morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-08-26
From: US 2 White Mt hostel

To: US 2 White Mt hostel
Miles today: 0.0

26 August 2011 Day 146White Mt HostelZero day.Here at the hostel today having a days rest letting the legs and knee recover after the White Mts. The forecast is for a hurricane to hit this area on Sunday evening and we are trying to decide how to get off the trail to avoid getting hit with it.
Date: 2011-08-27
From: US 2 White Mt hostel

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

27 August 2011 day 147Gentian Pond ShelterTodays miles 11.8We actually walked 15.3 miles today but only 11.8 of it was on the AT. We took a 3.5 mile side trail up onto the ridge to Gentian Pond Shelter and hiked the AT south back to the hostel to wait out hurricane Irene. The side trail up onto the ridge was easy enough following logging roads and got steep for the last half mile or so. The hike back to the hostel was pretty gentle with a couple of climbs up Cascade Mt and Mt Hayes, got back to the hostel about 4.30pm and showered before going to Walmart again and out for something to eat. The weather stayed a dry and warm all day and the terrain at times less rocky. There was a notice at the trail head when we came back here that the trail is closing from 6pm until midnight Monday.
Date: 2011-08-28
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: White Mt hostel
Miles today: 0.0

28 August 2011 Day148White Mtn HostelZero dayEnforced zero day due to hurricane Irene, spending the day  hanging out at the hostel waiting for the storm to pass through, hopefully it'll move fast. Woke up this morning to heavy rain coming down but the wind hasn't kicked in yet.
Date: 2011-08-29
From: White Mt hostel

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: broken clouds

29 August 2011 Day 149Full Goose shelterToday's miles 9.5The rain had stopped this morning when I got up at 6am but wasn't sure if we would be able to get back to trail or not. We eventually got away from the hostel just before 10 and got dropped of on a logging road that later connected to the Austin brook trail back up to Gentian pond shelter where we picked up the AT again, so a extra 3.5 miles walked to get back on the trail and also an extra mile where we headed south on the Austin brook trail for a bit. The morning also involved taking the boots off and fording across a few steams that were flooded after all the rain. We started hiking on the AT about 12.30 and climbed up Mt Success first follow by Mt Carlo, then came 3 peaks of goose eye Mt. They were a long tough 9.5 miles today and we eventually got into the shelter here before 9pm after hiking the last hr in the dark with headlamps, not really the place to be doing a night hike. The trail was good and wet in places and a lot of muddy patches were crossed during the day. Did a few uncontrolled descents on my arse also today.
Date: 2011-08-30
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Baldpate Lean To
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

30 August 2011 Day 150 Baldpate Lean toToday's miles 12.0What a day over 12 hrs of hiking to cover 12 miles, left the shelter before 8 this morning and got here at 8 this evening. It took us 6 hrs to cover about 4 miles this morning going through the Mahoosuc notch said to be the worst mile of the AT, it involved crossing over, under and around massive boulders. I am so glad I wasn't going through it on my own because at times I had to take off my pack and pass up or down. Short legs are no help for that type of terrain, I took one fall that frightened me landing on my back pack, I have added an assortment of bruises to my body especially my knees. After the notch came the climb up Mahoosuc arm which wasn't too bad but involved a 500ft climb up slabs of rock at the finish, then came Speck Mt and a 3.5 mile descent to Grafton notch. We got to Grafton notch around 6pm and after a break pushed the last 2.4 miles up to the shelter arriving just as it got dark. I am not in the tent at 10pm and it's time for sleep.
Date: 2011-08-31
From: Baldpate Lean To

To: Sawyer Brook Campsite
Miles today: 15.4

31 August 2011 Day 151Sawyer brook campsiteToday's miles 15.4Left camp this morning at 7.30 and started the climb up baldpate mountain which wasn't too bad as it had stone steps almost the entire way and then gave way to open stone ledges to the summit which offer great views. From here it was mainly down hill to the east b hill road which was pretty badly washed out from the hurricane the other day. From the road it was a long gradual climb up to Wyman Mt passing surplus pond along the way. We reached Hall Mt shelter  just after 5.30 and decided to descend the Sawyer notch and camp by the river. The descent wasn't a bad as we expected from the map profile and we arrived at the campsite just after 6.30. We had hoped to go few miles further but it is very hard to make time on this terrain and decided to leave the climb up Moody Mt for the morning. I woke this morning with a sore throat which seems to be developing into a head cold hopefully it won't last.
Date: 2011-09-01
From: Sawyer Brook Campsite

To: Mile 1946.8 campsite
Miles today: 14.5

1 September 2011 Day 152Campsite at mile 1946.8Todays miles 14.5The day started with a ford across the Sawyer brook wearing my crocs and then the climb up Moody Mt, then followed by a long climb up Old Blue Mt. This was followed by a long walk on rock slabs over the Bemis Mt which offered great views as we crossed over. We got to Bemis Mt lean to just after 5pm and decided to go down to move onto the next dirt road which had a stream and camping near it. I took another fall today on a slippery rock again my pack took most of the impact.
Date: 2011-09-02
From: Mile 1946.8 campsite

To: ME 4 Rangeley
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: few clouds

2 September 2011 Day 153ME 4 Rangeley Today's miles 10.1Up and on the trail early as we were heading into town and that always added an extra incentive to leave the sleeping bag early. Again the day started with fording a stream before climbing up to Moxie pond. The trail today was easier than the last few days but still rocky and rooty with a lot of boggy areas along the way and we actually managed to walk at 2 mile+ an hour pace for most of it. We got to the road around 3 pm and managed to get a lift into town with a couple of other hikers who were hitching when we got. Checked into the town and lake motel for the night, had a shower and then went for pizza and onto the laundromat to do the washing clothes thing. The owner very kindly dropped us off at the supermarket so we were saved the walk up to it. Shopping done we walked back go the motel for the night. Took a other fall in Maine again today.
Date: 2011-09-03
From: ME 4 Rangeley

To: Poplar Ridge Lean To
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

3 September 2011 Day 154Poplar Ridge Lean ToToday's miles 10.8Left town today around 12 pm after having breakfast and going to the outfitters. Got a lift back to the trail from a couple who live in the area for the summer months. Today we climbed the saddleback Mts but we didn't get to see any of the fantastic views as we were in the clouds at the top of Saddleback and also the horn. We did manage to get some views from Saddleback junior as the clouds began to clear and the sun came out for awhile. We got to the shelter just before dark and it was pretty full so we filled up with water and continued up the hill to where there are some tent sites. Not the best sites but we managed to get the two tents set up on a level enough area. The big news for the day is I saw a big bull moose, it was about a half mile before the shelter and I would have not seen him only I heard him move away when he heard us on the trail. He was a big gut with massive antlers and didn't seem to mind us he just walked away when he heard me.
Date: 2011-09-04
From: Poplar Ridge Lean To

To: Crocker Cirque Campground
Miles today: 14.2

4 September 2011 Day155Crocker Cirque campgroundToday's miles 14.2Took our time packing up this morning as we knew we had plenty of time to do 14 miles to here and got back on the trail for 8 am. We start the day with a descent for a change down to the Orberton brook which according to the guide book is a ford but I got across without getting wet or having to take off my boots. From there it was a climb up lone hill and onto Spaulding Mt but it was a long slow climb not too steep. From here we headed up Sugarloaf Mt but as we climbed we heard thunder and got pretty wet as a storm blew in, it didn't last too long and I dried out again. It was a tricky descent down to Carrabassett river which we had to ford, my boots are so wet at this stage I didn't bother taking them off but didn't get too much more water into them. I'm starting to think they will never dry out and hope they will last to the end. As we got to the campsite around 5.30pm the storm started up again and I got saturated for a second time. I managed to get the tent set up relatively dry during a lull in the rain but it is on a tent platform and the splash from the heavy rain has made things kinda damp, but I am now in dry clothes and in the sleeping bag and the rain has eased off a bit but the thunder and lightening continues so it could be a wet night. I'm not looking forward to putting on wet shirt, pants and boots on the morning but it's only 7.5 miles to town and will be able to do laundry. As of today I now have less than 200 miles to go, the end is approaching.
Date: 2011-09-05
From: Crocker Cirque Campground

To: ME 27 Stratton
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: moderate rain

5 September 2011 Day 156ME 27 StrattonToday's miles 7.2After a night of torrential rain and thunder and lightening I woke to find pretty much everything saturated. I packed up the tent and the last thing I did before leaving camp was put on the wet clothes and boots, they would dry out as I walked, the clothes anyway I don't think my boots have been dry since Vermont. The day started with a climb once again and then a five mile down hill to the road. The trail was pretty much a river instead of a trail and I gave up hope of keeping my feet reasonably dry. We got down to the road and got a shuttle lift into town and checked into the motel. A long hot shower was the first order of business followed by food and laundry and then more food and an evening of watching the weather forecast as more rain is being promised.
Date: 2011-09-06
From: ME 27 Stratton

To: Safford Notch campground
Miles today: 10.5

6 September 2011 Day 156Safford Notch CampsiteToday's miles 10.5Woke to the rain stopped this morning but the plan to slackpack 16 miles today didn't work out as the bridge we need to cross to get to road is still not repaired after Irene so we decided to head out instead. After breakfast I did a quick trip to the shop for food and we got a shuttle back to the trail at 9.30. Today had two milestones first we passed the 2000 mile mark and second we climbed our last 4000ft mountain until kathadin. The weather cleared up to give us a nice day a little on the cool side but perfect hiking weather so when we eventually got up onto the Bigelow Mts the views were worth the 2000 mile walk to see them. The day was a tough 10 miles to get to this campsite with a lot of the same rocks and roots and wet trail.
Date: 2011-09-07
From: Safford Notch campground

To: West Carry Pond Lean To
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

7 September 2011 Day 157West Carry Pond Lean ToToday's miles 12.2Started to rain just as we packed up and hit the trail at 7.20am. The day started with a climb up little Bigelow Mt which was a long slow pull up and then down the other side to the lean to where we stopped for a break. We headed out again in the rain and a couple of miles down at flagstaff rd we came across some trail magic, it was good to sit down out of the rain and have a burger, coke and a hot drink but it also stopped any plans of doing big miles today. We left there after 1pm and headed out to this shelter where we decided to stay as the rain continued to fall and the trail was like walking through a river. So we set in the shelter to save having to carry out wet tents in the morning.
Date: 2011-09-08
From: West Carry Pond Lean To

To: Harrison's Pierce Pond Camp
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

8 September 2011 Day 158Harrison's pierce pond campToday's miles 10.3Up and out of the shelter by 7am as we had a 20 mile day planned and had the first 10 miles done by 12pm and were on schedule to make the 2pm ferry across the Kennebec river but when we got to Pierce pond lean to we found out that the ferry had been cancelled due to the high water level in the river so we were stuck. We decided to come to this camp and get a cabin for the night so we had showers and will have the 12 pancake breakfast in the morning and hopefully the ferry will be running in the morning. This place will find out first if it is running if not it probably means hanging around for the day. The trail today once again was like a river in parts with a couple of hairy crossings on bog bridges which were floating on the water as it was so high. There were a couple of streams to ford but my boots are so wet at this stage I don't even bother to take them off, other than that it was a pretty easy day with no serious climb.
Date: 2011-09-09
From: Harrison's Pierce Pond Camp

To: Bald Mt Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

9 September 2011 Day 159Bald Mt Brook Lean ToToday's miles 18.4The day started with the 12 pancake breakfast which I managed to finish at 7.30am. We left the camp about 8.30am still not sure if the ferry was running or not, but when we got to the Kennebec river the canoe was on the opposite bank so we waited for it to return. Then we signed waivers and put on life jackets, I sat in the middle and held on while sinister pope went up front and helped paddle, it was an experience to say the least. We left the river at 11 and headed up pleasant pond Mt which took an hour to climb and over two to cross the ridge and descend. Then we had a dodgy river ford near moxie pond as the water was quite high, maine is really testing my fear of water but so far I've managed to make it through. We made our way to the shelter and are camped along the river so I can listen to it all night. Tomorrow we are going to try to get to Monsoon a 22 mile day so hopefully we get some descent terrain to make some miles.
Date: 2011-09-10
From: Bald Mt Brook Lean-to

To: ME 15 Monson
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: scattered clouds

10 September 2011 Day 160ME 15 MonsonToday's miles 22.1Up and out of camp at 7am in the hopes of making it to town and the first few miles was a climb over Moxie Bald Mt which offered some great views. Then it was into some pretty level walking over roots and mud until we came to the west branch of the Piscataquis river which needed to be forded, this became hard work, first sinister pope lost a trekking pole and then I took a fall not really a fall but decided I need to sit down on the middle of the water. The rocks at the bottom of the river were really slippery and I lost my balance but lucky enough it wasn't too deep where I was at the time, we eventually got to the other side and emptied the water out of my boots and put on drier socks before continuing to walk along the bank of it for the next few miles until we came to the east branch of the same river which also needed to be forded. We managed that one with no mishap and stopped shortly after again to empty the boots and change socks before continuing on to ME 15 where we got a shuttle into town and stayed in one on the hostels. Did the usual town things shower, laundry and food before heading to bed shortly after 9pm. Not a bad day 22 miles hiked in under 12 hrs.
Date: 2011-09-11
From: ME 15 Monson

To: Stealth site before Wilbur Brook
Miles today: 13.4

11 September 2011 Day 161Stealth camp before Wilber brookToday's miles 13.4Up at 6am and got in contact with home before going out to resupply for the next 5 days, then got a shuttle back to the trail head and started hiking at 10.30am. The trail today involved no major climb but a lot of small minor ups and downs and two river crossings that went okay. The day light was starting to fade when we came across this area before the next river ford and instead of hiking on and finishing the day at the next Lean To 1.5 miles in the dark we decided to call it a day here at 6.45pm.
Date: 2011-09-12
From: Stealth site before Wilbur Brook

To: West branch of pleasant river
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: few clouds

12 September 2011 Day 162West branch of Pleasant RiverToday's miles 16.8Left camp this morning just after 7am with 3 river crossing coming up in a couple of miles, the first two we managed to rock hop but the third one needed to be forded. After that we started the climb up Barren mountain at 2660ft and we spent most of the day around 2000ft elevation climbing up and down climbs between 200 and 700 ft before dropping back down to 672ft where we are now. We now have just over 84 miles remaining and one more 3000ft mountain to climb tomorrow which will give us our first view of Katahdin, hopefully the weather will be good and we get to see it.
Date: 2011-09-13
From: West branch of pleasant river

To: Mountain View Pond
Miles today: 18.1

13 September 2011 Day 163Mountain View PondToday's miles 18.1Left camp after 7am and the day once again began with a river ford, so it was on with the crocs and walk across some slick rocks but it wasn't too deep or fast moving. After that it was start climbing what is our last real mountain between here and Katahdin, but first we had to get  over Gulf Hagas, west peak and hay mountains none of which were too difficult. On the descent down from White Cap Mt we got our first view of the finish as we could see kathadin, 70 miles away with the top of it going in and out of the cloud cover. We continued the descent to Logan brook lean to and stopped for a break before continuing on to here fording one more river along the way. Decided to camp here at the pond in the hope of seeing moose but alas no sighting tonight. Today I actually managed to finish the day with dry feet, that hasn't happened in awhile.
Date: 2011-09-14
From: Mountain View Pond

To: Mahar Tote Rd White Hse landing
Miles today: 20.4

14 September 2011 Day 264Maher tote rd White House Landing CampTodays miles 20.4Up and on the trail at 7am and started to grind out the miles as we needed to get here before 5pm to make dinner. The terrain we covered today was for the most part down hill or pretty level with one small climb towards the end of the day. The trail was wet in places after the rain last night and had plenty bog bridges to be crossed but also went through a lot of pine woods which had good underfoot conditions. We managed to get to the Maher tote road by 3.45pm and walked the mile out to the area where you blow an air horn to get a boat to pick you up to bring you across the lake to here, we even had time for a shower before dinner. We are now just over 45 miles from the finish and two more 20 mile days will put us on the bottom of Katahdin for a Saturday summit hopefully.
Date: 2011-09-15
From: Mahar Tote Rd White Hse landing

To: Rainbow Spring Campground
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

15 September 2011 Day 165Rainbow Springs CampgroundToday's miles 19.1Had a leisurely start to the day as breakfast was not until 7.30am so took my time packing up. When breakfast was over we were dropped back to the other side of the pond nearer to the trail than where we were picked up yesterday. We were back on the AT by 9am and heading north again, the weather forecast for the day was for rain and the first shower came around 11am and the rain jacket was on for the rest of the day, but the rain didn't really start until after 4pm. The last 3 miles to the camp ground here was pretty much through wet mucky trail and I gave up any chance of the boots staying dry and just ploughed straight through it. When I got I was pretty saturated so it put the tent up and change into dry clothes and jump in the sleeping bag which is  where I am now as it continued to fall. 26.5 miles to go from here.
Date: 2011-09-16
From: Rainbow Spring Campground

To: The Birches Lean-to
Miles today: 21.3

16 September 2011 Day 166The Birches Lean-tosToday's miles 21.3Well finally made it to Baxter State Park, all that remains now is the 5.2 climb up Katahdin tomorrow and hopefully a nice fine day to do it on, there are some reports of ice on the top of it. We left camp this morning after a cold wet night in the tents and the joyful experience of putting on wet clothes and boots this morning, it took about two miles of fast hiking before I started to warm up. We got to Abol bridge around 12.30 and stopped there for about an hour eating a cheese burger and drinking coffee. We headed back to the trail and stopped along the way to get our picture taken by some photographer taking pictures for his portfolio about man interaction with the wilderness. The last 9 miles in Baxter state park were easy miles and the feeling was a little surreal the nearer we got to Katahdin stream campground. We reached the ranger station at 6pm and I registered as thru hiker #339 for the season. I headed for the Birches Lean-to for my last night in my tent, Sinister pope headed to town with his family for the night, i wanted to stay in the woods. After setting up my tent I ate something before heading for the sleeping bag. The end is insight.
Date: 2011-09-17
From: The Birches Lean-to

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

17 September 2011 Dat 167Katahdin -Baxter PeakToday's miles 5.2Got up at 5.30 and packed up my tent for the last time which had dried out during the night. Headed back up to the campground where I was meeting Sinister pope at 7am, he had coffee for me which was great, we headed up the Hunt trail at 7.30am with his wife and daughter up to the waterfalls. From there his daughter, sinister pope and I continued up the trail which became steep and rocky and at times the climbing was so tough it made dread the actual descent we would have to make over the same rocks on the way down. Once we got to the tablelands the gradient became easier and there but there was some ice on the rocks. We reached the summit at 11.30 and the feeling was pretty emotional for me. The summit was pretty crowded with day hikers and it was a scramble to try and get some pictures at the sign. We sat and ate some lunch but the wind was strong and we hot cold fast so we started the descent which actually turned out to be easier than the climb. A mile from the bottom I spotted Dan's wife coming up the trail with my three sisters wearing t shirts of the Irish colours with well done moss printed on them, it was so good to see them I took off running down the trail and nothing hurt. We hiked back to the car park and the girls had a bottle of champagne, gubeen cheese, crackers, tayto and chocolate so we tucked in. I went to the ranger station and picked up my pack and showed the girls the shelter at the birches. Then we left Baxter state park and the trail was done.