morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-09
To: .5 before Zealand falls hut
Miles today: 18.8

Today we were up and hiking by 5:45 bc we had a huge climb up to Franconia Ridgeline. We started at 1450ft and hiked 4.7 miles up to 4800ft on a steep rocky trail the first 3 miles then thru a cedar forest until we reached little haystack. We were above treeline on another hot, sunny day. We met many day hikers up on the ridge as we made our way to Mt. Lincoln at 5089ft then on to Mt. Lafayette at 5260ft. We then descended down to 3860ft and had lunch at Garfield pond. The trail was steep and very rocky. We then climbed up to Mt. Garfield at 4500ft before making our way to the next hut called Galehead Hut at 3780ft for a snack break and to get water. We then climbed up to 4902ft in .8 to South Twin Mtn and we had to hike thru a few snow patches along the way. We then started descending to 3700ft next to Zealand Falls Hut and set up camp at 8 by hiking 18.8 miles and 7700ft of elevation gain. We were very tired and ready for bed.GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-10
To: Mizpah Spring Hut
Miles today: 14.2

Today we were up and hiking by 5:45 with sunshine to greet us. In .4 we reached Zealand Falls Hut and filled up with water. We then hiked thru the falls and descended down to 2460ft in .5. The trail levelled off from here for the next 5 miles. We had to boardwalk and go around some flooded areas but still, flat trail and less rocks. We then descended in 2 miles down to U.S. 302 at Crawfod Notch. We had to hitch in to get 2 days worth of food bc we were running low. We tried for 45 minutes until final this nice couple picked us up and dropped us at the Wiley House. As luck would have it they were closed for a meeting. So, we hitched the other direction to a camp store. This young boy gave us a ride 4.3 miles and we resupplied. Then we hitched back to the trail and after 15 minutes the same boy gave us a ride back. We had lost 3 hrs of hiking. We then had a huge climb up to 4052ft at top of Mt. Jackson after 3.2 miles. We had stunning views but the trail at times hung on the cliffs next to drop offs down below to the road we had crossed. We then hiked 3.1 thru the alpine forest to Mizpah Hut and arrived at 4 and asked for work for stay. We had to clean out 2 freezers which took 10 minutes. Not a bad deal to get a free bed,supper and breakfast. The guest pay 100 to 125 a night for that. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-11
To: LAKE OF THE CLOUDS HUT.
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: mist

We were up by 6 packing up our packs but wondering if we were hiking today. We had breakfast at 8 and decided to hike out with Snow White and Classic. It was misting rain but warm. We climbed up to 4300ft and reached exposed above treeline hiking. This is where the wind picked up and the rain did as well. The next 4 miles we hiked with no protection from the elements. We were getting rained on and winds were hitting us at 45 miles per hr. The trail was rocky and slick but we kept moving. We made it to the top of Mt Franklin at 5042ft and the wind was just awful. We knew we had 1.1 to hut below mt Washington so we started hiking as fast as we could. We reached the hut at 12 and knew we were done after 4.7 miles. We were at 5125ft and in 1.3 would have been at the top of Mt. Washington at 6288ft. We couldnt even see 50ft due to the fog. We ended up with 9 other hikers. We just sat in the dining hall until 9pm bc of the guest we couldnt get in our sleeping bags until lights out. The huts have no heat so it was still cold. They said wind gusts as high as 90 mph were hitting the hut. We played cards and board games until time for bed. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-12
To: PINKHAM NOTCH
Miles today: 14.9

This morning we were up at 6 but decided to wait until 7:30 to hike up to Mt. Washington bc it was foggy and 30 up top with wind chill 15 degrees. The restuarants didnt open until 8. We started hiking up Mt Washington as the wind blew the fog out to blue skies but very cold and windy. We hiked 1.4 miles up to 6200ft and made it around 8:20. We all sat in the warm building until the food bar opened at 9. We all ate and by 9:30 we headed back out in the cold. We started down and in .2 had to cross the cog railroad tracks with stunning views everywhere. After about 2 miles we started shedding layers and we actually changed behind boulders and put our wet clothes on from yesterday. Our clothes dried quickly in the sun and wind. We hiked on very rocky exposed trail around 5500ft until we started our descent down to the Madison Spring Hut at 4825ft. We had to hike across a 20 yard snow field that if you slipped it was bye bye. We all made it safely and reached the hut around 1. The workers there were very friendly and gave us left over chocolate cake. We then climbed 500ft in .4 to top of mt Madison and then descended in 3 miles down below treeline and very warm weather again. We then hiked 4.8 on better trail until we reached Pinkham Notch visitor center and done after a very long day. Fresh Grounds was set up to feed us free dinner before setting up the tent after a shower. It was a very long strenuous hike again today but we are thankful just 1 more day in the whites. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-13
To: Rattke River lodge
Miles today: 21.1

Today we were up and ready by 6 and after getting breakfast from Fresh Grounds we started one of the hardest sections in the whites. The first .2 we seen a mother and baby moose. We then started the 3 mile climb up up to Wildcat Mtn. After 3 miles we reached the top to high winds and drizzle. We had to go over Wildcat Peak A,B,C,D all above 4000ft before descending down to 3350ft to the Carter Notch Hut. We stopped to eat before heading back out. It was cold,rainy and windy. All the huts have been good to us on our hiked except for Lake of the Clouds where we have never felt welcome. We had to climb 1500ft in 1.2 and after reaching the summit of Carter Dome we had a bunch of snow piles to hike thru. We knew we couldnt stop anymore bc of the rain and cold to eat and we had 13.8 still to go. For the next 9 miles it was a race against the freezing rain and high winds bc we stayed above 3800ft and mostly above 4000ft until we started our down. We had to hike thru snow,on bog boards,wet trail,crawl under and over blow downs all the while soaking wet and freezing. When we reached the point of heading down it was 6 and we had a 3000ft descent in 4.6 miles. The last 3.8 miles we were hiker running to try and stay warm. We were going to set up our tent at 8 but we both were chilling and cold so we went to a hostel in Gorham and will take tomorrow off to rest after hiking thru the whites. We will have to do 18 miles a day to Munson to meet our great friends to hike the hundred mile wilderness and climb Katahdin. We have less then 800 to go to get this over with. We still plan to finish this part July 1 and then hike Georgia to Damascus finishing July 27th.GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-14
To: GORHAM
Miles today: 0.0

Today we decided to take 1 last zero day after finishing the Whites and heading into Southern Maine. We are staying at the barn hostel, the owner is great and very halpful, we highly recommend this hostel. We had subway for lunch,caught up on our journals because our service has been poor since Hanover. We only have 298 miles to Katahdin and then back to Springer to hike our last 486 miles. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-15
To: Sag between mt. Carlo and Goose Eye
Miles today: 18.0

After a great night staying at the Barn Hostel we were hiking by 6. First, would like to say we highly recommend the barn hostel and the owner Paul, he was so nice and would come and ask if we needed anything every hr. The rattle river lodge where we stayed the night before we do not highly recommend, after we payed never seen him again and he only had a bed and breakfast room but we didnt rec any bf. We started by road walking 1.5 miles crossing the Androscoggin River then entering the woods. This part of trail is where they found a thru hiker had died the night before from hyperthermia. We climbed up to Mt. Hayes at 1350 and kept climbing up to 2550 before descending to 1960 in 3 miles. We had great weather and we are hiking with a group of 10 thru hikers who are young kids, but a great group. We then started just going up and down 500ft until we reached Gentian Pond Shelter for lunch. We then climbed up to 3565ft to Mt. Success before descending down to the Maine line. We then 1.5 miles until we made camp for the evening. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-16
To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we knew we were in for a long day. We started by climbing up to Goose Eye Mtn Peaks, West and East. We had to hike in the fog and up rock facing. When we reached the top the wind blew the fog away and the views were spectacular. We then hiked down to the Full Goose Shelter where we had a snack. It was slow and tough first 3.4 miles. We then hiked 1.5 miles and descended down into the hardest mile on the trail, the Mahoosuc Notch. The notch was full of snow and ice. This mile is in a ravine where huge boulder fields and ice caves are located. We had crawl under,over thru, and jump from boulder to boulder and swing from tree to tree to finally get thru the mile in 2 hrs. We stopped at a waterfall to eat before climbing the Mahoosuc Arm. This arm is slick rock facing and giant tree roots for 1.1 miles and 1200ft. When we reached the top you come to a very serene and beautiful spot, called Speck Pond. We then had to climb Old Speck which was a grueling 500ft climb up the side of the mtn. After reaching the top we had a 3.5 mile descent to Grafton Notch where we made camp and went directly to bed. While up at Speck pond we ran into Tree hugger a thru hiker we hiked with in 2012. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-17
To: SOUTH ARM ROAD
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: heavy intensity rain

We started hiking at 5 with a climb of 2400ft in 4.4 miles. We had a lot of rock steps heading up and it was cool but sunny. After reaching the top with the last mile shear rock facing to climb up we had stunning views again. We then descended down to Frye Notch Lean-to for a snack. We then climbed up 600ft to Surplus Mtn before the trail smoothed out and we had a nice trail 4 miles until we reached East B. Hill Road, we had 10 miles in before 12 so we called a friend in Andover to see if they could give us a ride into Andoved for lunch and resupply. The friend is 87 and owns a hostel in Andover. We went in and had huge burgers for lunch, resupplied and we got back on trail at 1:30. We had great trail in the woods for the next 6 miles hiking around a lake and finally reaching Hall Mtn Lean-to. We then descended 1600ft 1.4 and crossed a stream and then climbed 1300ft in 1.3 to top of Moody Mtn. Believe us when we say Moody Mtn can put you in a mood by the top. You have rock steps,ladders,ropes and steel bars, its like a straight up obstacle course. We then had a 1000ft descent to camp. After 20.4 miles we arrived at 7. Not bad since we stayed in town 2hrs. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-18
To: Little Swift River Campsite
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: scattered clouds

We were up and hiking by 5:15 after packing quickly because of the mosquitos and black flies. We are still hiking with the group of 10 young kids who are very nice and polite. We first rock hopped across Black Brook and started our hike up Old Blue. We started at 1410ft and climbed to 3600ft in 2.5 miles. The intial climb was the steepest and after 1 mile we seen our third moose. We then had rock scrambles, and some rock facings that you have to basically run up to keep your traction. We reached the top of old Blue and started our way over to Bemis Mtn. In 4 miles of basically small up and downs in the woods of pine,balsam firs and red spruce trees. We made the shelter around 1130 to have a snack and refill our water. We then started our descent down to 1550ft and crossed a gravel road and then forded the river before starting a huge .5 climb up to ME 17. When we made it to the road physics dad was there providing trail magic which was great. We then hiked up to spruce mtn and ratman fell in a mud bog. It was funny to us both since he didnt get hurt. We then hiked 7.5 around a lake and thru many mud bogs before reaching camp at 7:15. We were tired but we made 21.6 miles and camped with the young kids again for the night. We are getting closer to Monson, only 110 miles until we meet up with Spirit and Sharon. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-06-19
To: Rangeley
Miles today: 4.8

We were up and hiking by 5 this morning with a plan but 2 miles in the plan changed. Our dear friends Tom and Joy who live near Rangeley on the Lake, well after 4.8 miles and reaching ME 4 we hitched into town with a lady whos dad and brother thru hiked last yr and we are pretty sure we fed at our 3 day hiker feed. We had breakfast and called Joy who came and got us to stay the night on the lake. We resupplied at IGA and then headed to their house. We have 5 more days to Monson and after 50 more hard miles the rest of the trail is pretty easy. We have hiked 1484.8 miles and have 707.2 to go. We have seen 3 moose so far and we feel lucky bc our first 3 thru hikes we only seen 7 total. We are very tired after two straight 21 and 22 mile days with elevations of 6000ft and 7000ft. We plan on being in Monson on the 24th,climb Katahdin on July 1 or July 2 and arrive at Springer July 5th to start the last leg of the journey. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-20
To: Rangeley
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We have decided to take a 0 today because they are calling for 3/4 inch of rain today and then same tonight. This 30 mile section from Rangeley to Stratton has some of the prettiest mtn ranges with the Bigelows and Stratton Mtn. But, also a lot of exposed ridgeline. So we will skip this 30 mile section and start in Stratton tomorrow bc our 2 friends have taking off work and arriving in Monson on 24th to hike the hundered mile wilderness and climb Katahdin. We dont want to mess up their schedule and dont want to rush thats why we are skipping this 30 mile section but will drive back up here in August and hike this sdction in good weather for two days after we hike Springer to Damascus. This section is one of the best in Maine and want to hike it in great weather and besides its a reason to come up and visits friends again. We might see if any friends or family wants to come hike it with us when we come up. The one thing we live by on all 3 thru hikes and this one is we will hike every inch of trail even though they say all you have to do is hike 2000 miles at least. We love the AT and we feel we have to hike every inch to call it a thru hike. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-21
To: Flagstaff lake
Miles today: 17.8

This morning we were dropped off at the trailhead in Stratton by Tom and Joy. We want to thank these amazing people that we thank GOD for putting them in our lives back in 2015. Words cant say what you two mean to us and we thank you again and cant wait to see you guys in Aug when we come back to hike that 32 mile section. We started with a climb up to Horns Pond Lean-to at 3160ft in 4.9 miles. It was a lot of rock scrambles and over many roots. It was suppose to rain but held off to this point. We then climbed up South Horn Summit at 3831ft then over to Bigelow Mtn West Peak at 4145ft. The rain stilled never showed and we could see sun in the valley eventhough we were still in the fog. We then made are way over to Biglow Mtn, Avery Peak. We then descended 5 miles down to Little Biglow Lean-to at 1760 to fill up with water and then we hiked 2.5 miles to our campsite at Flagstaff Lake. We have camped here all 4 thru hikes now bc we love this spot. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-22
To: .5 from Kennebec River
Miles today: 17.9

This morning we were up and hiking by 5 bc we knew we had to get as close to the Kennebec River as we could for the shuttle across in the morning. We hiked 1.7 miles before crossing Long Falls Dam Road and rock hopped Jerome Brook. We then climbed up to Roundtop Mtn passing a group of girls maybe 15 total doing a section hike to Katahdin. We made it to the shelter for a break and to get water from the enclosed spring. We then hike around West Carry Pond and thru Arnold Swamp which had many bog bridges. We then made it to East Carry Pond crossing many logging roads. It was another great day weather wise. We made it to Pierce Pond Lean-to where we took a break. We then had to hike across a wooden dam with one slip and your over a waterfall. We then hiked down towards the Kennebec with the stream beside us all the way down with views of waterfalls. We made camp about .5 from the river crossing. We were in camp by 3:30 after hiking 18 miles. We had to stop bc the ferry only runs 9 to 11 am. You cant ford the river or they dont want you to attemp it bc hikers have perished fording this river. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-23
To: Bald mtn brook lean-to
Miles today: 16.0

We were up and hiking by 6 but only hiked .5 down to the river so we would be first to get shuttled across the river. We were glad bc 30 hikers showed up by 9 and the canoe holds 2 at a time. We were first and we made it across by 9:15. We then crossed U.S.201. We reentered the woods and for the next 4 miles stayed around 1000ft. We then climbed up to 1300ft before starting a 1.1 mile climb up to Pleasant pond mtn summit at 2477ft. We had to hike up shear rock facings and over many roots and boulders to reach the top. We had lunch at the top with many views bc the weather was perfect once again. We then started making our descent over the next 4.4 miles down to 1100ft. We were glad bc there was no water until we made it down, and it was a hot humid day. We then forded a brook before hiking 2 more miles on relatively flat trail remaining at around 1200ft. We reached Bald Mtn Lean-to at 5 and decided to stop after 16 miles. The sitting around waiting on the shuttle cost us 8 miles and we just were not in the mood to hike late. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-24
To: Monson
Miles today: 22.0

This morning we were up at 3 and hiking by 4 using our headlamps for about 30 minutes before it was daylight. We wanted to get started very early because our friends Sharon and Spirit were in Monson waiting on us to arrive. We had to climb Moxie Bald in the first 2 miles from 1280ft up to 2629ft. We made the summit at 5 with 360 degree views right as the sun was coming up over the horizon. It was a spectacular sight with views of the mtns and lake below with tbe sun just coming up. We then descended in 2 miles down to the shelter at 1220ft. We stopped for a quick break bc we still had 18 miles to go. We had messaged our friends to meet us in 12 more miles to slackpack us the last 6 miles. The next 4 miles stayed around 1200ft but the trail was rough with rock hopping,mud bogs,roots and water. We were still doing 20 minute miles and were doing great. We had to ford 3 differant streams along the way. We then descended to 990ft and stayed between that and 650ft for the next 6 miles which made the hiking easier and we could hike faster. We met them around 11:30 and we were so happy to see to familiar faces from home. We gave them our packs and we basically ran 6.2 miles with them hiking in 1 mile to meet us and then walk back to the road at ME 15. We are currently at Lakeshore Hostel resting and planning our next 7 days in the hundred mile wilderness. We probably wont be able to blog until july 1 or 2 bc we wont have service in the 100 mile wilderness or in Baxter State park where we will climb Katahdin. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-25
To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

After a goodnights rest with Spirit and the other person who came up to hike with us and bring us home at the Lakeshore House we were at the trailhead by 8. I want to thank everyone at the Lakeshore House for all they did for us and will always highly recommend their hostel not only for the lodging but the food is the best in Monson. We started out by entering the 100 mile wilderness that you have to hike thru to get to Baxter State Park. We hiked the first 3 miles fairly easy and took a break at the Leeman Brook Lean-to. The weather again was great and we were taking our time since we had trail legs but they didnt. We then made our way in the next 3 miles up to the Rim of Bear Pond Ledges. Then in 1 mile we came to Little Wilson Falls which is 60ft high and one of the highest on the AT. We then crossed a beaver dam and walked about 100 yds on a gravel road. We then climbed up to a slate ridgeline that we had to hike on for about .2 or .3. Then in 2 miles we had to ford Big Wilson Stream. There are many fords in the 100 mile wilderness bc they dont put bridges across the streams and they get very high after snow melt. We then hiked up .7 to Wilson Valley Lean-to where the other person had made it to while we were helping Spirit. It was 4:30 and Spirit was struggling so we stopped here for the evening. After talking Spirit decided she would shuttle back to Monson and stay until we finished bc she took a couple falls and was having endurance problems. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-06-26
To: 1.7 before Chairback Lean-to
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: mist

We were up and hiking by 5:15 this morning hoping to make up some mileage. We hiked up to the Barren Ledges after 1.2 miles and secured a shuttle for Spirit at 11. We had 3.5 miles still to hike to get to the blue blaze side trail to a parking lot for extraction. We hiked 2 more miles before we had to ford Wilber Brook and this is where we ran into 10 to 15 SOBO hikers just starting their journey. It seemed every morning when we were close to the next shelter we would meet 10 to 20 SOBO thru hikers. We then forded Vaughn Stream at the top of a 20ft waterfall, this is where we camped in 2012. We then hiked .6 and forded Long Pond Stream which was almost knee deep. We then climbed .8 up to Long Pond Stream Lean-to. This is where ratman carried Spirits pack and led her .9 down to the extraction pt while tumbler and the other person waited at the shelter. We successfully got Spirit out and when ratman returned the other person had already left tumbler at the shelter by herself and hiked on with no concern for anyones safety. So, we started hiking again to catch up and we had to climb up to 2025ft from 870ft in 1.3 miles. Then we climbed up to the Summit of Barren Mtn where 6 SOBOs where taking a break and told us the other person was 10 minutes ahead. We ate at the top then started out again. We then made our way across Fouth and Barren Mountain. Then we made our way over to Third Mtn, Monument Cliff before deciding to stop after all that had transpired over the 2 days about 1.7 from the shelter near a shelter. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-27
To: Logan brook lean-to
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

We started hiking by 5 in the fog and made great time the first 2 miles even though we have been hiking on wet rocks,roots,fords and avoiding mud bogs. We made Chairback Lean-to and then had a boulder scramble off the mtn. We then crossed Katahdin Iron Works Road and Forded West Branch Pleasant River, this is the widest ford but is only ankle deep. We then climbed up to the Gulf Hagas Loop Trail which people hike around to view all the waterfalls. We decided to not do that since we were behind schedule. We then started our gradual 900ft climb in 4.2 miles by a mountain stream up to Carl A. Newhall Lean-to where we stopped for lunch at 1. We met some nice SOBOs and the group of 10 we had been hiking with caught back up to us. We then started a 1 mile steep up 800ft in 1 mile. We then stopped to fill up with water at the best spring in the hundered mile wilderness. We then made our way up to West Peak summitt at 3178ft then over to Hay Mtn Summit at 3244ft. Then we hiked 1.7 over to the summit of white cap the highest pt in the 100 mile wilderness. I made the top first and made a rock sign for tumbler showing we had reached 13000 miles of hiking together over 9 yrs. The mtn was socked in by fog and it was chilly so we hiked 1.4 down to Logan Brook Lean-to. While on White the other person told us she needed a shuttle out bc she realized she couldnt handle this kind of hiking. So we secured her a shuttle at Jo Mary Rd but it was 15 miles. GOD BLESS