morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Perkins Drive-Bear Mountain State Park
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: mist

Evergreen and Blue had arrived at the shelter just before dark last night. It was so cold I had been inside my sleeping bag as soon as I finished dinner. I had most of my clothes on to stay warm. It also rained most of the night. I planned to leave late in the morning to give BBH a chance to catch me. He had planned a big day yesterday. I left the shelter about 9:30 and hiked a mile to Tiorati Circle where there is a beach with vending machines and rest rooms. I found an outlet and plugged in my phone to charge and killed time under the pavillion out of the rain. There was no need to hurry as I would be hiking about 8 miles today and didn't want to arrive early and be cold at the higher elevations of the NY shelters. After feasting on good vending grub I turned on my phone to find I had a message from Hammock Hanger. She would be passing by Bear Mountain about 5PM. I gave her a call and made plans to meet her at the top of Bear Mountain at the tower if I could make it there in time. We would get a motel room and wait for BBH to catch up. A short time after that I got a message from BBH saying he had only covered 6 miles yesterday and was at a motel in Greenwood Lake. He was now further behind and was obviously not intent to catch me. After the usual NY ups and downs I arrived at William Brien Memorial Shelter. It is upsetting to see these shelters trashed the way they are in the NY area. Spray paint, discarded gear, food, even six inch thick air mattresses abandoned there. The trails in this area have no switchbacks. Much of it is very old trail and nothing has been done over the years to help prevent erosion. The trail heads straight up or down and the soil erodes leaving only loose rocks. Hikers tend to walk to the side of the rocks and widen the trail. In places the trail is twenty feet wide or ribbons of multiple trails intertwined. It is hard to understand why it is like this as this trail is located within the second largest park in NY State. It is not a case of the trail corridor being very narrow. Continuing on I soon crossed the Palisades Parkway - much easier this hike as it was not a holiday weekend. In '04 it took me over a half hour to beat the traffic across. After the climb from there I realized it would not be possible to get to the tower on Bear Mountain before HH and contacted her about meeting at Perkins Drive. We both got to Perkins at about the same time - only she could not get passed the closed gate. For some reason the road to the tower was closed to traffic and with limited cell coverage we had some problems connecting. Eventually I walked down Perkins Drive and met her at the gate. We headed into Fort Montgomery for the night. Once there we ate and did laundry and made plans for tomorrow. I don't think it would be a good choice for her to hike this area because of all the rocks and slippery trail. Goodnight,Lwop
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Bentville, VA

To: Salt Springs, Florida
Miles today: 0.0

After a wonderful kayak trip HH and I resumed our trip back to Florida. The last day on the water we saw a Bald Eagle, Osprey, Nesting Blue Heron with numerous babies, Piliated Woodpecker, and a cow giving birth. We also went through the biggest rapids of the trip - wet but upright. It was a two day drive from Front Royal to Florida and we drove most of it in rain. We have no complaints though as we had perfect (though somewhat hot) weather through the whole kayak trip. With temps into the 90's we passed on the idea of hiking in VA. Besides, Mrs. Lwop needed some help caring for our diabetic cat who had developed numerous complications. The poor cat, who earlier in the day could barely walk, almost ran out to greet me. Heck, even Mrs. Lwop was pleased to have me home. It is now time to thank the many people who played a part in my hike. First the trail maintainers - thanks for your hard work. Next, the crew at the Outhouse in Unionville who gave me some wonderful memories and inspiration (Vincero), all the people of Palmerton and Duncannon (especially at the Doyle Hotel), those who took pity on us and offered rides to trailheads, Bob (U-Turn) for the slack packing, Hammock Hanger for a wild whirlwind tour of the entire East Coast and transportation home, Bear Bag Hanger for sharing much of the hike with me, and all those who signed my guestbook or otherwise gave encouragement. Thanks Mrs. Lwop for putting up with being married to a hiking bum. And thanks to everyone else my three live brain cells forgot to mention. Sorry this journal and the hike got cut short. I consider it postponed - not aborted. Ya'll enjoy your hike. Lwop
Date: 2009-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am very excited about hiking the AT. I can not imagine the experiences I am about to encounter but I am determined to do my best and God willing persevere all the way to Katahdin ¢ the end of the trail and the place I am most familiar.I have no doubt that without the support of my family this adventure would not have materialized. My husband keeps the home fires burning and will prepare my mail drops. He will meet me a few times along the trail. My daughter Heather is helping me with the Trail Journals. Her family will spend one week in July along the trail keeping me company. A week ago my son Mike called me and asked if I wanted company. I am very excited to have my son as a hiking partner!March 26th I will begin my trek north from Springer to Katahdin. Now I am about to embark on a dream come true.
Date: 2009-03-29
From: Katahdin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 30.7

At first mail drop of Neels Gap, so far 30.7 miles down...2,147.6 miles to go. The initial days have been extremely rainy, and as a result all of the gear and sleeping bags are wet and I have been unable to escape the cold and dampness. I also have feet full of blisters, several in severe condition. I have mailed home much of the wet gear and sleeping bag, and have been outfitted with some more appropriote and warmer down coat and sleeping bag.Having my son, Mike with me for the initial leg of the journey has been even a greater pleasure than I could imagine. More updates to come.
Date: 2009-04-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

A trail angel brought me into Franklin to pick up an emergency supplemental 2 day supply kit, some errands, and to have some quick medical treatment of my blisters. I will head back to the trail shortly to spend the night. I am finding the pack is still too heavy for my liking, and have reduced even more from my pack, and will eliminate a meal from my mail drops - now reduced from every 8-ish days, to more frequent, but lighter/ less of a load to a 4 day supply. My spirits are high, and I am enjoying meeting so many wonderful trail buddies.Looking forward to sending more updates soon.
Date: 2009-04-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Total miles done 135 miles to the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) spending two nights here in this heated shelter, as the temperatures have dropped to 4 degrees. I slack packed to gain some miles instead of holding out for a day. On my way back to the NOC, I was hiking in waist deep snow. Today I will be picking up another meal pack in Fontana Dam, NC and looking forward to the weather forecasted to be 60's on the trail and 70's at the base.I am averaging about 15 miles a day, which is break-neck speed and is not affording any time for my blisters to heal. I am continuing to cut back on my meals (now down to sharing the dinner meal with Mike), but am finding that the trips into town are giving me more opportunities to eat and minimize the pack weight.Every day is having its wondrous and miserable experiences, but all are experiences I will not soon forget, and meeting up with some wonderful fellow hikers.Chat soon,Madelyn
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Fontana Dam, Nc.

To: Hot Springs,Nc.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This is Ed, Madelyn¢s husband.I know she has many friends and well wishers wanting to track her adventures along the AT. She is making good progress each day (on average 15+ miles a day) and arrives at campsite or shelter very late in the day totally exhausted, cold and hungry. As a result, she has not been as active as she would like in her journaling, but I will try to keep you updated on her travels along the AT.   Also her only means of communication with me is with her cell phone which she uses for only very short periods of time (to conserve battery life)to let me know where she is, where she expects to be at a certain time, where and what she needs for food or supplies to be mail dropped, etc.Here are some of Madelyn¢s latest updates:Thurs. (4/9/09)   mile 162 - Left Fontana Dam, NC and entered the Smokey Mt. National Park and will have limited access to local supplies until she gets to Hot Springs, NC. (estimated 9 hiking days) It was also here that she and Mike reduced their pack weight again and sent home lots of extra gear and reduced the amount of food that they will carry. Fri. (4/10/09)   mile 187 - Arrived at Derrick Knob ShelterSat. (4/11/09)   mile 196 - Spent the night on top of Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT. at 6643 ft. elevation.   It was very cold at night with a lot of snow, and not much sleep. At this point they decided that they must attempt to push onward to exit the smokey mt. national park as soon as possible, because they were cold and were not caring a sufficient amount of food to travel at normal pace. They averaged well over 20 miles per day.Sun. (4/12/09)   mile 205 - Passed through Gatlinburg TN. about 10:00 a.m.Weds. (4/15/09) mile 272 - Exited the Smokey Mountains and arrived in Hot Springs, NC. A welcome sight, picked up our mail drop from home and got to restock our supplies.Thurs.   (4/16/09)   It was also in Hot Springs that our son, Mike, who took a month off from his work to travel with Madelyn felt that he must return home. Today Mike and Madelyn are traveling in separate directions. Mike is taking a shuttle to Ashville for his return flight to Boston on Sat. and Madelyn once again set off on the AT. headed for Erwin TN. I know Madelyn will forever have a special place in her heart for Mike and all the support they gave each other and the adventures shared together.As a general statement weather condititions have not been kind to the AT hikers this year. Every day is either rain, or snow, cloudy, or cold days. In fact Madelyn said that she has had only 2 days of decent weather since she started.I will try to keep you guys posted on Madelyn's progress.
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Hot Springs,Nc.

To: Erwin,Tn.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Leaving Hot Springs I am grateful for the initial weeks that my son graciously spent with me, and now I am travelling officially on my own, but I never feel truly alone, as I am surrounded by so many wonderful people both on and off the trail.4/16/09   Hot Springs, NC. Mile 272 - today I spent some additional time in town, leaving Hot Springs around noon, but feeling refreshed, I was still able to hike 11 miles before calling it a day, tenting in a marked area along the trail. I saw my 1st snake nest today, a nest of approximately 20 to 30 snakes. As I backed away to avoid contact, I fell down backward, and you can imagine my reaction. You never can tell what you will run into along the trail. 4/17/09   Flint Mt. Shelter   Mile 304 - Traveled 21 miles today and spent the night in the Flint Mt. Shelter.4/18/09 Bald Mt. area - Traveled another 20 miles today. Arrived at the top of Big Bald Mt. by 6:00pm but decided to push onward, unfortunately I was caught up in darkness as I approached my targeted camping area it was full, so I set up my tent on the less-than-ideal side of the Mt. and settled in for the night.   I saw my first bear today, about 20 yards from me.4/19/09 Erwin TN Mile 340 - Arrived in Erwin about 2:00 today retrieved my mail drop from Ed and restocked my supplies. Am looking forward to spending the night in a nice hostel here.The weather has been nice and I have been enjoying the scenery and this stretch of about 68 miles is pleasant hiking. I recognize I¢m not the fastest hiker, but I¢ve come into my own hiking regime of getting up early, and hiking longer, with an average of 15-20 miles a day is a nice balance of making my way homeward bound without sacrificing the great experience along the way.Tomorrow I will slack pack backwards (get a ride 20 miles up the trail & hike backward to Erwin without my pack & get to sleep in a real bed again). What a real treat!!!!4/20/09   I am on the trail again hoping to reach Damascus, VA (mile 463) in about 8 days.Each and every day I am grateful to those around me for their support and encouragement.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Springer Mt., Ga.

To: Roan Mt. Tn.
Miles today: 0.0

Departing from Erwin, TN is another cold spell for the next 3 days, I reached Iron Mountain Gap (mile 360) on 4/20/09, then onward to Stan Murray Shelter on 4/21/09. Today it was very cold and snowed with an accumulation of 3 inches of snow. It¢s hard for me to believe that here in Tennessee it is snowing while back in my home state of Maine is much warmer spring weather.Today, April 22, I reached Roan Mt., TN (mile 388). After making my way 11 miles along the trail in the high winds, I am very much looking forward to the creature comforts that the hostel will provide. Spending time getting warm and sharing some great stories with my fellow thru hikers. Looking forward to hitting the trail after a nice night sleep.
Date: 2009-04-26
From: springer mt. ga

To: Damascus,Va.
Miles today: 432.3
Weather: clear sky

Well, I have been on the AT for just 30 days now and have reached Damascus, VA (mile 463). To date I have been average just over 15 miles per day.While I am not purposely trying to get so many miles in each day, it¢s a pace that suits me, and I am trying to make some progress while I can.The weather on the way into Damascus was much nicer with temp reaching into the low 90's, almost too hot for comfortable hiking, but still a nice change from freezing in the cold.I am staying in a nice Bed & breakfast here in Damascus. This B&B has been one of the most pleasant for me and the people are just so genuinely nice and helpful to us thru-hikers. They gave me rides around town so I could pick-up my mail drop and resupply. While I am here, I will also send a few more things home to Ed.Tomorrow I will be off to the next destination point, Pearisburg VA. (mile 625), and if all goes well I should reach Pearisburg in roughly 11 to 12 days.This stay in Damascus has been such a pleasant surprise, and a nice respite along the trail. I am happy, healthy and enjoying meeting so many wonderful people. I will check in soon.
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Damascus,Va.

To: Troutdale,Va
Miles today: 0.0

Today I am leaving Troutdale, VA (mile 512) after hiking 49 miles in 3 days from Damascus, VA. I have asked Ed to send my stove back to me along with food for cooking. It is such a hard decision ¢¦go light for easier hiking, but go hungry¢¦¢¦ or pack the extra weight (food/stove/etc.) and eat a little better. Right now I am opting for more food.What I am enjoying most is that there isn¢t a day that goes by that I don¢t strike up an interesting conversation with people along the trail. The friendship among the thru-hikers is quite extraordinary.
Date: 2009-05-03
From: Troutdale,Va

To: Bland,Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today I am in Bland VA (mile 583).I am making excellent progress on the trail, and my pace is growing up to 20 miles one day and 21 miles the next.All is well, but am very hungry as I hiked all day today without food. I was able to get a ride into town to restock some basic food.I had an interesting experience hiking into Bland, a local farmer fired off some warning shots to let me know that I was hiking near his property (even though I was on the marked trail). You encounter many different experiences along the trail!I will be in Pearisburg, VA (Mile 626) within the next 2 or 3 days and looking forward to a mail drop waiting for me with much needed supplies.I¢ll continue to keep you posted as I progress. I am determined to continue all the way to Mt. Katahdin.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Bland,Va.

To: Pearisburg,Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Just got in from the trail tonight at about 8:45 P.M. from Pearisburg, VA (Mile 626). I am exhausted and hungry, but I am satisfied that I was able to hike the 43 miles from Bland to Pearisburg in 2 days. I checked into the rendezvous motel, retrieved my mail drops, did laundry and crashed for the night.The next morning (May 6) the thoughtful owners of the motel let me borrow their car so that I could go to town to restock supplies, eat, and go to the post office.   I slept in a little longer today, and plan to do a short mileage day today, about 12 miles to recharge a little.If all goes according to plan, Ed hopes to join me in Waynesboro, VA (Mile 853) on or around May 18. Ed will attend the birthdays of our beloved granddaughters Morgan (age 6) & Madison (age 3) on May 16 and then travel on to meet me. I of course would love to be there for the birthdays, but the trail must go onward and upward. That¢s all for now, but will check in when I can.
Date: 2009-05-11
From: Pearisburg,Va.

To: Cloverdale,Va. (us220)
Miles today: 0.0

I reached U.S. highway 220 in Cloverdale, VA (Mile 718) early today and checked into the Howard Johnson Motel.I did all the usual, laundry, dried out the gear, took a shower, retrieved my mail drop, and restocked supplies.In general it has been rainy and overcast, but had one day this week with great weather conditions and excellent views. I¢ve had many days of very violent lightning on the mountain tops.She had a nice surprise waiting for her at the motel....Wayne (¢Fig¢) Newton! Fig Newton has completed the AT twice and was my primary source of technical support prior to the start of my trip. Fig Newton (with Ed's help) was able to determine her potential location at a time that he was in the area and wanted to join me. We will go out for dinner this evening. I am ever-impressed with the extent of one thru hiker will go to support another hiker. THANK YOU FIG NEWTON for everything!Ed is home preparing to join me in Wyanesboro, VA sometime next week.Tomorrow I will have completed more that one third (1/3) of my journey to Katahdin.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Greetings, Friends,   I am at the Waynesboro Public Library this evening taking time to read my messages and it is so great to hear from so many old and new friends. The AT has been a great experience so far and everyday is an awesome experience. My blisters have healed and today I traded in my second pair of boots for cross trainers. Huurray for lighter footware. I have now passed 850 miles and am anxious to reach Harpers Ferry, the unofficial halfway mark on the trail.      Everyday something unimaginable happens. The views are fantastic like going over the Balds and seeing nothing but mountains as far as you can see. When I am least expecting it a great sight will come over the next hill like The Guillotine or a beautiful waterfall. The magnolia groves are massive and now in bloom. The mountain laurel,dogwood tree and azelas are beautiful.The wild honey suckle are in blossom and I can smell them long before I come upon them. I am pleasantly surprised by the animals that dart about; the squirrels, birds of every kind and deer. All the spring flowers, many I do not know, keep me snapping photos to identify later. Some are familar to my native Maine such as Lady Slippers, bluets, violets of white, yellow and purple.       The best part of hiking is the tremendous support from thru hikers and friendships I am making along the way. At the shelters and while hiking my fellow hikers are a very cool bunch. Volunteers who give us rides into town, and trail magic has beeen very inspirational.   A special thank you to all of you following my journal and your thoughtful and encouraging support.Madelyn
Date: 2009-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Special message for Kendra Tompkins & Marisa Gomez ( 5th grade students who are following madelyn along her journey on the AT as part of a school project.)This is Ed, Madelyn's husband.Madelyn does know that you are following her progress along the AT, but she does not have ready access to a computer to write to you personally while she is on the trail, but will write to you when she completes her trek or sooner.I think that you picked a good person to follow as she is a retired school teacher, and is totally supportive of your educational endovers.She also leads by example and believes that no matter your age (young or old) you can accomplish anything you want in life if only you try hard enough, as you can see from her accomplishments on the AT.Best of luck in school, and remember to do your best always.Ed, Madelyn's husband
Date: 2009-06-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

   It has been quite awhile since I Have had a chance to update all my friends following along on my A.T. adventures, so I will try to give you a quick update.   Ed, my husband, met me in Waynesburo, Va. for 3 days & 4 nights. This gave me the chance to sleep in a real bed for 4 nights and eat regular food.With Ed's help I slack packed thru part of the shennies, doing only abour 15-16 miles per day,but still almost like a vacation without the pack.   On May 26 I achieved a real milestone, arriving at Harpers Ferry,WV. (the unofficial halfway point) 2 months to the day from when I started from Springer Mt. Ga.   2 months down--2 to go????   I am currently at Deleware Water Gap,Pa. (mile 1284) and tomorrow morning I will cross the bridge into New Jersy.   For the past few weeks I have been traveling with about 5 very nice young men in their 20's who have the same work ethic as I have and although we travel at different paces during the day we plan to meet and camp at the same sites at night. This a great feeling as we all support each other.   I have had so many interesting experiences that I will share with you all when I return home. Thank you for your intrest in my journey.   Madelyn
Date: 2009-06-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Dear friends, it¢s been a while since I've had a chance to write an update, but I am moving north.I reached Harpers Ferry on my 65th birthday, May 26th, exactly two months from when I began. At this point I am pleased with my progress of staying injury-free which has allowed be to reach the half-way point one month faster than my originally estimated time to arrive at Harpers Ferry.Since Harpers, Ferry, West Virginia the crowd has thinned out, and there have been times when I have not seen another thru hiker for a couple days.The scenes in Pennsylvania were picturesque walking through the vast farmlands of the Pennsylvania Dutch. To date, the many historic sites and battlefields have made the long days of hiking memorable.After hiking through PA, then came New Jersey quickly followed by New York where I spotted the first glacial ponds, some bears and climbed through many rocky areas.Continuing North through NY, I am currently in CT, birfly and will be in Massachusetts in just a few days.I have spent my share of nights in shelters, campsites, hostels, B&B's and a rare motel/ Inn.We¢ve had our share of rain, which is slow going, and less than glamorous, but on the good days and the trail is dry I can make some good time safely. Speaking of treacherous, there have been many ¢memorable¢ times crossing rain-swollen streams and slippery rocks which keeps me sharp.I am in good spirits and I am taking each day one day at a time, and as always I am ever grateful to the wondrous spirit of my fellow thru hikers, which bring me support in more ways than I can count.Thank you all for your support and will send another update soon.Madelyn