morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

For those of you following our progress, I apologize for posting on another journal. Check out http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=10798 for the journal of the last 170 miles of Pennsylvania that I completed with Salty Murphy. It's full of Athos, Pathos and Hobbit. I was unable to log on so I took the sissy way out.I'll be journaling the 300 miles from Wildcat Mountain to Katahdin that GarageMan and I will be doing starting July 5. We're getting excited about it- he will be completing his last phase (see 2009 for the gory details) and it will put me about 500 miles short of a completion.GarageMan still has the dream of doing a complete thru-hike all in one year. I'm not so sure since it would mean starting over at Springer. I love the idea more than all the walking I'm afraid. It won't happen this year at any rate.
Date: 2010-07-08
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: broken clouds

Whitepaws, GarageMan & I started hiking 2 days late. Whitepaws discovered all the Gorham hideaways (and where all the skeletons are buried) and I flew in from Detroit where I was visiting with family. GarageMan was delayed in California where he was helping his mother settle into a new place.We started right off with the butt-kicking climb up Wildcat Mountain where GM fell and broke a rib last year.   The 85-90 degree temps with 80% humidity set the tone for the day. We quickly revised our plan to hike 13 miles as we gasped and panted up one steep rocky precipice after another.GM tried to identify the spot he fell but I stopped validating after the first dozen. In truth, he could have fallen in any number of places with so much slickrock and steep scrambling. The arrival at the Gondola where he made his escape last year marked virgin territory for all 3 of us. A gal from RI claimed she saw a small beer on the way up, but the mother was no where around. I wonder what the Mother of all Beers is in RI?We met Mage who quickly moved out of sight and several tired SOBOs (southbounders). When the guys moved ahead of me, I saw a 3 foot garder snake sidewinding across the trail. Truthfully though, I was so exhausted from heat, climbing, carrying a pack and being out of shape, that had a wolf moved in, I would have just laid on the trail and surrendered.The hut stay was priced at $95 each so we stealth camped in the woods, enjoying our own home-cooked meals and their water. Miles, part of the Hut Croo, took us to an amazing ice cave nearby. The scenery had been breath-taking from the 3 Wildcat peaks and the Carter lakes were also beautiful.Although we were revived after a sitting cooldown, food, drink and nap, we were all glad we stopped early.
Date: 2010-07-09
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: few clouds

Another grueling day dripping salty sweat into my eyes while carrying a heavy load up an impossible incline. Sound fun? I wish I was in better shape so my thighs wouldn't scream so loud.We saw lots of frogs, not a surprise since there were also lots of flies and gnats which amused themselves by flying into my eyes and panting open mouth. No wonder I wasn't hungry at dinnertime.GarageMan fell on his butt only once, varying my view. The 1500 foot climb only took 1.2 miles, so that was steep. The very last 2 miles of the day were also steeply downhill, challenging our toes and knees. I was filthy when we arrived at Imp shelter from sweat, bug dope and sunscreen. We hung a line and got water as soon as we decided to stay. The prevailing attitude is stop if we want and can. I like it. Whitepaws is so easy going he seems to be okay with everything. He is in better shape than us, but is suffering from blisters. No complaints though. He is also more heat tolerant being from Florida.Birch showed up! She was exhausted as she did the same mileage in one day that we did in two, but it looks like her schedule will match ours at least for the next week so we can catch up on fun. She taught me a few inappropriate words about the difficulty of the NH AT. I'm sure I'll be needing them soon.
Date: 2010-07-10
From: Imp Shelter

To: Gorham- Wild Berry B & B
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

The downpour started even before we left the shelter at 6. We all donned hiker kilts made from drawstring trash bags so we were looking our best. Mine was an attractive kitchen bag which complimented my raincoat, but Birch was amused. Hers was a 50 gallon size and she had to roll it up around the band to keep it from dragging. During the night I poked GArageMan to cease the snoring, but he'd scooted down so I found my fingers in his beard. He sat up and started thrashing around, I'm guessing mouse anxiety. He went right back to sleep before the rest of us.It poured on us all the way up Mt Moriah. GarageMan's packcover was flawed and water pooled up in the bottom. We were drenched, but not hot for the first time in days. The last 3 miles were gently sloping and relatively easy. Our shoes and socks were all soaked and squishy, but that made the river crossings on wet mossy rocks less critical. At one point I was in mud up to my ankles, but it wasn't too noticable. The wet pines smelled wonderful and the 3+ miles along the Rattle River were really gorgeous. We're at the B&B along the trail on Rte 2 near Gorham poised and ready for a long (dry, cooler) day tomorrow.
Date: 2010-07-11
From: Gorham- Wild Berry B & B

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

I was walking along the road towards the trailhead with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I'd been contemplating the 6 day, extremely strenuous hike all night, so I wasn't well rested. In the end, I had to tell GarageMan I wasn't going to get back on with him. I could see him wrestling with his emotions- disbelief, disappointment, anger, uncertainty. In the end, he took on the water filter, camera and other half of the tent, I took on the excess food and watched sadly as Birch, GarageMan and Whitepaws began the climb up.I will edit this entry with their adventures the first day after Gorham.
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I decided to re-join the group after Mahoosic Notch and Arm, in Grafton Notch on Wednesday. It is a relief to have decided. I feel like, even though the hike will still be physically and emotionally challenging for at least 90 more miles, it is not un-doable. Right now I am hanging out at the Library (computer- $1/30 minutes) and Museum in Gorham, then moving to a White Birches Campground $15/night bunk to await a shuttle on Wednesday morning. The town has a great little hardware store with camping gear including trail food and guides. I bought another A.T. Guide and mailed home the excess along with my Zip-T jacket.Again, expect a trail update from GarageMan when I compare notes and have computer access in Andover on Friday.
Date: 2010-07-13
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm still in Gorham, anticipating a ride to Grafton Notch early tomorrow. The hikers are navigating the challenging Mahoosics today- it's overcast but not raining, so it shouldn't be any more difficult than geologically. I asked the shuttle driver, Golden Waldo, if I could ride along with him today to Andover and then to Gray, Maine and that helped pass the time waiting to get back on.I'll update with tales from the trails when GarageMan updates me.
Date: 2010-07-14
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Frye Notch Shelter
Miles today: 10.4

I met the gang at Grafton Notch where they'd just come 5 easy miles down from the Mahoosic day. There is a toilet there and picnic tables so we enjoyed lunch and jelly donuts there before attempting the Baldpates.Yes, they were rocky bare mountains and we uphilled right past the first shelter, huffing and puffing. The far side was steep and slippery so it was slow going down.I'm glad to be back on the trail, but I'm remembering the agony and the ecstacy.
Date: 2010-07-15
From: Frye Notch Shelter

To: Hall Mountain Lean-To
Miles today: 10.5

We were telling Army stories at the shelter by 3:00 today, but coming down 1000 feet, then going back up 1100 were arduous in the heat. I slid down several muddy rocks, exploing the limits of my decreasing flexibility. GarageMan fell too, making a satisfying splashdown into a muddy creek. I borrowed Birch's needle and sewed up his pants for the sake of decency.We enjoyed lunch by the side of a beautiful waterfall. An Outward Bound group of kids were enjoying the water and got to observe their instructor walking into the pool to scoop up drinking water. Count the ways that was wrong.Some of the trail reminded us of Tennessee and North Carolina trail- roots and rocks, but reasonable.The shelter water had the look of weak tea, but we were glad to find it- the trail marker was on a downed tree. Quixote and his son and 2 dogs arrived late and took over half the shelter, bumping Whitepaws out to his tent. The cool evening made for a comfy sleep and we left early with thoughts of a lunch that didn't require water added (Birch's request).
Date: 2010-07-16
From: Hall Mountain Lean-To

To: Andover, ME- Pine Ellis Lodging
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

Yep, a near-o, we just finished a lavish lunch at the Diner, but the uphill side of Moody Mtn was fraught with hazards. There were at least half dozen places where there were imbedded metal bars for hand-holds on the vertical rocky face. An avalanche took out several hundred feet of trail....the detour was steep, casually marked with surveyor's tape (what about the color blind) and really muddy. The river we were supposed to ford was low enough to rock-hop.It's raining now and we are full of cheeseburgers. While our clothes are washing, we are wearing surgical scrubs which are giving me a false sense of wealth and privilege.Whitepaws has decided to skip the next 15 miles (which he already hiked with Paula and Jamie last year) because his heel blisters are painful and his ankle is swollen. It has effected his vitality and each step is a chore. He'll be getting on at ME 17 and delivering our next 4 days worth of food.
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Andover, ME- Pine Ellis Lodging

To: Bemis Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: light rain

We saw a bull moose just as we got dropped off at the trailhead at 7 am. The climbing was steady and serious for 3 hours as we summited Old Blue, then Bemis. The bad word of the day is slickrock, the smooth rocks that form the trailbed. They are smooth and angled and sometimes mossy and wet. We also sidled many boggy areas that were deep, wide and smelled like primordial stew. The 360 degree vistas were fantastic. The weather was sunny and hot (too hot for me!) and My eyes stung from sweat and sunscreen. There were lots of day hikers out on a Saturday.I twisted my ankle when my thoughts drifted. I was up, then down. I can still walk on it although I anticipate some pain and bruising later. Vitamin I will help, but none of my foot placements can be on flat surfaces.The shelter has brown, sluggish water. We arrived by 2:30 and whiled away the time visiting with Birch, Sea Otter (PCT talk), Nuthatch, Mouse and Subby. Willard showed up too and shared the shelter. SOBO Birdy reported a grouse with babies, but we didn't repeat the sighting. Thunder & light rain overnight.
Date: 2010-07-18
From: Bemis Mountain Shelter

To: Little Swift Pond Campsite
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

After sliding down 2 ridiculously slick mossy rocks, I left the trail for this summer at ME 17, hitching a ride with Christian from Pine Ellis when he dropped off Whitepaws. His blisters looked better and he brought pastries. GarageMan, Birch, and Whitepaws are continuing on, but I plan to be back in Alaska tomorrow. I'm not having fun in the heat and rocky slopes, so it's time to get off.Before I left the trail, we came to a river to ford, but again, it was low water so we rock hopped. The views from the lesser Bemis rocky summits were spectacular and we saw the lakes around Rangeley.GarageMan called with his order (1 man tent, lighter sleeping bag, water filter, Whitepaw's poles)and reported a comfy campsite by a pond after a generous uphill and continued rooty, rocky trail. It rained off and on during dinner but everyone is anticipating a good sleep in the cooler temps.
Date: 2010-07-22
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Stratton Hotel
Miles today: 7.3

GarageMan: The rain, thunder, and lightning made for an interesting night. The 7+ miles to the road was mostly down hill which wreaks havoc on my knees. The trail was so overgrown on top of North and South Crocker mountains that it soaked me brushing up against the wet vegetation. I finally had to put on my rain coat to keep warm. I thought that I'd never reach the road as I could hear traffic from about 4 miles away. When I finally got to the road, Birch was waiting with her cousin and partner who took us into town and then ferryed us to the laundry PO and then out to dinner. Tomorrow they are going to take us out for breakfast and then out to the trail. Great trail angels!The Northland Store didn't have my maildrop. I found it at the P.O. Go figure.Whitepaws left for home. We'll miss him! He traded out my 2 person tent for his 1 person tent which reduces my weight by at least a pound. That will help. We expect to be in Monson by Wednesday and we will take a zero there.
Date: 2010-07-23
From: Stratton Hotel

To: Safford Notch Campsite
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

GarageMan: Got out of Stratton a little late due to the diner not opening till 7am. Trail angels Linda and Dee drove Birch to the trail and we were off a little after 8. Climbs today included South Horn 3805 Bigelow Mountain west peak 4145 Bigelow Mountain Avery Peak 4090. We stopped at Safford Notch Campsite which is .3 miles off the trail. Went over 2000 miles today. A big milestone to say the least.
Date: 2010-07-25
From: West Carry Pond Lean-To

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 14.9

Mile 2027.9 out of 2175 (give and take a few miles) GM: We're staying at Northern White Water Expeditions where Birch and I got a tent cabin for $25. The showers were free and luckily someone had left body soap and shampoo for us to use. I talked to Lint today. He's a multiple triple crowner. He told me that no matter how many sections it takes to complete the AT, you earn a tattoo. He had tattoos of the AT CDT PCT Ice Age trail and more with some maps.The trail is settling down some. Not too many mountains to go over.
Date: 2010-07-26
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 14.7

mile 2042.6It was a nice day today. We got a hitch with a cute young lady this morning. I told Birch I had a trusting face. Birch said I probably reminded her of her grand father. There were two young guys at the Pleasant Pond lean to when we stopped in for a break. They gave us a banana and let us take some water from their gravity filter. They just finished their freshman year at college. One at U of Maine and the other had "William" in the name somewhere in Rhode Island. They have been hiking together since jr. high and are planning a thru hike after they graduate. Let's hear it for trail angels. 1 1/2 days to Monson!
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-To

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-To
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: broken clouds

2055.6 It was another beautiful day with blue skies and a breeze. We forded our first stream today. I got wet up to my knees. I wanted to sit down in the stream and cool off. Tomorrow, we hear there is trail magic and are looking forward to the cold soda. Monson tomorrow afternoon and a needed zero.
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-To

To: Monson- Shaw's Lodging
Miles today: 7.0

Mile 2064.6 I had an easy walk into Monson. Some of our shelter-mates last night were happy with their acquisitions from the hiker box in Andover- yes, they were our donations.At ME 15 we called Shaws for a ride into town. Dawn picked us us promptly and gave us a tour of the place. I had 4 packages waiting. Two with food and one with the tent and my summer sleeping bag and another with the tent poles. I sent my winter bag and the tent and poles back home along with a few odds and ends. I sent the tent back because White Paws had lent me his hubba and I like it better than the Big Agnes fly creek because the hubba is a side enter tent.I spent the afternoon looking around Monson, which took only a few minutes. We had lunch at the gas station and then dinner at a pub on the lake. Still trying to decide how much food to carry through the wildness as opposed to resupplying at White House Landing. Zero day tomorrow.
Date: 2010-07-30
From: Monson- Shaw's Lodging

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Mile 2079.7. GM: I passed another milestone today. I have less than 100 miles to go, 99.4 to be exact. Monson was the last town gorge town. Last night I went to the pub and ate 12 tacos. This morning I had another great breakfast at Shaw's. They brought four of us to the trail and we were on our way at 8 am. We had to ford another stream today but again it was a welcome feeling for the feet. There are four of us in the shelter tonight, Birch, Hardrock, Enoch and me with two more tenting. I heard that there is a record number of people hiking about 1.5 to 2 weeks behind us.
Date: 2010-07-31
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-To

To: West Branch Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Mile 2095. What a day. Ups and downs galore. I went past a stream, not getting water, because a shelter was near. I had even read about the unreliable water source but failed to remember. Of course the source was dry. Next water was 2 1/2 miles and that was also dry. So I had to suck it up and walk the 4.4 miles to where we are now, sucking a dry hose. In my mind I was thinking, what would I give for some trail magic. Thank you Pine family!!! At 4 miles just before crossing a logging road there under a tree was a cooler bag with cold pop and whoopie pies. Manna from heaven. The root beer went down in 3 gulps, the whoopie pie was saved for dinner. Oh and we caught a blue blazer. But it's hyoh out here and we didn't say anything. Another highlight of the day was the guy hiking the 100 mile wilderness with two pack goats. The AT is foot travel only and no bikes, motorized vehicles or pack animals are allowed. So it goes. You see it all on the trail.
Date: 2010-08-01
From: West Branch Pleasant River

To: East Branch Lean-To
Miles today: 16.3

Mile 2111.3. 67.8 to goMy climbs today were Gulf Hagas, West Peak, Hay Mountain, and White Cap Mountain where I saw, really saw, Katahdin. It was great to see where the finish is. I also aw a trail crew out working. They were building stone steps going up Hay Mountain. I got to the Logan Brook lean to and there were about 50 15 and 16 year old girls trying to find places to set up tents. I decided to move up the trail another 3.6 miles. When I got here there were only about 15 girls and boys. Luckily they all tented and there are only 3 of us in the shelter.
Date: 2010-08-02
From: East Branch lean to

To: Potaywadjo lean to
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: few clouds

Mile 2130.8 48.3 miles to goI had a great day with trail magic at Jo-Mary road, ice tea, cookies, and apples and oranges. Thank to a summer camp in NH. I found out today from Hard Rock that there are 3 types of AT hikersThru hikers 1 yearLashers long ass section hikers 3 years or lessLife time achievement award like 10-20 yearsI'm still seeing sobos. They are getting a late start.Summit is planned for Friday 8/6.
Date: 2010-08-03
From: Potaywadjo lean to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: light rain

Mile 2149.0 30.1 miles to go.Started to rain at 2 am and rained steady till I put on my pack at 6am to start hiking. Then it stopped. Cloudy all day and a little drizzle in the late afternoon. Some good sections but wet roots made for a slippery day. Towards the end I ran into a father and son. I asked about the lean to up ahead and they told me it was about a mile up this stream and right on it. When the trail started to lead away from the stream I started to think that I missed the lean to. But alas it was further up the trail next to another stream. The shelter is full. I can't remember the last time a shelter was full. Our guide shows distances to the next three shelters. This entry shows 11.5>24.9>0.0 the 0.0 means that there is no third shelter. There are only 2 shelters left. Another indication that I'm getting near the end.
Date: 2010-08-04
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Hurd Brook lean to
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Mile 2160.518.6 miles to goThere's only more more shelter on the AT and I'll be there tomorrow afternoon. I wonder how many more white blazes there are? A short stop tomorrow morning at Abol Bridge Store and then on to the Birches and Katahdin on Friday. A short day today only 11.5 miles.
Date: 2010-08-05
From: Hurd Brook lean to

To: Birches Lean-To
Miles today: 13.4

Mile 2173.95.2 miles to go (actually 10.4 because I have to walk back down after summiting)The last shelter on the AT. The group here are Flow Easy, Snowman, Red Man, Picker, all thru hikers. The section hikers that are finishing are Birch, Hard Rock and myself.There's not much left to say. The journey is the story.
Date: 2010-09-05
From: Katahdin then home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We won't probably add any entries until we actually hike. Right now, we are still recovering from AT hiking and thinking about gear and winter in Alaska. Chat with us via our guestbook. Check out my blog at http://alaskamentorpat.blogspot.com if you want to know how we're biding our time before the hike.Shoutout to Strider (still on the AT), Birch and Desert Fox! See you there.
Date: 2010-05-21
From: North of Boiling Springs by the Turnpike

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It was hotter than the Halls of Hell when we were dropped off ceremoniously by Gary "Gabby" Grifen right by where the trail goes over the Turnpike north of Boiling Springs. We walked past the spot where I stopped last year with a sprained ankle and a bad attitude.I found out that Kid Rock had deoderant in her bag so we loaded her up with shared gear. Her pack is still light. She also tried impersonating a hippy by wearing her bandana as a headband, but I think she should have fashioned an "I Love Lucy".Salty Murphy, cleverly trail named by Logan "AK Boy" Burgess, will need to have her trail adjective adjusted as needed. She moved from Salty Murphy to Sweaty Murphy during our uphills. I anticipate that more adjectives will be needed before our hike is over!Our packs were light at about 25 pounds but still weighed about 3 times a heavy baby. We iced our water bags (2 pounds per liter) and began our adventure.It took 5 hours to hike the first 7.5 miles but hey, it was our first day out and the flowers were beautiful and our Gorp was delicious.Darlington Shelter was at the top of a hill. Boots Off was already there so we had some pleasant conversation. Just Jon (renamed by me to Broken Spork) rolled in-finished our extra already cooked MH Rice & Chicken dinner topped off by Hawaiian chips. The Boy Scouts settled down by 9, so we were able to hear Athos and Camp Chair discuss the merits of basalmic vinegar.