morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-30
To: Notta Conclusion
Miles today: 0.0

I put this entry under "conclusion", but I don't consider it one, really.I've been off the trail almost a month. It's hard to believe that I've been off almost as long as I was on, my month on the trail seemed like so much longer. So strange, I feel like a completely different person. Oliver says I'm obsessed because every day I say something like, "it would be so cool if I was still on the AT...but you were there too."I'm working on getting a hiking partner for a possible future thru or section hikes. Oliver is excited about (at the least) section hiking the AT ever since he laid eyes on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. So excited that he promised we could hike the Long Trail next summer. That is phase two of my devious plot to get the boy addicted to backpacking. Phase one will occur much sooner, hopefully. Recently (like two days ago) we came up with the idea to hike, camp and pan for gold in the Rocky Mountains with my excess AT fund. We'll see if this plan actually goes down. If it does, we'll have to wait until June to be sure of missing snow. We'll see if I can find an MSR Hubba Hubba tent whose price tag doesn't threaten to 'splode my aorta.Overall I'm happy with my decision to come home. I miss being in the woods, I miss the mountains, I miss being dirty, stinky and tired. I miss the sublime absence of television and the Internet. But when I think about boarding a greyhound to Asheville or Knoxville, I remember all the lonely days on the trail and am thankful to be home. The trail will still be there when I'm either emotionally ready for it, or I return with a hiking partner (if my devious plot succeeds).I'm going to update this journal with my hiking adventures this summer and next summer. This is gonna be fun .
Date: 2008-07-25
To: Argh
Miles today: 0.0

Wow, I can't believe it's July!I haven't checked the site in awhile, I always feel like I'm going to get emotional by checking updates for my old friends who are still hiking (it turns out I don't get emotional).Many things have happened. I went to Colorado for several weeks, got engaged, got a job (library assistant...this is exciting!), and am about to start graduate school in library science. I feel like I should be planning to hike 2009, but I'm gonna let real life intervene for awhile. Let's see, graduate school will take two years, and if I get a certain scholarship I will have to work in a public library for two years after my degree. Anyway, it looks like it'll be at least 2 years before I'll be able to attempt a thru-hike again. I keep dreaming up trail magic opportunities. It always involves a snow cone machine. Probably won't happen--they're expensive.As of now, I can't wait to get back into the planning frenzy. I know I'm going to get Springer Fever come March (or Newfound Gap fever?). By the way--I've decided that when I go back to the trail I will be tenting. The hammock was comfortable, but it was bulky in my pack (though light!), I got really wet in it when there was mist (tenters fared a lot better, though maybe they were a little bit damp too), I discovered I would have liked to have more privacy (like, to change clothes in and maybe CLEAN myself with baby wipes a little), and after the first couple nights in shelters I discovered that I sleep very comfortably on hard surfaces. I also bought a MSR Hubba Hubba, and both Ollie and I LOVED it.Well, wish me luck
Date: 2008-07-27
To: Saint John
Miles today: 0.0

The following is a speech I gave to the Golden Service Club wrt the Appalachian Trail. It will be posted in segments over several days.1. INTRODUCTIONThe Appalachian Trail is 2175 miles long, winding along the ridge of the Appalachian Mountains from Springer Mtn in Georgia, through 14 states, 8 national forests, 6 national parks, ending up at Mt Kathadin in Maine. In 1921, Benton MacKaye published his vision in the Journal of the American Institute of Architects. A greenbelt for outdoor health and recreation within a day¢s drive of close to 200 million. The trail was completed in 1937 with the benefit of the National Commission of Parkworks during the Great Depression.Each year, more than 4 million people use some portion of the AT for short hikes lasting an afternoon, a day or a weekend. It was not until 1948, that Ed Shaffer accomplished the impossible. He was the first to hike the entire AT in one season. Each year, about 2,500 hardy souls attempt to through hike. The success rate is only 10%.
Date: 2008-07-28
To: Saint John
Miles today: 0.0

2. MOTIVATIONWhy did I want to tackle the AT?I have been a Scout and Venturer leader for almost 15 years. My hiking and backpacking skills have grown. After successfully completing hikes of the most rugged trails in New Brunswick, the Fundy Footpath ¢ 25 miles from the Big Salmon River to Fundy National Park ¢ the AT was the logical progression. Only 87 times longer!I am physically capable. I am financially able. I have been granted 2 month leave of absence each year for this project. My family has given me permission.Mentally prepared? Everyone who tackles the AT questions his sanity! This past year, I had the writings of CS Lewis - the Screwtape Letters to help me keep a perspective on the challenges of the AT.3. RESEARCHLorne and Naomi Blagdon had written of their through hike in the March 2004 New Brunswick Reader. Lorne continues to have snippets of his journal published in the River Valley News. I began my preparations for a start in 2005.Bill Bryson¢s 1997 book ¢ A Walk in the Woods ¢ is a hilarious and very readable account of his experiences. But it was not a through hike. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy who maintains the trail have a beginner¢s Hiker Packet. I also ordered up the Workbook for Planning Thru-hikes and I carry on the trail a very tattered copy of the AT Thru-hikers¢ Companion and the AT Data Book. The next shelter, the next re-supply, the next real bed and shower are very important on the trail. Getting on and off the trail requires researching local resources ¢ bus, train, and air schedules - if you don¢t live within a day¢s drive of the trailhead.
Date: 2008-07-29
To: Saint John
Miles today: 0.0

5. 2005 ¢ My Introduction to the ATI chose to start my hike in the mid-Atlantic region, the ¢easiest¢ section of the AT. I also wanted to tour the museums in Washington DC and acclimatize to the weather before tackling the AT. From Washington DC, you take a commuter train to Harpers Ferry, which is considered the half way mark on the AT. The Maryland portion of the AT is only 42 miles long. Rhododendrons, mountain laurel, amazing shelters, civil war memorials. Along the way I hiked with SOHO-62, Laszlo Pasztor, and Ole Yeller. Hikers are given trail names or are given trail names, because when you are on the trail, your past life is left behind. Trail names are great way to break the ice. But, you might never know a hiker by his real name! Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York State. 420 miles over 35 days. At the Connecticut border, a commuter train brought me back to civilization ¢ the Big Apple. 6. 2006 ¢ My second year on the ATAfter seeing the sights in New York city, I picked up the trail where I left the previous year. The heat was difficult for the first 2 weeks. I was hiking through Connecticut ¢ also noted for Lyme disease carried by ticks. Every night, you would search your body for ticks. I was shocked when what I thought was a small blood blister started to move. I was more vigilant after that. I don¢t know what the answer is for ticks on your back. In Vermont, I met up with Ole Drum a retired head of parks and recreation from Missouri. With Ole Drum as a partner, we finally reached Hanover-New Hampshire completing 300 miles over 28 days.
Date: 2008-07-30
To: Saint John
Miles today: 0.0

6. 2007 ¢ My third year on the ATThis was to be my biggest stint to date. From Springer Mtn to Harpers Ferry, 1000 miles over 3 months, just over 11 miles a day. At the Hikers Hostel in Dahlonega, I met Wormwood who had just arrived from near Syracuse, New York. Jeff Palmer ¢ he didn¢t have that trail name yet ¢ is a retired high school biology teacher with impressive credentials as a long distance cyclist. We decided to hike together at least at the beginning. Daily readings of CS Lewis and the Screwtape Letters and struggling with interpretation of these passages gave Wormwood his trail name. Although, I had never heard of the Screwtape Letters previously, I was amazed at the number of hikers who were familiar with CS Lewis. This had been a serious gap in my literary background. It was the second week in April. Starting out from Springer in rain, then snow. I had my goose down sleeping bag good to ¢ 10 deg C. I wish I had brought my additional liner. Snow blew in through the eaves of the Blue Mtn Shelter. We set up tarps inside the shelter to keep the snow off. Our water bottles froze solid that night. The weather improved. We had started off with bare trees and the ground cover grew in. Wormwood with his endurance and competitive nature was unstoppable on the climbs. After 5 weeks of hiking and after losing 35 pounds, I was finally able to keep up on the ascents. 385 miles over 36 days took us to Elk Park and the end of this stage of Wormwood¢s hike. But, first a trip to Trail Days at Damascus. In Damascus, I had lunch with Ole Drum ¢ 2006 ¢ and then changed over from tent to hammock camping for a weight saving of 2 pounds. After being dropped back at the trail head, 50 miles and 3 days later, I was finally back to Damascus. Damascus is a small trail town with a population of 3000 cf with 30,000 during Trail Days. The weather turned hot and I was still carrying my winter gear. My down bag was unbearable. Mid-afternoon was so hot, hikers would be sacked out, waiting for the mid-day heat to break. At these altitudes, thunderstorms would then follow about four in the afternoon. I had a zillion scratches or insect bites and was slathering on anti-itch cream during the night. I would wear socks on my hands to keep myself from scratching. I wasn¢t enjoying the AT. I was in danger of missing my target of 1000 miles over 90 days by ~ 150 miles. 150 miles or 300 miles short, I would still have to come back another year and pickup the shortfall. Finally, 670 miles completed over 60 days, I hitched into a Greyhound bus station in Roanoke ¢ Virginia. Still in my hiking clothes and grimy with trail dirt, I had less than 10 minutes in the bus depot to washup and then a 30 hour bus trip home.
Date: 2008-07-31
To: Saint John
Miles today: 0.0

7. Lesson Learned¢¢ I understand the problems I encountered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.¢¢ In 2005 and 2006, I left the trail due to family commitments.¢¢ Not achieving my target in 2007 was a disappointment.¢¢ Conditioning, heat, cold, gear, feet, body sores, etc.¢¢ It has taken time to rationalize my 2007 experience. ¢¢ I have been buried at work getting ready for refurbishment at Point Lepreau. ¢¢ Preparing for this speech has rekindled my enthusiasm
Date: 2008-08-15
To: Saint John
Miles today: 0.0

APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE 2008This will be my fourth stint on the Appalachian Trail. Last year, I fell short of my target of 1000 miles from Springer Mtn to Harpers Ferry over 3 months. It took some time, some soul searching and rationalization to overcome that disappointment and rebuild my enthusiasm for this years hike. This year the plan is to start off at Mt Kathadin and hike southbound to Hanover, New Hampshire. This will be 440 miles over 42 days. The first 100 miles from Baxter State Park to Monson, Maine will be a big challenge. That is 100 miles with no resupply and 100 miles to build up conditioning. Maine is reputed to have a lot of water obstacles, river crossings not to mention mosquitoes and black flies. Hopefully, starting out after Labour Day will get rid of the bugs! Last year, I had trouble with the heat. Again, starting out after Labour Day, will take care of the heat. This year, I am fortunate to have Wormwood (fellow hiker from 2007) for company.Every year, I learn more about myself and about getting lighter and better in this project to complete the Appalachian Trail. This will leave just 330 miles in Virginia to achieve Through-Hiker status in 2009!¢A winner always gets up after being knocked down.¢ quote by Vince Lombardi. This attitude, I have tried to instill into my Scouts and Venturers, to get outdoors , leave the Nintendo and computer games and challenge themselves. The Appalachian Trail is my challenge!
Date: 2008-08-30
To: Westport
Miles today: 0.0

The COC's - Canadian Orienteering Championships - in Fundy National Park / Rockwood Park / Hopewell Cape were well run. The challenging orienteering races were offset by the easy sightseeing hikes through the park and the luxury of the bed and breakfast at the Falcon Ridge Inn. This will be in contrast to the hammock and the shelters to be expected on the Appalachian Trail.Immediately, after the COC's, it was off to Kingston, Ontario to transport my youngest son to his second year at Queens University. Now that he is settled, in only 5 days, Wormwood, wife - Nancy and I will be in Millinocket in anticipation of the climb up Mtn Kathadin. Then 6 weeks on the AT !!!Still fine tuning my gear. Fuel, high tech clothing, how many moisture wicking shirts does one really need?Gotta run, my wife is reading over my shoulder. Ice cream, yummm!!!!
Date: 2008-09-04
From: Abol Stream Campsite

To: Baxter Peak
Miles today: 8.0

Day 1 - Summit KathadinNancy dropped off Jeff and I at the Abol trailhead while she would be doing day hikes around the lake trails. It took 3 hours to climb up the Abol boulder slide. At the table lands, the near peak turned out to be Baxter Peak. Certainly glad that we didn't have to cross the knife edge over to Pomatar Peak. Going down the Hunt Trail took 4 hours. Getting up and down Mt Kathadin is no picnic! Nancy was there to greet us at the Hunt trailhead just as we returned! Spent another night at the Appalachian Trail Lodge to get charged up for the 100 mile Wilderness.
Date: 2008-09-05
From: Kathadin Stream Trail Head

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

Day 2Jeff and I agreed to have the Appalachian Trail Lodge shuttle us back into Baxter State Park rather than have Nancy spend 2 hours on the gravel roads.On the trail by 08:00. Crossing some of the streams was rather tricky on the log bridges. Fell once, at which point asked Jeff for Advil. My left knee was acting up. Reached the boundary of Baxter State Park and the Abol Bridge campsite by 12:30. This is the start of the 100 mile wilderness! It was only another 3.5 miles to the Hurd Brook Lean-to. The Advil seemed to work.Set up hammocks without the tarps as no rain was forecast. Took a lot of time to get comfortable in my hammock. Claustrophobic and restrictive, but managed through the night. Jeff encounter Wee Willie (thru-hiker) which he had met earlier in the year in Virgina. Oh yes, I lost my titanium spork. What a disaster! Have you ever eaten oatmeal with chopsticks? Jeff and I had to share his spork!!!
Date: 2008-09-06
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Rainbow Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 11.5

Day 3On the trail by 07:20, ate blueberries at the Rainbow Ledges. Jeff's knee started to swell. Stopped at several spots along the way where he soaked his knee in the creeks or lake. The Rainbow Spring Campsite had an excellent cold spring. Jeff hobbled into the Rainbow Spring Lean-to. I set up in the Lean-to; whereas Jeff was more comfortable in his hammock. It rained overnight, hard! This was forecast.
Date: 2008-09-07
From: Rainbow Spring Lean-to

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 15.9

Day 4On the trail again by 07:20; this is getting to be a habit.Jeff's knee is not improving. At the first road crossing, we decided to walk the road rather than risk the up and downs of the AT. Finally, rejoined the AT at the Nahmakanta Lake south end. It was still another 6.2 miles to White House. If we had not walked the roads, we would never have made it! Reached the boat landing, found the air horn which had a short lanyard. One blast, but didn't know where to point the horn. Didn't matter, the echo reverberated everywhere. A boat appeared from just across the lake ~ 500 meters across the bay. The White House Landing was great relief / reprieve from the Wilderness.Jeff had to make decisions wrt his knee. He also found Cloud Walker, another SOBO who plans to go as far as Rangely.
Date: 2008-09-08
From: White House Landing

To: Cooper Brooks Falls
Miles today: 13.7

Day 5After a great breakfast, there were emotional goodbyes with Jeff. He will be taking the White House Landing shuttle back to Medway for connections with Greyhound. I will be continuing on to complete at least the 100 mile wilderness. Cloudwalker is a former park ranger with the US Parks. Jeff had given me Advil pills and maps as far as Rangely. We shall see.Bill from the White House dropped us back on the trail, a mile closer than the air horn landing! What a nice start. Got to the Cooper Brook Falls lean-to by 17:15 but it was filled with NOBO's. Cloudwalker and I set up our tarps end to end and slept on groundsheets. No rain. It was a good night.
Date: 2008-09-09
From: Cooper Brooks Falls

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 8.1

Day 6On the trail by 08:10. Climb over Little Boardman Mtn (2000') wasn't too bad. A few sprinkles turned into rain. Reached the East Branch Lean-toby 13:15 in a downpour. We decided that the next shelter 2 hours away was too far. A dry shelter seemed so good. Cloudwalker worked on equipment. His whisperlite stove needed overhauling. Another hiker(Just Tom)gave good advice.
Date: 2008-09-10
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Sidney Tappan Campsite
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 7The mice made a lot of noise overnight. Up several times to check packs, but in the morning all seemed kosher. On the trail by 08:00. Made it to Logan Brook by 09:45 then to Sidney Tappan Campsite by 16:00. Looked too good to pass up. No rain forecasted so set up the hammock. With much manoeuvering of the thermalrest and bum pad was able to get comfortable for the night.
Date: 2008-09-11
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 8On the trail by 07:30.Made it to the Newhall Lean-to by 09:00, where Cloudwalker was just packing up.Reached the Gulf Hagas Trail by noon, where we took a 3 mile side detour to see the slade gorge and several water falls. This put us behind schedule but we saw the sunset on the top of Chairback Mtn (2180'). Cloudwalker suggested that we cowboy camp, but the next shelter was nearby. Reached the Chairback Gap Lean-to after another 45 minutes and almost darkness.
Date: 2008-09-12
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Long Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 9Just Tom decided to slow down.On the trail by 08:00, this should have been an easy day; but several climbs of Columbus Mtn and 3rd and 4th Mtn (2325', 1770' and 1920') slowed us down. An sidetrip to Cloud Pond was nixed as the clouds started to descend. Reached the Long Pond lean-to in rain by 16:00. Three other NOBO hikers arrived a bit later very wet.
Date: 2008-09-13
From: Long Pond Lean-to

To: Monson
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 10Up at 05:15 in the dark. On the trail by 06:15. This was going to be a long day! There were several river fords along the way. Only one ford across the Big Wilson ford did we have to switch over into crocs. At the final stream hop, just as I reached the other side, I threw up my arms in victory and slipped on the rocks, falling back into the river. If I had been wearing glasses they would have been smashed. Cloudwalker checked my forehead for bruising. None thank goodness. The rocks along the way were treacherously slippery from the rain last night. We had to be careful, not knowing whether our boots had traction. Reached the highway to Monson by 18:30. What a long day!WhiteBlaze.com were putting on a hiker feast in Monson. Without cleaning up, and still wearing our trail clothes, we went over to the feed. Burgers, lasagna, corn, sodas, etc. Such luck! Also Caboosey 2007 - Laurel Creek Hostel and Warraghiyagey 2006 - Clarendon Shelter recognized me! My trail name and appearance appear unique! WhiteBlaze are also putting on breakfast tomorrow.Life is good. I have clean clothes, a clean bed and tomorrow is a zero day!
Date: 2008-09-14
From: Monson

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Day 11Rest day.White blaze put on a great breakfast.Went to church.Rained all day.Called home, there is a federal election in October!Called Jeff-Wormwood. He has a torn cartillage requiring surgery. We will have to get together in the future to plan other trips?
Date: 2008-09-15
From: Monson

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 12Breakfast at Shaw's was good.Under threatening rain, it was intimidating to start back on the trail.However, once we were at the trailhead, the sun broke out Trail was fairly easy, and we made it to the shelter by 15:30.Uncle Tom (NOBO 2007) was already there. He was ahead of his wife by one day.He is considering doing the Fundy Footpath for Columbus Day weekend. I offered to be his guide if I'm back in New Brunswick by then!
Date: 2008-09-16
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Bald Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 12.1

Day 133.1 miles to the first big ford of the day.Made it in less than 2 hours, then spent another hour waiting for Cloudwalker to catch up! Another 5 miles to the Moxie Bald Lean-to by 14:00. Another 4 miles for the day. Up the Bald Mtn to the first peak, then waited another 15 minutes for Cloudwalker, before getting cold and pushed on to the second peak.Good scenery but no Cloudwalker. Decided to descend down to the next shelter - Bald Mtn Lean-to by 17:00. First one there! NOBO's started to arrive. Cloudwalker finally shows up two and half hours later as he took a detour to the north peak on Bald Mtn. The NOBO's are a young crowd but still having a good time and excited about almost finishing their thur-hike. Cloudwalker decided to push on to another adjacent campsite.
Date: 2008-09-17
From: Bald Mtn Lean-to

To: Pleasnt Pond Lean=to
Miles today: 0.0

Day 14Picked up Cloudwalker @ 08:30.This should be an easy day, so decided to let Cloudwalker lead all the way.The climb up Pleasant Pond Mtn was easy, as we took it s_l_o_w. Good views of the terrain we just completed and terrain we are still to traverse. Up to the top of Pleasant Pond Mtn by 16:00 and down to shelter by 17:00. Mooch and Buffet (NOBO's) were already in the shelter. Mooch was fixing a fire and Buffet was at the Pleasant Pond trying to catch fish for dinner. They are a cool couple taking their time and trying to catch fish along the way. They were not successful today!
Date: 2008-09-18
From: Pleasnt Pond Lean=to

To: Harrison Lumber Camp
Miles today: 9.0

Day 15Another easy day. 6 miles into Caratunk, where we were able to catch a ride from Dave the Ferry operator. Lunch was at the Norther Outdoors Rafting Center. This is like the AT down south, where you are able to catch a decent meal every 3 days or so. After lunch, we hitch back to Caratunk and take the ferry - canoe across the Kennebec River. Then it will be an easy 3 miles to the Harrison Lumber Camps. They are supposed to have superb breakfasts.I have decided to continue hiking past Rangely. What does success look like? This almost sounds like Keith Miller! Success means completing the hike through the state of Maine! I expect this will take until about October 5th.My only reservation is how to get through the Mahoosuc Notch solo. I have been told that it is preferable to find a partner to help you through and help take pictures of this section.
Date: 2008-09-19
From: Harrison Lumber Camp

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 16Breakfast at Harrisons Lumber Camp was excellent.Swedish Pancakes with raspberries, blueberries and apples.Very slow start to the day.Didn't leave until 11:00.Arrived at West Carry Pond by 17:15.Watched the sunset over the pond with a Trail Maintainer, 2 Americans and a Brit. Good Night for star gazing.