morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-05
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Norwich, VT
Miles today: 13.1

8-5-2012 Norwich, VT. I woke up this morning to a windy day. It was humid though so everything was sticky and almost damp, especially my hands. Most of the day felt uneventful. I did stop at a deli for a cheese burger then did another 9 miles to Norwich. I was gearing up for the 2.5 mile road section to Hanover but I stopped at some trail magic 5 minutes in. As I was savoring a slice of watermelon a bunch of hikers came out of the house's garage and we all started talking. A few minutes later Betsy, the trail angel that lives here, came out and offered me a bed and a shower. When I told her my name she said she has been following my trailjournal, among others, as she has been doing since her son thru'd in 07. I got a shower and walked to Hanover. It was nice to be in back NH even if it was only for a few hours. I got a free slice of pizza and talked to Boots for a while before Betsy picked me up and brought me back. I hung out for a while and called home before helping a bit with dinner. We had delicious stir fry and great company. Trekking Pole played some mean piano before we ate and it was nice to hear some good music. At dinner it was me, Trekking Pole, Wild Turkey, Golden(who I haven't seen since about Woods Hole in VA), 2 sobos Cosmo and Fountain, Short and Sweet(Betsy) and Graybeard(her husband Bill). We talked and laughed for a long time. After dinner some of us hung out some more but it's late and I'm ready for bed. But first, Betsy and Bill for their hospitality, I cannot thank you enough in my journal or in person, you have been terrific hosts. So as my customary sign off: for now I'm comfy in an armchair dreading having to get up to go to bed.
Date: 2012-08-06
From: Norwich, VT

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

8-6-2012 Trapper John Shelter. We all woke up early this morning and me, Trekking Pole and Golden got a ride into town with Betsy. I had a muffin, a milkshake and a free donut for breakfast and hung out at the Dartmouth Outing Club with Golden waiting for the co-op to open. We resupplied and started hiking around 11 and stuck together on and off all day. The weather was nice all day, cool, sunny and breezy. We met a couple sectioning with their pitbull who loved getting attention. We also came across a big group of summer campers out for a couple days. There was only 1 view but it was awesome, all mountains and trees and only a few houses to break up the green blanket. When we got to the shelter Trekking Pole and Wild Turkey were already here. We ate and chatted until dark. Its nice and cool out but the mosquitoes have been vicious. For now I'm cozy in my tent, sans fly, listening to the crickets and mosquitoes.
Date: 2012-08-07
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Dancing Bones Community
Miles today: 18.8

8-7-2012 Dancing Bones Community. This morning was nice and chilly. It brought on a day of perfect hiking weather, clear, breezy, low humidity, warm in the sun and cool in the shade. There was a fire tower on top of Smarts Mt that had amazing views and the visibility was pretty much unlimited. I saw a buck this morning that ran off as soon as it saw me. And I saw a mama bear and her 2 cubs this afternoon. The cubs climbed a tree close to the trail and the mama was not ok with letting me close enough to pass, so I took a detour off trail to get around without incident. I passed a bunch of sobos today and I still can't figure out why some don't think nobos and sobos get along, they've all been nice. Around 7 I got to a gravel road with a note for me written in the dirt telling me where this place was. It's not quite a hostel as there are no bunks, but we're staying in the pavilion. I think its a camp of sorts, there's an outdoor kitchen and showers and the people are really nice. So for now I'm comfy in my tent hoping for another cold night.
Date: 2012-08-17
From: Dancing Bones Community

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 125.4
Weather: clear sky

8-17-2012 Carlo Col Shelter. First off apologies for the long hiatus in posts. I've been so out of my rythm, I haven't remembered. I spent most of the week slackpacking with Golden or taking zeroes with her and LB. The zeroes were fun and relaxing and the slackpacking was intense. We did 54 miles in 2 days and an 18 2 days before. The views were awesome through the Whites. Golden kept going while I took a zero Tuesday. Wednesday I hiked up to Carter Notch Hut and got an awesome work for stay with a great hut croo on their last night. Yesterday I went into Gorham and stayed at a hostel. The terrain has been steep, technical and muddy so I haven't been going as fast as I would like. The hostel was nice though, and I got pizza. Plus a few miles out of town I saw a mother moose and her little moosling run off through the woods. Everyone has been wanting to see moose and have been talking about it quite a bit. That was the first time I have seen any while hiking. Today I got going around 9:30 and had decent weather and a couple ok views. I got a bit of rain and thunder this evening before I got here and a bit more after. The trail continues to be muddy and poorly maintained and I've heard from sobos that its like that to Baxter. On the bright side I am over 1900 miles from Springer, less than 300 from Katahdin, and in ME woooooo! So for now I'm dry in the shelter ready to duke it out with the mice.(side note from dad, to those following please check out the guest book)
Date: 2012-08-18
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Baldpate Shelter
Miles today: 16.4

8-18-2012 Baldpate Shelter. I woke up this morning around 6 and got moving by 7:30. The terrain for the first section was either steep wet rocks or mud. There were some good views here and there but the clouds kept coming back. About 10% of the bog bridges were either rotting or submerged. I stepped on 1 and it sunk to knee deep and another had shifted under the mud and I ended up missing it and sinking thigh deep in the muck. By the time I got to the shelter I was rather upset both with the reeking mud on my legs and my slow pace. From there I went through Mahoosuc Notch which is considered the hardest mile on the trail. And for good reason, it was a giant mess of boulders that we had to scramble over and through. I had to take my pack off 3 times to make it through some of the squeezes. That brightened my mood a bit. I also started eating more when I realized I'd have to make an early resupply and that helped a lot. It was another climb and descent to here but not too bad. For now I'm in the shelter ready for a nice cool night.
Date: 2012-08-19
From: Baldpate Shelter

To: The Cabin
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

8-19-2012 The Cabin, Andover. I slept in until 8:30 this morning with some effort as my neighbors got up early and made more noise than I would have liked and the floor bounced every time they moved. But I was glad of the extra rest and re-awoke to a crisp cool clear morning. (alliteration points). I got moving at 9:30 still wearing beanie, pullover and gloves but soon went to   t-shirt. The trail was mercifully well maintained after the wreck that was yesterday. And between the trail, the weather and the awesome view from Baldpate my sullen mood yesterday has been completely reversed. It was only a total of 8 miles to the road crossing and after a bit of patience and luck got a hitch into town. I had an awesome burger and got a ride to the hostel. Me and a few other hikers watched half of Jurrasic Park until it stopped working, then switched to The Big Lebowski followed by O Brother Where Art Thou. Overall a great day and probably the last slow one of the trip. For now I'm warm in my bag in a popup trailer out front of the hostel.
Date: 2012-08-20
From: The Cabin

To: Old Blue Mt
Miles today: 12.9

8-20-2012 Old Blue Mt. I woke up at 7 this morning and hurried inside for breakfast. We had blueberry pancakes and bacon and eggs, it was so good. Me, Tipsy and Coffee to Go got dropped off at the trailhead and hiked together pretty much all day. The weather was perfect clear, warm and dry. We had some steep climbs and descents but good views to make up. 10 miles in we got an easy hitch back into town and got sandwiches to pack out and got another easy hitch back to the trail. We did another 3 or so miles to the summit and found an awesome campsite 10 yards away. It was clear and we figured we'd have a good starry night. It has since started clouding up but Relative, Einstein and Foster are here too and we have good views, a fire and an ipod hooked up to a small speaker so all is well. I'm cowboy camping tonight so we'll see how it goes. For now I'm ready to curl up in my bag for another cold Maine night.
Date: 2012-08-21
From: Old Blue Mt

To: Sabbath Day Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.2

8-21-2012 Sabbath Day Pond Shelter. Last night was rough. After eating my sub I didn't feel well and woke up at 11:30 to puke. The stars were spectacular at the time but by 2:45 it started sprinkling, so all 5 of us that were cowboy camping scrambled to set up tents and tarps. All morning I was tired and had a stomach ache that didn't go away all day and made me not want to eat. A lot of the day was on easier terrain than usual which made up for it and the weather cleared. This afternoon at a road crossing a past section hiker, Biggun, gave me, Tipsy and Foster a couple beers and gave them a ride to Rangely. I kept hiking and at 6:45 I came to a small sandy beach on a big lake and hung out enjoying the moment for a while and dunked my feet. The shelter was only 10 minutes further on near a smaller pond. The other hikers weren't very talkative so I ate dinner and went to my tent right as the loons started singing, a sound I haven't heard in quite some time and rather missed. So for now I'm cozy in my bag hoping the loons start back up.
Date: 2012-08-22
From: Sabbath Day Pond Shelter

To: Piazza Shelter
Miles today: 11.2

8-22-2012 Piazza Shelter. I slept in today and my stomach felt much better. I had an easy, and pretty, 10 miles to Rt 4 and enjoyed it quite a bit. I got a ride into Rangely from a nice couple I met at the trailhead. I got a burger and a milkshake in town and checked out the 3 "outfitters" mentioned in the book. All 3 were touristy stores with outdoor themes and could barely outfit a dayhiker in my opinion. Still, it was nice to walk around town a bit. On my way up to the store to resupply a woman in a truck pulled over and gave me a ride. She even waited a few minutes while I went in and brought me up to the trailhead. We talked on the way and I found out she hosts hikers at her house and gives rides whenever possible. Thank you Catherine for the ride and all that you do for hikers. From there it was another easy 2 miles to the shelter where Coffee, Tipsy, Foster, Relative and Einstein were already hanging out. Unfortunately there are 2 large groups camping here and it's as busy as Hawk Mt on day 1. For now I'm cozy in my tent hoping everyone quiets down.
Date: 2012-08-23
From: Piazza Shelter

To: Spaulding Mt Shelter
Miles today: 16.9

8-23-2012 Spaulding Mt Shelter. I had a lazy morning today. I didn't get moving til 9 and stopped quite a bit for the first 9 miles so it took me 6 hours. But it was good weather and there were good views. I even think I may have glimpsed Katahdin. Around 4 I had 8 miles left so I started keeping a better pace. Around 5 I realized it had clouded over and it started sprinkling as I finished putting on my pack cover and rain pants. It sprinkled on and off until I got to the shelter but I only had to wear my jacket for a bit. When I walked up the hill I heard lots of voices and saw some tarps. There are probably 40+ people here now and I am not happy about it. All of the tenting is taken so I'm stuck in the almost full shelter. I would have pushed on a bit but it was almost dark when I got here. So for now I'm a little irritated but full and ready for bed, hoping all these noisy section hikers quiet down.
Date: 2012-08-25
From: Spaulding Mt Shelter

To: Avery Col Campsite
Miles today: 21.6

8-25-2012 Avery Col Campsite. Yesterday I had a nice 14 miles to the road. A few steep bits but nothing bad. It was nice weather and an overall enjoyable day. I met Christine at the trailhead and we got dinner and a campsite at Cathedral Pines. Jason and Gillian met us there around 10:30 and we all went to bed. We got up before 8 and went to the diner for breakfast before going back to the trail. Jen met us before we left. Jason and Gillian brought 2 cars up to the northern trailhead and started hiking south while we hiked north. We took it easy and stopped often and enjoyed the weather and views. It was only 8 miles here but we took almost 7 hours. When we arrived the others had just finished sitting down and opening their packs so we had lucky timing. We ate dinner and hung out for a while. The campsite is in a fairly sheltered col and is much less windy than the summits, but still breezy and cool. Just after dark I reluctantly excused myself to go to bed, as I am quite tired. So for now I'm cozy in my bag excited for a cool night at elevation.
Date: 2012-08-27
From: Avery Col Campsite

To: Long Pond Stream Shelter
Miles today: 26.5
Weather: clear sky

8-27-2012 Long Pond Stream Shelter. First off I somehow forgot on Saturday to mention that I hit the 2000 mile mark, woo! Yesterday we all took our time hiking out to a parking lot with a small beach and went for a swim before leaving. Me, Christine and Jen went for dinner at Sugarloaf, then Jen went home. From there Christine drove me up to the Monson road crossing and we slept in the car. In the morning we got breakfast and I resupplied and got hiking around 9:30. Unfortunately I ended up skipping about 55 miles of trail due to scheduling. My parents are coming up to Baxter this weekend and I couldn't have made it without yellow blazing. It sucks that I am no longer a purist, but I'm happy to enjoy what I can. I only did 15 miles today but had 3 major river fords and lots of mud in the morning. I'm the only one in the shelter tonight which is a bummer but at least I can spread out. So for now I'm about to curl up in my bag ready for a good nights sleep.
Date: 2012-08-28
From: Long Pond Stream Shelter

To: Sidney Tappan Campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

It rained for a while last night and I was so happy to be dry in the shelter. I did have a mouse run over my arm but I slept well otherwise. I got moving at 7 in the clouds and fog. The rocks and roots were slippery from the rain and it didn't clear enough for them to dry until 2. But I pushed hard and maintained a 2 mph average including stops. I was in an inexplicably good mood today and enjoyed the beauty of ME. It got clear and windy this afternoon and a half mile before camp I got my first view of Katahdin. It was in the clouds but unmistakable and I had a hard time hiking for a few minutes because I had tears blurring my vision. I set up and ate quickly once I got in to avoid the wind. It's cooling off so I pulled out my socks for the first time and ended up sniffing them for a minute because they are the only clean thing I have at the moment. So for now I'm cozy in my tent quite happy with the day and excited for tomorrow.
Date: 2012-08-29
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I woke to a cold, windy morning and got moving quickly. It warmed up as I went though, and after a while I was down to my tshirt. I got a really good view of Katahdin today and stopped for a bit to savor it. Easy Mile, Diamond, and Turbozero showed up and stopped too. That was the last major hill climb until Katahdin and it was an easy, fast afternoon. The Trail has been mostly flat and quite smooth so the 25 miles today went quick. Four miles before camp there was a dirt road (there's been quite a few for a wilderness) but this one had trail magic. It's probably the last I'll get on the trip but it was the best can of coke I've ever had. I spent a lot of time thinking about the trip and how close I am and it feels weird. I got to this awesome spot on a gorgeous lake around 630 and set up and ate. It has been one of the best days of the trip. For now I'm sitting by the water, watching full moon rise into a darkening purple sky, wondering how many moments like this I will get after I finish.
Date: 2012-08-30
From: Antlers Campsite

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I started my day off by opening my tent to the sunrise over the lake. It was beautiful. I made decent time for most of the day despite the marked increase in roots, rocks and mud. I found some more unexpected trail magic. Someone apparently finished a section with extra food and left a few things on the trail. A short while later I got a great view of Katahdin over a lake. I didn't think too much about the finish today until I was cooking dinner. I realized it was my last dinner on the Trail and I watched my last sunset over the lake as I cooked. The bugs came out soon after so I retreated to my tent sans fly. For now I'm cozy in my tent and the loons just started calling and I couldn't have asked for a better last night.
Date: 2011-04-18
To: 11 months away!
Miles today: 0.0

Hey folks!Where did this past month go?! I know exactly where it went: rugby, school work, and being sick for the past two weeks. It seems like it was just last week that I was hiking in 5 inches of snow and now I am less than a month away from graduating from university. While I know graduation is a major milestone in my life, I will be relieved when it happens. It is the only thing remaining between my hike and I (save for the 9 months between graduation and my start date). After that I simply need to work to save up enough money for the actual thru-hike. I have a temporary job for this summer at a resident camp that I have previously worked at. But this summer I am going to be the Tripping Manager meaning I get to plan and lead off camp trips including the backpacking trips. Basically, I am getting paid to go backpacking! Unfortunately I have very limited access to the internet so I will probably be lax on my posting for the three months I am there. But I do hope to update about my backpacking adventures and any ridiculous stories I have of my campers.I¢ve been using my REI dividend to purchase some gear. I recently bought an MSR Pocket Rocket but haven¢t had a chance to use it yet. I also bought a hammock for $35. I don¢t plan on taking it with me when I thru-hike but it will be a nice addition to weekend camping trips. And of course I purchased a few dry sacks to bring along. I have found numerous uses for them outside of backpacking, including dragging them along to rugby games when it is raining. Everyone uses it then to keep their phones and other electronics dry.In other news, I have become somewhat of a backpacking guru for my friends around here. It¢s cool to have people ask me to take them backpacking or for my opinion on a piece of gear. For me hiking is not just a hobby, it is a consuming passion. I truly can¢t wait to start my adventure.
Date: 2011-05-15
To: Another major milestone reached
Miles today: 0.0

Well it's official, as of 9:45 am on Saturday May 14, 2011 I am a college graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Sciences. :DIt is strange to know that I have NOTHING to do, no more reading assignments, problem sets, essays, research papers, or scientific names to memorize for classes. There is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Now I can focus completely on working for 9 months and preparing for my thru-hike in 2012. I am trying to go on a backpacking trip before I have to leave for camp while also trying to pack up my apartment. I also need to try out my MSR Pocket Rocket stove. Congrats to all the 2011 thru-hikers who have been passing through the Catawba, VA area and those who have made it to Harper's Ferry! [edit] I hiked McAfee's Knob (again) with my roommate on the 17th and ran into my first thru-hikers. Sadly, I didn't catch their names. But I wish them the best of luck!
Date: 2011-08-30
To: Back to the "real world"
Miles today: 0.0

Hey y¢all,I¢m back from spending the last few months tucked away in the woods of the Appalachian Mountains. I worked as the Tripping Manager for a camp and led backpacking trips every week usually along a 4.2 mile river trail that had 9 river crossings. It was an easy and flat hike that I hiked 7 of the 8 weeks we had campers. Because I was backpacking every week I worked out a good system for organizing my gear in my backpack and practiced evenly distributing the weight. When the weight is lopsided it makes a huge different in the comfort of the pack. I also used both Aqua Mira and iodine tabs to purify water and found I don¢t particularly like the taste of them so I think I am going to opt for a pump when I hike. But I need to research that more. I had my first black bear trail sighting! I have seen some before, but not while hiking. This was during my 4 day AT hike along one of the side trails. We had stopped to camp for the night but another counselor, Zoe, and I went to look for a better camp site. There was a cub that popped up out of some bushes and on to a tree. We geeked out until I heard some grunting and saw momma bear nearby. After walking a safe distance away we hugged each other and geeked out some more. It was awesome.I have also acquired a prehistoric hiking buddy for my thru hike. I took a toy triceratops with me on the same trip as the bear sighting and made up a backstory for him. His name is Paul and he is the traveling triceratops who travels. A few days on the trail looking after 12 campers is stressful and can make you a bit loopy, so the other counselors and I created Paul. After the hike, the owner of Paul and I came up with the idea of Paul hiking the AT with me and now I have a full time hiking companion. A few of the people I worked with this summer have expressed interest in joining me for sections of the trail which is awesome. Starting tomorrow I am working as a cashier full time. It is an indoor job which I am less than thrilled about but jobs are hard to come by right now and it pays well. Well enough to fund my hiking next year. It is also temporary which is great and means that I can start my hike whenever I¢d like.That¢s all for now! I can¢t believe there¢s only 6 months left and everything seems to be working out.