morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-15
From: LINCON, N.H.

To: MT. Washington
Miles today: 0.0

Ok, things change fast in the New England States. I skipped the White Mountains and headed south. We reached W. Hartford and the weather forecast has summer weather returning to the White Mountains.                           I called "Plans To Much" who is shuttling hikers in the N.H. and Vermont area and he agreed to give me a ride back to Lincoln, N.H. I am current staying at a Chet¢s Hostel. It is a great place: Clean, friendly, and walking distance to an outfitter, movie theater, Internet caf©, and food.                                                                                                                        I am hiking the "White" the easy way and with accountability. I reserved bunks in the hut ¢ yes I paid for the reservations and am not gambling on the work for stay effort. I will get a bed, breakfast, and dinner and can purchase snacks/lunch. Plus, if I don't show up, someone will know that I am missing. In addition, I have dropped (mailed forward) my tent, sleeping bag, pad and stove and therefore my pack weight is down to 15 lbs max with winter clothes, and emergency gear.If the weather forecast is correct, I should have a great summit day on Mt. Washington.I still hope to finish with Rabbit, Owl, Soaring and Roo in Oct. But to do that I will have to move quickly once I am finished with the Whites. Only time will tell.Trail MagicFunny thing, several people told me that the New England states are not supportive of the AT and I would not find "Trail Magic" on the trail. I was warned about Hanover and that it is "conceited" as it is an Ivy League college town. These people are wrong.I received tons of trail magic: from unexpected rides to towns, to several coolers along the road filled with watermelon slices, sodas, juices and candy. As for Hanover: What a beautiful town. People greeted me, told me where to go for free pizza, how to get around on the free public town transportation, offer to watch my pack while I went into a real food store (instead of a gas station convince store) etc. It is a beautiful town. It has tons of bookstores and Ben and Jerry¢s ice cream shop.Well, Mummy is playing at the theater in 20 min, so I need to go buy my ticket and a big bag of buttered popcorn. Keep bouncing everyone
Date: 2008-09-03
From: Vermont

To: Heading South
Miles today: 0.0

I have finished the White Mts in N.H. and the rest of Maine. I have returned to Vermont and I am heading south.There are a lot of ways to hike the White Mts. Some hikers camp and avoid the huts, other through hikers stay at the huts (if there is room) exchanging work for stay. I did the third option and stayed at the hut as a paying customer with reservations. The last method does cost money, but it allowed me to NOT carry a tent, sleeping bag or dinner/breakfast meals. This in turn allowed me to hike longer days. I think all three ways are valid and allow you to enjoy the views and meet people.I shared a dinner table with a bunch of Boy Scouts at Lake of the Clouds. Another night I ate with a family and the father is a professor at Havard.The hut crews were great and treated me and the work for stay hikers with respect. Catfish, a hiker who I hiked most of the White Mts and the Mahoosuc Notch with, did work for stay and did evening classes about hiking the AT.It is interesting to note, that several hikers fell down that last day while hiking into Gorham....me included. It was one of those moments when time slows down and I knew I could not stop the fall. My subconscious took over and I went with the fall....saved my knees. I said a silent prayer that I knew someone would have found me if I had been seriously hurt.I stayed at a cool Victorian house with a barn that was a bed and breakfast in the house and a very clean hostel in the barn. It is owned by a medical Doctor. The notch and the Mahoosuc Notch are so far the most technical and generally the hardest part of the trail. It is very climbable/hikable....but if you make a mistake and hurt yourself, you are not getting out under your own power. I was grateful to be hiking with Catfish, aside from being good company he provided a good safety net.I have noticed the leaves are starting to change colors. While it is beautiful, the thought of winter is putting some speed back in my step. I think I am done boucning around and changing directions on the trails and I will focus on bouncing faster toward the south.Tigger
Date: 2008-09-14
From: Heading South

To: Further South
Miles today: 0.0

I will bounce into Connecticut tomorrow. One more state crossed off the list.The generosity of the New England people is amazing. Right now the trail crosses a town or two each day. It seems no matter how well off or just the American working class, there is always someone offering a ride, or a place to stay: Plans-to-Much, 12 Tribes, Tom in Dalton, and the Cookie Lady and her husband are wonderful. Again this trip has made me aware of the caring nature of the American population.FUN VACATION?Someone asked me the other day if I was having "fun" on my "vacation." I sat there for several moments with a befuddled look etched onto my face. FUN VACATION?First, we should examian the word "fun". The Webster Dictionary defines "fun" as "what provides amusement, playful, boisterious action...implies gaiety."The second word is "Vacation." It is defined as being "free from duty or service or a schedule period which activity is suspended"Now let me think through the words: You have fun on a "fun run", but anyone who has attempted or completed a marathon would never refer to a 26-mile run as a "fun run" You can experience a fun vacation that consists of rock climbing and a day of river rafting, but a 3-month mountaineering effort is not a vacation. I have enjoyed the challenge of hiking over 2000 miles, the logistical planning, meeting new people, and seeing new things...but I would not call this a "fun vacation." I think a three day wine and spa tour or three days at Disney is a good vacation which I might embark upon after the trail is completed will qualify as a fun vacation.Tigger
Date: 2008-09-22
From: Something Stewart Shelter

To: Hopefully Ft. Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 13.0

Hello EveryoneThe trail is still wonderful although I am going slower then I want. I plan to finish on the 20 or 22 of Oct.Again I have some amazing experiences. The following events are not in order."Trail Magic to the tenth degree."Bookworm and I were hiking near each other and decided we would "wild/stealth" camp. But then we noticed an official camping site on the map and decided to press on one more mile so we could have water from a tap. (The small things in life that make you walk another mile). As we hiked into the parking area with the tap water, we noticed a high quantity of cars for a Thurs. Several people were at the tap and inquired if we were AT hikers. Upon our confirmation, they asked us to join them at their annual PIG ROAST. We walked to the camp area to discover a bond fire that almost reviled Texas A&Ms bond fire and proceeded to eat three plates of roast pork ribs, roasted corn, chestnut pies and tons of other food. It did not end there. We enjoyed the bond fire and talked with everyone until late into the evening. The following morning, I had fresh coffee and home made spiced pork sausage for breakfast. Then they presented me with a "Annual T-Shirt."   Helen is the leader of this band of merry people. They are not related by blood, but by friendship. This band of merry people drive from all over the country to participate in this annual renewal of friendship and feeding of through hikers.¢The Wonders of Shelters and Squirrels¢As I departed Salisbury Conn, I walked late into the evening and located the shelter as the sun went down. To my amazement, I was the only person at the shelter. I unpacked, found the water source, and started dinner and then I stopped everything. A full moon was raising over a lake in the valley the shelter overlooked. It was an awe inspiring view. I enjoyed my dinner and watched the slow moving moon for an hour. I finally settled down to get some sleep, when something hard hit the tin roof of the shelter. Needless to say, I was immediately wide awake and drawing pictures in my head of ¢Big Foot¢. It did not happen again and I fell asleep in the next hour.The next day, the sky rained acorns. I am not sure if the gentle breeze and the fall weather was making the acorns drops, or if the squirrels I kept scaring off the trail were getting even by throwing them at me. If it was the squirrels, they have bad aim. The third option is Tree Beard (JRR Tolkin) is attempting to hurry me on my wayWell That is All Keep Bouncing.
Date: 2008-09-25
From: Veron, N.J.

To: Ft Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 13.0

25 Sept-Oak leaves green with a touch of red sharp against the clear blue sky.-The green-brown grass spread out between the gray-brown trunk.-Bound, bound. . .pause. . . bound. . .pause. . . bound, bound.-The bottle brush bushy tail gives the squirrel's location away.- Stop, listen, bound for the tree.-Up, up to the leaves contrasted against the sky.         Written by TiggerIt took me forever to get out of Fort Mongomery. The town has nothing a hikers needs, but it has a great Post Office staff. But while there is no where to purchase long term supplies or fuel, it does have history. As I was walking out of town, I noticed the archaeological dig at the state park of Fort Clinton...no relationship to the current clintons.It was a interesting revolutionary war site. Then the AT goes through the zoo and that was another 90 minutes. In addition, I stopped and talked to this couple celebrating their 50th anniversary and well that was an enjoyable hour. I enjoyed the history and the people so it was past noon when I departed on Wed.
Date: 2008-09-29
From: Veron, NJ

To: South!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow, southern NY is rocky. We have been making good time and reached Veron, N.J. on Friday. But before I reached Veron, I made two stops. The first stop was the Bellvale Creamery that has outstanding ice cream. I also followed a blue blaze off the trail and stayed at a hotel for the night: The Contenentail.   It has been on the Greenwich lake since 1918 and Babe Ruth stayed in the same room I did..or should I say I stayed in the same room as Babe Ruth had stayed. The hotel has all the old directories and great photos.My next stop was Unionville to stay at the Mayor's house. I was grateful for a place to sleep inside as 3 inches of rain was about to come down. Sleeping inside was just the start The mayor provides first class treatment all the way. I woke up the next morning to a low grade fever and body aches and it was still raining...it did not take much effort by the Mayor to convince me to zero. The following day was overcast but not raining, the Mayor offered to let me slack pack a 23 mile section and I got to return to the first class treatment. Finally on the third day, I felt I needed to return to the trail. I decided to push for the Mohican Outdoor Center and it was worth it. For those who know of Bear's Den in Va...this is just as nice. And since the last three hours of hiking was in a steady rain..the hot shower, dinner, and fire burning in the fireplace were apprciated. To think I could have been in a cold tent.Someone has been watching over me...thanks for all the prayers.
Date: 2008-10-10
From: Duncannon

To: South!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The animal kingdom is alive and well in Pennsylvania. In three days, I have experienced close and sometimes personal encounters with this kingdom. The following event is based on fact and was the most recent encounter. I was climbing out of Duncannon and experienced a rare moment on the Pennsylvania portion of the trail when there is a view and it is a non-rocky trail. My attention was divided between the view and about 6 feet of trail in front of me, when my trail glance caught sight of a pig size creature, loaded with black, brown. and white quills in the raised position. I froze in place.As the adrenaline surged through my body and to the brain receptors encouraging the flight mode, the logical portion of my higher functions was repeating, "It is NOT true that porccpines can shoot their quills up to six feet...it is NOT true..you have to touch them." Right?!?Well Mr Porccpine (maybe a Mrs.) knew it had the upper hand and decided it was not moving off the trail. In fact, it decided to participate in a stare-down that rivaled Clint Eastwood from the speghetti westerns. And Mr. Porcupine was packing two fully loaded 6 shooters of quills. After a few minutes, my heart slowed from over-drive to 55 MPH and I grabbed my camera from its holster and started shooting.   Then it dawned on me: I was armed with a camera and it was packing quills and the trail was a drop to one side and thick over grown thorny bushes on the other side. For me to get by, I needed this over stuffed pin cushion to move off the trail.I debated about grabbing a fat, stubby stoggie and jamming it between my teeth and taking on this quill slinger in the stare-down. But alas, reality reaserted itself; besides the gender difference between Clint and myself, I lacked Clint's steely eyed stare and 2 day old stubble. I needed another way.Noise: that's it, noise might work. I took a step backward for good measure and drew my hike poles and aimed these devices toward the quill slinging pin cushion and started tapping the sticks together. Hmmm, I wonder if Clint ever had the bad guys laugh in his face. This thing looked at me like...well I am not sure what, but I know it smiled and those quills quivered. But I was committed, I tapped the sticks harder and with more aggression or was it fear. Those two emotions often result in the same behavior. After what seemed like a long noon hour, but in reality was one or two minutes, Mr. Pine slowly sauntered off the trail with several pauses as it threw several stealy eyed stares in my direction. It sauntered a whole three feet, one yard, or 36 inches! The logic brain: " they can Not fire those quills through the air, they can Not..." I started to swagger my way down the trail with the thought that Clint would never run from a fight that quickly turned to a fast skidaddle to get out of Mr Quill Slingers territory. After all, he might not be the bad guy, but rather a local quill toting sheriff just checking out the passing riffraf in his area. TiggerNote from the Editor: Mr. Pine got off easy.
Date: 2008-04-22
To: Last thoughts
Miles today: 0.0

Talking time has just about come to an end. Most everyone I know is aware I'm within 10 days of actually being on the trail. Some personal thoughts: 1) I will miss my best friend my spouse 2) a number of my friends just don't get what I'm doing or why 3) too many folks know about this adventure, not completing it will raise a lot of questions. If I have a problem beyond my control, I may still stay gone 6 months and drive around in a rental car and take pictures of the places I was suppose to see (I'm the only one that will know ?) 4) we are starting at Harpers Ferry, still seems pretty cold in the north land 5) the excitement is starting to build - this can be fun, not something to be endured 6) the magnitude of what I'm starting is setting in even though I've already done about 200 miles of the trail 7) still a few things to figure out ala equipment/food/logistics, but how hard can it be? 8) I'm lucky to have a great hiking partner; I can't imagine doing this by myself 9) I can still see people's reaction to finally understanding I will be on the trail for six months (some comments were: "better you than me", "you must be crazy", "why would anyone do that", "you are going to miss a lot of football", ¢that trail has broken a lot of good men¢, "I envy you", "wish I was going with you", "be careful", "you are taking a weapon?, right", "watch for bears"...) and 10) the bad news: I will miss the Olympics and the first half of college football (my favorite), the good news: I will miss all the political stuff, especially the over and over ads. Hopefully, I'll just show up and vote on the first Tuesday in November. Thanks to all who have given me great encouragement and support, especially my beautiful wife, Lynn.
Date: 2008-04-29
To: Time to go
Miles today: 0.0

Finished packing first five weeks of food yesterday with Digger and his spouse, Barb. She has been very gracious and has agreed to do a lot of the buying, packing, and mailing of boxes. It has become very clear that the key is to be flexible and keep your options open. We have a plan, but the plan only works as well as what happens on the trail (go too slow or too fast and you will not be where you are suppose to be relative to food etc. - well duh). We will learn as we go, and be really smart in about a month. Still think I'm carrying too much, but right now there is nothing I can do without. Experienced folks tell us that will change quickly. Will pack up tonight, put the pack in a duffle bag, and check it as luggage on the flight (Jet Blue from Orlando to Dulles). Digger and Barb will be here tomorrow (Wednesday at 8:30 AM). Will make next entry from the trail at Harpers Ferry. Have added a journal for Digger (can be found by searching on "Digger" at the starting page). Finally,I am dedicating this adventure to my Mother (who passed in 1981). As a young woman in the Washington DC area she was a member of a hiking club who helped maintain and support the AT in it's very early stages. When I was very young she often talked of the opportunity the trail offered someone (walk from Maine to Georgia), a dream she never had the chance to realize due to a myriad of reasons. In the back of my mind, (evn as a child) I always knew some day I would attempt it. That day is here.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Time to go

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Greetings from the AT Conservancy (aka ATC) in Harpers Ferry. Spent the night in a one star motel (Northgate Inn) last night; the sheets were clean and the water hot. All in all a good night in the regular world. Met two thru hikers here at the ATC who started from Springer about March 1st (Indian Summer and Master Alex). Said some snow and water conditions were good from Georgia. Obviously averaging about 16 miles a day. Weather is overcast and temp is in 50s. Expected to be good weather on next several days with some scattered showers. Digger and I continue to believe we have too much stuff, but can't figure out what to leave out. I'll bet by this tinme next week we will have figured it out! We will mail our first bounce box to the next mail location (Fayettville, Pa, about 60 miles) from the Harper's Ferry Post Office. We'll have official picture taken at the ATC, get registered as thru hikers. and then we will be off. We will try not to forget the first rule.
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Free State Hiker Hostel

To: Antietam Shelter (after slack hike tomorrow)
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: clear sky

Made Ed Garvey shelter fine, great place with a great view looking out over a valley. Met "Doc" a retired psychologist from Maine who is finishing up his last 380 miles of the AT. Several other good folks there (Hoosier/Hemlock/All Good, Master Alex and Old Wolf (Mike)). Next morning off to Dalgreen Cmpround (improved campsites, hot water, flush toilets - uptown). Saturday off to Pogo campround (9 miles) and the need to make an executive decision. Do we stay there with a front moving in or go the next 5 miles (total day of 14 miles) to the Free State Hiker Hostel. Made the decion to go on. Obviously a good one. When we got here we found Doc again (he was also at Dahlgreen) and essential a wonderful house with all the ammentities (stocked refrig, snacks, laundry, shower, clean bunk). Ordered out pizza; all the comforts of home! Sunday is a zero day (will let our bodies recover). No major problems yet, our mantra is go slow and then slow down (that's not original with us). Packs arre still too heavy, but with the opportunity to counsel with Doc we are figuring our some stuff we don't need. Weather is good today, sunshine and in the 60s. It did rain hard, and glad not at Pogo last night. Met a lot of day hikers out on the trail during the weekend. Doc gave us some great info on places to see, things not to miss, and the excitemnt level is building (especially for what we will see/experience in NH and Maine). Important to keep focused and to not take things too seriuously. We were introduced to the concept of "slack packing" or "slacking". Simply means; having folks shuttle you ahead, you can hike back to the staring point w/o all your equipment, then have them shuttle you back to the original point they shuttled you to, and resume the original hike with your equipment. A very attractive option. It still has not completely sunk in that I am really doing this, but I'm getting more comfortable with the commitment each day. Clearly, only four days into this is not a reliable sample. More on down the road.
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Pen - Mar Campground

To: Free State Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

Today (Happy Cinco de Mayo) was our first official "slack pack" day. We (Timbear/Digger/Doc/Iron Mike) were shuttled to Pen - Mar campground from the FSHH at 8 AM and on the trail at 8:45. Great hiking conditions (60s, clear sky, and low humidity). Had one big up to get to "High Rock" where we had a break looking out over a very beautiful valley. Then onward back to the FSHH since Digger had a dental problem (cracked a tooth)that required some attention. Had lunch beside a stream. Also about the same time met Hemlock and Hoosier coming north from the Cowall Shelter. We arrived back about 2 pm. Along the way we lost contact with Iron Mike, but are anticipating him here around 4 PM. Just had a hot shower, doing a load of clothes in the washer. Life is good.
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Iron Masters Mansion Hostel

To: Duncannon, Pa
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Night before last camped at Caledonia State Park (just outside of Fayetteville, Pa). Campsite was about a mile off the trail. Tent was setup right beside a stream. Rained slightly during the night. Not much got wet. Digger talker an RV'er whow was also camping there to take us into Fayetteville the next morning (yesteray) @ 9 AM. He dropped us offf at the Flamingo Restaurant where we had a great breakfast with the locals. Next off to the PO where the nice folks helped us rebox and mail packages. We are now forwarding most of the food being mailed to us. We have way too much food. Each of us also either "bounced" or mailed home additional gear. We have to get lighter. We are now down to the bare minimum of stuff. Yesterday, after about 10 miles (left Caledonia about 12:45) spent the night at Birch Run Shelter. Arrived there at 7 PM. A gentlemen (and his dog) kept us all awake with some very serious snoring. Oh well, these things happen. It drizzled most of yesterday and we arrived pretty soaked. Rained hard last night and today. Got totally soaked doing 10 miles today to the Iron Master's Mansion Hostel. We got here just before a number of other hikers who started from Springer in early March (we are just ahead of the bubble). We are off to the local general store at 4 PM (Only game in town for food or supplies). This is where the famous challenge is to eat a half gallon of ice cream in a single sitting. Also, this is the tradition half way point on the AT. The hostel is fun, and it will be a new exerpience. Lot of young folks who are trail rockets (averaging 20 miles a day). The fun continues; we are warm and dry.