morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-09-12
From: Stratten, ME

To: Stratten, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

To put it into perspective the type of wilderness we¢ve been in, we drove an hour to the nearest doctor near Stratten. It turns out that Rhino for 2 weeks now has been hiking with 2 BROKEN RIBS. The doctor gave him a chest vest to wear and some pain pills but it looks like his hiking is over, not to mention he¢s been pressed for time as his visa runs out soon. My wife will help Rhino get back to Wisconsin and get his stuff ready before she takes him to the Chicago airport where he flies out to go back home in Germany. Right now looking at reaching Katahdin on 27 Sept so that¢ll actually be good timing since Beate will be joining me as we hike some of the skipped mileage in VT.It seems strange that we¢re getting our packs ready to go, but Rhino has already given away most of his food. It¢s the first time since March that he¢s not joining us on the Trail. He¢s been a great hiking partner even though he¢s gone through a lot: a broken hand, a cut tendon, his knee and shoulder pains, and now 2 broken ribs. We look forward to Rhino visiting next summer and finishing up some of the missed miles on the trail. He¢s been through 1996 miles and 14 states. What can you say? That¢s a lot to go through for just a few months. Hallo lebe Wanderer und alle die mich kennen! Heute ist mein letzter Tag auf dem Trail. Ich bin vor ca 2 Wochen in den White Mountains ueber eine Baumwurzel gestolpert und mit meiner Brust auf einen Stein gefallen. Es hat nicht sehr weh getan so das ich weiter gewandert bin. Da die Beschwerden aber nicht weg gingen hat mich mein Schwager zum Doktor gefahren und ich bin geroengt worden. Das Ergebnis: Eine gebrochene Rippe und eine angebrochene Rippe! Der Arzt sagte zu mir ich koennte weiter wandern aber das Risiko war mir dann zu gross in der 100 Meilen Wildernes und ich wollte nichts riskieren. So ist das nun,aber es ist gut so: ein gutes Ende! Ich gruesse alle die mich kennen und ganz besonders meine Frau Gisela, du bist ein Schatz! Rhino-Reinhard-the German
Date: 2012-09-14
From: Monson

To: Pierce Pond
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

We stayed at Pierce Pond which is where the young through-hiker died earlier this year. It was interesting reading the journal for the guy; there were a lot of kind comments for him and his family. A few hikers built a memorial out of wood and stones. The family made a trip out to the pond, where they left a picture on the wall. The mom left an interesting note about how the hiker loved hiking the trail and left some good comments about staying safe near bodies of water and how to avoid cramps as that is what happened to the through-hiker. It¢s still weird not hiking with Rhino. We had a lot of good times and we hope for the best in his return home.
Date: 2012-09-15
From: Pierce Pond

To: Bald Mountain
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Everyone has been talking about the mountains ending. Tonight at the shelter there were 13 hikers - The Troverts, Castaway, Kleenex, Gipcgirl, Ash-Rash, Long Blue Sky, and others. The highlight of the day was crossing the Kennebec River. It¢s really wide and houses a hydroelectricity plant up stream where they can control the amount of water that is released down stream. The only safe and authorized way to cross the river it to take a river ferry sponsored by the Appalachian club. We have to get into a canoe two at a time, and cross the river.
Date: 2012-09-16
From: Bald Mountain

To: Monson
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: broken clouds

We are in some woods near Monson and we will go into town and resupply tomorrow. We did a few river crossings again today, so I stopped, took my boots off, and put on the Crocs to cross the rivers. A lot of the hikers are back on the trail again as the end is near. The weather forecast says it's going to be pretty cold, especially in the morning. In fact, we have frost warnings        We were finally able to get phone connectivity today after a few days of little reception. We found out that Rhino made it safely to WI where my wife met him at the airport. He¢s going to fly back to Germany on Tuesday. After my wife takes him to the airport, she¢ll head over to ME where she will meet up with me. She has a cabin rented at Mt Katahdin 24, 25, 26 and 27th which will work out perfect, we should be summitting on the 25th. I¢m looking forward to seeing her again after being separated for such a long time and also to hike Mt. Katahdin together! We¢re looking forward to spending some time on the coast and playing tourist: eating lobster, visiting some places and going down to VT to hike some more!
Date: 2012-09-17
From: Monson

To: Monson, ME (Gateway to 100 mile wilderness)
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

I walked only 3 miles today. I spent the day getting organized for the final push. Only 115 miles to the end - and 100 of that is in the 100 miles wilderness (an area with few roads, little phone reception, and lots of ponds, lakes, trees and wildlife). I'm sure you can read about it on google. Although it has been fun I am ready to have this experience over. It has been even more challenging than expected and I am sure Rhino agrees. The highlight of the adventure has been all the great hikers and people we have met who helped us along the way. But, tomorrow we will put on our packs and off we go. Tomorrow my wife will also take Rhino to the airport and he will fly back to Germany. He has been a great hiking partner and I want to thank him for all he did for me the past 6 months and especially when I was sick back in Vermont.    Tomorrow my wife also departs Wisconsin to hook up with me in Maine. It has been too long without her and we are both looking forward to our reunion. There will probably not be too many entries in the journal the next few days as I'm sure phone service will be poor. Thanks to all who have followed this adventure.
Date: 2012-09-25
From: 100 mile wilderness

To: Mt Katahdin, Baxter State Park, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today, September 25, 2012, at approximately 1:00 PM, my wife Beate, GOMan, and I reached the summit of Mount Katahdin in Baxter State park, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. That completed the 2184.2 mile trek that Reinhard and I began on March 13 at Springer Mountain, Georgia. As you have probably read in this blog, Reinhard had to get off the trail at mile 1996 because of broken ribs he sustained in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Last night after our hike Beate, GoMan and I gave a ride to 2 other thru-hikers, DK and Big E, and they said I should say hello to Reinhard from them and that they consider him a thru-hiker for all he went through and all the miles he walked.   I would like to thank my wife (and sweetie) for coming to Maine to climb the 5,200 foot Mount Katahdin with me and Goman. It was one of the more difficult climbs on the entire trail and she did it. Thanks sweetie. Now that my AT trek is complete we can begin our long anticipated and well deserved and needed third honeymoon. We will celebrate tonight with some wine she bought in upstate New York from "Honeymoon Trail Winery". The lobsters on the Maine coast are waiting for us and then we are off to Vermont to see some of the more spectacular sights and views in that state.
Date: 2012-10-02
From: Mt Katahdin, Baxter State Park, Maine

To: End of the 2184.2 miles
Miles today: 0.0

If you read this journal you know that back on August 8 I became sick while hiking in Vermont and was evacuated off a mountain. When I started hiking 5 days later I began my hike at a nearby road intersection and I skipped about 17 miles of the trail. Last week when I reached the northern terminus of the Appalacian Trail in Baxter State Park in Maine I had hiked all but those 17 miles (2184 miles minus 17). So, my wife and I drove to Vermont so I could complete ALL of the AT. Yesterday I hiked the final 17 miles of the AT and now I can say that I am a thru-hiker. Thanks to my wife and sweetie for putting up with this obsession and helping me complete this hike. When I returned to the car she was waiting with some wine so we could make a toast.
To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0

6:30am Roll out of the house (Santa Rosa, CA)7:15am Bus to the airport (San Francisco Airport)9:30am Delayed flight11:55am Delayed flight2:00pm Rebooked a redeye WT% are you gonna do10:20pm Flight to Newark, NJ??:??am Fly to New Hampshire (really blurry a.m)9:30am Bag missing, just your simple day one shit1:15pm After three hour bag retreival, a 90 minute shuttle to Hanover3:00pm Wondering around Dartmouth green of Hanover, sleepless and jet laggedas I search for lodging the power is out in town so all the cold beer is locked up.Life is much better now in this riverside hotel after fetching some brews on a long walk.I hiked up the hill to a bench with a view watched a beaver move its young down the tree line to the river. It was sitting within 15 feet of crows and blocking them to get the job done, surely my worst travel day is over and I can move along where these things cannot affect me.
Date: 2012-06-14
To: Moose Mountain
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Very tough day breaking in the body slowly. Heard a rattler warning, no sighting. I think the word Hampshire must be Indian for mosquito. Horrible doing Kung-fy moves all day to keep them away. Beautiful weather, 80 degrees, water coming down the brooks and out of me. Squirrels and birds and one other big section hiker (Awakener).
Date: 2012-06-15
From: Moose Mountain

To: Smarts Mountain Fire Tower
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Another tough day, 9 hours to do 13 miles. Spooked a bear at 50 yards. Another tick, the filth factor is progressing. I met B-Man from Tennessee. Sleeping in the firepower tonight at 3,300 feet. Panoramic views. The bugs seem to be lifting me off the trail today, hard to even pour 32 ounces of water without getting bit up.
Date: 2012-06-16
From: Smarts Mountain Fire Tower

To: Cape Moonshine Road
Miles today: 13.0

HOT, buggy, and boggy. I like the boards that help me run past the mosquitos. I got a mountain stream bath today then hiked a mile off the trail to the Dancing Bones Commune. A hostel type with tent platforms and shower stalls on the back porch. Crossed over Mount Cube today.
Date: 2012-06-17
From: Cape Moonshine Road

To: beaver brook shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Hardest day on the trail yet. Steep climbs with great views as a reward. I tried to set up my tent on a old tent pad, but it was too short so I am in the shelter with Maverick, Darkknight and wizard. New Hampshire is buggy boggy and steep. GIves much appreciation for the effortless miles.
Date: 2012-06-18
From: beaver brook shelter

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 1.5

The 1.5 mile drop into Kinsman Notch was knee jarring. On the way down I met Peaceful Walker, she is a little older n on her third partner cause her sister won't let her go at it alone (tough). Plenty of tics daily. Waited an hour for a shuttle because they misunderstood me. Wrong gorge. The proprietor of the local laundromat had died this week so a one mile of walk to the town of Lincoln to do laundry. After disrobing to put my rain gear on I peered up to find myself on camera. I walk back in the drizzle to Truants Tavern for a bite and a brew then back to a bed.
Date: 2012-06-20
From: Kinsman Pond

To: Garfield Pond
Miles today: 15.0

15 miles to Garfield Pond. Slept late from such a tiring tester. 8a.m start. 10.5 hour walk today steep with major elevation gains. Getting above tree lines and the views from Franconia Notch energized me. Today was Mt. Lincoln . Mt. Lafayette, Little Haystack Mountain, Franconia and Garfield.
Date: 2012-06-21
From: Garfield Pond

To: Zealand Falls Hut
Miles today: 12.0

So I paid to stay in the hut system. They have h20, meal, sheet, a mattress, not on a buggy pond. A lot of trail above tree line today as I started off passing a deaf and blind couple. This is the hardest thing I have ever done physically, without those set backs! The elevations and the heat combined are threatening, I have heard of one rescue already (dehydration). I am in the hut with a lot of vacationers from the Boston area and weekenders. There is an awesome crew working the hut serving split pea soup, salad, bread, beef tip, berry cobbler, and coffee. For a house of 40. We are stacked three high on the bunks. The hut has a busy porch and board games inside. A couple of through hikers are allowed to work for stay. There is a nice waterfall a hundred feet from the porch. Where I got a waterfall shower to cool my Achille heel and scrub the out of control bug bites!
Date: 2012-06-22
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: fog

Only half way up to Mt. Washington. Another hot buggy day full of mountain climbing hand over hand at times. I let "Compass" use my phone to call her worried mother, as she is out dashing through the White mountain. Another full hut I am in with the tourists for a hot meal and a bunk. Minestrone soup, bread, chicken enchilada, salad, and apple crisp. Food for 40 once again. Breezy at these elevations. Today was Mt. Jackson, Webster Legdes, and Crawford Notch.
Date: 2012-06-23
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: fog

Hefty climb up Mt. Washington, up and over crags all day. Then rain, hard, hail. Many people hunkered down on the trail during the lighting. I sprinted from cairn to cairn between thunder hits. In with 52 tonight past a group of 19 women having a tough time trough the weather, wind, cold, rain. Today crossed Pierce, Franklin, Washington into thunderstorm junction.
Date: 2012-03-25
To: First Prep Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'm beginning this journal with the preparation entries I had started for the years 2010, 2011, and finally with the current year prep entries. If you read the prep pages you'll see I had intended to hike in those earlier years, but as always seemed to happen a "black cloud" unexpectedly appeared to stop my dream in it's tracks. However, this year, 2012, the skies are clear and I'm once again prepared to step upon Springer Mt. in just 5 days and walk into my 40 year dream.
Date: 2012-03-30
From: Approach Trail

To: Springer Mt.
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

Last night we stayed at Randy's friend's house and I slept outside in my hammock until 2:30am when l was woken up by a pack of coyotes attacking some animal within 50 yards of where I was hanging so I made a quick departure for the cabin. I've had coyotes around before but this was a little too close for comfort.We made great time up the Approach Trail to Springer Mt. Five hours flat with plenty of breaks. About 10 minutes from the summit it started to rain and we just kept going and got wet. Once at the shelter I changed into dry clothes and warmed right up. We spent the next hour fiddling with the hammocks and tarps since we're both relatively new to this method but after a couple times we'll have it down pat.I'm sure Bone's enjoyed his hike. I'm sure he's up there(?) or somewhere laughing at me finally carrying him on the A.T. He's riding on my left shoulder strap where he can hear my lungs pounding as I climb those steep sections. Tonight I've hung him up on the bear poles so no animal will bother him I hope I'm as lucky since they say a bear visited last night.So now I'm snug as a bug in my hammock and Randy is hanging 10 feet to my right and cracking jokes while I try to write this.This hammock system is amazing it's so comfortable as I'm floating on air. It's also so peaceful lying listening to the light rain fall on the tarp above the hammock. I've got Adam and Jenny at Hammockgear.com to thank for the amazing tarp and underquilt they built for me and Brandon at Warbonnetoutdoors.com for the equally amazing hammock he created. No more nights of terrible sleeping on the ground.Well time to get some needed rest. Tomorrow will be an easier day. I thank God for giving me the ability to continue living life at the age of 65 which I still don't feel like I'm a day over 35. Good night and thank's for following along
Date: 2012-03-31
From: Springer Mt.

To: Hawk Mt.
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Temp: 51/70We took our time leaving camp since we planned a short day to Hawk Mt.Last night the rain went from peaceful to a booming down pour. I'm a light sleeper and couldn't get to sleep even with ear plugs. The last time I looked at my watch it was 3:30am and I may have dozed off around dawn and it was still raining. Needless to say I wasn't a happy camper and I had a splitting headache all night but my ibuprofen were in my bearbag with Bones and there was no way to get them without getting soaked.After some hot coffee and an oatmeal bar and 600mg of ibuprofen I felt better. The hike today was easier than yesterday and it was made even better when just 10 ft from the trail a group gave us Trail Magic. This is when complete strangers come out to the trail for a day and provide thru-hikers with drinks and food for free. It's really appreciated and helpful. I had a hot cup of coffee and 3 homemade muffins.   So tonight there must be at least 30 tents and 15 hammocks in the area as well as a dozen people sleeping in the shelter. This weekend is a big weekend for thru-hikers to start.Well, I'm pretty tired and even though it's only 8pm I'm going to bed(my hammock). It's great being out here again and it's great hiking with my new friend Randy (Sod). It's also great being able to carry the ashes of my friend of 40 years Art Lamontagne (Bone's).Well goodnight from the north Georgia wilderness.
Date: 2012-04-01
From: Hawk Mt.

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Temp - 49/78 Actually went one mile past Woody Gap. We had to go longer because of aggressive bears taking food from hikers 5 miles before Neels Gap in the area we planned to stay in. The location we stayed at had a magnificent view. During sunset we could see the lights of a small town and to the west the sky was a beautiful pink and purple.The other day we hiked with a guy who's trail name is Nimbus meaning Black Cloud. I explained my past experience with black clouds and how now I was hiking with one. Then today when we were passing through Gooch Gap we found Nimbus laid out on the ground saying he was exhausted and done for the day. So it looks like I've left my black cloud behind in a heap.It was a tough hike with the heat hitting 78 and with very little cover from vegetation the sun was brutal. At our hammock site the wind was pretty strong which helped. Sod is doing great in the heat but I'm suffering. He's lived in Florida for 35 years and I'm still used to New Hampshire cooler temps. In the morning with the temp 49 I was walking around bare foot and no shirt while Sod looked like he was dressed for a snow storm.Well it's getting late (8:30) so time to get into the hammock for a good night's sleep. I'll include a photo of the view from my hammock.
Date: 2012-04-02
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Temp - 48/80Last night we had winds blowing at 35mph and they continued most of the morning. At one point when I was taking my hammock down the wind caught it and it looked like kite. When we were lowered the bear bags Sod accidentally pulled the cord raising the caribiner just out of reach. We tried everything but eventually Sod had to stand on my back to reach it. He was chosen to be the to stand on the other guy's back since he weighs 145 and I'm 180. We broke camp at 7:30am since we had a long day and temperatures expected to be in the 80's. The heat and lack of any shade I believe gave me a touch of heat stroke. We rented a cabin at Goose Creek Cabins just down the road from Neels Gap. The owner, Kieth, is a great guy that I met back in 2000 and 2001 on my previous hikes. It was sad to learn he lost his wife a while back. He may end up selling the business which will be a great loss to the hiking community. I'm now sitting under a ceiling fan and will probably sleep here to help recover.The view from Blood Mt. was spectacular, however, there was some haze that may make photos a little washed out.With all the bear issues on the trail we haven't had any encounter, but tonight when Keith dropped us off he told us to keep the doors locked because a bear visits the trash cans. He said they've never gotten in but a skunk did once so both doors are locked and bolted.Well I'm pretty tired and need to recover for another 80+ degree day and an 11 mile hike so I'll say goodnight from north Georgia.
Date: 2012-04-05
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Temps - 70'sHad a great breakfast in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express then Sod and I tried to figure out our schedule so I could resupply properly and keep my pack weight to a minimum. The box I had stolen had been packed accordingly. As it turns out due to having to spend time resupplying and taking a zero day, and the need to be at Fontana Dam no later than the 15th we will restart our hike at Dick's Creek Gap cutting off approximately 17 miles. We've both hiked the lost miles before, but I will miss the knob (Mt.) that bares my name ... Kelly Knob. A 1 mile climb for an altitude gain of 1,000 ft which has always tested my cardiovascular system.I finished resupplying today and am now packed and ready to hit the trail tomorrow where we'll cross into North Carolina and spend the night at Bly Gap.So until the next update from the trail have a great night.
Date: 2012-04-06
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Woke this morning in hotel with stiff back from hard bed and looking forward to getting back into my hammock tonight.It was a steady rain for the 1st 4 hours and we never got off our feet for the entire distance which took 6 1/2 hours. It was too muddy to sit anywhere and no large logs in sight. We planned to go only to Bly Gap at 9 miles but the wind blowing through the gap with the rain caused us to move on. We both forgot how tough the climb out of Bly Gap into North Carolina was. The cold, fog, and rain made the 1 mile climb the toughest so far and the climb just never ended. It kicked the crap out of both of us and we finally decided to look at the book to see how much longer to Muskrat Creek. It was a relief to see only 1 more mile but it was uphill as well.Temp - 51/52 rain & fogOnce in camp it took some time to set up as we were both hurting and not moving very fast. This is also the 1st night that I have to wear my jacket due to the cold, damp air but it will be nice sleeping weather. I'm guessing the temp will drop below 40 and I'll check the thermometer in the the morning to see the overnight low.Today is the 6th of April, my mother's birthday, and I'm missing her. She would enjoy reading this journal. Jim Edmonds, my journal transcriber, told me his mother in N. Y. is enjoying reading it as well so I want to say "Hi" to her from 4,580 feet high in the North Carolina wilderness. We crossed from Georgia into North Carolina just a 1/4 mile south of Bly Gap.Jim Edmonds also asked me to include a photo of our hammock setup so I will but what you will see are the tarps covering them so I'll take another photo soon of just the hammocks. Well it's getting cold and I need to relax my back so I'll say goodnight for now, and also say happy birthday mom