morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Gorham, NH

To: Trident Col Campsite
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Up early and was at the post Office at opening to send a supply box to Monson,Me at the start of the "100 mile wilderness" and a bounce box(of the stuff I don't wish to carry in my pack, eg. cell phone charger) to 100 miles through the trek to Stratton, ME. Two hiker types were there, Hunter and Laser Chuck, both ol' guys like me. Turns out Laser Chuck met me Feb 21 three days into his thru-hike whike I was doing trail maintenance on a Hog Pen Gap section. This was the day, foggy and rainy, that I had finished clearing out water drainages, was carrying the fire rake and pulaski(a pick with two ax heads) on my shoulder, and encountered several northbound hikers. I stopped, introduced myself as a trail maintainer, and said I would see them in Maine in July. I guess the scene made an unforgettable image to several, particularly, Laser Chuck and AmandandJosh who remarked about it on their page on this site. Anyway, took both to the local Walmart to shop. Rich dropped me off at the spot where I finished last year and the final section of the AT quest was on. The weather was in the high 70's, cloudy, and not buggy. Saw two two types of ladyslippers, both pink and white about a mile apart. Reached the campsite at 4:30PM, set my tent just as the sprinkles started. Early supper and to the sleeping bag by 7PM amid increasing rain. No one else showed up.
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Trident Col Campsite

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: moderate rain

On day 2, awoke at 5AM. Yes, the birds woke me up. Napped until 6:30, packed a wet tent amid a shower and was on the trail by 8:30AM. Immediately met Lefty, a NH trail maintainer with a chainsaw going out to work all day in intermitment rain to clear tree blowdowns. At the top of a climb to Wocket Ledge, with some sun, dried out my tent and hiked on the Gentian Pond shelter for lunch. My water filter is acting up. Tested it at home and pronounced it okay. Oh well..Meeting several SOBOs(southbounders) with names such as Mango, Santana, Gretel, Spoon, Cubby, and two Marietta guys, Clemson and Sweet Tea.Coming off Success Mt, slipped on a long, wet, rocky slab incline and scooted on my butt down to a small ridge which I was able to hit with both feet and avoid further injury. Some arm scuffs, a hole in my shorts, one thumb abrasion, and a big injury to my confidence were all I suffered. Divine appointment #1, Denton, was for my protection. This terrain is tough, steep, wet, muddy, root and rock covered. Slowgoing. I can see an adjustment to my schedule already.Into Carlo Col by 7PM. Tented on a wooden platform which is a challenge for my non-freestanding tent. Rocks work good to hold the pegs. Met Adam, Simon and their 10th grade campers. No cell service
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: light rain

On day 3, awoke at 4:45AM after thunderstorms all night and to more birds singing. Dozed til 5:30AM vowing to hike earlier to avoid afternoon rain. Seeing lots of moose scat(looks like tater tots) on the trail but no moose. Making about 1 mile per hour over multiple thousand foot climbs, gear drying when the sun shines on an open spot, enjoying the views. Weather is improving, but decide to rest in the afternoon before the famous/infamous Mahoosuc Notch(the most difficult mile on the AT)and the 1600' climb/1.5 miles up steep Mahoosuc Arm. Into Full Goose Shelter in early afternoon to rest and decide to sleep inside to have dry gear for the next day. No thunderstorms so tomorrow promises to be drier. Drinking from streams now with no filtration. Okay so far. Laser Chuck arrives at 7PM after spending another rest day in Gorham. Adam/Simon and the camper boys also in..They were treated to my snake and the famous racoon attack stories. Lest you think this was a slack day, it was.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: broken clouds

This is a big day. Awake at 5AM, off at 6:45(15 min behind Laser). Today is clear and cool, perfect for a journey through Mahoosuc Notch with a new hiking buddy. Just as always reported, the notch is a "trail" over, under, around huge boulders, some SUV sized, or bigger all thrown into a jumble by natural forces at the bottom of a steep gorge. The moose who stumbled into the notch last year is but a skeleton this year. Ice is plentiful, making for a frequent air conditioning effect. Overall, it is fun trek when the weather is dry and one doesn't rush. Laser and I had a good time picking out the trail. We lunched by a rushing brook and energized for the tough climb up the Arm. It took us about two hours up long sections of rock face thankfully mostly dry. At the top the Speck Pond caretaker, Mike, was fixing a section of spanner planks that were submerged crossing a bog. He was a sight to see, covered with slime, and fixed the span. Thanks to him, I didn't have to slog through the muck knee deep. Later on Speck Pond shelter was full of campers from five or so camp groups in for the night which Mike managed to accomodate. While he was giving them the orientation standing in front of the shelter, they were facing Laser and I sitting in the shelter and couldn't help gawking at us. I remarked afterwards that it was like we were on display, like gorillas in the zoo. The bath/clothes wash in Speck Pond was refreshing. Got to sleep by 9PM with the word to my shelter mates to kick me if the snoring got too loud. I got kicked toward morning.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Fry Notch Lean-To(shelter)
Miles today: 10.4

On trail by 6:55AM for the climb up to Speck Mt fire tower for a fabulous view in excellent weather and curiously of thousands of bugs swarming about 60 feet off the ground at the top of the tower. Descended 2500' down into Grafton Notch, the original take-out point from the section last year. Wally, it was a great decision to end when we did..After lunch at Bald Pate Lean-To and talking to Zyla, an ATC worker doing field work, Laser and I approached Bald Pate Mt (yes it does have a certain resemblance). After pausing for a bit to check the weather, we scrambled over the top as thunder rumbles receded. This has been a long day with over 4000' of climbs/descents. Set tent, ate, listened to shelter talk for a bit, and then to sleep in a light rain.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Fry Notch Lean-To(shelter)

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: broken clouds

Day 6. Light load with all food about eaten. On a previous day, while hiking in deep woods, I heard an unfamiliar tinkling behind me. I turned and saw spring water dripping out of an overhang. Since I had been looking for springs and was out of purified water, this was a God-send just at the right time. Later, Laser loaned me iodine tablets to purify stream water.At Route 4 to Andover, a guy pulled over just a few minutes after I got there, and gave us a lift to Andover. The Post Office had not received my supply box nor had the next PO along the trail where I sent a box. Troublesome. So, went to have a double cheeseburger, fries, a bottle of iced tea, and a huge brownie sunday. Checked into Andover Guest House across the street and began to think about the prospect of cold sausage and cheese meals. After a shower, as I looked at the schedule, I realized that no PO zip codes were listed but hotel/hostels were. Then it hit me, I forgot that I had mailed the packages to them instead of the post offices. Since I had not checked into the hotel I listed, I sheepishy went there and asked if they had a package for me. They had..I apologized for my "senior moment", paid then for their trouble, and with lightened step walked back past the PO to retrieve the "forward" slip I had completed, have a laugh with the post mistress, and on to my hostel for a session at the computer as the rain began outside the window.
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Andover, ME

To: Up 1 mile from South Arm Rd
Miles today: 11.1

Talked to Spanky, a SOBO, the previous evening and at breakfast. Has a ministry described at linkedin.com, hike4fathers.com, and http://truthhiker.com. Told me of the circumstances surrounding his dad's final months before dying. Had both of us teary eyed. I was glad to have met and talked to him.In Andover, the church bell rings on the hour up to 11PM and starts up again at 5AM. Its charming, but coupled with the sunrise also about 5AM not much sleeping goes on with this hiker. Breakfast at the Andover Diner included hotcakes as big as the dinner plate and packed with blueberries. I snacked on one of these wagonwheels all day long. Got to the trail by 8AM by shuttle. Met SOBOs Mercury, Sunday, Moose, Silver Potato/Colleen. NOBO Shane got on at Surplus Rd going to Katahdin and using NEMO as his name. Up and down 6800' today so am pooped. Picked a small site to spend the night. No rain. Much moose scat but no moose.
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Up 1 mile from South Arm Rd

To: Up1 mile from Spruce Mt
Miles today: 13.3

Slept till 6:30AM for some reason, so quickly packed and off at 730AM. Today traveled over Bemis Range with 6 peaks but all below 4000'. SOBO: Lucky and 6 others. NOBO: Off Season who started in VA and after reaching Mt K will flip back to VA headed south toward Springer. Ate supper early on a rock bar in Bemis Stream. Good idea until the mosquitos discovered me. My right hand palm is bruised due to hiking pole use going downhill. No blisters on feet however. Found a good stealth site on an old road that seems to be an animal trail also. Hope they can see my tent guylines. To sleep by 8AM
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Up1 mile from Spruce Mt

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Awake at 5:30. No animals bothered the tent guyline. Tent was wet with dew, which always occurs when tent pitched on grass. Level hike to Sabbath Day Pond Shelter past a beach with two loons swimming just offshore. Managed to get one in a photo. Morning clear and cool. NOBOS: Firestick and Feed Me from Montreal, Ben from Maine and Shane are at the Shelter. Three other NOBOS: Yeti, Stovie, and Toddy Bear, plus six SOBOS encountered today. Played my MP3 players with lots of great Christian songs on it. Had a great day! Almost walked into a tree snag and head level but looked up at the last minute! Another protection from God. Shane's trail name "Nemo" is "nobody" in Latin. I asked him to look up what word "somebody" in Latin means. By three pm Bob O'Brien from Gull Pond Lodge(his house/hostel outside Rangeley)picked me up at the road intersecting with the AT. Supper at the Red Onion with Ben and Lee. Also Joe(Radioactive Man)is a south bounder. That's it for day nine.
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Piazza Rock Lean To
Miles today: 1.8
Weather: broken clouds

Observation: I've encountered three kinds of guys on this trail--clean shaven, the brown and red-bearded, and gray-bearded hikers. And there are more gray beards out here than you might think.Had a good breakfast and a soft bed at Gull Pond Lodge. Planned an easy morning to include kayaking on the pond. Packed the gear, talked to Celia, repaired the headlamp bracket with tape, and glued the hole in the inflatable pillow! Hiked with Lee who is a high school history teacher in DeKalb County, GA. Bob the owner and his dog Gwendolyn(the queen of the palace)--bob shuttled us into town at 2 to run errands and drop off at the trail head. Up to Piazza Rock shelter in an hour and found a good tent site for the night.
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Piazza Rock Lean To

To: Orbeton Stream
Miles today: 11.6

No rain last night, awoke at 5:45 and away at 7:10 for the climb to Saddleback Mt.   Hazy air today--a local hiker said "a slug of moisture in these hills". You could tell he was a local! Lee and I when hiking over Saddleback met a gray beard with the trail name Bumppo who was a section hiker from NY. He reported that Lazer Chuck's sore feet are better due to the ibuprofen I gave him. In to Popular Ridge Lean To for water and rest in the early afternoon. A brief rain shower caught me on the down slope to Orbeton Stream, which was at a low water level. Met Chef at SOBO who has completed colon cancer chemo and is out doing a section of the AT to get back in shape. Wound up tent camping on an old railroad bed just up from the stream.   The rain had stopped.
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Orbeton Stream

To: Carrabassett River
Miles today: 10.4

Day 12:The sound of the stream is very soothing for sleeping. No more rain last night. Lee started a bit after I left. SOBOs:DJoe, Beatle, Pollywog(both women). NOBO: Pickle and Garlic(both grey beards). Climbed for 3 hours the 5.2 miles to Spaulding Mt Lean-to. Gave some beef jerky to Quicky, another NOBO who is slowly going blind. Split with Lee at Sugarloaf Ski area turnoff and started on the downslope. Thunderstorm caught me while hiking through the rocks so I hunkered until it passed in about 20 minutes and made it down to the Carrabassett River. A large board spanned the fast flowing channel between the rock hopping and I got over it quickly. There is a delightful local pale ale named after this river which I look forward to imbibing when I get to Stratton.Thunderstorms began just after I got my tent up and settled in. As I lay there, I noticed a pooling of water flowing down to my site that I hadn't noticed in my hast at putting up the tent. Soon the water was flowing under the floor of the tent and I felt like I was on a water bed. Alas, the floor stayed dry after my anxious moments and the water drained away after an hour. The rain eventually stopped and I got good sleep.
Date: 2008-07-10
From: Carrabassett River

To: Stratton
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 13: Gone just over 100 miles so far with about 200 miles to go. Awoke at first light and began to pack wet tent and gear and dress in wet hiking clothes/boots-always a fun side of hiking. Away at 6:35AM after a hearty breakfast of hot oatmeal and coffee and dried fruit. Crocker Mt, a 2000' climb, went surprisingly easy because of a cool wind and drying air. At the top, it got so chilly, I put on a rainjacket for the 1st time hiking this section. By 1230PM, had hiked the 8 miles to ME 4. Got a ride after 20 minutes to the Stratton Motel. Picked up a supply box at the motel, a jump box at the Post Office, dried out my gear in the sun, took a shower, made calls after charging my phone, posted some journal entries, socialized with the hikers, ate Shepherd Pie and drank a Carrabassett at a local eatery, and walked a bit around town. Wes, Slim, and Bogey are SOBOs. Ran into Firestick and Feed Me, uncle and nephew from Montreal, again. Feet are good shape. bug bites are receding, and I feel great. Ibuprofen is a big help.
Date: 2008-07-11
From: Stratton

To: Horn's Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 5.0

Day 14 of this section. Since I got to Stratton about mid-day yesterday, will leave about mid-day today after about 24 hours rest, and limit hostel expense to one night. Today is cool and partly sunny. Breakfast was with Firestick and Feed Me, a 3rd year resident in internal medicine in the Canadian medical system. I plied him with the four questions I have observed about an old guy's life where involuntary muscles are contracting rather than relaxing. Go figure, when many of the other areas of our lives are relaxing. For example, it requires a lot of my sweat effort to keep voluntary muscles contracting and not relaxing in getting ready for the hike. Ahhh-the joys of aging.Anyway, Sue, the motel host, gave Footnote (SOBO), Momma Bear, and me a lift to the trail head at noon for the 4 hour 5 mile climb to Horn's Pond Lean-to in the Bigelow Mountain Range. NOBO Time Traveler as well as two Canadian Quebec'ers doing a three mile hike were there. It was a pleasant cool evening at the base of Avery Peak named after a titan in AT early development. Some bird keeps trilling a repeated call for an hour. Getting chilly.
Date: 2008-07-12
From: Horn's Pond Lean-to

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Coolest morning yet, somewhere around 48F. Sleeping bag is warm. Tent has much condensation so take time to wipe it off. Warm oatmeal and hot coffee help get me going. Away at 7:45AM for the Bigelow Mt/Avery Peak hike. Sky is virtually clear with visibility to the horizon superb. I had lunch with the two Quebec'ers. They shared cranberry bread, pate', and sausage with me and I shared beef jerky and Starburst with them. Who got the better deal?Mt Katahdin is faintly visible some 170 miles to the north. Hard to say which peak is Mt Washington to the south. This 360 degree view from several peaks along the ridge were breathtaking given the great weather.Into Little Bigelow Lean-to after 530PM so slim pickens on tent sites. Found a spot near T-Back and Mokay, SOBOs who had hiked the Florida National Scenic Trail(1900 miles)last year Oct07 to Mar08. T-Back is on trailjournals.
Date: 2008-07-13
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

On this, day 16, away at 7AM for a big mileage day for me over low profile terrain. The destination will position me for a short day tomorrow to reach the canoe ferry across the Kennebec River. At Long Falls Dam Road, "2000 Mi" is painted on the center line. This is the distance from Georgia and the road crossing is a place of moderate celebration. So, I danced around for a few seconds, placed my boots and poles near the paint and of course, took a photo before a huge logging truck came roaring by.At least 8 SOBOs came by during the day. These folks typically left Katahdin around mid to late June and have suffered clouds of insects, flooded trails, and high stream fords. All that will change for me however since I am one month later...I hope. Yes, I am sure of it....Cookie and Kirby(rising high school senior)were late for the ferry so back tracked to Pierce Pond Lean-to to await the next day.Made good time to West pond Lean-to for water and a foot soak. Rain started at 1PM, paused at 2PM and started again for an hour. Listened to my Christian CD's on the MP3, so the time went quickly. Got to the lean-to at 420PM and fixed supper/set the tent before more rain. Mud Flat and Sherpa were there. Seemed to have lost my small pocket knife. Tired but not too sore. Fell asleep to the sound of rain pattering on my tent.
Date: 2008-07-14
From: Pierce Pond lean-to

To: Carratunk(Northern Outdoors Resort)
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: light rain

Awake to rain but it soon stopped for breakfast and for packing up. Away at 7AM for the two hour trip to the river. Trail a bit slippery in places. Canoe ferry guy, Dave, was right on time at 9AM for the first load containing Cookie and Kirby. Got photos of the crossing. When it was my turn, I helped paddle across, thanked Dave and went to the road to seek a ride. Quickly, a river guide picked me up and took me to Northern Outdoors which is a whitewater rafting outfit/local brewery/lodge/restaurant for the area. The hostel in Carratunk closed a time ago. Here we go again, I thought I sent my supply box to the outfitter but it was rather at the PO in Carratunk.. Fortunately the young lady at Northern Outdoors arranged a shuttle for me to retrieve the supply box. Did the normal housekeeping stuff at the outfitter including eating a delicious hamburger and sampling the local brew. Rest, I have to keep reminding myself is why I am here...Got some cell reception. Met a SOBO named NOCAR. To sleep at 8:30PM
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Carratunk(Northern Outdoors Resort)

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day 18 leads to planning ahead. There are 12 hiking days including today to Mt K. baring any unexpected long term delays,ie, weather or injury. Having lost my knife, Jim, one of the staff of N.Outdoors did the 9AM shuttle to the trail for 5 hikers and agreed to drive me to a local hardware store 7 miles distant in the opposite direction where he waited patiently while I picked a cheap $3.00 knife from an odd assortment(all the place had). Back in the truck, we talked of the business and the economy in this part Maine. I was very impressed. He was native of Maine, a river,hunting,snowcat guide. He started the brewery and is one of the owners and had time to take me on the small errand.At 1130AM, I walked out to the parking lot with my pack on.A mom with her young daughter in a van with NY plates agreed to shuttle me back to the trail head. All the rest of her family was out river rafting.Not ten minutes up the trail, two wild turkeys fled quickly up the slope. Five SOBOS passed plus 4 young women who went to college and hiking together as a sort of class reunion. They were from Denver, Houston, Chicago, and Boston. Talk about coordination to get them all to Katahdin to start two weeks ago. NOBO hikers Hit and Miss started Mar 10 and are moving fast. A group of six girls aged 12-13 with two counselors set up camp nearby. They proved to be very dialed in and organized. They got quiet quickly. I was asleep soon after 8PM
Date: 2008-07-16
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: Moxie Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: few clouds

The girls group was up at 4:15AM, quiet as can be, and was off at 5:00 going south to meet the canoe ferry across the Kennebec River. I was away at 6:15AM and feeling like a slug in comparison. Picked up a sock dropped by Chrome Dome hiking with his son Zach, a rising high school junior and cross-country runner who live near Philadelphia and got on the trail yesterday. Captured the moment with a presentation of the "2nd day" sock in a reunion ceremony atop Pleasant Pond Mountain. Godzilla and Macgyver(a female) were picking blueberries in a powerline clearing a bit farther on. I joined in. Ate lunch on a small dock on Moxie Pond and dangled my feet in the water soaking in the sun. At least 7 SOBOs passed including One Gallon, a multiple AT thru-hiker. By early afternoon atop Moxie Bald, could see Mt Katahdin in the distance some 130 miles away. At least I think it was Katahdin. Picked a great tent site near the edge of Moxie Pond and sat at a picnic table (a very unusual piece of equipment up here) near the lean-to. Two older guys sitting at the table were talking RVs. It turns out that one has as his place of residence a 38-footer with towed car trailer. I talked with him a long time.
Date: 2008-07-17
From: Moxie Pond Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

After today, 9 hiking days are planned. I'm in the single digits! This morning dawned clear and beautiful. Off at 7AM for the push to Monson. At 9:30AM, saw two horse-like rumps running quickly away off the trail into the woods. Horse? No, they were moose! A female and calf. My first sighting on the AT.Three stream fords on scheduled for today. The idea is to switch to crocs, hang boots dangling in front around neck , undo all pack belts, use the poles and feet to shuffle the side-to-side slide looking upstream. I got the hang of it quickly especially since the water levels are at calf to knee level. The Piscataquis River(try saying it three times fast) accompanyied me through much of the afternoon with huff and puff needless ups and downs along the way. Arrived at the trailhead at ME 15 at 5PM. After 23 minutes, an SUV filled with hikers made room for one more and I was off to all-you-can-eat tacos at the Lakeshore House on the shores of Lake Hebron in Monson. I've mentioned meeting Little Dutch Boy on the training hike in Georgia in June. Well, sitting at a table sat LDB, two weeks into his SOBO flip from finishing the Smokies. His sidekick, Nomad, is due tomorrow. The place is full so I will tent on the lawn at Shaw's up the street. Slow getting to sleep. No rain