morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-28
From: Monson, ME

To: Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is Deb, Budget¢s wife. He says that he and Buffalo were glad they took the extra zero in Monson. There was quite the party on Sunday evening! It was hosted by Rebecca who owns the Lakeshore hostel and restaurant, where they have stayed since Friday night. There was a BBQ and 5 bands. Other AT hikers came from other hostels and camps to join in on the fun. He says it was well worth staying for!They left Monson by shuttle at 9:00 am yesterday morning- Monday. And then last night they camped on the West Branch of the Piscataquis River, after hiking 12 miles.Heard from him about noon today, and he and Buffalo were on the top of Moxie Bald Mountain. Tonight they will most probably stay in the Bald Mountain Lean-to which will bring them to a total of 136.5 miles.Budget says it is warm for Maine- lower 80¢s. He sounds happy. Wishing them Godspeed on their continued journey of a lifetime!
Date: 2016-06-29
From: Baker Stream

To: Caratunk 
Miles today: 36.1
Weather: light rain

LB Here!BK & Mark hiked 3.6 more miles yesterday passing the Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to & camped at Baker Stream. They did all of 17.9 miles yesterday after climbing Moxie Bald Mountain! Wow!They hiked 12.1 miles to Caratunk today, and he was able to use the public computer at the Sterling Inn Bed & Breakfast. (Via email from Sarah & Deb).I became a stalker and looked up the place on my handy dandy smart phone & politely asked a stranger on the other end to find a hiker for me.I spoke with BK very briefly, just to tell them they both have packages in route already to Caratunk for them, but they will arrive too late... Friday, bummer. I explained why we wanted to jump ahead on sending packages because of the upcoming holiday. BK asked me "when is the 4th?" I couldn't help but immediately reminisce Kurtis & I thinking about upcoming holidays, weekends, but it doesn't matter on the trail. It just doesn't matter, because it's just another day out there. BK laughed when I told him that!!!The post offices are good about "bouncing" packages. Anyway, they made it to Caratunk earlier than I expected, I've never been good at math!Tomorrow I will ask Caratunk P.O. to bounce 2 packages for 2 hikers who each need a new water bag and blister bandages! The guys are steaming ahead faster than we expected! Maybe their "trail legs" are start to grow?!2,037.9 more miles to go!!
Date: 2016-07-01
From: Kennebec River

To: Stafford Notch Campsite 
Miles today: 0.0

From Deb, Budget¢s wife: Heard from Budget @ 4:00 pm today, Fri, 7/1/16.He and Buffalo were on top of Little Bigelow Mountain, and Budget was able to get a short call out, although very windy and hard to hear him.They plan to stay at the Safford Notch Campsite tonight.Tomorrow they have a very tough day. They will climb 4000 ft elevation mountains... Avery Peak and Bigelow Mt. West Peak.Budget says that every step he takes is painful, due to his terrible blisters, and he can¢t wait to get his new boots. Buffalo is looking after him, and we all thought it would be the opposite. (New boots have been ordered and shipped from REI. They arrived at the post office pick-up this week. He should be able to retrieve them soon.)It was good to hear his voice and know that they are safe. They're on mile 177.8, 2,011.3 to go!
Date: 2016-07-01
From: Stafford Notch Campsite 

To: Just a message from LB & Kurtis!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

LB & Kurtis here! Just a quick reminder to keep an eye on the photos link!I have added several of Budget & Buffalo from yesterday and from today. Or just click this photo and continue to click "previous" link. These guys are hiking hard and tomorrow is going to be harder. Kurtis talked to Buffalo,and he said they are only building on their solid 10 year relationship through scouting. Nothing much has changed, just the obstacles.
Date: 2016-07-02
From: Safford Notch Campsite 

To: Update 7/3 at 12:30
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Lots of photos added this morning!The guys summited Avery Peak at 11:00am and at 12:30 summited west peak Bigelow Mountain! They have climbed 4,145 feet and are about to summit "the horn". After this, it'll be downhill all the way to wherever they choose to camp for the night. They've hiked hard today, I just can't wait for BK to get his new boots in Stratton.Who knows maybe they'll make it to town tonight? They've walked (I'm sure scrambled) they're way through today's trail. Keep going guys!
Date: 2016-07-02
To: Cranberry Stream Campsite 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light intensity shower rain

BK here,At mile 186.4. Cranberry Stream Campsite. 46 degrees tonight down here. Gonna be near freezing up high tonight. Glad to get off the peaks. Two miles from Stratton. Hope we can hitch a ride to town tommorrow from some churchgoers. Can't wait for new boots.From Deb:Tonight he and Buffalo are staying at Cranberry Stream Campsite.... mile 186.4!!!They climbed two mountains today, the top of Avery Peak was very cold, 39 degrees. All was very rocky. They are on the hardest part of the trail. The more south they go the easier it will get.BK hiked in his Tevas the last mile, because his blisters are so bad. Hope he gets his new boots this weekend, but I worry about breaking in a new pair while on the trail.Otherwise all seems well. They have not seen any bears the past couple of days, but have seen rabbits, beaver and rough grouse.
Date: 2016-07-03
From: Cranberry Stream Campsite 

To:  Stratton, ME
Miles today: 22.0

While LB is working 12 days straight I figured I'd log in today. It was a pretty tough day yesterday so we opted to pull into Cranberry Sream Campsites after 10.4 miles. It was nice to go to bed a little earlier and sleep in on Sunday morning.After I was awakened by a lick in the face by another hikers dog, we hiked out two miles to the road and caught a ride into Stratton. My first hitched ride since 1976.Once in town we checked into the White Wolfe Inn. Today was spent lounging about town with new friends Grandpa and Achilles. Then doing some laundry and cleaning up. Mark just finished another eating challenge,"THE WOLF BURGER". He is eating his way across Maine.My feet are much better. Deb suggested I wear my sandals. This worked out very well. I climbed over several peaks in my Tevas. My new boots are comfortable but breaking in new boots on the trail can be tough. I figure my Teva sandals will give me a break if need be.Thanks to my trail support, LB who has updated my Journal religiously and has sent supplies as needed, Kurtis for words of encoragement and advice, plus Deb for my boots and all home support while I m gone. I miss her terribly. Thanks to Mark for looking after me through the blisters. You are all a blessing to me.Not sure what we'll do tommorrow. Now that Mark has finished his Wolfe Burger, he's now ordered a lobster roll. May have to sleep in.
Date: 2016-07-04
From:  Stratton, ME

To:  Stratton, ME
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

First of all we didn t hike any miles today. I had to enter miles to correct the Trailjournals mile meter. Yesterday We only hiked 2 miles. Thats called a nero day for nearly no miles. Today we hiked no miles. Thats called a zero day. We have enjoyed the day off. Mark has a cold and I let my feet heal. We've eaten every thing we can get our hands on. It has been great but knowing there's more miles ahead makes us ready to get back out there.We have enjoyed the people of Maine. They are a freindly but tough lot here in western Maine. Winters can be brutal and the main industry of paper mills is in transition. These are the folks that turned back Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg. There are lots of blue stars in the windows and many young disabled veterans. These folks are unique,...but quiet about it. I like Mainers. We've met some good folks on the trail too. You kind of drift in and out of circles of peopleas they take days off or speed up. Its been fun meeting new folks. We enjoyed meeting section hiker Miker. We wish him the best in finishing his several year quest to finish next week.He will hike the 100 Mile and climb Katahdin. Congtadulations Miker!We also congratulate all NOBOs as they pass. They deserve it after 2000 miles. Tommorrow we start the day climbing 3000 feet and pass Saddleback ski resort. Its gonna be tough. The views are spectacular. Only 2000 miles to go!
Date: 2016-07-05
From:  Stratton, ME

To: South Branch Carrabassatt River 
Miles today: 8.6

LB here, The guys hiked a total of 8.6 miles today and most of today was climbing 4,200 feet over the Cricket mountains. This is the highest they've climbed since Katahdin. Katahdin was 1,000 feet higher. Climbing all day like this, is very taxing on the body. It can slow a hiker's pace up to 50%. I got one text from Budget where they're camped at tonight, & he is slowly breaking in his new boots. He wore his Tevas half of the day today.Guess what?They have 1,992.5 more miles to go!
Date: 2016-07-06
From: South Branch Carrabassatt River 

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to 
Miles today: 10.8

Update from Buffalo's Daughter Elizabeth!Email:Not sure if y'all got any messages from BK today, but dad said to tell you they are are Poplar Ridge Lean-to. There is a guitar & trumpet there tonight...cool! I saw a new picture on BK's page, so hopefully you heard from him They got in some good miles, 198.9 to 209.7 and gained 4k in elevation.
Date: 2016-07-07
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to 

To: Rangely, Maine
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Tough day today hiking over Saddleback Mountain. Clouds covered any possible view. We got rained on pretty hard. The Hiker Hut was full so they shuttled us to the Farmhouse Hostel instead. Nice folks at both places. This is a huge old farmhouse these nice folks are are rebuilding. We went into town for great supper at Sarge's. This town was one of my grandfather's favorite places to vacation. I can see why. Feet are ok. Spirits are high!
Date: 2016-07-10
From: Rangely, Maine

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: light rain

LB & Kurtis here,The guys have been walking in the rain for 2 days. BK said he was so cold and wet last night that he skipped dinner, & just crashed in his tent. They did 8 miles yesterday,and 9 miles today into Andover, Maine.The guys are going to slack 10 miles tomorrow to another Andover pick up, and stay at the same hostel that they are at tonight. This is a good move for them, because it allows them to gain miles, and give their feet a rest without hauling the massive amount of weight they carry every day.Side note: The term "slack packing" means dropping one's pack and hiking a certain mileage without the burden of your pack weighing you down. This strategy is advantageous in dangerous terrain similar to what Budget & Buffalo are going through now.The picture above is the Pine Ellis Hostel, that they were originally planning on staying at tonight, but when they arrived there was no vacancy. BK said they were packed in there like sardines. The guys got a shuttle to "The Cabin" hostel and got the place to themselves! (thecabininmaine.com)They are now entering into the roughest terrain the Appalachain Trail has to offer. God Bless them.
Date: 2016-07-11
From: Andover, ME

To: Andover, ME part 2
Miles today: 10.0

Kurtis & LB here,Budget & Buffalo gained 10 miles today slack packing (see previous entry). They are now officially fighting the hardest part of the trail.There's no question about that.Budget texted us that he has no blisters and that he feels good. Tomorrow will be another challenge as they tackle Baldpate Mountain.Click the photos link and see Budget's "Triple Bypass Burger Basket". We pray he won't need a triple bypass after he ingest this monstrosity of a burger! We hope he took some Lipitor! The guys staying at the "The Cabin" hostel again tonight.They're at mile 256.9, 1,932.2 to go.
Date: 2016-07-12
From: Andover, ME part 2

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 10.0

Kurtis & LB again,BK said that he really enjoyed hiking up Baldpate Mountain today, and it was a beautiful walk all the way to the top.We mentioned before that they are in the hardest terrain they will face on the whole AT.They hiked another day today without full packs & really enjoyed their hike as they experienced some of the most beautiful views the trail has to offer in the Northeast. The guys have a full day tomorrow. Their first challenge is the Grafton Notch as they move into New Hampshire territory, unlike gaps in the southern Appalachias, notches are glacially carved straight up and straight down. To add insult to injury, the notches are typically filled with boulders and loose rock. Hiking is normally perceived as walking down a trail, what they will experience tomorrow has nothing in common with that. After the big bad notch, they will ascend to 4,023 feet to the top of Old Speck Mtn. We don't know how much further they'll push past Old Speck, but after that, they will soon drop into the Mahoosuc Arm and into the Mahoosic notch. Kurtis & I remember what a big pain in the butt it was.In the AT guidebook, it says "Mahoosuc Notch:The most difficult/fun mile on the entire AT."On the bright side of all this, some folks call the Mahoosic Notch "nature's air conditioning" as they will be walking on boulders that are planted above an underground river.They're on mile 267.2, 1,921.9 more to go!
Date: 2016-07-13
From: Andover, ME

To: Bull Branch Campsite 
Miles today: 9.0

Kurtis & LB again,The guys started Grafton Notch this morning, summited Speck Mountain,ate lunch at Speck Mtn Shelter. They descended the Mahoosuc Arm today, and arrived at Bull Branch Campsite for tonight. Again,this is the hardest part of the AT. We are regurgitating this from Elizabeth who forwarded her dad's text messages. Budget has no service.God bless them tomorrow morning as they tackle the Mahoosuc Notch. After that, it's 5 miles tomorrow, and they'll be walking into New Hampshire! The photo listed is a Google Image of the Mahoosuc Notch.
Date: 2016-07-14
From: Bull Branch Campsite 

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

LB here,They made it through the notch! The guys are staying at Carlo Col Shelter that is a half mile away from the ME/NH border.The shelter has 2 sleeping levels with a couple sky lights, and tent platforms in the woods around it. They just raced a thunderstorm to the shelter and made it in the nick of time! Keep going guys!
Date: 2016-07-15
From: New Hampshire 

To: Trident Col Campsite 
Miles today: 0.0

We've gotten mixed text messages from Buffalo & Deb both.We've also pirated some info off of Elizabeth's entry from Buffalo's trail journal. (Sorry Elizabeth! But thanks for the info!)It appears the guys had a serious climb out of Carlo Col Shelter this morning. Apparently it was a real Boulder scramble. Buffalo apparently had an end over end tumble & bent one of his Leki poles. Elizabeth said they straightened it out the best they could, but will have to re-up on gear pretty soon as some parts are wearing out.They had their first stay in a shelter last night. The mix of Nobo's & Sobo's are filling all the shelters to capacity. They do plan on arriving in Gorham, NH tomorrow & regrouping. There should be some shuttles they can use to access trail points & possibly slack if they're lucky?
Date: 2016-07-16
To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The guys made it to Gorham yesterday afternoon. There are several pics Buffalo uploaded (captions coming later).They spent the night at "The Barn" bunkhouse as planned. http://www.trailjournals.com/buffalois the link & click photos then click "last".They've been on the trail for 32 days. 1,890.8 miles to go!
Date: 2016-07-17
From: Gorham, NH

To: White Mountains, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Kurtis & LB here for an update,Budget & Buffalo made it into Gorham yesterday afternoon. It looks like they are going to take a couple of days off & regroup. Both of them have mentioned that a lot of their gear is already shot & in need of replacement. Budget¢s resupply box from Debbie won¢t show up until Monday. Budget¢s bank card is also having issues, and he¢s unable to withdraw money from any ATM. You can imagine this is a huge problem as most hostels require cash payment only. Their plans for Tuesday morning are still pending. Kurtis spoke with Budget today, and they hope to take a shuttle from The Barn Hiker Hostel to Pinkham Notch at the foot of Wildcat Mountain. Side note: Kurtis remembers this hike was his most fearful climb in New Hampshire. If our guys take this route, they¢ll be hiking this section northbound. It doesn¢t matter which direction they tackle it from, it¢s gonna be a tough hike. The term ¢hiking¢ is relative, it¢s more of a rock climb out of the notch. If they take it Northbound, they¢ll be hiking back towards the The hostel they departed from. That way they won¢t have to carry as much food, & will be able to shuttle back to Pinkham Notch & resume their southbound hike. We¢re both very proud of these guys for using their heads to navigate the most difficult terrain on the AT. We hope that after this 21.1 mile section, they¢ll be able to stay in some of the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) huts. Campsites in the white mountains are pretty much non existent. Most of this area is above tree line, and water sources are far and few between at 5,000+ feet.
Date: 2016-07-18
From: Gorham, NH

To: Wildcat Mountain Tomorrow 
Miles today: 0.0

Text from Budget:It's been kind of a frustrating day. But I think that we've got some work done here. we have arranged to stay in the Huts. The one that we really wanted was Lake of Clouds and we couldn't get it. But there are some options to staying there anyway. We are set up to do the Wildcats for the next few days and then turn around over Mount Washington and make our way to Crawford notch. I can't believe how much the huts cost, but it beats carrying food and at least we know we have a place to stay. After Crawford we will stealth camp. We just need to get our old legs up and going over this stuff and we have huts for the hard stuff. Please note to give thanks to all those folks who have sent me well wishes on trail journals. Internet is pretty spotty in the hostels and I can't update very well. so especially thank you for you updating the journals. I'm ready to get the Whites done.
Date: 2016-07-19
From: Gorham, NH

To: Carter Hut
Miles today: 0.0

LB here,Received a text message from Buffalo:"Made it to Carter Notch Hut. Knees are talking to us. Clouds didn't break until 11:30am. We wore our rain gear due to mist. The temperature was less than 60° with a breeze. We are getting out of our sweaty clothes. Met a NOBO from Mocksville & had cold beef stew leftovers from the hut."
Date: 2016-07-19
From: Carter Hut

To: Imp Shelter 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Text from Budget:Carter Hut is home for tonight. Notice our helicopter pad! We are rich AMC members now. It's going to be 40° tonight. I'm glad we got a warm place to stay. It's cold up here. Tomorrow we will continue to hike 9 miles NOBO to IMP Shelter.
Date: 2016-07-21
From: Imp Shelter 

To: Rattle River Shelter 
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: fog

Got a text from Buffalo & Budget this morning! They hiked more than what they planned yesterday. They hiked 4 extra miles yesterday so they could walk into Gorham this morning! Our guys have done 300 miles!Text from Budget around 5pm today:The hut was great in that there was a bunch of families who have been going there for generations. Conversation was lively and fun. One person we met in Maine was there waiting for his college buddies to join him. He is a college proffessor and a lobster biology consultant. On top of our cabin was a helipad for unloading provision. Don t think Trump could land there.Buffalo and I hiked out of Carter Notch yesterday to Rattle River campsite. It was a total of about 13 tough miles. Walked over Hight Mountain yesterday. When I cleared the treeline I was blown over by the wind. I had to crawl over the bald. I felt like I was hit by Mike Tyson. We opted to not hike the 1.5 miles to the road so we could save some money by camping. At the shelter were four college age girls who offered up some so'mores. We were later joined by a section hiker from Mocksville,Roger Carter.Tommorrow we climb 3700' to Mt Madison. Thunderstorms in the forecast. Buffalo has uploaded and captioned alot of photos on his TJ: www.trailjournals.com/buffalo/
Date: 2016-07-23
From: Madison Hut 

To: Lake of Clouds Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

LB here,"Fog, passed Jefferson, sprinkles, mile 331.7 Mt Clay loop." That is the text we got from Buffalo. The guys summited 6,288 feet to Mt. Washington today! Hope the guys got pizza on top of there, we sure did.Another text from Buffalo at 5:00pm:"Thunder on Mt Washington. Got wet, arrived Lake of Clouds Hut."Looks like they're going to stay at the Lake of Clouds Hut in the Whites tonight!
Date: 2016-07-25
From: Mizpah Spring Hut

To: AMC Highland Center 
Miles today: 46.0
Weather: broken clouds

LB here,The guys got up early and made it to the Mizpah Spring Hut yesterday, and have now made it to the AMC Highland Center today. The next text I received from Buffalo was "Wifi!". The picture is a Google Image again of the Highland Center. Our guys have hiked 345.4 miles, 1,843.7 more to go.Budget here. Finally able to get wi fi and check in. We are living high on the hog here at the Highland Center. Buffalo and I are going to try to make it 44 miles to Kinsman Notch by Friday. I can't wait to meet up with my beautful bride on Friday. Nothing can motivate me more than her to put in the miles. We ve finished most of th Presidential Range. Will go over the Franconia Range next. The Huts have been a blessing. We bought the expensive tickets but were super glad we did as a hail storm chased us into Lake of the Clouds Hut near Mount Washington. Rain, hail and some funny looking snow pelted us as we came in soaking wet. I was very glad for a warm place to sleep along with two hot meals. We booked another stay at Mizpah Hut but we could have gone farther. Our food drop was at the Highlands Center so we decided to stay there. Missed our sobo buds but met nobos Forrest and Hoosher today. They are on TJ too. We exchanged phone numbers and will meet up down south after they finish.
Date: 2016-07-27
From: AMC Highland Center

To: Eliza Brook Shelter 
Miles today: 28.0
Weather: clear sky

LB here,The guys hiked 18 miles yesterday. Nothing motivates a hiker more than someone coming to see him... especially that someone is his spouse after how many years? Below is a text from Budget:We hiked 18 miles yesterday from Crawford Notch to Garfield Leanto. It was in the 50° degree temps. It was a long day. Today we hiked over Mt Laffayette to Franconia Notch for 12 miles. Now it's in the 80°'s. Tommorrow well' try to make it over Mt Kinsman to Eliza Brook Shelter.
Date: 2016-07-29
From: NH 112

To: Reunited Again
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

Kurtis & LB here!Kurtis talked to both Budget & Debbie this afternoon. The only option they had for a place to stay tonight, was a simple   roadside motel. according to Deb it's nothing special, although they are making the best of it!The guys were at the trailhead for about a half an hr until the girls showed up, so the timing worked almost perfectly. They had a big lunch at a restaurant, & are heading out to dinner this evening, with no set plans for tomorrow. Kurtis talked to BK, & thought it might be cool if they drive as far up Mt. Washington as they can in a vehicle. That way the girls can see what it's like to be above tree line.We are so glad they are reunited once again.
Date: 2016-07-31
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Gorham NH
Miles today: 0.0

Had a great time getting reaquainted with our better halves. Had to go to Gorham to get rooms. Its a very busy tourist season. I had to get a new pack so we went to North Conway on Saturday. On Sunday we went to Bethel Maine for Lobster. Its been a great visit. Can't wait to do it again.