morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-11
From: Bemis Mountain Lean-to

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning I was up and gone by 6:15. The hike started off steep but by ME 17 it was easy hiking. I took a break at the road and talked with other hikers including a father and son section hiking together. We all marveled at the view of a huge pond with a big island in the middle.We hiked on with a stop at Long Pond and at Sabbath Day Pond where we ate lunch. Trash and I stopped for water at Little Swift River Pond where we saw the other father and son taking a canoe out on the water.When we got to the road the first vehicle pulled over to give a ride to town. He suggested the Red Onion for supper so we gave it a try. War Cry and Dream Catcher joined us. The food was good but the service was lacking. We called the Gull Pond Lodge to get picked up. We are staying here tonight. Tomorrow we cross Saddleback Mountain. In three more days we will hit the flat part of Maine.Just another 220 miles to go!
Date: 2010-08-12
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

Today's climb was over the Saddleback Range. The trail was in good shape and it took no time to get to the peak. The views were outstanding. With clear skies we could see all the way back to the Whites. On top of The Horn we saw Rock Hopper and his son. They started sectioning the trail last year and have completed over 1000 miles.At Poplar Ridge Lean-to we met Ewok. He's from NC also and is doing a flip-flop back to Hot Springs. He graduated from Appalachian State so he and Trash had lots to talk about. He informed us of some bad news from home. The Mellow Mushroom in Boone is closing. A trip to Boone was nothing more than an excuse to have a White Pie at Mellow. Boone will not be the same. We made a final push up Lone Mountain and settled in at Spaulding Mountain Lean-to for the night. Tomorrow we go to Stratton.
Date: 2010-08-13
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Between my leg hurting and my feet aching, I didn't get much sleep last night. But I was up and hiking before 7:30. The south side of Sugarloaf wasn't too bad but the decent to the Carrabassett River was steep and rocky. I thought I'd never get to the bottom of that mountain. After lunch we ascended South and North Crocker Mountains. War Cry and Dream Catcher were having lunch on the north peak. We got to ME 27 and found a cooler of drinks. I always appreciate Trail Magic at the end of a hard day. We called the hostel. They said they would be right out to pick us up. For supper we hit the White Wolf Cafe. I ate two plates of fried fish with French fries and cole slaw. That ought to get me up the mountain tomorrow! Tomorrow is the Bigelow Range. It will be our last day of climbing mountains all day for awhile.Less than 200 miles to go!
Date: 2010-08-14
From: Stratton, ME

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I think morning came way too early for everyone in the hostel. Even the shuttle was late. Trash and I caught a ride to the trailhead with a day hiker, so I'm not sure when the shuttle showed up. According to a ridge runner we met today, the Bigelows were included in the trail when a local trail supporter pushed to extend the trail from Mount Washington to Mount Katahdin. Avery grew up climbing the peaks of the Bigelows and made sure it came through here. The highest peak is named after him. The climb up was not too bad. The view from on top was spectacular. There was a lake dotted with islands stretching along the base of the mountain. We will walk along the lake tomorrow. When people sign my guest book I usually get an e-mail. Sometimes I don't. So last night I went through looking for messages I had not received. When I get home I will send each of you an e-mail thanking you for your support. Until then please know I appreciate each and every note I get from you. Don Goodman had asked about the difference in shelters, huts and lean-tos. Well Don, they are basically all the same. A three sided structure with a sleeping platform. In the Whites the Appalachian Mountain Club has seven special huts. They are like hiker hostels on the ridgeline. It cost $85.00 and up for each person to spend the night. The "croo" serves supper and breakfast to the guest. There are no showers and sleeping arrangements are in bunkrooms.   Families flock to the huts. Thru-hikers may be lucky enough to get work for stay in a hut. Trash and I cleaned a couple refrigerators in exchange for supper, breakfast and a place to sleep on the floor. Thru-hikers get the leftovers from the meals. There were not any left after Trash and I ate. Almost forgot. We passed the 2000 mile marker today.
Date: 2010-08-15
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

After a few ups and downs this morning the trail became relatively flat. It will be that way almost the rest of the hike.Sometime in the late morning we crossed Long Falls Dam Road. It has 2000 miles painted in the center of the road. We actually passed 2000 miles yesterday but this is the traditional marker. Trash and I took each other's pictures lying on the pavement.We had lunch at East Carry Pond. It has a sandy bottom like the ocean. Trash went for a dip before he ate lunch. Sometime in the afternoon we met a hiker named Fields. He is from Burlington, NC. His dad had told him about the articles in the newspaper about us. He is doing a flip-flop back to Virginia. I'm happy that we are down to single digit days until we summit. There will be a lot of things I will miss when the hike is over. There are some things I will not. So I thought I'd list the top ten things I will not miss.10. Putting on wet smelly clothes every morning. 9. Hanging my food every night to prevent animals from stealing it. I'll post the rest over the next eight days as we approach Katahdin.
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Moxie Bald Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 22.8

I woke up to the sound of rain splattering on my tent. It stopped for the most part by 6:00 but it would sprinkle and mist all day. The wet makes the roots and rocks hard to walk on.We went to Harrison's Camp for breakfast. He serves three eggs, a dozen pancakes and sausage to hungry hikers. It was nice to sit at a real table and have a conversation instead of wolfing it down and hurry to hike.We ran into War Cry and Dream Catcher at Pleasant Pond Lean-to. We all had lunch together. Afterwards we climbed Pleasant Pond Mountain. It wasn't tall but with all the wet rocks it took forever. We ended up hiking over 22 miles today. That's a warm up for the 100 mile wilderness. We'll be doing about that much every day. Tomorrow we go to Monson for our last big resupply. We plan to stay at Shaw's. They are famous for their breakfast. Okay, now to continue the top ten things I will not miss about the trail.8. I will not miss pinching my feet between rocks. That is so painful.
Date: 2010-08-17
From: Moxie Bald Mountain Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

It rained again last night. It pounded the tin roof on the lean-to. It stopped about day break. As I lay on my pad waiting for time to get up, I could hear something sloshing around in the pond. I got up and walked to the shore. At first I couldn't see anything. Then about 50 yards away I made out a moose. I got Trash and Dream Catcher up. They were as excited as me. We tried to take a picture but it was too dark still.I was on the trail by 6:15 and kept a pretty steady pace all the way to ME 15. We called Shaw's and they sent someone out to pick us up. Monson is a very small town and we actually had to get a ride to another town for groceries. We are all set to head into the Hundred Mile Wilderness. To continue our top ten things I will not miss on the trail. 7. I will not miss getting eaten alive by no-see-ums and mosquitoes.
Date: 2010-08-18
From: Monson, ME

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: broken clouds

This morning started with the trail famous Shaw's breakfast. You are asked if you want one, two or three of everything. That includes eggs, pancakes and sausage. If you eat it all you are welcome to a second round. Three of everything was enough for me but Trash ended up eating five of everything. We didn't get out to the trail until 8:30. We got a big laugh at the sign that warned us we were entering the 100 Mile Wilderness and we needed ten days of food to get through it.After lunch we ran into Quarterpounder. He has been off the trail awhile and decided to complete his hike by doing a flip-flop. He said he had gained weight at home and his hike was going well. We wished him well on his hike and he congratulated us on ours. As I walked up the trail I thought how different the hike is now than back in Virginia when we hiked with Quarterpounder, Hollywood, and Bonnie Boy. Our goal is in site but somehow the play has disappeared. We are all just ready to reach Katahdin and head home. It¢s been a fun trip but it¢s time to finish this and get back to my wife and family.Quarterpounder told us Poppop left the trail. With just 300 miles to go he decided he was tired of falling down and so he headed home. I can certainly understand being tired of falling down.Okay, it¢s now time for tonight's count down on the top ten.6. I will not miss being constantly hungry. Even after a big meal, 15 minutes later I'm ready to eat again. I just want a regular appetite.
Date: 2010-08-19
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: few clouds

I got started early since I knew this would be a long day. At Fourth Mountain, Animal and Magic Man passed me and Trail Trash was not far behind. I stopped at Third Mountain and ate breakfast. Nobody came up and we talked awhile. (Yes a hiker named Nobody.)Just before lunch I hit trail magic. I had a whoopie pie and orange drink. I caught Trash, Animal, Magic Man and Nobody at the Pleasant River for lunch. They all left before me but I can't keep up with them anyway. At Carl A. Newhall Lean-to I stopped for water and Nobody was there. He wanted to wish me luck and say goodbye. I think that's when it hit me that as much as I'm ready to finish a part of me is going to really miss trail life. I not prepared to let all the people I've met be in the past. I climbed up Gulf Hagas and a series of peaks to White Cap. From there Trash and I could see Katahdin. It was our first real view of the mountain we have been hiking toward for the past five months. It's real and we're almost there.Now for tonight's top ten things I will not miss from the trail.5. I will not miss going to a strange grocery store or gas station to buy food where they don't always have what I need.
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 25.5

Our goal for today is White House Landing but to get supper we have to arrive before 5:00. That's a tall order considering the .9 mile trail to the boat dock is 25.5 miles away. At 5:45am, I was on the trial hiking as fast as I could go. Just before the first shelter I heard a familiar noise. It was a sloshing sound coming from a marsh area. I had just enough time to see a moose and her calf heading for the woods. No picture again. Later I met a woman who has been trying two years to see a moose. When I told I had seen three this week, she said she could almost cry.By 2:00 I had hiked 19.5 miles. Trash, Animal and I ate lunch on the shore of Jo-Mary Lake. Trash and I hiked on to get to White House Landing.By the time we got to White House Landing, I was done for the day. But when they set the 1 pound cheeseburger deluxe in front of me I was happy I made the hike. Now the installment of what I will not miss from the trail.4. I will not miss the sound of shelter mice running around all night.
Date: 2010-08-21
From: White House Landing

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

There were three of us in the bunkhouse last night. The other hiker was named Poppy. We are so use to getting up early we were waiting for breakfast with gear packed before 7:00. Breakfast was bacon and eggs with English muffins plus blueberry pancakes. Oh, and coffee. After over 20 years in the fire service and being married to a true coffee drinker for 36 years, the AT has turned me into a coffee drinker. I don't have to have it in the morning but if it is there, I'll pour a cup or two. Bill took us back to the trail by boat and we were hiking by 8:30. We only had one big climb today and it was before lunch. Trash and I ate lunch at a boat landing. We're still going back and forth on if we will hike the Knife Edge off Katahdin. It ends on the backside and so as of now it looks like Monday will hike to the top and head for Millinocket. We're both tired and ready to head home.Tonight's entry into the top ten is:3. I will not miss climbing mountain after mountain to find a cellphone signal so I can post this journal.
Date: 2010-08-22
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite

To: The Birches
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning's sky was red. It gave me hope the rain would move through early so Monday we could summit. By late morning I had run into Applejuice who told me the forecast was good for tomorrow. At Abol Bridge I stopped in at the camp store and bought my last resupply. By 1:00 I was in Baxter State Park. The trails were good and I covered 10 miles by 5:00. Animal and Magic Man were already there. Tomorrow we climb Katahdin! Tonight's top ten is:2. I will not miss all the trash other hikers leave at shelters and along the trail. I tried to pick it up for awhile but there was just too much.
Date: 2010-08-23
From: The Birches

To: Baxter Peak on Katadin Mountain
Miles today: 5.2

All four of us in the lean-to were awake before light. Someone said something about hardly sleeping at all. Trail Trash said it like Christmas waiting for our toys. The Animal added that the difference was we had to climb a mountain to get them. So off we went on the last leg of this adventure. Being a slow old man, I fell behind the others during the climb. It was the steepest, hardest climb of any mountain on the AT. Clouds moved in obstructing my view of the top and I began to think I would never get there.As I reached the Table Lands the winds picked up and at times gusts where pushing me around on the rocks. Finally I could make out the sign. Trash was waiting on me but I told him I needed to get out of the wind and rest a few minutes. I set off my Spot locator and called home to let Susan know we were at the summit.After a few pictures we started down. The rocks on the decent really beat my knees up. About two miles from the bottom I just sat down and took a long break. At the campsite we stopped and talked with some other thru-hikers about their summit. Then we stuck out our thumbs and headed for Millinocket. We caught a ride from the first vehicle that passed. They had also picked up The Animal and Magic Man. Our first stop in town was the AT Cafe. I got a sub but Trash took on the Summit Sundae Challenge. It made the half gallon challenge look like child's play. I not sure how he did it, but he ate the whole thing. We checked in at the AT Lodge Hostel. We'll be here a couple of days until our flight home on Thursday morning. Tomorrow I'll mail home gear and rest. Of course we'll hang out with hikers that finish on Tuesday. Then Wednesday we head to Bangor. And the number one thing I will not miss on the trail:1. I will not miss falling down on wet roots and slippery rocks. However I will have a couple of scares to remind me of the more spectacular spills.
Date: 2011-03-02
From: Big Stamp Gap

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

March 2, 2011So here I am back on the AT. I'm at Stover Creek shelter and it just didn't feel right to go to sleep without writing a journal. I guess old habits die hard. Ernest and I left Burlington about 6:30 this morning but with stops for food and a couple of wrong turns it took longer to get here than I imagined. Finally at 2:30 we arrived at Big Stamp Gap. We spoke to a couple of hikers in the parking lot and then headed up to the summit of Springer Mountain. There was a good size group of hikers sitting around when we got there. All were hopeful they would be some of the few that successfully complete a thru hike to Katadyn Mountain this year.I had mixed emotions about them half way wishing I was going too, and at the same time glad I was not. We stopped at Springer Mountain Shelter so Ernest could get water. I hung out with some hikers while he was at the spring. We decided to go to Stover Creek for the night. It was an easy two mile walk of which most was down hill. At the shelter several hikers were already settled in for the evening. I took a top loft and then started a supper of chicken apples and stuffing. Everyone was excited and exchanging information about themselves, pack weights and plans for their hike. One hiker named Harry asked me if I was a section hiker. I told him I was hiking a section but I am a thru hiker. Ernest told everyone he'd lose me in about five days. Then added I was here to help him get started. There were lots of questions about the trail and hiker appetites. About dark I headed upstairs to bed.
Date: 2011-03-03
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a noisy shelter last night. First the group downstairs talked and cut up but they quieted down pretty quick. The family upstairs was a different story. First they talked then they chased a mouse. They were up and down all night. However the man told me he would be glad to pick me up at Unicoi Gap. I thanked him but declined the offer. Ernest and I were hiking by 8:00 AM. We got to Hawk Mountain Shelter by 10:30. As we approached the blue blaze trail to the shelter we met a frantic woman looking for the trail. She couldn't find a white blaze. We walked toward the shelter and pointed her in the right direction then head down the blue blaze for a snack. The climbs over Sassafrass Mountain and Justis Mountain were strenuous. It was great to finally get to Justus Creek campground. I was out of water and needed a refill. Stretch was sitting on the bank and we talked awhile. He was waiting for a couple of friends. Ernest hiked on ahead of me but I caught up pretty quick. As we got to the trail to Gooch Mountain Shelter we met Fire Walker. He is out for a month but thru hiked in 94. He is also a retired engine captain. We swapped stories and then he hiked on. At the shelter it was just me and Ernest. Dartanyon, Stretch, Giggles, Hopalong, Harry and several more showed up. We are all enjoying each other¢s company. We are expecting rain tomorrow.
Date: 2011-03-04
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Start 15.1End 30,7Mileage 15,6What a night! Hop-along snored like a freight train all night long. Nedless to say I introduced Ernest to "Major Miles". This morning we decided to go to Neel's Gap and move ahead of the snorer.As we started hiking we ran into Firewalker and his crew. They were also going to Neel's Gap. By the time we got to Woody Gap we were starting to feel sprinkles. A few miles later it was raining and occasionally it would snow a few big flakes. We arrived at Woods Hole Shelter about 2:00.I had not realized how far the shelter was off the trail. The water was even a long way from the shelter. As I sat eating lunch I started to get colder and colder. I told Ernest I needed to hike or change clothes so I started toward Neel's Gap. After the 15 minute walk back to the trail I headed up Blood Mountain. I was at Neel's Gap in an hour and twenty minutes. Not bad for a 3.7 mile hike. As I stepped up to the counter to reserve a couple of bunks in the hostel the guy in front of me got the last four bunks. George suggested we try the cabins just down the road. Two other hikers were in the same boat and I agreed we would share a cabin. When Ernest arrived Harry was with him so he got the futon. We have settled in with showers and pizza for the night. Ernest has told me thank you twice for getting him to a comfortable bed instead of a shelter full of snoring hiker's.
Date: 2011-03-05
From: Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Neel's GapMileage 0We woke to the sound of rain on the roof. After checking the weather forecast we all decided hanging out at Neel's Gap one more day would be a good plan. Tonight's forecast is for up to two inches of rain. Tomorrow has a few showers in the morning but clearing in the afternoon. We spent the day checking our gear and getting clothes washed. We made the hike to Mountain Crossing and saw a few of the people we hiked with the past couple of days. They are all glad to be heading for hot showers and dry clothes. They will have a lot more of those days as they hike north.
Date: 2011-03-06
From: Neels Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It was still raining this morning when Ernest and I got up. At 7 AM I decided to start hiking. I told Ernest I would see him in the morning. The rain started to slack up as I got to Hogpen Gap. I came up behind a trail maintainer who was carrying a barrel to Low Gap. His trail name was Chops. We talked a few minutes and then I moved on, mainly to warm back up. At Low Gap I stopped briefly for lunch. Giggle came in as I was finishing. He asked if I was staying. I told him I was going to Blue Mountain.By 3PM I was passing the shelter on Blue Mountain. By then I had stripped down to shorts and a wind shirt. When I hit the bottom of Unicoi Gap there was a box of trail magic. The sign said AT thru hikers only. Now here is my thinking. I am a thru hiker. I'm just not thru hiking. These other Hiker's are attempting a thru hike but until they get to Katahdin they are not thru hikers. Okay I know that's not how felt last year but I refused to be called a section hiker. No, I left everything in the box because I knew what the sign really meant. By the time I made it up to the shelter (1500 foot climb) I was adding layers. Giggles, Grace and Harry were fixing supper. There were two other hikers there but I never heard their names. Everyone was trying to stay warm. It was already below freezing when the sun went down.One thing about the shelter.There was a tarp hung across the front of it. I would almost swear it is the same one that someone hung the night Trail Trash, Brian and I were there last year.