morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-10
From: MA2 Williamstown MA

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

That system that moved through yesterday created perfect hiking weather. Today is crisp, cool and a little breezey¢¦I don¢t think it even reached sixty. I had to walk from the motel all the way out to MA2. There, I got a ride right away from a nice young lady named Brenda who gave me a ride to the Trail. A friend of hers, Packysandra, thru-hiked in ¢05 but I couldn¢t find her journal. I think she said she was going to hike it herself next year. Thanks so much for the lift and chatting with me¢¦and good luck with your hike Brenda.Nothing spectacular about the walk except the roots and rocks. I forgot how much the Long Trail portion was beat up. The roots stick inches above the surface and can be just as tricky as the rocks to hop on, over and around.I stopped and talked with Bagel at Eph¢s Lookout. She caught up with me while I was out in the woods digging a hole if you know what I mean. She took the picture of me above where I am pointing at the gator undershoe straps that keep breaking. Nice talking with you Bagel.I did stop for a break at Seth Warner Shelter. There a nice looking young couple doing The Long Trail was taking the day off. Seems they got caught in the storm yesterday and the wet socks worked a raw place on the girl¢s foot. I forgot to mention that we had just crossed the MA VT border where The Long Trail joins the AT for sixty miles or so. When I reached Congdon Shelter around six, a beautiful young lady hiker was starting a fire to cook her supper. We didn¢t talk at first (I can be kind of shy). We did get to talking when I asked if she minded if I hung my food bag in the shelter. Her name is Hannah¢¦I like that name cause you can spell it backwards and it¢s still the same. Anyway, Hannah is doing The Long Trail and is all excited cause she just found out she is pregnant.I am tenting tonight of course. If I don't watch it, I'll get like this hiker on Whiteblaze who wants to burn all the shelters down.
Date: 2006-09-14
From: VT 11/30 (Manchester Ctr VT)

To: Zero at Home
Miles today: 0.0

I got up and watched some Imus and took off for home. Instead of a good breakfast I had Duncan Donuts. Then later on the pike I had two more donuts. That's all I had all day...donuts and coffee.Was happily greeted by the dog.Since yesterday's journal was mostly about my hitch back to the car, I thought I would repeat my little piece about hitchhiking that I posted in Whiteblaze in January of '03:I've yet to have a problem hitching a ride where there's traffic. When I hitched down from Clingman's Dome a family with two kids picked up me and another guy. I stand erect with my pack in front of me (for faster loading) and my Leki's crisscrossed (so they know I'm a hiker) And BTW, never ever give anyone the finger when they honk and speed by you...it gives hikers a bad name.The Top Ten ways that worked for me:10. Lay down on the road...you on your back waving desparately in one lane and your pack in the other...you know...like you've been injured.9. Smile and wave a hand full of fiftys...like you're going to pay the person who picks you up.8. As the car approaches, lean forward with a stern look on your face; look the driver directly in the eye while pointing and motioning him to the curb...directing him to pull over (like the state troopers do when they give you a speeding ticket.)7. Drop to your knees with hands folded in prayer and your head looking up towards heaven...this works especially well in the south.6. Drop your pants...when they slow down to take a look, grab the door handle and hop in. (This didn't always work for me since I'm so big they could see it from way way down the road and by the time they got to me they would speed up again.)5. Make a sign that says, "FREE SEX" or "FREE MONEY" or "FREE URIN SAMPLE"...free anything for that matter...Americans are such greedy bastards they'll stop for anything free.4. Use your head and make any clever sign like, "MY MOTHER JUST DIED...GOING HOME" or "I DON'T DO DRUGS" or "I DO DRUGS." Be innovative Remember it doesn't have to be true...the idea is to get them to stop, right?3. Bend over and grab your crotch with one hand while thumbing with the other and balling like a baby. 2. This next one takes some practice...hike in sunglasses and use a white cane insead of sticks...walk down the road with one hand out, tapping the cane like your'e feeling your way. Hey, everyone knows about the blind guy who hiked the AT...they'll stop thinking they're picking up a celebraty. And the Number way I found to hitch a ride:Hold up a sign that says "Don't blame me, I voted for Kerry" with your thumb out.Come to think of it, an awful lot of my rides were from guys with dogs...dogs that I had to share the seat with.I always asked them their first name and thanked them in my journal. I talked most of them to death...my guess is they were probably the same people that wouldn't give you a ride.
Date: 2006-09-24
From: Lake Hebron Trail (Monson)

To: ME15 (Monson)
Miles today: 3.3

I left home in Ohio yesterday at three in the morning and arrived at Shaw¢s in Monson at 5:30 pm. Mrs. Shaw and Keith Jr. sold the place soon after Keith Sr. died, but it still carries their name.The new owner has made some nice improvements¢¦cleaned and painted everything¢¦new mattresses and TV¢s in the rooms¢¦and most important, replaced the frozen concentrate orange juice with the good stuff.Met Weatherman, a thru-hiker finishing up who is also here on Trailjournals.I had breakfast this morning at a table full of thru-hikers¢¦Weatherman, Low Gear, AT, Rael, Beer Nuts and Hitch. When Weatherman introduced Hitch (a very nice young lady) he emphasized the ¢H¢ in her name¢¦HHHHHHitch.Since the weather was crummy wet and cool today, the ¢seasoned¢ were taking zero¢s while the younger folks wanted to get on the Trail and get over it.My plan is to get the three miles in from Lake Hebron Trail (where I got off early in ¢04) Then, shuttle my Jeep ahead to Millinockett; and hitchhike back to Shaw¢s so I can hike out into the Hundred Mile Wilderness in the morning.Things worked out beautifully. Thanks partly to Rael, who ran me to the Trail in the Liberty immediately after breakfast and picked me up an hour later where the AT crosses ME15 six miles out of town.After dropping two thru-hikers, AT and Forrest, off at the trail head, I drove the back roads to Millinockett. There, I parked my ride at the Econolodge and hitched back (a big out of the way route) to Monson.I tell you¢¦I should write a book on hitchhiking¢¦it went so well I was back home in Monson before four...and I did not have to use any of the "top ten tactics."The first ride came in Millinockett from a local hiker named Dick (Trail Name Noreaster). I was really lucky in that he took me all the way out, around and down I95 to Newport. Noreaster was returning from his cabin in hills and we had a nice chat during the long ride. Thanks Dick, you really set up the day.Then, three short rides took me inside to Dexter¢¦Great Heart, Richard and Lucille (Trail Name Miller). Thanks to all!The last ride was from a resident of Monson, Jim¢¦an evangelist among his other talents. I believe he said he was leaving tomorrow to go overseas. Thank you sir.The weather is supposed to be good for the next three days¢¦at least.(BTW, If you think the story about losing the wallet and $200 was bad, there's a better one coming¢¦butyou will have to wait until it comes along)
Date: 2006-09-25
From: ME15 (Monson)

To: Long Pond Stream LT
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

If you¢re not awake by six the smell of bacon will wake you up. Today I had breakfast with some new folks but didn¢t write down their names. Most of the ones hitting the Trail today had to go back and do the last three miles that I did yesterday. Weatherman and I were the only ones (I think) that start at ME15. At least we were the only ones that were dropped off at eight.I took off hiking while Weatherman was making some adjustments¢¦I told him, "I¢d see him down the Trail"¢¦and never saw him again.The morning wasn¢t bad at all but, somewhere early afternoon I started feeling something in my inside right and outside left knees¢¦not continuous and mostly on the downhills. Hence, I became cautious and slowed down. So I¢m behind already doing 15 as compared to 19 miles in ¢03. The last three to four miles would have been a steep climb and those always come easier in the morning.When I arrived at Long Pond about five, there were two guys already settled in the shelter. I greeted one with a ¢Howdy¢ and asked if there were any good tent sites. Got a brief reply and that was the only words I heard from him.The other guy struck up a conversation while I cooked my chicken and stuffing at the shelter. He said he had just completed NOBO and had turned around and was headed SOBO. He also said something about a ¢triple crown.¢ I replied in jest, ¢Homeless huh?¢ A few minutes later he starts in on how he was offended at being called homeless¢¦I apologize and that pretty much ends the conversation. Oh, and that was after he complained of running low on food and I gave him and his buddy some of my snacks.Got a nice tent spot and my knees seem just fine¢¦it may have been a wise decision to stop early. As I recall, the last half of the wilderness has no serious climbing and I might be able to make up some time then.Still feels great to be back on the good ole AT.
Date: 2006-09-26
From: Long Pond Stream LT

To: Stealth Site past Chairback Mtn
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

One day a section hike does not make.I guess what they meant by good weather for a few days was it would be dry. There wasn¢t much sun today¢¦overcast and cool¢¦not really bad hiking weather except I must have changed clothes a half dozen times. The stretch top was to warm at lower elevations and I started out in long pants thinking they would be needed.Hiked alone and talked to absolutely no one all day¢¦although I did pass a couple of SOBO¢s. Still behind schedule.The 1500¢ climb out of my campsite and up Barren Mountain wasn¢t all that bad¢¦I was well rested from a good night¢s sleep.   My knees felt good¢¦better¢¦so it must have been some twisting on the downhills yesterday. But after that it was up and down all day¢¦Fourth Mtn¢¦Third Mtn¢¦Columbus Mtn¢¦and some bumps in between.The next shelter, Cloud Pond Lean-To, was .3 off the Trail so I just passed it by. When I¢m not staying at a shelter, and it¢s more than a quarter of a mile off the path, I don¢t drop in as a rule.I would have hiked a few more miles except for two things. The ¢Hermitage¢ was a couple of miles ahead and no camping is permitted along the Gulf Hagas area. Secondly, I would have to ford Pleasant River and I didn¢t feel like doing it tonight..I had enough water to do a Mountain House chili and some left to drink until I got to some brooks early in the morning.See the picture above, often in Maine you have to walk across timber, but it's better than getting wet feet or fording a stream.
Date: 2006-09-27
From: Stealth Site past Chairback Mtn

To: East Branch LT
Miles today: 19.1

Zero for two¢¦that¢s my score in crossing the West Branch of the Pleasant River without getting wet feet. I must have spent twenty minutes studying the rocks...going up stream a hundred yards until I found the right place to cross. I slowly and carefully made it all the way across to the last two large but rounded boulders. I guess what happened is I thought I had it made and tried to ¢skip on out¢ when I slipped on the last rock. Man was I pissed. I changed socks (Wrung out the wet ones and strapped them to the top of the pack to dry)and found the trail. (BTW, I don¢t believe Liteshoe when she says she made it across dry in 03.)I hiked alone all day and I can see now I will be hiking alone the entire Hundred Mile Wilderness¢¦which isn¢t all that bad. I mean, when I start swearing at the roots or the slippery boulders or the mud or the wet feet there won¢t be anyone there to offend. It¢s good to vent you know and this path is in need of a lot of maintenance IMHO. THMW is getting more like an obstical course than a hiking trail.It¢s a beautiful day for hiking and I¢m finally getting some miles as the Trail is leveling off some. There were still aggravating steep declines (White Mtn) and I¢m still about six miles behind where I¢d like to be¢¦so I have made up a couple of miles. It¢s still rockier and rootier in places I don¢t remember being all that bad in ¢03. Supposedly White Mtn is the last ¢mountain¢¢¦everything else is ¢hills¢ from here on out.But, today, about mid morning, I did get to stop and talk to a young man, Dan who is doing the HMW SOBO with his beautiful 2 year old yellow lab. We must have talked for a half hour. He was interested in, my tattoo and what I had to say about the forums discussing dogs on the Trail¢¦.seemed somewhat surprised to hear about pages and pages of opinionated and emotional discussion on such a sensitive topic. I think he¢s going to look some up when he returns.And, I also passed a NOBOer, Tom, who I had met briefly on one of my section hikes this year. He seems to be taking a really relaxed approach¢¦taking his time. Apparently not too social in that he never adopted a trail name and was alone both times. HYOH.I arrived at East Branch and ended up eating in the dark. Since no one else was around I pitched my tent inside the shelter. It wasn¢t a bad idea¢¦in the morning I could see where mice had nibbled on a piece of paper I left on the floor next to my gators.
Date: 2006-09-28
From: East Branch LT

To: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite 
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Good miles today as it was the least strenuous day in the Wilderness. I also started hiking at 6:50 and made camp at a quarter till five.The real reason that I made up some miles was I didn¢t get off the Trail at the White House Landing Camp. I got to thinking¢¦why do I need to stop there when I¢m only out here for a week or so this section. Besides, I had the experience in ¢03 and I¢m not starving for a frozen pizza. I heard they only serve the one pound hamburger for lunch which I wouldn¢t get there in time for, and besides, one pound of meat in one sandwich is not all that appetizing to me right now. The only thing I would miss would be the breakfast tomorrow morning and which would prevent me from attaining an early start. So, I cheerfully walked on by the blue arrows painted on the trees directing you to the side trail over to where the boat picks you up.I really am out of synch with the other NOBO¢s¢¦and have seen only one.   I did run into ¢AT¢ early who said he had stealth camped last night. He says he always ¢stealth camps¢ and doesn¢t stay at shelters¢¦which is kind of interesting.My legs and knees felt good today¢¦95% I¢d say with only a hint of an ache now and then. I think it has beneficial to be cautious and slow down a little. Today's trail did have its share of roots and rocks but no climbs to amount to anything.For some reason I¢m missing the natural springs I remember from ¢03. Back then, I ran out of water treatment and can remember finding all kinds of good natural spring water throughout the last half of the Wilderness.I am the only one tenting at the Nahmakanta campsite tonight. Plenty of nice sites to chose from¢¦I took a nice level one up front. It is a nice mild evening and after cooking supper around the fire ring I¢m back and in my bag early.
Date: 2006-09-29
From: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite 

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: moderate rain

The word for today is ¢Wet.¢ It was a great night in the tent¢¦warm with no condensation. I was up and walking by 6:45. The rain started about 7:30. I ducked into Wadleigh LT around ten where I had some snacks and changed into my rain pants. There was no one around and, from the register, it didn¢t look as though anyone stayed here last night. It was cold and I was very tempted to pull out my bag; climb in and stay here for the day. But since I didn¢t go to White House Landing, I only had enough ¢meals¢ to spend another night in the Wilderness. I hung around about an hour waiting for the rain to pass. When it let up some I took off¢¦but it rained on and off all day.While bracing myself on a slip this morning, I snapped the end off my right hand Leki pole. I extended the top handle as far as I could and used it somewhat for balance. I ¢m saving both pieces as they will repair or replace it at Trail Days. I have no complaints about Leki poles¢¦they have saved me from many a fall. I¢m just glad I don¢t have my old tent as both poles were needed to erect it.At two thirty I ducked into Hurd Brook LT for a fifteen minute break. There were two hikers already bedded down and a SOBO doing this section NOBO ahead of me. He had the weather report which unfortunately called for more rain this afternoon and evening. I can¢t complain too much¢¦the only time I¢ve been wet so far was when I slipped in the river.I arrived at Rainbow Spring Campsite before five¢¦no one else around. I pitched my tent in the rain on the same spot as ¢03¢¦right next to a five foot high boulder at the top of the incline. Consequently I was sheltered from the wind which I could hear howling all night.I made water at a wonderful piped spring here and went back and cooked Ramon and chicken just outside the entrance of my tent. When it was pouring down rain and I was waiting for my supper to cool down a little, I started to stuff a bag with some clothes to make a pillow. It was wet! Damn¢¦there¢s a puddle of water on the floor next to it. Seems it ran in from the tarp that was touching the ¢tray¢ on the bottom of the tent. Fortunately, I got to it before it got to my bag. I carry a couple of those absorbent clothes (the kind you dry cars with) and cleaned it up. I propped a bottle between the tarp and the tray which prevented any further problems.I had left my gators and Packa out on the rock since they were already soaked. This is probably the heaviest rain I can remember tenting in¢¦even with ¢03 being such a wet year; that¢s because we stayed in shelters to avoid packing a wet tent.The rain stopped and some dry air moved in after eight. I got up at 9:30 and wiped down the Packa and hung it on the clothes line to dry. I also wiped down the tent and shook the water off the gators.The picture above is from earlier in the week since I didn't take any today.
Date: 2006-09-30
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite

To: Katahdin Stream Campground (Millinockett)
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I did the Hundred Mile Wilderness in five and one half days¢¦a half day better than ¢03. Then, I picked up a whole day by not staying at Abol Bridge for the night. I was there at lunch time today; had lunch and hiked on up to the base of the big K. And instead of camping at Katahdin Stream, I hitched into Millinockett for the night. Everything worked out well.I was up at hiking at seven¢¦and things were surprisingly dry considering the all day rain yesterday and the storm last night.The only bad thing about the hike today (besides the roots) was my slip on a rock going across Hurd Brook resulting in a soaked foot. I didn¢t stop to change socks this time¢¦just hiked on out to Abol Bridge.At Abol Bridge I had some lunch¢¦bacon cheeseburger, coke, root beer and cheetos. Talked to the owner briefly¢¦a very nice lady who lost her husband just after I came through in ¢03.I met the ridge runner ¢Dave¢ at the store. I said, ¢Didn¢t we meet in ¢03?¢ He smiled and said, ¢What¢s your name?¢¢Skeemer¢¦sure who could forget that name.¢Dave is a real nice guy with a great smile. Tries to make the hikers feel good about their accomplishment and does anything he can to help them get set up to do Katahdin. He was even trying to yogy a ride for me to Millinockett.After eating lunch, chatting with Dave, and resting a bit, I took off to do the eight miles to Katahdin Stream Campground. It was an easy walk and I got there just before five.I no sooner had I walked up the road and put out my thumb and the first car picked me up. My gracious hosts were ¢Batch¢ and Mary who thru-hiked the AT back in the nineties when he retired. (Another couple, whose names escape me, were already in the back seat.) Batch and Mary gave us fruit and cookies and great stories about their own adventure¢¦it was a great ride to town. Thank You Batch and Mary!I got the motel, checked in¢¦did my wash¢¦got cleaned up¢¦dried out and went to bed. I¢ll drive the Jeep up to Katahdin Steam in the morning, hike Baxter Peak and take off for home¢¦having completed my section hike.
Date: 2006-10-17
To: Post ALDHA Gathering
Miles today: 0.0

I am still in West Virginia following a very good ALDHA weekend...except that I had to shell out twenty bucks for LightShow's book. She is an amazing woman...so literate...so well spoken...so happy...so sweet...so...well, this should be enough...if I don't say something nice about her she gets mad.They had a volunteer work party yesterday that I hung around for...where they're relocating five miles or so of the AT near Pearisberg. Since I've not yet done any volunteer work, I thought I'd jump on the chance. JoJo Smiley organized it and I rode out and back with her...she provided a nice lunch which was worth all the hard work...there was about a dozen of us. I also wanted to go over to Pearisberg and hike and tent a few days but I have to be home Sunday if I want to stay married. I am staying in the mh in Pipestem State Park...it's raining today...that's why I'm here at the Princeton library doing this. Instead of more of the AT, I'm going to spend all day tomorrow hiking the network of trails within Pipestem State Park...looks like fun but I'll miss sleeping in my tent.Re the Gathering...got to see all the "famous women of the AT"...LightShow of course...StarLyte...Mrs Gorp (not necessarily in order of importance). I also got to meet a "real" woman hiker, JoJo Smiley...real in that I understand she hiked the entire East coast...Yeah, you heard me...the entire east coast from Key West to Nova Scotia. Now that's something to brag about. (even though she didn't brag.)I'm all excited about doing my home State's trail...The Buckeye Trail.   They had a great seminar on it. Sounds like my kind of trail...1400 miles...no steep or long climbs...lots of towns for food (pie) and shelter...lots of dogs (I like dogs better than I do people)...I don't know if I can wait until next fall though...I'm just an excitable hiker.I'm also thinking about the Florida Trail for January - March...Yeah, the more I think the more I wanna go down there and walk this winter. Yeah! let's do it!I'll do the gear review I promised first chance when I get home.
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Skywalker at Home

To: Atlanta, GA
Miles today: 0.0

4/15/06-6/21/06 updated from emails and phone calls Skywalker left easily Wed morning for Atlanta where he was picked up and driven 1 hr. north to a hostel. Weather in the 80's. The hostel is run by a couple who are avid hikers (trailname - The Old Man) and eager to start everyone off on the right foot! For a mere $55 that included overnight, breakfast, tips and a drive to the start of the AT, it was a bargain! He met up with several others starting off the same day. Thursday to Springer Mt. and the beginning of the Appalachian Trail.Immo said it was very apparent that he had overpacked as he weighed in a 52 pounds which included food for 6 days and a full water load. The hostel owner, Paul, had them lay out their gear and sort through it..out went the little tubes of stuff (into ziploc bags)..out went the can of sardines (no cans)...out went one water bottle..and pared down the food to a 4 day supply. He hoped to to weigh in at no more than a manageable weight of 40-44 pounds.Neals Gap is the next stop where he can call.So, after all the books read, planning, talking about it, AT workshop, planning some more, visits to EMS, day hikes this winter, more planning and talking about it, ordering supplies, the trip is finally a reality.Stay tunedHappy Trails"Himmelwanderer"