morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-06
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Speck Pond Campsite
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

The Mahoosucs are kicking my butt. I've done them twice before but obviously when I was a younger man. They are very challenging. Consistent climbs and descents with very little in between. I believe they are a tougher range than any in the White mtns. The only trail there that may compare is the Garfield Ridge Trail. In my opinion of course. Mahoosuc Notch was actually fun though I wasnt very excited about it initially. If you don't know, the mile through Mahoosuc Notch is alleged to be the toughest single mile on the AT. I might argue that the mile up Mahoosuc Arm immediately following the notch is more challenging. There was plenty of snow and ice left in pockets of the rocks and boulders. That made for some very cool spots which were in stark contrast to the hot humid conditions of the day. You could actually see the cold air condense as it hit the warmer air above the ice. I had mentioned to Santa the possibility of laying up at Speck Pond depending on how I felt when I arrived. I was really beat after a meager 9.5 miles when I got there. I made a beeline for the water when I got here cause I just had to cool down. The swim felt great! Santa arrived shortly afterwards and announced that he was staying. I stayed too. This is a beautiful spot. I camped here once before years ago. I felt guilty laying up at 300pm but it was the right thing to do. I thought back to being at Thoreau Falls last week and how nice it would have been to camp there. I couldn't because I had somewhere to be. In the future when I go backpacking I'm going to plan like 7 mile days so I can camp in nice places and just hang out with nowhere to go. That will be fun. Of course the weather will always be nice. The caretaker here, Brandon, has hiked the Pacific Crest as well as the Continental Divide. He is kind and unassuming. He is the first person to get me to realize that my thru hike is almost over. That was actually shocking news to me. While I am so ready to do something other than hike, I'm not sure I'm ready to end this trip. It is going to be one of those ready or not things. Right now I really want to go home. After two days at home, I'm sure I will want to come back. I don't know what to do about this or how to avoid it. I believe it is an inevitable feeling. Again, ready or not...Tomorrow we will walk through Grafton Notch and out of the Mahoosucs. This will put me back in unknown territory. I have never set foot on the AT north of there. I hope this will help me re-capture some of the excitement I felt when I was hiking down south. Excitement I can carry into my final days on the trail.
Date: 2016-07-07
From: Speck Pond Campsite

To: Pine Ellis Hostel Andover, ME
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

Santa and I got up early this morning and we're on the trail by six or so. We wanted to get to the Pine Ellis hostel in Andover by mid afternoon. The hike took us over Old Speck this morning. There was a nice partially exposed ridge on the way up. At one point I stopped to take a look at Lake Umbagog. When I turned to look back at the trail, I saw a bobcat standing there and looking at me. When he saw me turn, he turned and walked into the woods. That was a highlight! As far as the rest of the hike today, it was mostly uneventful. A few nice sights, dodging some raindrops, and some OK diner food for dinner. Not a lot of options in this town. I think this will be the norm now thru rural Maine. More tomorrow.
Date: 2016-07-09
From: Bemis Mtn. Shelter 

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We made good mileage the last two days. Back to regular "thru hiker" miles even though there are still some solid climbs during the day. Day one out of Andover, yesterday, featured Sawyer Notch and a stiff climb out over Mt. Moody. After lunch, we climbed up Old Blue, and Mt. Bemis before reaching the shelter where we spent the night. This morning we continued along some partially exposed ridges before crossing Rte 17 which yielded a great view of Mooselookmeguntic Lake (yes, you read that correctly). After that, it was up and down over low ridges, where I saw lots of evidence of moose activity. An hour of bushwacking would certainly have turned up at least one antler. Unfortunately the weather has deteriorated over the last two days with much rain, and fog today. I'm sad to say that my pack cover doesn't seem to be doing a very good job any more. I'm not so confident in my tent either for that matter. I'm hoping my gear and my psyche can outlast what remains.I have figured out that I have about 14 days of hiking left to do. While I know I'm going to miss the culty trail lifestyle, and im not sure I'm ready for this to end, I am very clear that I am ready to stop hiking for awhile. To some degree, I'm burnt out. All of my northbound buddies who are in Rangeley tonight have hiked 31 miles shy of 2000. Most if not all agree we are ready to be done. Lately we have been coming across large numbers of southbound thru hikers who started on Mt. Katahdin and are headed to Georgia. I have probably passed about a hundred in the last week. They are all very excited and enthusiastic about their adventure. Everything is new and exciting for them. They don't seem to mind the rain. Was I like that? Sometimes it seems like just yesterday that I started and sometimes it feels like forever ago. 14 days is nothing. This will end before I know it. Then I know I will be sad for sure even though this can't end soon enough. It is a very strange place to be emotionally.I will really miss being outside every day. Even if it is wet. The wet adds an element of beauty to the landscape. The fog cloaks the woods to the point where you can be next to a pond and not even know it. It is cool, literally. Sometimes it is downright cold. I like Maine, always have. I like the AT in Maine even though I can bitch at every missed step. In the end it will be my favorite state on the trail.Wonder has decided to get back on the trail. Since she is returning from an injury, she will hike modified miles. Santa obviously will hike with her so my time with him will come to an end when I leave here. I will likely finish the trail on my own which is fine. I'm sure someone else will finish the same day I do. It will be interesting to see who that might be. For now, bedtime.
Date: 2016-07-10
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A very mellow zero day to dodge the rain today. Spent the day with Mike and Diane Rodriguez, friends of Santa and Wonder, who were wonderful hosts. Many thanks to them for putting me up and putting up with me! Lots of good food and laughs. Now on to some of the highest peaks in Maine. Next stop, West Carry Pond.
Date: 2016-07-11
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Spaulding Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Things didn't go quite as planned this morning for me. I was given a reminder that the trail provides and that people are generous.After a nice breakfast, Mike and Diane dropped Wonder, Santa, and I off at the trail crossing on Rte 4. Wonder has returned to the trail and is giving her knee a try. Since they will be reducing their mileage, we said our see you laters as I plan to maintain my pace. About half a mile in, I realized that I had left my cheese and pepperoni bag in the refrigerator at the house. Big mistake! I really had no recourse other than to hike out, hitch to the store and replace it. This would have cost me half a day. I turned around and shortly ran into Santa and Wonder who asked what was wrong. When I told them, Santa pulled out a block of cheese and some jerky and gave it to me. While I felt terribly taking it, I was very grateful as they were really saving my butt. They are the most selfless people I have met on trail. Thanks again you two. You truly helped me out, again.With trouble narrowly averted, I turned to the business of hiking. Today's hike led me over Saddleback, Saddleback Junior, and the Horn. Two of them are 4000 footers. The trail then dropped into the valley and crossed Orbeton Stream which was supposed to be forded. Lucky for me the water was low enough to rock hop across. The trail then climbed up Lone Mountain and traversed the ridge to the Spaulding Mtn Shelter. The terrain was gorgeous today. The First Three Peaks were all above treeline. The views back to Rangeley Lake were great. I thought I could still see the Presidentials way back in the distance but I'm no longer sure. This section of trail covers 50 miles of high peaks. Tomorrow I will climb at least four more 4000 foot peaks and two more the following day. There are two more in the area that are too far off trail to bag so I'll have to come back next year. I would like to bag all of the 4000 footers in Maine. Once I get through this section, things should flatten out a bit as I hike the final three days into Monson where begins the 100 mile wilderness. Have I really come that far? It is really hard to believe.The campsite is crowded tonight. There are five southbounders, a girls camp group from Quebec, and we three northbounders. That would be me, Lost Pony, and Phat Sister. Oh, and its 846pm and Wee Gillis just showed up. I haven't seen him since Marion, Va! He just hiked a 28 mile day apparently. Kids. Nuf fer tonite!
Date: 2016-07-12
From: Spaulding Mtn Shelter

To: Horns Pond Campsite
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm beginning to feel like an outsider in my own trail life. It is very strange. When I started the trail, everyone had the same goal. We were all hoping to hike all the way to Maine. There were lots of us. The first shelter I ever camped at was the Muskrat Creek shelter just inside the NC border. It was like my seventh day on trail. Ranger Ray had left earlier that day so I was truly on my own. There must have been almost 25 people there that night. Over the course of the coming weeks I would hike with about six of them at various times. Interestingly, one of those people I have hiked with again over the course of the past week or so. Phat Sister comes from Massachusetts. He is the only one left I see from that group so many weeks ago. Two, Large and his daughter White Rabbit are ahead and should finish this week. Magic is also a day or two ahead of me. My other northbound friends are behind at various points. This camp is very empty tonight and I believe I am the only northbounder here. So to the outsider part. There are so many southbounders around who are all making the same start we did five months ago. They are making friends and grouping up. They are excited and enthusiastic. They don't have room for us in their world. Why would they? We might meet for a night but that will be it. It is not worth the investment to build any sort of relationship. We will all be gone in the morning, walking in different directions. Shouldn't they respect us? Think we're like rock stars or something? It is strange but perhaps this is what must happen as we northbounders prepare to leave the trail for good. Kind of like seniors in high school. They will graduate and go on to bigger things but don't know how to say goodbye. They love you but act like they hate you. They aren't quite sure how to feel. I'm not quite sure how to feel. I am a northbounder with very few friends now. I am going to graduate very soon. I love the trail but I hate the trail. I can't wait to be done. I will miss this so much. Conflicted. I crossed the 2000 mile mark today. Is that really possible? I am so fucking proud of myself it brings tears to my eyes. Twelve days left. Then what?
Date: 2016-07-13
From: Horns Pond Campsite

To: Long Falls Dam Rd
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

A beautiful hike over the Bigelow range today. Didn't see a single northbounder all day. Just a few southbounders and three camp groups. My old friend David Royce met me at the road and brought me back to his beautiful camp on West Carry Pond. His wife Mary Ellen, one of the best cooks I know, was ready to take care of me which was awesome! The Royces are the West Carry Pond trail angels who regularly leave trail magic at the shelter on the other side of the pond. Last night we went over by boat and dropped off some baked goods and a box of wine for any thru hikers that may be there. Then we returned to camp for a few libations and a wonderful meal. I hadn't been to their place since 1996 when my kids were very young. A great time with a nearo and return to camp tomorrow night!
Date: 2016-07-14
From: Long Falls Dam Rd

To: Crossing at Sandy Stream
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: broken clouds

This morning David and I hiked from Long Falls Dam over to the road crossing at Sandy Stream. The trail went past the shelter at West Carry Pond and also along the original route traveled by Benedict Arnold in his trip to capture Quebec City from the British in 1775. His route went from the Kennebec to the Dead river on this region. We made quick work of this short six mile stretch then returned to camp. Got my stuff together to do a town trip for resupply and laundry. Will leave tomorrow for a three day section to the last town on the trail, Monson. ATT is very sketchy around here so it may be a bit before I can post new entries.
Date: 2016-07-15
From: Crossing at Sandy Stream

To: Campsite on Pleasant Pond Mtn
Miles today: 18.8

David sent me off this morning with a nice plate of steak and eggs with English muffins. He and Mary Ellen are great people and I enjoy their company. It was great to see them again at their camp. If i didn't mention, they were our next door neighbors for six years in Vermont. We also worked together at the high school where Ann and I still work. Dave must have enjoyed the hike because he called me this evening asking about the trail up to the Kennebec River. Seems he has some interest in hiking more of the AT in Maine! Speaking of the Kennebec, I crossed it today. The crossing of this river is lore to me having read about thru hikers in the 60s and 70s who had to ford it to get across. They now have a guy who will Ferry you across in a canoe. He works for the ATC so it is free for hikers. You have to get there between 9am and 2pm or else wait till the next day. Fording these days is dangerous as they release water from dams upstream at random times for various reasons.I left Sandy Stream about 720am and easily made the 11 miles to the river by noon. This included a stop at Pierce Ponds which I highly recommend. I had planned to stop at Pleasant Pond shelter for the night hoping it would be like Pierce Pond but it wasnt anything close. Pleasant Pond was anything but so after a dip in the pond and a snack, I climbed the mountain and found this campsite around 500pm. Some people i met here going south said there were no other campsites for at least six miles so I layed up. I thought I would be alone but two couples wound up camping here as well. Since I was close to the summit, I went back up for the sunset which was quite nice. I am so lucky to experience natural beauty every day. If you can ignore the heat, bugs, and discomfort of always being wet and sticky, there is no better place than the Appalachian trail in Maine. Yes, I admit it, I think Maine is nicer than New Hampshire. I will definitely miss my almost totally outdoor lifestyle when I finish the trail. A couple other highlights today included watching two loons on East Carry Pond, crossing the Kennebec, hiking with Un-careful and Fence for awhile, and meeting nice people at my camp tonight. Sleeping with the tent fly half off tonight so I'm ready for quick rain cover but can enjoy a little more air in the tent.
Date: 2016-07-16
From: Campsite on Pleasant Pond Mtn

To: Horseshoe Canyon Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was another very humid day. It's almost like the humidity hangs in the forest because when it was clear today the sky was very blue. I swear I am every bit as wet on a day like today as on a day that it rains. If I knew my stuff would stay dry, the rain would actually be preferable to the sweat. Maine is absolutely beautiful. I love these woods, the exposed peaks, and all the water. I woke up on Pleasant Pond Mountain today and later crossed over Moxie Bald. At only 2600 feet, this peak boasts 360 degree views with some really nice slab rock that you walk across. It is well worth the trip although I'm not sure it's easy to day hike there.Saw another large group of party southbounders today. They make their 1130am starts and go shelter to shelter. So far I have had good luck not having to camp with these groups. The party groups are like freshmen in college. Tonite I'm sheltered up with Nascar a northbounder, and Fence and Un-careful two northbound flip floppers who will finish the trail next week. Thankfully there is nobody else here. We have plenty of room. The forecast calls for rain or I would be in my tent.Tomorrow I will get up early and try to cover the nine miles into Monson in time for breakfast. Ranger Ray should arrive midday. I am excited to have a hiking partner that I know and that knows me for the last part of the trip.I have less than ten days left and less than 125 miles to go. It is hard to believe. People on the trail congratulate me. I accept their well wishes. It feels good. I get emotional every time. It is odd. On to Monson and the storied 100 mile wilderness. The final frontier!
Date: 2016-07-17
From: Horseshoe Canyon Shelter

To: Monson, ME 
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Just a short day today. Like always, I am easily motivated by coffee and breakfast. Nascar was up right around 500pm so I got up then, packed up, and was hiking before 600am. I had to actually ford a stream today. It was the first time I couldn't rock hop so despite the light rain, I changed shoes and walked thru the Piscataquis river. Crispy and Apples were camped on the far shore so I talked with them while I changed back into the trail runners. They tipped me off to Pete's Place, a great bakery/restaurant in Monson. I covered the nine miles to the road and got a ride into town all before 1000am in plenty of time for breakfast. And let me tell you, it was good! If you ever come up here do check it out.I'm staying in a beautiful room at the Lakeshore House currently hanging around waiting for Ranger Ray to show up. I'm real tempted to zero here tomorrow just cause its nice and I can. I'll talk to Ray about it. Also staying here are Pack mule and Rachel whom I haven't seen since Central Virginia. You never know who you're gonna see!This picture is of Greg, the Kennebec canoe ferry guy who gave me a ride across the other day.
Date: 2016-07-18
From: Monson, ME 

To: Long Pond Stream Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Was awful tempting to zero in Monson today but opted to hit the trail instead. There was a thick fog both in town and at the trailhead which lasted the first few miles of hiking. This also made for some very slick conditions in the woods. At one point I had my foot placement all worked out but my pole touched that spot instead which caused my foot to move which then slipped causing me to fall hard on the side of my elbow. This caused some pain and weakness for the rest of the day. It also messed with my confidence thus increasing my level of caution. Some thunderstorms midday forced an early lunch in a conveniently located shelter. After that it was five miles to the next where we spent the night. Earl got in quite a bit after I did causing me some worry. All turned out to be well however. I'm concerned that our paces aren't as well matched as they were back in Georgia. Well see what comes to pass. This afternoon I saw a mother Merganser with about a dozen ducklings in a small brook. That was cool to see. Also walked by a few ponds.Tonight I'm camped with Ranger Ray, Lost Pony, and Wee Gillis. There is also a flip flopper named Faceplant. When I looked at the guidebook tonight I saw that there are only 99.4 miles left to hike. My thoughts haven't changed. I will truly miss this once I'm off trail but I can't wait to stop hiking. I think it is time.
Date: 2016-07-19
From: Long Pond Stream Shelter

To: Campsite at mile 2107.0
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: moderate rain

Had a plan to do 20.8 miles today in order to keep pace for arrival at Whitehouse Landing on Thursday and maintain the current plans to summit Mt. Katahdin on Monday. Things went well but the terrain made for some slower going. Ranger Ray and I agreed to meet at the shelter at the end of the day. He was confident he could make it so we headed out. By 330pm, I had made it to the Pleasant River, about 15 miles. Since nobody had seen Ranger, I began to think about modifying the plan. I walked another couple miles till I found a small camp a little off the AT around 500pm. I left a note on the trail for him in hopes that he would show up. By dark he had not so he either missed my note or camped up earlier. I am not happy to be separated by a night but I'm sure he is fine. Too bad cell service is so poor around here. I'm not sure why they call this 100 mile stretch "wilderness". It is far from it. So far we have crossed railroad tracks, roads, and seen numerous people including day hikers in several places. At the river crossing today, you had to ford it, there were probably 15 to 20 people there all at once. It's really a busy place. Tomorrow we will effectively climb the last real mountains before Katahdin. I will also get my first view of the peak according to the guidebook. That will be exciting. I'm sure I'll get all emotional. Everything makes me that way lately, especially when I think about summiting or if people I meet on the trail congratulate me for hiking all the way from Georgia. I think it goes back to being proud of myself and being a bit incredulous that I may actually pull this off! I'm excited to see it though. I do sometimes wonder how I've managed to walk over 2100 miles. Who does that? Sometimes it seems like this trip has gone on forever and others like it has just begun. Regardless, tonight I'm camped by a brook listening to a barred owl hooting away. I can't wait to go home but I will really miss this life. The thru hiker life.
Date: 2016-07-20
From: Campsite at mile 2107.0

To: Cooper Brook Falls Shelter
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: few clouds

I hiked out very early this morning as I was awake wondering about Ranger Ray. I was on trail by 6 am and while I considered backtracking 2.5 miles to see if he had camped by the Pleasant River, I decided it didn't make any sense. I continued north to the next shelter, 3.5 miles away, where we had planned to stay the night before. LP and Wee Gillis were still there when I pulled in for breakfast. I'm glad they were cause the Ranger had texted saying he had camped up at Chairback Pond, a couple miles south of the Pleasant River. At least now I knew he was fine and where he was. I tried calling and texting him most of the morning while I had service but we never connected. I left him a note at the shelter, a phone message, and a text or two, then carried on. Today's hike included the last mountains of significance before the climb up Mt. Katahdin. At the summit of Whitecap, I got my first view which basically melted me. What a thrill to see the end after all these months of walking! It looked huge and too close considering I still had almost 70 miles to hike. Some southbound hikers came by just at that moment and took my picture with the mountain in the background. Today is Wednesday and I believe I can summit on Monday or maybe Sunday. The weather will play a role in deciding when to summit. I spent the afternoon hiking with Wee Gillis which made the miles go quickly.