morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-09-10
From: Campsite at Surplus Pond

To: Camp at South Arm Road
Miles today: 8.2

Since there was a fairly good climb ahead and no designated camp sites I decided to make it a short day and camp at South Arm Road. Quite a few others also camped there, including Red Lobster, Serenity, LJ, One Life, AD, and some others. The operator of the hostel at Andover was picking people up at the road crossing and taking them to Andover and it was tempting to go but I decided to stay and camp. We had a nice campfire, there was a bottle of wine being passed around, and AD played his guitar.
Date: 2010-09-11
From: Camp at South Arm Road

To: Camp at Bemis Stream
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Pretty big climbs today, up over Big Blue and Bemis Mtn. Great weather , blue sky, sunny, if all days were like this it would be easy! I took it slow and easy, and felt great. The tops of the mountains are scarred from the glaciers,and there are lots of glacial erratics laying on top of the mountains. I camped by Bemis Stream along with Serenity, Red Lobster, and LJ.
Date: 2010-09-12
From: Camp at Bemis Stream

To: Gull Pond Lodge, ME4, Rangeley
Miles today: 13.9

Jerry called as he was sitting on a bench on a lake shore at a hostel in Rangeley, ME. He was concerned that he wouldn¢t sleep tonight. Probably something he ate for supper ¢ like a whole roasted chicken, baked potato, beer and ice cream. He also bought eggs and sausage for breakfast tomorrow.He did hike 14 miles today and says that the next couple of days are going to be rough again. Plus, there is also a better than 50% chance of rain for a few days.So he is at 1951.1 miles ¢ 220.0 to go.He sounded good but made the comment that he knows where our van is (on the farm I left in Bethlehem, NH) and he knows he could hitch back there anytime to pick it up.   Hmmm, but I didn¢t tell him where I left the key.Got an early start this morning, climbed up Spruce Mtn, then a fairly easy trail most of the day. Did a lunch break at Little Swift River Pond Campsite, a nice spot with a couple of canoes, but I was targeting for Rangeley so didn't stop too long. Got to the road about 4 pm and Bob O'Brien was kind enough to come pick me up and take me to the Gull Pond Lodge. Bob is retired, used to manage camps for handicapped children, now opens his home to hikers. I was able to resupply at the IGA in town and bought some great food to have for supper. At first I was the only overnight guest, but as the evening wore on Bob kept getting calls and more showed up, including One Life, Dune and a friend Tom who came to hike with him for a few days, Bob Ross, and a few others. So I get a good night's sleep in a bed, with sheets and a blanket. The weather for the next few days isn't too promising.
Date: 2010-09-13
From: Gull Pond Lodge, ME4, Rangeley

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

I started the day out at the Gull Pond Lodge, operated by Bob O'Brien. Fixed a nice breakfast of pork sausage and eggs. Hiked to Piazza Rock. Made it to Poplar Ridge lean to this afternoon, through the mist and the rain most of the day.Crossed over Saddleback Mountain ¢ 4120¢, the Horn, and Saddleback Junior. A tough, rough climb. Saddleback has a view of Katahdin but with the rain and mist I would guess Jerry missed that. There are other hikers around which is always a good thing. Onward and upward.There was not much in the way of tent sites at the shelter, and what was there was very wet. Quite a crowd gathered at the shelter, including Scattracker and Unicroc, Serenity, Red Lobster and LJ, Red Oak and Buttercup, Parachute and Bond, plus a pair of hikers who were out to bag half a dozen of the 3000-footers in Maine over the next few days. I scouted around for quite a while trying to find a campsite, finally went a few hundred yards uphill past the shelter and found a level area on the right side of the Trail, with a sharp dropoff just past the flat area. LJ and Red Lobster also camped there. I just crawled into my tent and sleeping bag to get warm and dry after a very moist and exhausting day.
Date: 2010-09-14
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

Our man is at Crocker Cirque Campsite tonight after a day of rain, sun, rain and finally sun to finish out the day. Windy, chilly, wintery, damp and wet are all words that he used to describe the weather. Dispite the weather he hiked 14.2 miles today.No major mountains today. He is starting to look at ending dates. Hoping to do about 30 miles by the time the post office in Caratunk closes on Saturday as he should have a mail drop waiting for him there. Will keep everyone updated on the summit date as we get closer.Only 195.1 miles left. (I know, that easy for me to say.)
Date: 2010-09-15
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Horns Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Jerry called from his tent, trying to warm up after another cold and damp day. Weather forecast shows drier weather headed his way. Thank Goodness! If only he could send some of the wetness down this way.He is headed up the last big mountains until Katahdin, North Horn and South Horn.   He sounded good even though his teeth were chattering. (just kidding) Let¢s all send him warm thoughts!
Date: 2010-09-16
From: Horns Pond Lean-to

To: Long Falls Dam Road Stealth Camp
Miles today: 14.0

Jerry called around noon today. No cell phone coverage last night. He was camped by a road crossing.   Apparently it was another wet night. He managed to get his tent set up before the rain but once it started it rained all night. Everything, tent, sleeping bag, everything, was soaked to the core. When he called he was sitting on the shore of East Carry Pond. Things were spread out in hopes of drying some.HE reports that there are no more big mountains until Katahdin, some steep climbs yet but no more mountains.He is still thinking that he will make it to the post office in Caratunk before noon on Saturday.Tomorrow he¢ll cross Kennebec River. ¢Too dangerous to ford because of a dam upstream that releases water automatically on an unpredictable schedule when power generation is needed, you cannot outrun the water once it starts to rise.   An unfortunate section hiker drowned here in 1985. Since then, a ferry service has been in operation during peak hiking season.¢ - in the words of the thru-hiker handbook. The ferry is the official A.T. route. I read somewhere that there is a white blaze painted on the bottom of the boat.He sounded good. Happy to be sitting in the sun. East Carry Pond is at mile 2018.For those of you who might remember King Krawler who was hiking with Eureka/Slinky for a while ¢ he climbed Katahdin yesterday, the 16th. WooHoo to you KK!
Date: 2010-09-18
From: Harrison Camp

To: Pleasant Pond Mountain Stealth Camp
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Our guy called in from Pleasant Pond Mountain this afternoon. He is headed to a campsite a little futher on. Spent lans night in a hiker's cabin alone. Talked about the hiker's breakfast he has - something about 12 eggs, pan cakes and sausage. Boy is he in for a let down when he gets home. My goal is to have an empty refrig. and no junk food around.The weather was great today. Clear sky and great temp.Managed to pick up his mail drop as planned. Next one will be in Monson then on the the 100 wilderness.All is well. He sounded good.While descending from Pleasant Pond Mtn, I slipped and took a fall. I believe this is where I hurt my elbow, which would bother me the rest of the hike.
Date: 2010-09-19
From: Pleasannt Pond Mountain Stealth Camp

To: Moxie Bald Lean To
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

I was very slow to get up this morning, felt sort of groggy. A couple passed as I was breaking camp, headed south, doing a week or so on the Trail. They had camped just a short way further down the mountain. The squirrels were very active and noisy all around, they didn't like it that I had camped so close to their territory, I guess. I hiked on and over Moxie Bald, which was a beautiful mountain, and the weather was excellent. I could see Mt Katahdin, far in the distance, just a hazy image barely visible on the distant horizon. The ultimate destination of the thru hiker. It brought tears to my eyes. For some reason I continued to feel sort of energyless. My right arm was hurting, probably from a fall. I decided to call it a day fairly early, around 3 pm, at the Moxie Bald Lean to, which was right on one of the many lakes that I have seen from the mountain tops.   The tent site near the shelter was near the shore, had a clear view of the southern sky, so I knew I would have a view of the moon, which is a few days short of full, as it traveled across the sky, and sure enough it was very beautiful. Another bonus was the loons. As dusk settled in I heard this call coming from across the water, sort of like "ooooou-eeeeee-ooou", with many variations. At first I thought it was maybe a teenager on a boat just making wierd noises, but then I saw the water fowl out on the lake making the sounds. It was eerie, and beautiful. Also at the camp site were Red Oak and Buttercup.
Date: 2010-09-20
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Lakeshore House, Monson
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Our guy is in Monson. Picked up his mail drop today. Staying at a hostel by the name of Lake Shorehouse, Pub and Laundromat (who could ask for anything more.)He was about to walk down to make breakfast reservations at the other hostel in town.When he leaves Monson tomorrow he will enter the 100 wilderness ¢ the last stretch, folks!¢¢¦a 100 mile stretch through some of the most remote-feeling mountains and forest traversed by the Trail.¢114.5 more miles   -   2064.6 down
Date: 2010-09-21
From: Lakeshore House

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

Monson. I am in Monson. Mythical, mystical Monson. At long last. The final stop before the Hundred Mile Wilderness, the Final Test before you summit Katahdin. I am scraped up, bruised, beaten up and weary, but joyous to be at this threshold. My many thanks to all who have supported and encouraged me especially through the past two months, after I got back on the Trail following my "quitting" back in July when I had bursitis on my knee. The Hundred Mile Wilderness is a pretty remote and inaccessible area, with no easy resupply points, so you have to carry enough food to get through it, although there is a wilderness camp about two thirds of the way through that I plan to visit. Plans are tentatively in place for me to meet Susan, Jay,and Judy next week, probably on Wednesday, and summit on Thursday. I am taking a zero day today to recuperate, resupply, and refresh for the final push.   Sorry about the infrequent updates lately, access to computers has been limited. I will try to get the mileage points updated later today if possible but no promises. I am staying at the legendary (well, legendary among thru hikers anyway) Shaw's Hostel tonight, where they have an AYCE (All You Can Eat) breakfast in the morning, and I will be trying for an early start. Weather looks pretty good in the short term, hopefully it will continue. It has been a most enjoyable odyssey, but I will be ready to return home soon to Kentucky and my family.
Date: 2010-09-22
From: Monson, Maine

To: Wilson Valley Lean To
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I ran into Doctor Rock at Leeman Brook Lean-to, hadn't seen him for awhile. Passed Little Wilson Falls, a very dramatic waterfall. I had to ford Big Wilson Stream. There was a pair of cables strung across the stream which made it easier to get across. T-Rex and Freeman came along just behind me. A bit further I crossed the railroad tracks of the Canadian Pacific RR, and stopped at Wilson Valley Lean-to. It was fairly early, but I felt tired and talked myself into stopping. The shelter was on a hillside, very steep and rocky, but I was able to find a flat spot up on the hill behind the shelter. There was a nice little stream coming down the hill next to the trail for a water source. T-Rex and Freeman came by and decided to continue on, which made me feel a bit whimpy. A bit later, Red Lobster, LJ, Serenity, and AD came along and also decided to stay.
Date: 2010-09-23
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Jerry has entered the 100 mile wilderness. Last night he stayed at Wilson Valley lean-to. That gave him 104.1 miles to go. If all goes well he should be in double digits as we speak (write). There have been other hikers around him. People he has hiked with off and on. He sounded good and as strong as can be expected.Follow up note: rained during the night. Others at shelter - Red Lobster, LJ, Serentina, AD.I had some great views today, with waterfalls and beautiful streams and vistas from the top of Barren Mtn. The most memorable plant I've seen in quite a while was the pitcher plant, an endangered species that I only saw in the bogs near Fourth Mountain. In the evening I camped at Chairback Gap Lean-to with Serentina, Red Lobster, LJ, and AD. During the night it rained quite a bit.
Date: 2010-09-24
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

The rain picked up during the afternoon, and I got to the Carl A. Newhall Lean-to, decided to stay there. In the shelter when I arrived was "Listener", a 72 year old lady who hiked half the trail last year, is finishing up this year. A very impressive story she has to tell. Primative gear, low budget, what a spirit. Also at the shelter were Red Lobster, Serenity, and LJ, plus two southbound section hikers. It was great to be able to get out of the rain and have a dry place to sleep.
Date: 2010-09-25
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 10.8

The 100 mile wilderness apparently had spotty cell phone coverage. Now if his battery lasts we¢ll be okay.Apparently, Jerry is still climbing mountains and in the rain at times. He said that this set looks like a rollercoaster with a lot of ups and downs. He said that this should be the last and that soon he¢ll end up in the bottom land. He was calling from Gulf Hagas Mountain ¢ ele. 2680¢. Today the sky is blue and he is still trying to dry out from yesterday. He spent the night in a shelter last night.He has been hoping to see moose but up to this point he hasn¢t seen any. Well, today he hit the jack pot. He heard a noise off in the woods and walked over to investigate. There they were. Two moose. Pretending to be one. (They were mating.)   He decided to turn as leave as quietly as possible. Well, Jerry you saw your moose(s). Guld Hagas Mountain = 77.7 miles to go!I got an early start and headed up the hill over Gulf Hagas Mtn. As noted above I came across my first moose in the wild today. The trail was surprisingly well developed. The local trail club had put an incredible amount of work into creating steps on many of the steepest parts of the trail, so it was a uphill hike but made easier by the steps. On to of Whitecap, it was very misty and there was no view. The downhillside of the Mtn also had steps built into the trail, so it was nice going down. At East Branch Lean-to, I rested awhile, trying to decide whether to try for some more miles before dark. It was fairly early, but I was exhausted. Serenity, Red Lobster, and LJ came in and were staying so I decided to stay also, and set up tent near the shelter. Later on, Listener came into camp also. I was surprised that she made it this far today. She is a very determined woman. She has a very primative backpack, and carries a satchel that I guess has her tent in it. There was a stream down below the shelter that was the water source. During the night, just before dawn, I heard moose down in the water. It was still dark, so I thought it best to stay in my tent.
Date: 2010-09-26
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Whitehouse Landing Outdoors Camp
Miles today: 21.9

Left at 6 am sharp this morning determined to get to Whitehouse Landing. Hiked at a good pace all day, but my right elbow began giving me pain again - I banged it up a few times before Monson on the slippery, rooty, rocky, watery trail of Maine, and it is somewhat puffy and painful. So I am compensating with my left arm, which throws me a bit off. A long stretch of the trail today was perfectly flat and easy walking, which was good for me because I had a lot of miles to make and the arm was hurting. There was a team of people from the MATC out working at various spots on the trail, doing maintenance. Thank you, MATC, you do a wonderful job. One of them even gave me an apple, and another was able to give me some information on the Whitehouse Landing camp where I was intending to stay. Made it to Whitehouse by 5 pm, where you send out a blast on an air horn and the people at the camp across the lake come get you in a boat. Spent the night in the bunkhouse with four other hikers. I made the mistake of partaking of their specialty, a one-pound hamburger, then followed it up with a pint of ice cream. Tht combined with my hurting elbow made it difficult to sleep. Around midnight I gave it up for awhile and went down to the lake and washed out my socks in the "laundry". Then I laid down again and slept a little. The thought crossed my mind to call Sue and see if she could pick me up here at the camp. The arm was really hurting. But I don't want to quit so close to the finish. I considered taking a zero day to try to heal up the arm a little. During the night, I could hear the loons on the lake. What a beautiful, haunting sound.
Date: 2010-09-27
From: Whitehouse Landing Outdoors Camp

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

A long day hiking to Rainbow Stream Lean-to. Ran into Serentina and we leapfrogged much of the day. She, Red Lobster, and LJ had camped short of Whitehouse last night. Red Lobster and LJ diverted to Whitehouse to resupply, she continued on. There were some nice views and the trail was fairly easy, although there were some steep uphills. The last part of the day was along Raianbow Stream, which was very beautiful. Near the end of the day I rolled my right ankle pretty badly. Enough that I thought, uh-oh, this might be it. But after a few minutes rest, a few deep breaths, I walked on, slowly, carefully - remembering the trail name of a young lady from a month or so ago, "Lift and Step" - Lift your foot, take a step carefully, repeat, repeat, repeat...Finally got to the shelter just before dark. Serenity was there, along with a flip-flopper named Popcorn. It was a quite, sort of melancholy evening in the shelter. Serenity and I were both very much aware that tomorrow we would get to Abol Bridge, the end of the 100 Mile Wilderness, and the next day should arrive at Baxter State Park at the base of Katahdin. This would be our last night at a shelter, our last real night on the Trail. There was a rushing stream right in front of the shelter, and there was a crude sort of totem pole next to the shelter.
Date: 2010-09-28
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge Family Campground
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

It seemed like a long, ardous hike today. The elevation change was minimal, but the roots, rocks, and bogs were very exhausting. I seemed to be playing leap frog with Serenity all day, and we both agreed the trail was tougher than we had expected from comments others had made. I got to the Abol Bridge Family Campground around 5 pm, got some stuff from the campstore, and got a tent site, then a shower, then started eating up lots of my leftover food. Tomorrow I would be meeting up with my wife Susan and brother Jay and sister Judy at the base of Katahdin. Red Lobster and LJ also pulled in and camped nearby. Looks like we will have a nice group gathering at Katahdin to summit.
Date: 2010-09-29
From: Abol Bridge Family Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

Left around 8 am for the final leg of the journey to Katahdin. Overall the trail was very easy, but my elbow and back are painful and slowing me down. Then, I came to a ford of the Nesowadnehunk stream. I scouted it out for awhile, trying to find the best place to cross. With lots of rain lately, the water was high and fast. I tentatively waded in and felt my way into the water, and kept turning back as I encountered strong currents and slippery rocks hidden under the water. I tried and tried, but the Nesowadnehunk was too much for me. Fortunately, there was a "High Water Trail". After 45 minutes of trying, I decided it was foolish to attempt the crossing, especially since I was alone, and I took the high water alternate. About a hour later, I ran into my brother Jay and his friend Miguel hiking toward me. We took a lunch break by the Big Niagara Falls, a really lovely waterfall on the Nesowadnehunk and continued on. A bit later we ran into my wife Susan and sister Judy hiking to meet us. What a wonderful feeling to meet up like this near the end of the Trail! We hiked on to the road into Baxter and the campground where Jay and Miguel were staying. There were numerous other hikers also arriving through the day, all excited about summiting on Katahdin the next day.
Date: 2010-09-30
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning we got up bright and early to hike Katahdin. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas. When we got to Baxter State Park around 7 am, the nice lady at the entry gate informed us that the weather forecast was for severe rain storms and the park had classifed conditions as a "Class III" which means that the Mountain was closed to hikers. No one could summit today, and the weather for tomorrow looks the same. Everyone gathered at the campsite, figuring out what to do. Red Lobster, LJ, Serenity, Unicroc and Scattracker, Red Oak and Buttercup had all come in the day before, intending to summit today. Many were not planning of staying multiple days, and were short of food, so we gathered up all the stuff we had to share so everyone could get by. Everyone was a bit disappointed, but for me it was a blessing in disguise to give my aches and pains time to heal. So, I will rest and rehab my elbow and back and hope for the best.
Date: 2010-10-01
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

The weather continues to be fierce enough that today was again a Class III so no summiting is permitted. This morning, my back and elbow were still hurting to the point that I wondered if I could or should hike, so Susan and I went to the local hospital and visited the Emergency Department. They x-rayed my hip and elbow, and the bottom line was that there was no damaged bones. The pain is basically irritation of the sciatic nerve in my right hip, due to my compensating for the pain in my elbow, which is bursitis due to some of the falls I had taken in recent weeks. So they prescribed anti-inflammatory medication, and I can just deal with the pain or take Tylenol for that. So, I can hike tomorrow if the weather permits, and once I finish and "give it a rest", the other parts should all heal ok. That is good news! A little pain I can deal with. So, right now, we are "holed up" in a motel in Millinocket, catching up on stuff, resting, relaxing, eating, and hoping the weather improves.