morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-13
From: Unionville The Outhouse

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 29.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 108 Breakfast was good again and we were supposed to leave at 8:15 but it took me a while to get packed up. We stopped by Vernon to go to the store and post office. Today I hiked with Bones and Rouge at the beginning of the day which changed to Bones and Pony Express. There was lots of big rocks and climbing and stuff. Stopped for ice cream and got an ice cream cake but it didn't have any cake. It was depressing. It rained a little but not bad. Played a couple of hiker games that I haven't played since Cabot. We had a nice surprise at the shelter. Ask Us Three showed up with drinks and water. It was really nice. Mountain Mike, Madelyn, Crank and the General came later. The last three are thru-hikers I haven't met yet. The General came up for a while and talked. Nobody has seen Left Toe and I'm kinda worried.
Date: 2009-06-16
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: RHP Shelter
Miles today: 53.7
Weather: light rain

Day 111:   Hiked with General the next day. The highlight of the day was some awesome trail magic provided by Paddyo. There was cheese calzones and gatorade and a bunch of stuff. All the hikers showed up and it was great. General and Crank wanted to stay until 8:00 and then hike 12 more and I agreed to go with them. Didn't work.   We all had too much fun at the trail magic and I drank too much Gatorade. Must have had three or four. Made it a little more difficult to hike. Me and Crank went swimming at like 9:00. We did the Lemon Squeezer in the dark, which was interesting. We all got to the first shelter at 11 and stayed there, which made it a 14 mile day. I'm fine with that but felt bad that Crank and General didn't make their miles. Bones slept in the shelter and snored like crazy.I hiked with General and Crank for a while the next day but they lost me after lunch. Bear Mt. was easier than the one before and after. General and I guess Crank too went to West Point but I skipped it and wanted to stay with the Monks. Turns out it wasn't Monks but Friars. Still cool though. They let hikers stay at a pavilion and I was there with Dutch. We talked for a while and attempted to order a pizza. It didn't rain today. I had a bad river crossing and met a homeless lady on the trail. I'm here with Dutch, Madeline, Pony Express and Nexus. We had pizza.
Date: 2009-06-18
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Ten Mile Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 113:   Yesterday I was planning on doing 21ish today, but I didn't feel like hiking in the rain so I didn't leave until 11:30. Birches and Double Bag caught me before I left and told me the found my MP3 player, but Birches had to get off the trail so they gave it to Crank. They shared their Snickers. It was raining all day. I took a long lunch at the nature center. My boots were soaked. I considered staying at the last shelter but Crank showed up and I ended up going with him and General to the next shelter. Wiz Kid is here, who I have seen in the journals since Georgia, is here along with two south bounders and a ridge runner named Jesse.
Date: 2009-06-21
From: Stewart Hollow Shelter

To: Brassie Brook Lean to
Miles today: 31.0

Day 116: The last few days have been very interesting and made me realize once again how I love the uncertainty of the trail. Yesterday morning the weather was nice but the town was not conducive to a 23 mile day. So I reevaluated my plan at lunch. When it started raining, Crank, General, Wiz Kid and I decided to go into Falls Village and camp behind the Toymakers cafe. It rained all afternoon and town was very confusing. The bridge was under construction and there was a detour for pedestrian traffic. I didn't want to cross illegally, or walk miles out of my way, so I yellow blazed.. 0.05 across the bridge. I hiked a few miles and out to a road with another detour sign. I got confused and some lady stopped and offered to give me a ride to where my friends were, which put me a mile behind but turned out to be a good decision. She dropped me off with them and not long after a guy in a Range Rover stopped and offered to give us a ride to the cafe. We couldn't get a hold of anyone to tell them we were there and it was still pouring. We were going to camp in the shed when the same guy came back followed by another Range Rover. His name was Little Bear, and the other driver was his wife, Jane. They let us stay in the tack room of their stable and shower and everything. It was some awesome trail magic. They had two kids and they were a very interesting and hospitable family. Jane even made us breakfast this morning. I lost the other guys today. They are like nine miles ahead. I think I have a two week limit with friends now. Kind of a shame since this was one of the better crews, but I wasn't expecting it to last. Looks like I'm going to have the shelter to myself. Well, and the mice.
Date: 2009-06-22
From: Brassy Brook Lean to

To: Glen Brook Lean to
Miles today: 9.0

Day 117: To ford naught a river or   even a creek To see the same people    for more than a week To go many days    without any rain To rid my poor back   of this horrible pain These memories and dreams   that I seek Will only be mine if I ever   reach Maine Am I insane? Okay, so I'm not a poet but I was bored. Only did nine today. Here with Madalyn.
Date: 2009-06-23
From: Glen Brook Lean to

To: Mount Wilcox South Lean to
Miles today: 19.3

Day 118: Did not realize I was thru hiking the Appalachian River. Today was pretty good though. It didn't rain. I resupplied and got pizza and still did 19. There was a beautiful pond towards the end of the day. I'm here alone again. Where is everybody? Maybe there were more drop outs than I thought. I'm glad I didn't have empty shelters at the beginning, but it's kind of cool now. I wouldn't want it all the time, but it's a nice change. Seem to over sleep though.Gonna go listen to Alone Again, by Dokken.
Date: 2009-06-24
From: Mount Wilcox South Lean to

To: Upper Goose Pond Lean to
Miles today: 15.8

Day 119: Got a late start today. Saw a really cool turtle. It was bigger than my cat. I wanted to see if it was a snapping turtle, so I stuck my pole out and it definitely was. Also ate some wild raspberries. I'm here now with Lighting, Topo and Out Loud. There are going to be pancakes at the end of the day. :-)
Date: 2009-06-28
From: Upper Goose Pond Lean to

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 58.0
Weather: light rain

Day 123: So... Stayed with Tom for three nights. Back with Crank, General and Madelyn. Still with Topo and Out Loud. Caught Blondie finally and Stunned Mullet caught us. It has been great these last few days. The hike into town was good and there was trail magic in the form of coolers. When I got to town I was planning on staying at the Bird Cage, but Lightning, Topo, Out Loud, General, Crank, Wiz Kid, Paradise and Walrus were all sitting out side Toms so I stopped and didn't leave for three days. He cooked us dinner and let us shower and sleep inside. I zeroed the first day and slack packed 17 miles SOBO down Graylock the second day, so I never had to climb the mountain. I met a bunch of new people too. Watched some movies and read. It had been like 500 miles at least since my last zero, so it was definitely time and I feel great now. I did 20 after 10:30 in great weather in with no problem today and now I'm here with everyone and a bunch of Long Trail hikers.
Date: 2009-06-30
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 41.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 125: Came from ??? Grove which I hiked with Wiz Kid yesterday. He was camped a few miles down the trail and I passed him before he left cause I left freakishly early. He met Paddyo the day before. There were so many people at the shelter last night. It was me, Wiz Kid, Crank General, Blondie, Dude, Madelyn, Walrus, Topo, Out Loud, Stunned Mullet, and four others. Most didn't' make it here though. I'm here with General, Crank, Wiz, Madelyn, Patrick, Hungry and Cast Away. It started out as a beautiful day but poured the last 2 hours and my leg hurts. I walked out while Wiz Kid was changing and saw his ass. We also saw Madelyn in her undies. Wiz said I should put those things in my journal.
Date: 2009-07-01
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Braunly Mountain
Miles today: 6.0

Day 126: Today I only did 6 miles but it included a very extended town stop. My leg started hurting yesterday and it was still hurting today. Went the 3 miles with Wiz and got a quick hitch with him, Walrus and Dude from a truck. Got some good food and took care of everything. I had to get new socks. 8 of us are on top of the mountain ski lodge. I hiked up a green slope. We all hung out and stuff. It's kinda cool hanging with so many people. It's like two groups merged. I wish I could finish this book and I hope/wish it wouldn't rain tomorrow.
Date: 2009-07-02
From: Braunly Mountain

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Day 127:   Really didn't want to wake up today and the weather was as bad as always. Maybe worse. Only did 14 today and I lost Crank and General but I'm here with Wiz Kid, Blondie, Hungry, Stunned Mullet and ????.   It was wet today. It has been wet every day. I want to move to the Sahara. I have just over 500 miles to go.
Date: 2009-07-03
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.0

Day 129: Hiked 16 fairly early. I actually saw a view and it was sunny out. I ended up hiking with others throughout the day. When we got to a certain road crossing we were gonna go to a restaurant, but Paddyo was there with Crank and General. They were meeting some hikers there. Soares showed up too. 9 of us were in the shelter last night. It was cold today. I climbed a mountain. I don't like not knowing where I am. Can't wait to get my guidebook back in Hanover. Tobo rented a lean to in a state park and a bunch of us are heading there for the fourth. Paddyo is here too. It's cold.
Date: 2009-07-08
To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 74.4
Weather: light rain

Day 133:   The day after the 4th was beautiful and dry for a change. It was so refreshing to have a nice day. There were still tons of people at the shelter. Crank, Wiz, Patrick, Out Loud, Boss, Tex, Sara and Stink who I haven't seen in forever. The next day was nice until evening and even then it only sprinkled. I hiked with Spammy, the Boss and Crank for a while. Had some good ice cream for lunch and pizza for dinner. Hiked with Wiz kid and Chip after the pizza and did 3+ mph uphill and made it before dark. We (Tex) had a fire again. Chip, Top and Stunned Mulled did a 30. The next day I went to town with everyone and spent the day in Hanover, mostly at Dartmouth. 8 of us went to the pizza place and got a free slice of pizza which was followed by Mexican food and ice cream. I got my mail drop and hung out at Dartmouth, where I finished my book. Walked around campus with Crank. I was going to hike out of town but I got distracted by Crank and General and couldn't resupply because the store closed. We all ended up camping near town. I managed to stay completely dry. Ended up stopping early with Crank and Wiz, along with 5 others.
Date: 2009-07-10
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

Day 135:   I did an easy 14.7 to town. Hiked with Out Loud most of the morning. Met Snugles today. Went out for pizza with Out Loud and Stunned Mullet. Crank moved on with General, and Wiz is a shelter behind :-(   I'm here with Sara, Tex, Stunned Mullet, Out Loud, Topo, Patrick, Dude and a bunch of others I don't know. I finally took a shower. The weather has been great. I hit the Whites in two days. The trail has weird drama. I like everyone I've been hiking with but I kinda wish i was with Crank, General, Wiz and Madeline still.
Date: 2009-07-13
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel

To: Garfield Ridge
Miles today: 36.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 138: The Whites are awesome. It's so great to actually be on mountains. I left the hostel with the intent of doing 16 miles, but I stayed on Moose Lake(? can't read her writing) for like 3 hours and got some awesome trail magic. A guy named Shovel Head, who is planning on hiking the AT next year, and his wife Pam invited us to stay with them. I went with Out Loud, Topo, Dude and Patrick and it was awesome. They cooked for us and I slept in a bed. The next day was great too. Texas Chill caught up finally, along with Birches and Double Bag :-)   It's great to see them again!! I hiked with Texas Chill for a while and we all went to the hostel in town. One step at a time Tex, Sara and Chip were there too.   I want to start a Texas mob but that involves catching Crank. I got pizza with Texas Chill. Slept on the couch. Today was beautiful. I love mountains. Hiked with Double Bag for a while. Saw a beautiful rainbow.
Date: 2009-07-15
From: Garfield Ridge

To: Stealth Camping in the Presidentials
Miles today: 0.0

Day 140:   Yesterday was fun. I had brownies and cake as a late breakfast at the hut and the hut let 9 of us do 'work for stay'. We played ???? and Texas took the Midwest 2 out of 3 games. Tonight the Mizpah hut wouldn't let me stay inside, so I am stealth camping alone.
Date: 2009-07-17
From: Stealth Camping in the Presidentials

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 49.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 142: yesterday I had breakfast at Lakes of the Clouds, which was totally cooler than Mizpah. It was a beautiful day to summit Washington. I hiked it with Topo who stayed at Lakes. We got food at the top with Texas Chill, Chip ????, Cajun Dave and Fortune. The views from Washington were great. It was windy at the top. I was hoping that we would pass the train on the way down, but no luck. The rest of the hike was pretty nice.   Fortune and I hiked together for a lot of the afternoon. Nine or ten of us stayed at the hut last night and we all got there pretty early so we hung out at the hut all afternoon paying games and doing work for stay and eating good food. They had a guitar and we all sat around a table and sang. At night there was a thunderstorm in the valley and we could see it but there were stars above the clouds. It was a spectacular view. The next morning we had pancakes. The hike in the morning was steep uphill at first and then an above tree line ridge walk. I hiked with Fortune again for most of the day. We actually hike the same speed so it's fun. More great views. Had a veggie burger for lunch with everyone. Tried to ride the gondola down a mountain but ???? there too. We were planning on stealth camping with everyone but most of us are at Carter hut. I went swimming with Birches, Double Bag and Fortune when we got here. They could only take 6 work for stays (which really is a lot, we are with a big group) so Birches, Double Bag and Fortune are camping nearby.
Date: 2009-07-19
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Birches Hostel, Gorham NH
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 144: Today I took what was probably my last zero. Yesterday I did 15 into town The terrain was difficult at first but got easier and the weather was nice again. Been chillin here since then. This place is pretty cool.Yesterday when I got here General, Paradise and Walrus were here. I twas cool to see them again. Cajun Dave and Chip are still here. Went to town to get food, resupply and go to the outfitter. I couldn't get my poles fixed. :-(   We played Monopoly but Chip gave up. Also played fooseball and watched ???? for hours. Tex and Sara are here now.
Date: 2009-07-24
From: Birches Hostel, Gorham NH

To: Andover
Miles today: 41.4
Weather: moderate rain

Finally, after hiking for 1800 miles, I'm in Maine. As soon as I got into the state I broke one of my leki poles, and I haven't come to an outfitter yet. Mahoosuc Notch was a lot of fun. It took me forever, but it was totaly worth it. I have been out of the big group for a while now and I tented alone two nights ago. The solutide was a nice change. I'm in Andover now with people again.
Date: 2009-07-29
From: Andover

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 61.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 153: For some reason it seems like it's getting harder to write in this every day. The weather has been pretty great recently. The day I left Andover it seemed like a consistent stream of spectacular views and I camped about 11 miles out by a river.   I did 15 into town the next day and actually managed to average 2 mph. Rangely is bigger than Andover, not that that's saying much. Bob is really nice and the Gulf Pond Hostel was pretty cool. Stunned Mullet, a Sobo name Smoose and I zeroed there. It was a great zero. The hostel's on a pond so we took the canoe out and went swimming. Later we saw the new Transformers movie, which is the first movie I have seen in a theater this year. Afterwards we went to the Pub (the only restaurant open in town). There were a bunch of hikers there, mostly Sobos, and I talked to a guy who kinda reminded me of Starbucks. My ride out of town was with Superman, an ex-thru hiker who I played kickball with at Trail Days.Beautiful and short day yesterday that included swimming in a pond. Today I did 17ish and ran into Canada, who I haven't seen since TN. Now I am camped with two Nobos who I just met and it's remaining dry so far. There is no Hiker Trash in New Zealand. Only Tramper Rubbish.
Date: 2009-07-30
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Horns Pond Lean to.
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained pretty hard last night but me and my stuff managed to stay dry, and luckily it stopped in the morning. Today was a beautiful day. I stopped in Stratford to resupply and have lunch (still no outfitter) I washed my perpetually dirty legs in the lake when I got here. Mid is evil, but sunny days and ponds are great. There are two shelters here and I have one to myself. Tomorrow I hit 2000 miles.
Date: 2009-07-31
From: Horns Pond Lean to.

To: West Carry Pond Lean to
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Day 7,438.9 Today I think I climbed my last 4000 footer until K. There were some nice views on the top. On the way down the first peak I ran into Honkin Hiker again. Later on I found some delicious wild blueberries. It rained in the afternoon but the last 7 miles were easy. Shelter to myself again. I have now hiked over 2000 miles and the trail has taught me three things.1. Dude Zen food bag wizdom- if you always eat the best thing in your food bag, then you are always eating the best thing in your food bag.2. If you flip a coin, listen to it.3. The term walking distance is relative.
Date: 2009-08-01
From: West Carry Pond Lean to

To: Pleasant Pond Lean to
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: few clouds

This morning Ninja showed up before I even left and reminded me that it's Saturday meaning the P.O. is closed and I couldn't get my mail drop. Other than that today was great. The weather was perfect and the terrain was easy. I took the ferry (canoe) across the Kennenbec and then hitched into town. Not sure which town but there was food there. On the way to the shelter I saw a porcupine and it was adorable! I wanted to pet it which is probably not what you are supposed to do when you see a porcupine. I'm here alone again for my third night in a row. For some reason my left foot has been hurting. Hmmm. Apparently I'm like 20 ft. from a road because a car just drove by.
Date: 2009-08-03
From: Pleasant Pond Lean to

To: Moxie Bald Lean to
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: few clouds

Day !-?.   Last night two southbounders showed up after dark and I talked to them for a while. Today's hike was great. There were tons of wild blueberries everywhre. I liked Moxie Bald a lot too.
Date: 2009-11-15
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sorry for such a long delay, I didn't want to finish this journal because I didn't really know how to describe Katahdin and I dont think I was really ready for it to be over. I had fairly good weather thru the 100-mile wilderness but I didn't really have the greatest time because my foot was hurting so bad. I found out later that I had a stress fracture, but I had chosen not to stay in Monson because I was so close to the end. There were tons of beautiful lakes and wild blueberries. It wasn't very remote at all though. Unfortunately I had a foggy summit day on Katahdin but it was somewhat appropriate considering the weather on the trail this year. I summited with T&A, and Jeremiah Johnson, Ironwood, and Nest also summited later in the day. I went to Millinocket with some of the other hikers and had a nice and relaxing, although sad, final zero day. After that, I had a few interesting adventures in Maine before I flew out of Portland. Now I'm back home, working and going back to school next semester. When my foot healed I started playing hockey and doing judo again. Been thinking a lot about the PCT...
Date: 2009-03-07
To: AT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well, It's been 2 years, and it looks like I will finally be getting back on the trail, if only for a little while. I have gotten approval for time off work, and I am planning to hike Erwin to Damascus. I have given myself 11 days or so to get to Damascus. I hope to catch the parade and talent show (my favorite parts) of Trail Days before I drive back to Florida. I have contacted my old hiker buddies Needles and Pitstop, but they can't make it this year. Anyone else out there that would like to go with me, or at least start out together, let me know. (How 'bout it Shades?!) I am not too far out of shape - can still do 30 minutes on the stairmaster, level 9. And I have been day-hiking the Florida Trail all winter. I can not tell you how much I am looking forward to this hike. (But I'm gonna try!!) I have been asked to keep a journal again, and I will certainly try. Thanks for reading, and, I got to say, it's good to be back.
Date: 2009-03-10
To: AT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A dayhike on the Florida Trail 11January2009:Despite having read that the FT section that passes through Camp Blanding military reservation would be closed to hiking in the month of January, I called the number anyway to inquire if I could hike it. 'Range Control' said there would be lots of 'troops hitting the ground', but I was welcome to hike if I called when entering and leaving the Camp. My friend and I were quite excited at the Camp Blanding FT kiosk, when we crossed the fence to the sounds of automatic weapons fire. Sounded like quite a firefight going on, and it was in the direction we were heading. After a short walk on a jeep trail, we emerged onto a well maintained path along the side of a sandhill slope near the giant Lake Lowery. The weather remained perfect for hiking, slightly cloudy, a light breeze, and about 70 degrees. I was amazed how untouched the landscape was, expecting bomb craters and shell casings, and finding instead scrub oak, some pine, and lots of birds flitting through the undergrowth. There was no sound, other than gunfire, which thankfully faded off to the north of us. After making our way a mile or two along Lake Lowery, the trail turned south to the lovely untouched Magnolia Lake, where we paused on the bank with a freshening breeze in our faces, and talked of the unexpected beauty of this little section. Later we found a huge live oak on a sandhill overlooking the water, and had our lunch under it's moss draped arms. In another mile or so, the trail crossed a small stream gurgling over a tiny waterfall, and I could not resist soaking my feet in the crystal clear cool water. Upon reaching my truck at the Keystone Airpark, I realized this little 6.8 mile section would become one of my favorite day hikes, combining sand hills, lakes, creeks, and the 'sounds of freedom,' and only an hour or so drive from my home.