morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Davenport Gap then Gatlinburg, Tn.

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Start Gatlinburgzero dayI got up at 5.30 am delighted to have found a sunrise service for Easter.I even got to ride the trolley up to the top of the moountain free. The sun rising over the mountain while we had the church service was really inspiring.I have really missed attending church. Back at the hotel,we all went to breakfast and then got a ride to the First Baptist Church Of Gatlinburg for the 11:00am service. You can ride just about anywhere in the city on the trolley for a quarter.this is a treat for us since we do not have to walk all over with our packs.I have heard that AT Wanna Be( another thru hikerjust ahead of me on the trail) had a stroke on Clingman's dome this last week and is in the hospital near here.After lunch we plan on hitchhiking a ride to the hospital.The waitress at the restaurant has made a big paper sign for us to hold on the road asking for a ride to the hospital.You can get really innovative when you need to.we figure that we would get a ride much easier since we are not wearing our packs.The sign says Need a ride to hospital - Help.I call before we leave and she has gone home already.I am really happy that it was no worse than it was and can't wait to hear from her on line. The rest of the day is spent between the hot tub and eating establisments !A zero day has been good for me even though I did not want to take it.My knee is a little better.I have been rationing my Biofreeze Rub so I will not run out before my next mail drop in Hot Springs.But I ahve been rubbing my knee a lot more the past few days. I get laundry done,all of it which is a pair of shorts,a shirt socks and undies.Life really can be simple. It is 11:00pm when we decide to order pizza.somehow this seems like an absurd idea to me,but I eat my share of it.It still amazes me how sterile and fake the city seems,and how there is too much of the same things all in one place.Things that we are led to beleive that we need. The rain moves in before I go to sleep.Hopefully it will move on thru before morning. bumpkin,who is enjoying the artificial life for a few days.
Date: 2013-08-26
From: Grafton Notch - The Cabin

To: Grafton Notch - The Cabin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I woke to the sound of rain. Haven't heard that in a while. Bear says when it rains, it's an act of God and so we get a free day. I can't turn that down. Today is a zero to rest my knees. I took a nap, watched The Way (again! - Peaches is planning our Camino hike), cleaned the hostel kitchen, went to the post office and read a little. It was a relaxing day. I feel good.Breakfast was delicious with about every selection possible; dinner was scrumptious with burgers, potato salad, summer squash and corn on the cob. I am ready to do a little hiking tomorrow.Oh, last night we heard what the Mainers call a Fisher Cat. They are in the weasel family and screech like a child in pain. It's a little unnerving when you first hear it. I have seen a lot of wildlife but no porcupines. I hope I see one before my adventure ends.
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Ice Water Spring

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

start Ice Water Shelterdestination Pecks Corner ShelterI had set my alarm for every two hours to check for a clear sky to watch the meteors.There was no luck,and about 4:00 am I finally stop setting my alarm,and went back to sleep.I could not beleive it when Maledrop said it was 10:00 am.We had all been waiting for the sun to come out,but that never did happen.It stayed overcast and misty all day even though we got news from down the valley that it was sunny and warm there.On the trail though, the wind was blowing cutting through me with every gust.The temperature was conducive to hiking because if I stopped I would get chilled.So it was another eat on the run day.There was no reason to hike up to Charlie's Bunion because there was no view at all,but I hiked up there anyway for a quick picture. I had intended to hike to Tri Corner Shelter but the late start and slow miles convinced me to stop here. It was a good thing too,because there was a group of hikers out having a weeklong hike,who had decided to build a fire.They laughingly said as soon as they got the fire going,a group of thru hikers came in for the night. It is always nice to have a fire,and it makes for good times,laughs and stories.It is amazing the varied interests and professions that is represented on the trail.Tonight at supper I discoverd that sometime last night someone had gotten into my food bag. I thought maybe that I had just misplaced the food that I had bought in town yesterday.Then as I looked farther into the bag,I realized that some of my other food was missing, along with a ziplock bag that held my toilet paper,medicine,and other stuff. The feelings here, were that it was in this part of the woods that Eric Rudolf disappeared and is hiding in the woods. This may be how he survives! Whoever is responsible for the missing food,I certainly hope they enjoy the food.I am sure that they took the ziplock bag purely because it was dark when they took the food.I do have enough food to get me into the town where my maildrop is. It is just that for the most part,you are dependent on other hikers and there has to be a certain level of trust amoung us. I made do and then dried my socks over the campfire. One of the other hikers( Straw Bales) came up to me with a partial roll of toilet paper!Now,that is a real sacrifice. The temperature begins to drop as is common in the mountains,so we all say goodnight.total miles 7.7
Date: 2013-08-28
From: East B Hill Rd.

To: South Arm Rd. (The Cabin)
Miles today: 10.1

Slack pack day 2 of knee rehabilitation plan. After the hearty breakfast that I am getting way too used to, I packed my day pack and was taken to the trailhead. Today I have the pleasure of hiking with Loon. He is a young man in his seventies that has hiked the AT 5 times, PCT once and completed half the CDT. Quite the veteran hiker! He is a friend of Honey and Bear. Unfortunately, he sprained his ankle before coming out and so Beat wanted him to hike with someone in case he had any trouble. We had a great time. He taught me to never pass up a rock that can be sat upon......and so I really took my time and sat on all the 'seat' rocks along the path until we hit the shelter, 6 miles into our 10 mile day. We had barely sat down when it began to thunder. I wanted to get the next downhill out of the way before rain so I headed on out. I made it just to the bottom of the hill when the skies let loose and it began to pour. I found a leaning tree that provided some cover and waited for Loon. We then started the 1400 foot climb up Moody Mt. This mountain was one of those that never seemed to end! Plus it was straight up! Tough climb. I couldn't wait for him on the top because I was soaked (you have to keep moving so you don't get cold and stiffen up).Bear was waiting for me when I got to the road. We waited for Loon and then Honey came by and said he called the house to say he'd be another hour. I went back to the Hostel with Honey so I could get a shower and do some laundry.We had THE best dinner evah! Compliments of Loon. A real Maine steak and lobster dinner. I've never had such a big lobster! And we had corn on the cob, potato salad, apple pie and ice cream. Thanks again Loon. Such a dinner to remember!I helped Honey clean up and then went to my little camper - which I am now calling 'home'. Will Little SAS set the record for longest stay at The Cabin? Will she ever go back to the woods? Stay tuned...
Date: 2003-04-23
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

start Peck's Corner Shelterdestination Cosby Knob ShelterI was up early and had a scrumtious breakfast.I toasted a bagel on my pot and fixed some oatmeal.One of the other hikers came over and gave me a pasta meal for supper tonight ,along with a package of chicken.That was so sweet of them. Today was a fabulous day for hiking.The sky was brilliant blue and there were no clouds to be seen.The temperature was perfect,I did not even break a sweat.I can understand now why a hiker friend of mine (Liteshoe) made me promise that I would never quit hiking on a rainy day.Today was such an awesome day to hike and I doubt that I could ever quit on a day like today.Todays devotional verse was Isaiah 44:22 I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions and as a cloud thy sins, return unto me for I have redeemed thee .I mulled over this all day,thinking as cloudy as it was yesterday,that should have been yesterday's verse.The Lord showed me that what I could see yesterday,which was nothing except right in front of me because of the clouds,That is what he sees,my sins and transgressions covered by thick clouds.I am amazed at the ways that God speaks to me.It is probably because I have very little to do as I walk except listen. I took several breaks today and stretched.The were several places that I just laid out on the rocks that had been warmed by the sun.Maledrop has decided to continue hike with PuhingUpDaisies and I for the rest of his hike.I am sure enjoying his company,plus since he is using my water filter ,he is filtering all of my water!   I get to the shelter at 6:00 .There is already a crowd here,so I decide to pitch my tent.I pitch it near Rumbler who gets his name from his night snores.I will feel right at home.I figure he will keep the bears at bay. I cook the pasta dinner and eat all of it,along with some chocolate pudding I mixed up.It was somewhat soupy because I had added too much water in my powered milk.Someone builds a fire in the fireplace inside the shelter and we all stand around and talk. Take Er Easy was a kindergarten teacher in Taiwan.He gives us a lesson in their language and culture.He sings a beautiful ballard in Mandarin.It is a soft lilting tune. News of my missing food has spread ahead of me,and again I am offered food if I need it. Everyone is looking forward to going to Mountain Momma's tomorrow for what is suppse to be the best cheeseburgers around. We have caught up with Kodiack and Sassy who are always fun to be with.Tom For Short and his wife Seneca are thru hiking.They are in their early sixties.She is the only other woman I have met on the trail that is older than I am.   Sometime early in the morning I was awaken by Rumbler's light coming on in his tent,and lots of moving around.It seemed like he was either after something,or something was after him.I found out later that he had a mouse in his tent! Total miles 12.9
Date: 2013-08-29
From: South Arm Rd. (The Cabin)

To: Beamis Mountain Lean to
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

Okay...I made myself leave but it was very hard. We had another awesome breakfast - leftover steak and eggs. I am going to miss that place so much! (And Bear and Honey).It was raining today but quit shortly after I hit the trail. The problem was that everything was wet and I was slipping on rock and bog boards. Crappy hiking conditions. I was going to do 12 miles today but stopped at 8 when I reached the shelter. Tomorrow is another day...
Date: 2013-08-30
From: Beamis Mountain Lean to

To: Little Swift River Pond campsite
Miles today: 12.9

I slept well in the shelter last night. I woke up so optimistic about the day's hike but the first four miles were just like yesterday. I was slipping and sliding over wet rock. I hate that! The only high point was the blueberries on top of the mountain. I felt like I was back in New Jersey.Once I reached the Bemis camp area things changed for the better. First there was some trail magic. Been a while since I had that. The bananas were long gone but I enjoyed a Ginger Ale. Then the trail turned more into a dirt path. Yes there were roots and it went up and down but the killer wet rocks were gone. I made really good time getting to Sabbath Day shelter for lunch and couldn't believe how quick I was at the Swift River Pond campsite where I was spending the night.The trail went by several nice ponds today. We would call them lakes in Ohio. I passed very few people but two were single older ladies (my age or older) and an older couple. One of the older ladies said "I'm surprised to see you out here. I didn't expect to see anyone today." A lot of people are surprised that I am hiking alone but I have met more older women hiking alone in New England. I think they must be raised to be more independent...?I'm including a picture of my lunch companion at the shelter. It must be a moose - too big for a deer. I noticed it right in the middle of a bite of mashed potatoes. Kinda creeped me out.
Date: 2013-09-02
From: Poplar Ridge lean to

To: Poplar Ridge lean to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Happy Birthday Dad!We woke to a steady and persistent rain. I knew from checking the weather before I left Rangeley that it was an all day thing. I am really in no hurry so I decided to zero in the shelter with Sonny. I'll have to ration food because I wasn't planning this but I think it'll be okay.So it is 11 AM and the last of those hiking on has just left the shelter. He is south bounding so has to do the three miles above treeline - exposed and in the open. I wished him luck and safe travels.Sonny and I am watching the steady fall of the rain and listening to the patter on the metal roof. We talked about his life and mine and the time went by fast. Around four the first hiker came in - Buck30. He was followed by three more - Hickory, Goose and Fancy Pants. I knew Fancy from the hostel in Andover ( she let us use her car to get back to the trail) so it was nice to see her. She has had an incredible adventure the last 18 months. She is in finance and was told she would have to take a significant pay cut. So she quit her job and took an around the world trip. She has friends all over the world so stayed with many of them. She went to Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Nepal, India, Thailand, Jordan, Egypt (with a tour group because this country is very dangerous right now), Parts of Africa, Turkey - I can't remember all of them. This girl is a traveler! She had been to 50+ countries even before she did her trip. She is going back to work soon to rebuild her savings bit what an experience! You meet so many interesting people out here.So my first zero at a shelter proved to be quite fun. The only thing I haven't done now that I wanted to do is cowboy camp. That's where you sleep out in the open under the stars. It's been getting chilly so unless there is a nice Indian Summer I probably won't do that.I wanted to note that this shelter is one of the older ones on the trail - from 1961 - and one of three with baseball bat flooring. This is where you have round logs instead of boards. A little getting used to!
Date: 2013-09-03
From: Poplar Ridge lean to

To: South Branch Carrabassett River campsite
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We woke to blue skies. I was first up but almost last to leave. I always like to have a cup of coffee and breakfast before I hike. Some hikers just have a pop tart and go...Today was some serious mountain climbing although the guide book profile didn't seem so bad. There was a hiker that disappeared from this section earlier this summer and I saw two places where she could have gone over the edge. They have never found her and the search was called off. Very sad. I stayed well away from the edge. - as much as I could. You were basically on the outside of an unstable mountain. There was evidence of rock slides and the trail looked like it had been rerouted due to one in the not too distant past.We had 2 fords today. In Maine there are a couple of rivers where there aren't bridges so you have to ford the river. The first was pretty high from the recent rain so I took off my shoes and crossed barefoot. The water came up to my knees. The second was lower and you could rockhop. I am camped just north of the 2nd crossing. I finished dinner early so went down to the river to watch the rushing waters.
Date: 2013-09-05
From: Stratton, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day - yeah! For future thru hikers my age I want to note that in retrospect, I think it worked out pretty good that I was conservative with the zeros in the easier sections down South. I feel I can now take some time off in the harder parts that are so wicked on your knees. I was sore yesterday after that tough descent off Spaulding but the joints are feeling better. I met Hoosier this morning. He's also on TJ and had been off the trail for a month. He's back to complete his hike. Thank goodness. A NOBO in my area.But, not to worry, the bubble has arrived! Hikers wrote coming in all day. First I saw Brownie, the Boo Boo, Cash and Sky Pilot, and then the big surprise of the day.....Monk! He is a fellow Buckeye from upper Arlington and yes, St. Kris, he is still hiking in the Five Fingers shoes. He says a SOBO told him that he could never make it in that footwear. Ha! Someone that has hiked 200 miles trying to tell someone that has hiked 2000 miles their business. What cheek!So I am ready to head on out tomorrow to tackle the last big mountains - the Bigelows. We are having a cold spell. The Mainers are covering their gardens because frost is predicted. I worried that I didn't have a warm enough shirt so I bought one at the local sporting goods shop. It is a fleece lined polypropylene men's shirt that they wear snowmobiling up here. We'll see how it works.
Date: 2013-09-06
From: Stratton, ME

To: East Flagstaff Road
Miles today: 16.7

They say when you finish the Bigelow range you have smooth sailing until Katahdin. Well that's not exactly true; we still have some mountains to climb but not has high as the Bigelow peaks we scaled today - Horn, West Peak, Avery Peak and Bigelow Mountain. And the weather was perfect! Not a cloud was in the sky. I love days like this. Wish the next 14 could be just like it.There were lots of hikers out today. I kept leapfrogging with the Florida Flipfloppers. They are a mother and two daughters team that are always in a good mood and lots of fun. I also met one of my journal readers - Irish. She was out doing a section bike with her dog. He is a fine trail dog in the making.I had a HUGE moment early in my day - I passed the 2000 mile mark! Can you believe it? I remember passing the 1000 mile mark so long ago and being so emotional. Now it just seems a part of my daily routine; I could just keep walking for years. It really does get into your system. I don't know what I will do when this hike is over. I really think there should be an AT Transition Program to help reintroduce you back to your former life.There is a big hiker feed this week through Sunday. Hoosier and I were going g to stay at the shelter just before, then walk in for breakfast tomorrow. However, when I got to the shelter there wasn't anyone there. Hoosier was ahead of me all day to my knowledge. So I signed the register to say I was going on to the hiker feed. The trail was super easy and I was there within an hour. A group of guys put this on every year. The Flipfloppers and Buddy Backpacker and parents were there. Good company and good food. We sat by the fire sell past hiker midnight. The night sky was the best I've seen on this trip. Stars to the horizon.
Date: 2013-09-07
From: East Flagstaff Road

To: Pierce Pond Lean To
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We had breakfast from the trail angels - egg/cheese on English muffins and Raisin Bran. They have held this hiker feed on the week after Labor Day since 1999. So far this week, they've fed over 85 hikers!Buddy Backpacker's mother, Andrea, offered to slack pack us by taking our things up the trail 16 miles to a road. She'll hide them behind a huge rock for us to pick up ( she's been up there so she knows the area). I put my sleeping bag, tent, and food bag in a plastic bag but will hike with the rest. It saves me about 10 lbs.So with a lighter pack, I happily trot off into the woods. The trip is relatively flat today - only two small hills. The trail is a mix of roots/ rocks/ nice flat areas. I actually make pretty good time. Been a while since I could say that. I only see Boo Boo and Sky Pilot during the day and no one going southbound. We really shouldn't be seeing any SOBOs now. It would be really late for them to be starting now.I see Cash putting up a sign at the shelter turnoff. It's for me - he brought all out stuff to the shelter. Thanks Cash! We are at Pierce Pond lean to. It's situated on a nice pond and is very picturesque. Sadly, it was here last year that a 21 year old hiker, Parkside, drowned. He had done a 20+ mile day and must have been dehydrated. He then cramped up about 30 feet from shore. The other ones at the lean to heard his cries for help but it was too late by the time they could reach him. Very tragic.Today the pond is very peaceful. Two loons are calling to each other. I don't see any moose - darn.
Date: 2013-09-08
From: Pierce Pond Lean To

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: light rain

What a nice night we had! The weather was in the high 50's and the loons were calling all night. I will miss the loons.So today I went to Harrison's camp for breakfast. I had heard about this place from my AT research and it's nbem on my 'must see' list. You are supposes to call rrhe might before but Andrea , Buddy's mother, said when would sop by to tell them When I arrived, however, Tim said he never spoke with her. ' Oh well. can I still get a cup of coffee?'. He said it was no problem and that he did have a couple extra pancakes. The usual meal is 12 cakes so the lesser amount was fine with me. He also cooked two eggs so I was good to go. Ladyskirt was there and we had a nice breakfast together. This is an old Maine camp - little cabins and the main dining hall. Prices are so reasonable; I would like to return some day.After breakfast it was a quick 3 miles to the Kennebuck River. At one time hikers forded this huge river but one drowned many years ago so they now employ a man to canoe you across. There is even a white blaze on the bottom of the canoe to designate it as the official route. After signing my release form and donning the life jacket, away we went. I made it high and dry to the other side in no time at all.The road I to Carratunk was only .3 miles further so here I am at the Sterling Inn. This is a big rambling place. The main house was built in 1816 and a barn next to it was attached and remodeled in the 1980's. The floors are the old barn banks. I love these houses!
Date: 2013-09-10
From: Moxie Bald Mountain Lean To

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean To
Miles today: 8.9

We had a wonderful sunrise this morning. Hoosier and I took our coffee down to the pond to watch. I have a short day today. I am ahead of schedule so I will be taking it easy when possible. Tomorrow will be a quick hike into Monson for town chores and preparations for the final push - the 100 mile wilderness. I was first at the shelter when I arrived just after noon. Monk and Grinch came a little later but planned to continue to Monson. And the rest of the shirt story... Grinch found the short and knew it to be Balto's. He picked it up thinking he would see him in Monson. He was reading the shelter register and saw where Balto wrote he wasn't stopping in Monson. So now he wouldn't be seeing him either. He had just carried a dirty smelly shirt 20 miles for nothing. Thru hikers never carry more than absolutely necessary. Needless to say, there were all kinds of things Grinch was going to do to that shirt and none of them were nice.Hikers continued to come in through the day and we are now 6 in the shelter and 4 camping. DB Cooper is a great firemaker and so we enjoyed a nice campfire.