morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-08-08
From: Stratton, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

With rain forecasted for the next two days, Two Speed and I decided to slack pack in the rain today. We started around 9:30 am with the rain already coming down. We were kind of bummed about it since we climbed the Bigelows today, and everybody has been talking about how the views from there are the best on the trail. However, as we were climbing up Avery Peak the rain stopped, and the clouds dissipated by the time we reached the top. We didn't have any more rain the rest of the day and were still able to get some great views.Around 5:00 pm we made it to the road where the slack pack provider shuttled us back to Stratton. Bailer and Baker made it into town today, and we are all headed to the Stratton Inn restaurant for dinner.
Date: 2013-08-09
From: Stratton, ME

To: Pierce Pond
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Two speed and I said goodbye to Baker and Bailer and caught a shuttle back to trailhead this morning. We started hiking in the rain, and it continued all day. Fortunately, the rain was not heavy and we had very flat terrain today.I made it to the Pierce Pond Lean-to where I met up with Two Speed, Maggie, Glover, Atlas, and 3 section hikers. The shelter was full and the rain was still falling, so Two Speed and I decided to hike 0.3 miles to Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps. We checked out the place and waited for the rain the stop. Two Speed decided to go back to the shelter when the rain stopped to set up her tent. However, I decided to rent one of the cabin bunks.The camp was built in the 1930s and is an awesome place. It consists of a large building which looks like an old hunting lodge and is surrounded by 5 or 6 small cabins that each have 2 bunks, a fireplace, and a coleman lantern. Since I was the only tenant for the night, I got to choose from any of the cabins and picked the one located directly in front of the stream.Tim, the owner of camp, is an interesting guy, and I talked to him for awhile before going to bed. He also gave me some left over food from a party, which I gladly accepted. All of us are looking forward to eating his famous 12 pancake hiker breakfast in the morning.
Date: 2013-08-10
From: Pierce Pond

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Nine hikers from the Pierce Pond Lean-to showed up this morning to eat Tim's 12 pancake breakfast at the Pierce Pond Camp. The breakfast was great and also including eggs, sausage, juice, and coffee. Of the 9 hikers, Wise Owl and I were the only ones to finish all 12 pancakes.After breakfast, Two Speed, Wise Owl, and I hiked a quick 4 miles to the Kennebec River Crossing. We had to take the Kennebec ferry, which is a canoe, to get across the river.We tried getting reservations at Northern Outdoors Brewery but they were booked so we are staying at the Sterling Inn. The Sterling Inn was built almost 200 years ago and is a really cool hotel. Eric, the owner, was very nice and gave us a free ride to the brewery. We stayed there for about 4 hours enjoying the food, talking with other hikers, and playing corn hole.
Date: 2013-08-11
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Two Speed, Wise Owl, and I left the Sterling Inn around 7:30 am and got back on the trail. The weather was great again today with temperatures mostly in the 50s and 60s, and I had great views from Pleasant Pond Mountain and Moxie Bald Mountain. I took some really long breaks at both summits and talked with several day hikers. I also picked some blueberries on top of Moxie Bald that were some of the best ones that I've ever had.I originally planned to only hike 18 miles to the Moxie Bald Lean-to. However, Two Speed and I met up at the Lean-to around 4:00 pm and decided to keep hiking in hopes of finding a stealth site. After we had hiked another 5 miles, we thought we were never going to find a good spot. Luckily we finally found a good site off the trail. We didn't see Wise Owl and assumed he must have pushed on another 4 miles to the next shelter.
Date: 2013-08-12
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Two Speed and I woke up early this morning and started hiking around 6:00 am so that we could get into Monson as early as possible. We had another great day of weather and the trail was really nice today as it followed the Piscataquis River, which we had to ford twice.We made it into town around 11:00 am and met up with Shadow, Maggie, Atlas, Glover, and several other hikers. They arrived in town yesterday and were about to head out to start the 100 mile wilderness. They gave us some great tips about the town and described their plans for the next 100 miles.Tonight I'm staying at the Lakeshore House Hostel with Two Speed and Foxtrot, and I'll start the 100 mile wilderness tomorrow. Rebecca, the owner of the Lakeshore House, is very nice and helped us with a lot of our plans. We have made arrangements with her for a food drop halfway through the 100 miles so that I don't have to carry 20 pounds of food.
Date: 2013-08-13
From: Monson, ME

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

I walked over to Shaw's Hostel this morning to eat their famous all you can eat breakfast with Nightrider and several section hikers staying there. Nightrider is taking several zero days there to heal an injured foot before hitting the 100 mile wilderness. We had a great time discussing the trail and our good and bad experiences at other hostels. The breakfast lived up to the hype too, with endless eggs and pancakes.After breakfast, Two Speed and I got a ride back to the trail and were hiking by 9:30 am. Rain was forecast to start sometime this afternoon, and we wanted to make it to the third shelter before it hit. However, the rain started just before the second shelter, so we held up there around 2:00 pm.The rain stopped about 4:00 pm so we decided to hike another 5 miles to the next shelter. More rain is forecast for tonight, so I'm staying in the shelter along with Two Speed and a southbounder.
Date: 2013-08-14
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Two Speed and I left the shelter around 7:00 am and had an extremely tough day. We didn't have any large climbs, but there were still a lot of smaller ones and the trail was in rough shape. The first 11 miles took us almost 7 hours, and we wondered if we would make to the next shelter. Fortunately the trail flattened out some and the next 10 miles went by much faster. We still didn't reach the shelter until about 7:30 pm though.When I finally made it to the shelter, I found Zman, whom I had been hoping to catch since I have hiked almost 500 miles with him. Two Speed, Zman, and I are now planning to summit Katahdin together. The shelter is packed tonight with Zman, Jeremiah, myself, and two section hikers. Two Speed decided to tent outside the shelter.
Date: 2013-08-15
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

After a tough and slow day yesterday, Zman, Two Speed, and I got off to an earlier start at 6:00am. The first 7 miles were tough with 4 separate climbs ending with White Cap Mountain. On the way down from White Cap, we got our first good look at Mt Katahdin. It's hard to believe that we still have over 60 miles of trail yet to reach Katahdin as the mountain looked so close from White Cap. After finishing White Cap, the trail was really flat the rest of the day, and we made great time. I met Two Speed at a gravel road 3 miles before the shelter where we picked up our food drop. We had the hostel in Monson hide a 5 gallon bucket full of our food off the road so we didn't have to carry 7 days of food through the 100 mile wilderness. The bucket was a real lifesaver, and we also packed some cokes in the bucket which we drank immediately.Tonight I'm tenting outside the shelter along with Two Speed, Zman, and a flip flopper going southbounder named Fifteen. Fifteen started northbound and had to switch to southbound as he was afraid he wouldn't finish the trail before the winter starts. It took me awhile to place him but I realized I met him on my fourth night on the trail when he told me he's from Alabama. We talked for awhile before going to bed and discussed the status of the hikers we were traveling with at that time. Most of those hikers dropped off the trail a long time ago. Also, the shelter is not very nice but the location is. Cooper Brook runs right in front of the shelter and tenting area and includes waterfalls and a swimming hole. It was a little too cold for swimming but I was able to bathe some and should enjoy the sound as I sleep tonight.
Date: 2013-08-16
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: White House Landing Hostel
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Two Speed, Zman, and I left the shelter around 6:30am this morning and hiked a quick and flat 14 miles to Mahar Tote Rd. We made it to a dirt road around 11:30am where we took a 1 mile blue blaze trail to White House Landing Hostel. To get to the hostel, we had to hike to the edge of a lake and then blow an air horn. After blowing the horn, the owner of the hostel drove his motorboat across the lake and carried us to the hostel. Tonight, we are staying at the hostel along with Maggie, Shadow, Lucky, several other thru hikers, and several section hikers. The hostel is nice and located on some beautiful lakefront property. The owners also served us some great meals for lunch and dinner including a 16 ounce cheeseburger with fries for lunch and a large pizza for dinner. The bunkhouse could definitely use some cleaning though, and the mattresses are really gross. I plan to put my ground tarp over the top the mattress.
Date: 2013-08-17
From: White House Landing Hostel

To: Rainbow Lake Campsite
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: broken clouds

We woke up this morning to a huge breakfast cooked by the owners of White House Landing and a large bill for our stay ($85 for myself). The hostel is nice but you definitely get nickel and dimed. After breakfast, the owner of the hostel gave us a ride in the boat across the lake and back to the trail. With only one small climb today up Nesuntabunt Mt., which included another good view of Katahdin, we had a quick and flat 19 miles to the Rainbow Lake Campsite.Tonight, I'm tenting with Zman, Shadow, Two Speed, and a ton of section hikers. We plan to make it to Birches Lean-to at the base of Mt Katahdin tomorrow and summit Katahdin the next day. However, we have learned a huge group of thru hikers are 10 miles ahead of us and are planning to register for the Birches tomorrow morning. With only 16 spots available at the Birches, we may have to reconsider summating Mt Katahdin on the 19th. Regardless, we plan to get up early tomorrow to try to register for the Birches and see what our options are. Also, we had to say goodbye to Shadow today. He plans for a short day tomorrow and the next day so he can meet up with his parents and summit Katahdin on the 20th.
Date: 2013-08-18
From: Rainbow Lake Campsite

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: light rain

Zman, Two Speed, and I got up this morning in the dark and hit the trail around 5:30am. We hiked a quick 11 miles and reached Abol Bridge around 9:30am where we loaded up on coke and other junk food at the gas station. While Zman and I were still eating, Two Speed walked up to the Baxter Park entrance to see if we could register for the Birches Lean-tos. However, we found out that all 16 spots filled up at 6:30am this morning, and all other campsites in the park were reserved. The Ranger told us that we could still hike to the campground but would need to hitch out to Millinocket and come back to the park in the morning. After hanging out at Abol Bridge for awhile, we hiked the next 10 miles to the Katahdin Stream campground. I made to the campground first and went straight to the ranger station. The ranger wasn't very helpful and said everything was booked. However, on my way out of the campground, I ran into Wise Owl who informed us that another ranger was allowing the overflow of thru and section hikers to camp in a tent site for $5/person. Tonight, Zman, Two Speed, and I are tenting at the campground. I was looking forward to staying at the Birches, but the overflow campsite is actually much nicer and was $5 cheaper. The campsite and the Birches are full, and we are going to have a huge group summit tomorrow including Wise Owl, Glover, Atlas, Foxi, Not a Bear, several thru hikers I don't know, and a lot of section hikers. Also, it was great and weird to see Foxi. I hiked with her and her brother for the first 600 miles before leaving the trail for my brother's wedding in April, and today was the first time seeing her since April. She said she knew I was close as she saw my food drop bucket next to hers in the 100 mile wilderness and had hoped that I would catch up with her. Unfortunately, her brother had to leave the trail due to a severe shoulder injury that occurred in Virginia.
Date: 2013-08-19
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Mt. Katahdin, Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Despite going to bed last night at 7:30pm, I probably only slept two hours last night. I finally gave up on sleeping and started packing my gear around 4:30am. I dropped my backpack off at the ranger station and picked up a day pack that they let me borrow so I didn't have to carry my full pack. Then, I hit the trail at 5:30am.The first 2 miles were fairly easy with a gradual uphill climb. However, the next 1 to 1.5 miles were tough as I climbed above the tree line. The trail became a straight up rock scramble, and I had to use my hands and arms just as much as my legs. That section of the trail was definitely the most technical section of the entire AT. Also, with sustained winds of approximately 30 miles an hour and even stronger wind gusts, the climb was difficult but a lot of fun.The trail flattened out some for the last mile, and I could finally see the famous Katahdin sign off in the distance. I reached the summit around 8:00am and initially thought I was the first to reach the summit this morning so I had no one to celebrate with. However, Not a Bear jumped out from behind a rock and had been there for about an hour. We then took pictures of each other at the sign. Two Speed arrived shortly thereafter, and Zman arrived about an hour later. Zman became very emotional as he had a tough last few weeks and almost quit the trail. As soon as Zman arrived, we quickly took some more pics and headed back down the mountain as we were miserable from the heavy wind and cold temperatures. I wanted to stick around longer at the summit to see Foxi and some of the others summit but we couldn't wait any longer. Zman, Two Speed, and I decided to hike down the mountain together and reached the campground around noon where we greeted and congratulated by Shadow, Maggie, and several other hikers planning to summit tomorrow. We sat around the picnic tables discussing our adventure and greeting the others coming back down the mountain. I thought today would have been more exciting. However, the moment was kind of sad since our hike had ended. Also, it was extremely tough saying goodbye to everyone as we knew that may never see each other again. After hanging out in the campground for awhile, Zman, Two Speed, and I got hitch to Millinocket where we caught a shuttle to Bangor, ME. Zman and Two Speed head home tomorrow morning, and I fly home Wednesday. I definitely had doubts about thru hiking the AT but I have no regrets about the decision. This trip was an incredible experience, and I'm not sure if anything will ever top this. Also, I received a lot support from people on the trail, friends, and family and would like to thank everyone for all of support over the last 5 and half months. I couldn't have completed this without you.
Date: 2013-01-21
To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

01/21/2013 ¢ This is my first entry, so I¢ll start from the beginning. First, I was born at a very early age in life. Even as a young child I looked young for my age. A story my mother always told was when my aunt commented about how young I looked at age one. She asked: ¢How old is he anyway, zero?¢ About my trail name: As a junior, my dad was named David, so when I was young I was always called ¢Davy¢. This was probably to distinguish between my dad and me since we look so much alike, except for the 27 years age difference. Anyway, just because I¢m now 57, doesn¢t mean my family calls me anything different.   It¢s real entertaining when my adult friends find this out when they meet my siblings.   My mother would often say ¢Davy, you¢re a nut¢, and hence my trail name.   I figure since she had a legal right to name me, what better source of origin could there be? Now to the trail: The problem with hiking 2180 miles is you have to be in good physical condition to pull it off. Right now I¢m in no shape to exercise, so if I want to not die, I¢d better get started learning how to hike 15 miles¢¦ in a single earth day...on purpose¢¦without being lost or delirious.   I have always yearned for adventure.   So when I learned there is a trail that takes six months to walk, I was hooked.   I retired last July for the sole purpose of hiking the AT before I¢m too old and dependent upon oxygen and a motorized wheelchair.   This is mostly because motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail.   I would love to have hiked the trail at a younger age, but unfortunately I had to work¢¦to pay for food for my two accidents, Brittany and Cody, I love my kids, but it¢s still their fault.   Besides, I have to justify paying for my Master¢s degree.   So I¢m starting on my bucket list, to do the things I want to accomplish before I kick the bucket. Life is short, and so is my bank account after buying all this hiking gear.
Date: 2013-01-22
To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

As time rushes by I have so much to do to prepare. I still have hiking gear to buy. I have to get the house ready to be gone for half the year. I need to feed the fish. The anticipation of this trip is killing me. I'll be off before you can shake a stick...at it...or something. (I never was good with old sayings.) It brings many questions, like...Where do I go for number two? More importantly, where does everyone else go? (Watch your step)Does my water filter really kill the little bacterial flesh-eating protozoans? (I need to quit watching "The Monsters Inside Me.")What if I'm alone with no cell phone, in an avalanche, and surrounded by sharks? (I need to quit watching "I Shouldn't Be Alive.")Will I ever know the truth about mom? (I need to quit watching "How I Met Your Mother.")How cold will it be? It's now in the twenties here in Maryland and in the teens at night. I read a book recently, I forget which one, that says whatever the weather is, deduct 20 degrees in the mountains. That equates to bone chillin' cold! I may need to wear three socks.
Date: 2013-01-23
To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

OK. I have about six weeks to prepare for my 2,184 mile hike in the woods. I'm not in shape; I don't have all my gear and haven't tested what I have; I haven't started drying my food because my dehydrator hasn't arrived; I haven't prepared any mail drops or stops because my trail book hasn't arrived; and I haven't arranged transportation to my starting destination. Other than that, I'm ready to go.I was walking up and down the neighborhood road, which is only about 8/10 of a mile each way. Once I started walking it multiple times, I began getting strange looks from my neighbors. "What's wrong with him? Why is he walking up and down the street like that? Does he have Alzheimer's? Poor guy, we should make a donation."So I found a system of trails I can use. Hurray! No more pitiful stares. It's only a couple of miles from my house, but I still drive to it and do the walking there. Now the only stares i get are from the squirrels. Maybe they know about my trail name. What I also found out is that walking up hills is much different than walking up a level paved street with sidewalks. I'm glad I found this out in time. I can only imagine how difficult it would be, thinking I can walk 15 miles, but then try to walk up a mountain. It's like thinking you can pull a car because you can do a chin-up.   Anyway, I've been walking the trails for a couple of a weeks now, and I can tell you I'm not ready to walk up a mountain, especially breathing this cold air.   But I have no doubt I will succeed. I'm not a quitter. I keep reading about these hikers going through several pairs of hiking boots. I can't imagine wearing out a pair of boots. 2,184 miles must really be far. I have a pair of Merrill hiking boots, which are really built strong. If I wear those out I can only imagine what my feet will look like. I wonder if those small towns off the trail offer pedicures. Maybe that's a good business to start, pedicures on the trail. I think I'll call it Foot Heels, or Corn Bread, or Paw Bunyon's. It has to be better than my last business venture, a combination daycare and dingo rescue. I called it Crazy Nut's Daycare. It just didn't work.
Date: 2013-02-20
To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It's getting to crunch time and I'm still not ready...the story of my life. I still haven't procured my hiking clothes except for boots, socks and gloves. I'll probably get cold if that's all I have to wear. I haven't decided on which water bladder, camera, cup, spork, rain gear; whether to get a sleeping bag liner or sock liners; how to build a stove wind screen thingy or buy an overpriced fuel bottle with the little hose so I don't catch my scarce quantity of hair on fire... It's so hard to decide what to buy, like the world will end if I don't get every item perfect. The irony is that I was Chief of Procurement for a Federal Agency... in charge of purchasing for crying out loud! It's like being a plumber and never fixing that leaky faucet. I was never cracked up to be a plumber anyway. That reminds me... I've gotta find some pants that fit right. As excited as I am to get going, it looks like my date could be pushed forward. My plan was to leave on March 3rd, but I'm behind on my honey-do list, I don't have all my gear, I haven't prepared (or even planned) any mail drops, and now I have to wait on some lab work and an orthotic for my boots, both of which could take two weeks, when I'm supposed to be on the trail.   My dad always told me, "Son, if you keep procrastinating, you'll never make it in this world". I told him "Oh yeah, dad? Well you just wait and see!" I'll probably be leaving on March 8th now.I'd like to thank everyone for signing my journal, especially those who actually signed it. I've received a lot of cool comments from a lot of awesome people...soon to be my bestest hiker friends. I think people enjoy a sense of humor, and I'm serious about that...no seriously! (I'm frowning right now.) I hope I get a chance to hike with all of you. I really do, just not at the same time.   Happy Trails!-Knutt-