morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-08-10
From: Monson

To: Little Wilson Stream campsite
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

Caboose was ill most of the night and we awoke with some anxiety over how she would be feeling this morning. She had spent most of the night running back and forth to the bathroom. Thankfully, it was a bit better when she woke up. She was still weak and nauseated, but the bathroom issues had improved.I tried to convince her to take a rest day, but being the tough woman she is, she decided to hike out this morning.We hit the trail by 8:45 and hiked into the 100 mile wilderness. It seems like the end is almost in site, but we're still overcoming obstacles. The trail was not too bad today. There were many ups and downs with a lot of roots, but it was nothing we're not used to in Maine by this point.We enjoyed a short break by a beautiful beaver pond and then continued on to the campsite. By 1:30 the tent was up and Caboose was sound asleep 20 minutes later.The rest of the group arrived about 2 hours later and we all enjoyed dinner together before light rain showers moved in. Caboose wasn't able to eat all her dinner since her stomach was still upset. I'm praying tomorrow is a better day for her.
Date: 2017-08-11
From: Little Wilson Stream campsite

To: Cloud Pond lean-to
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

What an amazing night of sleep! The sound of rushing water combined with a Benadryl provided a fantastic night of rest. Caboose and I both woke up we'll rested and ready to hike. We headed out after a light breakfast along with Sarge and Honey Sticks. Initially it looked like the sun might come out, but that was short lived. About an hour after starting it began to rain. Thankfully it only lasted about 90 minutes and the weather started to clear up.Around 11 o'clock we hit an old logging road with a sign for trail magic just down the road. A few minutes later we walked up to the cabin owned by Scout, where we were treated to burgers, hot dogs, coffee, soda, beer, and a Bloody Mary.Scout was featured in Backpacker magazine recently for his trail magic, and rightly so! It is truly an oasis in the wilderness.After enjoying his hospitality for an hour, we hiked on. The climb up Barren Mountain was slow, but not particularly hard by Maine standards. After the climb we arrived at Cloud Pond lean-to and set up camp. Since storms were supposed to be forecast for the afternoon, we cooked dinner quickly in case it rained.Good thing we did, because a thunderstorm rolled in around 6 o'clock. We dove into our tents, wondering where Pudge, Monkey, Jam, and the rest of the gang ended up. They all knew we planned to stay here, but hadn't shown up by bed time...Hopefully everyone is alright.
Date: 2017-08-12
From: Cloud Pond lean-to

To: Stealth campsite by the Hermitage
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Caboose and I got up earlier than we needed to due to heavy fog wetting our gear in the tent. We all hit the trail by 7 o'clock and proceeded to have a very rough morning. The steep trail was wet and thick with rocks and roots, so our progress was quite slow.By noon we hadn't even hiked 7 miles, but we stopped for a badly needed lunch break. Caboose and Honey Sticks were both sick and in all honesty I felt pretty weak and fevered also. It appears we all caught whatever Pudge had.The trail improved a bit and we managed to get across the Pleasant River by 3 pm. Given our fatigue and feeling ill, we ended up stealth camping on the north side of the river.Hopefully tomorrow is a better day...
Date: 2017-08-13
From: Stealth campsite by the Hermitage

To: East Branch lean-to
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: light rain

Last night before bed we were joined by Pudge, Monkey, Pluck, Silly Spilly, and Jam. It was a busy campsite.This morning Caboose and I hiked out with Sarge, Pudge, Honey Sticks and Jam. Every one else decided to hike the Gulf Hagas trail and said they would catch up later.Today was a strange day. It started out sunny but by the time we had climbed up to the ridgeline it had begun to rain with thunder in the distance. We hiked in a cold shower until the base of White Cap when the sun came back out. By the time we came over the summit the clouds were starting to clear. We weren't certain, but we think we saw the base of Katahdin in the distance. The top was hidden by clouds...It is starting to hit home that this adventure is nearly over. Physically, Caboose and I are both ready for a break. But mentally, the thought of waking up in six days and not hiking seems very bittersweet.The afternoon went by quickly and by 3:30 we were pitching our tents. After dealing with the many evening chores that close out every day on the trail, we shared a hot dinner with our trail family and stretched out in the tent for some badly needed rest.It was a great day!
Date: 2017-08-14
From: East Branch lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Spring lean-to
Miles today: 19.5

After days of rain, today we were blessed with a truly glorious day. The trail was smooth and the weather was amazing. We enjoyed the scenery and even took time out for a swim at a sandy beach.It a quiet day though as all of us were somewhat retrospective in regard to our journey. With only a couple of days left, it's had to imagine life after the trail.We summit in 4 days...
Date: 2017-08-15
From: Potaywadjo Spring lean-to

To: Rainbow Spring campsite
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: moderate rain

It's kind of funny really, I've noticed all of us are slower getting ready in the morning now then we were just a week ago. It's almost as if we are intentionally starting to take our time.I will give Jam a free pass on this since he's been the target of all the mosquitoes the last few days. Every time he leaves his tent he's being eaten alive while the rest of us only get a few bites. I feel bad for him, but at the same time it's nice to have someone else who attracts them worse than I do for a change. We left the beautiful Artesian spring at the lean-to and headed down the trail with the intention of making it to Rainbow Springs campsite. Caboose and I enjoyed some beautiful views during the day and our time with Sarge, Pudge, Jam, Tiptoe, and Honey Sticks was filled with smiles and laughter.We did have a view of Katahdin at one point although it still seems to be quite a ways off. We know that we'll be there soon enough and it's getting harder to look at it without feeling emotional.Knowing that the forecast called for storms in the evening we hiked somewhat hard getting to camp and Caboose and I arrived about 20 minutes ahead of everyone else. There were very few decent tent sites, but by this point we've gotten good at pitching a tent wherever it will fit you regardless of how bad the roots and rocks are.By the time everyone had their tents up, with the exception of Jam who was still somewhere back up the trail, it was getting dark and cloudy. We ate a quick dinner and dove into the tents as the rain started.Jam arrived about 30 minutes later while it was raining quite hard and unfortunately ended up spending a sleepless night as his bathtub floor was nearly full of rain by the time he got the rain fly over the tent. He ended up trying to sleep on top of his poncho to protect his gear on what he described as a waterbed.The rest of us stayed dry enough, and it was a rainy but good end to a long day on trail.
Date: 2017-08-16
From: Rainbow Spring campsite

To: Abol Pines Campsite
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: few clouds

By this point most of us were nearly if not completely out of food at the end of the 100-mile wilderness. Caboose and I shared a honey bun provided thoughtfully by Sarge for breakfast.The trail was significantly better today with less roots and rocks and we made very good time. Having wanted to spend some quality time just the two of us Caboose and I left about an hour before everyone else. It was good to spend meaningful time enjoying the scenery and conversing with my lovely wife.Given the better Trail and the fact that the two of us were really stretching our legs today, we made it to Able Bridge by 10 a.m.Shortly after arriving we met a long-distance hiker facilitator who is provided by Baxter State Park to help meet the needs of thru-hikers entering the park. His help was invaluable as we managed to reserve two lean-tos at Katahdin stream Campground instead of having to stay at The Birches when we enter the park tomorrow.The rest of the day was spent eating and resupplying. We ended up with a large group at the campsite at Abol Pines campground. By the time everyone had settled in, there was Caboose and myself, Sarge, Pudge, Monkey, Honey Sticks, Tiptoe, Tinman, Jailbird, Pluck, Silly, and a few others camping nearby. Jam decided to Camp over at the able Bridge Campground since it afforded him a shower and prepaid access to the buffet breakfast tomorrow morning.We all enjoyed a fun lunch and dinner together and then watched Sarge and Monkey swim in the river after what might have been a few too many beers.Tomorrow we enter the park...
Date: 2017-08-17
From: Abol Pines Campsite

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

Today was one of those days filled with mixed emotions. It was going to be our last day of hiking together before we actually Summit the great Mountain.It was a day filled with laughter, crying, and long periods of silence as we all contemplated what this actually meant for each of us. It's strange, but sometimes it's difficult to really understand what this long difficult Adventure has done for us. I know that I've changed and I hope it's in a better way, but I'm sure many of those changes will not become apparent for some time yet. It's the same with caboose although I can say I have watched her self-confidence grow by Leaps and Bounds over the last five and a half months. It's been an amazing transformation to watch and it's just one of the many benefits of having committed to this together.The trail as soon as we entered Baxter State Park was some of the best trail we've seen in weeks and the day went by all together too fast. We did stop for a brief lunch break and one of the mini stream Crossings and enjoyed each other's company while we shared a haiku supposedly written by Poet from Shaw's in Monson."Drink deepest now for the richest stuff settles in the final swig"The true meaning of it, as as we looked upon one another knowing that shortly we would all be separated again was not lost.After stopping at both big Niagara and little Niagara Falls to enjoy the views, we arrived at Katahdin stream Campground a little after 1 in the afternoon. We settled in to our assigned campground spots, and registered for tomorrow's summit. It is a time of great introspection.
Date: 2017-08-18
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak on Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

Wow, what can I say? There's very little I can say that would adequately describe the depth of emotion felt on this day.Caboose awoke feeling ill with a low grade fever and a productive cough. I know her, and I know that this would not stop her from summiting, but I prayed it wouldn't detract from the quality of her experience too much.Our group headed for the summit and we passed by the beginning of the Hunt Trail at 6:42 in the morning. For the first hour we quickly climbed through the trees and we hit treeline around 8 a.m.There was some joking and everyone seemed to be in good spirits, including Caboose, who seem to feel better as the morning went on. Shortly after reaching the tree line, we entered a steep boulder climb which lasted a little over one mile and probably took an hour due to the difficult nature of the trail in that location.This stretch of the trail was actually quite fun and while I've read accounts of people becoming nervous and quitting at that point none of us saw anything that would cause us to turn around.Emotions began to run high as we crested the end of the Boulder Field and began to Traverse across a flatter area known as the tablelands. We could see the Peak from here but the sign was not yet visible and wouldn't be for another 45 minutes.By this point it had become very quiet and are relatively large group as the enormity of what we were about to accomplish head started to sink in. A little before 10 a.m. We crested the final steeper pitch and there was the Katahdin sign about 200 ft in front of us.Almost simultaneously Caboose and I saw the sign and the emotions began to well up. I heard Sarge exclaim "Oh hell" behind me. The rest of the group began to quietly sob as well.As Caboose and I reach the sign we were no longer able to speak since we were both crying uncontrollably. We touched the sign marking the northern terminus of our journey at the same time while crying "It's over".It was a moment that none of us will ever forget! This journey of thousands of miles and millions of footsteps was over with just one foot step and resting her hands on a monument that has come to signify so much to so many people.Caboose and I have made lifelong friends and we have experienced things that couldn't have been experienced in any other way. Neither of us would change one thing about this experience and it was a blessing to be able to participate in this annual pilgrimage.I intend to fill in some blanks in the coming weeks with respect to gear, and other Trail related Lessons Learned. But I would like to thank everyone who joined us on our journey by reading our Journal. The support we received from many of you was instrumental and helping to keep us moving forward. Thank you!PS- I know that the talk-to-text method of maintaining this journal has created some typographical errors and poor interpretations due to my strange Michigan accent. I apologize if it X it made it difficult to follow. I will try to clean up some of the errors later on.
Date: 2015-05-15
To: Pre-hike 1
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Starting this journal as I have less than 2 years until my planed start. 390 more work days then retirement! I recently lost 25 Pounds and walk most days at lunch, but I know I need to continue to work to get in better shape. The Attached picture was Feb 2013 at the Manitou incline in Colorado. It is a one mile hike up with over 2000 feet vertical climb. It took me 2 tries as there is a false summit and the 6,000 ft base elevation will kill a flatlander.
Date: 2015-05-15
To: Pre-hike 2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

So in March of this year I was able to hike down into the Grand Canyon. Plateau point is 6.4 miles down and about 3,000 feet elevation change. I had spent time in northern Arizona in the late 80s and hiked the Canyon and mountains and enjoyed the summers. Much older now and it takes longer. It does help to have hiking poles to lessen the strain on the old bones. I continue to build my hiking gear and was glad I was not carrying my pack on this hike, 3 liters of water was plenty to carry.
Date: 2015-07-31
To: Pre-hike 5 Cuyahoga Valley NP
Miles today: 0.0

Went hiking with the wife. We went up to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We hiked about 7 miles, and saw deep lock and deep lock quarry. No hike would be complete without ice cream, so we made up to the Boston Store for a lunch break and my ice cream sandwich. Very hot as temp was near 90. A good work out in preparation for our upcoming outing in the Smokey Mountains.
Date: 2015-08-16
To: Pre-hike 6 Luarel Falls
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Spent the weekend in the Great Smokey Mountains. Hiked to Laurel Falls, Hiked up to the Chimneys, and Clingmans Dome. Great weather but Clingman's dome was fogged in. A great day on and around the AT.
Date: 2016-01-21
From: Prehike 9 Brandywine Falls

To: Prehike 9 Brandywine Falls Cuyahoga valley NP
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday I received my AWOL trail guide.Trying to finalize planning. It was 60 degrees today so I took a 5.3 mile training hike with my pack. Felt good to be out in the sun and on a trail.
Date: 2017-03-04
From: 48 days

To: Prehike 10
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

So I am down to 48 days to start hiking. Also gave notice at work I only have 39 more days to work. Hiked 9.3 miles last week with my pack so everything is starting to come together. Need some more conditioning hopefully I can get some more day hikes in. I enjoy following everyone and some of you that are starting now I hope to see you in Virginia next month.
Date: 2017-04-21
From: 639.5

To: 655.9 Captain's 
Miles today: 16.4

My wife droped me off at 8:30. Climbed up to Rice field shelter and had some nice sunny views. Put on suntan loition. Then it clouded up. About 2/3 of the way down the Ridgeline hit thunderstorm with hail. Suited up and trudged on. Pine swamp branch shelter is closed so continued on to Captain's.
Date: 2017-04-22
From: 655.9 Captain's 

To: VA 613 mile 662.3
Miles today: 6.4

After the long day yesterday I had no legs today. Rain hit at Baily gap shelter. Waited out some of the rain but a rainy foggy day. My wife and friends brought lunch in the rain, and a warm bed and dry clothing was to tempting. I let them take me home. Thanks Frank and Debbie. Back to the rain tomorrow.
Date: 2017-04-23
From: VA 613 mile 662.3

To: Stealth Tent about 676
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: light rain

Rained all day. Laurel creek shelter was full so I pushed on and tented. Wet humid night everything is damp. It was a good call hiking past Laurel creek as the 2 stream crossings were over a foot deep in the mornig.
Date: 2017-04-24
From: Stealth Tent about 676

To: Niday shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: moderate rain

This morning I passed the Kiefer Oak the oldest oak tree on the AT. It was a long climb to the ridge. Climbing on wet slabs of rock is not fun. Slipped and fell once, then you slow down more. My knee was hurting so stopped early to try to dry out. It can only get better. Capernicus is here in the shelter.
Date: 2017-04-26
From: Fork of scout trail 702

To: Campbells Shelter
Miles today: 10.7

They told me it won't rain every day on the AT. Started the morning with a wet trail slipped caught my foot on a root and fell hard on my knee.  We finally got sun and 80 degrees, just in time for the big climb up to McAfee knob. Had fairly good views but exhausted from the heat. Spent time releaxing enjoying the views and then on to the shelter.
Date: 2017-04-27
From: Campbells Shelter

To: Daleville 
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked from just past McAfee knob (Campbell Shelter) past Tinkers Cliffs and around to Daleville. Made a big "S" today around Carvin Lake. Nice views from the ridgeline.  Painful hike into town with a sore knee and a heel blister. Hot shower town food and a clean bed. Good need break for wet feet and sore knee.
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Daleville 

To: Fullheart Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.0

Starting hiking at 11:00 was supposed to reach 90 today. Hikes out of town are not fun with 6 days of food and extra water for the climb. Short day due to late start, knee pain blisters and heat, but any day on the trail is better than working.  The attached picture is the inside of my right knee 3 days after fall near Dragon's tooth.
Date: 2017-04-29
From: Fullheart Knob Shelter

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I was planning to hike 13.5 miles to Bobblets gap Shelter, but the knee was very tight and painful. Took 4.5 hours to hobble 6.3 miles to Wilson Creek Shelter.  Decided to leave the trail for awhile to let the knee recover and Blisters heal. I will be back in about 2 weeks after finishing some work I had scheduled.
Date: 2017-04-30
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: BRP 97.0 Taylors Mtn. Overlook
Miles today: 3.1

Today is a day of mixed emotions, good to be going home but sad to have to pause my hike a week earlier than planned. The 3 mile walk up to the road went fairly well with some nice flowering rhodedendrum along the way. Knee was increasing in pain as I walked. Picked up by my very supportive wife and now at home.
Date: 2017-05-13
From: Apple Orchard 767.6

To: SOBO & jump to John's Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: moderate rain

The picture is actually from early on the 14th. I slack packed SOBO from Apple Orchard Falls road to US 43. Met Naps and CBiscut along the way. Then jumped back up to 501 put the pack on and headed to the shelter. A long day but the knee is doing fine. Alone in the shelter
Date: 2017-05-17
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Dripping Springs Tent site.
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today started with a very rocky climb over Chimney Rocks and 3 ridges Mtn at 3959 feet.  It took 4.5 hours to do 6.2 miles. Then it was supposed to be nearly flat, but oh was it rocky. Worn out after 12.7 miles so called it a early day.
Date: 2017-05-18
From: Dripping Springs Tent site.

To: Rockfish Gap Waynesboro Stanamials Hostel
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

Want to wake up real fast in the morning have a bear run across your path first thing. A mother and 2 cubs ran across the trail 20 yards in front of me. Hit the trail at 6:15 as had 14.3 miles to make town.Town food sounded real good. Less than 8 hours I was waiting for the shuttle that include 45 min break at Wolfe shelter for food water and phone calls. Have a bunk and AC tonight! Yea!
Date: 2017-05-19
From: Rockfish Gap Waynesboro Stanamials Hostel

To: Calf Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: few clouds

I got dropped off at Rockfish gap about 8:45, and registered for entry into Shenandoah National Park. Had planned to hike 15-20 miles but it was a very hot day and 1,000 ft climb up to Calf Mountain took it's toll on me. I sat and rested on the tractor seats on top of Bears Den Mountain. Had some long contemplations about keeping my schedule and my desire for a thru hike and came to the conclusion that moving and taking care of lose ends at home is more important than hiking every mile of the AT. So mileage is not important and dates can change and I can skip miles. So Monday I will be ending this section of the AT and will return in July to do miles in Connecticut, Vermont, NH, and Maine. Hip, back and nerve pain in my thigh today but trying to stretch it out at the Calf Mtn shelter after 7.7 miles.
Date: 2017-05-20
From: Calf Mtn Shelter

To: Loft Mtn Campground
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: broken clouds

So I hoped for a long day of 19.1 miles with an option to stop short after 13.0 miles at Black Rock Hut if me thigh and hip were painful. I did the 13.0 miles to Blackrock Hut and was ready to go down and get some water when I ran into Cousin Eddie. She said MacGyver and CBiscut were just ahead and headed to Loft Mtn campground area. I got water and relaxed for a few minutes and as the camping areas were full and noisy I decided to press on for 6 more miles. Passed a nice view area at Blackrock unfortunately fog and mist were rolling in and the view was less than perfect. About 1.5 miles from camp I came across a tent, ground cloth and pad in the trail I carried it for a ways hoping the owner would return and retrieve them but no one came. When I started a climb I feft them at a sign post 1.2 miles from Loft Mtn Campground. When I reached Loft Mountain I found Cousin Eddie, MacGyver and CBiscut who asked if I had seen a tent, ground cloth and pad along the trail. I explained that I had found them, carried them and where I left them. CBiscut took off at a fast past to retrieve his lost belongings. He found them and returned and we all camped together avoiding the rain.