morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Orbeton Stream

To: Maine 27
Miles today: 18.8

   What a day. Got a late start. It kept raining. Cooked and packed as best I could in the tent. Had three UPS today. They were difficult. One was like walking up steep attic steps for 1 1/2 hours. Then when I got to the top and started down I fell. Was not hurt. But broke one of my walking poles. Just wasn't paying attention.   Unusual weather today. Very windy. Some sun. Dense fog. Temps in the 40's. Rain on and off throughout the day. Kept my camera secure, dry, and unused in my pack.   Planning on just 15 miles today. After our North Crocker Mountain--we were planning on stopping at the first good spot. Naver came until the road--5.2 Miles. So we did a big day; 18.8 miles. Finally found a spot at 7pm. Latest I ever walked. So Tired. Used head lamps to complete day end chores.
Date: 2007-08-19
From: Maine 27

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

   I'm looking at the mileage in the guide book. TWO THOUSAND and ONE point FIVE miles (2001.5) completed. It feels great. the last difficult stretch of mountains are completed. 172.5 miles to go. The weather has cooled. Can see my breath morning and night.   Awesome day. Clear. Sunny. The Bigelow Mountains are suppose to be the 2nd toughest on the AT. I agree. The views from Bigelow Mountain (west peak) was awesome. Hard to make myself move on. Could see Kathdin some 70 miles away. 172.5 miles by foot. Had to be able to see 100 miles in every direction.   About five miles into the day I got a picture of the start of the Bigelows and an east vista(another 70 mile shot). The Bigelows are very vertical. At mile 13.5 I took a picture of the Bigelows from the completed side. There is a good reason, it took the whole day for 15 miles. They are huge and they are steep.   Walking with one pole went well. I was just more careful. Took the safer path. Didn't feel like I was near a fall. Think I may finish with the single pole.
Date: 2007-08-20
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

   This was the flattest day. 650 feet was all that the elevation fluctuated. It is quite boring. So, a fast walking day seems to take a long time. Total walking time was only seven hours. I averaged 2.4mph. Glad I can still walk fast. Still quite tiring. 17.3 miles today.   A couple of pond/lake pictures. Big enough to be lakes in Nebraska. Not here. Picute #1 is the Inlet for Flagstaff Lake. #2 is West Carry Pond--hughe lake. #3 is Dave with Pierce Pond. Pierce Pond has a loon. Beautiful sound.   Took one other pictue when crossing East Flagstaff road, painted on the highway is "AT 2000 Miles".   Enjoyed the afternoon. Watched Pierce Pond.
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Bald Mtn Brook
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: clear sky

   It's hard not to focus on the miles that are left: 136.5. Still a very long way. Short in comparison to what has been done.   Gorgeous day. Early morning in the 30's then 60s and 70s for most of the day with sun and clear skies. Picture opportunities were few. Still moving us from the mountains to the 100 Mile Wilderness--our last long hike.   Walked 3.6 miles to get to the Kennebec River canoe ride. the AT contracts to have a conoe take us across the river, which is several hundred yards wide. Can be dangerous--swift and deep. Took a picture of the canoe bringing the 1st south bounders. The service starts at 9am. So, we started out behind our normal schedule. The 3.6 miles from last night's Pierce Pond Lean-to followed the rapids created by the water from Pierce Pond to the Kennebec River. Just love the sound of the rapids.   The rest of the day consisted of small UPS and DOWNS with one good climb: Pleasant Pond Mountain--1000 feet in one mile. Still feeling quite fresh considering the recent difficult stretch. One thing that is helping is that I have eaten 10 pounds of my pack weight. Much easier to carry.   If all works out, 11 days and I'm on top of Katahdin.
Date: 2007-08-22
From: Bald Mtn. Brook

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

   Glorious day; cool, sunny, clear, flat and boring. The first four miles were to walk up and back down Moxie Bald Mountain. Compared to what we've been doing lately, it was quite a gentle climb: 1400 feet over 2 miles up and down.   Mountain was only 2600 feet high so the views were limited. Took three vista pictures--all looking west: 1) half way up with the fog in the valley; 2) near the top with my shadow; 3) normal vista. At my first break, I took a picture of Bald Mountain Pond. Glorious picture--the pond was at least two miles across.   The middle part of my walk set my personal best speed--5.8 miles in 2 hours 20 minutes. Almost like a walk in the park. Followed a stream all the way--soothing sound.   The last 2+ miles were just clumbsy! Short ups and downs, roots, rocks, some deep mud, and still made 2.5mph. I'm either still in good shape or just anxious to get to the finish.   Just relaxed the afternoon away. Tried to nap--laid down for 2 hours. Should be well rested for the short walk tomorrow. One day off, then the 100 Mile Wilderness.
Date: 2007-08-23
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

Relatively short, easy walking day to re-supply and day off. Only took one picture. It was of a flat rock-free stretch with the blazes I've been looking for and following for the past 5 months.Caught a ride to town from two older couples who just walked south through the 100 Mile Wilderness. It took them 8 1/2 days. Later that night at dinner two young men who had just finished going north from did it in 3 1/2 days. Dave and I have 5 1/2 days planned. Wtih good weather, we're looking good.Got into town before noon. Cleaned up. Laundered. Libraried. Walked the 5 blocks of town. Had trouble getting to sleep, was up until 11pm.Day off tomorrow, Friday, and should be raring to go. Rain forecasted for both today and Friday. 40% for Saturday. Just hoping to stay dry.
Date: 2007-08-24
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

   Day off. Nice to have plenty of time to get the chores done. Very relaxing day. Dave and I watched The Green Mile with Tom Hanks. Must be the tenth time I've seen it. Still gets to me. Great movie.   Had a nice meal with a couple of beers. I tried Maine BBQ for lunch--not worth it. Printed out my plane ticket--getting so close to being home. Denise got it set up just great. In the air by 10 am. Home by 3 pm.   Back on the trail tomorrow. Rained again today. Good day to be in town.
Date: 2007-08-25
From: Monson

To: Long Pond Stream Lien-To
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

   This cycle we are completing the 100 Mile Wilderness. Sounds hard. Just 100 miles without re-supply. Pack is very heavy.   Looking at the mileage left to go, my Hikers Companion (book)says 99.4 miles to go. WOW!! Completed 15.1 miles today. Planned 19.1. Too hot, too muggy, too rooty, too rocky, to get 19 miles today. (Forgot: too muddy.) Going for 20 tomorrow, in order to get back on schedule. Cold front is suppose to come through. Should make the walk go better. Rained heavily throughout the night.   No views today. Walked by a couple of ponds. Shelter is next to a stream. Love the sound.   Hoping to get started by six in the morning. We'll see.
Date: 2007-08-26
From: Long Pond Stream Lien-To

To: Gulf Hagas Cut-off trail
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

   Just looked at the miles for the day and the trip--unbelievable. There are only 82.1 miles to go. And that is the dominant thought whenever a decision needs to be made:      Do you want to do a side trail with a great view? Answer: No.      Do you want to see the vista?                     Answer: No.      Do you want to sleep in?                           Answer: No.Doing as many miles a day as time and the body allows. Just want to get done on time to make my plane.   Took two pictures today. 1) Fog in the valley from the first Mtn.: Barren Mtn. 2) Severely angled descent that is all rock. Can't actually see the trail.   3) Dave fording West Branch Pleasant River. It was 40 yards wide, knee deep, and quite swift.   Stealth camping tonight. (Camping in unauthorized areas) Breaking the rules just doesn't matter right now. Just too far to the next shelter. 19 miles planned for tomorrow.
Date: 2007-08-27
From: Gulf Hagas Cut-off trail

To: Crawford Pond
Miles today: 20.1

   Got up early. Felt like it would be a tough day. The first nine miles were four mountains. Plus we want big miles to get back on schedule. The peaks were 2683, 3178, 3244, & 3650. Started at 1050 foot elevation. After each peak you descend to the valley. It turned out that all the climbs were reasonable. We averaged 2 MPH. On a good walking surface I average 2.4 MPH. Then when we hit the last peak, I could see KATAHDIN! Took three pictures: two of Dave, one of me. That sight really renewed my supply of energy.   Picked up my speed on the down slope. Really wanted to get 20 miles. Smooth trails and short breaks got us to Crawford Pond at 5:30. The 11 hours on the trail got us 20.1 miles. Took one more picture: East Branch Pleasant River.   18 miles gets us back on schedule. Only 62 miles and I'm on the top of Katahdin!
Date: 2007-08-28
From: Crawford Pond

To: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

   18 miles of a flat AT. Really needed an easier day after yesterday's catch-up 20. Was really, really tired. Now have only one full day left: 17.8; then 11.2 9.9 and 5.2 to the top of Katahdin.   Just as I was leaving the Crawford Pond area, where I camped last night, I took a side path to the pond. Right in front of me swims a beaver. Took two pictures. Watched him for awhile. Then when I turned to go, he slapped his tail and underwater he went.<   Took two more water pictures. So beautiful. Then an owl lands right in front of me: CLICK.   Even though I was quite tired, I made real good time. I averaged about 2.5 MPH. Just anxious to finish. Then when at camp I could not locate my camera. Where on the trail had I left it? Searched the current camp site to no avail. So back to my last rest stop I started walking. I was at least 200 yards down the trail and Dave hollers that he found it. Thank goodness.   Had one other great picture opportunity. Walking by Pemadumcook Lake a sign says Mt. Katahdin. Awesome view of the mtn., across the lake. Anxious to get there. Anxious to get done. Of couse, I took a picture.
Date: 2007-08-29
From: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

   To write, I walked to the lake: Rainbow Lake. Just a huge body of water. Will walk along its edge for six miles. So pleasant to sit here. Water is splashing against a rock. Loons are claiming that the lake belongs to them. They have a great call. Sun is getting ready to set. Can see Katahdin in the north east.   Strange walking day. Felt like I was walking in place. Walked seven miles to the west to climb Nesuntabunt Mtn. Had an awesome view of Katahdin and Nahmakanta Lake. Took a picture of both. Then back in the trees going east and a little north. Don't think I really moved that much. However, 26.3 miles to the top of Katahdin.   11.2 mile tomorrow and The One Hundred Mile Wilderness is complete. Worried about the weather. Need it to cooperate so I can climb the mountain and go. So anxious to get home.   Planned my homecoming and meal.
Date: 2007-08-30
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite

To: Golden Rd/Rainbow Bridge
Miles today: 11.2

   The walk was just a haze today. Just wanted to stay dry and uninjured. Averaged over 2.5 MPH.    As we came into camp Dave and I saw Buttercup, who just finished her walk. Excited to be done and on her way home.   Had a nice conversation with the first black female I met on the trail. There is an absence of color on the trail. One black male early in the walk.   Started to rain soon after our arrival. Just stayed in a small general store till it stopped. Must have seen 10-20 truckloads of newly hewn trees go by. One trucker stopped and the employee had three beers waiting for him at the counter. Got some good information about the trai, etc. from an AT ranger. Must have stayed at the store 2-3 hours.   Final plans are in place. Climb should take 3.5 hours. Vehicle from the AT Lodge in Millinocket comes at 4pm to shuttle. I'm set to get home. Sunny and clear is the forecast for Saturday's ascent.
Date: 2007-08-31
From: Golden Rd/Rainbow Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

   Worried about the rain--which it did--I got a late start. Abol Bridge Cafe had good coffee--opened at 7am. I was getting antsy, so as soon as the rained stopped I packed up. Got one more shower and then off I went.   Planned on making only one stop on this 9.9 mile. Big Niagra Falls was the spot. Took a picture of the falls and the rapids. Had a nice conversation with a hiker from Wisconsin. It was real wet from last night's storms. I did lots of puddle jumping. Shoes are in bad shape so my feet and socks got soaked.   Into camp. Tried to dry out my shoes and tent. The weather is just too damp. Getting quite excited about tomorrow. The final day has come suprisingly fast. Final plans have all come together well. The sun is out tomorrow. 70 degrees is the forecast. Got a ride scheduled to the bus station for Sunday's trip to Bangor. Nothing should be rushed. Just ready to climb the final mountain and be home.
Date: 2007-09-01
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Millanocket after Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

   Of course, I woke up quite early. I had no need for my normal routine. Pop tarts for breakfast. My backpack was going to sit at the ranger station, while I hiked the final 5.2 miles. The Baxter State Park ranger station loans day packs. Fully loaded it must have weighed 5 lbs.   It was windy and foggy, 50 degrees. Just flew up the trail. And still Dave was moving so fast, I could not keep up. 5.2 miles of "UP". We made great time. Dave waited about 100 yards from the peak. I really appreciated that. Made the very steep, long climb in three hours. Never made better time in such difficult terrain. The adrenaline was really working.   We were number four and five to the top. Took our pictures and started to come down from our high. Just could not believe the hike was complete. Then the day hikers started to come. There were at least 40 people on the rop of Katahdin. Windy, cloudy, cold, I stayed two hours. Just as I left the sky started to clear. Got some great pictures.    Very windy. Was worried about it pushing me off the mountain. What an ending that would have been!   Our ride came at 4:30. Took an hour to get to the AT Lodge in Millenocket. Hungry, Dave and I went for supper and a couple of beers. Called Denise and the girls. So want to get home. Did some more celebrating. To bed at midnight.   Ended up getting rid of the beard. Since I had not shaved for the walk, I was totally surprised by the look. The weight I lost was not confined to below my neck. Off to the airport tomorrow, and home the day after.   This has been a wonderful experience. Maybe a life changing experience. I thank Danica, Emily and especially my wife Denise for my ability to complete the AT.
Date: 2007-03-27
To: planning and training
Miles today: 0.0

one month from today, i'll be starting a thru-hike from springer with my brother, jonathan, who plans to accompany me for the first 100 miles. the plans have changed slightly since philip must wrap up with his job and move before he joins me, most likely in damascus, virginia, in early june. 12 years ago, we hiked up to rabun bald on the bartram trail in georgia. we also located Ellicott Rock at the intersection of NC, SC and GA.today i acquired some gear from REI and hiked in middlesex fells reservation, winchester, ma, with 40 pounds. in my pack, i carried some food, 3 liters of water, two small jackets, and my 3-year-old daughter, holly. my other companion was wesoly, my 5-year-old son, who carried a stick, a rock, and a button he found at wright's tower. we made the 6-mile skyline trail loop in 4 hours, 20 minutes, with 3 20-minute breaks. we were all tired, tanned, and hungry by the day's end.
Date: 2007-03-28
To: scroo cookin'
Miles today: 0.0

last night i camped in the yard. why? to see how quickly i could set up the tent in the dark (10 minutes) and whether it would be comfortable. it was. in fact, i was so comfortable, wesoly came out to wake me up at 8:00. "dad, wake up, its time to take me to school!" what a role reversal!today was very bright, sunny, and breezy. i took holly to dogtown in gloucester. we walked around the Goose Cove Reservoir loop twice, saw lots of dogs walking their people, and a few babies, too. afterwards, we stopped in at scroo cookin for a lobster roll and a cinnamon twist. then we picked up wesoly and campbell from school, and explored the secret trail at forest river park in salem. campbell loves the cardboard concrete slide, which has been there longer than anyone can remember. wesoly and holly don't yet have the nerve to try it, but that will come soon enough. you sit on a piece of cardboard and slide vertically for about 30 feet. if you fall off of your cardboard, your pants will most likely split. we have seen it happen to cousin clara.
Date: 2007-03-29
To: ticket to georgia
Miles today: 0.0

there must be a name for the series of emotions that accompany a thru-hikers transformation from dream to reality. if anyone knows the name, please tell me. events begin to fall into place. details emerge from the fog and become suddenly clear. people rally in support and opposition. time races forward to springer. the pack gets heavier, then lighter, then heavier again. the path narrows.today i purchased a one-way ticket on a jet aeroplane to atlanta, georgia. thursday, april 26th, is a mere 4 weeks from today. urgency rises like the tide. anxieties flare up within me and my wife and children, then dissipate with the momentum of my resolve.my trail name now binds to me. i have answered to many an alias, will not shy from future monikers given in good company and taste. no stranger to the hiking trail, i do not need to wait another mile for what has already been given to me. perhaps a new name will emerge during the course of this adventure. my hope is for a fresh perspective on life, removing the cubicle walls to which i was previously consigned. i will drink from the mountain springs, come out of the question, and be ... elSwyg.
Date: 2007-03-30
To: preventive medicine
Miles today: 0.0

no hiking today. just paying bills, calling doctors, and getting gear. also attended a play, "The Rainbow Crow," performed by kindergardeners at my son's school.asked my physician today about lyme disease. she gave me a prescription for an antibiotic to use in case of tic bites and early symptoms. she was also very excited to learn of my hiking plans, and said she spent 7 weeks on the AT in the Green and White Mountains.tested the camping stove out tonight by boiling water (3 minutes) and cooking rice (15 minutes). the result was very tasty, with the fried haddock and garden salad my wife prepared.
Date: 2007-03-31
To: a day with the children
Miles today: 0.0

wesoly and holly were very excited to return to REI, anticipating the small toy surfboard they found. i just needed a replacement tube for my camelbak, which is older than my son, and beyond hopes of cleaning the accumulated green slime.then we went to a signey's second birthday party in concord, nh. on the way home we dined at derby fish, by special request from wesoly.
Date: 2007-04-01
To: salem woods / forest river
Miles today: 0.0

today we sprung into spring, getting out the lawn furniture, the garden hose, the rakes and shovels. and, of course, a hike. wesoly's choice was to walk the forest river conservation area, adjacent to salem woods. we hiked around eagle hill and put pennies on the train tracks. then we waited on a high rock outcrop for about 20 minutes until a train came by, flattening our pennies. we actually found more pennies than we put down, because we were able to see where they landed, about 20 feet away from where they started.we explored another trail that led us to pickman park, then cut back to our starting point, where we found the whole denby family, our dear friends and neighbors, just arriving for a walk in the woods. so we did the loop again, up to eagle hill this time, and back through the mud. i was reminded of how, just when your energy has been drained, it is renewed by good company on the trail.
Date: 2007-04-05
To: corundum hill/cullasaja river
Miles today: 0.0

after a long drive (16 hours) i camped by the cullasaja river in franklin, north carolina. the old corundum millsite campground caters mostly to RV campers, but welcomed me with a wheelbarrow full of wood flooring remnants and unlimited firewood for the stone ring on the riverbank. as for tent-dwellers, i was alone. the night was comfortably cool, the sound of falling waters filling the air and erasing the sounds of the nearby highway. cooked a satisfying meal in my jetboil, and marked the notice of my camping RV neighbor, who was there for the trout.
Date: 2007-04-06
To: peeks creek and fishhawk mountain
Miles today: 0.0

at 8 am, i was standing on the deck of my parents house, overlooking the valley that was devastated by a massive mudslide during hurricane ivan in 2004. my father has 50 acres of woodland here, which he has divided in half, and subdivided into 14 lots for development. we walked the property with a realtor, making note of potential home sites, trails, and roads. the timber was harvested about 50 years ago. the forest is reclaiming two short logging roads which will become driveways for future summer homes for those who want secluded mountain views without the elevation and expense of nearby highlands, nc.after lunch, we drove to jones gap, a trailhead on the bartram trail, and hiked 8.2 miles to buckeye creek in 5 1/2 hours. we stopped on the summit of fishhawk mountain for a half hour to enjoy the panoramic views and discuss plans. i asked my father to join me for the walk from Springer to Franklin. he is seriously considering it, but doubts his ability to keep up and his desire to be away for 10 to 14 days. he offered instead to hike the AT with me through macon county.we had intended to find a trail bringing us back to his home on peeks creek, but found only the yellow blazes of the bartram trail. when we passed an old abandoned school bus near wolf rock, dad knew we were heading down into the tessentee valley, and would end up many miles from home. it was getting dark by the time we reached buckeye creek road. the first sound of an engine we heard came from a small pickup truck coming down tessentee road. i turned around, put out my thumb, and got a friendly greeting. "ya'll been hiking on the bartram trail?" thank-you, jody cruise, for picking us up and bringing us back to franklin. you are my first encounter with a "trail angel" and my father's first hitched ride.
Date: 2007-04-06
To: winter camping - jones gap
Miles today: 0.0

although we had hiked all day in warm spring weather, the temperature dropped quickly after dark. my dad brought me back to our starting point at jones gap, where i donned my headlamp and pack, said goodnight, and headed off into the snowfall and darkness, retracing my steps of a mere 7 hours before. we had passed a meadow about 1/3 mile from the trailhead, a delightful camping spot. i pitched and staked my tent, climbed inside, and thrilled to the complete darkness as i shut off my headlamp. the snow continued falling lightly all night, but the winds roared like jet engines above my head and beat on my tent with great force. but i stayed warm and secure inside, and took great pleasure in knowing that my gear and my resolve were equal to the challenges of a surprise winter storm in the carolina mountains. at dawn, i broke camp and drove down goldmine road to have another hot breakfast with dad.