morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Crocker Cirque

To: Logging Road S. of Perham Stream
Miles today: 9.9

Matt's Entry: We have gone 205 miles as of today! That is cause for celebration for sure! Obviously, Kate's knee is feeling better.So we had a pretty big day today; lots happened. First, we changed up packing to give Kate's knee a rest. She took the thermarests as well as all of the clothes. I took the second 1/2 of the tent, all of the food, and kept the other gear I had been carrying (stove, fuel, pots/pans, etc.).Honestly, it made for a really heavy load for me after awhile, and I am pretty worn out. We met several NOBOS today - Garlic, Pickle, and Oldgraceful. Also, they warned us about the lady staying at the shelter we were headed to tonight - Spaulding Mountain Lean-to. We decided to move on since Kate was feeling well.Right after the shelter, we heard thunder, and it rained on us for perhaps an hour. I was really getting tired, so I was tripping a lot. Kate fell right on her butt but she didn't get hurt. It was on one of those darned bog-log crossings, which of course was all wet. Finally we stopped about 2 miles N of where we had wanted, which was OK because a Thunderstorm hit jsut as we finished setting up camp. Kate and I took a nap then made dinner under one of the vestibules of the tent. I'ts been a great day but I am pooped!I am trying to dry out my clothes in my sleeping bag like Kate does, but it is so gross - it feels all clammy. I think I may just give it up today and commit to wearing damp clothes tomorrow. The rain is putting me to sleep so TTFN.
Date: 2008-07-10
From: Putram Stream

To: Piazza Rock
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: few clouds

Kate's entry: Woke up wet. But happy and ready to go. We set off - the skies were blue with some clouds. Down to Oberton Stream, where we forded. Then up, up, up to Poplar Lean to - the longest sustained upf for the day. I'm not finding the ups so terrible anymore. We snacked and pumped water at the lean to, then more up, up to Little Saddleback Mountain. Once again the views were phenomenal! Then down, down, and then up again to the Horn. BEAUTIFUL views again. What we didn't expect from the Horn to the other side of of Saddleback Mountain is to be above treeline the whole time - for several miles. And is was super windy! Down a bit and then up again to Saddle. I thought we summitted because there was a sign, but it was a stay on the trail sign. VERY disappointing and misleading for a tired girl. Next up was the summit. It was really gorgeous up there. I mean absolutely breathtaking, BUT the wind was really knocking us around. Down, down like 3 endless miles to the lean to. We saw our first switchback in ME today - otherwise they ALWAYS take us straight up or down, so that was a nice change. Towards the end, my feet were tired. We rolled into camp and Polly and Bettle jumped right up so happy to see up. We were glad to see them too!!They pumped our water for us which was a great treat as we were just tired. Matt's wiped from the heavier load and has already crashed. Early to bed tonight!
Date: 2008-07-11
From: Piazza Rock

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It seemed so strange to write that we actually backpacked 11.2 miles today. Upon reflection, we have gone more than 229.4 miles. I think today is a good reminder that no matter how far you go, your trip might end at any time. Pollywog and Beetle had planned to go into Rangeley for breakfast this AM, and as they were getting ready to leave, Polly hurt her shoulder tightening her pack strap. She thought she may have torn her rotator cuff. This seems all really ironic to me. This woman is 62 years old, and she has bruises literally all over the place from her countless falls. She has a condition that causes her to shake and sometimes she will randomly knock over things. It bothers her tremendously but it doesn't bother us at all, except that we don't want to see her struggle. She is such a strong woman , and is sucks that she's hurt. Beetle had to leave her in Rangeley, to hopefully heal up. Beetle had to come out to meet us alone. Beetle has hiked with Polly for 4 months and feels horrible, as she has a a time limit to finish. The plan is to meet Polly in Andover. After taking another look at the map and noting our recent miles in the last 2 days, we think we can step it up a bit and go into town a couple of days early to see Polly. I just heard an owl - the first on the trip so far. The stars last night were breathtaking. It was very windy and we had broght the tent up to dry; I needed to get in tin becasue I was afraid that the wind would blow it away. It got cold last night and it's chilly again tonight, but the days have been warm. I did laundry today after we reached the shelter, and I am hoping that my socks and shirt dry while in the wind tonight.My elnows were hurting today from using my trekking poles each day, so today I rested them today by not using my poles. I did OK, but I twisted my left ankle slightly. I need to be sure I stretch out well in the morning. In general, I am having a great time. Still a bit worried about Polly, but it'll work out I hope. Just a bit gurther till we're through the White Mountains. At any rate, I feel good when I reach the shelter/camp each night and still hav etime and energy to enjoy Kate and others' company. Besides, we are in no rush and really can afford to go slow. So why not?Hopefully Polly gets better soon.
Date: 2008-07-12
From: Sabbath Day Pond

To: 1.5 miles South of Bemis Stream Trail
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Kate's entry: Woke to squirrels barking at the shelter trying to get into the boys' foodbags. Try to go back to sleep, but they are insistent. We are on the trail by 7 am. It's cool out and the sun is out. We're traveling good - we are about to hit hywy 17 when we come across our first trail magic (which is like when people leave food, beverages, or other kind of things just to brighten up the day of hikers) - a cooler stocked with cold soda and candy bars! 9 am soda never tasted so good. It's nice walking with Beetle - we chit chat about a variety of random stuff...sometimes she and I think strikingly alike - like what to the animals living in the holes under the rocks think about hikers? We met several NOBOS ( we are starting to see them more and more). The trails are mostly maintained well with random mudholes. The terrain is very up and down. We summit first peak and second peak...We get to the lean-to - 8.4 miles by 1 pm! We are impressed with ourselves and the question is should we go further? We decide we have 4-5 more miles in us which would put us between Elephant and Old Blue Mountains which looks flat so has stealth potential. We all are also considering naps, and then decide to push on.We climb forever and there are no signs marking summits. We think we summit Bemis Mountain, but are unsure. Views are beautiful all day. It was neat because over and over again we saw Sabbath Day Pond and could see how far we had gone. We weren't sure if we had climbed Bemis or Third Peak, but were hoping for Bemis when we finally hit Bemis Stream Trail - we were excited we were as far as we thought we were, instead of further behind. We all started to get tired on Elephant Mountain. It seemed to go on forever. Finally we came to a sign where an old trail used to be...and it looked flat. We decided to take off our packs and recon for a campsite. First I found a stream - which I didn't expect - we had carried in extra (HEAVY) water as the map indicated no streams past the lean to. It had made the climbing harder, but you just never know...but there was a stream. And then I found it - perfect - room for both our tents, an old fire ring and everything. I was sooo excited! Time to stop! We ate (ramen spaghetti - YUM) and are crashing early - pleased with our 12.5 over hard terrain and just are wiped out. It was hard for me to convince myselt once I was in my bag to flip over and journal. Sooo tired.
Date: 2008-07-13
From: 1.5 miles South of Bemis Stream Trail

To: Andover, ME (Pine Ellis Lodge)
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: scattered clouds

We had lofty goals for today, and for the first time in my life (I think), I did not meet my goal but it was perfectly OK with it!We started off with a pretty challenging climb up Old Blue Mountain, then back down. I think the down was about 2 - 2.5 miles worth. And, it was steep - about a 2200 foot elevation change. Most of that came during the first mile it seemed. By the time we got down the mountain it was lunchtime. There was a little stream and a road there, so we devided to get water, soak our feet (which felt amazing), and to each lunch before climbing Moody Mountain. Kate predicted that Moody would make her moody. It is about 970' elevation change in 1 mile, and back UP 1500' in 1.3 miles. It is a hard bunch of terrain by any standards. The plan was to do all of that today and go into town tomorrow, a full day ahead of schedule. But, a guy pulled up in a minivan and asked if we were the hikers he was supposed to pick up. We said no, and kept eating and visiting (and resting). As we ate, clouds began rolling in, especially on Moody Mountain, so we decided to take up in the driver's offer. Since he had been sitting there an hour because his hikers had not shown up and, as luck would have it, his cell phone wasn't getting reception even though ours was. In many ways, I really believe that God was trying to keep us off the mountain today, and I am glad because it rained all afternoon and evening. The mountains in this area are very difficult, according to the hikers we are staying with, and in many areas the trail maintainers have even built metal steps made out of reebar that are cemented into the rock, and some of these stairs even have railings.Many people were know are here at the Hostel. Brian and Laurie Jo, who ended up being the hikers that our driver was supposed to be picking up, Deedjo (Doug), another NOBOer named Poz, Andrea and Hank Southgate (who we have been keeping up with on trailjournals) as well. And, maybe three people who we haven't talked to yet came in late tonight.The hostel and town seem very nice and people here are all great. I am probasbly going to spend part of tomorrow working on my magic routine we hope to use in the White Mountains. That and read. My only complaint about this place is there is only 1 bathroom here. Other than that, life is great!
Date: 2008-07-14
From: Andover, ME (Pine Ellis Lodge)

To: Andover, ME (Pine Ellis Lodge)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Kate's entry: Rest day again! I wish I could say I slept in, but I didn't sleep well and was up by 5 am. Poo on that. I caught up on the website and internet chores. Soon it was breakfast time - which was delightful. Then we figured out our plans through the Whites - which took awhile and really kinda gave me a headache. Plan is to slackpack tomorrow and Wednesday. Slackpacking is when someone drops you off at a trailhead, and then picks you up at the end of the day. The advantages of slackpacking are 1) You get to carry a daypack (so you are sooo super light), 2) You can go further faster, 3) hard terrain is made easier without as much weight and 4) at the end of the day, you get to have a dinner in town. Our planned total for the two days is 20 miles. After the slacking, we will be out of ME in 2 days into New Hampshire. We are very excited about that. Matt and Beetle went for massages - which they enjoyed immensely. I called some folks, chilled and hung out with Pollywog. We split a lobster roll for a snack. YUM! Then we got ready for our slack tomorrow. Dinner and dessert at Grammy's and bought an amazing print of a moose there...even met the artist. Matt's watching some TV, which I have no interest in tonight. I feel sleepy, but it's too early for bed.I'm looking forward to the slack tomorrow - it will be a change, a light, barely there pack!
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Grafton Notch

To: East B Hill 
Miles today: 10.2

Kate's entry: Another slackpack today! We were northbounders for a day per DiJo's recommendation. It was a good choice - it was a better walk. The walk was over Baldpate Mountain. It was soooo beautiful and clear - we could see the summit signs on the tops of other mountains... We think we could see Mount Washington far off. Some hikers are not keen on the slackpacking - that it's not a valid way to walk the A.T. I disagree (obviously) - you're still walking it - it's just different. I was willing (and able) to go over very tough terrain and was still willing to walk on side trails - I wouldn't have had the energy to see some amazing waterfalls without slackpacking today. We saw quite a few folks we know - Laurie and Brian, Raleigh an Achilles - all moving towards Old Speck Mountain. Past Old Speck is Mohoosuc which is supposed to be tough - some consider it the hardest mile on the A.T. Tomorrow is our last full day in ME and we can't wait. I'm excited to get back to the trail tomorrow and be out in the shelters or tent at night again. I'm ready to get back to the woods 24-7. I have liked Andover immensely, but it's time to move back out to the trail - it's been weird to be away from it for so long. I'm ready for the noises of the woods at night.
Date: 2008-07-16
From: East B Hill 

To: grafton notch
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

kate's entry: Another slackpack day! We were northbounders today per DiJo's recommendation. It was a god choice- it was a better walk. It was so beautiful on baldpate mtn and sooo clear. We think we could see Mt Washington far off. It was nice slackpacking today - I checked out some sidetrails with amazing waterfalls. Tomorrow we will start out towards Old Speck and the Mahoosuc which is supposed to be tough.
Date: 2008-07-17
From: East B Hill 

To: Speck Pond Campsite
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: clear sky

Matt's Entry: Well, first of all, this morning was absolutely awesome. We slept in until about 7. I am generally sleeping really well, even in the shelters which have hard floors. Kate and I are getting along great. I think that all of my time with Kate has had a really positive impact on our relationship in general. Breakfast tasted amazing - hash browns, french toast, and loads of coffee. Pollywog isn't having a good day. She is really hurting - she says more than the other day. She has decided not to go on for now and will meet us in Gorham. We are all pretty sad but as we will be going in to what some call the mose difficult part of the AT, I am glad she knows her body well enough to call it quits and not endanger us by going on when she knows she can't. I really respect her for that; I know it must be hard. Hopefully she will get the rest she needs and join us again soon.The hike today started out very difficult. We had 4.6 miles of climb, and it was hard getting used to our packs at first, after really 4 days of not wearing them.While we were eating lunch, 3 birds (I think they are grey jays) kept flying around. Not sure if they wanted our food or what, but I got a great picture of one just the same. We didn't share our food though - we are all much too hungry for that.Then, the most amazing thing happened - Kate climbed a fire tower today! It was really tall and there was lots of open air around the big ladder going up up up. I will try to post a picure of it so you all can see. I was so proud of her - she is really getting over her fear of tall places. Six Flags, here we come!!!By the end of the day, the terrain was getting hard - we are all pretty tired I think. I know that tomorrow will be harder - Kate wants to get up really early (5:30), I think she is a bit nervous. Dinner was great. The campsite caretaker (Mike) just gave us some cheddarworst. It was going to go on our breakfast tomorrow because I was going to cook scrambled eggs, but none of it lasted that long. I guess it's time to hit the hay - I am getting pretty tired and I still want to read and stretch. TTFN.
Date: 2008-07-18
From: Speck Pond 

To: Full Goose 
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: broken clouds

Kate's entry: Woke up later than planned, but slept very well. The first mile up to the arm of Mahoosuc wasn't bad- we did it lickety split...Then we started down - the boulders picked up and it became slower going. We got to the notch...and it began to rain and the trail became like a boulder field than anything else. We were climbing over them and under them- yes. under them. It was a full body experience - just pushing and pulling yourself up. It was tough. With the rain, it was slow and slippery going. We saw snow and ice - which was cool. When we finally got out of the notch, we had a straight climb up for like a mile and the rain stopped for the moment. We had planned to go to Carlos Col Shelter, but we were beat and it looked like more rain. Northbounders here in the shelter said it was a tough 4.5 so we are staying. The shelter is pretty full but everybody is pretty friendly. We immediately got into our bags for anap and fell right tosleep. It began to pour and we areglad we made the decision we did.
Date: 2008-07-19
From: North Woodstock, NH

To: 2.2 Miles S of Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8

Matt's Entry: Today was a cool day. It was overcast and generally cruddy when we left the shelter this morning, but I am just happy that we left Maine today. I know that Maine was hard, but it was pretty as well. Still, it will be pretty cool to move along to our next state - New Hampshire. The couple of miles after the shelter were hard - BIG bouldering and very steep ups. It was pretty rainy off and on today, but we had to walk because we had limited food. This morning it was so cloudy on some of the balds that we couldn't see more than 30 yds. ahead or so.In the afternoon it cleared up in time for us to cross into New Hampshire and get some great pics of the signs marking the occasion. We shared some oreos that Beetle packed in and we in generally great spirits. We had lunch at Carlo Col shelter, which was a double decker with a small doorway. It was the nicest shelter I ahve see nso far. And wouldn't you know that I forgot to take a picture of it? In the shelter, I learned of thoreau's book about his travels to Maine - I am still reading Walden. They dedicated a trail here in Maine to him and it retraces part of his journey. It would be cool to hike that someday, and maybe I will read his book about his experience in Maine on this trip too.Tonight I took care of Kate's feet - they have been wet all day and yesterday too. We walked past Gentian Pond site and also had dinner before going on. The frogs are very loud here. Also, I rigged up a frisbee to keep rodents out of our food bag - we only have had trouble with one red squirrel but i hear that down south the rodents are bad and get into your food - even chew your clothes to get the salt out of them from your sweat. The frisbee was inspired by Kate's grandpa Voegtle - he has some squirrel deterrant devices on his bird feeders. One of these days I will have to take a picture of it in action and post it so you guys can see it. I think it will work great.
Date: 2008-07-20
From: Dream Lake

To: Gorham NH
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: fog

Kate's entry: We woke up excited for town... but we would have to push it to make it for lunch. The trail terrain wasn't bad at all - a couple of ups mostly downs. About four miles out, it began to rain, then it began to pour. Trail got wet and we slowed down. We were wet through and through - our raincoats have been leaking (they're about 5 years old) and my rainpants due to the lostwight and the length weren't fitting right so they were hard to manuever in...so I didn't bother. We were soaked. We finally got to US2 ...but we knew it was going to take a VERY special person to pick up 3 very wet hikers so it was probably going to be another 4 miles into town. Thumbs out we started walking. Cars, trucks, vans passed us -zipped right by,but we had only walked a quarter of amile when an angel pulled over driving an old yellow mercedes running on biodiesel. I couldn't believe she pulled over. It continued to pour. We took hot showers and ate a big lunch. Gorham is MUCH bigger than we are used to - they have a Rite Aid. We walked in shell-shocked at all the options - everal brands of items...and all the items we were looking for! Then a nap. Then dinner and laundry...and it continues to pour and for once he town isn't one block.Somehow at dinner, Beetle scores us ad our dry laundry a ride back to the motel from a section hiker who was waiting for the weather to break...another trail miracle. The more I'm out here, the more I see the kindness of people and their general genorosity.
Date: 2008-07-21
From: Gorham NH

To: Northern Peaks Motel, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Matt's Entry: Today has been really busy. Becasue we got in later yesterday, it seems like we have been pressed for time all day, ot at least most of the day. We stared out eating at a little coffee shop for breakfast - I think it was called the White Mountain Coffee House. It was cool becaue it really played of of the nearby National Forest, complete with pictures from all of the places that we were about to see. The sign outside looked like an AT directional sign, except instead of trail destinations it said Java, 50' ->, etc. It was cool.We hung out in the coffee shop for quite a while waiting for everything else in town to open. I have a really fresh cinnabun and checked out a neat bird book that was lying on the coffee table. It had pics of different birds and then it also played their song. It was fun to look up birds we had seen and also listen to the songs to see if there were some we recognized. One we found out was the black capped chickadee, which we had never seen but had heard many times on the summits and even called back to it (whistled) and it answered. Chickadees are some of my very favorite birds. Next, we checked out the outfitter and had some fun. Kate and I both got new raincoats - so now we are shades of blue instead of red. Also I got some Superfeet insoles for my boots. At Rite Aid we found an incredible assortment of medical supplies, including knee braces and water proof reinforced band-aids. Kate also got a pair of knee braces. I also got some turtlewaz shamis for drying my clothes and boots while out on the trail. I think they will work great and then I won't be constantly stinking up my camp towel.We went back to the hotel to pack etc, and wiat for the shuttle that woudl take us to the SuperWalmart to get groceries.For the first time in the trip, I really felt annoyed at the group today because the ladies wanted to go to WalMart. Here we are in small town America and we need to find a WalMart. BLEH.Granted, it WAS really convenient and cheap to get everything at one place. I even got a haircut. The assortment of things there is really incredible. I got a wallet, a belt, a haircut, backpacking food, and decent fresh fruit. In Gorham we would have had to go to many different places for all of that stuff, paid more, and maybe not even have gotten everything we needed. Sigh! WalMart is convenient...but I still like shopping at the small places!The day went by really quickly, and we even bumped into Achilles. Last night, another section hiker gave us a ride back to the hotel in the rain, and we saw him at the coffee shop again this AM. It's so cool and kind of weird how the hiking community IS small. Everyone knows everyone else and people check up on each other. It's neat - AND news travels so fast. It's easy to find out who is where on the trail. Pollywog even saw Creeture and Tilly. They zeroed for like a week with some ladies near Rangely I guess. I hope we see them again soon but they are WILD. HA!TTFN!