morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-06
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Pines Camping Area
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: overcast clouds

My final day in the 100-Mile Wilderness was long and wet. I woke up this morning and hiked with Big Red, Jagged and Pete up Nesuntabunt Mountain, where we hung out for a while, snapped pictures, and shot the shit. They¢re good people, I¢ll see them again in Millinockett in a few days.Cheeze was at Rainbow Stream Lean-to when I arrived, and I ate lunch while he napped. We left the shelter just as it began drizzling.After a while the drizzle became real driving rain. The Trail gods never give thru-hikers a break, even at the very end. So it goes. We plowed forward together, but eventually Cheeze, who had no rain gear whatsoever, pushed on ahead of me. On and on I continued, not really paying attention to the surrounding environment. I was hoping to meet my father at Hurd Brook. I noticed he had been hiking with Martini and Rossi for a few days, and knowing their hiking style, he definitely did not slow down much.When I reached the Hurd Brook Lean-to, Cheeze and my father were nowhere to be found. A throng of noisy Boy Scouts instead infested the camping ground. The shelter was completely full, as were all the good tenting spots. It was no place for an exhausted thru-hiker, and I was too tired to answer the same old questions some of the scouts asked me.¢Your friend went on ahead to the Abol Bridge,¢ said an adult leader. ¢He left you a note in the shelter log.¢Upon checking the registry, I saw that he was indeed correct. Cheeze had gone on ahead another 3.5 miles to Abol Pines Camping Area. Well, okay, I guess I¢ll do that too, I thought.I didn¢t really notice the last couple of miles¢¦ they kinda just went by. But before I knew it, I was at the first paved road in 5 days, then I was walking down it, watching a semi zoom past me, then I was walking across the Abol Bridge, and into the arms of my father, who was waiting for me at the awning outside of the general store. Cheeze was there too, and we chatted for a spell while I drank a celebratory beer.At the shelter at the campground, and I met Retro and Half-Way. I had been following Retro for a while now; turns out he¢s a 40-year-old logger from Oregon. He hiked the AT back in the eighties, but had to leave in New Hampshire when his dad died. This year he re-hiked everything and more. I remember Dogfather and Thr¢ills telling me they named him Retro because of all of his old gear. He has a pretty large external frame pack and some old equipment, but he gets along fine with it. Damn straight. To all the ultra-lighters out there, HYOH, bitches.Half-Way got his name because he hiked half the Trail last year, and finished the other half this year, starting at Harpers Ferry. He¢s a middle-aged physician who happens to be from Meadville, PA of all places! He lives right behind the Ravine Dorms.I like both Retro and Half-Way. Even though I just met these two fine individuals to-day, I feel as though we are old friends. But isn¢t that how the AT works?
Date: 2007-08-07
From: Abol Pines Camping Area

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

My second-to-last day on the Trail. To-morrow, rain or shine, I will climb Mount Katahdin and finish what I set out to do nearly five months ago on that little mountain called Springer in Georgia.We only had 10 miles to hike to-day, so there was absolutely no rush. We woke up early, sauntered over toward the little general store, bought some beer and other snacks to last us the night and to-morrow¢s climb, and finally began hiking after taking some pictures at Abol Bridge (Katahdin was partially hidden by clouds) and eating breffikst at a nearby picnic table.Baxter State Park is very lovely, and very flat. The toughest part of the day was figuring out where the Trail went in one spot where it crossed a river. No sweat. A mile from Daicey Pond Campground we ran into Stumpknocker, who has a prolific presence here at trailjournals.com. He was just beginning his southbound thru-hike¢¦ his sixth one! We wished him good luck and then took the side trail to Daicey Pond.We hung out at Daicey for a good hour, soaking in the glory of the end and snapping photos. Cheeze went swimming, I kinda felt like just kickin¢ back and relaxing.Katahdin Stream Campground was pretty crowded, but ¢the Birches¢ held only us. A lovely shelter area, really. Just as the sun was setting, Lonah, who I hadn¢t seen since Vermont, walked into camp! Apparently he¢s been on our ass the entire time, and pushed some extra miles today to summit with all of us to-morrow. He's tenting nearby in a Winnie-the-Pooh children's tent, or as he calls it, "the Tent on Pooh Corner." Awesome. I can¢t ask for a better crowd, and my only lingering thought is that I wish Widowmaker were here. He SHOULD be here, finishing on Katahdin with us. I guess I just want to say, I've missed you, man.
Date: 2007-08-08
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak, Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: moderate rain

"Now away we go toward the top-most mountains. Many still, small voices, as well as the noon thunder, are calling, "Come higher." Farewell blessed dell, woods, gardens streams, birds, squirrels, lizards and thousand others. Farewell. Farewell."~John Muir
Date: 2007-08-12
To: The End?
Miles today: 0.0

So I've been home for a few days now, and I can honestly express relief. Don't get me wrong, I loved every moment of the Trail, even the moments I hated it. But it's good to be home now and behave like a normal person, whatever that is. But I miss Widowmaker, Cheeze, Foot pump, Matt and U-Dog, John-Knee Mud, Rafiki and everyone else who defined my thru-hike, and made the experience what it was.I've been seriously considering a PCT or CDT hike (actually, I desperately want to hike both, it's just a matter of deciding which comes first I guess) in the near future, probably in 2009 or 2010 after I get some aspects of my life straightened out and become more financially secure, so if anyone I met on the Trail is interested in such an endeavor, feel free to contact me. Though I may just follow where my heart and feet take me.Anyway, I've occupied my time by compiling my photos into an easy-to-use format on the internet. I hope you all enjoy.http://picasaweb.google.com/derekthered
Date: 2007-04-11
To: School, Work, Bar, Bed, Repeat
Miles today: 0.0

The downfall of this trail journal will be that by the time anything cool happens, I'll abandon it because I'll actually be on the trail; this is just something to do to keep myself motivated and ensure progress in my preparations. That said, onward with the boring, trail-less trail journal. At this point my primary (actually, my only) concern is financing my hike. Gear? I've got tons. That's got a lot to do with the money issue...Time? nothing but.Two working legs? Uhh, last time I checked... OH MY GOD A BEAR IS EATING MY KNEE!!...just kidding. I don't believe in bears.A perverse desire to hike for five to six months? No matter how much I try to "buckle down" at school or hold a "real job" for a full year, the only thing I actually enjoy doing everyday is being outside. Hiking just becomes how you spend your day while you are outside. It rains, you get wet. It's Sunny, you dry out. Back to the basics for a little while....The bitchy part is what you have to endure in order to get out there and actually have a shot at finishing. Worst day on the trail beats the bag out of the best day at work, right? You bet your ass. But I've had worse jobs (although they paid more) and time is going by faster than I can keep up with. Only a month or so before the semester, and then the only thing keeping me off the trail is money (actually, a lack of money). As soon as the bankroll hits a reasonable level I give my notice at work and the fun starts.
Date: 2007-04-17
To: appalachian rock city
Miles today: 0.0

still trying to find the perfect 2Gb of music to put on the nano. here's a few contenders: against all authority, bad brains, biohazard, the beatles, bob dylan, the dwarves, gnarls barkley, helmet, isis, jimi hendrix, mastodon, motorhead, napalm death, neurosis, nofx, pantera, pennywise, the prodigy, radiohead, rage against the machine, rancid, sepultura, slayer, sublime, tool, wu-tang, white zombie...just the classics, but there are many more to choose from and it's going to be a tough selection. and still, my trail journal remains trail-less...
Date: 2007-05-08
To: Flip-Flop madness
Miles today: 0.0

If this weren't so frustrating it might be funny... as fast as I can make my plans, they get fucked up. I'm trying to get on the trail asap, but reservations can only be made so early at Baxter, and the campground where my parents would stay at Abol bridge doesn't have a phone and reservations can only be made there by mail. If I start at Katahdin, I will have to wait almost 3 weeks after graduation to start my hike, and that's too long. Starting that early is going to be insect hell as well as a complete mud-fest, too. Now I'm thinking Flip-Flop... I could leave earlier, not deal with bug/mud season in new england, hike with some NOBOs for a while, get into shape before NH & ME, and still get to have some solitude on the second leg of my hike, plus I'll have an easy solution to the "dog in the smokies" problem: he'll hike WV-->ME, and go home when I head back to Harper's Ferry. I don't care what I do at this point, I just want to get hiking.
Date: 2007-05-15
To: Ten More Days
Miles today: 0.0

Ten more days at home and then the fun starts. Heading to Harper's ferry memorial day weekend for the northbound half of my hike. The phone and iPod are back in and, to compensate, the inner portion of my tent is out. This gives me more space at night, and the dog will be happier without the barrier between us; he's a crybaby sometimes, what can I say? Leaving home the mesh and adding back the phone/ipod still saves about 8oz and helps me balance my pack easier, too. Who cares? I do.    I got some new trail runners today. I settled for a pair of Nike's that were on clearance because I couldn't find a damn thing anywhere and I didn't really want to buy my shoes online. I've never had Nike running shoes and I am worried that they might not hold up as long as, say, my Montrail Hardrocks. I hope they'll be alright, at least I didn't spend a fortune on them. They're comfortable, at least. I have my first 4-5 days of food ready to go, I just need to get the dog's food bagged and packed. Not much to do but wait. I wish I could've gotten in a shakedown hike, even if it was only to see how out-of-shape I got this winter. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find out soon enough!Shut Up and Hike!
Date: 2007-05-26
To: Go Time
Miles today: 0.0

   So this is going to be my last entry for quite a while, probably. I am heading to WV tomorrow, and hitting the AT soon thereafter. If the mood strikes I may update along the way, or I might not. Maybe only when the folks bring out the laptop, maybe in random libraries/hostels, maybe never. who knows? who cares? there are mountains to climb. Let the Flip-Flopping madness begin.
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 0.0

Just a quick update to say where I'm at... I got on the trail memorial day in Harper's Ferry. It is now Monday, July 2. I have gotten to Kent Connecticut (about 445 miles) but I had to come home for a few days to pet-sit while my parents are at a wedding in Iowa. I will try to get this all squared away and get some pictures up while I'm home so it'll be easier to maintain on trail.
Date: 2007-07-08
From: Home

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 0.0

I just got home from a three day canoe trip on the Saco River in Maine; there were twelve of us floating down the river in four canoes and three kayaks, but after 43 drunken miles of aquatic shenanigans, I am more than ready to get back on the trail.   It was awesome to be home for a little while and see my family and friends, but I have done everything I wanted to and it's time to get back out there. Tomorrow will be spent getting my gear re-organized and trying to rest up a little bit, and then I'm on the road bright and early Tuesday morning. It's been a little longer than I was planning on but It was a nice change of pace and I was still pooping in the woods, so I didn't get too spoiled. Also, my dog will be coming back out with me, so I am looking forward to having his company again. Enough jibber-jabber, fool!
Date: 2007-07-27
From: Rutland, VT

To: View Entry
Miles today: 660.0

Hey What's up, I'm at the library in Rutland. Stayed @ 12 tribes Hostel last night and probably moving on later today, but I was tempted to take another day to chill on account of the ethnic festval in town (FOOD!). Money is a pretty big issue at this point, though, so I guess it's back in the woods I go. Shout outs: Pogue, 6-String, Cool Hand Luke, Lunch Box... catch up, guys! I hope everyone is doing well and having a good time wherever they are. Yo Feral, rip it up on the PCT for me, bro, I'm planning on getting out there in 2010 or 2011: STAY IN TOUCH! Hobo Joe, I'll see you during phase II, keep it real, brotha! Everyone else, get off the computer and into the woods. I'm about to time-out, so peace out, snitches!   WV--MEWV--GA
Date: 2007-08-27
From: Andover, Maine

To: Home Then Back to Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Back at the homestead to regroup and bring the mutt to Maine. the hitch from Andover to Lewiston took about 4.5 hours, but it was all good. I ended up getting picked up there because the bus didn't leave until 8:30, four hours after I showed up at the bus station. I got home around 10:00; the bus wouldn't have got me home until 1:30 am. note to self: check bus schedule ahead of time... The ride home didn't even take 2 hours from Lewiston, so getting back to the trail shouldn't take more than 3. Anybody know a place to park a car in Stratton?Oh yeah, my parents lost my keys. Thanks, guys.
Date: 2007-10-10
From: Waynesboro 

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 160.0
Weather: clear sky

Smelling up the Waynesboro Public Library for a quick update. Shennendoa was cool; a bunch of tourists to get freebies from, and tons of animals. Only saw 5 bear but probably 30+ deer, they were very laid back. Trying to make moves and get home for Thanksgiving, but that will mean some big miles and few zeros. 850 or so miles left to Springer, a month and a half to Thanksgiving... probably not gonna happen. Well, I really smell bad, so I'm going to leave the library and see if the showers at the YMCA are fixed yet.
Date: 2007-10-24
To: Massachusetts
Miles today: 0.0

I am off trail until further notice. I left off at the Troutville/Daleville interchange last Thursday when I found out about the death of a close friend. I took a bus from Roanoke (after waiting 12 hours because I missed the 1:05 pm bus), had a 4+ hour layover in Richmond, and ended up getting picked up in Manhattan because the Greyhound trip was so screwed up. I sprained my ankle at the bar (I don't exactly remember what happened) so I can hardly walk, so hiking is not a possibility for probably a week, and I am completely broke. The final 714 miles of the AT may have to wait until next year, but I am not sure yet. Either way I hiked 1460 miles, and that's not a bad way to spend a summer. I hope everybody that's out there is finding enough water to drink and enjoying themselves. I really wish I was still hiking, but life happens. It's been real.
Date: 2008-04-08
To: nowhere fast
Miles today: 650.0

Well it's the beginning of another hiking season, and as I sit in my third floor apartment listening to engines idling in the busy intersection below and spending time that "should" be spent on schoolwork watching Lion King's videos on youtube, I realize that I am an idiot. No, not because I am searching the internet for a vicarious thru-hike, but because I am back in the world of automobiles and financial ruin. An endless cycle of paychecks and bills, an unsustainable nightmare that we are raised to believe is necessary and justified. I think I've said enough.I just wanted to give a shout to all my friends that will be out there this year, those that won't, and those that were. I miss you, trail... I'll be back soon.--your buddy dethmarch
Date: 2007-02-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I leave for Georgia in 2 1/2 weeks and I'm going a little nuts. I knew the last few weeks would be rough, but I had no idea I would be pacing the house in anticipation of leaving.Am I nervous? No. Am I anxious? No, it's something else. My whole life is about to change. That's probably the best way to put it. I'm just glad my friends and family are being so supportive about it. It will make the whole thing that much easier.Buying my tent, water purifier, and a ton of food from REI today. The mounting bill for the trip is a little scary. Can't wait to get some new toys though.Also looking forwand to getting my SanDisk MP3 player/ FM radio in the mail. 400 song to listen to for 5 months? That will take some thought. Looking forward to finding NPR Morning Edition on the tuner, laying in my sleeping bag, sipping instant coffee. It will be the little things that get me through it.Georgia to Maine! Springer to Katahdin! I must be out of my mind...2 1/2 weeks!
Date: 2007-02-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am now so eager to get on to the trail. I'm not really sure why I'm writing journal entries of my anticipation of the trip. But what the hell? I think that I'll look back on these with some fondness. Because let's be honest, I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. I'd like to even be able to explain to peolple why I want to go on this damn trip to start with.Well, 1 Week to go (9 days actually).I'm off to the bar for the 3rd to last time. Haha!I'll write two more of these prehikes and then I'm off!
Date: 2007-02-26
From: Amacolola Lodge to Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.4

What a day! I'm laying in my tent. Around 8:30pm. Just heard a coyote not too far away yelping at the moon. At least it's not a bear.The people are what this trip is going to be about. Met an old timer lookin' for turkey. Is it turkey season? Met a couple that will shuttle me to and from the trail in Franklin, NC. (the Kings) real nice. Then I got to Hawk Mountain Shelter where I am now, and had dinner with "Twofer" and "Falling Rock". They built a fire and we all talked into the night. Now this is the kicker!....A woman Judith and "PaPa" were camped above us and came down to the fire. "Papa" is 89 years old and is gonna hike as far as he can. He told stories about being on a submarine in WWII destroying Japanese tankers. Stories about the Depression and stories of his love for hiking. This guy is my new inspiration.It was great day, very warm. Now it's very cold. I was alone almost all day but enjoyed it. I hiked over 15 miles and it was hard, but I'm gonna try 15 miles again tomorrow.Saw a bear print in the mud. Heard turkeys and just heard the coyote again.Left my camera on for hours and used almost a whole battery. Damn it! Still have a back up though. Good Night!
Date: 2007-02-27
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter to Ramrock Mountain

To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.9

Spending the night on Ramrock Mt. Just like my hike today - I'm alone. I saw just one hiker today and that was 20 minutes after I set up camp. She walked by and said "Hello". I replied the same, and that was my interaction with humans today. The view out my tent door is amazing. One of the best sunsets I've ever seem. I wish I had someone to share it with.I hiked only 11 miles today. Three blisters slowed down my afternoon and I only managed 3.5 after lunch. I have an unofficial trail name. The 2 cub fans "Two 'Fer" and "Falling Rock" were both convinced I needed a baseball name. So - for now, I am Daisuke (pronounced Dice-K) after my beloved Red Sox new pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. I also love Japan, so this may work for me. That is until he goes 0-8 with a 10.00 "ERA". We'll see won't we.Out of all the camping I've done in my life, this is my first night with no one else around. 12 miles tomorrow - I must get to Walasi-Yi Center at Neels Gap for a shower-I don't ever recall smelling as bad as I do now.
Date: 2007-02-28
From: Ramrock Mt. to Neels Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.0

Day 3, WednesdayI made it to Neels Gap. My feet are doing fine after some patching up. Another beautiful day. However, tomorrow is supposed to be miserable. I'll try to do 7 miles in the rain to get to the next shelter (Whitley Gap Shelter) to put me at mile 36.7! A long ways yet to go but feeling more confident with each experience. This is my first night at a hostel and it is very communal. there are 9 of us in the bunk house, 3 kids from Rhode Island. A couple from Florida "Song" and "Harmony". An old timer "Turtle", another old timer that I don't remember the name of, myself and "Doc" who I've been talking to. He is a wealth of knowledge, he's been hiking for years and has a great appreciation for what we're all doin' out here.As I'm writing, the owner comes in and pours hiking food all over the table - "Help yourselves guys - people 'trailangeled' for me for years - I'm just giving back." Wow. I help myself to a pepperoni stick and a bag of mocha espresso beans. Oddly this is what "Doc" and I have been talking about amongst other things. The generosity out here is amazing. The Walasi-Yi Center is full of smiles and stories. One of the employees has been talking about baseball since I walked in the door. His Braves and my Sox.Back to the Trail - Today was tough - Blood Mountain was a monster but offered views of this beautiful state. I hiked alone again and despite how great everyone is here, none of them are my future hiking partner. My pace is beyond theirs as they all seem to be taking their time early in the trip. I will leave them hello's in the "trail registers". Trail registers are notebooks kept in the shelters along the way to write whatever you want in. They make for fun reading at lunch or on rainy days. Oh...I took that hot shower an hour ago and feel 100% again. Three days into the trip and its so much more than I can put into words.
Date: 2007-03-01
From: Zero day at Neels gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

3/1/07 ThursdayTried to hike this morning. Didn't happen. Left Neels Gap at 8 o'clock only to turn around after a mile. Lightning all around me and a fierce downpour. There's a difference between brave and foolish. I'd be sitting in a shelter alone and cold. So I did my laundry and made some phone calls back at Walasi-Yi.It gave me an opportunity to meet some new hikers coming through. The fella that had talked to me about baseball the day before that works here ("Cornbread") told me to come up to the employee lounge and watch ESPN and some college hoops after dinner. It's supposed to be clear but cold for the next 5 days so I'll try to make it to Franklin, NC by then."Griz" and a couple of other old timers are sittin' around tellin' trail stories and laughin'. I just saw "Falling Rock" and "Two 'Fer". They were headed to a cabin for a rib dinner. They were a day early off the trail, but glad to see their friend "Daisuke". I wished them a nice night and they were in good spirits.Oh and speaking of spirits, the guy in the bunk above me gave me a swig of Tennessee Moonshine. It must have been 120 proof, but had a great taste. It was in an Aquafina bottle of all things.A crew of New Hampshire kids just arrived! They let out a "Boston!" yell when they saw my Red Sox Hat. They were soaked to the bone and reassured me that I had made the right decision not hiking today. Plenty of days ahead to walk in the rain.I won't be a town for a while so I'm physched for the Spaghetti dinner put on by the hostel tonight.