morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-08-05
From: Liberty Spring Tentsite

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

Tmax here... We got an early start for this day as we were anticipating a day full of stops for views from the Franconia Ridge which is all above tree-line and gorgeous! Unfortunately, things started out foggy and stayed that way all the way over the ridge. The climb up Little Haystack was rugged at the top and the wind picked up. We stopped in a little protected alcove to get something hot to eat and to give the weather a chance to improve... it didn't. The rest of the ridge stayed socked in and we descended into the deep col before climbing Garfield. There we stopped for a longer lunch to build up energy for the next climb. I went out in front of Topofgothics and had a blast going up a nice hand over hand scramble (impressing some day-hikers along the way!). On the summit the day and views improved and we spent some time on the summit enjoying it. A short walk down to the tent platforms and we spent a pleasant evening conversing with the caretaker Matt and another couple who were out backpacking for the week. ****We hunkered down but there was no luck for us today. A second cup of java did not help either, and the famed Franconia Notch was keeping her baubles to herself. By Garfield things were getting clearer, but a perfect day up her would have offset a large number of wet days in the south. Waiting as we did, we did not make many miles today, but that was all right. Somehow in the middle of the day I annoyed TMax. Don¢t know just what I did, but pissing off the woman I loved was not on the agenda. Sometimes I may push too hard and I have to find a way to minimize that. All in all it was a worthwhile day, but the possibilities this day were endless.
Date: 2009-08-08
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: Crawford Notch (and Campground)
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: fog

Tmax here... Had a great morning on the easy hike out from the hut. We took a small side trail over to Thoreau Falls which were quite nice. By the time we were within a couple of miles of Crawford Notch we started to see very large numbers of day-hikers heading up Mt. Willey. At the road crossing we had to get three miles down the road to the campground where our drop awaited us (or so we thought!). Topofgothics wanted to hitch, I wanted to walk (too chicken to hitch!) but Topofgothics won and stuck out his thumb. It only took a few minutes before a guy in a truck stopped and we jumped on the back. Walked into the campground store and NO DROP! This presented a problem given my veganism. I had all my specialized protein sources and vegan treats in that drop along with more biofreeze for my foot. We tried to call the post office but it had already closed for the day. After much debate we decided we would take a zero day tomorrow (Sunday)and then see if we could locate it on Monday. So we wound up getting a couple of beds in the bunkhouse and proceeded to do laundry and take showers. Four other hikers came in over the course of the day. We bought some over-priced and crappy food from the store for dinner.   ****Today was our only day with less than a grand of gain. The terrain on the walk out was almost pleasant, something not seen in a week. One of my biggest regrets was not getting a picture of Terri in the back of the pickup truck after we secured a hitch to the campground. It was the first time for her in probably twenty or more years, and may have well been the last. The store at the place was not a ¢long-term supply¢ like it stated in the book, and Terri had to work to find things she could eat, besides coffee. We thought we might have the bunkhouse alone, but Mischa and one of his girls (he has many (I recall one earlier conversation between us when I talked about my girl. He replied that he has lots of girls)) joined us, followed by Wizard and Blueberry later. They were an older couple that had stayed away from all of the gatherings of the ¢young folk¢. I felt a little sad that they were not taking advantage of the community that is the largest part of this trail. The bunks were fine, but I wanted TMax in my arms, and not sleeping three feet under me.
Date: 2009-08-09
From: Crawford Notch (and Campground)

To: Crawford Notch (and Campground)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Tmax here... Spent a very nice day hanging out and enjoying the down-time. Ran into a couple of SoBo's (people doing a southbound thru-hike) who were full of info for Topofgothics and he was able to share a lot with them as well. We rented a Yurt for the evening that was quite comfortable and managed both a nice fire and a great dinner. Hopefully we'll locate the drop tomorrow!
Date: 2009-08-14
From: Pinkham Notch

To: M&M's place
Miles today: 0.0

Tmax here... We spent a great day running errands, eating, and sitting in a hot tub! Thanks so much to M&M for her hospitality! The plan is to drive Topofgothics' next food drop over to Grafton Notch tomorrow and then drop him back on the trail.
Date: 2009-08-15
From: M&M's place

To: M&M's place
Miles today: 0.0

Tmax here... Again I must say "best laid plans..." A train derailment, two closed roads, one very long shortcut and 170 miles later we managed to drop off Topofgothics food drop. Needless to say we just returned to M&M's. He'll get back on the trail early in the morning.
Date: 2009-08-16
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 13.1

Tmax for Topofgothics... M&M dropped Topofgothics, Skeeter, and Cantelope (two other thru-hikers partaking of M&M's special version of trail magic) back at Pinkham early this morning. He managed lots of summit time despite the heat and the bugs. Settled into the overflow camping at the Imp campsite.****Dawn, sorry, M&M is so great. Her freezer is packed full of ice cream, yeah! We spent some down time on Saturday, which was nice because we could all just visit for a while TMax does not get to see M&M nearly enough now that neither of them live in the Catskill area anymore. Soaking in the hot tub was almost fun. There was no A/C downstairs, and it was hot outside and inside the tub. A cool breeze would have felt wonderful. Sunday we had a long day of driving into Maine (my first time) and Grafton Notch to stash a drop for me. After that I could re-supply myself from then on in. Terri was to leave last night, and I camp near Pinkham, but we returned to the condo for one last night together before we said our final goodbye. You would have thought that knowing it was the last goodbye would help, but it was as tough leaving her, and she me, as it had ever been. Now it was up to me to make the miles and get back to my baby. All that is in front of me is a stretch that is as tough as any on the whole trail. No problem man. I was cocked and ready. Mountain, get out of my way, my girl is waiting at the end of this road! Wildcat is one hell of a climb, with the first fifteen hundred feet or so being straight up. Many have moaned about ascending these peaks, and at least one that I know of took the gondola up and bypassed this massive ascent (ride your own hike?) The work the trail crew has done to this trail is awesome also, with many large steps seemingly cut into the mountain. The tough three miles was mowed down in just less than ninety minutes, and the peak was almost all mine (sans the black flies) for now, but the GP would be coming soon. I looked out from the top of the gondola ride and viewed the Presi¢s through the haze. It was hot, and only bound to get hotter as the day, and days wore on. I had passed Skeeter and Cantaloupe, both of whom shared in M&M¢s largess the evening before. At Wildcat A (there are four, two of which, D & A are 4000 footers) Cantaloupe caught up with me as I lingered at a fine viewpoint and we had a nice long chat. From there it was game on, as this 6000 foot day tried in vain to take it¢s toll on me. I walked over Carter Dome and continued on to the next peak, Hight, which while not officially a mountain did possess a superior view. Another long break was warranted, and I was buffeted from the hot day by a constant wind. I made it to the Imp Campsite, and though it was only a thirteen-mile day, I was impressed. Four more of the New Hampshire 48 were in the bag. Imp is a pay site, but since there were only two of us using the spot, and one was trail crew and talked the caretakers ear off, we both were given a freebee. Cha-ching.
Date: 2009-08-18
From: Route 2, Gorham

To: Carlo Col Campsite
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

Tmax for Topofgothics... Long day today, 6600 feet of elevation gain. Crossed into Maine tonight just about 7:00. ****The days are only getting hotter, and the 17 miles today equaled 6700 feet in gain. From the get-go (a different hiker (not one of the woman) was stuffed under the hatch this morning) I was ready to rock. Today I crossed my last state line! Mile after mile New Hampshire was quickly becoming a memory. At one point when the day¢s heat was at its apex, I spied a young woman curled up under a shady tree along side the trail and enjoying an afternoon siesta. While this appeared to me a grand idea, there was trail to be traversed. At Dream Lake I looked for a spot to enter the cool looking water, but unfortunately found none. When I came upon moss Pond, I was not taking no for an answer. Although the water¢s entrance was filled with a couple feet deep worth of muck, I maneuvered out to a rock and dipped my legs in, splattering water on myself while I tried to keep from the dive-bombing dragonflies. Later, I even came upon the remnants of a moose from bygone days upon the trail. By six, I was atop the state¢s last mount, Success. Apply named, I took a short break, calling a friend and letting the totality of it all seep into myself. The views were great, although still very hazy. Less than hour later I saw a tent set up beside the trail in a little nook. Three strides past that I again sang the refrain that has been in my head for over a thousand miles. Seldom had I mentioned the word Katahdin, instead saying to questioners that I was heading north, or even better singing the chorus ¢I stepped on Springer, and I¢m heading towards Maine¢. The ¢Welcome To Maine¢ sign shined like a beacon of love in front of me. The southbound campers were happy to oblige by taking a picture of Topo and I, and at 6:58 p.m. on August 18, 2000+wet, I entered the state which had been giving me the greatest concern. The state in which Stephen King makes his abode. It wasn¢t far to the Carlo Col campsite, but one earlier trail companion had made it this far and ended up getting hurt just inside the state line. I had also often admonished my longtime trail partner Little Feather that you have to make it down and out to the car or it does not count, and more than once she stumbled on a rock while enjoying the scenery while nearing the end of a hike. At the campsite I had run into another hiker whom I had not seen since Fontana Dam, and it was nice to meet up with Chance again. Tomorrow would be another big day.
Date: 2009-08-21
From: Hall Mt. Lean-to

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Tmax for Topofgothics... Another big elevation day, nearly 7000 feet! His feet were tired. No rain until after lunch but feet have been wet for days. The last hour or so there were tricky spots coming down and a couple slips. Rain didn't stop until after midnight. Heard some loons.   ****I swore that the twenty-mile days were over. Then again, what the hell do I know? There was a slight re-route up Moody Mountain, which offers a very steep 1500-foot climb in less than a mile. It was way cool. I had the jets going and Topo was feeling strong and feeding me all of his extra energy. It was another up and down day (8 laps) that bumped up against 6000 feet one more time. This was becoming routine now. Others had talked of the roughness of the Bemis Range. Hogwash! For northbounders, by now you better be able to ignore the pain in you feet (but maybe not the numbness and the occasional shooting tinglies) and the strain on your calves, the ones that most probably will never be in better shape in your lifetime. My thought was to only get to Route 17, and possibly camp by the river there. I lunched at the Bemis Mountain Lean-to, and was happy to not have had any rain fall on me yet during this gloomy day. That all ended minutes after I left. Slowly it built, never getting too drastic, but the open slopes that were growing slipperier by the minute put a damper on things. When I reached what I thought would be camp, I was wet and it was still early. Forgoing earlier plans, I headed on, thinking that getting up the next rise would be great, and another hiker intoned that there might well be a place to camp near Moxie Pond, not quite two miles up the trail. There was not. I looked for fifteen minutes or so until I started to worry about finding my way back to the trail. It was getting dim and there still lay two more miles betwixt I and the next shelter. With a not so firm decision, I took off. It grew darker, and there were some very wet and steep little pitches along Long Pond. I grew worried, knowing my headlamp was dim (fine enough for camp though), and I had no inclination to tear apart my pack in the rain to get to the other batteries. As I came closer to open water things got a tad brighter. Reaching the shelter in the all-but-dark, Rollin¢ Stone greeted me, apologizing for having gotten there seconds before it started to rain. I was happy to have a roof and some place to wash up. He was fine company for the evening.
Date: 2009-08-25
From: Sugarloaf Mountain

To: Horns Pond Lean-tos
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Tmax for Topofgothics... Another 6000 foot day. Topofgothics attempted to summit Reddington (which is a trailess 4000 foot peak) and did a couple of extra miles and an extra 1000 feet of elevation gain but was unable to locate the summit. A quick trip into Stratton to resupply and then a nearly 2000 foot climb up to the lean-tos site. Sounds tired but good. Hopes to do three 25 mile days to get into Monson by Friday night or Saturday morning so he can get to the post-office to pick up his money that was returned to him and his gaiters that he left behind in Rangeley.****I woke for the sunrise. It was brilliant. These are the kinds of moments that I wanted from this trip, and at least my soul would garner some of Nature¢s amazing glory, even if it took some time to get here. It was time to head for the Crockers. At South Crocker, I took out the instructions for getting to Reddington, which is the only 4000-foot bushwhack in Maine. Following the herd path, I thought I was doing well until I realized that I was most likely heading up North Crocker, and it had a perfectly good trail that I would follow once I got back on the AT. If I had had been successful, then Hamlin might be added to Summit Day, and possibly South Brother the next, which would garner me all of Maine¢s tall boys this trip. Pretty cool, huh? It was not to be had. I got as scratched up on this attempt as I have the entire trip, with nothing to show for it. I needed a pro today, but TMax was back home at work and I was S.O.L. I headed over North Crocker and towards Route 27. I needed a re-supply, and Stratton was only five miles down the road. Chance made the road just after I did, and Daddy Longlegs shortly after him. Ten minutes later we were sitting in the back of a pickup truck and headed towards ice cream, err, I mean town. We had lunch, shopped, and I was the first one out. The day still had life to it, and I was ready for more. There wasn¢t a lot of elevation left, but the five miles to Horns Pond was work and fifteen miles total and a diversion into town is a worthwhile effort for one day. It was a great place with a view of the mountain that sat before us, and also a pond that I would have loved to splash about in on a hot afternoon. As it was the pond made for a perfect spot to wash the dirt of the day away. Before dark, Chance also caught up. We were on a roll.
Date: 2009-08-27
From: Pierce Pond Leanto

To: Moxie Bald Leanto
Miles today: 22.8

**** As it turned out, Ironman was also at Breakfast at Harrison¢s this morning. As was Ranger and Carpenter and two others. Chance came along also, though reservations were required. They had food for him. Mr. Ed and Lightweight were at the shelter, along with Will and Way too, but they eschewed the breakfast option, deciding instead to head into Caratunk to spend the rest of the day. After a hearty meal, we headed down to the Kennebec River. This is the river crossing where a canoe ride is provided from 9-11 and 2-4 during the height of the season. People have died in years past attempting to ford the river in the past, since water is released from time to time. No need to worry though, there is a white blaze painted on the craft, indicating that it is the official Appalachian Trail route. I helped our escort paddle, leaving Ironman to enjoy the ride. The day was beautiful, and even with the 5000 feet of gain today, it felt like nothing at all. Will I ever be this strong again? I enjoyed some views from Pleasant Pond Mountain after lunch. By five I was climbing Moxie Bale Mountain, whose top few hundred feet are wicked steep. Along the way the trail takes you past some real cool rock formations. The summit awaited me, along with an early dinner. I figured that I would just pig out on snacks when I got to camp. There is only a small number of days left where I can eat everything that will stay down and still be losing (or at least maintaining) weight, so take advantage of it shall I!
Date: 2009-08-28
From: Moxie Bald Leanto

To: Monson
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: few clouds

Tmax for Topofgothics... Very poor reception when he called a little while ago, but it's the first reception in days! Plans to go into the local supermarket to hear the bluegrass band that plays there every Friday night. M&M highly recommended it! Sounds tired and for the first time this entire trip he feels the big miles and lots of elevation taking its toll on his body. He will try to call again tonight so I may be able to come back and update the last few days with more details.****When I spent my last zero day at Gull Pond, I knew that making Monson and the P.O. might be tough. With the work put in this week, I was less than fifteen miles to my destination and not only on time, but in accordance to my original schedule. I took a break when I reached the west branch of the Piscataquis, the river that gave many so many hikers fits earlier in the year. Rumor was that the tide was chest high at times after the heavy rains in June and early July. Not knowing what was up, I waited fifteen minutes for Chance to reach the waterway. The best it could do was make it up to my thighs. What was more aggravating was following the river for miles as the terrain climbed and fell to keep the trail close to the river. By one I reached Monson, and after a few minutes I secured a hitch. At the post office, I was as happy to see my gaiters as I was my cash. Stopping every few minutes/hours to remove the crap that was accumulating in my boots was a major pain in the ass. I checked into the Lake House, as did Chance shortly after. Being the first, I claimed the only double bed they offered. That night a good meal and a few beers shared with Chance made for a perfect day. I had heard from M&M and others that you had to go to the General Store and enjoy the Friday night jam of the local bluegrass band. By the time I fond the gumption to go, the set was all but over, ending an hour early today. I liked what I heard, but the best part was the proprietor of the store found a useless to him pair of earphones that he offered to me pro bono. More TM, cash! I slept very well.
Date: 2009-08-29
From: Monson

To: Long Pond Stream
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Tmax for Topofgothics... Very rainy day, short hike out from Monson.****Breakfast at Shaws! Awesome. All that you can eat for $7, and they mean all you can eat. For an hour I gorged my face and was proud of it. Chance and all the others decided to take a zero day with the weather looking very crappy. By ten my thumb was out and before long the trail was again underfoot. The rain was constant, but never unbearable. Some shoe-goo found yesterday attempted to keep the water from my feet, with varying degrees of success. The terrain was just difficult enough to wear on me. This 3000-foot day felt harder that many 5000-feet days. Seven miles down the road I had to ford Little Wilson Stream, and this crossing was deeper that the Piscataquis. Walking in my bare feet (I don¢t trust the water shoes) I vocally expressed my displeasure when I stubbed my toes or stepped on something sharp. At the far side I saw my first other hiker this day. Maybe he heard my opinions, since he was not very friendly when I reached shore. Oh well. At Long Pond Stream I attempted to cross the spread out rocks instead of removing my boots once again. The very last step required a leap of faith. With poles planted, I took one lunge to the bank and was very glad that I was successful. A mile later I was firmly ensconced in the lean-to with the forecast for the rest of the week looking as good as any stretch on the trail so far. After cleaning up, I did something that I had not done since crossing the North Carolina border into Virginia. I put on my long sleeve-hiking shirt usually reserved for winter hiking. The weather is turning.
Date: 2009-08-30
From: Long Pond Stream

To: Carl A. Newhall Leanto
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Tmax for Topofgothics... Topofgothics was headed across the way at the leanto/camping area to use the privy (the dirtiest one he's seen - so dirty he didn't use it!) and he heard a familiar voice... Solo! Solo's boots are falling apart and since they will likely finish together, I'll bring a pair with me for Solo to make that final climb up Katahdin. ****I promised TMax that I would be at Baxter State Park by Thursday, and by hook or by crook that is where I will be. With just under a hundred miles till home when I woke up today, there are many emotions going through my thick skull. The main thought is this: what a grand journey this has been, and I am having a wonderful time, but home with Terri sounds so sweet and so right. It is not like I won¢t be hanging in the high peaks after this trip. Hell, the week after my finish we¢ll be back in the Whites for ¢Flags On The 48¢ planting her flags for the two-hour memorial. Today was also my last big number day for the trip. 5880 feet of climbing, mainly over the Chairback Range, and another twenty plus mile day. The chill stayed in the air, even if the skies were clearing and the ground drying. Late in the afternoon I reached the Gulf Hagas, a registered natural landmark that includes numerous waterfalls along a side trail. I wandered down the trail for over a half-mile, stopping to appreciate a few of the cascades and falls. Just before you reach this area there was one more ford, a six-inch crossing about fifty yards wide, the last of the journey. Another time it would be wonderful to spend days with Terri in the magnificent area. I have many of the same feeling for many parts of Maine. Just before the Carl Newhall shelter, which was across the brook, I found somewhere to set up camp. This was a peaceful place, and with the exception of struggling with my new water filter for way too long, I thoroughly enjoyed the evening alone, with not another soul in sight.