morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-09-01
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Rattlesnake river shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I which the down hills today were some of the hardest ones yet.I got up at 0615 and packed up as the guests started to filter in for breakfast. I put my pack outside of the hut and went over to the hut out back to hang out for a bit. I have to say it was a lot of fun hanging out and talking with Blue and Walk About. And I just want to say that dinner last night was fantastic-stuffed shells and chocolate cake! So good!We got to eat around 0800 and this was another great meal of egg casserole with peppers, bacon, oatmeal and really good blueberry coffee cake. I ate so much it hurts! I swept out the bunk houses and folded the blankets then finally hit the trail by 0920. The pond was so beautiful as I walked by I just had to stop for another minute and take it all in. The water was so still and like a mirror reflecting the rocks and trees along the shore. I've learned that any Notch I hike to means a hard climb to follow. The trail did not disappoint. It was another long, straight up climb to the top of Carter mountain thankfully with a great view.Most of the day thereafter was downhill. I took very few breaks and my body is reminding me of that right now. I am exhausted. My feet and knees are throbbing. My legs are covered in dirt even after having one washing already. I banged up my left knee had a trickle of blood down my leg, not sure when I did that.Today was very humid. This mornings clouds have been replaced with the bright, warm sun. The temperature has increased too as I've hiked on in to the valley. The "hike" down Carter Mountain was the most intense climb yet. I had to turn around backwards in one part and lower myself down blindly feeling for the next foot hold while I hung on to the trees for dear life. I was grateful I ran into Catfish at this point because we each could help each other down for safety issues.The final descent lead me to 800' elevation from 4200'. I'm feeling every bit of the 3200' I descended. My knees don't like this at all. I've come to believe that I would rather climb up than go down a mountain any day. But out here I don't have that choice...so I'll just keep plugging away. Did I mention the rocks were mossy and very slippery too? They were and a challenge and I managed to slip a few times. Catfish took a good fall right in front of me and that is always scary. He was alright thankfully.I didn't get to the shelter until 1945 and it was already getting dark. I set up camp and cooked by headlamp. I chatted with Walk About for a few then climbed in my tent. I saw Cat earlier today by the stream. He had taken a fallen but was doing alright. A SOBO just came in to the shelter for the night too. I'm beat. Good night!
Date: 2014-09-05
From: Mahoosuc campsite

To: Baldpate shelter
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: scattered clouds

In which I can no longer say that "I am hiking to Maine". I'm in Maine!I was up and out early this morning as I was eager to conquer Mahoosuc Arm. The climb started out with rock steps and didn't strike me as too bad for about 2/3s of the way up. I was cruising right along and rather proud of myself for that. Then came the granite rock slabs straight up! Thank heavens for the hand and foot holds I could find to scale up the side of the rock easier. The ascent was not as bad as I was expecting and I found myself on the summit in record time. Now that doesn't mean it was easy and I yet again added a few new wounds to my collection. I sat on the rocks for a while and enjoyed a snack and the view which was lovely. I also got a glimpse of where I was headed. Up more shear rock faces...ugh.The breeze was gently blowing, the sky blue with white billowy clouds and my clothes were soaked already after that climb. Not a person was in sight. It was a glorious morning.I headed towards the next peak walking on many bog boards on which I slipped but managed to save myself from falling into the muck. That is always a wake up call to pay attention to where my feet are going. I always fall when my mind is wandering. And that it was.I realized today that I need to change my answer to "Where are you going?". My answer until this time has been that "I am walking to Maine." Today i realized that I am currently in Maine so that answer no longer works. Mentally that puts a new spin on things. It's one of those ah ha moments where I have to think about what that means. After all I've got all day in my head to ponder that revelation so hmmmmm.... So now my answer will be "I am hiking to Kathadin!"After a few more rolling ridges I made my way to the shear granite rock faces that I could see from Mahoosuc Arm. This looks very intimidating! All I can say is that I was glad to be climbing up the rock face than going down it as was the SOBO I passed as I was nearing the summit. Finally, it was a long, rocky descent to the parking lot at the road.And...Trail Magic! Score!I was to rendezvous with my parents here in the lot. They weren't here yet, so I pulled up a chair, had a mountain dew, a banana and chatted with the very kind folks who were providing some always welcome trail magic. Eventually my folks arrived and joined the party. It was a mini reunion with old friends emerging from the woods. I passed a few hours eating food, refilling my food bag and hatching a plan to slack pack in the next day or so. I was waiting for Nubbins to arrive but no sign yet. At 1615 I hiked on to the next shelter or lean to as they are called in Maine.I made it to the lean to around 1745 to find it void of people and very quiet. I set up my tent under the trees and went over by the lean to for dinner. As I was finishing my dinner Rocky Mountain High came in and we chatted, followed by Loon from Japan.I'm tired, banged up and ready for bed!
Date: 2014-09-06
From: Baldpate shelter

To: East B Hill
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

In which I hear a noise I can't figure out.The wind started blowing around 1900 last night and never let up. Rain was predicted but so far so good. It did however rain tiny pine needles all night long on my tent which smelled like Christmas and provided a soft floor.I hiked over Balpate East and West this morning. The climbs weren't too bad. I worked up a good sweat again and was drenched by the time I reached West peak. It was beautiful up there. The sun was trying to peek out through the clouds but the clouds kept overpowering it. The top of East peak was now enshrouded in clouds quickly blowing over the peaks. It was very mystical and eeiry at times.The cairns marking the trail on the granite rock faces were often invisible until right upon them. This made navigation a little challenging but then it became a game. I kept telling myself not to look up ahead at the vertical ascents, just keep where my feet are and I'll eventually make it up. Which I did and after that the rest of the day was a breeze. I practically ran downhill to the road because the grade was so lovely.Along the way passed Frye lean to I kept hearing a sound like something knocking a rock. I was fairly consistent and rhythmic but I couldn't figure it out. I stopped to pause and listen. The forest was quiet with the exception of rustling leaves. The birds these days are all but gone. It's quiet.Well my imagination has a way of running away with me. I thought...oh maybe it's a moose, but no. Then I thought maybe it's a bear foraging and hitting the rocks around, but no. I eventually arrived at the lean to and found a bunch of trail maintainers there creating steps up the mountain face. They were using chisels and mallets and that was the sound I was hearing. Mystery solved.Then I crunched my way through the leaves. There were some newly blown down yellow and reddish leaves. It seems early for this but maybe not. It is getting colder again at night. The forest from above is taking on new color daily as the seasons change. This really is beautiful to watch.The final sounds for this day's hike were that of the stream turning into a river which became the falls through the notch. This really is amazing to hear. And lastly I'm listening to the loons, my favorite.We picked up Walk About today and gave him a ride into Andover. I'm tenting tonight in Rangeley preparing for a slack pack in the morning after spending a lovely evening with my cousin's wife's parents.
Date: 2014-09-07
From: East B Hill

To: S. Arm Rd
Miles today: 10.1

In which the quote for the day is "it's too cold to make a fire!"I just have to say that I really enjoyed slack packing today. The first 6 miles of trail were gentle undulating climbs and I could actually get in a rhythm of hiking. I flew up the mountain in 2.5 hrs. I felt like I was running. It was awesome.Then came the steep descent into sawyer notch followed by a steep ascent up Moody Mtn. I was rather disappointed that the mountain top wasn't open hence no view. That was a flash back to PA, but this is Maine and I'd rather be here than PA any day of the week view or not. It still has been a fabulous day on the trail and a busy one at that. I ran into 6 hikers from the cabins that were slack packing. I haven't seen that many people on the trail in one stretch in a long time.It simply was a beautiful day to be outside. The wind was blowing to keep things cool. The temp. was in the upper 60s and the sun was brightly shining intermittently hiding behind a few clouds. There are signs that the seasons are changing. Some fallen red maple leaves littered parts of the trail and an occasional yellow leaf too.I saw more beautiful, bright red mushrooms hiding under rocks in patches of green moss. Pictures of them just don't do them justice. Lately I've noticed many different colored mushrooms. I never knew so many existed. They are really fascinating.My parents picked me up around 1530 and provided trail magic of cokes and cookies to those hikers around. There was quite a following today. Hope to catch up with everyone tomorrow. In the meantime, I had a lovely dinner of fish and chips and was a member of the clean plate club. I packed my food up for the next few days, did some chores and am ready to get some miles in tomorrow. Good night world.
Date: 2014-09-08
From: S. Arm Rd

To: Bemis stream
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

In which the theme for the day was rocks, roots and mud...oh my!I am definitely in Maine! "They" say the mud in Vermont is nothing compared to that in Maine. Well, I got a little taste of that today of course in combination with the roots and rocks intertwined. Oh yes, and bog boards that move and pine needles too.I had in my mind that Blue Mtn. was just a short intense climb up then down and the rest of the day would be "a piece of cake". Wrong! That wasn't quite the case. I spent 2 hours actually climbing up the mountain where I took a snack break. Then I proceeded down a long, rocky descent. After that the terrain wasn't too bad, however, the complicating factor was the roots and rocks and mud...oh my! So I plodded through. The saving grace was that the walk was through a fragrant pine forest with soft needle beds which I enjoyed. It was also on the north side of the mountain where the rocks and trees were covered in green moss making foot placement tricky at times. The last part of today was zig zagging along rocky top ridges. I felt like I was a rock skipping along a pond when thrown, however, I was skimming the tops of ridges as I hiked. I was offered beautiful views from those ridges of the many lakes that a freckled the landscape below. It was a very quiet day too, besides the many sounds of nature. I didn't see another soul until I reached camp for the night.I originally intended on staying at a camping area described in AWOL's guide. No one was around and since I was out of water I decided to push on to the next in the series of streams and one ford. This stream more like a river was really beautiful with river rocks softly rounded and plentiful and crystal clear, cool water which I didn't have to ford. I rock hopped across it then tanked up on water, sponged off and walked on to the next stream taking my chance on stealth sites to camp. Well, the next stream didn't exist, it was all dried up and nothing but and empty bed of river rocks. I did run into Mystic Pony and Mason camping and set up camp near them. They had an awesome "top down" fire going already which was fantastic. So after setting up camp i cooked dinner and sat around the fire 'til well passed my bedtime. The moon was coming up big and bright and if it's not full tonight it's pretty darn close. The shadow from the trees danced across my tent in the moonlight. I heard and owl and the call of a loon which i just love!I also had another first today. I went to hang my food bag and actually pulled the branch down. So I found another branch and tried again....and the same thing happened! I was laughing loudly at myself in the middle of the woods and that too was fun! Third time was the charm and my food now hangs in the moonlight.
Date: 2014-09-09
From: Bemis stream

To: ME4
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

In which fall is in the air.It got rather cold last night, down into the low 40s. So the best way to get and stay warm after climbing out of my oh so warm quilt was to get walking and I did. It was a climb up to Rt. 17 at the road crossing. It also was a view beyond words of Mooselookmeguntic Lake! It was so beautiful all lit up in the sunlight. The sky was soooo blue and cloudless, the sun was so bright, the wind was briskly blowing and noticeable signs of fall colored the leaves on the mountain sides. It was one of those glorious mornings which make every ounce of pain and hardship so worth while. It's one of those mornings which confirm why I'm out here and make me feel alive. I had a silly little grin plastered on my face which won't go away. My whole being felt full of energy ready for a new adventure today. I already had one big climb done at this point. So onward....The rest of the day was very similar to yesterday. There were rocks, roots and mud! Except today there was more moose poop and several sets of moose tracks in the mud. No sitings however. There were also 4 ponds that I crossed or walked around. I always love those. First was Sabbath Day pond which had a beautiful sandy beach, crystal clear water, 2 loons swimming and calling and a bench upon which to sit and enjoy the view! I sat for a while, had a snack, talked with passing hikers then finally moved on when i started to get cold.Plenty of people were on the part of the trail today both NOBO and SOBO. Was nice to chat with others briefly. I enjoyed a lunch break at another pond and hiked on to ME 4 where my parents met me hiking up the trail. They had been doing more trail magic shuttling people to town and passing out more food. I've never had a mountain dew taste so good. I set up camp with my folks, got my chores done and enjoyed another great campfire while watching the moon come up over the trees. It's going to be another cool night. It's also my favorite time of day to cuddle up with my down quilt which i sooo love! It's hard to believe that i only have two more weeks of this adventure left. I'm both sad and excited at the same time, mostly sad. I love this way of life. I feel like this is what I was created to do.
Date: 2014-09-10
From: ME4

To: Poplar ridge
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

In which today was a day of deje vue...I got off to a later start than expected but all was well. The climb up to Saddleback Mtn. was long but gentle and full of rock faces to scale. I'm grateful it wasn't raining today as is predicted for tomorrow. It would have been one slick climb. The forest was beautiful before the ascent up the mountain. I was on the look out for moose but none have been spotted in ME thus far. There was however a lot of poop and a few really big moose tracks.The views were spectacular. It felt a little like walking through Franconia Ridge. 360* views abounded and all 3 ridge lines I'm walking are above tree line climbing on, over and around rocks. It was really great to be able to see where I was going and track my progress. The sky was really blue with a few big, gray clouds. A gentle breeze blew and I quickly got chilly when I stopped for a break. The clouds cast their shadows over the mountain sides. Red tinged leaves painted the valley below. Ponds and streams were dotted around the land scape. I could see Rangeley and the town nestled on the waterfront from which I came. It was just a happy kind of day.I climbed up and down Saddleback Mtn. Then up and over the Horn. Then up and over Saddleback Junior. Deje vue all over again. I got to the shelter around 4pm and thought about moving on. I didn't though and decided to stay put for the night and rest up for a longer day tomorrow. Enjoyed a lovely dinner sitting with Walk About.The birds are all but absent these days. The woods are relatively quiet. Plenty of squirrels are still scurrying about and no moose today. The shelter is packed as rain is predicted. I'm feeling very fortunate to have my little spot of earth nestled in the trees upon which to tent. I love my little home sweet home. There's no where I'd rather be.
Date: 2014-09-12
From: S. Carrabasett Rv

To: Horns Pond
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

In which I'm a 2000 miler!What a day! Where do I even begin? I had two climbs waiting for me this morning, North and South Crocker mtn. They weren't so bad either. The wind was gusting all night and still was this morning. It was especially gusty up on top of the open peaks. The clouds were blowing through very quickly and most of the views today were of white clouds.It eventually cleared up and the blue sky appeared. It remained pretty chilly though. My little thermometer said it was in the low 40s this morning. It felt colder nestled in the gap by the river. Once again I was warm while I hiked but got chilly quickly when I stopped. So guess what I did? I kept hiking quickly! I didn't stop for any breaks. I just kept on hiking down to ME 27. The parking lot was lovely because it was warm and sunny! So I got out all my wet clothes which weren't on my body and hung them up to dry in the trees lining the road. Classic hiker trash! was awesome!Bilbo Baggins and Peter Pan came down to the parking lot right after me and did the same thing. My parents pulled in shortly thereafter and did more trail magic for us all. They took our trash, gave out sodas, brought us a picnic lunch and chairs. I did my resupply from my stash in my folks van and hit the trail with a full belly while my parents shuttled Walk About and Figure 8 into town. Most of the hikers I've been around lately have seemed to all gone into town. The trail has become very solitary again.I'm up on top of a mountain with incredibly strong cross winds blowing through. The temperature in now 34* and falling fast. I'm really grateful I have my down jacket tonight. I'm going to need it! No one else is up here camping. I've cooked dinner and am climbing into my wind sheltered to tent to call it a night.The weather is supposed to turn again tomorrow. Rain is predicted after 1500. I'm hoping for an early start to get up and over three exposed peaks before the weather gets bad. I realized as I was climbing up here tonight that I officially passed the 2000 mile marker! Woooo Whoooo! That seems so incredible to me. I've walked 2000 miles! I don't feel ready to be done with this adventure. My body however is getting tired. I feel it on the climbs.Speaking of climbs, today was very pretty and very enjoyable. Moss covered rocks and trees abounded, there were pine forests and ponds all of which were very peaceful. I really have enjoyed the Bigelows so far.
Date: 2014-09-15
From: baxter peak

To: Moxie Bald pond
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

In which I walked and half a day without seeing any people and my moose hunt continues.The trail today was really nothing to write home about. Just the usual for Maine. "Flat" meaning a walk in the woods through mud, on logs over bogs, on rocks, sticks, logs and leaves. Oh yeah, and I can't forget the roots! Amazing, foot grabbing roots. There were 2 climbs with spectacular views. Those always make my day. Ponds were everywhere and like usual I was always scoping the woods and ponds in hopes of spotting moose. Lord knows they're around, can't walk anywhere on the trail with seeing their evidence on the trail, by the sides of the trail, in the crevasses and between roots. There is poop on the high peaks, along the shore lines of ponds and by the boggs. There was small poop, big poop and even moss covered green poop. Poop was everywhere, but moose were not. I want to see a live moose! So my hunt goes on.I did however see a beaver in Moxie pond tonight and spent a long while watching her. I sat on the rocks at the edge of the pond and watched her swim back and forth, collecting sticks, dragging them on shore and returning to the water to do it again. I could even hear her gnawing on the sticks and reeds. There were 2 loons floating and diving across the pond and calling back and forth. That is my favorite song on the trail and the most beautiful.To top that off was a gorgeous sunset. The sky was an ever changing spectacular show of pink, orange, blue, silver and gray. The colors dancing across the water were equally beautiful. It was so breath taking. I was in awe just watching. I attempted to take a few pictures but they just don't do the beauty justice. The island in the middle of the pond had huge boulders surrounding it and grasses rippling in the gentle waves lapsing up on shore. The water is pretty still compared to the other night's white caps on W. Carry pond. Only the water bugs and the beaver swimming were creating gentle ripples in the water.Tonight's been one of those off the charts beautiful, pristine, serene, gorgeous, peaceful evenings. My tent is sent up close to the water. Others are camping around me. Hobbit, Rowdy and Race Walker are in the shelter. Bilbo Baggins and Peter Pan just rolled in. I am so grateful for moments like this when the world seems right and I am speechless in awe.My knees and ankles are screaming at me right now. It was a long day walking but the rewards this evening make all the pain worthwhile. I'm loving the sound of the loons as I drift off to sleep. Such an incredible symphony of sounds. I've never heard so many in stereo across the lake. This is heaven!