morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Stopped in Salisbury,CT to resupply and get a real meal for a change. Everything has become so much more expensive as I've traveled north. It just makes me miss home and the south that much more. I just spent double what I would normally pay for about 3 days worth of food. Right now I'm sitting in the nation's first library. My granny would be proud. HA! Weather permitting I should be crossing into Mass this afternoon. The terrain seems to be getting tougher and I'm starting to remember those things called mountains that we used to climb back in Georgia, NC, and TN. Starting to get excited/nervous about the upcoming White mountains in New Hampshire. I hope I'm ready for them. People say when you reach the White's, you've done 80% of the trail and about 20% of the work. It's time to get pumped up.
Date: 2010-06-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 1279.1

The guys amd I just hitched into town to try and catch the USA soccer game. Vermont has been very muddy but a really beautiful part of the trail so far. It feels good to get back up into the mountains. Yesterday we actually were hiking straight up a ski slope. I stopped at the top by the chairlift at the warming hut and borrowed the phone to call home. It's been pretty hot and muggy lately. I'm hoping to find a decent spot to swim this afternoon. I should be in Rutland, VT tomorrow and hope to be in Hanover, NH a few days after that. The days are really flying by and it looks like we should be in Maine soon! The daily miles obviously are not correct but I added them so that the total trip miles would be.
Date: 2010-07-03
To: Hanover,NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I finally made it to Hanover,NH but I haven't really been able to enjoy it as much as I would like. I have somehow picked up the nasty little bug giardia and have been stuck here for the past couple of days. Twigs, Specs, Ken, and I were fortunate enough to be invited to stay a couple nights with Slapshot and his cousin Heather and her family. It was very generous of her to take in 5 smelly thru hikers(one being sick). She cooked for us and did our laundry as well as shuttled us all over town. It was hard to see the guys hit the trail without me yesterday. I wish that I was well enough to hike. I can't seem to be able to get more than 10 feet from the toilet. The doc put me on Flagyl and said I should be feeling better within 24-48 hrs. Nothing yet..Went to the post office and mailed a few heavy luxury items ahead that I've been carrying. The White Mountains are coming up in a few days and I don't want to carry any extra weight that I don't need. So I'm just bumming around the town and the Dartmouth campus today trying to take it easy. Hopefully I will be able to hike out tomorrow. I hate having to sit here in a dump motel when the weather is beautiful and I should be moving north.
Date: 2010-07-07
From: Glencliff, NH

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I left Hanover on Monday feeling great. That is, until I hit the first climb. I was immediately drained of energy. I had to stop several times during the day for long breaks. The past few days have been the most difficult of the whole trail I think. I was able to churn out 17 miles and then a brutal 19.5 yesterday but I felt like crap so I have stopped at a hostel to rest and to eat a few big meals. For lunch today I ordered a burger and fries and went ahead and ordered a dinner to have later. When the food arrived I immediately scarfed both meals down and now, three hours later, I'm about to hitch into town to get another meal. Hopefully after eating all these calories I'll be able to go 100 yds without stopping every few minutes. Just passed the under 400 mile mark today. Woo hoo! As soon as I get my superhuman thru-hiker strength back I'm ready to rock this trail. HA! Tomorrow I start The Whites which should be challenging. I'll just be glad to get above treeline and get out of this unbelievable heat and away from the deer flies. Not sure if I'll ever catch Specs,Twigs, and Slapshot but it might be possible in Maine. That's all for now.
Date: 2010-07-16
To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hola. I'm in Gorham, NH and don't have much time to journal because the lovely librarian is breathing down my neck. The White's were amazing.. And amazingly difficult. There were times when I got to a steep slippery rock face that had a white blaze painted on it, threw down my poles and said "really? you want me to climb up that?!" It was really more like rock climbing through the whites rather than hiking. Some really beautiful views so it was worth it. Been hiking with Picker and Floweasy lately and really having a good time. We should be in Maine tomorrow eve and tackling the Mahoosuc Notch Sunday afternoon sometime. That's all for now. I love the New Hampshire motto "Live Free or Die"!
Date: 2010-07-23
From: Stratton, ME

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just arrived in Stratton, Maine. I don't think I have ever looked forward to a town as much as I have been longing for this one. It has been a hard 7 days out of Gorham,NH. We had to do a sketchy resupply in Andover so I had to get a little creative with my meals. I think it has rained almost every day since Floweasy, Picker, and I have entered Maine. Except today of course since we are in town with a roof over our heads, it's a gorgeous sunny day. Oh well, Maine has been beautiful nonetheless. I walked up on 2 moose the other morning and I was actually able to get a decent picture. It's amazing to me how high up in the mountains they venture. We were walking well above treeline the other day and I saw a few droppings on the trail. We've been running into alot of southbounders lately. Most are a little obnoxious and seem to think they know everything. I've been trying to hold my tongue though and remember when I had only hiked 200 miles and thought I was something. Flow, Picker, and I had A pretty rough night Wednesday night. After hiking a 20 mile day over the steep, rocky terrain that is Maine's A.T., we arrived at Poplar Ridge shelter to find it full of Sobo's and section hikers. So we tented nearby. The downpour of rain started soon after we got our dinners cooked. Severe T-storms raged on all night and at one point I actually was sitting up in my tent praying not to either get washed away or struck by lightning. Somewhere around 2 a.m. the second string of storms came through and I had a small river running through the bottom of my tent. I awoke the next morning around 5 a.m. to the sound of section hikers chit-chatting about how they were headed to their cars parked just a couple of miles away and how they were so tired and exhausted after their 4 long days in the woods that they were going home to cook steak and lobster. All my gear was soaked and weighed 3 times as much which made for a super fun day of hiking! Okay I'll stop complaining. I just hoped that Maine would be more remote and not attract so many Jimmies, as Flow calls them. So we are taking a much needed zero here to rest, eat real food, and wash our disgusting clothes. This will probably be the last time I will be able to update my journal before the end of the trail because I doubt the next 2 tiny towns of caratunk and Monson will have internet access. That being said if you want to still follow along, I'll be finishing the journey with my homeboys Floweasy and Picker. Floweasy is on trailjournals and usually updates every night from his phone. He also has a link to his website on there. Check him out. Thanks to everyone for your love, support, and prayers and I will be updating as soon as I can. And thanks to Snowhite. It seems I have been a step behind you the whole time on this trail but I haven't seen you in the registers in a while. Where are you now?
Date: 2010-07-28
To: Horseshoe Canyon Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Picker, Floweasy, and I got an early start this morning from where we camped near Pleasant Pond lean-to. We knocked out the first 13 miles pretty quickly and had lunch at Moxie Bald lean-to. After a nice long break by the beatiful pond, we reluctantly hit the trailwith 9 miles to go. The "ford" at the Piscataquis River was actually an easy rock-hop. Right before the river I nearly stepped right on a snake. After that, every root or stick I saw had me thinking twice. Somewhere along the last 3 miles to the shelter my left shoe had a blowout. The sole has began to seperate from the shoe. Flow let me use his duct tape to fix it and I hope it lasts just 115 more miles.
Date: 2010-07-31
To: East Chairback Pond
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Another beautiful day in Maine. Started the day off with a climb up Barren Mtn. Great views on top. We stopped for lunch at a stream just before Fourth Mtn. At every meal we talk about how we are glad to be lightening our packs. 6 days of food for the 100 mile wilderness and our packs are really bulging. I can't imagine carrying 10 days or more like the sign suggests. Climbing down Chairback Mtn, we met a man hiking with 2 goats following closely behind. It must be nice having goats carry all your gear for you. A few minutes later we came upon a woman who had fallen and thought she had broken her wrist. We helped her up and Snowman carried her pack, as well as his own, the 1/2 mile down the mountain to the shelter. Fortunately, she had a food drop coming the next day at a logging road and would be able to get into town for an x-ray. I hope she is okay. We helped her get set up at Chairback lean-to and hiked 3 more miles to east chairback pond. Just 85.8 miles to go! With each Lipton side that I cook each night I say "well, i'm glad I dont have to eat creamy garlic shells anymore" Tomorrow, we tackle the last big mountain before Katahdin. We're all excited because if it's clear, we will be able to see the "big-K" from the top of Whitecap Mtn. 6 days and counting til the end of this amazing journey. 11 days until I'm home in Memphis with my family.
Date: 2010-08-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We started the day by fording the West Branch Pleasant River. It was wide but pretty shallow so I was able to do it with my crocs on. After a short break for a snack at Carl Newhall lean-to we started the climb up whitecap. We all got seperated as we usually do on the way up a mountain. When I finally reached the top I was surprised to see a ton of people at the summit. Jimmy city. I was a little overwhelmed with all the camp kids running around everywhere so I figured I would meet the guys at the next shelter. On the way down I stopped to take a break and admire the beautiful Mt. Katahdin. Almost five months of hiking and it was finally in sight! We regrouped on the other side of the mountain and continued hiking on. When we arrived at where we had planned to camp, we smelled smoke and figured someone was already camping there. As we got closer, the smoke became thicker and we discovered it was actually a smoldering forest fire. We dug around a bit but the area was so large there wasn't anything we could do. The thick layer of moss that was everywhere on the ground, was slowly burning everywhere. Needless to say we decided not to camp there. Flow tried to make a call to someone but didn't have service. We hiked on and crossed a stream which made us feel a little safer. We finally found a decent spot and squeezed 4 tents in to camp. I'm glad that the big climbs are behind us. It should be smooth sailing from here on out. That is, except for all the roots and rocks.
Date: 2010-08-02
To: Sandy Beach, Lower Jo-Mary Lake
Miles today: 0.0

Had a nice easy day of walking. The trail was nice and flat most of the day. We happened upon some camp kids that had just gotten a food drop at a logging road. They had too much to carry so they offered us some. They had fresh fruit,tea,lemonade,cookies, and chips. I grabbed an orange and 1 for picker, thanked them, and kept moving. We got to camp early today at around 3:30. We pitched our tents right on the beach of this beautiful lake, went swimming, and washed some clothes.It feels great to be "clean" before bed. The temp right now is perfect with just a slight breeze coming over the lake. The mosquitos came out for a few minutes but then the dragonflies started buzzing around and they were gone. Some big clouds are rolling in and I hope it doesn't rain. Only 50.7 miles to go. It's almost over and I'm having mixed feelings about that.
Date: 2010-08-05
To: The Birches Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I can hardly believe this is the last night on the trail. Staying at the birches shelters tonight with picker, floweasy, and snowman. Birch,garageman, hard rock, and nifus are in the other shelter. It has been one amazing journey.It's almost indescribable..The people i have met, the things ive experienced, the fun we have all had. We summit Katahdin tomorrow. Had a great last dinner with the guys tonight. Shortly after we arrived, Flow's friend ryan showed up with a cooler full of beer and snacks. Later, Picker's dad showed up and invited us up to a shelter he had reserved. he cooked us steak,zuccini,squash,onions and baked beans right over the fire. What an amazing final meal on the trail. Thanks Papa Picker!!!
Date: 2010-08-06
From: The Birches Shelter

To: Katahdin!
Miles today: 511.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow, I can't believe it's Novemeber already. I've been so busy since completing the trail I haven't had time to do my final journal entry so here goes. I woke up before daylight on the cool morning of August 6th. We were all eager to get to the top before the crowds of weekenders. After scarfing down some of the last pop tarts I would have to eat for a LONG time, I signed in and started the steep climb. After a few miles of pretty technical hand-over-hand climbing the trail finally leveled off to what is called the tablelands. By this time, the sun had come up and we seemed to be above the clouds. I was getting more and more excited with every step. I could hardly keep from running full speed down the trail. I heard Floweasy let out a loud scream and I knew I was close to the summit. When I finally reached that sign I was overcome with such an amazing feeling. It had been almost 5 months of rain, snow, hail, wind, sleet, blistering heat, dirt, and sweat. And now it was over. After the other guys reached the top there were high fives all around of course and we took tons of pictures. Picker popped a bottle of champagne and we passed it around to celebrate. What an amazing feeling. I don't know how you could top it. 3 months later....Now I'm back in Johnson City, TN. I'm in my first semester at East TN State University College of Nursing. It's tough but I'm doing well and really enjoying it. I'm very fortunate to live so close to these beautiful Appalachians..I think of the trail every day and speak of it often(probably too often) It was such an amazing experience that changed my life for the better that it's hard not to. I've been back out on the AT several times since I have been back and it always stirs up memories. I'm currently planning a trip with my dad to hike a short section over Christmas break from school. I'm looking forward to hiking with him and sharing part of this trail firsthand with him. I hope to be out on the PCT in about 5 years, but for now I've got to finish what I started so many years ago in school.
Date: 2010-05-02
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

In order for me to hook up with Trial Journals, I need to have done three entries so here is the first. If you read my last entry in 2008-9, I mentioned a knee problem with a bone spur forcing me off the trail. Well, that was a misdiagnosis as the pain continued. Got an MRI and was told I had a tibial stress fracture up high just under the knee. Doc said had I continued, it may have fractured. So was on crutches for 4-6 week and it healed up nicely. I figure I stressed it out pre-hike while conditioning, doing squats and presses with "heavier that I should have" weights. So training for 2010, I've eased way up on legs... It will be hard on them at first but I've planned reasonable distances early in the hike. More next entry. Thanks for interests.
Date: 2010-05-03
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

For 2010 entries I will be starting at Hogback Overlook on Skyline Dr. The trail is like 50' from the parking lot. This is mile 944.4. I'm going to call this "0" mile. I know how many more to get to Maine. My day 1, I will hook up with hiking buddy Don (High Top) at the blue blaze trail junction leading to Gravel Springs Hut. He will be starting a day's hike south of that. This will be a long day hike back into Front Royal. We will meet Carol and Eloise, and begin the 53 some miles to Harpers Ferry. More later.
Date: 2010-05-06
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Thanks to my pal Steve, I've learned how to upload photos into my journals. These 2010 pre-hike journal entries are updates on my planning along with photos from events over the past couple years and really have nothing to do with the entry itself. Good practice for me, loading the journals.The last couple days, I've been finalizing my food drop packages and plans. I have 17 planned from Harpers Ferry, WV through Monson, ME. The drops that include enough food and personal needs (toilet paper and hand cleaner mostly) for 5 days are heavier than I want them to be, but has to be to cover. Some hikers perfer to "buy" along the way. My preference is to do food mailing, leaving no doubt. Many motels and hostels will hold mail for hikers. We usually stay at theses places. Most outfitters will also accept the mailings. The post offices along the AT will take a "general delivery" parcel as long as they don't have to hold it too long, and the packages are clearly marked to "hold for name" and an approximate arrival date. Planning on finishing up this project today.
Date: 2010-05-07
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Got in a quick 4 mile walk at the local Metro Park late this afternoon. Walking briskly with Vasque hiking boots and a 20# weight vest.Have done a couple things to lighten my base load: First, a new Big Agnes SL 2 tent, weighing under 3#, which is 2# lest than my MSR Hubba Hubba. The new tent will take getting used to with less vestibule space, only one entrance, and not quite as much shoulder room. Also acquired new Merrell boots weighing one pound per boot vs. 1.5 on my Vasques. The Vasques are probably going to win out as I can feel every pebble in the lighter weight Merrells. Saved 9oz. by eliminating the top cap to my pack. I have plenty of pack room with out it and will use a pack rain cover as needed. Water bottles: switched from a quart size Nalgene bottle to a Gatorade bottle, and another half liter bottle I was using to a 20 oz Gatorade bottle, saving 5oz total. Not carrying AT official maps until I reach New England. What else? Plan on minimal clothing, no long underware, 2 socks, wind/rain shell, nothing I haven't used over the past couple years, extra this or that. Hope to be well under 18 pounds before food and water. Targeting under 25# loaded. More later.
Date: 2010-05-08
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is Monday 5/10. One week from today we will be on our way to Harper's Ferry, WV. This leg to Harpers Ferry is 53 miles and our plan is to average 10-11 per day and arrive Friday 5/21 early afternoon. Hoping for good weather and a dry trail. Will do some sight seeing Friday pm and also visit the home office of the Appalachin Trail Conservancy.Today I lined up my pack contents: clothing, stove and cooking supplies, first aid, personal care, water bottles, sleeping bag and tent, ipod, chargers for phone and ipod, food for 3 days, sun screen, bug juice, and misc. Tomorrow will pack it all up and take over to friendly UPS store and weight in.Today is cool yet sunny so need to get into the yard. Rest of the week rain..
Date: 2010-05-12
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Many time I've been asked about getting food along the trail. Two option: First, buy along the way at C-stores, supermarket, outfitters, and other outlets, enough to get to the next store. I prefer to prepare "food drops" from home and ship to post offices (general delivery) or other places (outfitters, hostels, or motels that accept a food drop for AT hikers. I pack enough as calulated to the next supply point, either another drop or "buy". I calulate the number of meals needed, and snacks per day, along with Gatorade, coffee, and sometimes paperwork or pages from the guide book or my plan. Post offices accept "general delivery" to a named individual as long as the boxes are properly marked "hold for so and so, arrival aproximately (date). One has to be careful as PO's are closed Saturday pm and Sundays so arriving late Saturday means you can't get your parcel until opening Monday, which could result in an unwanted day off the trail.Photo included in this entry is 17 boxes laid out in my living room, addressed and ready to ship at various dates to arrive a few day before me.One day to go before heading out for Front Royal and the start of my 2010 walk to Maine.
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Little Hogback Overlook, SHP

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Great day today, my first day on the trail for 2010. Eveything went according to plan. I met Don at Gravel Springs Hut (shelter) 1.8 miles north of where I go on. Weather was perfect with some cloudiness, humidity, and sun; probably 75 degrees high. Trail was good some moderate climbs but nothing to be commented on. Actually, we were mostly flat or downhill hiking.We met a few people on the trail. Four folks Don had stayed with last night. Then, later in the day, we ran into 4 guys one of which was a thru-hiker called "Picker". He was packing some kind of stringed instrument; looked like a medieval mandolin... He started in Georgia on 3/7, and hooked-up with his cousin, uncle, and another friend for a visit and a little time on the trail together. I'm sure we'll meet up with him again.We met our first trail angel today. We ended today's hike at a road orossing called Chester Gap, 4 miles out from Front Royal. Started hitching a ride and an nice young lady named Amanda picked us up and dropped us at the hotel door. She asked many questions about us and our hike, and mentioned she would like to hike the AT some day.Carol and Eloise are here at the hotel, also as planned, and we head out for Harper's Ferry in the morning. Going to dinner in a minute, Carol needs to be back for the final episode of Survivor. I know other who'll be watching.Feel good except for sore feet after day 1.
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: moderate rain

First day out of Front Royal on the way to Harper's Ferry, WV. Hikers are me, Don from Atlanta area, Carol and Eloise from North Carolina.Rained all day long, from the first step to the last. Arrived at a 6 person shelter with two already there so none of us had to camp in the rain. Quickly changed into dry clothing, ate some dinner (couscous and coffee tonight), visited for a while, and were in sleeping bags by 7:00. Didn't sleep well on my light pad cover on hard 2 x 6 planks, a far cry from my most wonderfull mattress at home but I'm honestly not thinking about that... just the next couple day, for the moment.I've been asked if we hike together, like in a row. No, we don't usually. It just depends on the moment who is with who. We do usually hike two together. Today Don and I hiked in front and the girls were a few minutes behind. Since it was raining, we're all in a bright colored ponchos or rain jackets. Every now and then, we'd look back to make sure the ladies were keeping up. With their orange and blue covers, they were easy to see through the thick, plush, olive green, foliage of these Northern Virginia mountains.Photo attached is of the privy at the shelter that night. Notice anything unusual?