morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-09-17
From: Kelly Knob RMC Cabin

To: Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH/Moter Inn
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: fog

Glad I was in the cabin, rained most of the night. Didn't sleep right away - I think I was over tired. In the morning, I got up and went to get water and ate some breakfast and waited for others to start waking up before I began packing up.About 8:30 am under cloudy, misty, cold skies - Swift and I leave the cabin. First we had to make our way back the 1.2 miles to the AT ugh. We got to the AT at 10:15am, it was cold, wet, and windy.Today we had to go over Madison, still above tree line. The trail was a rock bed. We only had 1 mile to go to the hut (but it is closed). Right after the hut was the climb up to Madison (5366'). By now it was a steady mist, rain if you will and the wind was awful. My glasses were dark, misted over and foggy I couldn't see a thing and I was climbing hand over foot rocks. Up above tree line instead of following white blazes you follow stone cairns which are hard to follow sometimes when they sit on a mountain of rocks and when your glasses are so bad that I see better when I take them off. Mt. Madison has 4 peaks, we finally made it over the last one and headed back under tree line. I was very glad to be headed back down, all I wanted this morning was to get off that mountain. Now the downhill but at least I was below tree line, protected from the wind.We reached Osgood Tent site and took a nice break, the sun had come out and it was warmer. We had 4.1 miles to go to the road and a soft bed. But before that could happen, I had to cross the Parapet Brook, while not a white water flow it definitely was a torrent of rushing water over large boulders. Swift goes ahead hopping from rock to rock as I watch his path. Now my turn, I hop, step, and slide oops right into the brook. I am now chest deep in water trying not to get swept down with the current, I grab a ridge on the big rock i fell off of so I'm not going anywhere, handed Swift (who came to help) one of my poles and told him to stay out of the water and I managed to get up on the rock and over to the other side. The weather was much nicer than in the morning so I kept on my drenched clothes so they would dry faster and we hiked on. The only think I can say in my defense is that Swift had taken a couple of good tumbles earlier and i couldn't be shown up so I decided to fall into a brook. I am the falling expert!!!!Finally made it down to the AMC visitor center and I changed clothes even though they were almost dry. The temps were dropping and I didn't want to get cold. We hitched into Gorham and called it a day.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-09-18
From: Pinkham Notch Gorham, NH/Moter Inn

To: Gorham, NH/Top Notch Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We moved to a nicer Inn this morning. As we planned on taking a zero and wanted to have a little nicer place to relax in. This place had a hot tub which I plan on using.We did laundry, watched TV, walked to a sports/outfitter store to see if they could fix our poles. I bent mine, Swift broke another one. But they didn't have the lower section that we both needed. Oh wellSpent the day relaxing. I laid all of our gear out by the pool so it could air out some, even laundry doesn't get all the smell out. I jumped in the hot tub while the gear was airing out, very nice. It was a nice day.
Date: 2010-09-19
From: Gorham, NH/Top Notch Inn

To: stealth by Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: fog

Today we caught the bus back to the AMC visitor center had a good breakfast, saw Colonel, Crazyfox, and Dead Man Walking. Then we headed out to do Wildcat Mountain (which has 3 peaks E-4046', D-4062', A-4422', and a gondola 4055') Swift has been talking about this mountain for weeks, he remembers it so well cause it kicked his butt last year. Wildcat was a good climb - there was a short section right by the edge that I didn't like so much but the rest was just steep but it did have 3 different peaks so it went on for quite a while. It had great views and we had a decent day to climb. We only went 5.9 miles but again it took us all day. We reached the trail to the hut and there was camping so we opted to camp instead of pay the hut master $$.We fixed our dinner and crawled into bed (it was cool) and snuggled down in our warm sleeping bags and went to sleep.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-09-20
From: stealth by Carter Notch Hut

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 7.2

It was very windy last nite. I woke up and stayed awake for a while listening to the wind. I stayed toasty warm in my sleeping bag but morning meant I had to get out brrrrrr!I packed up quickly, the shelter was very close .3 miles so we headed there for breakfast and a break from the wind. I needed water so I got it there also and then we headed on.Today was the Carter Mountains: S. Carter, Carter Dome(4832'), Middle Carter(4600'), and N. Carter(4483'). Also we were going to go over Moriah Mountain (4049').The Carters were fun. They had a lot of granite slabs, but we had good dry weather so it wasn't bad. But Carter Dome wore my legs out and I never got back any energy in them. I told Swift that I didn't have Moriah Mountain in me today, I didn't want to take the chance of running out of daylight, plus it was windy and getting cold. So I decided to stay at Imp shelter. Colonel, Crazyfox, Dead Man Walking, Chicken, and Goat and some others were also there. I hung my tarp over the opening of the shelter to make it a little warm (it really works great).Around 5 ish the rum started to flow (you know warm us up a bit). I took a few sips but that was enough for me. I went to fix dinner and went to bed early to stay warm. The others stayed up and killed the run and there was a lot of it. WOW - Swift got trashed (funny to listen to), I figured he would not be getting up to early the next morning. I don't know what time the party ended but I finally went to sleep for a short time - I never sleep well in shelters.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-09-21
From: Imp Campsite

To: Gorham, NH/Royalty Inn
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well not much sleep, nothing new! I got up early packed up and was going to hike out before Swift woke up (I figured he would be moving slowly this morning). I was wrong he was up early but I was already packed up so I waited a while then I hiked out.Only 8 miles to go. Headed to a hotel for the night, warm room. I made it to the road in 4 hrs great time. I climbed Moriah Mountain (4049') which had spectacular views of Mt. Washington and Mt Madison. Then the rest of the day was down hill. Even though the down hill is harder on mly knees - I still like them and can get into a nice flow.Made it to the road by 11:55am, took me about 30 min to get a ride but finally did and was in a room by 12:45pm. Called home, took care of gear problems (need boots replaced again, which Keen did again, thanks Keen), and did some laundry and took the important nap. About 4:30pm Swift showed up. We got pizza and stayed in the room cause I was getting really tired. Ate the pizza, watched a little TV and called it a night early. Tigerlily
Date: 2010-09-22
From: Gorham, NH/Royalty Inn

To: Gorham, NH/Royalty Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Yup another zero Wildcat, the Carters and Moriah did a number on us. I enjoy the mental aspect of the zero. I think my mind and emotions need a zero as much if not more than the physical aspect. When you know that you don't have to hike or plan you can really let yourself relax totally. So today was dedicated to mind relaxation.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-09-23
From: Gorham, NH/Royalty Inn

To: White Birches Campground
Miles today: 11.8

Today we slacked from Gentian Pond shelter back to Gorham.Today was an easier day but still a lot of ups and downs, rocks, slabs, roots. Not to mention we had a 1.2 mile hike on the Austin Brook trail just to get to the AT.Over all though it was a pleasant day - didn't see many hikers. We are at the tail end and those behind us are jumping ahead. But so far Swift and I haven't skipped any sections and I hope to keep it that way. We had a long down hill and my knees hurt but I get into a rythm so I keep going. The last .5 of the day was a road walk - much easier but boring.When we got close to road we started hitching and got picked up by the first car what luck. They took right to the White Birches Campground. We got settled and ordered pizza. I was tired and just plopped on the couch and watched TV. Swift told me to shower and livin' up. I did, then ate pizza and watched Rocky (sly stallone always perks me up).Tigerlily
Date: 2010-09-24
From: White Birches Campground

To: Gorham, NH/Royalty Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Okay, okay I know we don't seem to be leaving Gorham but it's not my fault this time. Swift didn't feel good today - so I asked him if he just wanted to take it easy today and he did. So we got a shuttle back to the Royalty Inn where it was more private. Swift went to bed and I did errands and spent some time at the library updating. I came back got Swift some soup and told him it was Gorham's homecoming parade so we ran outside to watch - it was about 10 min long, the saddest parade I have ever seen.I made one last run for ice cream, he must be feeling better. Swift ate his ice cream and I jumped into my bed and went to sleep, I was tired.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-09-25
From: Gorham, NH/Royalty Inn

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

Well we got picked up at 9am, at the Austin Brook trail at 9:25 headed back to the AT to head north this time. But this time going up the trail we had our full packs, it took us a little longer to get up to the AT junction. At 11:00am we actually started hiking the AT.It was a tough trail a lot of slabs but it was dry which is always good. We are still averaging around 1 mph though we always plan to go further. But we always seem to fall short. So we got to Carlos Col shelter around 4pm - we could have opted to go another 4.4 miles but it was to late so the shelter it was. Plus the terrian here in Maine is tough, oh yea crossed into Maine today. My last state border yippie, WOW.It was a nice shelter, small opening so I hung my tarp to make it warmer. It was only Swift and I so I hung my hammock and Swift stayed on the balcony. We ate dinner and were in our beds by 7pm.I am warm and toasty in my hammock - hiking in the morning.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-09-26
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Full Goose shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I had read on trail journals that the last two days (the 9.6 miles) was taking hikers about 11 hrs to do - now I see why. It is going to take us the same amount of time just spilt up over two daysToday it was misting all day, the rocks were wet and slippery. The mud was soggy and deep and the bog boards were like ice. There were places that my hiking pole would sink all the way to the hand grip in the mud and that is what I am trying to avoid.In the 4.4 miles today we had 4 peaks to go over - we wanted to do Mahoosic Notch and Mahoosic arm today but the hikers we saw heading Sobo said not to try it today it took them 5.5 hrs just to get through the Notch (1 mile long). Swift and I got to the shelter at 1:15pm tried to get service on my phone to get a shuttle at the road but I had none. So we called it a day and stayed at the shelter. The shelter is big, another hiker showed up heading south, we all set up in the shelter. I hung my tarp to cut down on some of the wind. I hung my hammock and Swift and Suicidal set up their tents. It is damp and cold outside.Swift and I ate our dinner about 3:30pm and then Swift got into his tent around 4pm. Suicidal is getting ready to cook then he will be in his tent soon.I think tomorrow we are going thru the Notch and up the Arm (summit) 5.1 miles. I hope it doesn't take us 11.5 hours. The weather is suppose to be crappy tomorrow also. My fingers will be cossed. Well its only 4:30pm but in bad weather - you get into bed to stay warm. so I guess thas what i'm going to do.TigerlilyWell its only 4:30
Date: 2010-09-27
From: Full Goose shelter

To: Speck Pond shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Believe it or not I really slept most of the night. I did worry a little about todays hike, Mahoosic notch and the arm - but it didn't keep me awake. Other hikers were saying it took them 11 hours to do both or 5 hours to do the notch. Well morning came early, Swift woke me up at 6am. We were on the trail by 7am. No time to worry now - 1.6 miles to the notch. We arrived at a trail junction rite before the notch and took a break, ate a snack, put our poles away and headed on. We got to the notch - a small ravine about a mile in length, 200 yards wide with tall rock walls on either side that over the years had dropped huge (automobile size) boulders into this ravine - and this is the trail. Imagine an ant climbing over gravel. Most times you climbed up a few times you had to go under. I had to take my pack off once to get up a big rock because the opening under the boulders were a little small for my liking. And yes i got a butt push from Swift. It took us 2 hours 15 min to get thru the notch, not bad. I was pleased with that.Next was the summit (Mahoosic Arm). This was 1060' climb in 1.1 miles a lot of wet granite slabs but I would rather be going up than down this ting. It took us about 1 hour 45 min to climb and it involved a lot of rock scrambling straight up. It was pretty tough.We got to the shelter around 2pm, got out of our soaking wet clothes and into something dry and tried to warm up. Ales another hiker from the last shelter showed up around 4pm, we all ate dinner and talked. I was the first to get in bed at around 5pm.We talked about options for tomorrow if the weather stays bad. We might go to town and slackpack - that way you know if you get wet you will still be able to go to a warm, dry place at night. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Today we only went 5.1 miles but we were bad asses. I had fun today.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-09-28
From: Speck Pond shelter

To: Andover, ME/Pine Ellis
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: moderate rain

It rained all night, glad I was in the shelter, stayed warm all night. Woke up think I had slept for most of the nite and ugh, it was 10:39pm - the pit fall of going to bed at 6pm.So finally morning came, and we contacted Pine Ellis where we planned on going to in a few days to pick us up at Grafton notch 4.6 miles away and we would slackpack from there. So at 2pm we would be on our way to a warm house!!But first we had to hike up Old Speck Mountain (3985') - hiking in Maine this time of year is beautiful - I didn't have a lot of views but the few that showed themselves were full of color and stunning. It was a difficult trail but it was short.We got picked up by Ilene and went to Pine Ellis where again we caught up with Llano, Colonel, and Crazyfox. We had a nice time and enjoyed being inside. Colonel proposed to Swift and I jumping up to MOnson. We (Swift and I) wanted to hike the 10.3 miles from Grafton notch over Baldpate Mountain to Andover first, so we suggested backing up that Monson shuttle by one day which was fine with everyone. So I guess that is the plan. Off to a nice dry, warm, soft bed.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-09-29
From: Andover, ME/Pine Ellis

To: Andover, ME/Pine Ellis
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a nice warm, clear day - the perfect day for hiking.We got on the trail at 8:10am. Today for me was one if not my favorite hike on the whole AT, I felt great, it was a challenge to climb and when we reached Baldpate West peak (3662') the views were amazing. The trees full of reds, yellow, green, and oranges lined the mountains in every direction. I took pictures but none of them capture what i saw. Swift and I sat and took a break and just enjoyed the day. Then on to the East peak (3810'), again incredible views - it made todays hike seem like a walk on a perfect Autumn day. Then a vicious downhill. I was doing great until I stepped on a very sluick slab and down I went, nothing new I know but I broke my pants!!, jabbed my leg but no worse for wear but will order new pants.Swift was tired today - his knees were throbbing. I jumped out ahead and made it back to the shuttle by 4:20pm, Swift got there soon after.We went back to the house, had a few beers, dinner, and watched Survivor. Now for bed.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-09-30
From: Andover, ME/Pine Ellis

To: Monson ME.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

This morning I was up at 4:30am worked on the computer. Swift got up and made breakfast for all of us. The shuttle was leaving at 7:55am for Monson - packed up boxed up old boots to send home, ready to go.I have mixed feelings about jumping ahead to Monson. On the one hand it will take all the pressure off and we will get to see friends that are ahead of us both very good things. On the other hand I wanted to head north until I finished. But I will pass every blaze on this trail no matter what. Right now we are on the road.Arrived at Monson around noon, signed in at Shaws and got my room. Went into town (if you can call it that) and ate a small lunch went to the post office and picked up a box from Penny and Kathy. Girls WOW went back to the hostel and went through the box, Penny you did great research I can and will use everything in there, love the jellybeans love it all. I enjoyed the card and was surprised to find more $$ and phone card thank you sooo much. It will go to beer as I just got new boots. LOL I am glad to hear from you, I miss you a lot and it is always nice to hear that friends are rooting you on back home. Can't wait to see you both soon. Again thanks so much, I have already started eating the almonds yum!!At the library now with this last entry and now will head back to the hostel to sit and relax till dinner, all you can eat tacos (i think).Not sure if we are hiking tomorrow, weather is suppose to be bad for a couple of days, we'll play it by ear.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-01
From: Monson ME.

To: Monson, ME/Shaw's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

The weather is just awful here, rain rain rain and heavy at times and maybe 50 mph gusts this afternoon. Tomorrow will be better, so they say.Not much going on today, went into Greenville, ME to get a refill on my pain meds and also went to the outfitters. Never a good move I always spend money!!I also forgot to mention that since I have been in Maine, I have seen two moose both crossing the street while I was in a car. I haven't got a picture yet, but I did take a picture of moose poop just in case. I have seen a female and a bull, very big animals. Cool to see.Just hanging out in this very small town and the hostel, tonight is an all you can eat fish so I am saving room. Going to do some computer work and then go back to the hostel and nap for a while.I miss all of you and will see you soon.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-02
From: Monson, ME/Shaw's

To: stealth by the Little Wilson River
Miles today: 6.8

Today we left Shaw's headed for the 100 Mile Wilderness. A section of trail that does not really have much in the way of resupply options but not really a isolated wilderness.The trail was very muddy and slick, as we had rain for a day and a half. We had a flat trail but still challenging. today was my first ford. The problem was the rain we had made the water higher than normal, making the fords dangerous. We reached the Little Wilson way to dangerous to ford. There was a large downed tree trunk across the river - the only way across, great! But it was not safe to go across with our packs on so Swift, Colonel, Mintyfresh rigged up a rope system to get our packs across. So once that was in place we started sending the packs over then we started scooting across the log. First Krazyfox, then me, Llano, Swift was already across, then Colonel and finally Mintyfresh. It was scary, I went across on my belly grabbing nobs on the trunk to pull myself forward and pushing off nobs with my feet to move me along, I want to get across ASAP. I made it - then we had a smaller feeder stream to cross. I threw one boot over and then the oops other but it hit a branch and fell into the feeder stream and started floating toward the raging river, Krazyfox yells "I'll get it Tigerlily" she did but she had to step into the stream to do it, so in trying to keep our boots dry both Krazyfox and I got one boot wet but we were across and safe. But it was hilarious. That whole experience took us about 3 hours to accomplish. So now on the other side we strap on our packs and walk oh about .1 miles saw a camp site and called it quits for the day.Wow not something I enjoyed today. No journal tonite - straight to sleep.
Date: 2010-10-03
From: Monson, ME/Shaw's

To: Cloud Pond Lean to
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up today and on the trail by 8:30 am. We had three fords and one mountain to climb today. yay. I am not looking forward to the fords.The first one came - boots off walked across barefoot about mid-thigh not to bad. The next ford the Big Wilson, stronger current but made across okay. Then another with a log but it was so close to the water I forded the river next to the log holding on to it. Then shortly after that ford there was another. This one the first section was easy the second part the current was pretty strong so I sent my pack over via a rope and then I went across. That was the last ford of the day, thank goodness. They are getting easier though.We were all planning to stay at the fire tower on Barren Mountian but when we arrived the fire tower was a mere skeleton of a fire tower on a bed of rocks so we were forced to walk another mile to a shelter .4 off the AT. Swift was behind us so he didn't get to the lean to till after dark but he made it. We all cooked and ate in the dark and yes once again I slept in the shelter. I know, I never learn.
Date: 2010-10-04
From: Monson, ME/Shaw's

To: stealth beyond W Branch Pleasant River
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a rolling of ups and downs. We went over Fourth mountain and Third mountain and Columbus mountain none of which are very big but enough of a climb to kick my butt. But Maine seems to do a good job of that. I don't think we had a climb more than 700' but for some reason it has been tough on me.We ended the day with a ford of the Pleasant River West Branch. I had jumped ahead and was hiking well so I got to the ford first. The ford was wide but shallow (no more than knee deep) & the flow was calm, so across I go barefoot, slow and steady. No problem. I waited on the others - Colonel was the next then Llano, Krazyfox, then Mintyfresh, but no Swift. We were only .2 miles from a campsite that "Threshold" the ridge runner told us about. I left a note in the register for Swift as to where we would be, so we hiked to the campsite.We got to the site, it was a great place with a picnic table. We had a great fire but Swift never made it, which is good if he reached the ford after dark. But I still worry! Tomorrow Whitecap and my first view of Katahdin.