morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-08-31
From: Pollywog Stream

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

The hiking today went by really quick even though we did close to 20 miles. The terrain was mostly flat and it was easy to just cruise up the trail. I had a nice lunch break on Rainbow Ledges which has a great view of Katahdin. I stopped at Hurd Brook Lean-to, the last shelter on the trail, and left my goodbye entry in the register. I was antsy to get to Abol Bridge, where I was meeting my parents who I hadn't seen since Connecticut. Abol Bridge also marks the northern boundary of the 100-Mile Wilderness. The view of Katahdin from Abol Bridge is AMAZING!! My book describes this view as the "postcard view" of Katahdin which is definitely true. Hot Sauce, Spano, and I asked the woman working at Abol Bridge Campground for the tentsite with the best view of Katahdin, and she totally hooked us up. Site #32 is the most scenic tentsite I've had on this trip and for only $10 seems like a steal. I set up my tent so I could see Katahdin from laying in my sleeping bag...heaven. Hot Sauce, Spano, and I met up with my parents and we went out for dinner and beers at the Big Moose Inn. I wasn't starving for food and couldn't even finish my pizza, which means I ate well through the wilderness. I was also glad to have some leftover pizza for breakfast. My parents dropped us off back at our tentsite, then we headed across the street to hang out and roast marshmallows with Plunger and Mr. Right (who I hadn't seen since Caratunk), Cricket (who I hadn't seen since VT), and Stretch and Tin Man. I'm glad we'll all be summiting on the same day.Hoping to see a moose in the morning...
Date: 2009-09-01
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

I woke up every half hour or so starting at 4:30am to take a peek at Katahdin from my tent and to check for moose. No moose, but it was going to be another beautiful day. I had a leftover cold pizza pre-breakfast and lounged around in my tent for a while before deciding to start getting ready. With just under 10 miles to hike today, we took our time this morning. We split a dozen eggs between the 3 of us and made breakfast burritos with cheese and onions from the store at Abol Bridge. We saw more and more hikers coming into Abol and we had counted up to 20 hikers summiting tomorrow, and there were probably more that we didn't know about. I'm so glad I made those reservations at Katahdin Stream. The three of us started hiking around noon and took our time, stopping at every scenic waterfall, river, and lookout. We had a long break at Big Niagara Falls which was beautiful and also stopped at Daicy Pond, which the ranger says has the best view of Katahdin in the park. There were so many ponds and lakes today and each one was incredibly scenic. There were also 2 river crossings which were both terrifying. We all made it across alright, but it was terrifying nonetheless. Ever since my two falls during river crossings, I have developed a severe fear of them. We got to Katahdin Stream Campground around 5pm to find all the other thru-hikers summiting tomorrow. Parents were there grilling and giving out snacks and goodies, it was a fun gathering but a little overwhelming with so many people. I checked in at the ranger station and filled out paperwork for their files...I am thru-hiker #210 to finish this year, and I'd be curious to find out how many started at Springer. We set up our tents and cooked dinner...I can't believe I ate 2 pasta sides tonight. I guess I'm going all out since this is my last trail dinner and probably won't be eating another pasta side for a loooong time.Hot Sauce, Spano, and I are planning to wake up super early to beat the rush of hikers heading up the mountain tomorrow. Our plan is to wake up at 2:30am and hopefully be hiking up around 3. This is my last night in my tent...sad!!The mass of hikers summiting tomorrow include: me, Hot Sauce, Cricket, Tin Man, Stretch, Plunger, Mr. Right, Jukebox Hero, Double Vision, Saint, Wind Up, Hermes, Rusticus, Newt, Miss Scarlet, Sam Wise, Hellbender, Doc, T.Suds, Grommet, Papa Kiwi, Bookworm, Half Moon, Sunbeam, and maybe a few more that I'm missing. The ranger here says this is the most thru-hikers to finish together!
Date: 2009-09-02
From: Katahdin Stream

To: KATAHDIN!!
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

To avoid the rush of hikers to the summit, Hot Sauce, Spano, and I woke up at 2:30am, packed up our tents, left most of our gear at the ranger station, and signed in at the Hunt Trail (AT) trailhead at 3:30am. Moreover, we wanted to experience night-hiking one last time and witness our last trail sunrise as we climbed Katahdin. I was glad to see that no one had signed in before us; we would be the first to climb Katahdin today.We thought the almost-full moon would provide enough light to hike without headlamps, however the moon must have been on the other side of the mountain because the sky was completely black with billions of stars. It was incredible. We turned off our headlamps a few times and just stared up at the night sky, feeling so fortunate for an "A+ day", as the ranger had called it yesterday. This was my fourth time climbing Katahdin, but the first time hiking up the AT, and was surprised to find that it was just as rugged as people had described. After 2 miles of gentle terrain, the trail had us maneuvering up, over, and around massive boulders, some of which had hand rails to help pull us up. I was glad it was still dark out so I couldn't see that one slip could send me falling down the left side of the mountain. I was also glad I had chosen to bring a day pack up which the ranger provides at the base. The sun started to rise just as we reached the tablelands, one mile from the summit. I stopped to eat a bag of M&Ms, trying to put off the inevitable. I stopped again once the sign at the summit was visible, probably 50 yds away. This was it, no turning back now. I was the first to the sign at 6:45am, Spano hanging back a ways to take some photos as I approached the summit. Once I got to the top, I threw out my arms and screamed as loud as I could. No tears from me, just smiles. I thought back to a book full of letters at the Smoky Mountain Diner that the Hot Springs, NC elementary students had written to AT thru-hikers. One student wrote, ¢Come on! You can do this trail!¢ Yes, I guess I can. I did it. I hiked the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2009-09-05
To: Surprises
Miles today: 0.0

In order to organize my thoughts about this hike I've decided to come up with a few "lists". Stay tuned for ones to follow-I was surprised¢¦- that northern Georgia is mountainous- that after 6 months of hiking every day my legs look exactly the same as they did when I left Springer- that I¢m still not sick of poptarts, oatmeal, or pasta sides (except cheddar broccoli rice)- that my parents did a 180 and became so supportive of my hike. Feel free to email my mom at mamoo49@aol.com if you are a parent nervous about your son or daughter planning a thru-hike - that I started off in Georgia as a relatively fast, strong hiker and hit my peak in Virginia. However, as I hiked through VT, NH, and ME, I felt like I had become the world¢s slowest hiker, and it wasn¢t a rare site to see day-hikers passing me. I thought it would be the complete opposite.- that I developed a severe phobia of river crossings while in Maine. I wonder if it¢s permanent.- to find that even after hiking the whole AT, I am still terrified of spiders and bees.- that my knees hardly bothered me on the entire hike. Doing leg lifts almost every day for two years totally paid off and I feel very fortunate for that.- that I only got one blister.- at how well I slept in my tent each night, sometimes at least 8 hours without stirring.- that I puked and didn¢t die!- at how nasty my tech-tees got within minutes of putting them back on after the laundry- that neither Hot Sauce, Plunger, nor Mr. Right got giardia.- at the generosity of all the trail angels I met along the way.- that I didn¢t see one moose in northern New England.- at how I much I loved some of the mid-Atlantic states. NJ and NY especially took me by surprise and were two of my favorite states.- that I still won¢t eat gorp, nuts, sandwiches, or unmelted cheese (even though I carried blocks of Cabot cheddar the entire way).- that my feet didn¢t hurt at all in NH or ME.- that the smell of my socks could actually make me gag.- at how often I had to change the batteries to my Steripen.- at how offended I got when people (mostly day hikers) commented on the size of my pack.- how well my body recovered overnight.- I never felt the urge to quit.- hiking the AT is just a whole lot of ~4-day trips strung together.
Date: 2009-09-07
To: Random Tidbits
Miles today: 0.0

Here's another list of some of my favorite things, plus a few other random tidbits. I'll be adding a journal entry to my 9/2 summit photos either today or tomorrow so stay tuned for that, and additional post-trail thoughts over the next several days.Best Trail Restaurants: River¢s Edge (NOC) ¢ horrible service but great food, Three Lil Pigs (Daleville, VA), Apple Pie Bakery (DWG), Lakeshore House (Monson)Favorite Hostels: Hiker Hostel (Dahlonega, GA), Blueberry Patch (Hiawassee, GA), Elmer¢s Sunnybank Inn (Hot Springs, NC), Mountain Harbour B&B (Roan Mountain, TN), Happy Hiker Hollow (Atkins, VA), Bear¢s Den (Bluemont, VA), Blackburn AT Center (VA), Front Royal Hostel, The Outhouse (Unionville, NY), Maine Roadhouse (Stratton, ME), Shaw¢s (Monson, ME)Favorite Pasta Side: Creamy Garlic Shells or Teriyaki Noodles with added peanut butterFavorite Trail Lunch: Beans, melted cheese, and avocado rolled up in a tortillaFavorite Trail Breakfast: Grits with added melted cheese (specifically Cabot tomato basil cheddar)Favorite Trail Snacks: Goldfish, Cheese-its, Oreos, yogurt-covered raisinsFavorite Ice Cream: Ben & Jerry¢s Key Lime Pie (limited batch)Favorite Oatmeal Flavor: Peaches ¢n CreamBest Shelters: Partnership (VA), Sarvers Hollow (VA), Hurricane Mountain (VA), Bryant Ridge (VA), Rocky Run (MD), Upper Goose Pond (MA), Stratton Pond (VT) Favorite Hut: Lonesome Lake HutLongest Stretch without a Shower: 8 daysFavorite Areas: Max Patch, Grayson Highlands, Dragon¢s Tooth, McAfee Knob/Tinker Cliffs, Big Bald (TN), The Humps (TN/NC), Beauty Spot (TN), White Mountains, 100-Mile Wilderness Hardest Climb: South Kinsman (NH)Worst Smelling Piece of Gear: my ThermarestFavorite Trail Town: Hot Springs, NCFavorite States: NC/TN, VA, NJ, NH, MELeast Favorite State: PAFavorite Trail Dog: Coal (Rolling Stone¢s dog)Favorite Brand of Socks: Darn ToughMost Unique Trail Establishment: Trent¢s Grocery (VA), Standing Bear Farm (TN)
Date: 2009-09-11
From: Lehigh Gap, PA

To: Eckville Shelter, PA
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: moderate rain

On Sept 9 and 10, I finished the 25 miles of the AT that I missed when I was sick. My parents helped me slackpack those miles over 2 days with an overnight in between in Allentown. I'm glad I did those remaining miles, although as far as I'm concerned, my hike was completed on Sept 2. Finishing on a beautiful day on top of Katahdin made me feel like I could keep hiking forever, and I have been missing the trail over the past week since summiting. I'm glad I did these last 25 miles for closure, helping me realize that I'm happy not to be hiking all day every day. My body is tired and needs a good rest. Within 10 minutes of leaving the car on the first day of slackpacking, I got a couple mosquito bites, saw a rattlesnake, tripped on countless rocks, and had a serious calf cramp. By the end of the first day (just 13.5 miles), my muscles and joints ached and my feet hurt. I knew I'd be sore the following day, and I was. I thought that hiking for 6 months would mean I wouldn't have to exercise for the next 6 months and I'd still be in decent shape. Wrong! Looks like I'm back to square one just after 1 week. I can't believe it! Hiking those miles also reminded me why I wasn't a huge fan of PA. The rocks!! I was glad to be slackpacking and the combined 25 miles only took me 8.5 hours, which is about 3 miles per hour.The stretch from Eckville Shelter to Lehigh Gap is mostly flat and follows old woods roads for a good chunk of it. I was surprised at the amount of broken glass that littered the trail, and all the garbage I saw along the way. Bake Oven Knob Shelter is rundown and a bit sketchy, although the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter was super nice. There are dozens of really nice campsites along that stretch. I read in one of the shelter registers about a man who had gone missing and whose pack had been found in this area. I hadn't heard anything about that but I'm going to do a little internet searching to see if I can find out anything about it.Anyways, it definitely feels good to be officially done!
Date: 2009-09-12
To: What I'll Miss
Miles today: 0.0

Charlie Dunn of Arkansas asked that I prepare a list of things I would not do again or things I would do differently if I were to hike again. I've been racking my brain for the past few days to at least come up with a couple things, but I surprisingly I could not come up with ANY! I guess that means I had a successful thru-hike with no regrets. Instead, I came up with a list of the things I'll miss the most from the trail. These include:- Drinking ice-cold, refreshing water from springs and streams- Being outdoors all day, everyday- Sleeping in my cozy tent- Eating each meal in a different place everyday- Simplicity. The biggest decision I had to make each day (which I'd sometimes debate for hours towards the end of the day) was what I'd cook for dinner- Meeting at least one new person each day- Sleeping in a new place each night- Not knowing exactly where I'd end up staying each night. Sometimes I'd have a place in mind and then my plan could change halfway through the day- Eating ice cream before breakfast and not thinking twice about it- Being so in tune with nature - changing seasons, weather, wildlife, etc.
Date: 2009-09-23
To: My New Tattoo!
Miles today: 0.0

I'm still in the process of writing up a few more post-trail entries, but in the meantime, here's a photo of the AT tattoo I got while I was visiting a good friend in Austin, TX! I was nervous about how much it would hurt, being on my foot and all, but the tattoo artist was right: the pain was nothing compared to your average day on the trail. The pain was a fraction of that of a rolled ankle, bashing a knee into a rock, or hornet sting. And it was over in a minute.
Date: 2009-11-02
To: It's Official!
Miles today: 0.0

I received my AT 2,000-miler patch and thru-hike certificate from the ATC in the mail today, exactly 2 months after summiting. My eyes welled up as I opened the envelope and stared at my accomplishment. I find it incredible how fast the last 2 months have flown by and that the southbounders I met in VT are now finishing up their thru-hikes in Georgia. To future thru-hikers...cherish each moment while on the trail; it will be over before you know it. And always remember: "if you are lucky enough to be on the trail, you are lucky enough". That is a quote from a sign outside the caretaker's tent on top of Springer Mountain and is a message I kept with me on the entire hike from Day 1. I will be posting a longer entry tomorrow with a final gear list, a link to my photos, and some other random things. Until then...
Date: 2009-11-05
To: Photos!
Miles today: 0.0

It took a little longer than I had thought to upload my photobooks, but as promised, here are the links to view my photos. I used the very user friendly program My Publisher to organize my photos into ¢coffee-table¢ books, and am very happy with the quality and final product.To view them, go to this link, then enter in the order number/password provided below:My PhotobooksVolume I: Georgia to New JerseyOrder Number: 1259324Password: 2792574Volume II: New York to MaineOrder Number: 1259171Password: 2792082All my favorite photos are included in the photobooks, but with thousands of photos, it was often times hard to pick and choose. Here is a link to every single photo that I took while on the trail, arranged by state:Loon¢s Picasa AlbumsStay tuned...
Date: 2009-11-08
To: Fuel Canister Availability
Miles today: 0.0

Here is a compiled list of fuel availability along the trail. I'm sure there are other towns along the way that may sell canisters, but if I didn't stop in that town, I wouldn't know about it. I didn't have a problem finding canisters along the way except in NH and ME. You can send canisters in the mail, just write "Surface Mail - ORMD" all over your box. For me, a large canister usually would last about a week with cooking 3 hot meals a day. Some hikers who only boiled water once a day for dinner only went through 3 canisters the entire trip. Hopefully some of you will find this info useful!Fuel canisters ARE available in the following places:- Mountain Crossings Outfitter, Neels Gap, GA- Outfitter in Franklin, NC- Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)- Both outfitters in Gatlinburg, TN- Outfitter in Hot Springs, NC- Outfitter in Erwin, TN (Uncle Johnny's)- Outfitter in Damascus, VA- Rendezvous Motel in Pearisburg, VA (expensive)- Outfitter in Daleville, VA- Outfitter in Waynesboro, VA- Outfitter in Harpers Ferry, WV (expensive)- Outfitter in Port Clinton, PA- Outfitter in Delaware Water Gap, PA- Outfitter in Kent, CT- Outfitter in Bennington, VT- Both outfitters in Manchester, VT- Outfitter in Hanover, NH- Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, NH- Outfitter in Gorham, NH- Shaw's Hostel, Monson, MEFuel canisters MAY be available in the following places:- I heard that fuel could be purchased at the Hiawassee Inn in Hiawassee, GA- Small outfitter at Fontana Dam might have fuel, but doesn't open until mid-March- Duncannon, PA (outfitter is a ways out of town)Fuel canisters are NOT available:- Dahlonega, GA (or Amicalola State Park)- Standing Bear Farm hostel- Roan Mountain, TN- Kincora- Atkins, VA- Bland, VA- Boiling Springs, PA- Unionville, NY (I didn't see fuel canisters available anywhere in NY)- Salisbury, CT- Dalton or North Adams, MA- Glencliff, NH- Andover, ME- Stratton, ME- Caratunk, ME- Abol Bridge, ME
Date: 2010-11-09
To: Portland, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Hello Trail Journal readers!Whew! I have completed copying and pasting my entire journal AND guest book entries into a word document. 435 pages. Once I recover from this tedious process, I'll start formatting and eventually bind the "book" and add it to my bookshelf next to my AT photo books. As I scanned through my guest book during the cut/paste/repeat process, I grew nostalgic and realized I owe my devoted readers an update. (Hopefully there are a few of you out there who will read this!) It's been about a year since my last post on here and a lot has happened since then! I'll start working on an update, complete with photos...check back in a day or so Missing the trail every day,Loon
Date: 2009-07-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Packed and prepped for the hike. I met up with Easy Strider (2007) and Unplugged (2009) for a last minute question session. They put me more at ease becuase my father has been on my ass about how unprepared I am. In reality I am well prepared. He just wanted to have me meet up with the other two experienced hikers "just in case".
Date: 2009-07-26
To: Baxter State Park
Miles today: 0.0

Arrived at Baxter State Park. Get the site, get set and sit down for the first journal session. It'll be 5.2 miles to the top of Katahdin tomorrow just to reach the start of my 2000+ mile odyssey. Nervous to say the least, but I think I'll fall into a rhythm in about two weeks. I feel real happy about having tunes (thanks Ian). Yesterday I bought "for the lions", my favorite band's newest release (Hatebreed). If ever my mind starts talking too much I can shut it up with some of my own head banger's ball.
Date: 2009-07-27
From: Baxter State Park

To: Baxter State Park
Miles today: 5.2

Got right up with the sun today and was on the trail by 0615. Met a Swiss family last night in the adjacent site and discussed interesting cultural diversities. Started off on the trail with my father but we each went at our own pace. Made it to the top around 10:00. Pretty hairy going up by myself as I was so worried about ankle twisting on the first day. Stayed at the top for about an hour discussing advice and strategies with finishing thru-hikers. Left the camera with my father so I had to have a thru-hiker pop my snapshot at the top. Hopefully he remembers to "facebook" me. No views at the top - pure fog. Came down with a girl from Bar Harbor Maine and a guy from Venezuela. I sold them on the idea of "safety in numbers" as far as injuries go, but I really just wanted to walk behind his GF. Plan successful, no one the wiser. Winds weren't as bad coming down and hiking with people took my mind off the danger. Got back to camp, purified my first batch of water and waited for my dad to finish. When dad got back I connived him for a "last meal in civilization", in reality, I was just hankering for a pizza. Drove to Millinocket, got a pie at Angelo's and pigged out after our hike. Feet feel fine, but I do have some chaffing that needs attention. Millinocket has that good small-town feel - reminds me of the town I went to college in, but larger. The thru-hikers on the top of Katahdin taught me one thing about my journey to come - it's going to be fun!
Date: 2009-07-28
From: Baxter State Park

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked from the base of Baxter to Hurd Brook Lean-to. I got a bit of a late start, but me eager feet led me to an early finish. I arrived at 2:15.Took a ton of pictures, but mostly of the waterway (river) which I paralleled for a lot of the hike. It reminded me of a local swimming hole which has rock slides and rapid (Diana's Pool). You're not supposed to swim there, but I do anyway. I regret not jumping in a particular rock slide, but decided not to because the hole at the bottom of the rapids looked like it could be mean. I'd be in no shape to rescue myself out of a hydraulic having had tendon surgery on my wrist not too long ago. I would have but there was no one around. Got a picture though and hope to come back with a kayak Made my first dinner at Hurd. Pocket Rocket stove works great and I had some Idahoan potatoes, which I really wasn't too hungry for but I'll need the cals for tomorrow.I kind of regret not having pushed my buddy more to come with me, but it's great to be alone in some ways.Interesting privy experience where the construction method causes your #1 to leak out on the floor if you are sitting for #2. The floorboard is not cut flush to the hole below. Had to wash my parts in the river and start a fire to dry them out. Got to dry out my shoes and socks too, which was nice. Had the lean-to to myself. Some tent campers set up behind me, so I wasn't alone all night. Looking to hit the Rainbow lean-to tomorrow. Should be about 12 miles. My body feels good and Gold Bond has been my best friend all day for the chaffing. With dry socks and shoes the feet should be in good shape too as I had to stop and repair a "hot spot" on my foot at "Little Niagara Falls" today.Did a good job of taking regular breaks and foot checks so as not to beat myself up too early. I'll maintain solid care of my feet and chaffing to stay as comfortable as possible. Excited for tomorrow and will likely get an early start.Heard a Moose call about 1/2 hour after dusk....oh yeah, got some photos of Moose droppings today, ha.