morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-22
From: Trident Col Tentsite

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

September 22, The Way Life Should BeI made it to Maine! I almost don't want to say anything else. But...I woke up around 4 a.m. to the sounds of what sounded like rain. But it wasn't hitting my tent so I thought it must be leaves or a flock of crazy birds encircling my tent. When I got up at 6:30, the same was true. Only this time I realized it was indeed rain. I bopped about camp for an hour but the rain never touched me or my tent. Magic! Maybe I would have a bubble suit after all! So, I had breakfast and hung out waiting for Melk and Ronin to get up. We set forth on the trail at 8:20 a.m. It was foggy at first but turned out to be a gorgeous day.We passed Page Pond and then hiked through lovely alpine areas, past streams, and over rocks to get to Gentian Pond and Shelter. We had our lunch there and it was a spectacular place. The pond was tucked away a short distance from the shelter and it was gorgeous. And it was warm! We left the shelter and headed up Mt. Success. It was a tough climb - well, it was a series of three climbs - and I was feeling a tiny bit dizzy again so I was going very slowly. We made it to the top around 3 p.m. Somewhere on the summit, the trail was covered in bog boards but, sadly, Melk missed one and sunk in mud up to her knees. I was right behind her so I used all my might to help pull her out. What a sight! We moved on and over a ridiculous section of the trail covered in boulders. And then a section of sheer rockfaces (wet rockfaces) on the descent. Around 5:30 p.m., Melk announced that she saw a sign. I knew it had to be the sign welcoming us to Maine! I pushed her aside and ran the rest of the way to the sign (for some reason she and Ronin just weren't as excited as I was). I hadn't ran into a new state since North Carolina I think. "Maine: The Way Life Should Be" was what the sign read. I couldn't believe it! We maaaaade it! We took a few moments to take countless photos and revel in the glory of being in Maine. This is almost as exciting as getting to Katahdin.Then we entered Maine. And Maine let us have it for about a mile. Tough rock scrambles. Actually, at one point I thought I was stuck. We were hurling our packs and sticks all about - rough going!Anyway, I am so thankful to be here. So happy to be here. So glad I got to see that sign in person. I'm in Maine!- Sound of Melk yawning, talking to Ronin about the alarm.Post Trail Thoughts:As soon as I saw that sign, I knew it would all be okay and that it was all worth it. I barely wanted to leave its presence. That sign was the wonderful oasis I needed to get me the rest of the way. I was deeply happy again - and that hadn't happened in quite a while. Life was the way it should be again.That feeling lasted only a bit longer until we were bounced around the welcoming trail of the last state on our path...and until we reached the shelter where Ronin wasn't happy that Melk and I wanted to stay in the shelter.
Date: 2007-09-23
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: clear sky

September 23, Full Maine DayWhat a quandry. It took us over four hours to hike 4.4 miles. We got to this shelter at 1 p.m. knowing Mahoosuc Notch was ahead. From what we've heard, it takes folks anywhere between three and eight hours to get through the notch - only one trail mile. It is regarded as the hardest mile on the trail. So, knowing we had to yet eat lunch and hike two miles before the notch, we decided we didn't have enough daylight to attempt it today.We spent the rest of the day reading aloud to each other in the shelter from a book Melk bought in Gorham, "The Cliff Walk"....The hike this morning was pretty. Lots of rock scrambles, slick rocks, ladders, rebar, rock climbing, bog boards, and roots. Slow going but very pretty. We had pretty weather minus the 90 MPH winds. I take that back. I have no clue how fast the wind was blowing but it was strong enough to completely topple me to the ground. I was coming up a climb at a 45-degree andle and the wind just leveled me. I crashed my knee into the rock and caught myself with both palms, my face inches from the rock. My right knee has hurt all day since.This is the first night in a while we've shared with others - Are We There Yet?, the Hobbits, and MOF are all here.- Sound of the wind hurling around, my tent squeaking in the breeze. Post Trail Thoughts:It is quite a fond memory I have of the three of us reading aloud to each other from "The Cliff Walk". We were all starved for diversions and reading felt like the most luxurious activity of them all.The Full Goose Shelter area was really beautiful. It matched the memory of the Maine Woods I'd remembered from a previous visit - clean, crisp, and somewhat like the set of a movie. Just gorgeous. I staked out a spot in front of the shelter for my tent and relaxed a bit that night though I remember it was quite windy and my footprint blew out from under my tent a few times. A really beautiful time.
Date: 2007-09-26
From: Grafton Notch, Bethel, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

September 26, Time TravelTown chores were a success today - the last round of laundry and resupply I'll have to do on the trail. I have always hated resupplying - same junk, new day - but today I was looking forward to it. I wanted to get all of my favorites. I was serious at the store, using a whole cart to help me stay organized. I got the good stuff - hummus, Velveeta Shells and Cheese, Idahoan loaded baked potatoes, an avocado, Welch's fruit snacks, and more. I can't wait until cooking "the good stuff" isn't all of this packaged junk. Anyway, the only things missing from my menu for the week are Clif shot blocks and a Mountain House raspberry crumble. Oh well.Bruce, our shuttle driver, picked us up at 12:30 p.m. and we were on our way to Monson. I sat in the back of his big white conversion van in a camp chair just watching all of the brightly colored trees go by. I decided this is the closest I'll ever get to traveling through time. Walking to Monson would get me there in about a week and a half while this car ride would get me there today. I'll be living my life in the future. How neat is that?Anyway, after a stop in Andover and a trip to the gas station, we got here at 3:53 p.m. which left me seven minutes to get to the post office before they closed. I ran over there and picked up a very wonderful package from my mom (which I would later find out contained almonds, Hershey's kisses, trail mix, a bubble-wrapped bag of Milano cookies, gummy bears and a card) and a postcard from David Ray. Thank you, Mom, and thank you, David, for making my last trip to the PO so exciting!I spent the rest of the day organizing the ridiculous amount of food I have an visiting with other hikers here at the Lake Shore House. There are a ton of people around, it's pretty crazy. Boognish, Grizzle, Mate, Genesis, Coach, and C-Shot are all here, among others.I'm excited to enter the 100-Mile Wilderness tomorrow and complete the final leg of my hike.- Sound of laughter through the walls, the AC unit in our window. Post Trail Thoughts:Our arrival to Monson also brought out the news that Ronin would not be able to continue hiking with Melk after our summit as they'd planned. He would have to tend to some issues at home before making further plans. This brought about some reluctance from Melk with regard to entering the Wilderness and missing previous sections of the trail. It was a tough night for Team Average but we pulled through and made it to see the next day...I watched a call to the Monson Fire Station that night and decided I was sure glad they weren't coming to my house. I was amazed by the whole operation - surely enacted by a volunteer team. I'd never seen it so close and personal but our hostel was just across the street from the fire station.
Date: 2007-09-27
From: Monson, ME

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

September 27, Wilderness WetnessGot a later start than I'd hoped for but we were on the trail by 9:30 a.m. headed north into the 100-Mile Wilderness. It was an overcast day but stayed nice for a while.The trail was beautiful. There were many slick rocks and tree roots though - my only complaint for the day. The leaves on all of the trees are changing and it's quite a sight. We passed a few ponds, all very lovely. The terrain was a dream, really, and if my pack hadn't felt like it weighed 34 million pounds, I think I would have been flying. It was SO nice to be able to move again, to really hike.We had our first ford today of the Big Wilson Stream which was pretty exciting. I made it through without falling. Most of the day went by pretty unremarkably (except for the scenery) until around 6 p.m. Thunder had been threatening us for a little while and it finally started to pour. And I mean pour! Melk and I stopped to put our pack covers on just as it let loose - amazing. It came down hard and within seconds the trail was a stream. My shoes were little bodies of water.We hiked like that for an hour until we reached the shelter. Glad to be here and thankful it's warm out.I really enjoyed our first day in the Wilderness. It's beautiful here with all of the fall colors and the ford was fun and exciting.- Sound of the raindrops hitting the shelter's tin roof, Melk yawning, rain.Post Trail Thoughts:When I tell you that the trail turned into a stream, you probably assume an exaggeration but I assure that is not the case. I was amazed how saturated the ground must have been in order for that to happen so quickly. I think this is the longest period of time I hiked in the rain during my whole trail experience. That rain was fierce. Melk and I were getting nervous about missing the shelter - but we just kept moving. We forded a river and I was nervous about falling in but, at that point, I was soaking wet already.Alas, we saw a candle flickering in the shelter as we approached and we were greeted by Ronin and a man whose name I cannot remember. He was very nice. I shared my avocado with everyone - the last full half of an avocado I've eaten to this day. They were such a luxurious treat on the trail but quite an indulgence in the real world.I felt a little odd that day. Here we were, in the 100 Mile Wilderness, but no one we knew was near us. At the first shelter we came to that day, it was full of folks that looked at us like aliens because we had never met. That was the catch to jumping ahead. But it also would come to mean new last minute friends.
Date: 2007-09-28
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

September 28, Another Day at the OfficeAnother day started later than planned. Turns out the water at the shelter is dry so I had to hike about a half of a mile back down the AT to get water for us for the day. Argh. It was a rough morning. Putting cold, wet clothes on after being dry and warm is maybe the most uncomfortable thing ever.We started hiking at 9 a.m. up and over Barren Mtn. It was a tough climb made tougher by slick rocks. I didn't seem to have a lot of energy either. But we made it over and somewhere along the way I developed a new blister on my right foot. I knew I'd been too lucky to think I was going to escape this hike with no more blisters.We kept on trucking as the weather turned colder and windier. The trail turned ugly too. I'd thought we left all of the rock scrambles behind us in southern Maine but they followed us today, slowing us down considerably since they were still wet from the storm last night.The weather was humid, damp and cool and I just couldn't wait to be in my sleeping bag for the night. We climbed over Fourth Mtn., Third Mtn., and then Columbus Mtn. to get here by 6 p.m. I set up my tent, we had dinner and I am now ready to call it a night.I hope the weather is better tomorrow and I hope my blister settles down.- Sound of a plane overhead, wind blowing around the forest.Post Trail Thoughts:Oh, I was not pleased that morning. When Melk and Ronin were still asleep well into the morning, I knew it was going to be a trying day. When I went to search for water and came back empty handed, the deal was sealed. I remember backtracking along the trail to the river we had forded the night before to get a tank full of water. I carried that back up the trail to share with Melk and Ronin who had finally woken up by the time I returned.It was also a chilly day - those days rarely made me overly happy. Breaks were uncomfortable and hiking was tiring. It was a gloomy day.That night, we had dinner together and it was nice. We settled on a time to leave in the morning and I felt happy knowing we'd talked about it.
Date: 2007-10-02
From: White House Landing

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

October 2, Roots and RocksHad a lovely breakfast at White House Landing this morning - eggs, bacon, english muffins, and AYCE blueberry pancakes. Mmm.Bill dropped us off at the other side of the lake and we hiked back to the trail, started hiking at 10:15 a.m. I have to say the trail was not really as great as it was yesterday. All day it was full of roots and rocks and it was just hard to move swiftly. But I supposed I can't complain. Anything is better than the one mile per hour rock scrambles in NH and the beginning of ME.We had one 900-foot climb halfway through the day and it was tough but with many rock steps. It afforded another view of Katahdin, which still looks like some fake mountain from this distance.It was a cool, crisp day but was pretty overcast. They are calling for good weather on Friday when we are planning to summit. Halleleujah! Thirty miles!Hard to believe.- Sound of the stream, PocketMail light buzzing, the scuffles of my arms as they move in my down jacket.Post Trail Thoughts:The cool thing about this day was all of the hopscotching that was going on. We were all sort of lumped together since we all left at the same time and it made for eventful hiking and passing. We took breaks together and suffered together on the climbs. I especially remember breaking with Coach and learning about his ridiculous amounts of food - I can't remember what he had now but it was something silly like an entire ham or something!We all stayed at the same shelter that night - Coach, Genesis, Mate', C-Shot, Candyman, Snakecharmer, Chaco, Melk, Ronin, and I - and it was a good time around the campfire talking about lots of different things. Poor Snakecharmer wasn't feeling very well so he passed right out. I had a hard time finding my tent in the dark, and we all hedged bets on how many mice would die in the bucket at the shelter that night. A nice time. I also remember hallucinating that I heard lots of moose that day. Too bad I never saw one!
Date: 2007-10-04
From: Abol Pines Campground

To: The Birches
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

October 4, Last Day on the TrailIt was a leisurely morning for us all since we only had to hike less than ten miles today. We all (Genesis, Mate, C-Shot, Snakecharmer, Candyman, Chaco, Melk, Ronin and I) hung out and ate breakfast at the camp store until about 11 a.m. It was a beautiful day - sunny, warm and in the 70s - can you imagine?When I got up today I just laid in my tent and stared out at the Penobscot River. What a view, I thought. This was my first and, I'm sure, last chance for a while at waterfront property.At 11:15 a.m. we started moving. We registered for camping at The Birches and hiked our last full day on the Appalachian Trail. It was wonderful terrain. Pretty flat with a couple of small climbs, several ponds, streams and views. Just lovely. I hiked mostly alone all day, only running into Snakecharmer, Candyman and Chaco all day. I was enjoying the trail and took a break at Daicy Pond for lunch, a gorgeous spot.I got to Katahdin Stream Campground at 3:30 p.m. I had been trying to make it there with the hope of running into Sweetwater and Fuzzy Monkey, who summited today but I heard they took the Knife's Edge down so they wouldn't be back at the campground. Instead I found Mate, Coach and Genesis talking with Step Small and Cheeks who had just summited. They looked so relaxed, so relieved to be done. I registered with the ranger for the camping and was on my merry way.I had my last trail meal, my last meal for a while cooked in a Ziploc bag - Velveeta Shells and Cheese - which I'd been saving since Monson. Melk and I sat around and talked for a while as the musical crowd played their instruments and sang. A nice last night on the trail.We are all here tonight along with Boognish and Tenacious Turtle. Tomorrow is supposed to be another great day for weather - I can't even believe it.When I got to the Tote road today, I knew the rest of the day's hike was on it and I sort of got sad that my last full day of hiking was over. Then I got excited thinking that tomorrow I'd be driving out on that road with my parents. So many thoughts racing through my head.Seeing Katahdin from Abol Bridge this morning was alarming. That mountain is intimidating! It's a monstrosity. I can't believe I'll be on top of it tomorrow.Now I'm in my tent in my sleep bag for the last time for a while. I'll miss it a little - I love this bag and I love my tent. They've been good to me.So glad tomorrow is finally near, so excited, so ready to be home, so amazed.- Sound of Coach, Mate and Genesis singing their goonight song, someone farting.
Date: 2007-11-28
To: Reading Eagle Article
Miles today: 0.0

When we were in PA, a local paper, the Reading Eagle, interviewed and photographed some of us for a story they were writing so that local folks could have a better glimpse into trail life. The photographer just recently sent me the link so I wanted to share. There are great photos, interviews from some of my favorite trail folk, and all of the music you'll hear is that of Coach, Mate', Genesis, and Kimchi (I summited with the first three). It sure was nice to hear their voices again. Check it out - here.
Date: 2007-12-08
To: Wedding News
Miles today: 0.0

Thanks to those who posted the wedding well wishes in my guest book. We had a great day and even got to spend some time outside for photos. Here are a few that our photographer, Abby, took that day ¢ she¢s great!Just MarriedCan you spot the clean-shaven Dr. Youngle Spelunkerstein?
Date: 2009-07-31
To: Where You Can Find Me Now...
Miles today: 0.0

Hi friends,Around Christmastime, my aunt gave me a binder which held every single guest book entry from my trail journal up until that point. It is SO nice to have these thoughts bound together. Thank you again to all that have signed my journal. After sitting down with those comments for a few minutes tonight, I am reminded how wonderful it was to have them while I was hiking. They helped propel me forward when things were tough and greased my wheels when I really needed it. I have no idea if anyone is still reading but, just in case, I wanted to share a link to a more current part of my life (not to say the trail is any less current because I still think about it everyday). I have officially started the photography business I mentioned in my last journal entry and you can follow my blog for the business at www.nicolehaleyblog.com. I would love to hear from you in any of the comment sections so please leave me a note if the spirit moves you. Just as kind words helped me before, they will surely help me now. If you've read any of my journal, thank you again for support. To anyone planning a thru-hike, GOOD LUCK and it's totally worth it. Best wishes!
Date: 2009-10-05
To: Happy 2nd Summit Anniversary
Miles today: 0.0

It's been two years since my summit. I can't even believe how far away it feels. I don't think a single day of my life has gone by since October 5, 2007 that I have not thought about the trail in some way. It's amazing...I don't know if I ever got "off" the trail. I stumbled on this passage a couple of days ago and it seems spectacularly appropriate for how post-trail life feels:"... once the idea seemed to be a real possibility, once I thought I COULD do it, I HAD to do it - for I knew that if I didn't, I would be haunted by the omission forever. The hardest thing to bear in life, I am sure, is never to have lived your dream. Having lived and survived this adventure, I can now say, with some sadness, that the second hardest thing to bear in life is already to have lived one's dream."-George MeeganThe Longest WalkCongrats to the Class of 2009 and to those from 2007 who've gone on to hike other long trails!
Date: 2007-06-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After two years of planning, my trip begins in two weeks. I've checked and rechecked all of my gear, travel arrangements, mail drops and now it's just a matter of waiting.My wife is going to transcribe my journals and photos to our hiking site, www.hikes247.com.My planned itinerary and mail drop schedule is available on our site and will be updated frequently to coincide with my progress.If things go as planned, I hope to finish in 85-99 days. My goal is to at least finish in double digit days (99 days or less) but fortunately, my wife has given me an open time frame to complete the trail. So if something comes up and I need to slow down or decide to meander for a few days, I won't have to worry about keeping a specific schedule.I can receive email via my PocketMail while I'm on the trail. My email is PHREAK@pocketmail.com. ***Please don't send attachments to this email address - text only please*** If you need to send any attachments, please use BRIAN@hikes247.com
Date: 2007-06-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

10 days and counting!Each of my family members have given me a personal item to carry with me on the trail. Mom gave me an engraved keychain ("Always With You" and "Love, Mom"), stepfather gave me his St. Christopher necklace. He hasn't taken this necklace off in over 40 years including his tour in Vietnam. I was very touched by this gesture and I think it's fitting that St. Christopher is the Saint of Travelers. I am taking a laminated photo of my sister and my nephew Gage. I got my first tattoo last Friday of a cross as a memorial for my brother who passed away in 1999. I still haven't figured out what I'll carry from my wife - hopefully we come up with something in the next week.
Date: 2007-06-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Flight leaves Atlanta, GA at 8:00am and arrives in Portland, ME at 11:45am. I have a tentative shuttle lined up from Portland. A person has offered to fly me in his private plane from the Portland Airport to the Millinocket Airport. Then it's roughly a 1/2 mile to the Appalachian Trail Lodge, where I'll be spending the night. If the second plane ride doesn't happen for some reason, I will take a bus from Portland, ME to Medway, ME and th AT Lodge will shuttle me from the bus stop to the Lodge.I have a shuttle lined up from the AT Lodge to the Katadhin Stream Campground the following morning, which is the route I've chosen to reach Baxter Peak and the start of my journey. UPDATE - 10:00 PM EST: After a looooooong day of travel, Phreak is at the AT Lodge and preparing for a good night's rest to get up and start the hike in the morning at 6:00 am. He's in very good spirits and raring to go! : ) ~Lisa
Date: 2007-06-28
From: White House Landing

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to (near)
Miles today: 33.9
Weather: light rain

I woke up today feeling like ass. I have a sore throat, chest and head congestion and a horrible cough. And to top it off, I can barely speak. on the bright side, I did wake up to a beautiful sunrise and the relaxing sound of loons in the area.I tried to eat some breakfast but it just wasn¢t meant to be. I was able to get down a few pieces of bacon and one small pancake.I paid my tab and Bill shuttled me across the lake to continue my journey. I was in auto-pilot today, feeling too rough to do much more than put each foot in front of the other. Not many details for today's journal.