morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-09-13
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Another gorgeous day! Came across Mt. Washington and ended up spending a little bit of time up there. Ate some lunch and watched the Cog Train come up and down the mountain. The train was easy to spot with its black puff of smoke. I expected it to be much colder at the top but it was actually quite pleasant. Worked our way across the remaining ridges. The trail was a bit tough, nothing but rock, but the views made it all worthwhile. Seemed to take forever to get to the hut but we made it just before dark settled in. Walked into the hut while dinner was being served so we had to sit around until the crew was done with their work. We eventually got to eat some cold pizza while they assigned us our jobs for our work for stay. I wiped down the inside of the refrigerator then helped Daisies clean the top of the stove. I was really tired and couldn¢t wait to take my boots off and go to bed but had to wait for all the guests to retire to the bunk room before I could pull my sleeping bag out because we are going to be sleeping on top of the dining room tables. I¢m all set up now and hoping the crew quiets down soon so I can get some sleep. This hut consists of one building. The staff¢s quarters are on one end, the guest quarters on the other end, and the kitchen / dining room are in the middle. The guests don¢t seem to be able to hear the staff since they¢re separated by a door. I wish I was separated by a door. I¢m exhausted.
Date: 2003-09-14
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Pinkham Notch, Windy Hill B&B
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I think I had about 3 maybe 4 hours of sleep last night. The crew at Madison Hut was up until probably midnight making noise and carrying on. At about 1:30 am the crew from Lakes of the Clouds Hut came in on a raid (all the huts raid each other periodically thru the season). They were trying to be quiet but ended up making a great deal of noise in the process. I mean, really, how quiet can you be when you¢re using a hammer to remove metal plates that are bolted to the wall. Eventually the Madison crew woke up and heard them then came running after them. Once they caught them they sat around for a few more hours laughing and being loud. So at about 3 am they parted ways and this crew finally went to bed only to wake us up again at 6 am to start getting things ready for breakfast. We quickly packed up and set the tables then left as fast as we could. Climbed to the top of the first peak of the day and sat up there for close to 2 hours. I think I could have gone to sleep up there. The day just dragged on and on. I didn¢t think it was ever going to end. The downhill was really hard on my knees. I¢m so tired of being in pain all the time that I¢m ready for this to be over with. When we got to Pinkham, Daisies called Pokey (she runs Windy Hill B&B) and she came to get us. This is a great place! It¢s out in the country with a great view of the mountains. It¢s so relaxing here. I¢d love to have a place like this someday. Happy Feet is also here tonight. I¢m glad to have been able to get to know him a little. He has a great sense of humor.
Date: 2003-09-20
From: Pinkham Notch, Windy Hill B&B

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 86.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's mileage reflects the miles since the last entries so my total is up to date. I know, I haven¢t been doing a very good job at keeping up on my journal but I¢ve been too tired to write and I¢ve been reading a lot. I just finished reading ¢The Secret Lives of Bees¢ by Sue Monk Kidd. It was pretty good. It was one of those books that has been floating around the trail. I¢m here at the Cabin with Moo & 42, Mountain Dew, Baltimore Jack, Sleepy Floyd, Backdraft, and Pushing Up Daisies. This is a great place. Honey and Bear (the owners) are great people. We all actually got in here the night before last and will be here for another night or two so we can get in some slack packing. You have to take advantage of this while you can. Anyway, our first night here was great. We had a surprise for dinner, Lobster! This must have been a funny sight because there was a table of probably 10 or so hikers and I think there was only one or two who knew what to do with the thing. It was very messy but boy did I enjoy it. I¢ve had lobster before but just the tail. It was a little different having the entire thing on my plate. As long as I stay here I won¢t be going hungry. The dinners are excellent, as are the desserts and breakfast. For breakfast you get blueberry pancakes, bacon, eggs, biscuits, potatoes, and OJ. Yum Yum. My bunk has flannel sheets so I¢ve been sleeping very well. It¢s been hard to get out of bed since it is much warmer under the covers and two blankets.
Date: 2003-09-21
From: Andover, ME

To: South Arm Road / The Cabin / Andover
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Yesterday I sat around watching college football with Sleepy Floyd. (The Gators vs. Tenn.) He talked me into a little drinking game where whenever they show a certain thing or say a certain thing you have to drink. Well, we were drinking beer and to make it fair we used coffee cups so we would be drinking close to the same amount. We didn¢t play for too long but I definitely had fun. We all went out on a slack today hiking south from South Arm Road back to Andover. It was a good day. Started off with a river crossing. We all managed to make it across without falling in but Moo and Backdraft ended up taking off their boots and walking through. Next was the climb up Moody Mountain. The rest of the day wasn¢t too bad at all. Came back to the cabin, got cleaned up, had another great meal, and dessert. Dessert is always served with ice cream and some kink of cake, pie, or brownie. Moo & 42 had rented some movies for us all to watch so that is what I¢m off to do. A past thru hiker, Load, is also staying here. He¢s sleeping in the bunk above me but every time he moves the bunk sounds like its about to fall. I¢ve found myself wondering if I¢m going to be crushed in the middle of the night.
Date: 2003-09-22
From: South Arm Road / The Cabin / Andover

To: Maine 17 / The Cabin / Andover, ME
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a long day it was. I¢m not sure why it took me so long to do the miles today but it did. I felt like it was never going to end. I thought maybe I might see a moose today since I saw plenty of tracks but unfortunately that wasn¢t the case. Ran into lots of people today which is always nice. It¢s weird how Daisies can be 5 or 10 minutes ahead or behind me and its like I¢m the only person in the woods. At the end of the day when I finally reached the road Bear was there waiting with Moo & 42. While the 4 of us sat in the van and waited for Daisies (who was 10 minutes behind) 42 gave me a beer. Ah, a beer after a long day¢s walk. Came back to the cabin and went straight in to dinner. Shepherd¢s Pie, Oh so good. Now that I¢ve showered and watched a little TV its off to dream land.
Date: 2003-09-23
From: Maine 17 / The Cabin / Andover, ME

To: Monson, ME / Shaw's
Miles today: 209.8
Weather: mist

Well, after a lot of thinking and talking with my folks I decided over the night to jump up to Monson. Today's mileage entry will bring my miles up to the right total. I¢m just really tired of hiking and can¢t wait to be done. I figure its best with the way my knees are hurting and I¢m no longer enjoying the walking part of this trip. I had one last breakfast at the cabin and said goodbye to everyone as they head out to the trail. I felt very sad (and probably could have cried) as I realized I would most likely not see any of this group (Moo, 42, Sleepy Floyd, Backdraft) again as now they are going to be at least a week behind me now. Got all packed up and made the drive with Honey over to Skowhegan where she dropped Daisies and me off. Three hitches later we were in Monson. This is a very small town, I¢ve seen more hikers here than locals. I¢ve gotten a room at Shaw¢s, which I¢m sharing with Daisies. There are a lot of people here, some of whom I haven¢t seen since Virginia. Shaw¢s is quite the place. You¢ve got the main house, the bunkhouse around back at the barn, and another house across the street. Mud Butt and Bumpkin are here as well as Double Dare (Arthur from earlier in the trip) Niagara, Charity, and Moose Munch. Dinner was good, all you can eat, but I could only eat one plate. It¢s a little cool out tonight, we¢ve got the window open in our room and it feels great. Well, off to bed I go.
Date: 2003-09-26
To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I¢m camped tonight at this beautiful site on Lower J0-Mary Lake. Raid did threaten for a while but all it really did was drizzle. But I did watch it rain out across the lake as I ate my dinner. This is a beautiful spot but cold with the wind coming in across the lake. I have on everything I own. The squirrels certainly don¢t seem to mind the weather, they¢re just running all over the place and I¢ve had to shoo them away from my food bag several times. I¢m sharing this great spo9t tonight with Daisies, Bond, Cheesecake and Spin (I met them back in Virginia) and a group of 4 or 5 sectioners. I¢ve now retired to by tent and have been laying here listening to the loons out on the lake.
Date: 2003-09-27
To: White House Landing
Miles today: 6.0

I woke up this morning to the squirrels using my tent as target practice. They were taking aim on me with pinecones. The squirrels in this area are so full of life. Yesterday I stood on the trail and watches as two of them chased each other through the forest. The walking was easy today except for the three times I fell. The first time I stepped on a rock and it overturned while I was on it and I went crashing down onto all the other rocks. It happened so fast. As soon as I hit the ground all I felt was pain ¢ my knee, my leg, my hip, my mouth. I immediately put my hand to my mouth thinking I had broken my tooth but I only busted my lip. I also tore off many layers of skin from my right knee. I sat there for a good 5 minutes until the pain eased up some and watched as my knee began to swell and bruise. Poor Daisies didn¢t know what to do, she wanted to help but didn¢t want to touch me in fear of hurting me more. The next two falls happened while crossing over some bog bridges which were extremely slippery from last night¢s rain.I was walking along and all of a sudden my feet went sliding every which way and down I went in the muck, one of the times landing on my freshly injured right knee. After that I really couldn¢t wait to get to the White House Landing and eat a nice big cheeseburger. To get here you have to take a side trail to a dock where you sound an air horn. So I blew the ear piercing horn and shortly after that the boat came to get us. Our plan was to scarf down a cheeseburger, clean up my injuries, and head back to the trail but that didn¢t happen. As we unloaded ourselves from the boat and were walking up the dock, Bill (the owner) wanted to know if we were staying the night. We told him we just wanted to get some food and he informed us that the kitchen was closed from 2-4 pm. We also found out that the boat won¢t be running again until 4 pm. When we blew the air horn it was 5 minutes to 2. They really should have had a sign posted about this at the dock. So after sitting around for a couple of hours we no longer felt like moving and decided to stay. While Daisies sat out on the dining room porch and read I went over to the bunkhouse to hang out with whoever was there. There was Buckeye, Double Dare, Celt, Niagara, Moose Munch, and Night Owl. I did eventually get my cheeseburger and the thing was huge. They have a few canoes here so several of us decided to paddle out a ways and see if we could get a view of Katahdin but the clouds were too thick in that direction so we couldn¢t see anything. The canoe I was in had a leak in the bottom of it so we paddled back to shore and patched it with some duct tape and we were as good as new. There was a third canoe but it was out of service. Apparently a bear had bit the front of it so there were several holes in it. This place is very relaxing and there isn¢t too much to do. There is no electricity and it is heated by a wood-burning stove. After a while we got a game of Trivial Pursuit going. It was Niagara, Night Owl and myself vs. Moose Munch, Buckeye and Celt. What a long game it was.
Date: 2003-09-28
To: White House Landing
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up this morning to a cold, cold, rain and it is supposed to rain all day. There were a couple people who were brave and hiked out anyway but for the rest of us we had no desire to walk in the cold wet rain so we stayed put. The air horn blew many times today and the boat always came back with drenched, miserable looking hikes, some of whom only stopped in for a warm meal and headed back out but most stayed. After breakfast, which was and English muffin, bacon, scrambled eggs, potatoes, a pancake, and oj, I retired back to the bunkhouse and did some reading and played some cards and Trivial Pursuit. I mostly spent the day lounging around watching it rain. I saw my first moose this morning as it swam across part of the lake. I think it¢s probably a good thing I took this zero day today. My knee hurts pretty bad, especially when I bend it. The swelling of my lip has gone down, and my hip is now bruised a nice black color. Oh well. And the trail goes on (but not for much longer).
Date: 2003-10-02
To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I can¢t believe I¢m finally here! The campground seems to be pretty full, mostly with hikers and their families but there are quite a few families here on vacation. It is REALLY, REALLY, COLD out, and once again I¢m wearing everything I own. Made my last meal on the trail and ate it while in the warm comfort of my sleeping bag. We tried for a long time to get a fire started but were having no luck until a father and son from a couple of sites down came over to give us a hand. Eventually we got it started and then it began to rain. Once the fire got started we ended up with several people gathered around, some of whom I knew and others I didn¢t. People just wanted to get warm. The rain came down lightly for quite a while but got heavier as the night went on. After a while the family that helped us start the fire invited us down to their site to get out of the rain and sit under their tarp. The comfort of car camping. It was a nice evening, cold but nice. I don¢t know how much sleep I¢m going to get tonight. I¢ve been laying here for a while but my eyes don¢t seem to want to close. I can¢t believe it is all going to be over by this time tomorrow. My last entry was from White House Landing the day of all the rain. Just thought you¢d like to know there were reports that 9 inches of rain fell that day.
Date: 2003-10-03
To: Millinocket, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I froze all night and I don¢t think the rain ever quit. It must have been about 2:30 am when I heard C.C. packing up his camp. He left super early so he could be on Katahdin and ready with his camera when people started reaching the summit. It was around 7 am when the ranger came around and informed us all that it was a class 4 day and no one was going up due to the amount of snow and ice that accumulated over the night, about 6 inches worth. You can¢t imagine the disappointment that was felt of the looks on all the hiker¢s faces. It was a sad morning. Once the ranger delivered the news it seemed the hiker community couldn¢t get out of the park fast enough. Some couldn¢t wait and had to begin their journey home but most just wanted to go someplace warm. The view of Katahdin on the way out of the park was absolutely beautiful. It was all white, completely covered in snow. So to Millinocket it was, where Daisies and I got a room at the Katahdin Inn. Not much happened the rest of the day. Tried to relax and ate some pizza. C.C. did make it back sown safely I guess he waited out the storm somewhere around the tree line before turning back.
Date: 2003-10-04
To: Millinocket, ME
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Was at the park at 5:00 am and on the trail by 6:30. It was a class 3 day and there was quite a bit of snow and ice on the trail. I made it just above the tree line before turning back. For me the lack of visibility, the ice and the 50 mph winds were just too treacherous, especially to be doing it by myself. So I made the decision to turn back and on the way back down I began to question my decision but after hearing some of the stories of those who made it I knew for me it was the right choice. This evening I ran into a hiker that did summit today and congratulated her for doing so and them she actually congratulated me for not being stupid. I couldn¢t believe it. Katahdin is not going anywhere. I can always come back. And I think I¢ll make one more attempt either tomorrow or the next day.
Date: 2003-10-07
To: Bangor, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Stayed at the AT Lodge last night. I was down at the restaurant on the corner at 7:30 am for some breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and hot chocolate, then back to the hostel to pack up. Daisies and I took our time leaving this morning since we had nothing to do and nowhere to go. We stopped by the park headquarters on our way out of town just to double check that the mountain was still closed and it was. We ended up giving 1/3 and Trace a ride to Bangor and spent most of the day with them. One of the stops we made was to a thrift shop for some clothes, oh cotton. It was great having met both of them and I¢m glad I was able to spend my last day with them. After Daisies and I checked in to the hotel I worked at getting my pack airplane ready. My last meal of the trip was a cheese pizza. I wonder if I¢ll be able to eat pizza once I get back home. I¢m looking forward to getting on that plane tomorrow but at the same time I¢m sad to go. I¢m going to miss this lifestyle and all of the wonderful people I¢ve met. I¢m disappointed about not being able to summit Katahdin; I had looked forward to it for so long. But I feel there must be a reason I was denied 3 times by this mountain. I now have a bone to pick with Katahdin and I WILL BE BACK sometime in the next year to climb it.
Date: 2003-10-25
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

It¢s good to be home! But I miss everything about life on the trail, even the rain. Well, I guess I still don¢t miss those blood-sucking mosquitoes. I dragged my sleeping bag out onto the back patio last night to sleep but it just wasn¢t the same. At 2 am I could still near all the road traffic and the sky wasn¢t dark at all. It has taken me some time to get back into city life and I¢m not all the way there yet. I still have a problem with large crowds and loud noise but not like I did when I first came back. I¢m not scared to drive any more, but I do get a little nervous being a passenger. People are in such a rush around here. Everything is much faster than that 2.5 mph pace I¢m so used to. I¢ve been enjoying my time here with my family and friends. Relaxing at the beach as often as possible as the sand and salt water are great for my beat up feet and legs. So what¢s next? Well, I¢m planning a trip back to Baxter in August 2004. Other than that I¢m hot sure. Maybe Europe or Alaska or a cruise to the islands. I don¢t really know right now.
Date: 2003-11-01
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This was such an amazing journey! I¢m thankful to all of those I met along the way. To those who were sitting along road sides welcoming passing hikers with some wonderful treats, to the families who brought and welcomed me into their homes, to those who gave me rides to and from the trail, to the many hostels I stayed in, to the outfitter who helped me with my pack, to my fellow hikers who made me laugh, who shared incredible views with me, who gave me encouragement and wonderful conversation. Most of all I¢m grateful for the friendships that have grown out of this. You all have helped in making this trip special and in making many wonderful memories. Thanks to all who followed along with my progress, who read and signed my journal. A special thanks to those who sent me care packages. An extra special thanks to: Jim Sabin (aka Old Spice) who had the wonderful job of deciphering my notes and keeping my journal updated. My Dad for sending me all those packages and for the love and support he¢s given me my entire life. For the encouragement he gave to me when I¢d call home feeling low and ready to throw in the towel. Hiking the A.T. was a wonderful experience, I¢m extremely glad I did it. And now it¢s on to the next adventure.
Date: 2003-03-02
From: Springer Mountain, Georgia

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After an emotional goodbye to my wife Cindy and son Travis, I started my hike. This has always been a dream for me. Many people have dreams. Kyle & Pattie Petty have a dream to build a camp for children with life-threatening illness, which will be called Victory Junction Gang Camp. This camp is in honor of their son Adam Petty. It will serve children from NC, SC, and VA. At the camp, services will be provided to seriously ill children without expense to the family, & will be open year round for week long summer camp sessions, family retreat weekends & medical conferences. All sponserships for my hike go directly to the camp. Thank-you for your financial support for the Camp, and thank-you for the support you have given me & my family. Happy Trails - Ray (Cindy & Wendy are writing these entries from my phone calls & journal notes)
Date: 2003-03-06
From: near Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I tried my best to sleep last night. There was a terrible storm raging - lighting up the sky off & on all night! I walked approximately 56 miles to date. I wanted to stop at Cheese Factory Campsite, but my group (A-Train, Dimples, Grunt, and others) wanted to push on to Tray Mountain Shelter for a total of 15 miles today. Tray Mountain is a beautiful place!
Date: 2003-03-07
From: Tray Mountain

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

It was cold this morning - in the 20's!! Burrr!! I had a good day of hiking. A group (Grunt, A-Train, Dimples & me )of us went into town, Hiawassee, for a good meal & a soft bed (Holiday Inn Express)for the night.
Date: 2003-03-08
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Plum Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Grunt and me hitchhiked out to the trail from town while A-train and Dimples were updating their journals on the internet. Red Streak and Squires rode out with us. The 4 of us hiked up to the Plum Orchard Shelter. Red Streak, Squirts and myself decide to go a couple of more miles to a campsite so tomorrow won't be such a long day to Standing Indian!
Date: 2003-03-09
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Plum Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: few clouds

I crossed the NC line today!! I'm already a few days ahead of schedule. Keeping up with these college kids is something! Red Streak, Squirts, Grunt and myself hitched a ride out to the trail from town, while A-Train and Dimples were updating their journals on the internet. The 4 of us hiked up to Plum Orchard Shelter. Red Streak, Squirts, and myself decided to go a couple of more miles to a campsite so tomorrow won't be such a long day to Standing Indian.
Date: 2003-03-10
From: near Plum Orchard Shelter

To: Standing Indian
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

I've hiked 85 miles so far!! Got my trail name today on the way to Standing Indian! "Flick" because I'm always flicking little fallen limbs and twigs off of the trail with my hiking sticks! Everyone seems to like it, so we'll go with it! Crossed the GA/NC line this morning!
Date: 2003-03-11
From: Standing Indian

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Ray called from Wallace Gap, approximately 2 miles short of Winding Stair Gap. Today he and his group hiked 6 miles in 2 hours and 15 mins-their best time yet! His meals in a typical day consists of : breakfast, snack, 1st lunch, 2nd lunch, snack, dinner. Lumberjack is at shelter. Great campfire!