morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-11
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Back Side of Little Bigelow Mt.
Miles today: 20.1

Mr. Ed was up at 4:30 and hiking by 5:00. He started out with a hard climb up Crocker Mountain, a change in elevation from 2710 to 4228 feet. Today he had no views except the trail right in front of him. The area was totally fogged in all day. He had the trail all to himself for the first part of the day. From 1:30 to 3:30, he met 25 people, 2 south bounders and the rest section hikers including some kids from Canada. It was cool, cloudy, and foggy all day. Then it started to rain. Just a bad weather day. He had ups and downs all day until he made it to Little Bigelow Mountain. He reached the summit and started down the back side of it. He camped very close to the 2000 mile marker.
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Back Side of Little Bigelow Mt.

To: Mile Marker 2022.4
Miles today: 22.4

Last night it started raining hard and the wind started blowing as Mr. Ed set up his tent. He had to tie the fly of his tent to a tree and a large rock, and he just hoped the wind would not blow it away. With the sound of the wind and the rain pelting his tent, he drifted off into a sound sleep. Sometime in the night, the rain stopped. He woke up at 5:00 and started hiking by 5:30. After 30 minutes on the trail, he passed Little Bigelow Lean-to. He would have camped there last night, but he did not realize he was so close due to the fog and rain. This morning the fog was gone. He started seeing nice views of Lake Flagstaff and the surrounding areas. Today the trail took him through lower elevations. The hiking was easy compared to the past few days. There were rocks, roots, and swamps,not to mention plentiful bugs and mosquitoes. He noted that the squirrels and frogs seem to love this place. The squirrels were no bigger than the ground squirrels at home. The frogs were everywhere, large frogs and small frogs and every size in between.Mr. Ed made it to the point of having a good view of the Kennebec River. He wondered if he would be able to ford the river or be forced to take a ferry across it. This evening the river looked deep and swift. He decided to make his campsite near the place where he would be able to ford the river tomorrow if the conditions permitted. He had to fight weeds as high as his chest in order to find a place to camp. But he was right beside the river. In the morning, the river will tell him to ford or take a ferry. He hopes he sees the rocks Dr. Doyle told him about. If he does, he will try to ford the Kennebec.Mr. Ed camped at mile marker 2022.4, and he walked 22.4 miles today.
Date: 2007-07-13
From: Mile Marker 2022.4

To: Mile Marker 2043.7
Miles today: 21.3

Mr. Ed felt like today was a big day. He faced the decision to ford the Kennebec River or wait for the ferry. Kennebec is an Indian name meaning "long, quiet water". It is the largest unbridged water-crossing on the AT. A hiker lost his life trying to ford this river in 1985, and there have been other close calls. Mr. Ed was up at 5:00 AM and stood looking at the river at 5:30. Dr. Doyle's words played in his head. "Do it in the morning." "Look for the rock bar in the middle." "If you can see the rocks, it is safe to cross." Mr. Ed spotted the rocks in the middle, just as Dr. Doyle told him in class. He made his decision. He was going to attempt to ford the river. He told himself to go slowly and carefully. His heart was beating fast as he stepped into the cold water with his boots on and everything else as dry as he could make it. Step by step, he carefully crossed the river. In triump, he stood on the other side. In his mind, this had been one of the greatest challenges offered by the AT. Now he could push on to the finish line with no regrets.His wet boots and wet feet reminded him of his crossing for the next two days. He sloshed up Pleasant Pond Mountain, a change in elevation of 490 feet at the river to 2470 feet at the summit. Next, came a descent to Moxie Pond and then back up to Moxie Bald Mountain,2629 feet. While on the top of Moxie Bald, he heard thunder and saw a storm coming in the distance. He literally ran the 1.7 miles off the mountain to Moxie Bald Lean-to. The storm didn't last long, so he hiked on to Bald Mountain Pond. He camped at mile marker 2043.7 and walked, swam, ran 21.3 miles today. The only wild life he saw was a 7-8 inch garter snake and some deer tracks. He had not seen sign of a deer population since leaving PA.
Date: 2007-07-14
From: Mile Marker 2043.7

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

Mr. Ed slept peacefully last night beside a swift running creek flowing through a pine forest. He was up by 5:00 and on the trail by 5:30. He hiked beside the Piscataquis River to the place where he had to cross. This was a very easy crossing. He took his boots off and crossed to the other side. The trail into Monson was easy. It had the usual rocks and roots, but nothing strenuous. Mr. Ed plans on staying in Monson until Monday. His adventures have taken a toll on his body. His knees are sore. He has 2 blisters on his right foot and a sore spot on the bottom of it. He feels like he needs a chance to rest and recuperate. He wants to eat alot of ice cream. He is staying at a boarding house at mile marker 2060.1. I would like to thank Mr. Ed's journal readers for their concern over his crossing the Kennebec. Believe me, I would have talked him out of fording the river if I could have. I hope that others are not encouraged to follow his example. Mr. Ed is tall, strong, and a good swimmer. His decision to ford the river may have been foolhardy. Some would say that trying to be a thru hiker of the AT is not a sane decision. Some people just have that need to try to push their limits and test their capabilities. Even though I have been married to Mr. Ed for almost 36 years, I cannot be sure why he does some of the things he does. I just try to support him the best I can. Since I met him, a young soldier returning from Vietnam, he has mellowed considerably. He never expected to make it home from that war. So many did not. He seldom talks about what happened in that far away Asian country, but I suspect that he has to confirm to himself periodically that he really did survive. My rambling about this topic will probably embarrass him. If it does, I am sorry. That's what he gets for putting me in charge of his journal. But thanks. Your interest and concern have helped Mr. Ed over many a mountain.
Date: 2007-07-15
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

Today Mr. Ed has spent the day in Shaw's Boarding House soaking his feet in epsom salts and eating. He ordered 3 of everything for breakfast. All you have to say is "how many". They decide the rest. Later, he went to a tavern for a cheeseburger, fries, and a beer. He had ice cream several times today. Dinner was ribs, beans, potato salad, and more cold beer. He said the food tasted great. He is resting up for the 100 mile wilderness. He is also preparing for it by filling his pack and repacking everything. He washed his clothes and said they still smell like the trail. I will have the honor of trying to get them clean and fresh again when he gets home. He reported that his feet feel better. He thinks he will be ready to hit the trail in the morning. He is going to slow down and enjoy his last days. He has lots of thinking to do. He needs to process just what he has done and how he will adjust to life back home. I really do wonder if he will want to set his tent up in the back yard just so he can sleep. Somehow I have to get him back on a sensible diet again. It actually seems strange to be talking about the end of this odyssey. It has been a life affirming, life changing journey. Like all journeys, the end of this one will be bitter sweet. All of you hikers out there, "Just keep walking."
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Monson, ME

To: Mile Marker 2,078.6
Miles today: 19.1

Today, if things go as planned, this will be the last Monday Mr. Ed will be on the trail. If all goes well, he will climb Katahdin on Saturday or Sunday. His son, Jason, and his wife, Tiffany, along with J.J. and Faith will be at a campground near the trail. Mr. Ed hasn't followed a plan to the letter yet, so he will just have to wait and see what happens.He was up at 6:00 at Shaw's. He took a shower and went down to order his breakfast. He ordered by the number again. He asked for "3" and received 3 eggs, 3 sausages, 3 strips of bacon, 3 slices of french toast, juice, and coffee. He talked to Speedo(James Jung) from Sacramento, California. Mr. Ed first met Speedo at Delaware Water Gap. He crossed paths with him at Bear Mt., NY, and again in North Adams, Massachusetts. They walked some of the White Mountains together. Speedo wants to hike Katahdin on Saturday, also. The trail was supposed to be easy in this section of the trail. Mr. Ed reported that it had lots of rocks, roots, stumps, and river crossings. At the end of the day, he had a big climb up Barren Mountain, a change in elevation from 930 feet to 2,660 feet. He was snorted by a deer. He caught sight of her fawn, but not the mother. He saw a few little squirrels and two little snakes. He met lots of South Bounders who wanted advice about what was ahead of them. They all congratulated Mr. Ed on being so close to the finish line. The lean-tos are about all full right now due to so many hikers leaving Maine on their way south. Therefore, he tents near them. Mr. Ed is tenting at mile marker 2,078.6, and he traveled 19.1 miles today. That was further than he planned on going, but a very thick pine cover made it difficult to find a good place to tent."Just keep walking."
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Mile Marker 2,078.6

To: Mile Marker 2099.6
Miles today: 21.1

This is Mr. Ed's last Tuesday on the trail. He slept in a little. He was up at 5:30 and on the trail by 6:00. The first 10 miles of the trail were difficult today. It consisted on one mountain after another. He started out with Fourth Mountain, next Third Mountain, next Columbus Mountain, then Chairback Mountain, and finally Gulf Hagas Mountain. His last miles of the day took him to Hay Mountain where he decided to camp for the night. He walked with Speedo for most of the day. When Mr. Ed decided to camp for the night, Speedo moved on down the trail. He has to climb Katahdin on Saturday, so he needs to make some big miles. Mr. Ed feels well today. The weather has been nice with mild temperatures and clear skies. He walked 21.1 miles today, and is at mile marker 2099.6.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: Mile Marker 2099.6

To: Mile Marker 2,125.5
Miles today: 25.9

Today is Mr. Ed's last Wednesday on the trail. He was up at 5:00 and on the trail by 5:30. He started out with a little climb up White Cap Mountain. The sun coming up was a beautiful sight on the mountain, so Mr. Ed decided to sit there and eat his breakfast of dry Cheerios. In the distance, he could see clouds coming in his direction. He thought he could see Mt. Katahdin near the horizon. He noticed a mountain higher than any other. That reminded him that he needed to press on down the trail which was pretty easy hiking for the rest of the day. At 2:00 it started raining. It did not stop for the rest of the day. His feet were soaked and sore. The forecast calls for rain all night and part of the day tomorrow. However, his goal is virtually in sight now. He can almost taste Katahdin. He is tenting alone at mile marker 2,125.5. He walked 25.9 miles today.
Date: 2007-07-19
From: Mile Marker 2,125.5

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

Today is Mr. Ed's last Thursday on the trail. As usual, he was up early (4:30) and on the trail by 5:00. He had this crazy idea about going to White House Landing for breakfast. He hiked 3.1 miles down to a blue blaze , then 1.2 miles to the river. To get a ride across the river, he had to announce his presence by sounding an air horn. That told the people at the landing that they had a guest for breakfast. They sent a ferry to help him across. He enjoyed a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, many pancakes, juice, and coffee. He met Speedo. He had spent the night camping there. Mr. Ed and Speedo left together hiking in good company. They had a good climb up Nesuntabunt Mountain. The elevation at the bottom of the mountain by the lake was 650. The top of Nesuntabunt Mountain has an elevation of 1,520 feet. The rest of the day was a series of small ups and downs. Mr. Ed had heard that the closer to Katahdin he traveled, the easier the trail became. He has been wet for two days. He feet are sore. His body is tired. The roots, rocks, swamps, creeks, and plentiful mosquitoes still test him. However, he draws closer and closer to his goal. He made it to Rainbow Stream Lean-to, and set his tent up inside the shelter to get out of the rain. He traveled 18.9 miles today, mile marker 2,143.9. Speedo went on. He plans on hiking to the top of Katahdin Saturday. As I write this, I look at this thick book, the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion. I realize that I am staring at the very last page of the guide. Then I glance at the long narrow map of the trail posted by my computer. I cannot believe that Mr. Ed has completed this much of this long challenging journey. "Just keep walking."
Date: 2007-07-20
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Mile Marker 2,163.0
Miles today: 19.1

Today was my last Friday on the trail. Four months and 1 day have passed since I started my journey back in Amicola Falls. I woke up at 5:00 AM this morning and found that it was raining cats and dogs. I didn't get on the trail until around 7:00. I only had a total of 19.1 miles to go, so I was in no hurry. In general, today was fairly easy. The first part of the morning I encountered a few rocks, roots, swamps, and ups and downs with one small climb up Rainbow Ledges. The trail circled Rainbow Lake for many miles. I completed the first 15 miles by 2:30 and arrived at Abol Bridge. At Linda's Store, I purchased lunch. I had a ham sub sandwich, chips, a Coke, and 3 ice cream bars. Then to go, I ordered another Coke, peanuts, and sub sandwich for dinner tonight. I walked to Pine Point wich is beside a waterfall. So I set my tent up then jumped into the river,clothes and all. I just played in the cold, swift water, not caring about how cold it was. I was hot and, it felt good to feel cool and clean again. I walked 19.1 miles today. I am at mile marker 2,163.0. I am really looking forward to tomorrow.
Date: 2007-07-21
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was Mr. Ed's last Saturday on the AT. He didn't have a big day planned. He only had 5.8 miles to go to make it to Katahdin Stream Campground where he planned on meeting Jason and family. He woke up at 5:00 AM, but did't get out of his tent till 6:30. He started hiking at 7:00. The trail was very easy. He registered at the Ranger's Station at 9:30. Here Mr. Ed found out that he was the 32nd thru hiker for 2007. He felt rather proud of that bit of information. He started out at Amicola Falls as number 249. At Harper's Ferry, he was the 89th hiker to register. Now he was the 32nd thru hiker to register. Mr. Ed rolled out his sleeping pad and took a nap while waiting for Jason, Tiffany, J.J., and Faith. He was awakened by the sound of someone asking, "Where is Papaw?" That was four year old Faith. Here they had a bit of luck. When Tiffany had called for a reservation, they said that Katahdin Stream was full. They had given her a campsite about 10 miles away from the trail. Mr. Ed pled his case, and the Ranger was able to find them a good place to camp. Mr. Ed remarked to Jason that all they would have to do was get up and step on to the trail. Jason and Tiffany set up their big tent, while Mr. Ed set up his tiny, one-man tent. Then they all went to the store off the trail to get ice cream and other goodies. For a late lunch, Jason and Tiffany treated Mr. Ed to steak, lobster, cole slaw, and corn bread. They served him spaghetti for dinner. Add to that 2 pints of ice cream that Mr. Ed consumed, plus chips. The weather today had been good, but the wind had blown hard. Many section hikers didn't climb above the tree line. However, Speedo went above the tree line all the way to the top. When he came down at 3:00, he talked to Mr. Ed and family for a while. They congratulated him and gave him a beer in celebration. Mr. Ed went to bed with thoughts of his own climb tomorrow. He camped at mile marker 2.168.8
Date: 2007-07-22
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Top of Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

I feel like I have been reading a very good book, and now I am reading the last chapter. What will I do with myself when the book is finished? I've enjoyed the book so much. However, finish this adventure and look ahead to another day. Life is always an adventure.Today was Mr. Ed's last day on the trail. He woke up at 4:30 AM. He got up at 5:30 and started heating water for coffee on Jason's camp stove. Soon Jason and Tiffany were up. Tiffany made a great breakfast. Mr. Ed ate 4 eggs and lots of bacon. He thinks Jason ate the same. After breakfast, he and Jason packed up and started on the trail at 6:40. The first mile of the trail was easy. But then the hard climbing started. The weather was excellent. There was little wind, temperatures in the 70s, and hardly a cloud in the sky. The views started to get better and better as they climbed up into exposed areas. Katahdin in an Indian word meaning "greatest mountain". They considered it a holy place. The first recorded ascent of Katahdin was by Charles Turner, Jr. on August 13, 1804. Mr. Ed and Jason followed the same trail - the Hunt Trail. This trail gains 4000 feet in elevation in 5 miles. As they ascended, the climbing became harder and harder. They had to think where to put hands and feet next in order to climb. They talked about how much Nicho and Brandy would enjoy this rock climbing. By 10:30, they stood on the summit. Since the day was so clear, their views were unbelievable. Jason took pictures and toasted his father's accomplishment. Mr. Ed felt giddy enough to try to stand on the sign of Katahdin. He did climb up the sign, but then he realized that he could fall and present Jason with a heck of a problem on how to get him down the mountain. How do you feel about realizing a dream that began a long time ago? Mr. Ed felt joy, pride, disbelief, relief, and very happy to have Jason with him to share in the experience. He placed his rock that he had carried all the way from Springer. Leaving a little piece of something to symbolize himself on the mountain. They spent an hour up there eating lunch and just enjoying the view. There were 50-60 other hikers there. But Mr. Ed was surprised to find that he was the only thru hiker. The others were section hikers or day hikers coming in from many other trails that lead up to the top of Katahdin. Mr. Ed wanted to descend by a different trail. He chose the Abol Trail - shorter, but steeper and a bit harder. This was Mr. Ed's first blue blaze. They made it to the bottom and walked the 2 miles to the campground. They arrived back at 3:30. They packed up and got on the road by 4:30. Coming home - no more hiking for a while. In 4 months and 3 days, Mr. Ed traveled 2174.6 miles. He was very glad to be successful in his attempt to become a thru hiker. Looking back, he said he could have not had a better hike. The whole time, he was only wet for 8 or 9 days. He saw amazing sights and met amazing people. I think Mr. Ed is pretty amazing, too.
Date: 2007-07-28
To: Home Again
Miles today: 0.0

I have been home for almost a week, and I am still feeling the high of having completed an incredible adventure. I'm gaining back alot of the weight I lost on the trail and enjoying all of the luxuries of home. I still think, "Did I really do a thru hike on the Appalachian Trail?" It's hard to believe it's over. I'm proud of what I've done. I feel pride that I was able to accomplish this adventure in such an ambitious timetable and finish before August 1. "Just keep walking," I said many times, and it's amazing how you can do this over and over each day and end up walking over 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine. I was led the entire way by markings on trees, fenceposts, railings, guard rails, and rocks called white blazes. Just follow them all the way to Katahdin. I'm glad I did it, and now it is over. With time, the difficulty of the trail will diminish, the discomfort, pain, and loneliness. It wasn't the hiking that was difficult; it was the mental aspects that were more difficult than the hike. Keeping a positive attitude made it better. I said many times while on the trail, "Is this really worth it?" It is very hard. Nothing about it is easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it. It's hard to appreciate the beauty of the trail when you're hiking long miles each day, but going slow or slower, doesn't work for me. There are other things that's important to me, also. As the saying goes, "Hike your own hike." I did that. I will always remember the feeling of summitting Mt. Katahdin with my son, Jason. I'm readjusting back to the world I came from. I'm not sleeping in my tent or on the ground as Vic thought I might. I'm enjoying eating all I can and taking showers whenever I want. I would like to thank all the people who sent messages of encouragement on my trail journal. That helped me keep my spirits up and remain positive about what I was doing. I would like to thank my family for their support, especially their unwavering belief that I would finish this trail, even when I had doubts. A special thanks to Tiffany and Jason for all the editing and posting of pictures on the journal. Thanks to Jason for walking part of the trail, and to Brandy, my daughter, for helping with my diet and sending care packages to cheer me up. Thanks to my brother, Terry, for supporting me from Georgia to Virginia, picking me up whenever I needed to get on or off the trail. And, of course, thanks to my wife, Vic, who did a fabulous job of transcribing my journal (I knew she would), and supporting me in anyway she could. If it wasn't for these great people and family, I don't think I could have done this. What an experience and what a memory!
Date: 2011-03-21
From: Allegheny trail

To: Allegheny Trail
Miles today: 20.0

I have not abandoned hiking, only temporarily took a long break. Now, I plan on hiking the Allegheny trail (ALT). The ALT has been on my list of hikes for several years. It is in my home state and passes within 60 miles of my home. My plan is to start around the end of March and do a north to south bound hike which should last two and a half to three weeks and is approximately 300 miles more or less. The trail runs from the North at the Mason-Dixon line in Preston County, WV to Peters Mountain in Virginia. The Allegheny trail goes along country roads, old logging skids, through small (very small) towns, spruce-capped mountains, and a diversity of woodland settings. If you are reading this journal, then you probably already know that there are very few journals of the ALT. WHY?I don't know, but I hope to do a journal of the complete hike. I know cell service along this trail and region of West Virginia is very poor, but I will give it my best effort and hopefully my wife (Vickie) will again do the transcribing. I've studied the "Hiking Guide to the Allegheny Trail" by the West Virginia Scenic Trails Association and I've planned my resupply points and water sources. I will be using most of the same gear I used on the AT in 2007. I will provide more details later as my plans become final.