morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-21
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Monson Maine
Miles today: 36.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I made my way thru a 36 mile stretch in very good time. I had to take my shoes and socks off twice to ford rivers. The picture I included is not one of those. I really made sure my feet were dry before I put socks and shoes back on to try to discourage blisters from popping out. The pads of some of my toes are a little raw though. It's raining pretty heavily and has been raining since I started hiking this morning. Mrs. CaptainK washed and dried my clothes so I will start out tomorrow in good shape. Tomorrow begins the 100 mile wilderness that I wrote about in a previous post. It also is the last hurdle before the final ascent up Mount Katahdin. More on that WHEN I get there. I have 114.5 more miles to go. I hope the rain eases up. It's really pouring and is expected on an off for the next few days. There's nothing like a drowned hiker trying to set up a tent or change into dry clothes. I'm so close to being finished that I hope I don't have to play that part anymore. I also hope I have a connection to be able to post before I get finished, but I will the first chance that I can.
Date: 2015-08-25
From: Monson Maine

To: Jo-Mary Road, ME
Miles today: 58.5
Weather: broken clouds

Hi all. What follows are my random thoughts in no particular order. Finally have a network connection. I've been out in the wilderness for 3-1/2 days. It is very primitive. I have fallen around a dozen times. My shoes and socks are soaked. I have blisters on the bottom of both feet. The tops of my toes on both feet are raw from the wet socks scraping on them. I fell into a muddy bog on my left side with my elbow knee deep (if an elbow can be knee deep) and my face and backpack coated in the mud. Ladies, this is not the way to get your mud pack facials. It smells! It has been raining most of the time. BUT, I am now ever so close to completion. I now have 56 miles to go. Right now I am sitting out the rest of the day preparing for what is left. I am with my wife in the Wietrobago. I am changing out my drenched clothes and drying the things that I need to take with me. I have 2 full hiking days and 1 partial day until I summit Mt. Katahdin. That means that I plan to complete my journey on this Saturday, August 29. That is if the weather and my body hold out. Also it depends on a summit sign up sheet. There are only 16 Thru Hikers allowed to attempt to summit each day. If the sheet is full, then I sit for a day. Tomorrow there are more thunderstorms in the forecast, but the rest of the week looks good so far. I was to have my first view of Mt. Katahdin yesterday, but the storms blocked me. The clouds are blocking my view now too. Hopefully, I can post again before the grand finale. I know you are all climbing with me and rooting me on. I know that and won't let you down. See you on top of Mt. Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-28
From: Jo-Mary Road, ME

To: Abol Bridge, ME
Miles today: 40.9

Hi to all. It's been a few days and I progressed well. I did not hike Wednesday because we had torrential rains. That also hurt the trail even thru today. However, I did manage 41 miles over the last 2 days and worked my way out of the 100 Mile Wilderness. The problem that I had after the rain was all water crossings were harder and the trail was full of running water where it normally wouldn't be. I had to take my shoes and socks off more times than I would've had to. Lots of feeder streams to lakes and ponds got up to a foot deeper than normal and way wider. I still managed to get through it. I'm drying my shoes right now. My bad foot is really hurting me. I'm on ice now also. Going forward, the plan is to hike 10 miles to base camp tomorrow and summit Mt. Katahdin on Sunday. I will be going to a doctor for my foot when I get home. I will be updating this site for a while after completion of the hike. Also, for those of you that want to welcome me home, we will be having an open house most likely on September 12. It will be open to anyone that wishes to stop by. We'll have the food. You'll need to BYOB. I'll tell more when we know more. That's it for now. See you on top of Mt. Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-30
From: Abol Bridge, ME

To: Mt. Katahdin, ME - Northern terminus of A.T.
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

First thing on this biggest of days is Happy Anniversary to my wife. Today is our special day. Love you much!!!As a side note, I completed my thru-hike today. I summited Mt. Katahdin around 9:37am if you're tracking as I am. I climbed the 4,100 feet in just over 3 hours. I was pumped and ready. It was very foggy and windy, but I didn't care. I got it done. The pictures aren't so great due to the weather. That's all I could do. I took a shower and iced my bad foot when I got back to the Wietrobago. My 2,189.2 mile journey has ended. I will post more soon. I just wanted to let you all know that I made it and am OK. Once again, thx to all for following me and signing my guest book. It really made a difference. So, we did it. Also most of my thx goes to my logistic director, my resupplier, my number one trail angel....my wife. I could not have done it without her. More later dear readers. This is your CaptainK signing out for now.
Date: 2015-09-02
To: Home Sweet Home
Miles today: 0.0

Arrived home around 2:00pm and saw welcome sign from Mrs. CaptainK. Emptied the Wietrobago and put my bad foot on ice for a while. Stopped at Post Office to pick up our crate of mail. Mrs. went through and gave me my stuff. We're both tired. There was a thunderstorm a couple of hours after we got home. Got a pizza since we had nothing ready and I didn't want to eat the leftover Ramen noodles or instant mashed potatoes just yet. Maybe I'll serve them at my party next Saturday. Speaking of the party, here is my address. 7722 Yawberg RoadWhitehouse, Ohio 43571My email is:   Kwietro@windstream.net The party is Saturday September 12 from 3:00pm until the last person leaves (not too late please). We will be providing food until it is gone. We are asking you to BYOB. I don't want any gifts please. Your presence is the best presents. We'll have Cornhole set up if the weather is good enough. We will have riding lawn mower races with the blades down since we haven't been home for a while (kidding).
Date: 2015-09-05
To: Home Sweet Home
Miles today: 0.0

A few hours ago I received a delivery of a fruit bouquet from Edible Arrangements. I love it! I thank you for sending it. The only issue is that I don't know who sent it because the senders name isn't included. I'd like to personally thank the person/people who sent it. Either way I'm going to eat it. My body is healing up quite nicely. My bad right foot still hurts, but doesn't appear to be swelling as much. Congrats to all of my fellow hikers who completed their journey and best of luck to those still plodding towards the end. Remember my party next Saturday starting at 3:00pm. Sign my guestbook if you need information.
Date: 2015-09-09
To: Home Sweet Home
Miles today: 0.0

Just back from the Podiatrist. I have not 1, but 2 broken bones in my bad right foot. I received a walking boot that I need to wear for a month. Then I go back for a reevaluation. I knew something was rotten in Denmark. It's the trail that keeps on giving. Oh well, it isn't going to keep me from finishing. Wait, I am finished. Then this isn't so very good. Hope to see you at my party Saturday.
Date: 2016-01-10
To: at home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hi all. I had a guestbook entry a couple of days ago. It was from Alexander Burleigh from Muncy, PA. He and a buddy want me to help them with a school project. I am honored and more than willing to help. I have responded to the listed email multiple times, but it keeps giving me an error. Alexander, if you are seeing this post, email me directly at kwietro@windstream.net. I hope that will allow me to reply without an error. To anyone else that may stumble upon this entry, know that I am healing well. There still is soreness and numbness in my big toe, but even that seems to be a it better. I still am so very happy and proud that I made it to Katahdin. I actually miss it some (the views and fellow thru hikers specifically), but am glad to be home and dry and warm. And did I say dry and warm?As always, thanks again to all of you for following me and signing my guestbook. I hope you have overcome your daily CaptainK log reading withdrawal.
Date: 2014-12-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have always wanted to hike the AT since I first read about it in the 2nd grade. I did my first backpacking trips in the Smokey Mountains when I was in middle school many years ago. Since I live just north of Atlanta, Ga. I can be on the AT in less than 2 hours. Since those early trips I have done countless trips on the southern part of the AT. I have never attempted anything that will require me to hike every day for months on end. This will definitely take me into unfamiliar territory but I look forward to the adventure and meeting everyone that will be there with me.
Date: 2014-12-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I have completed all of my gear purchases. They will all be listed under the Gear tab to the left. I am not an ultra light hiker but I do try to go as light as I can and still be comfortable with what I have to carry. Since I plan to start on March 1, I will have to carry some cold weather gear. On a recent 4 day shake down trip I was able to carry 4 days of food and water with cold weather gear at around 25 pounds. I can probably be a little lighter because I did carry some extra items to test out. My start date may change a day or two in either direction depending on what the weather is doing when I am ready to leave.
Date: 2014-12-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I have been training for my upcoming hike for the last couple of months. Fortunately I live near Stone Mountain, Ga. The mountain gaines 1600 feet of elevation in a little over a mile. This makes for an ideal place to train for climbing mountains. In addition I try to make it up to the AT to do some day hikes whenever I can. Besides preparing physically, I have also been trying to prepare for the mental aspects of the trail by doing some reading and watching some YouTube videos of past hikers and their experiences.
Date: 2014-12-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Over the last year I have given a lot of thought on what type of food I will need to maintain about 5000 calories a day and how will I get it. I have decided I will not do mail drops and just purchase food along the way. I really don't want to be tied to trying to reach a certain location or post office by the closing time or not even open on the weekend. Part of the appeal to me for a thru hike is not being on a detailed schedule. From what I have read and heard from people that I have talked to it is definitely doable if your not picky about what you eat. I recently did a hike with just what I could buy from Dollar General and I had no problem buying 4 days of food. You do have to watch the weight and for that I use the following formula: 2 pounds of food is 32oz. If you need 5000 calories a day that equals about 157 calories an ounce. I look at the calories for the food item and divide it by the oz's it weighs. So if a food item is 500 calories and weighs 2 oz's that's 250 calories per ounce. I generally don't buy much under 100 calories per ounce. This isn't exactly always accurate but it is a quick way for me to get a good idea on my weight ratio for food. Of course there is always the items that fall under the 100 calories that I like and just have to buy anyway. LoL
Date: 2014-12-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The original southern terminus of the AT was located on Mount Oglethrope in North Georgia. In 1958 the Appalachian Trail Conference voted to move the southern terminus about 10 miles north east to Springer Mountain due to development in the area. In 1995, Mount Oglethrope was purchased by Billie Ann and Ken Rice. They donated the land as a park in December 2013. You can read about the trails and other events that are held there at www.mtoglethrope.org. Under the history tab at the top of the page you can read about the area and the history of the AT. I mention this because I thought it would be cool to go to the original start of the AT where it is marked on the mountain. There are a lot of well known former thru hikers that started from there and I thought it would be a nice way to start a thru hike myself.
Date: 2015-01-06
To: Training
Miles today: 0.0

I have waited so long to start this journey I can't hardly believe it will really happen in less than 8 weeks. Training is getting ramped up as March gets closer. All the equipment is purchased and now I am looking at a lose schedule for the first couple of weeks. After all I don't plan on following a tight schedule or watching the clock because I will be on Dirt Time. I do want to take this time to thank my wife and family for all of their support. My wife will keep the house running and also be my Base Camp Manager. She will do all of this as well as take care of pre-mature babies at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. I could not do this trip without her support. I also have 3 adult children that will help along the way too. Soon I will be traveling to North Carolina to go on a 3 day trip to help my friend Don Harty of Mahanaim Adventures. We will be taking two artist to Lake Mattamuskeet Federal Wildlife Refuge, to take pictures of Ducks to be used for paintings for the North Carolina Duck Stamps. It will be cold and a good chance to test the winter gear while we camp.
Date: 2015-01-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Had a great trip to North Carolina last week. We spent most of our time at Pocosin Lake Refuge where we saw 100,000 Tundra Swans and Snow Geese. We camped so I got to test out my cold weather clothes and sleep system. The night time temperature was in the 18 to 20 degree range. I slept warm in my down bag but I think I may add a light fleece jacket or pull over to my layering system. The only thing I am concerned about is on a cold wet day if I have to use some of my layers to hike in, I want to make sure I have something to put on when I get to camp. Starting in early March I am sure I will be hiking during some of those cold rainy days. Everything else is starting to fall into place. Just waiting for March 1st to hurry up and get here.
Date: 2015-01-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Spent the last two days driving around North Georgia visiting some of the areas I will visit on my thru hike. I first went to Mount Oglethrope and hiked up to the summit where I took this picture of the survey marker. In the photo section you will also see a picture of my wife from one of the observation decks that has been built. You can see Atlanta and the surrounding area from the top and the whole area has some fantastic views. While standing on the top, I couldn't help but think about Earl Shaffer, Grandma Gatewood, Gene Espy, as well as many others who have left from this location on their journey north. I left here and drove over to Amicalola Falls where I will probably leave from the visitor center and hike the approach trail on February the 28th. From Amicalola we drove to the parking lot at Springer Mountain but arrived too late to hike to the top. We spent the night at Hiawassee. This will be where I will resupply before heading to Bly Gap and into North Carolina. I drove up to the trail crossing at Dicks Creek Gap and stopped at The Top of Georgia Hostel. I talked with Sir Packs A Lot the owner. He was busy doing some upgrades that will include an area for hikers traveling with pets. This will be separate from the normal bunk rooms. Time is getting close to my start date so I am trying to complete some chores around the house but the excitement is really starting to build.
Date: 2015-01-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This picture was taken at the Rocky Knob shelter in 1978 with my friend Don (on the right) from college. It was his first trip on the AT and we were hiking from Dicks Creek to Neels Gap. This shelter was torn down and a new shelter was built on Blue Mountain about a mile further North. Yesterday while I was on a training hike at Stone Mountain, I saw a guy coming up the trail with a backpack. When we met I asked him if he was training for a hike or a climb and he said he was training for an AT thru hike. His name is James Perkins and he is leaving on April 1st and has a journal on Appalachian Trials website. If you haven't read the Appalachian Trials book yet I highly recommend it. It' great to see these younger people get out and have the initiative to do a thru hike. I only have 30 days to go until departure on the approach trail. Good luck to everyone on the trail now and everyone that will be leaving soon. I can't wait to get started.
Date: 2015-02-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Three weeks from today I will start my thru hike from Amicalola Falls State Park. All the equipment has been purchased and all that is left to do is purchase four days of food to start out with. As many of you have probably read the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is asking all thru hikers to voluntary register their start date to prevent crowding at the southern end of the trail in March and April. I went out to their site and it was simple enough to do. It looks like it will accept 50 hikers a day before that date is locked out. In return for registering they do offer you a few free perks. Not sure what the answer is for over crowding but at least it is a start. The weather here in Georgia has been all over the scale with cold and windy to warm to some light snow in the mountains. I will definitely be carrying cold weather gear when I leave February 28. Now it's just a waiting game to get started and a mindset that I will be gone from home for 6 months.
Date: 2015-02-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am still on track to leave on the approach trail February 28. It sounds like I am doing what everyone else is doing that is getting ready to go and that is going over my gear and making sure I need everything I have. It' s funny how your mind starts second guessing your decisions on your food choices, gear, mileage etc. The only thing I am not sure about and haven't made my mind up on is wheather to start out with my mid height boots or stay with my trail runners that I normally hike in. Because of all the recent snow and ice, I am leaning toward the boots for the first month. They are warmer and I know there is a lot of ice and snow in the Smokies. Either way I have some Kathoola Micro Spikes for traveling in the snow and ice. Look forward to meeting everyone starting in early March. It's getting close. Everyone stay safe .
Date: 2015-02-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Everything is packed and ready to go. My wife, daughter and son will drive me up to Amicalola Falls State Park in the morning. I hope to arrive before 10:00am, sign in, take all the required pictures, and start the approach trail. My plan is to go all the way to Springer Mtn. And then decide if I want to go on to Stover Creek Shelter. I hope to have entries for everyday I am on the Trail. This means I may add several daily entries at one time depending on when I have cell service. My journal is setup to go to the most recent post first so you may have to check the previous post to see if it is new as well. I will also probably add photos in groups as service permits. I want to say thank you to everyone that has viewed my journal, left me comments, and will follow along on this journey. It is a sunny day in Georgia but rain is on the way. Look forward to meeting everyone on the trail. Everyone stay safe and I hope we meet along the way.
Date: 2015-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the arch about 10:45am and arrived at Springer about 4:00pm. About a foot of snow the whole way. I was the only one at the summit. Took some pictures then headed over to the shelter. Two other thru hikers were there then 11 Boy Scouts showed up. 28 degree low the trail is solid ice. 8.8 miles of the approach trail. Tomorrow the AT miles count.
Date: 2015-03-01
From: Springer Mountain 

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light snow

Left springer at 9:45 arrived at Hawk Mountain at 1:30. Trail was deep snow the whole way. Glad I had my microspikes. My plan is to shelter hop until around the end of the first week. Trail conditions have made for some slow going. About 18 people at the shelter. About 42 degrees for the low.
Date: 2015-03-02
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch shelter
Miles today: 7.9

Left Hawk mountain about 7:30am arrived at Gooch about 12:30pm. There were already several hikers there. By 2:00 about 20 hikers had arrived. The trail is so deep in slush by mid afternoon you can't go very far because it tires your legs so bad. Even the young guys are having trouble. Rain is on the way so it should help with the melting of the snow. It was about 48 today.
Date: 2015-03-03
From: Gooch shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.5

Left Gooch about 740am. Shortly thereafter I ran into Fresh Ground at the first gap. He travlels the entire length of the AT cooking food for AT Hikers at various locations for donations. It rained on and off today so the snow is mostly gone. Now it is all mud and water. Been hiking with Recon, Hop A Long and two marines doing a fund raiser for families of Vets. Arrived at Lance Creek about 12:30. You have to have a bear canister to stay in the next 7 miles so I am hiking thru that tomorrow to Neels Gap. I will re supply there. Temps have been in the mid 40's today.
Date: 2015-03-04
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

Left Lance Creek at 7:00 in the rain and fog. Hiked straight thru to Neels. Arrived about 12:00. Took a shower and resupplied. Got some good food. Snow and rain is in the forecast for tomorrow. The hostel is full with 18 hikers.
Date: 2015-03-06
From: Blood Mountain Cabins

To: tenting site near chattahoochee gap
Miles today: 15.5

Left the cabins after last night ice storm. Everything is covered in ice. Very beautiful but still cold. Made it to Tesnatee Gap and someone had left a cooler of cokes. Got to Low Gap around 12:00. Hiked on and camped. Got down to around 20. Clear and cold with a lot of stars.
Date: 2015-03-07
From: tenting site near chattahoochee gap

To: Tray Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.4

It was a cold night. Left camp and headed for Trey Mtn. Shelter. At Unicoi Gap a church had trail magic. Had two cheeseburgers. Hiked on and reached Trey Gap. Boy Scouts had a huge amount of food. Had an apple and banana. Made the steep climb to the top of trey then decended to the shelter. Had a fire going . About 20 people at the shelter.
Date: 2015-03-08
From: Tray Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Hiked from Trey with sunny weather. Long hike with several tough climbs. Pretty much up and down. It actually got hot today. Reached Dicks Creek Gap about 2:30. Got a ride to the Top of Georgia Hostel. Went into town to the buffet and resupplied at i velez. On to North Carolina tomorrow.
Date: 2015-03-09
From: Dicks Creek Gap 

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Left the Top of Georgia Hostel in rain and headed for North Carolina. Make it to the border and took the picture of probably the most famous tree on the trail by Bly Gap. Out of Bly Gap there are two nasty climbs that are very steep. Got to Muskrat Creek Shelter in the mid afternoon. Again it has been wet all day. The shelter is full with 5 0r so camping. Rained hard during the night.