morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-12
From: Stealthville

To: Saco River Area
Miles today: 15.5

I am packed and on the trail in seconds flat. I had forgotten where I was when I first awoke. I'm up the steep rocky trail heading toward the Galehead Hut in hopes of finding breakfast. It's .6 mi up the trail. After a long climb for obviously more than .6 mi I had to face the sad truth that I had missed the turn for the hut. I wanted breakfast powerfully bad. I had to have it. I hung my pack from a tree branch which had been broken. I put my rain cover over the pack and ran down the steep dangerous trail towards a fantasy breakfast. I had to go way down the mountain. It is embarassing how far down I went. But I arrived at the hut to not much of anything. No one to greet you from the hut crew, they were all in the private room. There was some oatmeal, break and one cup of coffee left. I tried to make myself believe that this was a good breakfast but I knew it sucked. The hut left me with a less than happy feeling. But then I did get refueled. So I went back up the hill and after working up a sweat even without my pack. I finally arrived to the spot where I left my pack and could hike again with my old friend on my back. I was up on South Twin Mtn then up Mt Guyot and over ridges to another hut. The Zealand Falls Hut was a lunch stop and this experience was much better. My meal was chocolate brownines, potato soup and lemonade. They do not complement each other. I filled up on them anyway. It took awhile before I felt comfortable hiking. The trail actually mellowed out and I could try to move out faster. My legs protested and I made a truce with them so we slowed down. The hike was very nice, the scenery could not have been better. I am very happy and excited to be here. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. I should turn off my headlamp since I am stealth again tonight. I am down by the river next to a full stream with cascading water falls that are energized and loud. My soundscpe is falling water. It's another beautiful place to rest. The day was spent hiking with BooBoo and Sublime. BooBoo stayed at the Ethan Pond campsite while Sublime and I went on the camp by the river. Tomorrow we face another steep climb up from the river to above treeline.
Date: 2007-08-13
From: Saco River Area

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: fog

My alarm wakes me. I have a difficult day ahead and I need to get going. The river is wonderful as a camping spot. Last night I walked up in it and played with the rocks for awhile. It's cool this morning. I am still getting ready in my tnet. I took a few minutes to start my journal this morning. I will walk with Sublime again today. He is a good hiker and we have the same plan for today. I have been walking solo for awhile so it is nice to have someone to be with. I'll see how it goes today. I am going into the Presidential Range today. I start out solo and the trail goes up from the start and it is steep. No big deal, it is a nice cool day with a breeze. It's another great day to be in the forest. I climb Mt Webster then Mt Jackson. Before I get to the Mizpah Hut Sublime catches me and we walk together going to the hut for some soup, brownies and lemondade. Dejavue or what? While there BooBoo, Wingheart, Castanets and Aussie decide to stay. We leave after the rain stops and walk out into a perfect day to be above treeline. The clouds are whipping by but the entire mountain range is out and visible. I can see where I've been and where I am going. It looks very exciting. There are many mountains to climb today, Mt Clinton, Mt Eisenhower, Mt Franklin. All the while Mt Washington is in full view drawing me onward and closer. The wind is brisk and I have to hold tight on my poles or they blow out with the breeze. A few times I am blown off balance and have to concentrate on my path. It is so exhilarating to be out hiking in these conditions. I am on another planet, this is like no other place I have hiked. I round a mountain and go over a ridge and finally see the Lake of the Clouds Hut. As I approach it seems like the wind is picking up. I enter the hut and find the dining hall full with all the guests seated and waiting for dinner and entertainment. Through hikers are sitting to one side waiting. As the guests are served and entertained we watch. It is a unique place and all are having fun, crew and guests. After the guests are fed the crew invites the through hikers in to dine. We form a line and dish on plates buffet style from the kitchen counter. It is a wonderful spread and I enjoy the meal and actually feel full. I am staying "work for stay" and will get assigned a task tomorrow. Outside the wind is howling and it is aout 50+ miles an hour and it is already 40 degrees. I went outside to look at the stars and was chilled to the bone within minutes. There is supposed to be a meteor shower tonight. The stars are bright and clear like I hardly ever get to see them. The milky way is bright. It's too cold to stay out and I return as tonight's entertainment is ending. At 9:30 it is lights out and the through hikers find places on the floor or on the tables to lay their bedrolls. I am by a window and can see the stars from where I sleep. The wind is howling and I can feel it rock the building. I see a brilliant meteor race across the starry sky. It's good to be here especially on a cold windy night.
Date: 2007-08-15
From: Osgood Tent Site

To: Carter Notch Stealth Tent Site
Miles today: 10.6

Last night I set up my tent on a tent platform, the first time I have done this. It wasn't bad. In the morning I woke to the sound of light rain hitting my tent. It stopped and I quicly got packed up and on the trail. It only rained for a short while. The walk in to Pinham Notch was much better than yesterday. I arrived in time to eat lunch, take a shower and wash my hiking clothes in the sink, then use the hand dryer to dry the clothes. I ran into Wingheart, Aussie and Castanets as I was ready to leave. They were thinking about staying here. I hiked out across the highway and then the trail went steeply up over some rock face that was as steep and scary as I've seen. My poles were in the way and I had to use my hands to hold on and pull up. I was on the Wild Cat Peak tour. I summitted Wildcat Peak E, Wildcat Peak D, Wildcat Cut, Wildcat Peak C, you get the picture - it was up and down up and down. This trail is steep and very challenging. I noticed some nice camping spots along the trail and was tempted to stop, but kept going as I did not have enough water for the night. I passed some good spots near the trail to the Carter Notch Hut so I went down, got some mushroom soup, bread, lemonade, and water, then hiked back up to the last spot I had seen. I put up my tent in the dark and am now in my wonderful sleeping bag recounting the day. I can hear the wind in the treetops. It sounds like stormy surf in the ocean. I miss my honey and wish I was with her listening to the ocean. Soon, soon... I have about 313 miles to go. It's a long way but I am getting closer. The hike has been getting better every day. I am a happy camper, so to speak.
Date: 2007-08-16
From: Carter Notch Stealth Tent Site

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 8.0

I wake to a windy morning, I have to hold on to everything so it doesn't blow away. Especially my tent while I am taking it down! I hike out down the trail around the lake then go up Carter Dome, then Mt High, South Carter Mtn, Middle Carter Mtn, and North Carter Mtn, then steeply down, eventually reaching Imp Campsite. The day was nice and breezy with walkes steeply uphill with big rock steps and long slabs of rock. The forest was small sized again with balsam trees growing close together, but only a little taller than me. The forest smells fresh and wonderful, like a perfect Christmas tree. The rocks were dry so I could get a pretty good grip and walk up the steep faces with some confidence. I am still afraid of heights so I had to crawl on my knees a few times. I hiked solo today again and enjoyed the vistas and trail. I feel completely exhausted and beat so I was relieved to come upon the Imp Camp trail sign. The sites are on platforms so I had to get creative again setting up my tent. It looked like rain. I could hear thunder and it turned dark. I quickly got water and cooked dinner. I brought in my clothesline and got ready and almost immediately the rain came. The wind came first then it poured. My tent fell down and I had to hold it with my hand and rig the pole back, tying it with extra rope to a tree for tension. I was talking on the cellphone when this happened. I was able to salvage theings and the rain eventually let up so I can finish my journal entry and get things organized for the night. I can't believe I survived the storm and am still dry. Tomorrow I will pass the 300 mile mark. I have 305 miles left from here and have walked 1868 miles so far. I am still taking my doxycycline so I feel tired and thirsty. I had to wear my hat today because I was feeling the sun burn my head. I will go to Gorham NH tomorrow and resupply, shower, and the other town chores will be completed. I might have to zero soon to rest up. My body is craving a rest. I have not had a zero day since Bear Mountain in New York when I went to see Lynne at the shore. I have been keeping in touch with Lady Green and Sir Wounded Knee and they are in Andover Maine today. I am trying to catch them before I summit Katahdin. I send my love to all and thank you for following my great adventure. The wind has calmed and the drops are falling from the trees as the last light begins to fade away. I can hear other campers busy keeping dry and tending to their chores.
Date: 2007-08-17
From: Imp Campsite

To: Gorham NH
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: mist

It poured last night but cleared this morning. My tent was wet so I dried it with my pack towel and packed up to leave. I walked solo not passing or seeing anyone for most of the day. The hike went up to the summit of Mt Moriah then Middle Moriah Mtn with views back to Mt Washington and Mt Adams and Mt Madison. I could see where I had been the last few days. I could see storms in the distance and mostly clear skies over the Whites. The trail down is steep with unbelievable rock steps that are seemingly endless. Eventually the trail bottoms out and the trail takes a much nicer course to the Rattle River Shelter along the Rattle River and also its East Branch. The last 2 miles are ncie hiking and I was surprised to find myself at the US2 highway. I ran into Mountain Squid who drove me into Gorham. I went to the Hikers Paradise Hostel but did not feel comfortable so I walked across town to The Barn Hostel and met Doc, a very nice and friendly guy. I checked in, did my stinky laundry and took a long shower. I feel clean again. My ULA pack is falling apart and the strap is digging into my shoulder, I spent most of the evening sewing it with dental floss. I hope it holds up for the next 300 miles. I haven't resupplied yet. Hope to take care of that tomorrow morning. All are sleeping (but me) as I just finished my sewing chore and am catching up on my journal to send home. I'll keep this short so I can get the rest I need and get this out tomorrow. I am holding up pretty well and my spirits are high. I feel excited about what's ahead. Everyone is talking about the dead moose in the notch and how difficult the next section is. I am up for the challenge and ready to roll on.
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Gorham NH

To: Gorham NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Today I decided to take a zero day. I have not had a rest since NY. That's CT, MA, VT and most of NH. Plus the weather report and the way the mountains were socked in with heavy grey clouds and it looked like it was raining up there was enough for me to stay. My pack is falling apart now and I bought a sewing awl and heavy duty thread so I have had enough time to make the necessary repairs. I resupplied at Walmart. I ran into Wingheart, Castanets and Aussie - they rented a car for the day and drove me to the Walmart. The Barn has been a nice place to stay and I have enjoyed it here. I have also enjoyed talking to Doc. There's a full house tonight with a mixture of young and old. When I go upstairs to sleep there a symphony of snores. It's hard to sleep with all the snorting and growling. I think this is probably how Lynne feels when I snore, then I get homesick for Lynne again. It's cold again and I'm glad I have my winter bag to to sleep in. At 3:30am like clockwork the train goes by blowing his whistle. I wonder if the locals mind this train every night.
Date: 2007-08-20
From: GentianCampsite 

To: Full Goose Shelter / Campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Today is going to be a tough day. I wake early and begin hiking at 7am. The air is brisk. It was hard to change into my hiking clothes. Looking back I know there were some downs and short sections that weren't steep but most of the day was steep up climbs. The climb up Mt Success was long and warmed me up. The temp was around 40 degrees this morning and I can see my breath. It's cool but perfect for hiking challenging terrain. This is very challenging terrain. There are steep climbs up stairs but mostly up long rock faces. I reach a sign that says "Maine - The way it should be." I am now in Maine, my last state. Welcome to Maine, now climb this. I pass a sobo who says it will get rough ahead for me. And that is exactly what happened. Sometimes my poles help me power up and sometimes I need my hands to pull up and hold on. I summit Mt Carlo and take in the vista. All the summits have unbelievable views. The air is clear with puffy blown out clouds. There are mountains and trees for as far and I can see. Someof the mountains are the ones I have hiked over and some are the ones I have yet to meet. I have lunch on Mt Carlo, tucking down to get out of the cold wind. When I'm done I feel sluggish and have a hard time getting motivated to move on. I do get going and climb up the West Peak of Goose Eye Mtn then along a ridge up and down and a big up top to the East Peak of Goose Eye Mtn. This is a prominent peak and it has creative use of wood to descend down to an open ridge walk over and up tp the North Peak of Goose Eye Mtn. Then the trail gets going down some steep rock which looks to be impossible to pass. I just have to take it in small pieces hoping I don't fall. A fall here would be unacceptable. It would at best end the hike but probably end much more at worst. I try to be as careful as I can. After a bone jarring hike down I reach a ladder up a hill and arrive at the Full Goose Shelter and Campsite. I tent on a platform again. After going down and up the water trail I make dinner and I feel cold. I get into my sleeping bag and feel warm and comfortable. It's early, about 8pm, and I'm in for the night. There's no campfires here and it is cold, so this is the place to be. Tomorrow I am nicely located. I can hike through the Mahoosuc Notch early and hopefully get through without any problems. This is a beautiful, rugged and wild area that is special. It is going to be a cold night. There is a cloud cover that I hope helps keep it from freezing. I can hear the other hikers busy cooking dinner, some are snoring, but the woods are quiet. There is no sound and the birds are not singing. It is so quiet I don't know if my ears are ringing or if there are crickets in the distance. It is dark now and I am too tired to continue writing.
Date: 2007-08-22
From: Stealth Site / Grafton Notch

To: East B Road, Andover ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I heard a very large clumsy animal stomp through the forest, breaking branches and twigs and kicking rocks heading toward my tent. The "thing" continued down to the stream and loudly slurped for a long time. In the morning I noticed large prints that looked like a moose print. They are out there for sure. They leave more obvious signs everywhere on the trail. The trail today goes up steadily summitting Baldpate Mtn (west peak) then drops down, then up big steep rock faces to the east peak, then down and up Little Baldpate. The trail challenges and then trail rewards. This is a big reward section. I reach a place and try cell phone service, then call Pine Ellis for a shuttle pick up. As I hike I run into Matterhorn, Sublime and Sandwich. They are also going to Pine Ellis. We make the shuttle and check in, then it's time to start the serious eating and cleaning. Laundry, shower, dry the tent and bag, then I set up in an old vintage trailer. I cannot describe my lodging tonight. I will post a photo, I actually have many photos I will add when I finish. I hope they show the beauty of TRAIL WORLD.
Date: 2007-08-23
From: East B Road, Andover ME

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 0.0

Today is a slack pack day but I carry my pack, then come back to Pine Ellis. We get an early start and hike briskly to warm up. The hill and mountains do their best to get us warm also. The trail continues to challenge, today has several steep ascents and descents. I summit the north peak of Wyman Mtn. The trail goes up over Hall Mtn then steeply up Moody Mtn, then thankfully descends nicely to South Arm Road. After returning I eat and eat then resupply with a big bag of I need to turn in as tomorrow will be an early departure.
Date: 2007-08-24
From: South Arm Road

To: Sabbath Day Pond Leanto
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a 7am departure. I was up at 5am, packed and off to get breakfast and ready to go. My pack feels like it weighs a ton, all that sugar is heavy. After shuttling to the trailhead everyone departs. As I hike I try to get into a natural rhythym or pace. The trail leads me up through more beautiful Maine forest across many rocks and roots through changing trail terrain. I reach the summit of Old Blue on a cloudy wet day with no view. Well really there is a view of swirling clouds sailing by and leaving a nice wet mist on me. I then sunmited and traversed the west peak of Bemis Mtn then the east peak, then the third peak, then the second and first peaks of Bemis. I kid you not. These mountains are beasts that wear my butt out. As I was coming down the steep descent I slipped 4 times and fell hard. On one fall landed on my Leki pole and broke it. After that I had to slow way down. It seemed like all the rocks were slippery. My day just took a bad turn. My goal will be hard to reach. After a long while it was getting darker and the rain began to fall at first lightly, then just after I put on my pack cover and rain jacket, the pouring began. The sky opened up and soon the trail was a creek with cascading water falls. Just what I needed to slow me down more. I could hardly walk. There was mucky mud pits and big puddles of unknown depth. The planks were slippery and I had a close call with a miraculous recovery. I couldn't see, my glasses were wet and foggy. But I could not stop, I must go on to the shelter. I finally found the shelter at about 9pm in the dark and pouring rain. The shelter was full of people. It appeared to be a group of young people. A leader asked if I was a thru hiker and I said yes. She told everyone to move to the left and make room. Everyone shifted over and offered me pegs on the wall and gave me an end spot for sleeping. The group was a freshman wilderness orientation for students at Tufts. Someone offered a cup of hot chocolate which helped warm me. The night was pleasant with conversation and then at 10pm the leader said it was time to quiet so "our traveling guest can get some rest." Everyone was quiet and all fell asleep.
Date: 2007-08-25
From: Sabbath Day Pond Leanto

To: ME4 Rangely
Miles today: 0.0

Everything is wet. I have to put on my wet shirt and pants but decide to treat myself to dry socks. My boots are wet and I should have put on my wet socks because the dry ones are soon wet. My boots are covered in mud and the trail is full of muddy puddles. The going is slow. The trail is challenging in these conditions. I can't point out anything particularly wonderful about today's hike. The forest is beautiful, it always is, and I guess I can take it for granted but today I walked like a dirty, stinky, muddy beat-up hiker in a trance. I started talking about things to myself. Eventually I talked myself into going into Rangely as I want food. I want clean things. I hitched into town with a nice guy from Texas who was visiting. I went to the pub and had a cheese burger and a couple of beers. Oh yeah! I can get through this! Later I get a ride to the Gull Pond Lodge/Hostel where I get a spot on the couch. Later, after laundry, shower and pizza, I am ready for bed.
Date: 2007-08-26
From: ME4 Rangely

To: Stealth Tent Site
Miles today: 0.0

I woke early after a late night talking with the hostel owner Bob about his missing dog. Apparently the dog got out when Bob was dropping off or picking up hikers at the trailhead. The dog is a chocolate lab about 8 years old wearing a blue collar. I hope Bob finds her. I did not sleep well or long last night, but I have work to do today. Today will be a challenging climbing day, after a nice breakfast. Bob takes the first shuttle out and then returns for JEB and me. He drops us off and I renter the forest. The trail starts out fair and moderate through more beautiful forest past the Piazza rock Leanto which I pass on. I then pass a pond, then two more, then the trail is pulled up high and tight steeply summiting Saddleback Mtn. On the way up I ran into Monkey and Coco and we hiked together, talking non-stop. We summitted a socked in Saddleback Mtn across wind swept open mountain top with my rain cover flapping like it was going to blow away. I had on my rain jacket and it was flapping also. Good decision to wear the rain jacket, it was cold up here. We walked across The Horn, Saddleback Jr, passed on the Poplar Ridge Leanto and descended way down then steeply up past a stream to a place by a water fall where I will call it home for the night. After dinner and everything else I am in my tent catching up on my journal. The stars were out tonight but the sky seems very light so I can see the silhouettes of all the trees and all the clusters of leaves and needles. The forest smells sweet like a healthy living community of so many wonderful plants and trees. My soundscape tonight is stereo water falling over water falls and cascading lively in a large stream below me. I am up way too late so I will say good night. I am hungry.
Date: 2007-08-27
From: Stealth Tent Site

To: Stratton ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke and got busy breaking camp. No moose last night, just the wonderful sound of the creek and waterfalls. It's a nice cool morning with dark blue skies. The hike today is with Monkey and Coco. I haven't spent all day with anyone in awhile. Their company was very nice. We summited Mt Abraham or skirted the summit, actually, then worked on Sugarloaf Mtn. The trail was steep up and then down. The next challenge was South Crocker Mtn which did not have big rewarding views, then we descended, then it was up again over North Crocker Mtn. When we stopped we looked at the map and decided to push into Stratton for town food. The next 5 miles flowed nicely with a downward trend. Coco led the way all day and kept a very nice brisk pace of 2.5 mph. Any trail up here is challenging and that pace was hard to maintain, but we were motivated. When we arrived at ME27 I called the Stratton Motel and arranged to be shuttled into town. Sue picked us up and I got a room and dinner (my anniversary dinner-today is my wedding anniversary) then returned to my room for some liquid refreshment. Of course, I laundered, showered, and tomorrow I will go back into the forest. I hope to resupply here for my trek to Caratunk, then to Monson. The day is beautiful.