morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-08-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Who can't do 17 miles? I did 20 today to the summit house of Sugarloaf Mnt. Boy, what a day but man, what a view. I am on the second highest mnt. in ME and since no one is allowed on Katahdin after dark, I am one of four of the highest people in ME. Awesome. I'm here with Mystic, Marley, and Chill and couldn't ask for better company. We had a roaring game of dice, laughed harder than I can even tell you after Marley blew a 2700 score on a full dice roll, and am looking at more stars then I have ever seen. It's unbelievable. I saw a shooting star and it was so clear I could see the sparks from it. It's about 30 degrees up here but in the summit house it's a nice 60. Really couldn't ask for a better night. Of course now I have to pee so I'm going to have to bare my ass to the freezing windy cold. I love hiking.
Date: 2006-08-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ten not horrible miles and Stratton, ME welcomes me. What a nice little town with great food. Unfortunately there's not an outfitter here and I need new shoes. My KEENS are shot. They're coming apart and I don't think they'll make it to Katahdin. I guess I'll have to find a ride into Rangeley tomorrow and exchange them out. What a bummer, but I'll also be able to get new camp/town shoes. I think the guys are planning on a 15 tomorrow but I'm not going to do that. Especially if I go to Rangeley, I'll probably get 5 miles in. That will put me up on Bigelow Mnt. and starting the last big range of biggies. Awesome. Plus I've had a few beers and I'm never motivated to hike after a night of drinking. I'm sharing a room with Grits at the Stratton Motel and he probably hates me right now. Gotta go.
Date: 2006-08-21
To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 0.0

I have become a lazy journaler. Okay, to catch you up real quick. Did a zero in Straton and got new shoes (18th), walked the Bigelows (19th), saw lots of ponds (19-20th), washed off in "the Tubs" (19th), got rained on - lots (20th), four wet miles into Caratunk (21st). And that's where I am. Marley and Chill moved another 6 miles out on the trail but Mystic and I have decided that $10 is too cheap to pass up getting out of the rain. We will simply do two big days to get into Monson on the same day as Marley and Chill. Of course, quite a bit later in the day but oh well. The terrain has leveled out, there certainly hasn't been any big mountains since the Bigelows but the footing is treacherous. Roots and rocks and rocks and roots. It's never ending and makes an "easy" 17 mile day exhausting. But what can you do? It's a trail, it's not supposed to be easy. If it were, everyone would be doing the AT. The scenery on the other hand is breathtaking. I've seen great big ponds, what we would call lakes in the south, surrounded by mountains and firs. Beautiful and pristine - no motors allowed in them so they are nice and clean and there is no noise pollution. I sure do wish the weather had been sunny so I could have gone swimming. This past section is definately one I'll be coming back to do. It's just been outstanding. Of course my hiking company helps a whole lot. Chill, Mystic, and Marley are a great group of guys and we have so much fun together. They really make my nights enjoyable. I've even been hiking during the day off and on with each of them. A nice change of pace for me. I'm planning on summiting Katahdin on Sept. 2, hopefully with the group. I know Mystic and Marley will be there and we are doing our damndest to convince Chill he has to come up with us. I don't think we will have to push too hard. That only leaves 12 more days. It's happened so fast. I can't believe in 12 days this part of the hike will be over. I'm not ready for it to end. The thru-hikers pretty much are and I can understand that. It's been 5 months for them and it will be just under 3 for me. It could go on forever as far as I'm concerned. This way of life is very simple. The hard parts don't ever seem so hard after a couple days of rest and a lot of laughter.
Date: 2006-08-23
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Whew, in Monson after two 19 mile days. Mystic and I busted out two great days that were super easy so we could catch up with Marley and Chill at Shaw's hostel. This is a great hostel. Nice bunk room, laundry and we're going to get a huge breakfast tomorrow morning. I'm not sure how I'm thinking about breakfast right now after all the food I've had since I got here. We went to The Pub and ate to our hearts content. I had a lobster quesidilla and hot wings. Marley ate 3 dinners and 2 cheesecakes. I wish I could fit that much in. But I did finish the night off with most of a pint of Ben & Jerry's Phish Food. Yummy. I love the hiker appetite.On Tues. Mystic and I climbed Moxie Bald and waited to see the sunset but clouds rolled in before we saw the whole thing go down. We had a lovely time on top of the mnt. I basked in the sun and Mystic built rock cairns. Then we hiked the remaining 2 miles to the shelter where we met section hikers from Austin, TX. They say I should move there. Hmmm, maybe.
Date: 2006-08-24
From: Monson

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

What a lovely day. After an absolutely huge and wonderful breakfast at Shaw's we headed into the 100 mile wilderness. Aaahhh, what a beautiful area. I must've passed 6 ponds today, I forded 3 rivers, and got to experience ever changing scenery. The terrain was lovely with a bit of technical footing. At about the 6 mile mark Mystic, Chill, Marley and I met at Little Wilson Falls which is the largest waterfall on the AT and the largest in ME. We sat on top of it and enjoyed a nice snack. Then a few miles later we met and ate lunch at Wilson Valley Lean-to. With just under 5 miles left for a 15 mile day we decided to take it easy. At another nice waterfall we sat for a spell and played a game of squandolly, our dice game. Then we mosied the next 1.5 miles to Long Pond Stream Lean-to which doesn't have a pond but we can hear the river running down in the valley. What a great day. I certainly hope the rest of the wilderness is as nice as today was. Let me tell you about my current clothing situation. So, I have my town dress, I have a pair of pants that have a seat being completely held together by lime green duck tape, and I have a shirt that is now sporting it's on strip of lime green duck tape. I guess it got jealous of all the attention the pants were getting. One day I'm going to go over a blow down and stand up without a seat in my britches. I'm a mess. The shirt may disintergrate before Katahdin. I'll be walking up The Big K with my town dress on.
Date: 2006-08-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Whew, long day. At 17 miles it wasn't an extremely high mileage day but it was exhausting. I don't know, maybe it was the 30 something temps. last night. Chill, Marley, and I both dragged our asses into camp tonight just plum wore out. We are stealth camping by the Gulf Hagas Trail tonight, not a great site but it'll do. We can hear the river running below us and hopefully sleeping in our tents will keep us warmer. I know I'll be warmer tonight anyhow. Only 8 more days until I summit Katahdin. Two more big days and the rest is smooth sailing. The guys are unbelieving right now. They know it's close but after so many months it doesn't seem possible. For me, it's surreal. I can't believe I've finally walked this part of the trail. I can't believe I'm in the 100 mile wilderness. I'm so lucky to be out here, able to hike, and hiking with such great people. It is the people that make this journey so enjoyable. Well, and the amazing things I've seen, the huge mountains I've climbed, and the proud moments of looking back and saying, "Yep, I walked that trail," doesn't hurt. Today we sat on top of Chairback Mnt. and studied the surrounding landscape, trying to figure out which way we were headed. We finally decided on one way and then once off the mountain realized it was totally the opposite direction we had thought. The trail doubled us back and we had a perfect view of where we were sitting, or more impressive, what we had climbed down. The descent was all rock, very steep and scary. From our view point, across the valley and on the side of another mnt., you could really see what peril we had just faced. At the time though it rarely crosses your mind that what you're doing is dangerous or just slightly insane. You sort of shrug your shoulders and say, "Okay, this is what's in front of me, this is what's got to be done." Hopefully I can remember to continue having that attitude once this hike is over.
Date: 2006-08-26
To: East Branch Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Had a great day today! We did 14 miles and saw Katahdin up close and personal for the first time. We had four peaks today, on the fourth, White Cap, the Big K came hurtling into our sights. All four of us climbed the mountain together knowing we would see our destination, wanting to experience the euphoria together. What a feeling. I think we each got a tear in our eye, if not a few. The day had been nice and easy so we sat up on that mountain for a good hour until we decided to make our way down. The descent was amazing. After circling the mountain we came to a beautiful white stone staircase that lead us down, all the while facing Katahdin. It was like descending a staircase to heaven. We arrived at East Branch Shelter a short time later, made a great fire, and enjoyed the evening. With the temps. being so low we were in bed by 7 and asleep soon after. It has just been the four of us throughout the Wilderness, which has been nice. I'm sure other friends will catch up with us soon, we will be taking our time in the next few days.
Date: 2006-08-27
From: East Branch Shelter

To: White House Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

So, long day but totally flat and full of beauty. We did 23 miles to the White House Landing, a nice hostel that is on a lake and run completely on propane. In order to get to the Landing, we had to take a 1 mile blue blaze, sound the air horn, and get picked up by a motor boat. It was very fairytaleish. But before that the day was unbelievable. We passed several ponds with sandy beaches, pine needle terrain that felt like trampolines, and about 1 mile total of bog log bridges. As I was sitting at Antlers Campsite pond eating lunch a big cow moose came out of the woods. I had been hearing grunts and finally there she was, I believe a little perturbed that I was at here feeding spot. She moved around the trees and we spent several minutes staring at each other, not but 15 feet apart. I was scared to death. I didn't know what to do so I just took a picture. Finally, she gave one final grunt, turned and headed up the trail. I felt bad I was in her lunch spot but there was no where for me to go. She was BIG. And I was only half through with my lunch. Once I reached the shelter we had planned on staying at I found a note in the register saying that Marley and Mystic had gone the extra miles to the hostel. I waited on Chill and we raced against the approaching storm to make it in time for dinner, which included Linda's famous 1 lb. burgers. We made it just as the rain picked up and dinner was being started. I ate most of a 1 lb. burger but Marley and Mystic ate 3. Three lbs. of burger. No hiker has ever eaten more than 2. They even had all the fixin's. Plus chips. Marley even had a huge homemade Whoppie Pie for dessert. Mystic looked sick. Unbelievable. I did have Ben & Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Icecream for dessert. SO GOOD! I think I'll have pizza for dinner tomorrow night. The thought of hamburger kinda turns my stomach.
Date: 2006-08-28
From: White House Hostel

To: white house hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Enjoying a cold, cloudy zero day at the White House. I'm hurting and needed a day to rest my body. I'm not so sure Marley and Mystic would be able to hike after lasts nights show anyhow. It's been a great zero, haven't done anything but listen to music, play games, read, and eat. Laughing throughout all of it. We just finished a vicious game of Uno and poor Mystic was seated next to me. He couldn't catch a break. I started to feel bad I was hammering him with so many bad cards but got over it. We are waiting for the store/restaurant to open back up. I'm starving! I ate my left over Ben & jerry's for lunch but it wasn't enough. I don't want anything in my food bag either. I'm tired of that stuff. At least I am when I know there's other goodies across the yard. Another 45 minutes. We thought we would see Tex and Hui today but no go. Hopefully they haven't passed us by on our lazy day. I would hate to have missed them. We did tell them we were summiting Sept. 2 so hopefully they will wait up and go up with us.
Date: 2006-08-29
From: white house hostel

To: Crescent Pond
Miles today: 0.0

White House Landing was awesome but it cost me a fortune! I'm not even going to discuss how much money the four of us spent. But, we had a great radio station that had Blue Monday last night so I fell asleep listening to the blues. Today we had planned on a 15 mile day but after reviewing our milage that was left (46) and days to do it in (5) I decided that I didn't want to sit at Abol Bridge for a whole day. So, Mystic and I reevaluated our plans and decided to stealth next to Crescent Pond. We have a beautiful site overlooking the pond and it is so peaceful. We do miss Chill and Marley and we won't see them until we get to Abol but I wanted more time in the woods and less time at a store. It was a great choice. We have a fire and a nice night ahead of us. I ate dinner sitting by the pond, hoping a moose would come say hi but to no avail. Maybe in the morning.   We did run into Hui and Tex today. Hui is going to summit Aug. 31 so I'm not going to see him again but hopefully Tex will stick with Marley and Chill. I would love to be on Katahdin with him.
Date: 2006-08-30
From: Crescent Pond

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last real night on the trail in Maine. Mystic and I are doing it right though. We resisted the urge to go 3 more miles to Abol Bridge and are camping at Hurd Brook Lean-to with a freshman orientation group from U. Maine. We got food off of them! Not only that but we are in a great spot overlooking a pond that's sure to have moose. We just rock hopped across it aways and checked out the sunset but no moose yet. Hopefully in the morning when all is quieter. Of course we will probably sleep right through it.Today offered great views of Katahdin. First we took a side trail to Rainbow Dam and saw her, then we took another side trail up Rainbow Mnt. and she was even closer, and finally on top of Rainbow Ledges she was almost in our face. It's amazing how close that big mountain has gotten in just the past few days. For weeks you try to catch a glimpse of her and finally there is no mistaken what you are looking at. She's the biggest thing around. Three more days and up it we will go. I'm so excited and so sad at the same time. My hike will continue in PA but without my new friends. It's going to be lonely and I'm really going to miss these guys. Chill, Marley, and Mystic have become my Scarecrow, Lion, and Tin-Man.
Date: 2006-08-31
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Three and a half easy miles to Abol Bridge Campground and a day of rest. Our campsite has the most amazing view of Katahdin. My tent is facing a pond and Katahdin is right above it. The reflection is in the water, the sun is setting and the clouds are all puffy and pink. It's just amazing. I've got hot dogs to roast over the fire, the stars will be out and my company is good. What a great day. When I arrived this morning, Marley, Tex, and Chill were just rising from bed at the shelter across from the campground. I sat with them, watching a young bull moose eat in the river. Then I had a shower, did my wash in the sink, and continued resting. We played Uno and just enjoyed the day. Tomorrow is the final 10 before the big climb. Unbelievable.
Date: 2006-09-01
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Foot of Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

What an awesome day. After waking up to a gorgeous view of Katahdin and the sunrise I made my way up to the store for breakfast. All the guys were there and after eating 2 danish's and drinking a coke we set out for our last 10 miles before the Big K. First thing that happens is I run into Pop Tart who did a thru-hike in 2002. I knew him then so we reminisced and told each other what we know of fellow 2002er's. Then I was on my way. The trail was lovely and the day beautiful. We walked by rivers and ponds all day, catching waterfalls and enjoying nature. At one point the view of Katahdin was so unbelievable and close. We walked right up to the bottom of that mnt. today and you could see it happen. Closer and closer. Then poof, at the birches, the long distance hiker campsite. Families came and food was eatin, beer was drank, the fire roared, the laughs were easy. Now bedtime is hard. It's like kids on christmas eve.
Date: 2006-09-02
From: Foot of Katahdin

To: The Summit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Miles today: 0.0

I did it! I made it to and up Katahdin. How sweet. The day started out very calmly, slept in, ate breakfast and got my gear together. Just as I was getting ready to head to the ranger station to meet Marley, Mystic, and all their family and friends who planned to summit with us Maybe and Magiver came rolling into camp! They suprised me and came to summit with me! That was so great. At about 9 the whole lot of us started up. Marley, Mystic, Tex, Chill & I flew up the mountain. It took us no time at all to get up to the plataeu, about a mile from the summit. Once there Marley doned his tux, Mystic got his mask and I put on my town dress. We were fancy! Then we headed on up, the last mile. Marley took the lead and as we approached the summit people started clapping and taking our picture. It was so amazing. A few girls had even packed up champagne for the finishing thru-hikers so we grabbed a bottle and celebrated. I can't began to describe the exuberance the 5 ! of us felt. The tears flowed, the smiles shined. After about an hour we split ways and took different trails down. Mystic and his friends, Kim & Kurt, his Uncle Rick, Patrick and me all headed over the Knife Edge and down the Helon Taylor trail. That was amazing hiking. The Knife's Edge was some of the most amazing, scariest hiking ever. I loved it. Just a small ridge made up of rocks that were big, medium, and small, all turned different ways. Steep ups and downs. Beautiful look at the mountain from several different angles. And a gorgeous afternoon to boot. Couldn't have asked for a better day. Now I'm with Mystic and his family in a cabin. We just had Chinese in town with the others who are camping down the road. Then we said goodbye. That was weird. It was like "Okay, I'll see you soon." But when? It hasn't computed that I'm not going to wake up with these guys in the mornings. They are not going to be there to make me laugh or make sure I'm okay when I take one of my many falls. I'm going to miss them so much.Marley who has the best sense of humor, can always make me laugh and is the most sincere person I've ever met. He's an amazing father and person.Mystic who has the biggest heart, a great philosphy on life, and a light in him that outshines the sun on the brightest days. Chill who has a saying for everything, a smile that lights up the world, and a heart made of gold. They have been my Lion, Tin-Man, and Scarecrow. I'll miss them and think about them constantly as they make their transitions back to civilian life. I wish them the world. On to PA!
Date: 2006-09-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, so here's what's happened. After summiting Katahdin I got a ride with Mystic and his family down to NH where I relaxed for a bit in the wonderful Smith home. Mike and Sue fed me until I couldn't move and basically pampered me. Aaaah, it sure was nice. I also got to hear Mystic play his guitar and damn is he good. It was such a great few days. But PA was calling so down I went. At Delaware Water Gap I started out heading south. The terrain was rocky but not so bad. But my foot was hurting. It had started bothering me the last week in ME but I was hoping that with the few days off it would be okay. Well, by the time I got to Palmerton I could hardly stand it. The pinky toe started changing colors again and it was all very familiar and reminiscent of 2002. Not to mention I had taken a nasty fall and couldn't stand up straight. So, taking all things in to consideration, I decided to go home for the moment. I have 100 miles left. I may get to do that this year, I may not. But I do know that I will be walking down the aisle at my friends wedding, not limping and not in a cast. I'm just hoping I'll be able to fit into my bridesmaids dress by then.   I'm okay with this. I cried in Palmerton, then I got over it. I'm now enjoying the company of my nephews and niece, as well as the rest of my family. I was able to be in Savannah for two friends birthdays, and my nephews first soccer practice.   I miss the trail horribly though. I miss the routine of it all and I'm getting fat. I miss my trail friends. There's just nothing like life on the trail. It's peaceful, hard, easy, fun, aching. It's 100 different emotions rolled into one. If you have ever thought "I'd love to do that," you can. Anyone can do it. Go for it. Plan, prepare, train, and then hike! It's that simple.
Date: 2006-03-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This is my first trail journal.   I have been having a problem getting entrys to go.   So now here I am.   I will need to think of something profound to start off with.However those that know me know I have a problem with profound things.I want to do this journal to keep my family and friends posted on where I am and how I am doing.Be back later!
Date: 2006-03-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I retired Sept 05 and did not want to just be a couch potato, I wanted an adventure.   The AT will be that adventure.I have been married to Phil for 33 years in May. Phil has no interest in hiking the AT.   He thinks he would loose too much weight (So many people would wish for that problem). I have 2 grown daughters,Tracy married and living in the Raleigh NC area with husb Donnie and their daughter Payton.   She is the most wonderful grandchild and is the "apple of my eye"   She is 5 years old. Daughter Tobi is living at home. I have been reading trail journals for 3 years and have enjoyed learning about hikers experiences.   I know it is a great for family and friends to keep posted on your progress.I will be mailing my jounals to friends Vicki and Sarita who will be updating my journal. Phil and I will be leaving Wed to drive to NC to say with Tracy and fam for a few days.   He will then drive me to GA 3-13 and drop me at the Hiker Hostel in Daholnega. I will start at Springer 3-14.I know I will miss my family and friends.   There will be cold, snowy rainy sunny,... days.   I also expect this to be the adventure of my life. I am ready to take whatever is thrown my way.We belong to a fitness center and I have been going for years.   I feel physically I am ready and will work daily on the emotionally part.My pack is ready and without water and fuel weighed 30 pounds.   I have ready many AT/hiking books.   My favorite is "There are Mountains to Climb" by Jean Deeds.   Tracy bought it for me for x-mas last year and I have been passing it around to friends and family.   I have received many notes from the readers.   Thank you all for the encouragement and reading my book. Tonight I am meeting friends for a "last girls night out" for dinner.   Thank you Beth for planning it.Whenever anyone asks how long will I be gone, I tell them the entire trail takes 6 months and I will be home when "I am done"   I do not know when or where that will be.I   will try not to bore you too much and will do my best to keep you entertained!Thank you for following my adventure