morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-10-07
From: Katahdin Iron Works Rd/Shaw's

To: Carl A Newhall Lean To
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: moderate rain

So morning came quick! Got up and shuffling quickly. Breakfast would be soon and I had to pack food and all. Another fantastic AYCE meal at the Shaw¢s! Shag¢s decided to get to a dentist and Dawn arranged everything for him, so nice! LB & Sanman were still a go so no 0! Shag¢s will be a day behind but will catch up no doubt! I had enough time to run over to the other hostel (Lakeshore) to get this journal. See, I left it at the motel in Stratton and got word that Sue gave it to Blue Skies who¢s carried it until we met again! A million thanks girl!! She, Bismarck and Burl decided to flip. We¢re ahead of some folks since we¢ve been here slacking! We¢ll catch them on the flip-flop! So we set out for our hour+ ride to the trail! It was misty all morning but due to clear up later! Unfortunately it continued as we started up the 11 mi climb to White Cap and would never stop! There was a ford 1 mi in which was the easiest and shallowest yet but in trying to stay on the taller rocks (and not submerge my boots entirely) I managed to slip and fall in! Luckily it was only 12¢ deep! I got right up but only found 1 pole! Checked the camera-Whew! A rough and late start to a 13 mi day! I slowly trudged up and up (with 7 days food) and debated the entire 4.5 miles to the 1st shelter whether I could make the 13. When I finally arrived the guys were already changed and shared that they were done too! Enough! Thank goodness! I was going to have to split from them if they were moving on! We hung in the shelter, ate, visited, napped, Thin Mint and Co started arriving but unfortunately only had room in the shelter for 3 more. T-Bone tented with us but the other 3 continued on 1 mile up to a campsite. We all made dinner and I have been catching up/transferring info to my journal! 78.6 miles to Katahdin! Hopefully it won¢t rain the entire day tomorrow!
Date: 2010-10-08
From: Carl A Newhall Lean To

To: Crawford Pond & Beach Campsite
Miles today: 16.6

A great relaxing afternoon yesterday brought a nice morning and cold or not, it wasn¢t raining! We were all anxious to get gone! Socks and liners dried last night! I learned that you have enough time to dry both socks and liners if you wear them while sleeping. Since I wake up a time or two in the night I just change them when the first pair is dry! It¢s only bitter cold for a moment and WELL worth it! We conquered White Cap after 6 miles and 4 separate climbs! We didn¢t get that precious first view of Katahdin, but that¢s ok, she¢s still there and I certainly introduced myself! Thankfully our only ford didn¢t leave me sloshing-big yea! That was at mile 11 so dry feet most the day!! The whole gang had lunch at the shelter and we were off again! The terrain finally showed us some love! It started raining though, with 6 mi to Cooper Shelter and the light fading. LB and Bubba Bee were no more than 3 miles ahead and we hope to catch them with an early start! Gonzo and Bear Blaze are just ahead and they hope to catch them! Looks like we¢ll all get to summit together! LB & Gonzo started on the same day and I think it is so great they will finish together!! So Sanman and I did 3 miles after lunch and arrived at this awesome site! It¢s by a pond with beach, and provided an amazing sunset!! We set up during a break in the rain which faded shortly after~SWEET!!! We got in our comfy¢s and relaxed! Sanman brought Jalape±o cheese sausages and buns! Plus some Kool-Aid¢¦life is good! We¢re talking now of our Big K campsite. I can¢t remember if we can make reservations or not??? It¢s time to check that out! Holy cow!! 62 miles left! 4 days left! I¢m on the last page of my companion!! I¢m going to sleep tonight to the sound of waves crashing on the beach! Elevation: 1250¢. Surrounded by beautiful fall trees still going through the change! It is truly amazing!
Date: 2010-10-09
From: Monson,ME/Katahdin Iron Works Logging Rd

To: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite
Miles today: 40.6
Weather: broken clouds

Got an update from the wilderness! About 44mi from summit! Still hoping to summit Tuesday 10/12. ***Fantastic day! No rain, sun even!! 8:00 start, easy terrain and spectacular views the WHOLE way! A couple breaks and lots of eating! Really cool spring, many ponds and lakes! Went off a very short side trail for a view and found myself looking at Katahdin for the 1st time!! It was glorious!! The peak remains a mystery as her head is in the clouds, but WOW! Emotions were high! We¢ve come a LONG way to meet you baby!! I was excited to be with such great friends and have them there to share it with! We¢ve all been talking a little about post trail for a bit but now only 2 hiking days and nights remain! Sun and Mon, then summit Tues, 10/12 if weather will allow. This campsite is great! Big and beautiful with a big stream (small river really!) tucked just a short distance off the trail. Sanman and Bubba Bee got the fire going¢¦perfect! It¢s chilly in October in Maine We had a great night after a fabulous day in Maine!! We hung by the fire and reminisced. What a time this has been for all of us!! Today ranks top 10 for best day on trail for sure!! Only 2 nights left to camp in Maine! We¢re hoping for a 20, an 18 and dry weather!
Date: 2010-10-10
From: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was rough, easy, hard, really rooty and rocky, great weather; long-thinking we would do 21, then cut short when Sanman didn¢t want to risk finding a stealth spot. 3 great views of Katahdin, trail magic 2 times from local day/weekend hikers that I really needed (running short due to this insane appetite!) I was comforted greatly by Sanman when today¢s mileage got to me. (7 done & 13+ to go!) and I am so grateful! Beautiful scenery ALL day (as all of ME had been!) Leaves are starting to turn down low finally. Walked along rivers, lakes, ponds and streams all day pretty much! Not too cold tonight (or last) thank goodness! We stopped for lunch at a shelter when low and behold¢¦who walks up¢¦Shags!! Reunited again! Sure enough he had to have a tooth yanked! Ouch!! He¢s a diehard though and nothing would take him off the trail right now! A few miles later we found Bubba Bee at this campsite He said a moose walked right by his tent last night!! Wish I didn¢t sleep so soundly sometimes! We are all ready for The Birches (Katahdin¢s campground) tomorrow! 21 miles! We¢re all freaking out we¢ve come this far and have 1 day + Katahdin left! It¢s bittersweet for sure! Body is beat up and I¢m so very tired. Early start tomorrow and we should catch up with LB, Bear Blaze, Gonzo and Shags! Laura and Mike too. We¢ll have a good group to summit! Hopefully Tuesday is as awesome as today!!
Date: 2010-10-12
From: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite

To: KATAHDIN!!
Miles today: 44.0
Weather: broken clouds

RIPPLE WAS ON THE SUMMIT OF MT KATAHDIN AS OF NOON! She was able to get a call out on LB's phone. There was a group of 15+ hikers. The weather was NICE, clear, sunny and little wind. She'll be going into Millinocket this afternoon staying the night then heading to a friends in Maine. The plan is to start her Mass section around the 16th. I'm so inspired and proud right now.
Date: 2010-10-26
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester Center,VT
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

This section is complete! Ripple is off to Connecticut with Lowrider for a day or so...back to Indy for a few days...then back to Virginia to finish! I'll get some of her pictures this weekend and post a few. Stay tuned. Still just over 100 miles to go!
Date: 2010-11-05
From: Lewis Cabin & Campground

To: Rock Spring Hut (Shelter)
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

All is well folks and yes Ripple is still hiking. She took off from a short trip home to Indy back to Waynesboro,VA with Cindy D. on Halloween (no, we didn't win the campsite decorating contest) and started hiking on Monday. I hadn't heard from her until this morning and got a text as to where to meet her on Skyline Drive. Looks like Ripple will be done Tuesday! Done done. Let me say that again...done done. This will likely be the last time you hear from me. Ripple will update the journal with her final mileage when she gets home. Just like to say a few things. This has been a blast for me as well! I'm quite inspired by her whole journey itself of course, but watching her finish these last two sections after summiting Katahdin goes above and beyond. It's cold, it's been raining in VA and may snow, there were a lot of logistics involved to go back to MA/VT and VA sections to finish, the majority of NOBO hikers are home already and it would've been easy to push off a section for next year etc. I'd like to thank all that supported her. Off trail folks' love and support for Ripple was crucial for her head, heart and feet. AND on trail folks were wonderful as well. She still carries that lighter that says "It will be ok" applied by Peach, what a peach One of my personal favorite hiker stories is father/young son, Chili & Pepper. Chili is like 10 or 11, and what an experience and education. Shout out to both of you...and what a cool mom too! She has met lifetime friends, other hikers, trail angels, hostel owners, kind strangers...on and on. She's shared the forest with bears, moose, rattlers and assorted critters. She's been out in snow, rain, extreme heat with limited water sources, gusting winds and of course...some beautiful sunny days. She's done it, and will carry her adventure and it's lessons, forever. I asked her this weekend if she's ready for another hiking adventure, the PCT, maybe the CDT. She said there were others already planning on what's next there at the end...Ripple says she will be ready for another future adventure, but maybe on a bicycle, so she can sit down -Laura TPS. Her leg muscles are like bricks! Little hairy, but bricks
Date: 2010-11-14
To: 2179.4 miles later...
Miles today: 0.0

I am home! I did it!! I completed my hike on 11/9!! I crossed the finish line with LB to find LT (Turner) waiting right there! Filming it actually! The moment could not have been any sweeter!! With the sun shining on us all day the day could not have been better either!! A great 2nd encore! See, I feel like the trail was the show and journey (of a lifetime!!) Katahdin was the finale and then I was blessed with 2 encores!   As you'll see...LB, LT and I wound up in a very nice cabin LT found for the last 3 nights! I was slack-packed and living the high life after leaving Indy and I am SO grateful! Especially when the weather took a bad, luckily short, turn! I had just about had enough when those extra's (what great extra's and friends!!) came along and kept me walkin' on to finish this! I kept telling myself: you wouldn't quit with 40 or 10 miles to Katahdin, you've got to finish! So I did. Like Shags once said, "just keep walking!"Wed. morning LB headed out and over to NY to do a few more miles and we headed for home. Just like that! It was really done! I DO NOT HAVE TO HIKE TOMORROW...or the next day! "Lasts" and "firsts" have begun again, for the last time.I am home now and have been holed up watching movies. I've driven...to the bakery-ha! I've worn jeans and now I've fired up the computer! I was successful in hooking up the computer to the tv to view pictures-yea! So the picture project is in motion! Although, not sure how much I'll get done during the colts game but you can look for journal entries and pictures later tonight!! My body is healing. I'm in pretty good shape, just WORN OUT! I've felt like one giant bruise for last week or 2 of hiking and since but today I feel even better! I'm trying not to eat the whole house and have a sweet tooth I'll have to ween myself off of but like on the trail, one day at a time! Stay tuned...game on!! GO COLTS!
Date: 2010-12-08
To: Some entries added...
Miles today: 0.0

Hi all! I have a few entries typed up and ready to paste. 7/25-8/3 It's been real slow going the last few days as I became sick!! Sick, sick! Kidney and urinary tract infections! The meds are starting to work, thank goodness. It was really awful. I think the worst is over though-yea!! I hope so, I'm about to travel! I'm heading to Boston! Going to go visit Sanman, Boston Dan and hopefully a few others that are close!!That's the latest... I'm gonnna get to pasting and more typing!! Happy Holidays!!
Date: 2010-12-09
To: More entries added: 8/4-8/15
Miles today: 0.0

Feeling better every day, thank goodness!! Still laying around and resting but am excited I feel well enough to type while I am sitting around!! I am starting to work on my post~trail shin~dig! I am thinking January 22 but don't have a venue yet! I wanted to at least let folks know the date and hope you can save it! It will go on through the afternoon and evening I'm sure. I will be sending an email once I have the spot nailed down so stay tuned...and save the date!! Saturday, January 22nd!!
Date: 2011-04-06
To: Finally! I have awakened!
Miles today: 0.0

While the hiking is long over (I can't believe it's APRIL!) I am now back in action after quite a lull in activity! I am finally starting to contact my many hometown friends and getting together as well as my hiker friends! I've gotten back out in the woods thanks to the Hoosier Hikers and even wound up backpacking with Turner 1 night on my Trailiversary!!I am not working and feel as if I am ready to start looking. I will admit that the Trail is calling though! Many of my hiker friends are already back out there either hiking it or doing trail magic! I am organizing my post trail shindig and starting to plan a 140 mi thru hike that I hope many hikers will come out for! I've also added my written journal entries from 8/20 thru 10/10. I will finish adding the rest and also a few more pictures! I've got to get my gear rated on here too! So many FUN things I need to be doing! I am so very grateful!For those of you who came back to check on my journal...I appreciate it! I very much regret not getting this finished sooner for everyone!! Great intentions...finally the motivation!! Happy Trails Everyone! Stay tuned!
Date: 2009-11-20
To: Prep#1
Miles today: 0.0

Thinking about what needs to be done prior to my hike has become an exciting chore. Still haven't accumulated all my gear or decided on a concrete departure and ballpark finish date.As far as gear goes, I plan on hiking very light weight ala Ray Jardine, whose book "Trail Life" I am currently reading. I am also building/sewing my own "Ray Way" backpack kit which when finished will weigh in at under 1lb. All my other gear, sleeping bag/pad, henry shires tarp tent, etc. will be or has been purchased. More to come on preparation and scheduling.Anxiously awaiting the new year and the start of my journey in March; it's right around the corner.-riverdog
Date: 2009-12-15
To: Prep#2
Miles today: 0.0

Almost finished with my Ray-way backpack kit; its construction has proved to be very educational and rewarding. I will certainly order more of Ray's DIY kits in the future...see here, www.rayjardine.com.My responsibilities at work seem more inconsequential by the day, especially with my mind constantly drifting towards trip preparation and scheduling, not to mention enjoying the trail itself. I look forward to the simplicity of trail life and eagerly await its rewards in the months ahead.
Date: 2010-02-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am resigning from my position at work this coming Monday. My plan still has not changed. Leaving home Friday March 12th, en route to cousin's house in Kennesaw, GA with sister, brother in law, and Neice. They are going to drop me off a short ways from Springer Mountain on National Forest Road 42; I am skipping the approach trail. Getting nervous as the day draws nearer. Having some feelings of guilt as I am leaving my job without notice, on the other hand, if I had been fired or laid off would two weeks notice have been afforded me? Is this backwards logic? I think not.Hoping to make it out for a one or two night shakedown trip in the blue ridge next week. The plan is to hike the "roller coaster" as it is called on the AT; it's a section of trail located between routes 50 and 7 in Northern Virginia. Going to buy the last of my gear this weekend, still need a sleeping bag liner to increase (or decrease rather) the temperature rating of my 30 degree EMS bag. Some other loose ends to tie up as well, still very anxious to start my hike.To those already on the trail, for your sake and mine, I hope the weather warms up over the next couple of weeks so things become more manageable.
Date: 2010-03-12
To: Georgia bound
Miles today: 0.0

In the car headed to cousins house in roswell georgia. Pretty happy to finally be on the road, heading towards the start of the trail and the beginning of this journey. I don't really have anything profound to say about this trip, just that it's a really long walk in the woods. I know it is going to be hard at times, but I also know it will be enjoyable, and I wouldn't be taking this trip if I didn't think it was going to be a good experience. I'll try as best I can to update my status and location throughout, it depends on where I can get service on my blackberry though. Before I forget, I would like to thank my parents for letting me stay with them for the past few months, I saved a lot of money and we got along and spent some quality time together, thanks mom and dad. Also, thanks lauren and mike for the ride to atlanta, long drive...and thanks sarah, love you see you soon, and thanks to my friends.Start on monday, it's suppose to rain.
Date: 2010-03-16
From: Hawk mountain shelter

To: Woody gap
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: scattered clouds

This journal is for 3/15 and 3/16.Made it to hawk mountain shelter last night around 4. Got a decent cell signal and called home. Earlier in the day, we had a hell of a time trying to get to the springer mtn parking lot from the forest service road; Lauren and mike had to drop me off about a mile away from the lot because the mud was so bad, and they were driving a minivan. Once I started hiking things were great besides my left knee bothering me once I got to hawk mtn shelter. I pitched my tarptent about 50yards from the shelter and called it a day; ate yankee bean and chicken soup out of a bag for dinner, it was good. 3/16..woke up around 8 and got on the trail around nine, made good progress until my left knee again started bothering me; I guess is still need to get my trail legs. Hiked for a few hours with a dude from massachusets, no trail name yet. Knee felt better later on in the day and have made it to woody gap, took some nice pictures today from a couple of vistas along the way. Hope to leave early tommorow and make it to atleast neels gap. The weather was great today, sunny and mid to upper 50's, great hiking weather!
Date: 2010-03-17
From: Woody gap

To: Hogpen gap
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Slept a little better and got up early and hit the trail by 8am. Talked with some folks in camp before I left, was good for morale; one older guy in his 60's whose leukemia was in remission is attempting a thru-hike as well, making good time considering his circumstances.Hiked through lance creek and met up with two guys that started at springer same day I had; brian from connecticut, and bill from west virginia. We hiked together on to neels gap, over blood mountain which had a real old shelter at the top. When we got to neels gap, in the parking lot of the outfitter there was a church group cooking free burgers, our first trail magic as its called. Rested at the outfitter and had coffee to warm up, nice place. Hiked onto hogpen gap and set up camp right before it got dark. Made pretty good mileage, right at 17, knee feels good.
Date: 2010-03-18
From: Hogpen gap

To: Cheese factory site
Miles today: 17.4

Broke camp later today and hit the trail around 9:45. Hiked with brian and bill again, along with nugget. Made good mileage, but had a tough climb at the end of the day out of unicoi gap, up rocky mountain. Forgot to mention that I saw snow on the trail for the first time yesterday on the summit of blood mountain; took some pictures.Weather was cold and foggy this morning, made the mornings hike not so intereseting, by the time we made it to blue mountain it had cleared completely and was cool and clear the rest of the afternoon though. Feeling very strong on the ascents but not so on the descents. My left knee acts up a little with all the descents, taking some IB to manage, I expect it will get stronger with time, don't think it's cartilage or ligament issue.      Made it to cheese factory campsite around six, ate and setup camp quickly and turned in before dark around 7:45.
Date: 2010-03-19
From: Cheese factory site

To: Dicks creek gap. Hiawasee, GA
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Hit the trail at 9 today and had a tough early ascent up tray mountain. Saw snow again at the top of tray and took some pictures at the top. Weather was perfect today, high around 60 and sunny all day. Made it to dicks creek gap at around 4 and called blueberry patch hostel for a shuttle from the trail. Picked up my first maildrop from the hostel but didn't stay as the hostel is full and only tent sites are available. Staying at the holiday inn instead, nice to have a shower and to do laundry here. Ate at smokehouse bbq and am ready for bed. Gonna take it slow tommorow.
Date: 2010-03-20
From: Dicks creek gap. Hiawasee, GA

To: Bly gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

Woke up around 9:30 and went straight for the holiday inn's complimentary breakfast. Ate 3 cinnabons, a bagel, a bowl of cereal and drank 4 small cartons of milk. Went to ingles to pick up some things for the trail, then sorted through all my gear and decided on what to keep and what to send home/mail forward. Caught a shuttle from the holiday inn to the post office to ship things home; weather outside was perfect, mid 60's and sunny. Arrived at dick's creek gap around 12:30 and some thru-hikers from 2009 were cooking burgers for hikers at the trailhead. Ate a cheeseburger and talked to Grits who thru-hiked in '09, got some good advice on re-supplies and other interesting parts of the trail.Hiked for just over 4 hours and made it nine miles just past the GA NC border. The hiking today was easy going other than the ascent into NC; a sign of the terrain to come? Setup camp at Bly gap just north of the border. Felt real strong today after a good nights rest; an older lady named red hat in her 60's was camped at bly with us, making good progress as well.Nice weather today, not too many good views but overall a great day on the traill.
Date: 2010-03-21
From: bly gap

To: Carter gap shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

Got going around 8:30 and took a nice picture of a gnarley looking tree often photographed just north of bly gap. Felt like rain from the get go, it held off until nine but didn't quit all day. Had a couple of big climbs today, one right after bly, than another gradual but significant climb up standing indian mountain, 5498'; first mountain on AT over 5000'. In spite of the rain, on the way up standing indian mtn. And continuing onto carter gap there was snow on or near the trail continuiously. The rain, fog, and cold made the day the worst going so far, however we still made relatively good mileage. Made it to carter gap shelter around 3.There's two shelters at carter gap, one built in the 1930's, and the other built relatively recently. Not surprisingly, the newer shelter which sleeps eight, had four people in it when I showed up at three. They were reluctant to make room so I headed to the older decrepit shelter about 100 yds away. The shelter had holes in the floor, and more than a couple leaks; but it was a better option than tenting in the cold rain. Four others showed up and stayed in the shelter; thinmint, a fellow UT grad says she graduated in '05 and is attempting a thru-hike for the second time since, two brothers attempting a thru-hike together, and another guy from atlanta; it was crowded.Today was not fun, the weather sucked, but that's to be expected, hopefully tommorow's better.