morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-10
From: Crawford Notch Campground

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: haze

Woke up, ate b-fast, got a ride to the trail head from the folks at the campground who were really nice.Today we got our first taste of how weather can affect the hiker in the whites. This morning was sunny and wonderful and we are just hiking along when bang...thunder, lightning and oh joy hail. There is ice on the ground and it's July. We don't worry though because there is a hut just on up the road and they have coffee and brownies and that is good.The scenery is still gorgeous but the terrain is rough. It is hard to enjoy yourself when you have to monitor every little step or you can fall over a root, rock or mud hole and break your face.This is the heart of the whites and from hereon we will be above treeline and exposed to the elements until we come down into Pinkham Notch.
Date: 2006-07-11
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: The Barn
Miles today: 1.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today...Mt. Washington tried to kill me. There is a long story that goes along with this day but the short of it is that we got stuck in a storm enroute to the summit of Mt. Washington. While Lug made it to safety I rode out most of the lightning and rain and was pretty stirred. The storm pushed us off the mountain for the day and we hitched a couple of rides into nearby Gorham.If anyone is interested in the long version...let me know I will fill you in.It made me cry.
Date: 2006-07-12
From: The Barn

To: Joe Dodge Lodge
Miles today: 13.4

Today was an extremely frustrating start. After ditching the hike yesterday we tried to get back to the summit today and continue or northbound hike. The folks at the Mt. Washington auto road sure didn't make it easy on us...pretty much kicking us off the road and threatening to have the police called if we got caught hitchin it.Bummer. Our options include skipping this section and making it up later, going southbound from Pinkham Notch towards the summti and then hitching off the mountain once again, which is illegal, hiking Tuckerman's Ravine up, or paying 26 bucks apiece for a shuttle to the top. But after they were mean to us paying is out of the running and we decided that so is skipping trail.To make things worse there are more storms rolling in and our suppose to let loose this afternoon making me very skittish. We decided that our best option was to hitch into Pinkham Notch and hike Southbound for the first time in our trip.When we got there we felt it was also necessary to go lighter than usual and were planning on doing our first ever slackpack of the trail. We hoped that by me not carrying a pack it would increase our speed and get us off of the mountain by the time the storms hit.Luckily @ 1.5 miles into our southbound adventure the trail crossed the Auto road and Ghost an alumni thru-hiker picked us up and took us to the top. This enabled us to continue our hike Northbound and get off of the ridge much sooner in the day. The only bummer is that we are slackpacking. Oh well. We thought that without heavy packs it would be easier and we would be sipping margaritas by the pool at noon, come to find out that due to terrain the day was still really demanding and we weren't really any faster.But, with much thanks to Ghost, we made it below treeline just before the rain started to fall on us....
Date: 2006-07-13
From: Joe Dodge Lodge

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 13.3

The Lodge was really nice and we were treated great. Mark is back on the trail after being treated for Lime disease. We ran into him here. Also 3 really nice guys from New York who were just out peak bagging sat and talked with us for a while.My hopes that the terrain will be a little easier from here are squashed with our ascent of the Wildcat ridge. It just keeps getting worse. Ledges and cliffs everywhere with rugged trail.Even more upsetting though was that at dinner my plate malfunctioned when the handle collapsed plummeting my Angel Hair pasta with smoked salmon in a pesto cream sauce into the dirt. Of course I still ate it. It simply had more texture.
Date: 2006-07-14
From: Imp Campsite

To: Trident Col Tentsite
Miles today: 14.8

I am still trying to perfect the faceplant while Lug is working on his skinny dipping style. We passed through Gorham once again today and stopped by with cookies for our new facorite trail hero Ghost. Thanks again for the ride! We keep trudging onward hoping to one day reach Maine....just under 300 miles left to go!
Date: 2006-07-15
From: Trident Col Tentsite

To: Full Goose Shelter and Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

Yay!!!We made it to Maine!!!Upon reaching the border I hucked a big old pile o spit on New Hampshire whilst Lug was saluting it with his middle finger. I can't explain the elation we feel to reach our last and final state. The place where MT. Katahdin lives...although we still have some pretty rugged terrain ahead of us.The happiness didn't last too long though because in the commotion of our hiking day which included dodging lightning storms as we raced over the exposed ridges, Lug lost his tobacco. That is sad for us both. Tommorrow we will be heading into the Mahoosuc Notch some of the most trying trail and my sweetie is going to also be battling nicotine deficiency. Ahh the joys of the trail.
Date: 2006-07-16
From: Full Goose Shelter and Campsite

To: BaldPate Lean to
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

We ate up the Mahoosuc Nachos and headed up the arm. At this point I sent Lug out ahead so he could hitch into town for some smokes cuz he is looking really blue without them. Today our hike leads us past Speck Pond and up and over Old Speck Mt. We met up with Tortoise, Scout's sister, an alumni thru-hiker. We were treated to some delicious burgers at Grafton Notch by Slowjourner, another alumi, and his partner Sue. MMmmmm there's nothing like someone cookin yummies for you out on the trail. Lug actually made it to the Notch @ 2 hours before me. I had a nice day of hiking though. Just crusin' by and taking my good old time.....the trail and shelters have become crowded with camp kids and boyscout troops and tonight is no exception.
Date: 2006-07-17
From: BaldPate Lean to

To: Road House Hostel, Andover
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Up and over the Bald Pates over Surplus mountain and down to East B Hill road...a dirt road and our ticket to sandwiches. It took us a while to get a ride from here but we had fun anyway making up games in the dirt. Lug is a bonafide skinnydipper now having perfected the 78.9 second dip.
Date: 2006-07-18
From: Road House Hostel, Andover

To: Marathoner's Camp
Miles today: 10.1

Yay!! Cedar Moe!Yay!! Our first Moose!Yay!! Yay!! Yay!!Enjoyed a pleasant day of hiking...with light showers and a nice evening camp with two hikers/marathoners PaceCar and TrailMouse. They were leaving for Crater Lake in a few days to do a marathon there. It made us homesick!!
Date: 2006-07-19
From: Marathoner's Camp

To: SabbathDay Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 17.0

I don't think I have mentioned yet how beautiful maine is. One of it's best features is that there are ponds, which by my terms look like lakes, everywhere. We are usually passing by a handful a day. Which makes for some better smelling hikers. The only thing is you have to share your bathwater with.....long black leeches. Yeeeeuck! So far the terrain hasn't let up yet but we hear a promise of easier terrain soon....
Date: 2006-07-20
From: SabbathDay Pond Lean-To

To: Piazza Rock Lean-To
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Our first Canoe ride...so glamorous. Then a full on feast in Rangeley out to Piazza Rock for an early evening photo shoot with a giant turkey sandwich for dinner. Wish ya'll were here.Late night arrival sounds like Cedar Moe...guess we'll find out in the morning.
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Piazza Rock Lean-To

To: Spalding Mt. Lean-To
Miles today: 16.9

Yay! Cedar Moe has finally caught up with us and so has a bunch of other Nobo's. The most we've seen yet! It's pretty fun to finally meet new hikers and hear their stories. Probably most impressive are Tins and Trooper. Trooper is 14 years old and hiking the trail with his pops. He had to do extra work for school in order to get out early and will have work to make up when he is done. Not to mention missing out on his summer and spending it with his dad. most kids I know at this age would cry over this situation but he was so mature and enjoying it all. I thought that was really cool! Good job you guys!Our hike today takes us over the Saddlebacks, more wonderfully beautiful and interesting terrain. Get the picture? It's pretty out here!
Date: 2006-07-24
From: Bed

To: Little Bigelow Lean-To
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

We've been hiking with our good friend Cedar Moe. Today we all reached the 2000 mile mark at the summit of Little Bigelow. That means we only have 174.6 left to go. Probably less than 2 weeks. WoW! The blueberries are out and ripening and the weather has been great. Life is sweet!
Date: 2006-07-25
From: Little Bigelow Lean-To

To: Pierce Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Up and going early and heading for Pierce pond.We are trying to get some miles in today but be done early so to have some swimming and kicking back time. Pierce Pond is gorgeous and we get it all to ourselves. After skinny dippin' and eating time is over we relax and watch the wildlife show. Tonight it consists of Moose swimming across the lake and loons belting out their songs. It is quite tranquil and one our favorite places on the AT yet....
Date: 2006-07-26
From: Pierce Pond Lean-To

To: Bald Mt. Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

While Lug and Cedar are off for a traditional lumberjacks breakfast which includes a dozen pancakes I am off for the Kennebuc River ferry and then into town to resupply. I get to the river 15 minutes before the first ferry is scheduled to cross and promptly have a snack and a nap. I am awakened by Steve the ferryman blowin his whistle on the other side trying to get my attention.After a section hiker drowned here they implemented a canoe ferry which is the Official AT route. The river ford can be dangerous at times because of it's length and fluctuating water depths and currents. Steve was a really cool guy and fun to talk to. He hates lighning as much as me so we swapped recent lighning horror stories and had ourselves scared on a bright sunny day!!Well, I am now off to his store for yummies to get us to MonsoN!! Yep we're almost there!
Date: 2006-07-28
From: Pine Farm Camp

To: Shaw's, Monson
Miles today: 5.2

Just 5 miles into Monson and on the edge of the 100 mile wilderness our last challenge before reaching Katahdin. The hostel is fine although the common room is pretty dirty. We spend a couple of minutes sweeping, organizing and wiping up the general stickiness so we can feel at home. We pick up our last package, eat our last big meals, and get prepared to enter the 100 mile wilderness. By the end of the night there are 16 other NoBo's here. This is the most we have ever seen. Most of them are heading out into the wilderness tomorrow too. Looks like it's going to be a party..
Date: 2006-07-29
From: Shaw's, Monson

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Part of the legend of Shaw's boarding house is their enormous breakfast.Our friend Cedar put down a 7-by. Basically that means he ate 7 pieces of french toast, 7 bacon strips, 7 sausage links, 7 eggs and a mound of homefries. HUGE!! The record for eating and hiking on the same day is an 8-by. I think maybe it is Firefly's record!The wilderness started out beautifully and we started our fords. There are numerous river here to cross most of which have no bridges. All went well except for one small dunk for me. That's okay my shorts are clean now!!
Date: 2006-07-30
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-To

To: Carl A.Newhall Lean-To
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Lots of up and downs....pretty waterfalls and river fords.Lug ate a three course dinner and is still hungry.Needless to day we are still working hard.BUT....guess what!? We have less than 100 miles to go!YEEEE Haww
Date: 2006-07-31
From: Carl A.Newhall Lean-To

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Third day in the wilderness. Lug big spooned an entire pot of oatmeal today and we caught our first view of The Mountain. It is so close. The shelter today is on a beautiful spot. There is a cascading waterfall down into a nice swimming hole. The boys are playing in the water and having a blast. Some of the folks we have been hiking with on and off since Monson include Thumper, Yeti, Bugs, 007, Seour Hawk, Furious, Canteloupe, Hermes of course Cedar Moe. Sunshine and Helium with his dog Freckles are somewhere close behind. Looks like everyone has plans to summit on the 4th of August including Norm amd Nightrider's crew and Tins and Trooper AND Buree and Roo too! It looks like it is going to be a busy day on the hill.
Date: 2006-08-01
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To

To: Abol Pines Camp
Miles today: 44.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Well we have obviously gone crazy! Before we started Lug and I discussed doing an overnighter while on our journey. Well we only have one chance left and it's today. Midway through our adventure we recieved some amazing trail magic by Poppie and his crew, Goober, Baked Beans and Traction a 2005 alumni thru-hiker. Needless to say the poptarts and potato chips alomg with gatorade, peanut butter, cookies and tons of other goodies played a crucial role in our attempt to hike for 24 hours. We just loaded it in and hoped the caloric intake would be enough.At dusk we ate a couple more meals and decided to continue on with our plan. Moments later it started thundering and lightning. With a threatening stormheading our way I started wondering if we were being a bit nuts but after the downpour started it was too late to turn back. If we would of tried to pitch our tents everything would have been soaked the rain was coming down so hard. Also the shelters were all full due to the heavy traffic on the trail in the area. Our best option was to stick with plan A and continue hiking. Usually lightning storms blow by quickly but not this one. Three hours of intense rain, lightning and thunder was right overtop of us. All of the streams were now swollen rivers of rushingwater, mud and debris and we had to cross them while lightning was flashing overhead. It was pretty nuts. After I got over my initial fear and gave into the fact that I had to keep hiking I enjoyed the show. With every flash of lightning a new scene would appear. Whether a pond or forest trail it all looked really neat. To make things more difficult Lug's headlight went kaput and he had to hike between Cedar and I to enable him to see and we stopped along the more difficult paths to light his way. Eventually the rain ceased and we just kept on going until we The Golden Road and the end of the 100-mile wilderness....what an end too!
Date: 2006-08-02
From: Abol Pines Camp

To: Abol Pines Camp
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Technically we hiked today as part of our super marathon.When we got to the road we had 10 minutes until the store at Abol bridge opened. We sat and watched all of the opening duties of the clerk and counted down the minutes until we could get some eats because we all knew that after that we would get to sleep.....Ahhh sweet sleep.
Date: 2006-08-03
From: Abol Pines Camp

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Our plan for the day is to hike to the ranger station at Katahdin stream and then hitch back to the campsite at Abol Pines.The park was booked solid and Root, Peacemaker and Fred are coming to meet us so we staked out a campsite on the Penobscot river at Abol Pines.After a mellow 10 miles through Baxter State Park and up to Katahdin Stream we were treated to a suprise. Root and crew were already at the campground after getting a spot that was a cancelled reservation. The site was right on the trail and we pretty much walked straight into a homecoming and feast. Let the eating begin....for tomorrow we plan on finishing our journey on the AT.
Date: 2006-09-22
To: At home.
Miles today: 0.0

Well. It has been a little over a month now since we have been done with our thru-hike. I completed my journal entries and I am now working on getting my photos in order. Well, not chronologically but at least up on the site. I hope that you all enjoy some of these photos and maybe even see your smiling faces there! I will be posting new ones throughout the next couple of days so stay tuned! P.S. If anyone sees Scout out there tell her I said hello! She should be heading southbound into the Whites about now!
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Amicalola State Park Approach Trail (GA)

To: Stover Creek Shelter (GA)
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Beth and I started the AT after 8.5 miles on the grueling approach trail. We didn't know you could get a ride to Springer Mountain. We actually did 11 miles but only 2.5 miles of the AT. We met Many Sleeps at the start. Tipper, Mouse, Laura, and Phil slept at the shelter tonight.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter (GA)

To: Woody's Gap (GA)
Miles today: 5.0

Very cold & Windy this morning, started hiking about 7:30 am. It's my 23rd birthday today so my parents are picking us up @ Neels Gap and taking us to Helen for the night. so far it still feels like we are going on a short camping life...but soon it will set in that this is our new lifestyle for the summer. everyone we meet says "going north? to maine?" our answer to our friends at home was "yes, maine, all the way." the answer to the other hikers out here is "well, that's the plan." this is too overwhelming of a trip to think of it in one answer, the key is going to be chipping away at it in smaller goal increments.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Woody's Gap (GA)

To: Neels Gap (GA)
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Beth was in incredible pain today! her boots were fitted to small for her and she has continued hiking, which has formed blood blisters underneath her two big toe nails. she was in too much pain this morning to continue with her boots on..the way she explained it to me was she "had to think of something and something fast." so she took the insole out of her boots and tied them around her toes and ankles with her shoe laces. we had to go up and over blood mountain..slowly, steadily and still in good spirits.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Neel's Gap (GA)

To: Low Gap (GA)
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

we met glicken, dirt diva (lesley) and compass rose (megan) at the shelter. there was a crazy storm tonight. we were advised to stay in the shelter for better safety against flooding and all but we are totally creeped out by the whole mouse issue in the shelters. the lightning lit up the entire tent and the rain didn't cease all night. our tent vestibule's were staked out but rain was hitting the ground and rickashaying into the mesh doors so we had to pull them in. at some point when we had the doors open to unstake the vestibule's a small critter jumped into the tent. we did not discover this until later. i felt something moving around the foot of my sleeping bag and just pulled my feet up b/c i thought maybe i was still suffering from the new anxiety of living in the wilderness where you overact and suspect that every movement and sound is a wild animal. during one flash of lightning i saw a small figure crawling on the tent above my head. i waited for another flash and realized that it had a tail. i immediately scooted to the foot of the tent and said to beth calmly "beth there's something in our tent and i think it's a mouse. move slowly." i got my head lamp and we flashed it on the soaked sucker. he was teenie tiny, cute and extremely scared clinging onto one of the loops on the inside upper corner of our tent. we decided to trap him with beth's cooking pot b/c it has a better lid than mine. we caught him and then stared at the closed pot with this mysterious furry friend sniffing around and probably crapping inside. a few options went through our minds...feed him some trail mix and let him out in the morning when the rain has stoped, let him go just outside the door and hope that he didn't somehow find a way back in, or run him outside far from all the tents in the rain. hmm...so we decided that we had to pee anyway so we just ran out of the tent, let him go, and try and rush back to the tent without getting too wet. hmmm...interesting night.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Unicoi (GA)

To: Tray (GA)
Miles today: 5.5

we took it easy today for beth's feet. we got to tray mtn. shelter pretty early with glicken (now blackfoot) who later moved on. we read, laid out in the sun, took pictures and waited for others. snail made it up to the shelter tonight along with argon, sam i am and oragami. we all ate dinner together and then as usual beth and i went to bed early.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Tray Mountain Shelter (GA)

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter (GA)
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was long...long...and long. but we were greeted with a beautiful sunset upon our arrival at Plumorchard Shelter. we also caught up with some great people (Trips, Pedro, Geezer (aka Torpedo) and Kojac. This is the last shelter in GA...NC here we come!
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter (GA)

To: Standing Indian Mountain (NC)
Miles today: 13.7

WE MADE IT THROUGH GEORGIA..A MIRACLE. For our first night in North Carolina we stayed on top of Standing Indian Mountain with our 3 Amigos (Trips, Pedro and Geezer/Torpedo) and it was freezing cold...FREEZING...GLOVES...WOOL HATS AND FLEECE SWEAT SHIRTS COLD. but the most beautiful place b/c of the full moon.
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Star Gap (Franklin, NC)
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today on our hike we experienced "Trail Magic." there were capri suns waiting for us in a cold spring and then snickers at the end of the trail. Trail Magic is the most awesome thing that can happen to a hiker during the day. It is when someone leaves treats throughout the trail for free...and it's always good junk food. We then hiked into Franklin, NC to stay at the Hiker Haven Motel with all of our hiking buddies (Kat, Argon, Kojac, Wild Poodle). The owner of the motel also ran a free shuttle sevice around town and to and from the trail heads. I had to translate the southern slang and twang of mr. haven for beth the whole time..haha. we were in town today but we still haven't washed beth's pot from the mouse incident...i guess we'll wait til the next town.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Winding Star Gap (Franklin, NC)

To: Spring Campsite
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Kojac, Argon, Beth and I were amped and ready to start hiking early this morning until Crutch offered a ride to a "greasy spoon" breakfast joint. we stuffed ourselves and made it back to the hotel with enough time to play cards and watch "saved by the bell" before the afternoon shuttle to the trail.
Date: 2006-04-16
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.7
Weather: clear sky

-You down with the N.O.C.?-Yeah you know me!We went white water kayaking in boats called duckees and ate...a lot with our friends Giezer (aka Torpedo), Stepha, and Pedro. We crashed on their floor in the bunk house at the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) and owe Rama some cash. Hopefully we'll all be hiking together in the Smokies and we'll meet some bears.
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Fontana Dam Hilton (NC)

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter (Smokies)
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: moderate rain

well beth and i experienced our first hike of SOGGY-NESS. it thunderstormed all day (with lightning)...and we got so WET AND MUDDY. but the great thing about the smoky mtn. shelters are that they have fire places well "keep on keeping on."