloud Pond Leanto
Miles today: 6.9

My buddies and I were doing the 10.9 to the Long Pond Stream Leanto today. It was great hiking with them again. Cori (Doc Holliday) set the pace with me, Britta, Eric, and Derek behind. We stopped for photo ops at the top of one mountain, not sure if it was Columbus, third, or fourth mountain... The rocky downs were getting to me. I'm not fond of the boulder climbing, as it scares me that one slip could be fatal. About midday, I realized that I was having a hard time keeping up. Derek was holding back to stay with me, nice guy that he is. We decided to stop at Cloud Pond's trail and not do the .4 in, but have lunch and hike on. We still had four more miles to go and it was late afternoon by now.I told them to go on without me. I was too worn out from my long day yesterday to go the other four and I was just holding them back. I figured that since they like to sleep in, I could do the four miles in the morning and meet them about the time they would leave. Reluctantly, they agreed. I hiked the .4 down to the leanto. It is a nice place, and I had it to myself. I dried out all my clothes which were still wet from the rains the day before. I cooked dinner and set my tent up inside the shelter since no one else was coming. Went to sleep early. Tired.
Date: 2008-07-12
From: Monson

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I awoke several times during the night and tried to get online with my cell/PDA. Orbitz and Priceline don't do well on my cell/PDA. Amtrak would book part of the trip, but part was sold out. More frustrations, so I went back to sleep. I got up about 6am and packed my fanny pack with just the things I would need for the trip home: my electronics and personal items. Everything else would be mailed so I wouldn't have to deal with luggage. By 7am, I was downstairs and talking to my summit buddies who had gotten up at 4 and hiked in for breakfast. Since they hadn't spent the night, they had to eat second shift. They went and got showers while I had breakfast with the four Vermont girls, Slot Machine, Patrick, and Jeff. Great breakfast and you can order 2, 3, 4 or more of everything (eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and french toast) Afterwards, I sat and visited while my buddies ate. Grizzly and Dad were here too. Dad earned his trailname, Popeye, by ordering spinach with his.After the requisite breakfast photos, we headed over to the Post Office where I mailed all my stuff home. Nothing left to do but wait for my Texas friends...When I got back to Shaws, I saw Doughnut again. He was headed back to Savannah after hiking the 100 mile wilderness, but was picking up a hiker to share the ride. He offered to take me anywhere along I 95. Since my son lives outside Richmond that was a deal I couldn't refuse! I just had to wait for my friends to get here, but not too long because Doughnut was just about ready to go...My friends showed up just in time. We had a quick visit and agreed to have dinner together when they get back to Texas. I hugged all my buddies goodbye and soon was headed south in a jeep. Soon I got a call from my husband and he suggested another possibility: Philadelphia area, where his sister lives. It was probably the easiest place to get a quick flight home. By 11pm, I was turning off the NJ Turnpike and headed to my sister in law's home after saying goodbye to Doughnut.
Date: 2008-07-13
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, after a nice breakfast, I caught my flight to Austin and I'm home again. It has been a real trip. I spent a good deal of the day crying and I'm not sure why. Thought maybe I was suffering from depression, but I don't think so.I spent so much time planning for this hike. After my 05 hike I felt invincible. I am WOMAN, I can do ANYTHING! It was with that expectation that I started this hike. And, so I can, almost. I can deal with the bog, the bugs, the rocks, and the roots. I can deal with the weather: heat, cold, rain, snow... I can deal with hiking and camping alone. But what ultimately got to me was fear of falling off boulders. "Basic Bouldering" the NOBO called it. I never intended to crawl the AT. I intended to walk it. Sure I knew it involved some boulder climbing. I enjoyed boulder climbing Katahdin. But in Maine, it got to be too much. The problem was that I knew I was in the "easy part" of the state. If there was that much bouldering in the 100 mile, how much would there be next? I couldn't continue placing my life in jeopardy daily. So, call me a "wimp" or just a "crazy old lady".... whatever. I'll never do that thru, but I will continue to hike. I love to hike. (when that means using your legs and not all fours!) I have so much appreciation for those who complete the whole AT, because I know what that means and how difficult it is. I have several friends who made it to New Hampshire but never finished. I didn't understand that then, but I do now. Suddenly you reach a realization that you didn't come out to continually place your life in danger, but you are daily. Is it worth it to say you finished? For some yes, for me no. Each one has to decide for himself...
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Home

To: nowhere
Miles today: 0.0

After you've been home several days you start to think about what went wrong. Well, actually, you think about it from the minute you get off, but that's another point. Anyway, what could I have done differently?First of all, I was in great physical condition for a woman of 61, but I am not 20 something! How foolish was it to try and keep up with those kids?!? I should have stuck to my shorter days even though it meant hiking alone. Kelly, Jason, and Ed were going pretty slow, I could have stayed up with them. But I wanted to catch my group - dumb! I realize that what I thought may have been depression about getting off, was really exhaustion. It has take me over a week to recouperate. I mean sleeping mostly all day for nearly a week! Secondly, I was carrying too much food! I mean, I came home with five days food in my pack! I could have done a food drop, or resupplied at White House and carried 3-5 lbs less in my pack. Thirdly, my biggest problem, the scary rocks. What could I do about them? Be sure I was hiking with someone, anyone, so I was not so afraid of falling. That is the hard one, since everyone seemed to be faster than me, I thought. So that about sums it up. My gear was great (except for that pair of pants that gave out). My physical conditioning was as good as I am going to get at my age. But my advice to anyone thinking about a SOBO hike over 40 or so, is don't get suckered into keeping up with the younguns, keep your pack weight down, and find a partner with a similar hiking speed. My spare bedroom is full of gear. There's the stuff waiting to be sent to me (my cold weather stuff, shoes, maps). There's the stuff I sent home from Monson (my pack and everything in it). There is stuff I didn't know if I'd need or not (replacement tent, bag, pack)... Anyway, I've got a lot of work to do to put everything away until my next hike. I miss all my buddies and I'm reading their journals everyday. I wish I were back out there and I will be, I just don't know when. So to all - Hike On!
Date: 2008-08-14
From: nowhere

To: Killington, VT - Long Trail Inn
Miles today: 0.0

"Hiker Withdrawals" - what a hiker gets when he/she gets off the trail and goes home... prescription: drive up to the trail where the hikers are...So I was in Georgetown, Kentucky where my son-in-law got his Masters degree. After visiting with my family, I drove up I75 to I90, then across I86 into New York. The drive was beautiful and I had a great time. I stayed at a little motel near a lake, then got up and headed over to VT. I arrived at the Long Trail Inn and checked in. I asked about a discount, but since I was in a car, I got discount #1, not discount #2... My room was cute and clean. Downstairs is a huge area for hikers/skiers to hang out. I met several NOBOS so I shuttled a bunch and visited. I love being a trail angel! Dinner at the pub was great - I chose the Reuben. While there, I checked out the maps and decided I might have to hike the loop at Shelburn Pass back to Hwy 4 around the AT sometime. But not now, I have to get over to New Hampshire and find my hiking buddies...
Date: 2008-08-15
From: Killington, VT

To: Lincoln, NH - Chet's Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Breakfast at the Long Trail Inn is quite a huge deal and included in the price of the room. So I had the blueberry pancakes, sausage, juice, and coffee. Then I packed up and headed over to VT. It's only a couple of hours by car from Killington to Glencliff. I stopped at the Hiker's Welcome where I thought my buddies might be. Some hikers there (MrT and Berry) told me they had seen Gozilla and MacGyver that morning and they would be at the hostel in Lincoln. (nope, it's not in the books, just word of mouth) A little later who should show up but my buddy, Bootstrap! He came in to visit, then left to stealth in the woods rather than spend money. It was cool to see him again. Anyway, I followed Dutch (who had come over to deliver slack packer's bags) back to the hostel. Later we drove to the visitors center at Franconia to pick up hikers. My buddies weren't there yet, so I waited for them. At dark they hiked out and asked "is this the way to the visitor's center?". I told them it was, but they didn't even recognize me at first. When they did, they let out a little scream... We went to dinner and visited at the hostel. They were in a hurry to move on, since weather was just beginning to get better, and decided not to go to the festival with me. They told me that Grissly had broken a foot and gotten off trail and the Doc had gone home too, but they were planning to hike NOBO next spring. DWreck is somewhere a day or two back and no one seems to know where Abby (MurphY) is. So I guess I'll be heading to the festival by myself. I did decide to stay the night at Chet's rather than head back to Glencliff in the dark.
Date: 2008-08-16
From: Lincoln, NH

To: Glencliff, NH - Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After dropping Godzilla and MacGyver back at the trail, I headed back to Glencliff. The Hiker's Welcome Hostel was buzzing with talk of the festival tomorrow. Several hikers wanted to go, but needed a ride. Bearpaw could take some, and I could take the rest... So what now??? Phatt Chap suggested that I go for a hike. He could shuttle me over and let me hike back on what he described as "the easiest 10 miles in New Hampshire". Sounded great to me... He talked Bearpaw and Dirty Feet into going with me. The hike was over nice terrain, just a couple of small mountains. There was plenty of mud left over from the weeks of rain, but all-in-all it was great! A couple of miles in Bearpaw said she was planning on getting off at the road crossing (5 miles in) and hitching back to the shelter, since she just wasn't feeling like hiking. We went up to the shelter (2.5 miles in) and visited with the hikers having lunch there (Mr T, Berry, and Bootstrap). Dirty Feet and Bearpaw headed to the privy while I visited. A couple of NOBOs came in for lunch and I'm still waiting for Dirty Feet and Bearpaw... After about 30 minutes, I decided to go ahead and hike on, since I wanted to do the whole 10 miles and not get off after just 5. When I got to the road crossing, I thought about waiting for them, to be sure they still wanted to get off, but I didn't. I started the climb up the mountain and I was loving this hike. Boy I miss the trail! Especially nice, not too rocky trail! Sure, my feet were muddy, but it felt good. Just over the top of the mountain there was a group of young girls hiking. Their counsellor bragged that they had were doing 15 miles today (from Mahoosahaulec). They were really tired and wanted to know how far to the top. I told them they were almost there and it was a nice down after that. They seemed relieved. About 4pm a NOBO came hauling past me trying to make the PO (he did). I stopped at the scenic site to just sit and look at the lake, then headed on down to the road. I felt really good after my hike. I'm so glad Phatt Chap suggested it.I had liver and onions at Calamity Jane's. Can you believe that no one wanted my left overs!?. Then turned in for the night.
Date: 2008-08-17
From: Glencliff, NH - Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Rutland, VT - Long Trail Festival
Miles today: 0.0

So I got up, packed, and gathered together the hikers who wanted to ride over with me. It was decided that I would take those who did not want to stay for Hard Core, and Bearpaw would take those who did. We stopped for breakfast in Hanover, then arrived at the Vermont State Fairgrounds a little after noon. Several hikers were already there, but we were among the first. We were divided into hiker areas: hikers to the right behind the orange screen, and drivers to the left in front of the stadium. At first I was a little miffed, but I realized that I could tent fairly close to the restroom. (a good thing for us older ladies) I pitched my tent behind my car and visited with the hikers. I met NHHillwaker, Terrapin, and Old Phart from White Blaze. A little later, Johhny Thunder and Matthewski asked me if I could drive them up to pick up a couple of hikers. Of course I did! Then we all went to dinner back in Rutland. Matty wouldn't let anyone pay for dinner. Lots of folks went downtown where the music started, but I just went to my tent when it got dark. The music continued at the fairgrounds later, but I slept really well.
Date: 2008-08-18
From: Rutland, VT - Long Trail Festival

To: Rutland, VT - Long Trail Festival
Miles today: 0.0

I got up early and decided to walk to Denny's for breakfast. It was a whole mile up the road. The security guard asked me if I was going to walk up there, lol... After breakfast, I went back to the fairgrounds. A train went through about 7:30 and blew it's horn waking everyone else up. Matthewski started cooking bacon in his huge tipi tent. Then he served up a bunch of pancakes and french toast. More and more hikers poured into the festival as the hours went by. Baltimore Jack showed up, and I was very pleased to see Bob Peobles. I wandered around the exhibits for a bit. Then Jack was cooking burgers down in the hiker camping area. Of course, I had one. I also had a couple of large bags of fritos and some dried fruit that I donated to the cause. There was a lot more visiting with all the folks, and met Bogie and Slim who have flipflopped this year. Then the evening music began. There was a Celtic group about 8, and a mass change of listeners when the headbanger band started about 9. You never saw a bunch of old folks move so fast to get out of there! I headed to my tent to sleep. (I sure was glad the drivers were so far away from the music)
Date: 2008-08-19
From: Rutland, VT - Long Trail Festival

To: On the road again
Miles today: 0.0

Hard Core was supposed to meet before 8:00 so lots of folks were up early. I had my stuff packed and ready to go at 7:00. Dirty Feet decided that she didn't want to do Hard Core, so she asked me to give her a ride back to Glencliff. Then we figured out that she was heading home to an area I would be passing on my way. So I got her and the two boys I was driving. We were all ready about 8, so we ate some Dunkin Donuts and headed out. I got to Glencliff, said my goodbyes to Phat Chap, and Dirty Feet and I headed out. Dirty Feet started hiking this spring, but has had enough and is ready to get off. She is trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. But, hey, she's only 24. I really enjoyed the time we had together visiting and talking about life and stuff. I dropped her off in Winchester, Va and headed on down Hwy 81. Now, I'm back home again. Ready to read Trail Journals and Whiteblaze and hike vicariously until next time.
Date: 2008-02-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

If you're looking for a thru-hike to read about you've come to the wrong place. I'm only planning to go as far as Damascus, VA which is 461 miles from Springer according to the 2008 guidebook. I did a thru in 2006 and my wife says that I can't stay gone for 5 months again until she retires. I'm trying to go out for about a month a year until then to stay in practice. This section is one of my favorite parts of the trail. Just pure hiking pleasure on well maintained trails with great views. A lot of people say the southern section is rough. I guess they haven't been up north. I had been hiking for many years before 2006 so I have a fair amount of experience. I try to go light but I'm not ultra light. I still carry a stove (MSR Pocket Rocket) and a water filter (Hiker Pro). I'm not sure yet which sleeping bag I'm going to carry on this trip. I would rather carry the 0 degree but I may end up with the 20 degree. It was 21 degrees here on the south side of Atlanta the day before yesterday and there's a good chance that we'll have some more cold nights in March. In 2006 I carried a 0 degree bag from my start date on Feb. 19 until the middle of April when I was in Waynesboro, VA. I don't mind carrying an extra pound of feathers to make sure I sleep warm.I'm looking forward to being in the March hiking crowd this year. In 2006 I started so early I only met 13 thruhikers between Springer and Waynesboro. I was in Duncannon, PA before I had a meal in a restaurant with another hiker.For those who haven't read the journals on this site you will notice that I don't update daily. If I'm lucky I'll get access to a computer every week or so. I'm taking a camera but no USB cable. Unless I find a computer with a memory card slot I won't be able to upload pictures until I get home. You can take a look at my Long Trail journal and if you like my writing style check back here and see how it's going. My wife is going to drop me off on Sunday Mar.2 at Springer. Check back next Sunday and maybe I'll have found a computer in Franklin, NC.
Date: 2008-03-02
From: Springer Mountain

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: clear sky

Got dropped off in the parking lot about 1430. Walked up to Springer and took the usual starting photo and met a couple of guys, Hearts and Zack, who were also starting. the Ridgerunner atop Springer said that 51 had started yeaterday but I was the 9th today. Got to Stover creek about 1700. I had not been here before, it being new, so I was looking forward to seeing it. Another nice job by the GATC. I think they do the best job of any club on the trail. At the shelter were 4 other thru's. One had been on whiteblaze.org talking about her 28 lb base load. That doesn't seem overly heavy to me considering how cold it can get this time of year but some thought it too much. However, when she weighed in at Amicalola her pack weighed 55lbs. That is too much, she must have had a lot of heavy food.