morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-10-07
From: Monson,ME 

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

Perfect way to start the day, Shaws ayce breakfast. John made omlettes,blueberry pancakes,bacon,sausage and homefries. You just tell them a number and they bring you that many of each thing. I went with 3,so a 3 egg omlette,3 cakes,3 bacon ,3 sausage,homefries and toast plus juice and coffee. After breakfast we got Dick to shuttle us to Greenville to the outfitters since Torch needed shoes and I needed a pole fixed. We stopped at the grocery store there and I picked up a lasagne for lunch and a couple of other items. I also got everything out on the clothsline to dry out then took a 2hr nap. Called Larry,Lil and Doug. Larry is going to take care of my plane ticket, so I don't need to worry about that. Torch and I went down to the Pub for ayce fish fry, exellent, I must have eaten 2lbs of Haddock and it was cooked perfectly. Stopped by the General Store for the jam session, it was a great time. Monson is a great little trail town and the zero here was a great idea. Earlier in the day Tim Anderson told me the musicians that come to the jam session are top notch and he wasn't lying. Also this morning Lil Drummer Boy decided to jump up to Katadhin so he gave Torch and me all of his food, It took care of 95% of my resupply. That's why I only had to get granola,M&M's and lunch at the grocery in Greenville. Cold again tonight but warming significantly in the coming days according to the forecast
Date: 2011-10-08
From: Monson,ME

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

Another great breakfast at Shaws. Both Torch and I were slow to leave the comforts of Shaws this morning and I probably didn't start hiking until 10:30. Dick gave us a ride out to the trail head and warned us the trail was all slate and could be real slick. I fell the first time today right in front of the Leeman Brook Lean-to. I actually took my boots off to ford today since they were still dry. Trail conditions are much better today and Indian Summer is in full glory, temps in the upper 70's and sunny skies. I'm sleeping alone in the Lean-to tonight, Torch pressed on to the next one another 4.7 miles. He dosen't mind night hiking, I'll go for an early start instead. My first day in the 100 mile wilderness was perfect.
Date: 2011-10-09
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I got off to an early start as planned. The weather was wonderful the trail was not. Hiking was much more difficult than the profiles suggest, the tops of the climbs and the descents were rockslides you just had to pick your way through. I ended up hiking 45 minutes or so after dark before I got to the shelter. I was surprised to find someone in the Lean-to. It was Threshold, the ridgerunner for this section and a 09 thruhiker. It was nice to have a little company. She mentioned she hopes to do the PCT in spring. I could not have done the miles today without the exellent weather. It's going to be windy tonight, already is.
Date: 2011-10-10
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Still windy this morning, not quite as early a start this morning trying not to wake Threshold up. After I got down off Chairback Mtn. trails improved dramatically. There was trail magic just past the west branch of the Pleasant River. The section of the AT Pat and I helped build in 1999 is still looking great. Weather was sunny,warm and windy all day.There were huge sections of rock steps that really made the ups and downs alot easier. The wind on Whitecap was brutal and I was fighting to keep my balance. I got my first view of Katadhin today as I descended Whitecap, it dominated the landscape. I was in to camp before dark today and once again have the Lean-to all to myself. Windy tonight and cooler, this morning was very warm.
Date: 2011-10-11
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Antlers campsite
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: broken clouds

Clod morning made it hard to crawl out of my bag. Hiking was easy down to the East Branch of the Pleasant River but that's where the easy stopped, the ford here was treacherous. Big Boulders with deep holes in between. Before it was all over I ended up crothc deep in the swift current. I passed the MATC section supervisor at the crossing. Other than this ford it was mostly easy hiking today in beautiful fall weather. The leaves are at full color, Indian Summer weather is hanging in there and at times I can hardly wipe the smile off my face. I have no clue what's happening in the rest of the world, but here in the 100 mile wilderness life is great. I'm camped on a narrow peninsula that juts out into Jo Mary Lake, The full moon is shining down on me after just having dinner with my friends Trudge and Eureka. They just went up to their tentsite leaving me alone to enjoy the lake and the moon and the loons as I drift off to sleep, snug in my bag on another cold clear night.
Date: 2011-10-12
From: Antlers campsite

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke at 6:30 to the most fantastic sunrise I have ever seen. The entire sky was painted in vivid reds and purples. Hiking started off good on fast trails. There was a great view of Katadhin across Pemadumcook Lake. I decided to skip White House Landing and use the time to get to Abol Bridge sooner.Besides it's supposed to rain tomorrow and I'd rather do the miles in good weather.I got another nice view of Katadhin from Nesuntabunt Mtn. I couldn't believe it, I met a SOBO just starting out today, and I thought I was hiking late in the season. I had to hike until well after dark, from all I could tell there was a pretty spectacular stream running along side the trail but I couldn't really see it in the dark. I got to the Lean-to at 7:30 and have it all to myself. I finally am going to try out the "baseball bat floor" since that's what this Lean-to has.
Date: 2011-10-13
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

The baseball bat floor was no better or no worse than any other in my opinion and it looks cool. Today was all about getting to the Abol Bridge store.I ate the last of my breakfasts and would be way short on dinner if I didn't put in the miles, besides I have been looking forward to pigging out there since I made the decision to skip White House Landing. I got out of camp about 8am and was in the store grazing by 3:30. I passed 3 hikers going south after fliping up to Katadhin, Sky High, Witch Doctor (the guy)and I forget the third. The store owner was nice and let me hang out inside all afternoon and eat since it was raining out. Since 1pm it's been light showers nothing heavy enough to dampen my spirits. Only 15 miles left to go up here. just before the store closed down at 7pm I headed across the street to the shelters aat Abol Pines. They are an upscale lightweight lean-to, new, clean and comphy. I had a view of the river and the bridge. They film American Loggers here and Danny Pellitier stopped in for a beer while I was at the store. I also got to see them hang a couple of moose, the store is a game checkpoint. PS Ihear there's a fisher down by the river maybe I'll get to see him.
Date: 2011-10-14
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katadhin Stream Campground
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

I took my time getting up and it was a good thing, the store was an hour late opening this morning. Light sprinkles this morning lasted as I hung out at the store so I finally hiked out in them about 10:30 and they soon ended. The trail was very smoothand fast for much of the way. Many mixed feelings left me confused about how I feel, other than grateful for having had this experience. As always the last mile seemed especially long. I actually took the high water bypass at one point today, but still ended up with wet feet on that. Talked to the ranger for a while when I got in, I'm hiker #583 to complete by his count. I'm sitting in shelter B right next to the stream and a privy. Heavy rain and warm predicted overnight with clearing and 60's for tomorrow. I talked to Walkin Home and he'll be out to get me tomorrow after I finish. The rain is starting now, no problem for me I'm all set up in the shelter and have no need to go back out. OH yeah on the high water route I got to skip 2 fords and the second would have been much worse. I just didn't want to deal with another ford and the risk of getting hurt this close to the end.
Date: 2011-10-15
From: Katadhin Stream Campground

To: Katadhin Summit
Miles today: 5.2

Today was the big day. I head to the summit and the northern terminus of the AT. I made it! Here's the whole entry: I awoke to hard rain so I rolled over in my bag hoping it wouldn't last. It didn't but apparently it rained a lot more than I realized because Katadhin Stream had more than doubled in size overnight. After breakfast I went to the ranger station to drop off my big pack and then headed up. I took just some food and water full raingear and cellphone and 24hr book. I planned to take a picture of the book in my hand with my wedding band showing and my hand on the sign. The trail was wet but easy for the 1-1/2 miles then after the falls it became a running stream 6"-12" deep with little waterfalls everytime a boulder was in the trail. Hiking up this kept me soaked to mid thigh. The flow finally ended at treeline about the same time I entered the clouds. I was in the clouds with rain and ocasional sleet as I climbed to the gateway. From here to the tableland was wet and cold and the fear of slipping was constant. A rainsquall caught me on an exposed part of the rib soaking my pants before I could get into rainpants. Once I was up on the tablelands I was walking through water in 40 degf temps with wind gusts to 50 mph and rain or sleet. I was miserable and thought about quiting much of the time. I was just waiting for the signs of hypothermia to set in. Wet and cold (really cold!!!) I reached the summit touched the sign and got the hell out of there. Everything was so wet from the sideways rain I didn't even want to try to get a picture for fear of ruining my phone. The fear of hypothermia and falling were with me constantly until I was able to reach the relative safety of the treeline. I was so cold up above I could not stop moving to eat, as soon as I stopped I felt dangerously cold, so as soon as I got to treeline I stopped and ate. It warmed up fast as I descended, I ended up hiking downstream with 3 kids from RI who were out for the weekend. On the way up I was thinking I might actually be the last one to make it to the summit this season but Muldoon was somehow behind me when we got to the summit, I have no idea where I passed him. Walkin Home was waiting in the parking lot with a bucket of chicken,a couple bags of chips and a bunch of soda when I got there. We stuck around to see if Muldoon needed a ride but he had people there also. We checked in at the hostel then went out for chinese.Little Bruce was at the hostel.
Date: 2011-10-16
From: Millinocket,ME

To: Rutland,VT
Miles today: 0.0

We left the hostel and headed down to the Appalachian Trail Cafe for breakfast. I signed the ceiling and we were on our way. Walkin Home has completely put himself at my service the last 2 days and even paid for everything, I can not be thankful enough. He's been trying to fatten me back up the whole time. We stopped for lunch at Wendy's and headed to Rutland so I could pick up the miles I missed due to Tropical Storm Irene. I was at the hiker hostel in Rutland by 5pm and Walkin Home took off back to his home in Maine. A long day for him, good company and a great friend for me. They were remodeling the kitchen at Church St. so it was hotdogs and potato salad around the campfire then some baking with Hobab to finish out my evening.
Date: 2011-10-17
From: Rutland,VT

To: Rutland
Miles today: 0.0

Knew I was going to take a zero here and renew aquaintences. Shopping in the am then spent the afternoon over at Church St trying to be of some use. Stuck around for the gathering and dinner. Then back out shopping to finish resupply and grab some munchies. Somewhere in the day I got in phone calls to Pat, Mom,Dad and Doug. In bed late, I'm still feeling all kinds of mixed emotions and it has me off balance.
Date: 2011-10-18
From: Rutland

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: broken clouds

Took a shower, then was late for the morning Gathering. Alaf had me helping to clean the hostel both before and after breakfast in spite of knowing that I needed to go. There was 1 other hiker last night Cliff. I tried to get some cash but the Banks were acting wierd so I just got filled up on fuel and got out of town. The community seemed to be stressed and the joy I felt from them the first time through was missing, I hope they are able to regain it soon. I got off the bus in Killington, grabbed a sub at the deli and took off walking. As i was looking for the trail I ran into 2 Israeli tourists who invited me to Israel to hike their big trail. There were a couple of reroutes from Irene but overall it was easy trail to the shelter. I got here @5:30. Black bean burritos for dinner, Oh yeah. The woods again have the look of winter with more leaves on the ground than in the trees and low dark clouds scuttling across the sky. I feel like I should have just quit and not wasted my time hiking this last 40 miles. Oh well what's a couple more days in the woods.PS: My boots are shot, there is a seperation halfway down the inside of one of them. I thought of replacing them but at this point I could walk 40 miles in my sandals if I had to so why bother.
Date: 2011-10-19
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 9.9

Started hiking at 8 this morning. A fresh layer of leaves have fallen obscuring the trail and any hazards. Numerous stops to try to find the trail again. A couple of short showere had me donning raingear for a bit. It's grey and depressing in the woods today. I ran into a SOBO Shaman around lunch, he's in for a lonely hike. By 2:30 I hit this shelter and it started raining as I ate so I decided tyo call it quits for today since the next shelter is 11.5 miles, all my gear is dry and there's rain in the forecast. I guess I made a good call since it's still raining as I write this. Even though all I can think about is getting to Lil's and hanging with my grandkids, I'm finding it hard to get motivated to hike. I had an upset stomach most of the day, probably from all the town food binges, and I may be suffering from some post hike depression. I really am done hiking. Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow and I can get into it again. I'm sharing the shelter with a SOBO hammock hanger named Yeti. PS: My boots are getting even worse but I think I'll just hike in them till they rot off.
Date: 2011-10-20
From: Winturri Shelter

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Had to hike some big miles today to make up for the last 2 days. I need to get this done and see the grandkids. Today started off with "treerain" and I had to cover my pack because of 1 short shower. There was 1 river/brook I had to ford but it was after slogging thru a big bog that was 1' deep so I just left my boots on and walked on thru. The sun peeked out off and on from about 2pm on and made for a much more pleasant day. West Hartford,VT was every bit as devistated as I had been hearing from the other hikers. It is hard to imagine that the White River could have come so far up (at least 25-30' above where it is now). I finished the hike up to the shelter in the dark. This is an extermely cool little rock and timber shelter. I'm sharing it tonight with an artist from NY named Michael. He is hiking a 3.5 mile in and out. Some sprinkles this evening after a beautiful afternoon. Tomorrow this hike will be completely over,I feel lost.PS: my boots are due to fall off at any time. The worst one has seperated from the sole from the middle of my arch to halfway up the outside of my foot. So now the heel just flops when I walk. The other boot is not far behind.
Date: 2011-10-21
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, NH- Hartford CT
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: broken clouds

I was up and out early, ready to finish off this whole thing and get down to see the grandkids. I was surprised to find myself at the outfitters in Hanover by 10:30am. I grabbed a quick bite and hit the showers at the community center. Boots were so bad I dumped them in the trash and switched to sandals. The noon bus didn't show so I made the rounds a second time and got a bite to eat while killing time. It's homecoming weekend at Dartmouth so there were a ton of people around. Around 3:30 I finally got a bus to get me down to Hartford,CT. I arrived in Hartford just before midnight and took a cab to Lil & John's. It's over, feels wierd.
Date: 2011-03-13
To: Prep
Miles today: 0.0

"Everyone at some time in their life has a secret desire to do something which seems impossible. I, like everyone else had a desire also. I always wanted to know how far I could hitch-hike if I had the chance." This is the opening statement from my dad's journal, which describes his journey when he hitch hiked across the U.S after being discharged from the Marine Corps at the Naval base in Great Lakes, Ill. He was discharged in late August,1946 and hitch-hiked from Illinois to the west coast, down to the southwestern part of the U.S and back to Atlanta. He covered a distance of 8,369 miles,crossed through 26 states, had 172 different rides, it took him 22 days and 3 hours and he spent $99.00.My journey is similar in that hiking the AT has been a desire and I have always wanted to know if I could do a thru hike. The differences between our journeys far out weigh the similarities, he turned 20 years old on his journey, I will turn 58. He covered nearly 4 times the number of miles I hope to, he crossed 12 more states then I will but it will take me nearly 8 times longer. I will probably spend more than $99.00 too. After being asked to retire from my place of employment after nearly 35 years and being in the spring time of the year, what a great opportunity for me to see if I can accomplish this desire that has manifested itself over the past 5-6 years.
Date: 2011-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have had several people check my journal and I appreciate all the notes, good wishes and prayers. They are all appreciated.I am still in the process of getting things done, not only for the hike but some retirement issues that need to be addressed. Several of you have commented on the nasty weather, I am sure I will have some of that but it will make the nice, dry days even more enjoyable. That is one of the issues in starting in the spring time, one needs to carry enough warm gear but also be prepared for 70*F weather as well. It is all part of the journey and adventure. More later, thanks again.
Date: 2011-03-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This retirement life is a lot of work. I had every intention of grabbing my pack and heading to Bays Mountain this morning to get in some miles today. However, I spent most of the day attempting to get my retirement funds set up and shot the better part of the day. I will head to the local high school track and walk the track and bleachers for a while. I repacked my pack again last night for the 4th or 5th time, attempting to delete items. I still have too much weight and I know it. As I mentioned, clothes are an issue because of the potential weather fluctuations. The only real luxuries that I am taking are a stool to sit on and a collapsible wine container. I don't think I can sit on the ground for an extended period of time and eat..... well I could, I just would not be able to get up. And I will need a little Malbec before calling it a night. The amount and type of food is also an unknown but that is something I think I will figure out fairly quickly once I am on the trail. I will be either hungry or carrying too much food and I will adjust on both accounts. Certainly, as many of you know, the biggest unknown I face is how my shoulders will hold up. Every since my cervical decompression surgery 8-9 years ago my shoulders cramp and tighten up. During my practice hikes I have stopped every hour for 5 minutes or so and stretched them out and that seems to help. I believe with the amount of running that I have done my legs will be ok. It will still take a blessing from God to get me successfully through this and I am willing to try. But I also know that any time on the trail will be a blessing and it should be a neat experience. I plan to be on the trail by next Tuesday the 22nd.
Date: 2011-03-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The closing hymn during Wednesday's Lenten service was "Abide with Me" and the last two verses were, " Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me". I thought this was very appropriate with the undertaking I am about to start.I have received many nice notes from numerous friends wishing me luck and encouragement. I appreciate the kind words and for you taking an interesting in this venture. On Thursday, I had a good hike on Bays Mountain. The park is actually a good practice area due to the length of the trails and the elevation changes.I also took clippers to my hair and gave myself a buzz haircut. Today I packed three food drop boxes that I will mail to myself tomorrow. Tomorrow I will repack one final time and ask myself the questions, is this item a "have to have" or a "nice to have" item and the 'nice to have' items will need to stay home. This will be my last entry until I am northbound from Springer on Tuesday the 22nd. Thanks again and take care.
Date: 2011-03-22
From: Springer Mountain

To: Horse Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.1

My first step north occurred at 9:17 AM from Springer Mt. I had a fairly good first day, I did not get as far has I had hoped but I did progress. Two important lessons for the day,first don't use those little honey packets. As convenient as these packets are they are messy, drip all over the place and even down into ones boot. The second lesson and much more important, when filling up your water reservoir be sure and take out your stuff in the pack because it will constrict the reservoir and when you think you have 3 liters of water you really only have 0.5 L. I realized this when I ran out of water at dinner. I don't pass water now that I don't fill up because it was 11:30 the following morning before I was able to acquire water.It is Friday afternoon and I am at Neal's Gap. I will attempt to enter more information but it has either been rainy or freezing cold every evening when I stop. Many thanks for all the notes and best wishes. The cramping in my neck and shoulders is causing me to take more time than I had hoped but I am making progress. I am out the door and back up the mountain. Thanks again,