morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Bald Mt. Brook Lean-to

To: Caratunk
Miles today: 14.7

Just as I'm leaving the shelter, Just Jim appears on the blue blaze on the way in. He'd promised he'd see me today when I left him yesterday, but I hand't expected it to happen quite so quickly.We hike together through the rain into Caratunk. It wasn't pouring, but there were no views from Pleasant Pond Mt. Fortunately, the rocks were only damp, not super-slick.We met our first NOBO, Magic, at Steve Longley's place. Steve is still getting his place ready for guests this season, so Jim and I split a room at Northern Outdoors, a rather yuppie establishment about a mile up the road. Can't complain, though, the dinner was the best meal I've had since leaving home.My friend Carl will be meeting me for a two-day hike out of Stratton in four days. So I'll be slowing down a little bit. This is probably for the best as the terrain looks like it's about to get a whole lot tougher than it has been.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Caratunk

To: Pierce Pond Shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

The shelters are inconveniently placed for the next 25 miles. The weather is supposed to be poor today, good tomorrow, so Jim and I are only doing 4.2 to Pierce Pond today and plan to do a big day tomorrow.Pierce Pond is a very pretty spot. There are several people fishing in the lake, but we have the shelter to ourselves.I'm able to study my math given the extra time. The only problem is that it's so cold I don't feel like taking my hands out of my sleeping bag to change the pages. Most of the stuff I'm reading right now is review anyway. I won't bore you with the details.Steve Longley proved to be a bit of a trail character. A good guy, but I think you have to be a little eccentric to live in Caratunk.By the way, I take back my somewhat backhanded treatment of Northern Outdoors. The room was good, the food was good, and the people were nice. If I weren't getting used to hiker prices and accommodations, I would say the place was a very good value for the money.
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Pierce Pond Shelter

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Longest day so far. It was a pretty day, but be warned: the wind really whips off the water at West Carry Pond. I swear it felt 20 degrees cooler.Happy birthday, Mary!I saw two deer today. One ran away right away, but the other was quite tame. Off to bed.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Horns Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: broken clouds

Short miles today, but not easy ones. The Bigelows proved a good test of the hiking legs, with probable gross elevation gain about 4000'. There will be lots of this sort of thing the next few weeks.The views were great! The view from West Bigelow looking east is very reminiscent of Franconia Ridge. We haven't seen a soul in two days except for the caretaker at the lean-to tonight. She is a grandmother named Alice who spends five days a week up here. She's not that old -- maybe 55 -- but when she's not hiking up and down the mountain she's moving rocks around the lean-to to build walls in front of the areas they're trying to reforest. My hat is off to her.
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Horns Pond Lean-to

To: Stratton
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

My friend Carl is joining me in Stratton today to hike to Rangeley. So Jim and I only have a few miles to cover.The miles turn out to be fairly challenging, but we make it into town about 10:15 and get a very reasonable room at the Stratton Motel. A lady gives us a ride into town, and it turns out her optometrist is Andante -- on this web site. About 10:30 we head over to the pizza place, and they're nice enough to make us lunch 1/2 hour before the official opening time. The Stratton Plaza, which is affiliated with Stratton Pizza, is run by very nice folks. They probably won't have their hotel up and running for a while because they recently bought it and it was rather run down and not up to code. But it's a good place for pizza and brew. I also recommend the White Wolf Inn for dinner.As nice as most people were in Stratton, I got a classic "you can't get there from here" conversation from one guy. Believe me, the "dry humor" doesn't seem quite as funny when you're the hapless outsider. I went to an unnamed B&B looking for internet access. The conversation:Me: I hear your B&B has internet access. Mainer: A-yup.Me: I wonder if I could use it. I'm not staying here, but I'd be willing to pay.Mainer: I'm just taking care of the place. I don't know how to get on.Me: Is there any other place in town with access?Mainer: A-yup, the library.Me: It's Saturday. Is the library open?Mainer: Nope.End of conversation. Oh well, everybody else in town was a pleasure. I finally got the desired access at the ski resort.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Stratton

To: Sugarloaf Warming Hut
Miles today: 10.6

Carl joined me today for the toughest day of hiking to date. Unfortunately, Jim had to leave the trail for a few days. He's promised to catch up with me and hike through the South. Knowing him and his marine's discipline, I bet he catches me around Glencliff.The hiking today was fantastic. The trail up the Crockers was wooded, but you come off South Crocker on an open slide with views straight down and to the east and south. Then, after losing 2000' of elevation in what seems like about a mile, you gain it all back on a steep scramble up Sugarloaf. I must be getting trail legs, because my reaction to the scramble was "Fun!" instead of "$&*@!"We arrived at the top of Sugarloaf about 6:15. The views were unobstructed in every direction for miles. I'm pretty sure I saw Katahdin. The trip to the top was well worth the extra .6 mile, and you get to sleep in a very spacious building, complete with radio and microwave oven.Met my second northbounder today, the famous Officer Taco. I had developed a mental picture of him from his journal, and I recognized him immediately. The miles that he and Magic are doing absolutely amaze me. This is tough terrain up here, and they're both knocking out 25's as I struggle to do my 10 to 15. I have nothing but respect.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Sugarloaf Warming Hut

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Alas, I find I now have zero hiking companions instead of two. The climbs up Crocker and Sugarloaf totalled about 5300 feet of elevation gain. Carl was game, but the thought of two more days of hardship to Rangeley proved daunting and he elected to hike down to the Sugarloaf base lodge this morning.The climbs yesterday took their toll on me as well. I hiked about 4 miles to the next shelter and was seriously tempted to stop for the day. But I ingested as much sugar and starch as I could stand, and my body consented to move along the 8 miles to the next shelter.The shelter tonight is very pleasant. There is a babbling brook about 50 feet away, and the water is delicious. It's a little warmer than it has been, too. I am joined by Alex, a German guy who has travelled all over the world in the last couple of years and who intends to hike the trail until July. He's a stronger hiker than I am, but he's waiting for a companion to catch up with him, so I may be seeing him for the next few days.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Rangeley
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Another tough day of hiking. My right shin is bothering me, and I have to slow down. Fortunately, my destination is only 11 miles away and I can do that much.On the top of the Horn, I meet four people my age or older. Among them is a 75-year-old woman who is bagging the Maine 4000-footers. She's done all the NH 4000-footers since she started hiking about 10 years ago. Now she has only one more to do in Maine (a rather easy one).The views from Saddleback were not as good as they might have been as it was rather hazy. It wasn't oppressively hot -- maybe in the mid 70's -- but for the first time on the entire trip I feel uncomfortably warm today. Hitching into Rangeley proves tough. I wait for about half an hour, and then a white van arrives from the opposite direction and turns around and gives me a ride. It turns out the people passed me earlier, but had pressing business to take care of. But now, they made a special trip back to the trail just to give me a ride! I know this is almost commonplace on the trail, but really, people's kindness can be amazing.I'm going to take an unscheduled zero day tomorrow. It's seven days of tough hiking from here to Gorham, and I don't need a gimpy leg. So I'm hoping a day off will heal whatever is wrong. I figure it can't hurt to try.As much as I like Wingfoot's guide, he misses a trick or two in Rangeley. There are much cheaper accomodations available in town than the Rangeley Inn. The Town and Lake Motel, where I'm staying, has rooms for $40. It's only about 1/2 mile to the center of town. There are a number of other motels around, too, and they don't look particularly expensive. So don't be deterred from stopping here by the apparent expense.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Rangeley

To: Rangeley
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I fear I have shin splints in my right leg. I'm taking a zero and hoping it gets better.Not much to report, just the usual town stuff. They do have a nice library with good internet access. I did run into Alex and had lunch with him. He's still trying to hook up with his German buddy who has had visa problems getting into the U.S.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Rangeley

To: Route 17 (The Cabin)
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I decided to hike the next section of trail and see how my leg felt. The short answer is, not too good. I was able to hike 13 easy miles, but it took me quite a bit longer than it normally would and every step on my right leg hurt.Ran into Alex on the trail. He finally hooked up with his friend Lucas and they're hiking together. Glad everything worked out for them.I'm staying tonight in Andover at The Cabin. The Dirty Bird and Jamie, who are taking care of The Cabin in the owners' absence, are very nice. They offered to go through my pack and reduce weight. I didn't think they would find much to cut, but to my surprise Dirty Bird found about one or two pounds of excess stuff. For example: do I really need a cover for my pack cover? What about that camp soap -- don't you really rinse the pot out and then figure the boiling water will kill germs? Extra band-aids, eye drops I don't use, some extra packaging, and there you have it.She also showed me a different way of packing my sleeping pad that allowed me to get more stuff in my pack. All useful information.I'm going to re-evaluate my situation in the morning, but I'm leaning towards taking a few days off to let my leg heal. I am probably physically capable of pressing on, but hiking just isn't any fun when every step hurts.
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Route 17 (The Cabin)

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I took a bus back home to Boston today. I'm planning on taking anywhere from three to seven days off to let my shin splints get better. If they're not better in a week, then who knows? But I don't feel that bad; I think I'll be able to continue.The view from where Route 17 and the trail meet was beautiful, just the sort of thing to entice me into more hiking. My wife says she'll give me a ride back to the trail -- good thing, it's in the middle of nowhere -- so with any luck that's where I'll be soon.In the meantime, I'm putting my feet up and watching the Red Sox.
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My leg is feeling better, and I want to be back out there. OTOH, I don't want to rush it and hurt myself. I have a doctor's appointment Thursday, though I'm not expecting to learn much. I plan to get a ride to Maine Friday and resume my hike Saturday. By then, I expect the leg to be almost 100%.It has been good to see my family and friends.
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Home

To: The Cabin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm getting back on the trail, with cautious optimism. I finally went to see the doctor yesterday. I wound up getting x-rays and a bone scan, and I basically got a clean bill of health.I found out some interesting information about the condition hikers and runners call "shin splints." Apparently the part of the body between the ankle and the knee is pretty complicated, and our use of the term can cover a variety of ailments -- poor circulation, strained muscles, inflamed bones, you name it. It is probably best to be wary of advice given by laymen on how they fixed their problem, as the condition they treated may be different from yours.In any event, it turns out my main problem was periostitis -- bone inflammation -- of the tibia. The doctors advised me to lessen the impact on my leg any way I could. I'm going to slack pack as much as I can until I get through the Whites. I'm also going back to wearing Dr. Scholl's gel insoles, which worked great up through Monson, even though they got pretty disgusting after a few days.
Date: 2004-06-19
From: Route 17 (The Cabin)

To: South Arm Road (The Cabin)
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

I'm back on the trail after an eight day hiatus. I'm glad to report my shin splints seem to be 100% better. I didn't have a single problem today.The hiking today was only OK. The forecast was for scattered showers, which was basically accurate. It rained most of the morning, then cleared off for a little while, and drizzled in the afternoon. The views were pretty limited. On top of Old Blue, we were treated to 360 degree views of fog.Met a fellow SOBO today, a guy named Brian from Fort Wayne. Also met Trog, completing his NOBO after being forced off last year with back problems, and his son Highlander II. From the trail registers, it seems most of the people I met on the trail are still around in one way or another. Several northbounders have also passed through. A group is here at the Cabin tonight.I'm going to continue to slackpack for a day or two -- hey, why not -- and I'll put on the old stone at Grafton Notch and head south.It's great to be back out here.
Date: 2004-06-20
From: South Arm Road (The Cabin)

To: East B Hill Road (The Cabin)
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Carl and I do another day of slackpacking out of the Cabin.The weather was great today -- clear, low 60's. We met an interesting group of five hikers from the British army. They are stationed in Northern Ireland, and apparently there is a scam in the British army where they can hike part of the AT for minimal cost. Well, God bless 'em. They were doing relatively short days but seemed to be enjoying themselves thoroughly.As great as the folks at the Cabin are, slackpacking is not entirely my cup of tea. I feel a certain sense of unreality hiking 10-15 miles and then going back to the same place every night. I'd rather feel like I'm making progress in some sense. Oh well, it certainly seems to be agreeing with my sore leg. I'm doing decent mileage and I'm ready to go early every morning. One more day and I'll be at Grafton Notch, and then I'm back on my own.I'm feeling cranky and need to get something off my chest. I'm not young and I'm not broke. So I decided that I would spend some bucks and book nights at the AMC huts. Well. I was able to make reservations, but they don't allow *any* refunds within 14 days. So if my schedule differs from my plans for whatever reason, I'm out $75 a night for nothing. And it's not like I could put off making reservations, because the huts fill up.I have heard complaints from other thru-hikers about the huts -- a familiar litany I don't need to repeat here. But I really do think the AMC could do a better job of accommodating thru-hikers. As a thru-hiker, I'm forced into an inflexible schedule, even though I'm a paying customer. And if I weren't a paying customer, I'd have no guarantee of accommodation, even if I want to sleep on the floor. Grr.It seems to me that when both older people who are willing to pay and young people who can't afford to pay the AMC rates are unhappy with the system, there has to be a better way. On a more positive note, I've really enjoyed my stay at the Cabin. Margie, Earl and Neely (sorry, Honey, Bear and Dirty Bird) have been great, and I recommend the place to anyone.
Date: 2004-06-21
From: East B Hill Road (The Cabin)

To: Grafton Notch (The Cabin)
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

Great day of hiking over the Baldpates. Clear weather, beautiful views. Met a bunch of interesting people, too. Everybody I met was male, though, so hike naked day was pretty much a bust.Tomorrow I stop slackpacking. My shin splints seemed to have healed, and I hope they stay that way. The stretch across the Mahoosuc's will be a pretty stern test.A young woman staying at The Cabin (Little Tree) and I were comparing notes, and found we both like to identify wildflowers. Oddly, we both saw a clump of flowers on Moody Mountain that we couldn't identify (an event, most of the flowers are the same old same old). I happened to take a picture of them, and she confirmed that my mystery flowers were the same as hers. Next time I get a chance, I'll post the picture.
Date: 2004-06-22
From: Grafton Notch (The Cabin)

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: light rain

Got a late start after the other guys at the hostel went to the post office and store. The shuttle got to Grafton Notch about 11.The hiking was tough today, even though the miles were moderate. Old Speck had some long rocky stretches that were slick in today's rain. The views were still pretty good, however, as the clouds were high.I had originally planned to stop at a campsite north of Mahoosuc Notch, but the sites I saw were indifferent, and next thing I know I was starting the Notch at 5 PM in the rain. This seemed of dubious wisdom as I knew I had 1.5 miles to do after I got through the Notch, but all was well and I arrived at the shelter about 8:30.I'm starting to run into more people. Today I met a group of about a dozen going up Old Speck. I also met Cheryl (from the Cabin) and Shadowman (a NOBO) hiking up Mahoosuc Arm, three young people coming out of the notch, and two women and a former thru at the shelter. Even discounting the group at Grafton Notch, I think nine people in one day has been the record so far.
Date: 2004-06-23
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Gentian Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Yesterday's hike really kicked my butt and I was the slowest ever hitting the trail. An inconsiderate sheltermate got up at 5:30 and insisted on saying goodbye to his companions at some length. So about 7, after a poor night's sleep, I decided to catch another hour or so of sleep. Suffice it to say I left the shelter at 11:20.The hiking was outstanding today. The summits of Goose Eye and Success had huge views. There was a lot of difficult up and down and I was ready for the shelter about 7.I'm starting to see more NOBOs. I met Pickle and Peanut, a young couple from N.C. whose journals I have followed. (Happy birthday, Pickle!) I also met several people who had to get off the trail for one reason or another and are finishing up hikes from previous years.I'm spending the evening with Wayne and Nancy, section hikers from Indiana, and Marty, who is finishing his 2002 thru.
Date: 2004-06-24
From: Gentian Pond Shelter 

To: Gorham
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Miles to the contrary, this was an easier day than the last two. I got back on a more reasonable schedule, leaving the shelter at 7:30 and arriving at Route 2 at 2:30.Gorham is pretty spread out. But I walked from Hikers Paradise to the post office and bounce about 95% of the stuff I had waiting for me to Hanover. Wayne and Nancy from last night happened to be at a gas station across the street and are nice enough to give me a ride back to the motel.I can't find internet access in Gorham, as the library's isn't working. I fear these last few entries will have to wait a few days before I can post them.I don't like the style of hiking whre you feel you're on a schedule and can't stop to enjoy views, chat with other hikers, etc. I have reservations at the AMC huts in a couple of days, however, so I'm kind of forced to do a certain number of miles. But I'm resolved to go back to a more relaxed style as soon as I can.
Date: 2004-06-25
From: Gorham

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

My first day in the Whites is eight miles up and over Mt. Moriah to the Imp Shelter. There was considerable elevation gain, but I was able to make better time than in Maine. The trail consisted largely of rock staircases, which were far easier to climb than the boulders and rock slabs of Maine. Met some NOBO thru-hikers, and one fellow SOBO, Seamster. Also at the shelter are a couple of Boy Scouts and their leaders. There is a beautiful viewpoint near the shelter and we have all checked out the sunset. But it's cold, so I limit my viewing to a couple of minutes.Today was my near-oh day to give me the energy for the Whites. I have to do 13 tomorrow to get to the huts without skipping trail.
Date: 2004-06-26
From: Imp Shelter

To: Pinkham Notch (Gorham)
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: fog

One of the cliches of the trail is "hike your own hike." I'm starting to find out why people say that.I had a difficult 13+ miles to do today. But rather than focus on doing y miles in x hours, I took my time and chatted with a lot of the hikers I met, took a couple of long breaks, and spent 11-1/2 hours doing the 13.1 miles. And in general, I'd say it was one of my most enjoyable days so far.I got on the trail a little after 8. It drizzled off and on until about 3, so some of the rougher sections of trail were tricky. I took off about 1/2 hour in the Carter Notch Hut, and considered spending the night, but it was cold and damp and I couldn't unroll my sleeping bag for warmth. So I pressed on over the Wildcats and fortunately the steep rocks on the south side were dry by the time I got there.I few days ago, I commented that meeting nine people was a record for me. Today I met over 50. I met one NOBO, Ice Cool, and a father and son, Rocky and Boulderwinkle sectioning from Hanover to Gorham. But the bulk of the people I met were a group of 41 people staying at the Carter Notch Hut. They were spread out over a couple of miles, so I had lots of chances to stop and talk.The views of Mt. Washington from the steep rocks of Wildcat were glorious. I finally got into Pinkham Notch about 7:30 and called Hikers Paradise. I don't regret not staying at Pinkham. Even with the price of the shuttle, it was cheaper staying in Gorham, and then I can eat wherever I want.
Date: 2004-06-27
From: Pinkham Notch (Gorham)

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 7.8

Boy am I glad I held on to my 20 degree bag. I'm staying in the Madison Hut tonight and it's freezing. My heaviest clothes are pretty light, so I'll probably make a brief appearance at dinner and hop back into my bag.The group of 41 from Carter Notch is here tonight. There are a lot of 13-15 year olds, so peace and quiet doesn't appear to be on the agenda tonight.I got to the hut about 4:30 after a beautiful day hiking over Madison. There was a clear view from Washington to Gorham to the Wildcats and beyond, but the wind was probably 50 mph.I think the AMC and the thru-hiker community need to talk more. The Pinkham Notch store had a few items for hikers, but very few of the thru-hiker staples like alcohol, Lipton noodles, Ramen, etc. Maybe they correctly figure that most overnighters out of Pinkham stay at the huts, but it would be nice if they catered a little more to thru-hikers.In fairness to the AMC, I feel I should learn more about their finances before I judge them. The AMC has clearly done a *lot* of work maintaing the trails in the Whites. Many of the steep uphills in the Whites are rock steps, which must have taken a phenomenal amount of work to construct.