morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-20
From: 2083.3 Wilber Brook

To: 2095.7 Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

The Wilber Brook ford this a.m. was easy, particularly with the rope to assist. A sunny to partly cloudy day to climb over the Barren Mtn. Range.   Looking far back, I could see the Bigelows (you know you¢re a 2000 miler when this thrills you). After the Barrens is a 550 ft. descent to the Fourth Mtn. Bog loaded with Pitcher Plants (carnivorous). The bog is interesting. You have to stay on the ¢bog bridges¢. Then some more ups and downs followed over Fourth, Third and Columbus Mtns. To the Lean-to perched in fairly dense firs on the side of the mountain. A steep hike down to the spring which is marked in the guide as unreliable but fortunately for us was running. Chez 11 (England) and a section hiker from Concord N.H. were in the shelter already anticipating rain. Chez 11 I had learned prefers the convenience of sheltering to pitching his tent as do others I have met like the Sharing the Insanity couple. We set up our tent and hammock however. Antelope is loving his hammock ¢ Thank you Badger for the tree hanger tips! Ascent 4,074 Descent 1,369 Duration 10 hr 00 Mins
Date: 2012-08-21
From: 2095.7 Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: 2107.4 Sidney Tappan Campsite
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Pitter-patter¢¦not the sound you want to hear on your tent at 5:30 a.m. We were up and packed in a flash, then cooked and ate in the shelter. By 10 a.m. it had stopped raining. Just in time for us to find our food re-supply bucket in the woods and ¢reload¢. With heavy ¢ well heavier packs anyway, we forded Pleasant River and started up the long 5.5 mile and 1,200 ft. ascent to the base of Gulf Hagas Mtn. which is the beginning of the White Cap Mtn. ridge. The ascent of Gulf Hagas is a steep 800 ft. through thick firs. What is great is that the stone step work is a stairway to heaven. At the top is a mix of birches, firs, hobblebush, ferns and brambles. Apparently favorite moose habitat. I always sees moose droppings and sometimes tracks at 2500 to 3500 ft. elevations. They use the trail. I have no idea how they get through fir thickets. Now at 2700 feet I heard something different move and there on my right basically hidden in of that flora is a moose ¢ a very large creature 35 ft. away. I wait for ¢A¢ to catch up. Yup, confirmed ¢ our first moose sighting on the AT. We move on as the cow moose nervously rotates her ears. Whew. At 7:30 p.m. we are in our tent and hammock. Chicken Little and Honest Abe who I had met back in Ma or maybe Ct. had arrived at camp about 7 p.m. They are hoping to finish Sunday. I hear their voices. They are camped on the trail junction near by. They see a moose on the trail and don¢t know what to do. ¢A¢ watches as the creature reels around and gallops (stampeds) by about 12 ft. from us. Whew again ¢ moose sighting #2 today.6 fords down.Ascent 2,227 Descent 1,756 Duration 9 hr 30 Mins
Date: 2012-08-22
From: 2107.4 Sidney Tappan Campsite

To: 2116.4 East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 9.0

Very nice treadway and more stone steps as we climbed West Peak, Hay Mtn. and White Cap Mtn. (3,650 ft.) on another partly cloudy day. Hurray! My first view of Katahdin ¢ right there from White Cap. In fact it looked so close to me that I didn¢t believe that it was Katahdin until two SOBOs confirmed it. Katahdin is a range of peaks. I remember being in the south at various view points like Max Patch, Clingman¢s Dome etc. looking out at all of the mountains as far as the eye could see thinking ¢home is up north there and I will get to Katahdin some day¢. Now there it was right in front of me maybe 30 miles as the crow flies and 72 trail miles. A good feeling as we descended to East Branch Lean-to and called it a day very early ¢ 3:00. I was tired yesterday afternoon and today. Rather than eat and go on another 3 or 4 miles to a likely campsite, we opted to just sleep in the shelter. Met a SOBO who hiked the PCT 3 years ago and talked about that for a while. Now 7:40 p.m. and aside from one person tenting, we are alone with the sounds of the Pleasant River running along. Right off tomorrow morning in .3 miles we will ford the East Branch of the Pleasant ¢ ford #7. Did the West Branch yesterday.Ascent 1,193 Descent 2,630 Duration 6 hr 45 Mins
Date: 2012-08-23
From: 2116.4 East Branch Lean-to

To: 2132.4 Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Eleven miles today of ¢kinder gentler¢ terrain which was relatively flat with a normal quota of roots, rocks and bog boards. Hence getting 16 miles in for Antelope. However there are always dues to pay. Just as we got to the Antler Campsite peninsula on Jo-Mary Lake and found the perfect site a the end with 240 degree views, a storm was blowing in. This was after a warm (77F) sunny day until about 30 min. prior. The wind was so strong, that we needed to move to a more sheltered site. The tent and hammock were pitched just in time. It is now 7:30 p.m. The sun is setting under clear skies, we¢ve eaten, are dry and have taken a stroll around the ¢perfect site¢ enjoying the sun set and watching a loon. We passed the Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to earlier in the day. I¢d say that it is one of the best settings on the trail for a shelter.Ascent 783 Descent 1504 Duration 7 hr 00Mins
Date: 2012-08-24
From: 2132.4 Antlers Campsite

To: 2138.5 Mahar Tote Rd.
Miles today: 6.1

I heard loons during the night on the lake. One of my favorite sounds. Antelope loves sleeping in his hammock (thankfully). After a leisurely breakfast looking out at the sun sparkling lake we trekked on. First stop Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to to get water from the 15 foot diameter bubbling spring. Then on to the Pemadumcook Lake with a view point of Katahdin. A perfectly clear day. The mountain range loomed much closer now than my first view from White Cap mountain. As ¢A¢ was taking a video panorama shot, a bald eagle flew by in front of Katahdin. We took the mile side trail to White House Landing boat dock and blasted the fog horn. Within minutes Bill was motoring over. Bill and Linda own/run the cabins, bunkhouse and restaurant on Pemadumcook Lake which is the fifth largest in Maine and is connected to five other lakes. The ¢WHL¢ is like stepping back in time to when it was a logging camp. It is off the grid, has propane gas mantle lights, wash tubs by the lake for clothes, a spring fed soap stone sink outside for water. There are have propane heated showers. So we had a relaxing afternoon and evening. Visited with other hikers who arrived later. Video was among them. I had met Video way back at the Bear¢s Den hostel. A half moon is over the calm lake now. I just heard a loon. People are excited about finishing like Video, Connect Four and two women who had been flown in by sea plane, came over for lunch and are now back on the trail to finish just 20 miles or so. Their finish was halted last hear by a broken foot. We listened to southbound section hikers who just start on Katahdin tell about their adventures so far. Then there was Wooley and his buddy who just flipped from Bear Mountain in N.Y. Ascent 168 Descent 132 Duration 4 hr 00Mins
Date: 2012-08-25
From: 2138.5 Mahar Tote Rd.

To: 2156.0 Rainbow Lake Dam
Miles today: 17.5

Highest Mileage day for Antelope yet, 17.5 plus for extra spurs from Whitehouse Landing in the AM and to Rainbow lake Dam at the end of the day. He is doing great! Another sunny day! Great view of the Katahdin Mtn and now from our campsite on a peninsula on Rainbow Lake (it¢s 8:15pm and the Loons are calling! The half moon is setting). I had spoken with Wild Bill about this site in S. Maine. He was SOBOing and recommended the location. Thank goodness it worked out since we hiked on from the Rainbow Lake Lean-to site and arrived at 6:30. We haven¢t seen anyone since Nesuntabunt Mtn. Nice!Ascent 1428 Descent 848 Duration 10 hr 00Mins
Date: 2012-08-26
From: 2156.0 Rainbow Lake Dam

To: 2169.1 Abol Bridge Private Campground
Miles today: 13.0

At 5:30 a.m. mist on Rainbow Lake was swirling counter clockwise and Katahdin was silhouetted against the rising sun. Loons had been calling in their haunting way in the early morning hours. We boiled breakfast water for tea and oatmeal on the ledges overlooking the lake. I spotted loons far down the lake. The water was smooth so back dots stood out. After about 40 minutes a group of 8 loons were down our way. I think that they are gathering early to migrate. The day proved to be hot and humid (85F). With two days until summit, this was not good. N.E. weather builds to a thunderstorm and windy front that will move the heat out. We have enjoyed a week of good weather with a couple of brief exceptions. When we arrived and Abol Bridge and checked the weather report, Tuesday looked like 100% chance of a thunderstorm and rainy. We decided to stay at the private campground two rather than one night and summit Wens. Then amazingly when we went to our campsite, Johnathan from Springer mountain came over. He is now working at Baxter State Park. He had given me a Georgia AT match book to present at Abol Bridge. I had no idea that he would be up in Maine but recognized him right away. He was very helpful with the logistics of registering to stay in the park and telling about other trails. I would like to summit Hamlin Peak as well as Baxter Peak. I learned that another Maine 100 highest mountain is part of the Katahdin Range. I hope to summit North Brother tomorrow. We¢re camped on the Penobscot river. I have heard my other favorite night bird call ¢ the whip-poor-will. I haven¢t heard that for a long time¢¦way back in the south.Ascent 528 Descent 1,059 Duration 7 hr 00Mins
Date: 2012-08-27
From: 2169.1 Abol Bridge Private Campground

To: 2169.1 Abol Bridge Private Campground
Miles today: 0.0

Since we were waiting a day to go into the park due to Tuesday¢s poor weather forecast, I decided to summit North Brother today. I had to hike 4 plus miles up the Blueberry Ledges trail to the Katahdin Stream Campground first, then hitch 6 miles or so to the trail head. I ¢hoofed it¢. Fortunately I was given a ride after a few miles of walking down the dirt road. Then even more fortunately I had a ride right back to the campsite outside of the park we are staying. I was worried about having to hike back on the Blueberry Ledges trail in the dark. So a successful day to the summit of North Brother ¢ 14.1 miles Ascent 4,300 - not AT but not trivial.I learned today that the N.E. 100 Highest include South Brother, Mt. Coe and Fort Mtn. (a bushwack only from N. Brother that I just climbed).   This first two are part of the climb too on a loop. I will be bac,.Some one named Michael just (8:30 p.m.) came into the campsite here and asked to pitch his tent. He came off of Katahdin late and had to hitch out of the park. Baxter State Park regulates how many people can come into the park and of course you have to pay to stay if there is space. Michael is part of a Christian community who ¢minister¢ ¢ travel, preach so to speak and have no personal possessions.Now I hear light rain.Ascent 0 Descent 0 Duration 0 hr 00Mins
Date: 2012-09-03
From: 2184.2 Katahdin, Baxter Peak, Northern Terminus of

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

What am I pondering now? First I want to acknowledge all of the kindness that I received from others in many forms. Sometimes I felt like a mendicant who has no means unless someone kindly offers them. In my case a ride into town is an example. People went out of their way to help me ¢ once I asked. I received extraordinary support from my family and friends. Their thoughts and love made my way easier. The effort to ¢slack pack¢ hikers is significant - the ¢U-Turn Queen¢ reigns! Andy was and is unconditionally supportive and a creative, capable problem solver ¢ my trail angel!What else am I pondering?-        Lounging for two more days.-        Avoiding driving at least for five more days. I feel spaced out. Maybe my reflexes will ¢snap out of it¢ after a few more days.-        Finished the Vermont Long Trail starting on the Canadian border 9/8. Yes just a week after being home!Then¢¦.well, finishing the N.H. 4000 footers and the N.E. Hundred Highest sooner than later. Anyone up for some hikes in N.H., Me and Vt?Ascent 0 Descent 0 Duration 0 hr 00Mins
Date: 2012-01-02
To: Countdown
Miles today: 0.0

Here is entry number one for our upcoming 2012 AT thru hike. Aiming for a start date between March 20th and April 5th. Completion date by October 5th. GAME, GA>ME, NOBO's.I have most of my backpacking gear already. Have been doing short backpacking trips over the past few years. Getting my weight level up. My legs are ready to give them a serious try.Need shelter, but unsure about getting a Hennessy Hammock or tent. My old two man tent needs retiring, plus it's just too heavy.Need to find a place for my Jeep to rest in Georgia while I hike.My greatest struggle has been with my service dog "Lakota". Many have told me to leave my pet at home. First off, he is not my pet. He is my certified service dog. He is a working animal. He has been my spirit guide helping me to get up and move. Lakota gave me the courage I needed to get up instead of sitting in my comfy chair to let go. The decision was in the end a simple one. I will bring him to experience the trail. I know he will make my hike harder, and at other times so much sweeter. These are my thoughts each day as the planning begins for this dream to come true. The Appalachian Trail, I can say that name a hundred times a day and my face can't quit smiling. Peace Out
Date: 2012-01-03
To: Choices
Miles today: 0.0

Here is our 2012 Appalachian Trail journal entry #2. Will do my best to keep our journal up to date as our feet progress northward. I am anxious to get the chance to share the AT. I want the entire AT experience. Plan on hitting the trail as early as 3/20/2012 or as late as 4/05/2012, day before "Good Friday". Easter in the mountains! There is the possibility my start date might move up into March, but nothing certain on that front.Update: It appears our hike will begin between the latter part of March and first 4 days in April. All about finances and their timingI have to make 3 entries to get this journal activated so this be >2 !
Date: 2012-01-03
To: Stoked
Miles today: 0.0

This dream has been with me for so many years now. Life is demanding for all of us with all of it's wonderful obstacles. It is so simple for me now. Don't have to wonder what year I hike the Appalachian Trail. Presented with a specific window of time, the choice was much easier. Got to put my feet on that trail and see how far I can go. Scattered thoughts all over the place. What will I do if I actually make it to Maine? Florida Trail until Spring, then hit the PCT? Dreaming keeps me going, I do believe I will walk the rest of my life, and LIVE!Entry 3
Date: 2012-01-14
To: Giving Thanks
Miles today: 0.0

Giving Thanks is so important. If not for those who love me, encouraging me to follow this dream, I could not hike the AT.Dillon; you are the one giving up the most. It will be very difficult missing our Wednesday's, and every other weekend, especially our 4-weeks this summer. You gave the most so I could go and follow my dream. I thank you so much son, I love you. Dillon, do you remember when Lakota was 8-weeks old? The two of you are AWESOME!To the rest of my loved ones, I thank you for your encouragement. Some of you have listened to my AT plans every year, year after year, for years now. None of you gave up or acted impatient as I repeated this dream. I love you all, thank you.Hope you like the pic of the RRB(Red Road Bus). Lakota and I spent nearly two years camping along the banks of the Shell Rock River in her. For those not familiar with the AT here are some terms I will use in my journal in the coming months.AT : Appalachian Trail, National scenic corridor from Springer Mountain, Georgia to its northern terminus, Mount Katahdin, in Baxter State Park, Maine. Nearly 2,200 miles along the backbone of the Appalachian Mountain range.Trail Name: Alias name a hiker is known by on the trailNOBO: hiking northbound. Highest percentage of thru hike attempts are NOBO's. SOBO: hiking southbound. Thru hikers starting in Maine then south to Georgia. FlipFlop: hiking AT from different directions, ultimately hiking it all. Some hikers are NOBO's from Georgia to Harpers WV, then transported to Maine, to hike from Katahdin back south to Harpers Ferry, WV.Slack Packing:Hiking without full pack. Often a hiker can get a ride to and from trail and leave full pack behind for the day.White Blazing: hiking/following the white markers for the actual footpath of the Appalachian TrailBlue Blazing: hiking routes to other points of interest, sometimes taking an easier route around difficult terrain, then re-uniting with the AT again.Yellow Blazing: road walking, hitching to townPink Blazing: When one hiker is pursuing another hiker with romantic interestsThru Hiker: hiker trying to complete the entire AT in one hiking seasonSection Hiker: hiker doing a section of the AT. Some hikers have completed the entire AT by hiking sections of the AT over a period of years or decades.Day Hiker: hiker doing part of AT without spending night on trailNero Day: A day with very few milesZero Day: no miles hikedPUDS: pointless ups and downsAYCE:All You Can Eat establishments. A favorite stop in towns for hikers with insatiable appetitesShelters: Three sided structures located along the AT, for hikers to use. There are over 250 of these structures along the ATTrail Magic:unexpected magic, like some pop or candy left near a stream, or a ride into town, etc...Trail Angels:Folks who are friends of hikers, some who have completed thru hikes in the past. They might set up near the trail and make burgers, chips, and drinks, for thru hikers. Give shuttle rides, operate hostels specifically for thru hikers. Simply amazing individuals
Date: 2012-01-20
To: Stretching Our Legs
Miles today: 0.0

Lakota and I walk daily. Anywhere from 5 to 15 miles per day. I know this won't equate with the AT, but it will keep us in optimum shape for the day we hit the approach trail in Georgia.The excitement and anticipation can be cut with a knife. This is such an honor to have the opportunity to hike the AT. I feel like I found a golden wrapper inside of a Willy Wonka Chocolate Bar!I often wear my backpack loaded to get my shoulders use to the strain. Today I got Lakota's backpack in the mail. Got a really nice "Outward Hound", large backpack. Lakota is fine with it when I did a test fit. He is so handsome with his backpack on.Still looking at a window of time to start the trail from late March to April 5th. April 5th being the absolute latest day to start the AT. Would like to avoid some of the late snowstorms, however Lakota would love to be there in the middle of them. Snow is his bestest weather friend. Will post more on this page with thoughts as this journey gets closerUpdate: Lakota not thrilled at first with backpack as it keeps him from getting close to objects like his usual routine. It is funny indeed to watch him. Him not thrilled when he got spun around a few times. The look on his face, Priceless. He did adjust, and taking it rather well. I will keep his backpack weight down. He weighs 93lbs. but I know the backpack carries different for him than my own. He is so sweet and such a good worker. Peace Out
Date: 2012-02-09
To: Walking with Spring!
Miles today: 0.0

First off, I want to thank my sister Robin for her encouragement on this hike. Today is her Birthday! Happy Birthday Robin!Robin has been subjected to my dreams of hiking the AT for years upon years. She never lost faith in me. Thank You Robin!The dream of this hike has been with me for decades now. Over the past handful of years I have tried hard to find a way to make this hike happen. The folks who run Trail Journals can view my inactive trail journals dating back to 2007. Life's circumstances just made it impossible. This year it is all falling into place beautifully. It is surreal to say the least. Photographing wildflowers is a hobby of mine. The thought of all the wildflowers we are going to experience as we walk north with Spring, is AwEsOmE. This is definitely not going to be a speed hike, nor do I want it to be. I get anxious over my legs and their ability to carry this extra pack weight. Last night I was pondering over this, then I remembered a few years ago in the garden. I was working a 2 acre garden on my hands and knees. I simply crawled through the rows. I couldn't walk but I could crawl like Superman! So I laughed last evening as I thought maybe a pair of knee pads in the pack might be a really good idea? And some good leather gloves. One thing for certain, I will be taking in whats around me, not steaming down the trail. Not rushing the next mile but smelling the rhododendrons as we progress north. I am not a quitter and I am not sure if I will make it to Maine this year, but I will find out how far Lakota and I can make it in 7 months.
Date: 2012-02-23
To: Narrowing down our start date!
Miles today: 0.0

Greetings! Today is Lakota's 3rd birthday. He seems to know something is brewing with the new backpack, and I know he can sense my excitement.We are narrowed down to last few days of March to the first couple days of April, to begin our adventure.Two weeks and we begin our journey in a southerly direction. Have friends and family to visit with as we go. Going to take our time and make the journey to Springer Mountain, a Journey in itself.Somewhere around the 3rd week in March, we will be in Little Rock to visit my Mom, my sister Debbie, and my hero and nephew, John. Looking forward to the charm of the south, and spring unfolding in the southern Ozark Mountains.Figure we will watch the weather fronts over Georgia as we make our decision on exact day we start. Would really like a clear day at Springer, but then again so does everybody else. I am so nervous about the wind down. It is absolutely exhausting taking a ride on the Adrenaline Train to Springer! Be so glad to be on the AT, and just let it sink in some. My favorite quote during 12th grade, 1977; "I went to the woods because I wished to live life deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life ....and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."Henry David Thoreau Our first day will be a short one for sure. Just want to take in the fact we are there, actually on the Appalachian Trail! Lakota senses all the excitement inside me. He doesn't know what is up, but he sure knows somethings up! lol I can't wait for the experiences on our way, the people, the trail family, the mountains, the smells, the sounds.I know this hike will be hard. It will be times of blessings and times of great fatigue. I walk into this full knowing, No Pain, No Rain, No Maine.40 days or less, Houston we are ready. Looking forward to meeting my 2012 classmates and teachers. We are going to be an Awesome Class. AT class of 2012 Rocks! Peace Out