morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-10-02
From: Katahdin Ironworks Road

To: Otter Pond Side Trail near Long Pond Stream Lean T
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: moderate rain

Got a nice early shuttle with Rich from AMC Gorman Chairback Lodge to the trailhead at Katahdin Ironworks Road to hike our 15 miler to Otter Pond side trail to our car which Shaw¢s was leaving there for us. There were several wet spots which we navigated well to keep our shoes dry. We climbed our very long steep Chairback Mountain which included some hand over hand rock scrambles. Had a minimum of 4 mountains to climb ¢ Chairback, 3rd Mountain, 4th Mountain, and Barren Mountain. Very challenging in one day. But hey, Climb Every Mountain, Ford Every Stream, Follow every rainbow, Til you find your dream ¢ and that dream is to complete the AT successfully!Somewhere along the way we had a stream crossing which would normally be a rock hop. I wasn¢t sure if I¢d make it across but tried to use a log against a rock to maneuver across. Oops! I slipped because the log wasn¢t stable and was in water above my knees with my shoes which I had been drying out for 2 days! After scurrying out as quickly as possible and being comforted by Peace, we moved on. Once again, I chanted ¢it doesn¢t matter any more¢ as I no longer took as much care to avoid the wet spots on the trail since my shoes were already soaked.Further along, both Dave and I had a couple falls. On one fall, I slipped on the rock like last year, but instead of hitting my head, I just hurt my tailbone and left wrist bending it backwards. I continued to hike using my poles but the wrist got worse so I put the other pole in the pack with some help from another thru hiker and proceeded with one pole. I had to sit and slide at places where I would normally use the polls for support. The wrist hurt when I would slip and got worse as we neared the end of the hike. So I went to the ER in Greenville to make sure it was okay. No fracture or dislocation, just a sprain with swelling. So the very nice doctor who had treated a lot of hikers in the area over the past 8 years gave me a brace and ice. He said he learned a long time ago that it doesn¢t do any good to tell a hiker not to hike.After the hospital, we stopped at the first restaurant for raspberry pie ala mode. Then proceeded to find a motel since it is too noisy at Shaw¢s for me to get a good night¢s sleep. We found Greenville Inn which had a cottage which was very nice and turned in after a hot bath. Tomorrow we go to Manchester, VT, and begin hiking again the following day with David Brickley.
Date: 2012-10-03
From: Greenville, ME

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a lovely breakfast at Greenville Inn ¢ blueberry cream cheese casserole, OJ, and fresh fruit ¢ to some very soft mellow music. Updated journals and emails. Drove to Manchester Center, VT, in a little over 7 hours enjoying the fall colors along the way. Picked up an elderly hitch-hiker in Monson going to his bank in Guilford 11 miles away.Arrived at our very nice vacation rental in Manchester Center, unpacked and organized for the hike the next day. Dave Brickley joined us after his long drive from VA. Reviewed hiking plans, watched the Presidential Debates, and got a good night¢s sleep.
Date: 2012-10-04
From: Mad Tom Notch USFS 71, Manchester Center, VT

To: Old Rootville Rd, Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Drove cars to VT 11/30 where Dave Brickley left his car. Shuttled to Mad Tom Notch USFS 71 and we hiked south while Dave drove our car to Old Rootville Rd and walked to his car at VT 11/30. He had already done the portion we were doing. Met a couple section hikers and a large group of young men from a Mountain School hiking. Dolly has been section hiking the AT from GA north on her vacations for the past 27 years! She missed VT last year because of Hurricane Irene and didn¢t want to hike out of sequence so she was just catching up today. Her friend Joe is trying to catch up with her hike so he can finish the remainder with her.It was misty in the morning and turned to lighter rain during the hike. We were warmed up in the 60¢s so it wasn¢t bad. The terrain was such a nice difference from what we had just hiked in ME. Still had some roots, rocks and mud, but not as bad, and we had very minor elevation gains compared to hiking 4 mountains all over 3,000 feet in elevation.We finally ran into Dave Brickley who had been delayed due to an extra 1.8 miles up Rootville Rd which wasn¢t real navigable by car. I hadn¢t read the directions carefully enough to realize that. So we¢ll have that extra to add to our next hike of 12.6 miles in order to use the same access.We found an electronics store in Manchester Center because I couldn¢t get my battery charger USB to fit into the phone for charging last night. The clerk showed me I had a separate port that the USB fit easily into and I was trying to get it into the wrong port! So glad I don¢t need a new phone or battery charger!We bought some groceries, had a hot shower, and ate a late lunch/early dinner at the house. Now we have to decide which hike we¢re doing tomorrow. We have a choice of hiking the 2-day overnight in a shelter in sleeping bags tomorrow in 75 degree highs and 50¢s lows with rain starting late in the night ¢ or ¢ hiking Sun-Mon with 50¢s for the highs and 32¢s for the lows with no rain. Tough choice. We¢ll vote later this evening.
Date: 2012-10-05
From: Stratton-Arlington Rd/Kelly Stand, VT

To: Goddard Shelter, VT
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

We all agreed to do the two day overnight shelter stay and last night shuttled our car to the ending point at VT 9 Bennington, VT, before looking for a place for dinner for Dave Brickley. He wanted to go to Ye Old Tavern but they were booked so found another restaurant. We were very grateful after Peace discovered his car keys were missing to find them in the driveway of Ye Old Tavern. Thank you, God!So we hiked 12.5 miles to Goddard Shelter. It was very challenging carrying a heavier pack for both Peace and me¢sleeping bags, pads, warm clothes, extra food and water and rain gear. We also had a lot of slippery mud, roots, and rocks, but for the most part the ground was navigable. Peace fell once and was glad for only a little scrape to his thumb.We were happy to get to the fire tower which was just a little ways from the shelter. I started singing the hallelujah chorus! We decided to climb the tower since we wouldn¢t have a lot to do in the shelter. I climbed until I could see the mountains above the tree tops. I didn¢t want to go further as the platform and steps were getting smaller.We proceeded to the shelter and were glad to see a front porch that would help keep the predicted evening rainfall off us while we slept. We met two section hikers staying at the shelter with us who also plan to hike the AT in two years as thru hikers ¢ Crockett and Darwin. I swept the shelter out before setting up our pads and sleeping bags. We filled one empty water bottle with water from the spring and put a purifying pill in it for backup water for the next morning. Peace had oatmeal and we both shared a bag of frozen mixed vegetables and cheese spread and triscuits for dinner.Crockett and Darwin tried to start a fire unsuccessfully then made their dinner while we turned in since it was after dark. We eventually fell asleep around 8pm. I woke up at some point and realized it was about to rain so went to the privy real quick. I went back to sleep and was awakened by a downpour. I put our rain ponchos on top of our sleeping bags in case the rain came in. It was nice listening to the rain. Eventually it let up, then there was quiet, then it started again. I fell back to sleep at last. Then I was awakened by David Brickley making noises with his pack which was hanging from the designated hangers. I learned the next morning that he had heard a mouse in his pack and was trying to get it out. He then rehung his food bag and went back to sleep. Glad I didn¢t know it was a mouse at the time or I might have had even more of a problem getting back to sleep. It was hard getting back to sleep without my knee pillow, neck pillow, and wedge pillow, and the comfort of my bed, but eventually did. Then Peace¢s watch alarm went off around 5:15am and we struggled to silence it in the dark. That woke Dave Brickley up and we pretty much didn¢t get back to sleep after that, getting up when it was light enough to see.
Date: 2012-10-06
From: Goddard Shelter, VT

To: VT 9, Bennington, VT
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

After repacking everything and eating breakfast, we started hiking our next 10 miles from Goddard Shelter to VT 9 in Bennington, The pack was a hair lighter but still difficult going uphill. I¢m so grateful Peace carries the heavier things for me or I wouldn¢t be able to finish this hike!Although rain had been predicted for on and off during the day, it held off til we just finished the hike. Thank you, universe, once again. The ground was still dryer towards the top of the mountain where it gets more wind and sun than the lower parts. We were happy as always to finish the day¢s hike, get home to a shower and clean clothes, and had late lunch/early dinner at Gringo Jack¢s Mexican restaurant in Manchester Center.Dave and Peace went to retrieve Dave¢s car so we can hike the next hike tomorrow from Stratton-Arlington Rd to Old Rootville Rd. It will be about 12.5 AT miles with an extra 1.8 miles access road to the car parking lot on Old Rootville Rd. Only 3 more hikes in VT, then we¢ll try to get back to ME to finish our last 2 hikes before coming home.
Date: 2012-10-07
From: Stratton-Arlington Rd, Stratton, VT

To: Old Rootville Rd, Manchester Ctr, VT
Miles today: 12.6

After French toast, drove to Stratton-Arlington Rd and hiked our 14.3 miles for the day. It was relatively easy hiking, not a bad uphill up Stratton Mountain, and mud, but not too much mud. No falls today. It was overcast but no rain. Hurray!Met the Stratton Pond Caretaker Madeline and asked her to let Dave Brickley know we passed by already if he came by. He told us later he got the message. He had stopped by the shelter for a sandwich and reflecting on his last major mountain climb before he finishes the AT soon.Enjoyed a lovely view of the mountains and Manchester Center from Prospect Rock before walking down Old Rootville Rd to our car. Drove back an hour to pick up our car at the beginning of the hike and then back home to take a hot bath before dinner at Ye Old Tavern. Had a delicious veggie lasagna and accompanying veggies, salad and cranberry fritters. Home again to pack for our next move.Tomorrow we hike from VT 9 in Bennington to County Rd, then overnight at the Holiday Inn in North Adams, MA.
Date: 2012-10-08
From: County Rd, VT

To: VT 9 Bennington, VT
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Shuttled our cars and hiked 11.2 miles from County Rd to VT 9 in Bennington. Lots of mud, overcast day, but, yea, no rain! Met two hikers¢Dupe and Fireball--who just completed the Long Trail and south-bounders on the AT¢Silly (aka Caboose on trail journals) (GA), Digger ¢ who showed us where the beavers were playing in a pond, and Hobo (GA). The beavers (although they behaved more like otters to me) swam closer to us, poked their heads out of the water staring at us, and talked to us or themselves. They didn¢t appear afraid and bat their tails on the water, so I¢m not sure they were beavers. But they were near a beaver dam. When I tried to get the camera out they went away.After we completed the hike, we picked up the other car and Dave set us up to hike .9 miles that we had more to do than him. So we completed Pattison Rd to Rt 2 in North Adams. Tomorrow we hike N to S from County Rd to Rt 2. Then we will be totally complete with the AT in VT.Dave¢s left leg had been bothering him and it was red and swollen after the hike today. We found out from Dawn at Shaw¢s that the water is too high due to rain so we decided to wait to complete the 2 remaining hikes in ME and come home after our hike tomorrow. Then Dave can have the doctor check his leg when we get home. He had something similar a while back where he had a spider bite that did the same thing. He¢s icing it now.We had a pizza for dinner, watched tv, and got ready for our final hike in VT. So happy to be going home after 41 days away.
Date: 2012-10-09
From: County Road, Stamford, VT

To: Rt. 2 North Adams, MA
Miles today: 8.1

Hurray! We completed the AT in VT today! All we have left is the 72 miles in Smokey Mountains, the 14 miles from ME 15 to Long Pond Stream, and Love has an additional 15 miles over Saddleback near Rangeley. We¢ve hiked over 400 miles this trip 8/29/12 through 10/9/12, 396 of them AT miles.We had a relatively easy hike today in overcast skies ending with some sun by a nice meandering brook. We said our goodbyes to David Brickley (Half Full) after reshuttling cars. He said he plans to have a party to celebrate his completing his remaining 24 miles the end of October with his wife (Half Empty).Dave gave me his website for the 911 Memorial Trail (www.911MemorialTrail.org). The trail will connect all the 911 sites with walking paths. He¢s also involved in the Rails to Trails program.Had a nice drive home. It was great to be home and see Mark, Marissa, and her cat Vyssa. It¢s nice having a cat in the house again. Spent the evening unpacking and will evaluate options for hiking the Smokeys in the next two weeks versus next September. Dave has an appointment with the doctor 10/10 for his leg and I have one on 10/11 to followup my wrist. I have a massage scheduled for 10/12. Looking forward to resting a long, long time.
Date: 2012-10-22
From: home

To: Gatlinburg TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

With this week of clear days and perfect temperatures and with the healing of my wrist and Dave's leg, we are excited to be driving down to Gatlinburg, TN, to finish our Appalachian Trail hike in the Smokey Mountains. We'll do only two overnights at two shelters on 10/24, Tri Corner, and 10/27, Spence Field. Our agenda is:Tues, 10/23 Drive to Gatlinburg, get rental car, and set up at Davenport Gap for tomorrow's overnighter. Wed, 10/24Drive from motel to Newfound Gap.Hike 15.7 miles S to N Newfound Gap to Tri Corner Knob ShelterOvernight Tri Corner Knob ShelterThu, 10/25Hike 15.6 miles S to N from Tri Corner Knob Shelter to Davenport GapDrive from Davenport Gap to MotelFr, 10/26Drive from motel to Newfound Gap. Park car.Drive 2nd car to Clingman¢s Dome.Hike 7.9 miles S to N from Clingman¢s Dome to Newfound Gap.Drive back to Clingman¢s Dome for car.Drive to Fontana Dam and park 1 mile N of Dam.Drive back to motel.Sa, 10/27Drive from motel to Clingman¢s Dome.Hike 16.4 miles N to S from Clingman¢s Dome to Spence Field ShelterOvernight Spence Field ShelterSu, 10/28Hike 16 miles N to S from Spence Field Shelter to Fontana DamDrive from Fontana Dam to Motel.Mo, 10/29Drive from Motel to Sevierville to return Car. Drive home.
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Home in Maryland

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0

We're off to finish our final two days of hiking on the AT in the Smokies. We will set up on Monday, 4/8, driving rental car from Sevierville, TN, to Fontana Dam, leaving our rental car up the trail as far as we can park it. Then we'll drive to Cades Cove Horse Stable to leave our pack to be carried up the next day. We'll overnight at Gatlinburg.Then Tuesday, 4/9, we'll drive our car to Clingman's Dome and start hiking to Spence Field Shelter where we'll overnight. Then Wedsnesday, 4/10, we'll hike out to our rental car in Fontana Dam, overnight at Fontana Village Resort.Thursday, 4/11, we'll drive back to Cades Cove to pick up our pack, to Clingman's Dome to pick up our car, then to Sevierville to return the pack, and drive to Roanoke for an overnight. Friday, 4/12, we'll drive the rest of the way home to Maryland.If anyone needs a lift on any of our routes, please let us know. We'll try to check our email each day except Tuesday when we're at the shelter.Love and Peace
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Skyland Lodge and Brunswick MD

To: Hawksbill Gap and Harpers Ferry Tow Path
Miles today: 0.0

Enjoyed meeting thru-hikers Vegas and Trudger on our short AT hike from Skyland Lodge to Hawksbill Gap and back on Mother¢s Day 5/12/13. On our way to hike Old Rag Mountain Monday 5/13/13, gave a ride to Rt.211 to Groundpounder so he could hitch to Luray for a resupply.When we biked on the C&O Canal Towpath on Tuesday 5/14/13, we met thru-hikers Witch Doctor and Clark Kent. We also ran into Texas Pete who completed the trail while we were hiking Maine AT last year. He was biking the distance of the C&O Canal Towpath with his girlfriend.We plan to finish our 3 days of hiking in Maine in September. We are also excited about biking the Florida Overseas Heritage Trail from Key Largo to Key West in April of 2014.Don't forget, let us know if any thru-hiker needs a ride to or from the Rockville, MD, area to or from Harpers Ferry, WVA, or nearby. You can stay overnight at our house on our sofabed as well as catch the subway to DC.
Date: 2013-09-06
From: Rt 4 Rangeley ME

To: Shaws Lodging Monson ME
Miles today: 0.0

Hi! Yesterday I (Love) completed the piece Peace did last year when I had to rest my sore toes - Perham Stream Logging Road to Rt. 4 Rangeley. We're at Shaw's now and pleasantly surprised to learn that ChinMusic who stayed with us when stopped at Harpers Ferry is here. He's slackpacking today what we're hiking tomorrow - the first 15 miles of the 100 mile wilderness. We have reservations for Daicey Pond cabin on Sunday, 9/8, and will summit Katahdin on Monday, 9/9. Then we will have completed the entire AT after over 15 years of section hiking.We were able to give some hikers rides to and from the trail while in Rangeley and met several along the hike over the Saddleback range. Monk let me know I could rock hop over Orbeton Stream, so Peace took my watershoes back for me after hiking a mile in with me. Met Jim and Mark who have been section hiking Maine for the past 4 years. We shared tips of how to break up the trail into day hikes. It was nice to know they were there in case I had problems. They got off at the top of Saddleback and hiked a ski trail down to their car at the lodge.Peace met me at the Piazza Lean To and hiked back down the last 2 miles with me. The trail was as challenging as I expected with each of the four summits being harder as I used up more energy. I thought hiking down from Saddleback the last 5 miles would be easier than it was. But the mud and puddles kept my feet slipping at lot on the rocks and roots. It was good preparation, however, for Katahdin.The views were wonderful from the many summits. I saw a snake, a downy woodpecker, a bird that looked like a shore bird, and wild turkeys. I enjoyed the quietness and fresh air on the trail. The wind was cold and especially strong on the summits.We're at Shaws overnight tonight, then AT Lodge tomorrow night, Daicey Pond Sunday night, and At Lodge again on Monday after the summit. Looking forward to completing all the strenuous climbs and having them behind me. Then we'll enjoy easier hikes in national and local parks, or even some of the AT in the local area.We're off to Greenville for an early dinner before turning in at Shaw's for tomorrows hike.Love and Peace
Date: 2013-09-07
From: Otter Pond access road

To: ME 15
Miles today: 15.3

What a beautiful day for a walk in the woods yesterday. We decided to go hike back to Otter Pond because of the large water hole we would have to wade through to go direct to the Long Pond Stream access.We saw a tent sitting on top of a ridge before hiking down the AT to the Long Pond Stream ford. I was tempted to sing "Oh, what a beautiful morning" at the top of my lungs as I have done in the past, but I resisted and am sure the hikers appreciated that. It was an icy cold ford early in the morning and I let out my whoops and yells to get me through the frigid water. I wonder if the tenters could hear that?We met many Northbound hikers as usual, including people we had met the night before at Shaws. It was helpful to exchange tips about the trail conditions. Wilson's tip about where to cross on the rocks at Little Wilson stream meant we only had two major fords to do. I was surprised the Big Wilson ford was not as high as it was the day before for ChinMusic and Techie. It was also a lot warmer than Long Pond Stream, although it did turn into a warm day close to 70.The trail conditions were still muddy, watery, rocky, rooty, as usual, but smaller ups and downs. Unfortunately, it was way too many ups and downs after a mile access to get to the AT it totaled 16.3--way too long of a day for me. Katahdin should seem like a piece of cake after doing the Saddleback range and the first 15 miles of the 100 mile wilderness. An added bonus about the hike was that it didn't start raining til we were just steps away from the car.Saw some views at the top of a couple peaks. Had difficulty finding our way across the railroad tracks, but after checking the map which showed a tiny jaunt to the right, we found it.We enjoyed catching up with ChinMusic at Shaws the night before. We met Alex, Techie, Sailor, Appollo, Queen Diva and Jean, Grizzly, Professor, Peaches, Heather, and were happy to see Mother Theresa who we had met in the Smokies in April.So we had a restful night at the AT Lodge. We're going for breakfast. Then we'll checkout and go to Daicey Pond cabin for a cold night in Baxter State Park and get up early tomorrow to do Katahdin. Hurray!An AT hiker's prayer: Thank you, God, for all the ups that help us appreciate the downs. Thank you, God, for all the roots and rocks that help us avoid the mudholes. Thank you, God, for the river fords that help us wash the mud from our bodies. Thank you, God, for the beautiful views, animals, and fellow hikers. And especially for the fresh air and wind that cools us when we're warm and reminds us of the power within us to actually complete the trail. Yea, God!
Date: 2010-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

In late August, LandCruiser and I plan to hike at least the Pennsylvania section of the AT together. LandCruiser has used this site to journal her previous hikes on the AT. I have journals of several trails but not of my previous AT hikes.In 2002, my brother and I hiked from Springer Mtn, Georgia to Erwin, TN. Then in 2005 we hiked to the MD/PA border. During the 2005 hike, we missed two separate small sections of the trail that I then hiked in 2007. I have hiked all the trail between Springer MTN and the PA line. I hiked the Long Trail of Vermont in 2007 so have done that 100 miles of the AT that runs with the Long Trail. It is now time to do more of the ATLandCruiser and I have been communicating via e-mail for two years trying to find a time that we can hike together. I think it is finally going to happen this year in August. Both of us would like to go as far as possible - for sure all of PA and I would love to do NJ, NY also. I'm sure it will depend on how many miles we do; what the weather is; family situations; and whatever life throws at us.It's very exciting to think about resuming my AT journey. Having done over 1000 miles, I want to keep going and become a 2000 miler!