morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-02-21
From: Atlanta

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As transcribed by Michelle,Adelard arrives in Atlanta today. I just spoke to his wife and she spoke with him last night. He hopes to be on the trail first thing tomorrow morning.I would like to take this opportunity to discuss part of Addy's inspiration behind this hike. It is my 3 yeard old son and his grandson Caleb. Caleb was born 100% blind. He has coloboma, a form of blindness that creates lack of growth in parts of the eye. Unfortunately Caleb's coloboma is extreme. It affects his optic nerves and this is the main source behind his blindess. His optic nerves are bacially non existant. Caleb is also mentally handicapped. However, is so special and sweet. He has a joyous love of music which touches our hearts. He loves to be sung to and held. Caleb has an older brother Connor who is completely healthy, and loves his baby brother with the fierce protectiveness of an older brother. My father in law lost an eye to cancer in 1993. Therefore, he is 50% blind. This did not stop him from biking across Canada in 1999, and certainly won't hinder him on his latest adventure, the Appalachain Trail.Adelard has expressed a wish to raise funds on this hike for the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB). If anyone feels like this is a cause they would like to support, please feel free to visit their website www.cnib.caI am in contact with them and they fully support Adealard on this endevor.I would like to take this opportunity to say how proud I am of my father in law. He is not only an inspiration to my children, letting Caleb know what he is capable of as a blind individual, but he is an inspiration as a human being. He is a living example of the truimph of the human spirit. He is a survivor. I am honored to be is daughter.
Date: 2005-02-22
From: Shediac, NB

To: Montreal, PQ, Canada
Miles today: 800.0

As transcribed by Michelle (talked with Adelard last night, the 24th Feb from Gainsville, Ga.)"Drove into Moncton where I met Serge, my nephew who is a long distance trucker. Brought his 3 year old son, Domonique with us. Domonique kept us entertained from Moncton to Nigadoo, where we dropped him off at his house. He spent most of the time playing with his trucks in the cab of the truck. Arrived in Nigadoo at 2pm. First trail angel, my sister Rosemary. She prepared my favorite meal, tortiere and ceasar salad. Topped off by tea. Very good. We stayed about an hour and were on the road again by 3pm. Took the Matepedia valley route through Quebec. Gorgeous scenery. Stopped in Mont Joli for a quick pit stop and back on the road again.Roads were greasy, but it didn't stop that transport one bit. We stopped for supper in Quebec City, where I called my brother in law Delbert to let him know that I would be arriving late. He is to pick me up on the other side of the Champlain Bridge in Montreal. On the raod between Quebec City and Moncton I bunked down for about 2 hours. Woke up just as we were entering Montreal, at about 1am. Delbert and his friend Rex picked me up and I went back to his place to bunk down for the rest of the night.
Date: 2005-02-23
From: Montreal, PQ, Canada

To: New York City, USA
Miles today: 400.0

As transcribed by Michelle:"Got up at 5am. Delbert drove me to the Greyhound bus station. I had breakfast and left at about 9am.On the road to Platsburg, NY. Lots of snow covered fields with the Laurentian Mountains looming in the distance. Drove to NY city. Arrived and went through customs. This went very smoothly. By this time it was 6pm. We went through the Lincoln Tunnel. Bumper to bumper traffic. Sea of cars. Took one hour to make it through tunnel. We arrived at the station to change buses. Security lined everybody up for a security check. This was a complete farce. They scrutinzed everybody, but when they realized they were taking too long, they let the other half our our group get on the bus with 0 security check. Left New York and drove all night."
Date: 2005-02-24
From: Charlotte, NC

To: Gainsville, Ga.
Miles today: 416.0

Arrived in Charoltte, North Carolina at 11am. Changed buses. This is where near disaster struck. They loaded about half of the bus, then some Army personel arrived and took priority. They made those people get off the bus with no explanation, and the army people got on and drove away with everybody's personal possessions, including my pack! I was desperate. I immediately went to Customer Serive and explained by predicament. I had already called to make arrangements for a 5 pm pick up in Gainsville. My pack would arrive, but I wouldn't. They were really nice and put me on an express bus. We caught up to the first bus and I boarded it. Luckily I arrived with my pack in Gainsville at the 5pm pick up time.I met Leigh from the Hiker's Hostil. She was great. The hostil was beyond what I expected. It was beautiful. Very spacious and comfrotable. I was the only hiker here today but they are anticipating a full house this weekend. So, I made it. I am off to bed now and will be on the trail tomorrow. Josh, the other owner of the hostil will take me out to trail personally. These two people have been so warm and helpful to me. I am very much in their debt for all their kindness and generosity. I will only do about a couple of miles tomorrow. Pretty tired from lack of sleep over the past three days. My next contact will be in about 30 miles. (Neels Gap Ga.) Here I will take US 19 and get off trail. Will contact Michelle then with more info. Wish me luck."Josh and Leigh Saint ( they really are Saints)www.hikers.hostil.comP.O. Box 802Dahlone, Ga305300770-312-7342
Date: 2005-02-26
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6

Hi all, this is Michelle. I have received a few e-mails from Adelard and will transcribe them. I will also mention that I spoke with Adelards' wife Fran last night. She is a little concerned, but hanging in there. MBFeb, 26"I got sick last night with the stomach flu. I was up most of the night throwing up. I'm feeling better today and still plan to continue with hike.I got dropped off at Spring Park lot at 9am. I hiked 8 miles to sign in at register. Then I hiked another 7.6 miles to Hawk Mountain Shelter. Arrived at around 3pm. I felt strong and thought I could continue on, but something told me to camp down for the night. I could have stayed in shelter, but decided to put up my tent. Good thing! I was up again all night throwing up. Sometimes I almost didn't make it out of the tent in time! After a rough night of little sleep, I decided to get off trail. I made it to Horse Gap (US 42/80). I was feeling pretty week and decided to lay down on the side of the raod in my sleeping bag. Lucky for me someone pulled over to see if I was o.k, and it was a doctor. He was convinced I was having a heart attack. I told him I was fine and had the stomach flu. He didn't want to take any chances and took me to a nearby Army camp where they ran some tests on me. I was not having a heart attack. All my tests came back fine. They didn't even charge me anything for them. Big thank you there.I called Josh from Hikers' Hostel and he came and picked me up and brought me back to Hostel.Hikers I met at the Hostel are: Pace, Robert, Chef Paul,Ranger and Early Bird. Going to sleep now."
Date: 2005-02-27
From: Dahlongea,Ga.

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As transcribed by Michelle:Feb 27"The noise of people eating woke me up at around 7:30. Had some juice and went back to bed. Woke up at 10:30. E-mailed Jordan and Michelle. Called Fran. Ate my first solid food in 24 hours. Feeling much better, but my stomach is still quite sore. I was planning on getting on the trail at noon, but decided to take it easy for another day and spend one more night. Tomorrow I'll hike to Gooch Mountain Shelter.The weather is overcast here today. Looks like rain. I met another hiker at hostel, Tom (fisherman). He's doing a thru hike in March. Pace cooked me some oatmeal today and some hot cocoa. Thanks Pace.I went with Leigh to Amicola Falls to drop off 2 thru hikers.Worth seeing. Glad I went.Back at Hostel,Stack and Alpine went through my pack. They were very impressed, and only suggested doing a mail drop. I managed to to get rid of 3 lbs from my pack. Down to 33 lbs, with 5 days worth of food."
Date: 2005-02-28
From: Woody Gap

To: HorseGap
Miles today: 10.0

Hi, this is Michelle. I talked with Frances today. Received some bad news. Adelard is not getting better, and because of his chemo treatments, is not recovering. Unfortunately, Adelard has to postpone his hike. He is terribly disappointed, and will be flying home to Moncton tomorrow, or when he can arrange a flight.This will be the last transcribed message from the trail:"I realized that I'm still not 100% and decided to slack pack it today. I got dropped off at Horse Gap and continued on trail. Hiked 10 miles in 4 1/2 hours. Slow going. Lots of snow and sleet. There was 0% visibility and litte sceanery. Everything was shrouded in clouds.The trail was similar in terrain to the Fundy foot path in New Brunswick, Canada. Lots of ups and downs and switchback. At the end of trail came upon a trail angel. There was a cooler full of cold beer. Had one and continued on. Thanks. Got picked up and went back to Hostel.I met an interesting fellow on the trail. Goes by the name of "Train". Carries a train whistle with him. Funny guy."
Date: 2005-03-01
From: HorseGap

To: Montreal
Miles today: 0.0

Because of my pre existence medical condition I was unable to get medical coveragae. After four days and not getting better, I got on a direct flight from Atlanta to Montreal where I spent three days with my brother in law Delbert and his friend Rex . After three days I was well enough to get on a train to Moncton N.B. Once there, I saw my Docotor and he did a bunch of test and they said I had an intestinal virus. It took over two weeks before I was normal. The bad news is that my two trail angels in Montreal got sick after my visit.
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Moncton

To: Fundy 
Miles today: 0.0

After I got better in the middle of March I spent two weeks looking after our granddaughter because her mother is expecting her second child and she was very sick. I started doing some cross country skiing, some walking and when the weather got better I got my road bicycle out and started riding. April did two weekend back packing in Funday National Park and Funday foot path. Addy
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Shediac

To: International Appelachian Trail
Miles today: 0.0

Beginning in April, I decided to hikle the International Appalachian Trail [SIA/IAT]. Distance 1079 KM 160KM in Maine ,275KM in New Brunsick and 644 KM in Quebec.I will be doing the New Brunswick and Quebec section only.Addy
Date: 2005-04-02
From: International Appelachian Trail

To: Perth Andover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

May 18 drove to Grand Falls New Brunswick ,spend the night with my daughter Stacy, Peter and grandaughter Kathryn. Always nice to see them. May 19-005 My good friend and Trail angel Bill Mc Cue from Grand Falls drove me to the Canadian Custom Office in Perth Andover. I went in and told them what I was gone to do. They add no idea that there was such a Trail near there, but suggested that I go talk to the USA to let them know. I went over to the USA side.One officer knew all about the Trail. He was on the original planning committee told me all about the Trail and where I had to go and everything I had to do.ADDY
Date: 2005-05-19
To: Arthurette, NB
Miles today: 0.0

Weather cloudy with sunny periods Temp. 4 to 12 C for the first 4 km. Then trail follows the Areostook river to Tinker Dam .Trail easy to follow. Well marked with Sia-IAT signs. Walking on and off Main Railroad bed.From the dam to Palster Rock, the trail follows to old Canadian Pacific Railroad line and it is also called the New Brunswick Trail. Very easy to follow.   This line was abandoned about twenty years ago. The story I got from the locals is that there was heavy flooding along the St. John river which washed away the bridge at Plaster Rock. They tried to put a string of loaded cargo train cars across the bridge to hold it down, but the old cargo cars and bridge ended up down river.Addy
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Arthurette, NB

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Start Sisson Brook Destination Miller Canoe Factory Nictau   30 Km Trip108KM. Temp. 6-12C . Start 8 AM. once AGAIN Bill Dropped me off at Sisson Brook and dropped my car at Miller Canoe Wood canoe Factory . This is a must stop for any SIA/IAT hiker Bill ,his mother and golden lab dog Wirier have been looking after hikers ever since the SIA/IAT has been open. This is strictly a one man operation. Bill is the third generation canoe builder. He cut and saw with is mill all the wood needed to manufacture canoes . Next to the canoe factory, there is the most lovey AT shelter you ever want to sleep in. Not much traffic on 385 for a Saturday morning to cole for fisherman and to open summer cottagers. There are a few cars towing trailers with canoes. My first stop was at Dale general store in Rally Brook. Very busy spot as this is the only gas and store between Plaster Rook and Kedgwick. Dropped in the store to buy a sport drink. When Dale saw me he got me to sign in SIA/IAT register. I reconigized some of the entries: NIMBELWILL NOMAD and BEST MAN. I went across the street to Gaston's for dinner. After of good diner it was another 10 KM to Nictau and the canoe factory. The fist person I meet was Mrs. Miller who invited me in for tea and a slice of home made bread. No better welcome than that! My plan was to spend the night in the shelter, but Bill would not hear of it. He invited me in for a hot shower cooked supper and breakfast for me and let me sleep on his couch in the den. ADDY
Date: 2005-05-21
To: Nictau
Miles today: 0.0

Started at Mount Carleton. Direction Nictau 32 KM. Trip140KM.Temp 4-6 c Strong wind from the north. My original plan was to hike from Nictau to Mount Carleton and spend a day there . Bill told me that the Park was only opening on May 22. He suggested that I should wait to spend time when I came back in June and every thing would be better organized. We decided that he would drive me to the Park and I would hike back to Nictau.When we got to the Park entrance at 8 o'clock the employees were in the process of unlocking the gate. They were just starting work for the season. The hike back was pretty uneventfully not much traffic on route 385. On Sunday morning only 14 cars went by all the way back. About half way I saw something blue on a tree on the side of the road . I went down to look at it. A wood worker was killed in an accident in 2002 and his friends made a memorial by nailing his hat to a tree and erecting a plack for him. One km from Nictau it started to rain and got really cold. I was some glad that I was almost finished. I will come back middle of June to finish the New Brunswick section and the Quebec section . This is the end for now .Addy
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Shediac

To: St.Quentin, NB
Miles today: 0.0

May 22 2005. I drove back home to Shediac because I had a Chemo treatment on the 25th .The treatment went ok and I took the bus back to Grand Falls on 9th of June. Spent Friday and Saturday with Stacey and her family . My grandaughter Kathryn kept me busy.Sunday June 12 2005. After a nice dinner Bill and I left for Mount Carleton and I hiked to St Quentin . Distance 33 km. I met Bill at Arpin camping and canoe rental. Bill had arranged for Mr. Arpin to take us down the Restigouche river with his canoe and jet motor the next morning. The afternoon hike was a road walk with not much traffic. The weather was warm and muggy.ADDY
Date: 2005-05-23
From: St.Quentin, NB

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

During the evening I convinced Bill to come down the river with me and Clement in his 27 foot canoe . I was glad he finally agreed because he had done so much for me. He is truly a great trail angel. It rained most of the night, but stopped early morning. Clement was there at 7:30 and we loaded the canoe with all our equipment. Bill decided to bring his propane stove, pork chops and potatoes to cook a really nice dinner. It was still windy and cold. The ride down river was an experience of a life time. Clement was a very experienced guide and knew the river very well: the history of all the old settlements along the river, all the salmon pools that were on the river, and all the fishermen and the lodges. We stopped at noon and Bill cooked us a great dinner on the shore of the river. We made it to "Rafting Land" where all the canoes come off a river at 4 o'clock and and the rain startd just as were were unloading .I had arranged to spend the night with Ruth a good friend who is also a terrific trail angel .She lives in Flat Land N.B., just across the Matapidia river and the start of the Qubec section of the S.I.A.T. Addy
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Matapediea

To: Saint Andre PQ.
Miles today: 0.0

After I got to Ruth's place, I called David Le Blanc. He is an outfitter from Matapedia who looks after the Matapedia section of The A.I.A.T. I arranged to meet him at his office the next morning to purchased the passport and maps which are necessary for the Quebec section. June 14 2005 7 k.m Matapidiea to Saint Andre . The Quebec section of the trail is 650 K.M. The total divided into six sections: Matapedia Valley, Matane Wildlife Reserve,Park Gaspesie,The Upper Gaspe, Gaspe Coast and Park Firlion. Ruth prepared a lovely supper after a relaxing evening. I had a good night sleep. We met David at 9 the next morning and I got my passport and maps. Ruth dropped me off at the beginning of the trail. The temperature was light rain and on the cold side. I was not prepared for all the up and downs that the beginning of the trial. Also, it is not that well mark and not easy to follow. Spent lots of the time looking for the trail. My pack was bothering me all day and my water came apart and leaked all over my pack. My plan was to spend the night in the shelter in Saint Andr©,however, when I got there in the middle of the afternoon I called Ruth and she picked me up so I was able to look after my gear problem. Addy
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Saint Andre PQ.

To: Quartz Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Ruth dropped me off at the church in Saint Andr© at 8 o.clock .I will never able to repay her for all her kindness. The weather is still rainy and cold 12-15 C all day .The trail follows the main street then turns into a dirt road, entering the woods on the left. I made it to the second shelter and called Lee Corbeau by noon. Such a lovely spot that I stopped for dinner and dred out a bit. After the shelter the trail goes down The Clark Canyon and it soon became a nightmare. It was supposed to follow along the edge of a brook, but became impossible to follow. Finally had to walk in the middle of the brook for about two miles. By 6 o'clock I was still 5KM from the Quartz Shelter and it was getting dark and raining hard. I decided to call it a day and put the tent up in the middle of the trail since I was unable to find a better spot.ADDY
Date: 2005-06-16
From: Quartz Shelter

To: Ruiseau Creaux
Miles today: 0.0

Up early because it is still rainy. Lots of condensation in the tent. Packed up in the rain is not to pleasant and everything weighs twice has much. Just started walking and I saw my first moose. I was glad to get to Quartz Shelter and build a good fire to dry up and have a good breakfast . This shelter is an old lumber camp built with round logs that has been fixed up .I had a good sleep and felt much better after. Coming out of the shelter was the toughest climb yet: about 2 K.M on the side of a ravine. It was then that I decided that my pack was still to heavy and if I was to finish this I had to send more stuff home. I knew that I had to cross the river Assemsguagm and I was quite worried because of all the rain It was not a problem at all it was quite wide but only about a foot deep. The rest of the day was cold and rainy with temp. in the low teens .I was at the Ruisseau Creux by 4P.M. Another lovely shelter built by the brook. I was the second to register at this Shelter in 2005. I spent a quiet night all my myself.ADDY
Date: 2005-06-17
From: Ruiseau Creaux

To: Causapscal
Miles today: 0.0

Temp 12-15 and still rainy. Very easy walking; the trail follows wood road but it is well marked and easy to follow. I was in Saint Margaret before noon ,stopped at the post office which was in this woman's house and asked to use the phone .She took pity on me and made me a warm cup of coffee to warm me up. I had decided to call Ruth and ask to be picked up in Causapscal which was another 12K.M. up the trail and take a day off to see if the weather would improve. I also needed to re-supply on food and wanted to send some more gear home: fleece jacket, sandals and few other items. Ruth picked me up and we stopped at the mall and I bought supper and re-supplied my food for the next three days. I filled her car with gas since she did not want money to pick me up.ADDY
Date: 2005-06-18
From: Causapscal

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day. In Flats Lands at Trail Angel's Ruth house.   Not much to report ,rained all day and just spent the day catching up. Called home and talked with Frances. Nice to talk with her since I had not talk to her for a while . She is busy with Stacey and Kathryn who are visiting for a couple weeks. Mailed a few more things home; my pack is now down to 25 Lbs. Still have to change my sleeping back. Frances is mailing a summer bag to Mont St . Pierre for me. Addy
Date: 2005-06-19
From: Causapscal, PQ

To: Saint Alexander des Lacs 
Miles today: 0.0

Ruth droped me off at 8 o'clock. The day started over cast but the forecast is calling for clear and sunny for the next 4 days. At the start the trail was still very wet. I followed a brook and I am very wet in a short time. After a couple of K.M it goes through farmer fields and along the Causapscal River. Stopped and talked to two fisherman from the U.S and their guide. They said that it is very expensive for them to fish in Canada. Stopped for dinner at a camp where some conservation officers stay for the summer. Thier job is to patrol the river and watch for poachers. The trail leaves the river and follows a wood road and a gravel road for a few K.M. Then it goes back into the woods and should turn North, however somebody clear cut a big area and I was unable to find the trail on the other side. I finally found a red flag line that goes toward Saint Alexandre des Lacs. I know that it is not suppose to go their but it is very late so I followed the line through the clear cut area and it lead to this very nice gentleman's house. Sorry I forgot his name. He explained that nobody has marked the trail after the clear cut but it should go to Amqui .He said I should spend the night in is back yard and go it Amqui in the morning and   the trail should pick up after. I was in the process of putting up my tent when I saw another hiker coming out of the woods . He had gone through the same trouble. His name Otto Trachsel (MOUSE KILLER) from Montreal he had finished the A.T. last fall and is back to finish the I.A.T.ADDY
Date: 2005-06-20
From: Saint Alexander des Lacs 

To: Trois Soeurs Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

After supper we talked for a while. Otto told me a bit about his A.T. hike and how he came to acquier the name of mouse killer: one night in a shelter a mouse got in his sleeping back and he killed it and he became known has mouse killer. We decided that we would hike the 6 K.M. to Amqui together and have breakfast there in the morning. We said good night to our generous host and had a good sleep. We were awakened many times by big transports going by all night. We had a good breakfast at the first restaurant we came to and I called home talk to Frances. Then we stopped at the grocery store and bought food for the next two days. We got back on the trail outside town went through a couple farmers fields, stopped and talked with two woodsmen who were widening a wood road. Got to the Shelter at 5 o'clock. This is a smaller shelter built on top of a three climb it give a very nice view of the valley and surrounding area. The evening was very warm but it got cooler during the night.ADDY