morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-05
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Moxie Bald Mtn. Lean-to
Miles today: 22.8

A great day on the trail. Started with breakfast at Harrison's Pierce Pond Camp. Tim cooked us a 12-pancake, eggs, and sausage breakfast that was a real feast for hungry hikers. The pancakes were the best I've had on the trail - apple, rasberry, and blueberry - and COFFEE! Boy, do I miss morning coffee. The lodge was old and rustic and overlooked a cascading stream. Hummingbirds hovered around the feeders on the porch. What a way to staart the day!Three miles later we reached the ferry at the Kennebec River, and Hillbilly Dave rowed us across in a canoe. We were on the trail north from there by 9:30.We accomplished our goal of hiking over Moxie Bald and shortening our hike into Monson tomorrow. And it didn't rain! There were clouds, but the sun and blue skies made frequent appearances. The trail was friendly again. We're (Hometown, Bad Idea, and I) tenting on the edge of a beautiful Maine lake, and I just heard a moose call in the distance. Perfect end to the day.
Date: 2008-08-06
From: Moxie Bald Mtn. Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: moderate rain

Fairly easy hike into our last trail town. Three fords today (1 was tricky, slippery). Started raining about 1:00 and still raining tonight. We checked into Lakeshore House at 2:00 and have been doing laundry and drying out. Rebecca welcomed us and showed us to our rooms and made us a "steak bomb" sandwich. It's the little acts of kindness that are so big on the trail. It will be nice relaxing and savoring this last town on the journey. Only 117.8 miles left, and we should be done by this time next week. It will be interesting to compare my early journals with my later ones. I'm now more focused on the end, but the wonder and awe of the woods has not left me, and I find myself trying to absorb these last miles.The Maine rain has tried to dampen the spirits and has certainly dampened the body, but we slodge on knowing that it will all be worth it in the end.
Date: 2008-08-07
From: Monson, ME

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

One of the toughest days on the trail - The good news: under 100 miles. The bad news: it just keeps raining.After grabbing a couple of breakfast sandwiches in Monson and a big coffee, we headed into the rain and one of the most treacherous days ever. We did a total of 6 stream fords, and 3 of them were much too dangerous. The last, Long Pond Stream, was the worst and left us glad and relieved that we weren't swept downstream. Little Wilson had a log that had fallen across, and it was our route even though it was 5 - 6 feet above the swift, turbulent water.It's good to be safe and into some dry clothes as I sit in the shelter. Our first day in the 100-mile wilderness and what a day! Glad to have a good hiking partner. Will not be disappointed if the rest of the wilderness is uneventful - that's enough excitement. Tomorrow looks like a climbing day - welcome relief.
Date: 2008-08-08
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Carl Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: moderate rain

More rain, for much of last night and today. The fords today could be measured in miles not streams. Much of the trail was running water. The only major ford was Pleasant River (wide, swift, thigh-deep). It was a long, gruelling day, but we did the mileage we needed to keep us on track - Aug. 13th on Katahdin.A long day of slodging - what I would give to see the sun tomorrow. Very tired, but closer each day.
Date: 2008-08-09
From: Carl Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

No sound of rain during the night, a blue sky on the morning horizon, and the sun beaming over a ridge as we began hiking this morning - how things can quickly change on the trail. At times today I almost felt that I was walking on air. What a relief to have a day of nice weather and agreeable trails. We climbed a 3650' mountain early, but the trail from here to Katahdin is fairly flat - time to cruise! Of course, I expect the rocks, roots, water, and mud along the way. The Tenn. Twins and Start are with us tonight at the shelter and have just gotten out of the stream after a quick, cold dip (Oh, to be young again!). Spirits are really high right now. Only 2 more long days, a moderate day to the Birches, and a climb to the summit of Katahdin. We are only 60 miles away. A long-sought goal almost accomplished, a group of friends with whom to share it, a loving family and friends to whom I'll return when finished. What more could I desire at this moment?
Date: 2008-08-10
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Began with a bright sun at 6:30 and arrived in a bright sun at 3:30. Level ground makes for fast hiking. Hiked by some beautiful lakes today and for miles beside Nahmakanta Stream where we saw 3 moose (1 calf) wading and eating plants off the river bottom. There was a definite drive in the steps today, Katahdin looms ever closer. I was awake for a good while last night thinking about what lies ahead and what it will all mean when I'm on the peak of "that" mountain.It will take a while to realize all that this hike has meant, and many of the memories of it will be made fresh by looking at the hundreds of pictures that I've taken. But I already know that there is a bond among all of us who hiked this trail together. Whatever the cost has been physically, mentally, and emotionally, it has been worth it.
Date: 2008-08-11
From: Wadleigh Stream

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: light rain

From Rainbow Ledges we got our first view of Katahdin today. And again as we walked across Abol Bridge, Katahdin loomed like the grand prize that it is. Hometoown and I were "in the zone" today. We did the 23 miles in 10 hours, arriving at the campground at 4:00. Sightsee and Apostle are also here, so we'll summit together on Wed. It is still hard to believe that we're here - we are finally out of the 100-mile wilderness and so near our goal. I plan to savor these last few miles - it seems there should be so much to write about, but I'm overcome by the fact that this journey is almost complete. It is so beautiful here in the shadow of Katahdin, so peaceful.
Date: 2008-08-12
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: The Birches - Thru-hiker shelter, Baxter State Par
Miles today: 9.9

This journey for me began alone on the approach trail to Springer Mountain. Now I'm in the Birches Shelter with Sightsee, who is already asleep. Hometown and Kyle are tented outside, and I feel alone again. This has been a long and often alone journey, many miles of solitude. But for the past several hundred miles I've had a partner and gotten to know and admire many who followed the white blazes north. Now we're waiting at the base of Katahdin, that distant dream that often seemed so illusive, and we're trying to comprehend the fact that the last white blaze is only 5.2 miles away. How will it feel? What has changed in me? How do I tell people what it was like these last 5 months? No one who's not done this can really understand, even with all the books and journals, the experience itself is the only way to know a thru-hike.As I mentioned to someone today, the point of no return for me was when I took that first step. And tomorrow I'll take the last. Sightsee, Hometown, Pseudo, Two-shoes, Start, and Apostle (and his girlfriend, Ina) will all summit together. It will be difficult sleeping tonight, the anticipation is thick. Tomorrow will be a defining moment.
Date: 2008-08-13
From: The Birches - Thru-hiker shelter, Baxter State Par

To: Katahdin - Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

KATAHDIN! KATAHDIN! KATAHDIN! KATAHDIN!(Will update other journal entries, since I'm now home)The day dawned cool and clear after T-storms last evening and many days of rain in Maine and miles of mucking and sludging. All the hopes of a great day to summit were coming true. The Mountain that had long been the goal and dream was fresh and clean and beckoning.I registered at the base at 6:20 AM and began the final challenge of a long and recently brutal journey. It was an adrenelin-filled climb, and the mountain was living up to its reputation. The first third was a steady climb with good views of the mountains surrounding. The second third was the real test with hand-over-hand climbing of rocks, boulders, and slabs. Suddenly I was above treeline, and the whole world seemed to open up. It became an unreal experience and one fitting the end of this journey.The final third of the climb consisted of a rocky plateau, followed by a final climb along a knife-edge ridge. As I topped a knoll along the final ridge, I looked up to the peak and saw the sign that I'd only seen in pictures and that had long been in my thoughts. At that point I admit that I choked up - it was hard to believe that the end was that close. My feet felt like they were gliding on air as I hurried those last few yards. As I touched and then sat by the sign, I felt a wave of gratitude - thankfulness that I had been granted such a moment. The end of one journey, a long one, and the realization that I'd not done it alone.One by one, other friends of the trail joined me - Hometown, (who was my hiking partner and encourager since New Jersey), Sightsee, and Apostle (who was my hiking partner for much of Virginia and with whom I'd hoped to summit). On the hike down I saw the Tennessee Twins (Pseudo and Two Shoes) and Start. These U of Tenn. guys made the final part of the hike a real pleasure and I admire them greatly. What a cool trio!Today was one of the most unforgettable and rewarding days of my life - everything that I'd hoped it would be. Every step had been worth it for those few moments on Katahdin. But it was all those steps that made it worth it.This journey is complete, and I'll add some other thoughts later on the hike as a whole. The final white blaze has been passed, and I think it is significant that that blaze has an arrow pointing south. For though this journey is complete, there are others waiting, and the journey continues...
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today I am testing out my phone and my ability to access the Trailjournals.com website. I am using a wireless connection. My plan was to write up my daily journal entries in a Word To Go document, then when I get access to the web, cut and paste these entries directly into the Trailjournals web page. However, the paste buffer on my Treo Phone is really small, so copying and pasting entries between a Word to Go document and the web page would take too long and be very cumbersome. Sooooo....I have gone to Plan B. I will write up my daily entries in separate emails addressed to Marie at home, put them in my Outbox, and send them off whenever I can get a signal. She will then copy the text (and hopefully edit all my spelling and grammatical errors) onto the Trailjournals web page. I can also send pictures taken by my phone via a text message to her email address, then she can upload the picture to the journal entry. To make all this easier, I broke down and bought a portable keyboard which will make typing a lot easier (instead of the clumsy thumb routine on the phone). It weighs about 9 ounces and is only 4 x 5 x 1/2 inches in size. Pretty cool.
Date: 2008-04-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This time next week I will be on the trail climbing Springer Mountain in Georgia. I have completed all of my supply boxes and all of my gear is squared away. Woke up this morning at 4:00 a.m. and my mind started racing away about my last minute punch list of things I need to get done before I leave. The biggie is getting my re-supply packages mailed out on time. I went to the Collingswood P.O. yesterday and ran into some problems. You see, my packages contain not only food but also one small can of butane fuel for my cooking stove, which is freaking them out. The guy at the counter asked me the standard questions which included..."Does your package contain have any incendiary devices?" Well, yes it does. His first reaction was that I was not allowed to send butane fuel in the mail. Then I showed him the USPS regulations which said I could and he was amazed that I had them. The look on his face was priceless. He asked..."Where did you get these?" Ah, the internet, etc. Anyway, apparently they have never had to deal with a situation like this. Then he asked me if I had the required stickers/stamps needed for such a mailing. No, I said these are your (USPS) regs, you should have them. Well, they needed some time to research this whole matter. After waiting for a few days for them to call me back, I gave up on them and went to UPS and mailed out my first supply package without a hitch. The picture above shows my stuffed backpack and the re-supply packages which will be mailed to me. After all the work getting prepared, I must say it really doesn't look like a lot of stuff for 2 1/2 months hiking. But it is all I really need. I can add more later if I have this incredible urge to carry more weight on my back as I climb up and down mountains (Yeah, sure!).So, I guess this is my last entry before I get started. About time, I am so ready.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Home

To: Amicalola Falls State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Long day but all went really well. No problems with the flight to Atlanta, the MARTA train ride, and the shuttle car ride from Gil Carter of North Georgia Mountain Outfitters. Really nice guy. He has a nice shop where I picked up some stove fuel for the first section of my hike.I am staying in the Amicalola State Park Lodge, which is a very nice place to stay. It sits on top of a mountain and has a nice view down a huge mountain valley. It is also just a few steps from a beautiful waterfall. I got in around 2:30 pm so I took a hike down to the falls and the Park Visitor Center. The trail is a series of stairs and boardwalks that follow the waterfall down to the bottom. A total of 470 some steps. Amicalola Falls are supposedly the highest falls east of the Mississippi River (hmm, what about Niagara?). The Visitor Center had a display of live snakes such as Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, Black Rat Snakes, Corn Snakes, King Snakes, etc. Very cool. Also some displays of stuffed mammals like bears, raccoons, bobcats, etc. Saw a bunch of Goldfinches too, which is ironically the New Jersey state bird, and a Rose Breasted Grosbeak, which we never see in NJ.Well, dinner calls. My last fancy meal tonight in the lodge restaurant. The beautiful weather we are having here today is suppose to continue into tomorrow, so I will start my hike on a sunny day. Sounds good to me!
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Amicalola Lodge

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Left the Lodge this morning around 8 am and began my hike. Today was a bright, sunny, Spring day. The woods here are just starting to leaf out, so I got a fair amount of sun. Hopefully I won't burn too bad. The Approach Trail to Springer Mountain wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. Yes, there were some serious ups and downs, and I had to stop to catch my breath several times, but all in all not too bad. I reached the top of Springer around lunch time, so I took a big break and then pushed on. I did about 10.5 miles today in total, which is more than I originally planned. But it was soooo nice out and early enough in the day that I went a little further. I couldn't see myself hanging around the Springer Mtn Shelter for half a day. My feet do hurt though, as expected. We shall see how I feel in the morning and I will make a game day decision on how far I will go tomorrow. Let's see....saw a white tail deer run off in the woods this morning flashing her white tail at me. And I keep hearing an owl. The song is ...Who Who! Who Who! Whoooooooooo!!!! I will have to check the bird book at home. Great day on the trail.
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Very sunny day today, and at times a bit hot. Last night it got cool but not cold, so my summer weight bag did the job. Never intended to hike so many miles in the beginning, but the shelters and water sources are kind of spread out. Tomorrow may be another long day, since the options again are few and then I could get to Neels Gap a day early. I do have a blister on the inside edge of my little toe. I will do a little medical work on that tonight and cover it in moleskin. Should not be too much of a problem. The rest of me is just tired, which is normal. I have been doing pretty well on the climbs. Today's big one was Sassafras Mtn at 3300 feet. Even got a signal up there and took care of some business. Bunch of folks staying here tonight, and most are avoiding the shelter because of one guy who likes to lecture about every piece of equipment in his bag. Kinda funny. I'd rather sleep in my tent anyway. Everyone else I have met so far has been really nice. Tomorrow we expect some rain.
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Wood's Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Did not rain last night so I was able to pack up a dry tent. However, it was very cloudy and cool when I broke camp around 8:00 this morning. It wasn't long when the first drops started to fall. It pretty much rained off and on all day. The rain gear got a pretty good test and it worked well, especially the Go-Lite rainpants. They kept my legs dry and warm. Pretty nice. Hiking today, because of the rain, was completely different. Basically walking in a cloud all day. Very foggy, and kind of spooky. All the trees were like shadows. Also walked through some areas where the forest floor was covered with flowers. Other areas had a carpet of ferns, but they were only about 6 inches tall. Oh, this morning I woke up to the sound of two Warblers singing up a storm. They were so loud and the only sound on the mountain. I tried to tape their calls on my phone, but it came out only okay. I will save it for later. Maybe I can figure out what kind of bird it is. Also hearing Pileated Woodpeckers all day long as I hike. Well, that is all for now. Tomorrow we hike over Blood Mountain (4450 ft) and then down to Neels Gap and the Walasi-Yi Center for resupply, a shower, some laundry, and a night of good sleep in one of their cabins. Sounds good!
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Wood's Hole Shelter

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

The wind kicked up last night and blew out the bad weather. This morning it was bright and sunny again. Perfect day to go to the top of Blood Mountain. Since I was planning on a short day, I took my time breaking camp. The climb up Blood was short and steep. The views on top were the best I have seen so far. Not a cloud in the sky, 360 degree views. Really nice. Took several pictures. I then hiked down off the mountain into Neel's Gap where there is a very well known backpacking gear shop called Mountain's Crossing. One of the best stores I have ever been in for camping gear. They had everything you possibly want or need. I bought a silk liner for my sleeping bag to keep my bag clean and to bring the cold rating down another 8 to 10 degrees. Last night was really cold, and I began to wonder if my summer bag would do the trick once I get to the Smokies. So now with the liner I am good down to about 30 degrees. I also learned last night to keep my tent flaps open no matter how cold it is outside so that my breath does not create too much condensation on the inner walls. It started to rain inside my tent! Here at Neel's Gap I am staying at their hostel and it is quite homey. Got a shower, did my laundry, bought a couple days food, and then just chilled out and rested my body for the rest of the day. Just what I needed. Tomorrow I will start a three day stretch to Hiawassee. Will need to go about 12 miles per day. Seems doable. Heard the owl again last night. A pair zoomed right over our camp around dinner and then returned again going in the opposite direction just before dawn. I believe they were going out for a meal. A fellow hiker says their calls sound like a Barn Owl. If I get a chance to see one I will know for sure. Beautiful day today!
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Neel's Gap

To: Poplar Stomp Gap
Miles today: 12.2

Another sunny day. Boring, sorry Scott. :-) The trail smoothed out some today which was nice. Just one big climb in the morning. Really amazing views. Nothing but mountains and valleys as far as the eye can see. No houses, roads, or farms. Never knew that northern Georgia was so wild. Other than that I am doing fine, just a lot of pain. :-) The left foot issue hurts, but I think it is getting better. By now, most folks I have met have settled on a trail name. Some arrive with their name, like me, others wait until after they start. Generally it is better to name yourself, or someone will give you a name based on something dumb you did out here, which could be funny, or just plain embarassing. Here is a list of trail names I have heard so far...Wonder Woman (50 something lady who says it is a wonder she is out here), Grandpa Joe (20 yrs old, got name when a kid because it took him so long to finish things, easily distracted), and three guys I have been hanging out with the last couple of days who have names based on where they are from (Alabama, Kansas, and Ringold). Fun group of guys. One is a year retired out of Army. Captain, Army Ranger, etc., etc. He has done some stuff. Other is late 20's, also ex-Army looking to have some fun before settling down. And the last is about 20, who looks at hike as a test of his ability to do anything in life. If he can do this, then nothing else is impossible. Meet all kinds of interesting people out here.
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Poplar Stomp Gap

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 11.6

Best I have felt today. The left foot problems are definitely getting better. No shoulder, knee, back, or other issues to speak of. We are camped at a former site where an eccentric New Englander established a dairy farm in the mid-1800s. The man ran his dairy successfully producing superior cheese that won several awards at state fairs. Nothing left here other than a clearing which makes a nice campsite. Tomorrow we hike about 13 miles into Hiawassee, GA. I will re-supply there and spend a day resting.
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked our way into town today and am staying in a motel for the night. Got my re-supply package and will do the laundry tomorrow before returning to the trail around noon, The toughest climb so far was today, over Kelly Knob (4276 ft). It wasn't even the highest point of the day, that was Tray Mtn at 4430 ft, but it sure was the toughest. The trail went straight up and over the crest. I had to bull my way over it, huffing and puffing the whole time. Whew! Have not seen any bears yet. However they are definitely around since they love to leave their scat piles on the trail. Also is evidence of Wild Boar, because they love to dig up the ground along the trail looking for grub worms to eat. Last night we were serenaded by a couple of owls off and on all night long. I love to listen to them talk to each other across the valleys and over the mountains. Also, saw a grouse yesterday. For some reason he just watched us walk by, and then he flew off. Their wings make a ton of noise as they take off. If you are not ready for it, it will startle you in the quiet of the woods. Time to check out Sports Center on the TV, see how those Phillies are doing.