morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-03
From: Caratunk, Maine

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Tuesday, September 3   Caratunk, ME to Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to.   15 miles.   Weather: Cloudy with late afternoon showers. Hi 70 Lo 44We enjoyed a modest breakfast at the Sterling Inn before being shuttled to the trailhead for an 8:00 start to our hike. The Sterling Inn was perfect for hikers. Nice rooms, a big common area, dining room, parlor, access to the kitchen and a good basic resupply. The owner was pleasant and respectful of hikers which I was grateful for. He flew a unique period American flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes which would have been the flag at the time the Inn was established in 1816. I was amazed at what great shape the Inn was in for being 197 years old. The guy is from Oklahoma and I hope he can make it work. It turns out that the Sterling Inn has a direct connection to Harrison's Sporting Lodge where we had breakfast yesterday, having been built by be same owners. Very interesting history and all on display throughout the Inn. Our hike was an easy 15 mils today with only one climb of 1,300 feet up Pleasant Pond Mountain. We had lunch up there at 12:00 and had only 7.5 miles left to our campsite for the night. I got to the camp after an uneventful 3.5 hour hike and set up in the lean-to by 4:00. I went over to the nearby stream to wash up and managed to knock one of my Crocks into the water where it floated away before Newton of I could retrieve it. That means I won't have anything to change into for several significant river crossings coming up including a big one tomorrow. I'll just have to do it in my hiking shoes. On well, that's how I did it for all these years before this hike so I'll manage I'm sure. Newton and I are alone in this lean-to after seeing only 6 people all day. We are really in the Maine wilderness now and it feels that way. Rough, empty trails, lots of Moose sign, bigger rivers and streams. It's only 7:50 but already we're in our sleeping bags and ready for sleep. Another easy day tomorrow and hopefully we'll get out of this rainy pattern.
Date: 2013-09-04
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Wednesday, September 4 Bald Mountain Lean-to to Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to.   13 miles. Weather: Sunny and comfortable. Hi 70 Lo 42We awoke today to clear, cool, breezy conditions. Perfect for hiking. We were in no hurry since we only had to cover 13 miles and most of it flat. There were several places of interest today so I was really looking forward to the day's hike. Right away we started up Moxie Bald Mountain. It was a somewhat easy climb of 1,300 feet spread over 2 miles. It was a beautiful morning and when we reached the top we were treated to a 360 degree view on top of an open bald peak of solid granite. The visibility was fantastic and we could see the Bigelows, Avery Peak, and Saddleback way off in the distance. To the north in the 100 mile Wilderness, we could see Chairback and Whitecap Mountains, the last 2 big climbs before Mt. Katahdin. I thought I could see Mt. Katahdin but I couldn't quite be sure, since it is over 120 miles from that point. The views were fantastic!We then descended to Bald Mountain Pond and sat for quite a while on its shore enjoying the scenery around this beautiful mountain pond that is larger than many lakes I know. So we now had just 9 miles left in the day's hike but the fording of the West Branch of the Piscataquis River lay 5 miles ahead. The first three miles of this was among the most miserable miles of the trail. It was a virtual rocky, rooty stream bed and mud pit combined for the entire three miles. True slogging. We stopped and had lunch on a logging road bridge overlooking the Bald Mountain River. A rouge gust of wind came up and blew Newtons socks off of the bridge where they were drying into the river below. Somehow he was able to retrieve them both! He had much better luck than I did with my Crock the night before. After lunch we hiked the 2 miles to the river crossing. The river was about 100 feet wide and the water came up to my lower thigh. The current was quite swift due to all the recent rain. Thankfully, there was a climbing rope across the river to hang on to as we crossed. I just did it in my hiking shoes since I had lost a Crock. It was no big deal since that is the way I did river crossings for years. The shoes then dry out as you hike. We then had three quick miles to the Lean-to and I arrived there around 3:30. That gave us a leisurely, restful afternoon. Once again it appears that we will be alone in the lean-to after seeing just one person the entire day. A fantastic day again! Tomorrow we enter Monson, ME, our last trail town of the hike. There we will provision for the 100 mile Widerness which will take us 7 days to cross. At that point we will camp in Baxter State Park then summit Mt. Katahdin the following morning. Right now we are planning to do that on September 13, just 9 days from now. Man it's getting close!
Date: 2013-09-05
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson, Maine 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Thursday, September 5 Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to to Monson, ME.   9 miles   Weather: Sunny and cool. Hi 63Lo 37. We walked into Monson this morning for our last visit to a trail town and the iconic hiker hostel Shaw's Boarding House. There we had 2 mail drops waiting for us because we will need to resupply for the last 113 miles from here. Shaw's is also famous for its hiker breakfast which we will try tomorrow morning. The town looks to be on the verge of closing down as practically every business, including Shaw's, is either closed or for sale. We did our normal routine of shower, laundry, and eating. This will be the last time we perform this ritual. We then arranged a food drop that we placed in a 5 gallon pickle bucket that will be hidden deep into the upcoming stretch of trail near an old lumber road. The next 100 miles are known simply as The 100 mile Wilderness. No towns, no buildings of any kind, just a couple of lonely roads to nowhere in particular that probably one time serviced the logging industry. Definitely more Moose than people. It will take us 7 days to cross it and we will arrive at Baxter State Park next Thursday. On Friday we will summit Mt. Katahdin and finish our journey of 2,186 miles. For these 8 days I will journal on my notes program like I do every day but it is unlikely I'll be able to post to trailjournals.com because I doubt I'll find any connection to the Internet. I'll catch up with posting when I get home to Sugar Hill. Good bye for now.
Date: 2013-09-06
From: Monson, Maine 

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Friday, September 6 Monson, ME to Long Pond Stream Lean -to15 miles   Weather: Sunny and cool. Hi 61 Lo 38We started our day with the legendary hiker breakfast at Shaw's Boarding House. 4 pancakes, 3 eggs, sausage, bacon, and a huge helping of their famous skillet home fries. I was ready for the trail. We set off into the 100 mile wilderness a little before 9:00. Right away the trail was scenic as it passed by a number of lovely ponds and climbed slate and granite ridges offering nice views. The forest consisted of primarily evergreen trees with towering White Pines over 100 feet tall and dense, aromatic stands of Hemlock. The woods were truly beautiful on this clear, crisp, late summer day with a hint of fall in the air. After 6 miles we came to Little Wilson Falls that were anything but little. The falls plummeted about 90 feet straight down into a sheer granite lined chasm and terminated in a big, deep pool. We ate lunch on a level slate outcropping less than 20 feet from the face of the falls. The roar of the water was exhilarating and we could barely hear each other although we sat just a few feet apart. After lunch we crossed the first of three river fords today. They all required us to remove our boots and wear our Crocks. One ford required the use of an overhead rope because of the river depth and strength of the current. We got across all three without incident and arrived at the Lean- to around 5:30. It was a wonderful first day in the Wilderness and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow as we climb over 4 mountains.
Date: 2013-09-07
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Saturday, September 7 Long Pond Stream Lean-to to Chairback Gap Lean-to. 11 miles. Weather: Partly cloudy to start with a steady rain by nightfall. We broke camp right at 7:30 and immediately started up Barren Ledges Mountain. It was a good steady climb of 1,800 feet in 2 stages. On the way up we had excellent views from a side trail to a slide, and later from the summit ledges. Once again we were looking out over a vast wilderness area with numerous ponds and peaks. I really felt the scale of it today now that we were a bit further in. After Barren Ledges, we started up and over a series of 3 peaks named Third, Fourth, and Columbus Mountains. Each climb was just under 1,000 feet in just over a mile but the descents were scary steep with sketchy footing. The going was slow but each summit had an awesome view so it kept our interest. What was emerging in the views was the Wilderness being an immense valley with a mountain range on either side of it. The valley was filled with a huge forest and dozens of lakes and ponds of all shapes and sizes. It is a truly spectacular woodland. We arrived at our lean-to early, about 3:00. The short day was necessary for two reasons. First we needed to stop short of the Gulf Hagas Trail which we will take as a side trip tomorrow, and second we wanted to be in a lean-to rather than our tents because it is going to rain all night. It should also provide us with a little extra rest which is needed because we have 4 big mileage days in a row coming up. The steady pitter patter of rain on the metal lean-to roof should work its magic and put all 5 of us that are in here to sleep shortly.
Date: 2013-09-08
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Carl Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Sunday, September 8 Chairback Gap Lean-to to Carl Newhall Lean-to. 15 miles.   Weather: Cloudy with occasional showers. We awoke to the sound of raindrops on the shelter roof as the rain from the night before wound down. There would, however, continue to be pop up showers throughout the day. We started out hiking up Chairback Mountain and were treated to great views as the clouds and rain parted long enough for us to get over the top. The descent down from Chairback was another cliff like drop off were we had to go extra slow. After getting down we made great time hiking down to another ford crossing of the West Pleasant River. We encountered trail magic there consisting of bottled water and donuts. Both were good and appreciated. Soon after the crossing we entered the Gulf HagasTrail. It is a beautiful 3 mile gorge carved out of the surrounding rock with many waterfalls and rapids forced into narrow passages in the rock. The woods around the trail are lush and green and the whole place looks like a rain forest somehow transformed to Northern Maine. After Gulf Hagas, we climbed the remaining 4 miles to Carl Newall Lean-to. We were the first to arrive but the place quickly filled to capacity. Soon there was a roaring fire and the sounds of thru hikers just enjoying themselves in camp trading stories and having a good time. Well tomorrow will be a big day for Newton and I. We have to do 19 miles including 6 miles of climbing to start, a river fording, and picking up our food drop. This will be a really challenging day and hopefully the weather will cooperate!
Date: 2013-09-09
From: Carl Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Monday, September 9   Carl Newhall Lean-to to Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to   19 miles. Weather: Sunny and cool. Hi 58 Lo 43The day started cold and breezy with the temperature in the mid 30's. We started right away up the first mountain of the day, Gulf Hagas Mountain. That just might be the only mountain in the world with the word Gulf in the name.! The views were limited but nice. We then descended and climbed up West Mountain. Both climbs were about 700 feet in less than a mile and the descents were a bit more gradual. That's how I like it. Steep up, gentle down. We then descended again and climbed up Hay Mountain. Three mountains in a row and still the biggest one to go, White Cap Mountain. The climb up White Cap was a total of 1,100 feet in 1.1 miles and once on top we were treated to fantastic views including the long awaited first confirmed look at Mt. Katahdin. We came around the side of the mountain looking to the North and there it was. 50 miles away but still looking enormous, rising up to 5,268 feet from flat lands all around it. It looked huge!We then began the long descent of over 6 miles down to the valley floor. The trail became noticeably better with less roots, rocks, and mud. I hope it stays that way! We then came to the last climb of the day, Mt. Boardman. It was an easy ascent except for a reroute the last mile or so. That was a mess and there was no trail to the summit or views. A little disappointing. We then hiked on to the road where we were scheduled to get our food drop. We were a bit nervous about this all day as it was in a 5 gallon pail hidden in a predetermined spot in the woods. We were worried about someone taking it or a bear getting in it but it was right where it was supposed to be and everything was fine. We loaded up our food for the last 4 days and headed the last 4 miles to the lean-to. It was a big, beautiful day on the trail. 19 miles, 5 peaks, our first look at Katahdin, and a successful food drop. I'm all snug in my bag in the shelter with the sound of the river to put me to sleep. Life is good as it gets out here on the trail!
Date: 2013-09-10
From: Cooper Brook Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0

Tuesday, September 10 Cooper Brook Lean-to to Wadleigh Lean-to.   21.5 miles. Weather: Overcast skies but no rain. Hi 70 Lo 48Today was a real "professional hikers" day. That's when you get up and just bang out your miles without the benefit of any views or other points of interest. We had 21.5 miles to cover under the threat of rain all day. The trail started out flat and smooth and we covered the miles quickly. I was beginning to think that it would be a short day despite the heavy mileage. That thought came to an abrupt end after Jo-Mary road at the Antlers Campground when the trail turned ugly. Roots, rocks and mud were back again. After lunch at a lean-to around 1:00, we had just 10 miles left to cover. I am struggling with a bad cold and was hoping for a smooths trail in the afternoon. Soon my hopes were crushed as the trail began to follow a river which means rough. It followed the river for the next 8 miles and really punished me. Poor Newton took a spill in a mud pit and while flailing to keep his balance, he wound up giving himself a black eye! I finally arrived at the shelter about 5:30 and felt really tired and be cold symptoms felt quite severe. The hiking was rough today but if I wasn't sick I would have been fine with it. I sure hope I feel better for summit day on Friday.
Date: 2013-09-11
From: Wadleigh Lean-to

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Wednesday, September 11 Wadleigh Lean-to to Hurd Brook Lean-to.   19.5 miles.   Weather: Partly cloudy and hot. Hi 85 Lo 68. We got out of Wadleigh around 7:30 and immediately climbed about 800 feet to a beautiful overlook that looked down onto a lake a d beyond to Mt. Katahdin. Everything was shrouded in a fog like cloud that parted to reveal glimpses of Katahdin and the lake below. It had a surreal quality to it that was quite beautiful. You could see today was going to be different weather wise. It was already warm and the sky had a hazy cast to it. The temperature today would eventually hit about 85 which is as warm as its been in over a month. We hiked on to a shelter by a river for a snack and Newton and I lamented how we never seem to get to sleep in nice shelters like that one! After that we hiked 4 more miles to a beautiful campsite on Rainbow Lake. The lake was crystal clear and huge. It was surrounded by mountains and there were small boats and canoes stashed in the woods for fishing trips no doubt. There was also an amazing spring right down next to the shore of the lake. The whole thing for me was one of those special moments on the trail were I will remember every detail about it. From there we climbed a ridgetop where we had a great view of Katahdin and then descended down to our campsite at Hurd Brook Lean-to. It was supposed to rain hard last night but never did. I'm afraid that means that this warm, unstable, air mass may hang around longer than hoped. We'll hope for the best with the weather on Friday, our summit day.
Date: 2013-09-12
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Thursday, September 12 Hurd Lean-to to Katahdin Stream Campground.   10 miles. Weather:   Cloudy with showers then a steady heavier rain. This is, for me, a strange day. It's my last day of hiking before my summit day. I feel excited, anxious, and nervous all at he same time. Every river, pond, waterfall, our mountain view I get feels like its the last one I'll see on this journey. This is the last night in a shelter, our lunch stop at Abol Bridge Store will be the last roadhouse trail town meal, the Knorr Dinner with tuna added will be my last trail dinner, the last trip to the privy, last anything having to do with the AT. The last sky with too many stars to be possible, the last wonderful moment of getting into your warm, dry sleeping bag to drift into a deep, worry free sleep. The last time all I will have to do that day is get up and walk from point A to point B. The last time I'll see so many friends that I've made and held closely the last 6 months. Friends that become closer than some people you've known your whole life. Suddenly they'll all be gone forever. This doesn't normally happen in life. It will be the hardest part of finishing. I won't talk about the best parts of finishing until I actually do! The weather forecast tomorrow is pretty grim, but we are holding out hope of summiting anyway. We'll see what happens.
From: Hairy Johns State Park

To: Poe Valley State Park (on PA Mid State Trail)
Miles today: 0.0

The Good, Bad, & Ugly of my overnight shakedown hike.Good:Great scenery along the World Class fly fishing of Penns Creek!The old Railroad Tunnel & Bridge over Penns Creek ( abandoned in early 70's)Nice 6 hour hike with some good challenging ups & downs.Crystal clear mountain waters. Set up tent in dark.Poe Valley Lake Met another hiker that saved the day & here is a big SHOUT OUT to Steve who assisted in needed Vet assistance (see ugly). THANKS again Steve!Slept in tent first time in 40+ years & survived @ 25 degrees.NOT cold so Bag adequate (wearing clothes)Found my pack! (see ugly) The bad: Set up tent in dark (mileage about 3 miles more than I figured)& my PA mid-state trail guide was in mailbox as I got home today (figures)No supper last night. Already cold as hell with soaked feet (up to 5" snow on mountain tops) & had to get wet soaks off asap. Besides, wasn't hungry.Did feed Felix who chowed down. He is getting his own pack.2 year old 90# German Shepard can carry his own food from now on. And sleeping mat.Slept very little as expected.Felix chases deer when we were about 6 miles from vehicle at mountain top (Felix getting a bell tomorrow (six pounder should suffix to warn critters to adios)The UglyFelix met Porcupine. Porky won. Felix gets 15 or so quills in his nozzle.Never even yelped. Again, thx to Steve who extracted most of them while I held on to top and bottom jaw. Funny thing is, his (1 of 3) chocalate lab just received the same extractions after losing his battle with a porky! Plus the black labs got sprayed by a skunk! AND of course, Steve was the only hiker I saw the WHOLE hike and could never have held Felix down and got them all out.Putting on solid frozen shoes NOT FUN. Yeah, knew they should be in plastic bag in sleeping bag, but needed to experience that to be prepared should I forget some night. Walked around on slate floor ( pitched tent under pavilion at P V S P)in fresh socks packing up @ 7am)So, as I am trying to locate Felix (from deer chasing) I venture quite a distance from pack left on trail. Cant find him, wont come back. So I decide I will wait 90 minutes and retrace steps for pack to wait. Well, I made a few shorter treks calling him and returned to pack to wait & there were LOTS of tracks (and it was all green with Rhody & Hemlocks which all looks the same in every direction), and of course Felix comes back in 25 minutes. L S S, it took me 30 minutes to find my pack.   Total lost time = 55 minutes!   Exactly the time we needed to return to car before the SLEET and rain moved in.Cope, adjust, and compromise   or DONT head for the trail head.Mission Accomlished~~~~~~~~~~~~~~