morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-19
From: Crawford Notch & beyond

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I finally started seeing old NOBO friends today! It was totally exciting to run into Overflow. She was very shocked to see me, she had no idea I was SOBO for the moment. And after her there was a line of people I met briefly and got a chance to talk to. Overflow informed me that there should be a whole group coming up, hopefully some of them staying here at Galehead Hut tonight. I have been lonely for the company of other hikers. The Whites are hard and after a long day the company of other people who have been hiking a long time would be nice. I did do 12 miles today and even though the first 5 were a breeze I'm still tired. Tomorrow is 13 into town for resupply and possibly a showing of Maybe and Magiver. It's going to be a long day. There are some really steep mnts. ahead but I know I can do it. I just have to take my time, eat plenty, and keep my eyes open. I could take not sliding on my butt for a day but I don't know if that's going to happen. Today I took one good fall and slide with a nice bounce at the end. My behind is never going to be the same after this hike. I'm kinda glad I can't see it, seeing might make it hurt a lot more. Well, I need to occupy myself for a hour and half until supper. If I don"t I'm libel to eat everything in my food bag. And I think there's lasagna for dinner, yummy! I should go put my boots outside to dry.
Date: 2006-07-20
From: Galehead Hut

To: ??
Miles today: 0.0

Well, as I was finishing my last descent of the day on Thur. I ran smack dab into Maybe and Magiver. They had come up the mountain to get me. It was a very nice suprise but they still had more to come. After we got off the mnt. and to the car they told me R-Kid and Alyssa were coming to meet us for the night! How fun! We all had a great big dinner, I personally ate more then I have ever eaten, and drink lots of beer. My dinner consisted of a filet of salmon, a breast of chicken, half rack of ribs, loaded baked potato, corn on the cob, and choclate mousse for dessert. I ate it all. It was such a fun night. We all shared a room and more beer when we got back to the hotel.
Date: 2006-07-21
From: ??

To: ???
Miles today: 0.0

On Fri. we woke up and Maybe, Magiver and I had breakfast and then set out to hike. They had decided to do an overnighter with me. It was a very challenging hike. We hiked up and down Kinsman Mnt. in the rain. It was slow going. The down was simply rocks, straight down. It was 1 mile an hour hiking. Again, I spent the majority of the down on my ass and really split my pants. Ouch! There just was no other choice.
Date: 2006-07-22
From: ???

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

On Thur. night Maybe and Magiver decided they really wanted to hike Moosilauke with me but couldn't hike until Mon. I was going to be there on Sun. so it was decided that R-Kid would pick me up at Kinsman Notch today (Sat.), Maybe and Magiver would do what they had to do on Sun. I would take a zero day at R-Kid's and then Maybe and Magiver would come get me and on Mon. we would slack-pack Moosilauke. So that's where I am. R-Kid and Alyssa have given me the run of the house and their 4 cats while they work and such. Hopefully all this rain will quit so I can take advantage of the pool! It would be nice to lay around the pool soaking up the sunshine for a day. I hadn't planned on taking any zero days but since M & M wanted to hike on Mon. and due to all the falls I've been taking I decided my feet and body needed a rest. I look like I've been through hell. There are more bruises on my legs then I can even fathom. They're amazing. And, of course, my knees are a creaking. They sure have taken a beaten. So, a much needed day of rest, hiking a big ole' fun mnt. on Mon, and then on to Hanover. My hike sure is turned upside down right now, but soon it will be back to normal. And I am hiking! That's all that really matters anyway.
Date: 2006-07-25
From: Glencliff

To: Hexcuba Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm alone. Again. I'm having a difficult day. Last night I stayed at the "Hikers Welcome" hostel in Glencliff after slacking Mt. Moosilauke with Maybe and Magiver(M & MM). They dropped me off and I went to greet my fellow hostelers. Mr. Breeze and Moat were both there, two old friends that I was very happy to see, along with Treefrogger and Show Me, whom I met while putting out trail magic on my day off. The hostel and its caretakers were awesome! They had sooo many movies and cable and all the good stuff, including an outdoor shower. It was a lovely stay and I really dragged butt out of there this morning. I was so tempted to stay another day but I knew I wouldn't make it to Hanover in time on the 27th. So I finally headed out just after 8 and trudged up the trail. At about 10:30 I ran into Master Plan and we sat and talked for a few hours while Nifty, Skunk, Old Goat, and Deedlist passed by. They were all going to the hostel tonight and had been in Hexacuba Shelter last night, which is where I am tonight. I was so bummed I wasn't going to be at the hostel with them, they are a fun group. And I'm tired of being alone. I'm alone at the shelter tonight. I hike alone every day. I've felt like I've been staying alone for weeks. It's such a difficult feeling for me. I like to be alone. I relish my alone time. But now I'm just lonely. I think I have PMS because now I'm crying and I hardly ever do that. I just don't understand how I keep ending up in a vortex of no hikers. There were like 4 SOBO's here last night! Where were they in the White's? They must've been a day behind me and now they're a day ahead of me. Where are all the NOBO's? How come I only pass them during the day? I want some company and I want the mosquitoes to leave me alone. I also want what ever large sounding critter that just went under the shelter to go away. I put too much water in my rice and now it's rice soup. I'm still alone.
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Moose Mtn. Shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

JULY 27PMS 1, me 0. It's just amazing what those 3 little letters can do to a totally sane, grounded girl. Jesus. So after I determined that I was indeed in the throws of a good PMS run I put on my headphones and danced the night in. No one ever did show up but that was okay. I lived. And last night it was made up for in the form of Marley, Nuclear Night Hawk, and Dub. They were at Moose Mnt. Shelter with me and had me laughing for hours. Just a totally fun group of guys who I hope to run into in Maine. We had a big fire and after a rough 17 mile day laughter was exactly what I needed. Today I had an easy 12 mile day into Hanover and just as I sat down on a park bench to go through the care package my Mom sent Magiver tapped me on the shoulder! He got to Hanover early so I didn't have to wait all day! I was so excited. We ate lunch and now we are back in Gorham so I can do a 22 mile section of trail before going to Kapodin. This way when I come back up this way I'll only be 12 trail miles or so from the Maine border. I can't wait to come back here and conquer Maine. But Kapodin will be tons of fun and everyone should be at R-Kid's on the 31st. It'll be a huge group and everyone on vacation will just be a blast. Hiking away Vermont! I am a bit dizzy from all this back and forth. I'm excited to get going one direction and stay that way. At least for the 3 or 4 weeks it'll take me to get through Maine. Okay, I have to rest up, tomorrow's a tough hike. Magiver's coming with me and he's nervous too. That's scary, he's done it!
Date: 2006-07-30
From: Hanover

To: ??
Miles today: 0.0

Oh, what a lovely zero day today was. I was going to slack 20 miles but when I woke up and realized it was going to be an absolutely gorgeous day I decided I wanted to lay by R-Kid's pool. And that's exactly what I did, all day. It didn't hurt my body any to take a day off after the last two days.On Friday Magiver and I did a 13 mile day that was tough. Not only did we have some very vertical climbs, one over 2 miles long up to Wildcat, it poured on us. I'm talkin drenched. Thank goodness Marley convinced me that Keen Sandels were the best trail shoes because I would have really had a horrible day with the shoes that I now refer to as "the devil shoes."   You know, those nice heavy shoes that didn't even attempt to hold on to anything remotely damp, much less river-like. My new shoes rock, of course with the amount of mud and water I sloshed through they were coated the first day. And since the are sandles they don't keep the mud out. I must've had 2 pounds of mud inside the shoes. Still the best shoes. And they are purple which compliment my new pink socks wonderfully. At least they were pink socks before the day o' mud. So, a 13 mile day took us 9 1/2 hours. Tiring.   On Sat. we got up and it was cloudy but not raining. We only had a 9 mile day to go so things were looking good. It was definately a much easier day but somehow I managed to take a pretty nasty fall. On parts of the trail there on planks to walk over to keep the ground protected (I guess). Well, these things get slick, Homebrew actually slipped off one in MA and broke his finger. I took a nasty slip and banged up my shin pretty bad and everything else hurt for awhile. But then we ran into Maybe Muscles who had hiked to meet us and I knew my day was almost over. We got down the mountain and went to lunch. I ate a small buffalo chicken pizza by myself. It was gooood! I haven't really talked about the appetite factor of this hike but it is amazing how much I can eat. And what I can eat. I can eat string cheese, slim jim's, ice cream, and then lunch and not get an upset stomach. In the normal world I would be hurling after such a combination. It's so sweet. Reason #271 to hike - never having to diet. All I've done for the past 2 years is diet, now I don't have to and it's the best. Four months of being a gluton is a dream.
Date: 2006-08-01
From: Manchester Center

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Kapodin 2006 has commenced! Yeah! On Mon. I woke up and actually did my 20 mile slack day like a good girl and had a terrific day. The weather was wonderul and the terrain lovely. Lots of ups and downs but through fields of wild flowers and excellent views. I even saw two wild turkeys! Pretty awesome. I got done with the hike 30 min. early so I walked to an ice cream spot just down the road from the trail and ate ice cream with BP and Mountain Goat. Then I got a fresh from the oven raspberry pie for dessert that night. Yummy! Magiver came and got me right on time, as usual, and when we got to the house Mallow, Go-Go, and newbie Laurie had arrived! I said my hello's and immediately jumped in the pool. How refreshing after a 20 mile hike. Then it was dinner time! Alyssa cooked up a great mexican feist (she is the grill master) and mixed up some margheritas and Kapodin was well under way! Alyssa has been feeding us so well by the way. I haven't really had time to be hungry. And in honor of Kapodin Alyssa and R-kid painted their fence around the pool so now we have our official headquarters. Awesome. This morning we got up and drove the two hours down to Manchester Center with R-Kid and Alyssa in tow to take the cars back up to their place. We met Orien and off we hiked! After a fairly easy 10 mile day (at least for me) we got to camp and played Uno! It's nice having the POD around. Now I'm getting eatin alive by mosquitoes and bigger bugs are dive bombing my headlamp. Driving me crazy.
Date: 2006-08-02
To: Little Rock Pond
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Aaah, it's nice to be done with hiking by 12:30. Magiver and I did our 10 mile day with ease and got to Little Rock Pond campsite just in time for the rain. But then we went swimming. It was great. The rest of the group arrived an hour to two later and we went swimming again. Go-Go, Mallow, and I even did a waist down skinny dip just to clean up a little. A very relaxing day. Laurie went past the site but luckily I was up the trail checkin out the shelter so I found her before she went too far. I carried her tent back and set it up while she swam. All 5 of our tents had to fit on two platforms so it was tricky but we made it work. And I'm sleeping with Magiver to save room. Cous and Josh (aka Thunder Bear) did a 14 mile day to catch up with us so they have joined Kapodin! Now we await the arrival of R-Kid and Maybe Muscles tomorrow and we will be complete for this year!
Date: 2006-08-03
From: Little Rock Pond

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, we lost our newbie. Laurie got off the trail today, sadly but for the best. I volunteered to take her down to the road two miles back and help her get a ride since she had never hitched before and I am more than able to do 4 extra miles. But Laurie started before me and after 1 mile of not catching her I figured she must've taken the wrong trail. I went down to the road anyway and waited 30 min. to see if she would show but she never did so I started back up the trail. At about 1.5 miles back I found her and she had indeed taken the wrong trail, poor thing. So I turned around and walked with her to the road and immediately got her a ride with a group that had just finished an overnighter. They were more than willing to take her to town and gave me M&M's. So then I watched her go and started the 2 miles back to where we camped last night. By the time I got there, 11:00, I had done 7 miles, the skies were graying, and it was hot. The rest of the POD had to be a good 2 hours ahead of me. Oh well. So I walked alone, swam in a river that was freezing, saw really cool rock sculptures on top of White Rock Cliffs, and basically had a good day. I caught half the POD right before the shelter and walked in with them to find R-kid and Maybe there! They had come and now the group is complete. But sadly Orien learned that a tornado hit her garage so she might go home. I guess she'll decide tomorrow. Happily in my tent tonight, goodnight.
Date: 2006-08-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So, it's been 5 days since I've journaled. I suck. Here's a synopsis of the last few days:Orion went home (aug 4), I ate breakfast at the Whistle Stop (aug 4), climbed Killington (aug 5), got drunk at the Long Trail Inn and played Scrabble (aug 5). Went to R-Kid's house, played water volley ball (aug 6), ate lots of food, got some sun, said goodbye to POD (aug 7). Yesterday Maybe and Magiver drove me up to Gorham and we stayed in a hotel. Today they hiked up about 5 miles with me. I was in a totally cranky mood. Then they left and I had one of those days that made me break down. First, I slid backwards down a big rock that I was trying to go up - on my belly with arms and legs spread eagle. Plus One got to witness the whole thing and said it was very impressive. That set the mood for the day. I couldn't stay on my feet. I kept falling over, tripping on things, you name it and I fell on it today. Once even knee deep in mud. Unbelievable. Then I got to this beautiful pond and lost my way. I finally found the trail and hiked about a mile before sitting down to have a snack on some cliffs. I decided I had about 3 miles to the shelter and finally got up to go when I came upon the same sign I had seen 2 miles ago. I had gone the wrong way at the pond and never even realized it. I backtracked. I threw a temper tantrum of phenomonal proportions. Of course first I thougt I was going crazy, then I thought I was in the Twilight Zone, and then I cussed, stamped my foot, screamed, and even cried a little. After all the "fuck shits" I could muster I decided, "Well, now I get to see the pretty pond again." And back I went to the pond. Saw it twice, no moose either time. The last part of the day was fairly uneventful. Just kept falling down and finally got to the shelter. I do have an absolutely gorgeous view and there is company. It's a cool night so no bugs and good sleeping. After all that I still managed to smile and joke. It's never so bad once you get to where dinner is made and the bed is rolled out. Tomorrow is a rough day. I hope I can do it without 15 falls for 15 miles. Here's hoping and toenails praying. I'm about to lose 1 in the next day and 2 more in the coming days/weeks for a total of four. All I have to say is that red will be a great color for my toes in Lesli's wedding. That should cover up all the black toenails and missing toenails. I think.
Date: 2006-08-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Maine is hard. It's been a long couple of days. On the 9th I went through Mahoosuc Notch, it's said to be the most difficlt mile of the AT. Imagine a boulder jungle gym for grown-ups. You go over big rocks, down big rocks, through big rocks... there are areas under the rocks that still have snow and ice. It's wild. And all the while you are surrounded by high cliffs. It was awesome but time consuming. Definately the slowest mile I've ever done. It was rough on the body but fun. I had planned on a 15 mile day but I didn't want to do the notch alone so I waited until I found someone to go through with. That someone was a couple of section hikers from CT. Beth and Eric let me tag along with them so I didn't have to go it alone. We got through so late in the evening we decided to camp just passed the Notch. We were beat so pretty much went straight to bed.
Date: 2006-08-10
To: Andover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

On Aug. 10 I hauled booty and did 17 miles to Andover. It was a long day but I wanted to get in town before the rain hit so pretty much jogged the last couple miles. I made it to the road just as it started pouring. Unfortunately, no cars came by for 20 minutes so I hid in the trees until a truck passed me and felt so sorry for me they stopped. Thank goodness. I was wet, cold, hungry, and ready for a shower. The nice gentlemen in the truck dropped me off at the "Roadhouse", a hiker friendly hostel/hotel. Sleeper was here so I had company and good conversation from a fellow Georgian. Unfortunately he was already 10 trail miles ahead of me so I'll probably never see him again.
Date: 2006-08-11
From: Andover

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today I did 10 miles and was going to camp but the spot was right by a road and it was looking like it was going to rain. I waited around almost all day to see if any other hikers would show up and when they didn't I decided to go back into Andover. The only problem was that I waited by the road for almost an hour and not one car passed me going in the direction I needed. I was just about to put my pack on and go camp by myself by the road when a nice guy section hiking came down the mnt. and offered to drive me into town. He was headed that way anyway. Lucky me. So, back in Andover this time with Cookie, a Texas gentleman to keep me company at the hostel. I can't believe there are no other hikers around. I imagine I'm going to be alone tomorrow night and probably the next too. I am tired of hiking alone. I want company, at least at night. I don't know if that's ever going to happen this trip, I'm mentally preparing myself to finish the hike alone. I hope I don't have to, especially through the 100 mile wilderness. Less then 250 miles to go in Maine. That's exciting.
Date: 2006-08-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Desperate times call for desprate measures. For a few days Marley has been leavng notes in the registers to several hikers about his cottage on Raneley Lake, just off ME 17. Well, I got to the road, it was 50 degrees at the bottom of the mnt., windy, rainy, and I was going to be alone in the shelter on top of the mnt. So, I went against all my southern upbringing and hitched to the cottage. I know I wasn't invited and I toiled for about an hour as to whether I should knock on the door but finally decided I would. Marley, Mystic, Scoot, and Misfortune were at the laundry but Marley's Mom and daughter were there and welcomed me in. They made me feel very welcome but I still felt a bit like I was intruding. I couldn't help it. All the hikers got back and were quite surprised to see me. Marley said it was perfectly fine that I was there and I began to relax a bit. Still it was weird. I only met these guys briefly so it wasn't like "Hey, good to see you," all happy and   jovial. It was more surprise and curiousity. Then I explained that I had been hiking alone since Gorham and they were very understanding. So basically,I'm attaching myself to these guys whether they like it or not. I'm sure they won't mind too much, at least I hope. Now all I have to do is decide if I'm going to impose some more and take a zero day here and hike out with Marley and Mystic tomorrow or go with Scoot and Misfortune 4 miles today. I'm just not sure. I'm having such a great day learning new games with Marley's daughters Marissa and Bailey and his Mom. Everyone else is napping.I'm on a lake and it's cold but beautiful. And I need company, plus it's hard to leave family, even when it's not yours. Marley and Mystic are planning on summiting Katahdin Sept. 2, which is exactly when I was thinking. That way I can relax and enjoy Maine. I believe Scoot and Misfortune are talking about Aug. 27, a little too soon and too many big miles for me. Oh, I don't know. What to do when you're not completely sure you're totally welcome and wanted. Self doubt is a terrible thing.
Date: 2006-08-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I took a zero day at the cottage with everyone else and had a wonderful time. Marley and his family are so nice. They really know how to make a GA girl feel at home. We ate so much food, played games, laughed, napped, and basically just had a wonderful day.Today Marley, Mystic and I hiked a whole 4 miles and are now at Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to. Chill joined us and then we went to visit a lovely couple Marley knows a half mile down the trail, Bruce and Hilda. They live on the other side of the lake in a cottage they built that is so cozy and wonderful. It's all log and all the furniture was made by Bruce, including the wood burning hot-tub right outside their bedroom door. We sat and chatted with them for a couple of hours, they gave us a couple beers, cheese and crackers, and Hilda had collected fresh blueberries and made a cake in anticipation of our visit. I could easily spend my summers there. They were just the neatest people. The past few days have definately been some of my best trail experiences this year. It's nice to be around people, especially Mystic and Marley who can easily keep me entertained all day.
Date: 2006-08-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Oh, another wonderful, lazy day. We did do 11 miles today but the trail was so nice and easy. We stopped for a swim where unfortunately I lost my left Croc. Bummer. So, Mystic and I made it up to Rt. 4 just in time for lunch so I stuck out my magic thumb and into town we went. I decided that I could get another pair there but to no avail. I did get a scrumptous Thai lunch, ice cream, and lots of look shopping though. Mystic picked up a book that tells him everything about every plant, animal, cloud, etc.. in these parts plus a fun dice game. Instead of his pack getting lighter it's getting heavier. Silly thru-hiker. After lounging in town for a few hours we made our way back to the trail for the 2 miles left to Piazza Rock Shelter. Done in no time. We saw the rock wonder, played a game with the dice, and had a lovely evening. Tomorrow will be a doozy though, 17 miles with lots of big mnts. All I have to do is keep telling myself I can do it. I know I can, don't! know why I keep doubting myself.