morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-31
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Poplar Ridge Lean to
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

We woke renewed and breakfasted at the Lodge. I can eat a tremendous amount of breakfast food. I often times wake up in the middle of the night hungry. My motivation to raise up out of my roost in the AM is food motivated more often than not nowadays. Many of my co-hikers take snacks to bed even. Even though the mileage is smaller, Southern Maine is certainly more demanding, and our calories reflect that.I would never carry as much food as I ate this morning!We were back on the trail and walking by 10am. Pretty good. We were headed for Saddleback, one of the highest peaks in Maine. It is also a frequented destination for many day trippers. A lot of hikers out today were 4000 footers, people who hike the peaks over 4000ft in New England. It was great to share stories with them. Because it was a holiday weekend there were a lot of people out.The climb up to Saddleback was well trailed and fun, and the views incredible. Once again it was crazy windy, so loitering was limited. I talked to a lovely family behind a wind wall of rocks. They headed over to the Horn peak of Saddleback and I followed after a snack and some photos. Because Saddleback is almost entirely above tree line I could see them hiking in the col of the two peaks. They were so small and remote and looked to be scrambling....Something happened inside me and I was transported to Middle Earth, Lord of the Rings Style- this happens, way more often then I tell you. Suddenly I was an Ureakye (that is a bad phonetic spelling attempt) and they were my prey. I stalked them down the mountain, steadying my gait and pushing my pace. The gap closed on us... I chased, they scurried... they disappeared into a small clump of trees, protected from the wind, but not from me!!!!And then I was on them, and grinning, and they looked to me, confused. All I could do was explain that I had just stalked them ala Lord of the Rings and they would be my captors. We all laughed at how frankly I presented this bizarre explanation and then we moved on our ways. Luckily being in that grove of trees, a momentary relief from the fierce winds my mind switched gears...There in those trees I felt warm and safe and well... like the center penguin protected by dozen of penguin trees from the Arctic winds. Just like that transported to a different movie...I waddled off...A beautiful day...One more thing, the wind, it was so strong, that it would take the spit right out of your mouth!Crazy!
Date: 2008-09-01
From: Poplar Ridge Lean to

To: Carrabassett River
Miles today: 13.1

9/1 Poplar ridge lean to to Carrabassett River camping (tent) 13.1 milesIt was so delightful to wake hearing the sound of rain then realizing it is the sweet trickle of the stream outside your tent.The weather remained kind to us and we walked up and over a few more 4000ft climbs. Windy glamorous views of things passed and things to come. I often cannot believe what we have done, and what we can do, what we will have to do in order to finish.I babble. This trip, walking for months it does something to a girl. It makes me feel strong, tall, winded, weak and beat all at once. It may not be for the weak at heart. I may be one of the weak hearted.Every climb, every descent- I feel them in my legs, lungs and my heart.I wish I knew who I was when I started so I can better see now who I am.Ah less existential tomorrow I promise.
Date: 2008-09-02
From: Carrabassett River

To: Horn's Pond Lean to
Miles today: 13.5

We got to spend some more time with freshmen orientation groups this evening, I can remember all that excitement, all the energy that goes into college and the real life. Trail life can spoil you. This trail is bordered by some of the kindest and most giving people. I hope that it isn't unique to the trail, I hope that it will just make it easier to see it back in the real world.Bus Driver and I hiked up and out this morning and down the longest downhill! "oh we have one climb then just seven miles down into town" Those seven miles took for ever! Too much of a good thing can happen out here... Too much downhill, too much breeze, too many twinkies?? It can happen to you.We made it into town after meeting some kind section hikers. I had found a headlamp and given it to Bus Driver yesterday, well it turns out it was just what these fellows were missing. When Bus Driver returned the headlamp the hikers face beamed brighter then the light itself! The beauty of the trail! What once was lost now was found. BusDriver and I ate sandwiches and split a pie then where joined by the others to relax and resupply.After some cajoling I convinced the guys to hike 3 extra uphill (mountain really) miles to take the edge off the next day. We go to bed renewed but in need of rest none the less.
Date: 2008-09-03
From: Horn's Pond Lean to

To: West Carry Pond
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

The past two mornings SuperChunk had slept in, remaining at rest, in his bag even after the last of us had left camp. Not this morning. I woke to hear Mouse exclaim "Well look at you!" Super was up, dressed and ready to hike. I looked out of my tent, half asleep, to see his beaming mug standing at the ready, pack and all... I asked him what he was up to, he just shrugged his shoulders and smirked a bit wider. It would be the last I saw of him all day.BusDriver, Mouse and I readied for the day. They asked how far today and when I told them 17+ they balked. Then I am sure I heard Bus Driver make a whip cracking sound.... HmmmWe climbed the Bigelows and had sweeping views with a calm air. At lunch we looked back at their looming peaks, truly impressive. At lunch I lay in the sun on a bit of rock and didn't know I had fallen asleep until I snapped back awake.What kind of nap is that? The best kind of nap!The trail was kind and the miles moved well. Low light welcomed us to the pond warmed by a summer's worth of sunlight. My feet slip and soak in a breath.
Date: 2008-09-04
From: West Carry Pond

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 14.0

Before bed BusDriver and I decided to make a move. Super Chunk had likely hiked to the next shelter and we wanted to surprise him. We were also playing with time restrictions.The Kennebec river is a mighty river. Too big to cross by rock, too variable to ford and too costly to bridge. The MATC and the ATC has placed, as the official trail crossing, an Old Town Canoe ferry. They warn heavily against fording the river because of unscheduled hydro-electric water releases causing surges in depth and flow. The ferry runs between 9-11 and 2-4 this time of year. It is manned by a fellow with a feather in his cap and a genuine "Mainer" accent.So I digress...BusDriver and I wanted to make the ferry but not just any ferry, we wanted the morning shift.We also had 13.7 miles to cover. Up at 5:15, hiking by 5:45 and ten miles in by 9:00 A 25 minute break then 3.7 miles later we stood at the bank at 10:35! You do the math. Breathless and focused. I just kept thinking where ever I am at eleven I can stop working so hard. I just have to work till eleven. Just keep moving, just till eleven, sheesh is it eleven yet???Well we made it and I got to relax as we crossed river. Peering around a paddling BusDriver who do I see but Rocksteady and Butters!! They are on the shore with Bondi and Super Chunk! Hugs abound and we staggered to the road for some grub.I love these guys, I love this trail.
Date: 2008-09-05
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Bald Mt.Brook lean to
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We failed to get a hitch to the lodge in Caratunk but the three mile road walk was fun with so many friends. Bus Driver mentioned that he didn't remember ever getting a hitch with six people before. Rocksteady's retort was that it probably wasn't going to happen today either. He was right. At the lodge we swam in the pool, soaked in the hot tub and generally surrounded all activity with a thick coating of jockularity. It was hard to leave this morning but we all moved together and took down the miles. We climbed up Mt. Pleasant and relaxed in the sun. We were happy to be back together and happy to be back in the woods. We planned to do two more days into Monson (the next town and the last one on the trail!)By the end of the day we were all eager to get back to town and made amendments to said plans.We continue to meet southbounders, and even northbounders with new faces. People seem eager to finish, I hope we don't get too nearsighted.
Date: 2008-09-06
From: Bald Mt.Brook lean to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: light rain

This morning we were given an opportunity to see the great Katahdin. We just had to climb to see it. I was reaching the summit of Moxie Bald as the sun was cresting on the east side. Clouds still hung in the air. There would be no view today but it made the moment no less impressive. The mountains wore cloud-made tutus and I spun in the sunlight. It was going to be a beautiful day- we were going to town! We all caught up to one another and collected for lunch. We had a few good climbs and stream crossings but we thinned out on the last ascent of the day. I heard a car door and a dog bark as we reached the road. Voices accelerated and then it clicked. Only moments before it was proven to be true, I suspected a surprise visit from Shutterbug, Hot Wheels and Corely (their dog)!!! They had summited just a day or two before but they drove out to meet us and greet us with goodies...You know I really love reunions!We laughed and hugged and ate and drank. Hours passed and we still had 3 more miles to go! Just before it started to rain we threw our packs in the truck and ourselves onto the trail. I jogged on and off the first mile, but with no poles and no pack at all I felt light and free. As it sprinkled I ran the last two miles to the road. Breathless and grinning I popped out of the woods.Like Maria in the sound of music it was a spinny day.
Date: 2008-09-07
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

There was a good bit of tom-fooliery last night. You know the kind of antics that leave you surprised to see what your tab is?! We had good food, good drinks and we where out of the rain. Well for the most part, we did spend a portion of the evening under the six inch overhang of a garage. I ran into Clothesline, he started the same day as I. The last time I had seen him was in the first trail town, now reunited in the last trail town. Rocksteadys parents, brother, nephew and sister in law came to visit, complete with snacks and the stuff we really all needed- hugs. Nothing feels better than a loving hug.We relaxed and breakfasted and resupplied and relaxed some more. We even got to see float planes land and take off.At the outfitter there was a sitting area and they served espresso ect. It felt really familiar and forgien at the same time. There are no coffee shops on the AT, but they are everywhere else. Soon the AT would be the exception and not the rule.I feel an early bed time, maybe some easy TV watching. Maybe even drooling on pillows and tangling up sheets! Big plans. For now I face the challenge of packing 118 miles worth of food.Gulp!
Date: 2008-09-08
From: Monson, ME

To: Wilson Valley Lean to
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: overcast clouds

3.4 miles after the start of our day we reached the edge of the 100 mile wilderness. This is the longest section of the trail without resupply. This is the final leg of the trail, the last push before Katahdin. This is a heavy pack on my back! 6 days of food, at the most calorie consumptive portion of the trail where there is no snack shop, this is no game. This is a heavy pack-- By the way I named my pack. It happened in a moment the other day- "Erik you are so heavy, are you hiding rocks?" And so it was, and the pack became Erik.Anyway, Erik was at his heaviest, and I knew I just couldn't just eat the weight down. I was just going to have to knuckle up.Here it was, the last leg of our journey, the wilderness, the final haul. We were the proud, the tough, the few that made it so far....But we are not so few. Twelve thru hikers lunched together on this day. I think each one a bit dissappointed that their wilderness excursion was going to be so, well populated. Croweded frankly. I was excited because I love people but nervous about potentail tensions. Honestly, this wasn't how I had pictured it either.
Date: 2008-09-09
From: Wilson Valley Lean to

To: Chairback Gap Lean to
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

By mid morning we were within 100 miles of finishing this great journey.But by 11 it was raining. Hard. Without reprieve, with wind. Sigh. Bus Driver and I were hiking together and we just tucked our heads down and went. We climbed up Barren MT. and headed for the shelter. It seemed impossibly far away. We did the best to keep our spirits up, even kidding ourselves into thinking this was fun. It wasn't working well but we did keep moving.We imagined getting to the 6 person shelter and finding it full of all the woodland animals. Moose, bear, grouse, squirells, the whole lot of them, and they were not going to budge for us. So stubborn those animals.The day was difficult, steep rocky descents, viewless summits, and roots in their full slip and slide glory. We were starting to think that Katahdin was throwing out all his tricks. Attempting to thwart us in any way. Rain, rocks, mountains without names even- no kidding we climbed Mountain 3 and Mountain 4. Sheesh. There was still no shortage of beauty, waterfalls thundered with their renewed levels.We made it to the shelter before a heavy downpour, ate, and tucked in for a cold windy night.Cold. So Cold....
Date: 2008-09-10
From: Chairback Gap Lean to

To: Logan Brook Lean to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The trail here in the hundred mile wilderness has a new flair that was not so evident elsewhere- moose dropping carpet. Turds everywhere. And when moose evacuate their bowels, they are all business. Piles, literal piles fringe and form the trail. It really makes for a rich soft carpet. But for all this turd I see none of the factories still. Where are all the moose?It may be a conspiracy. Have you ever seen a moose? They are not in zoos, they are not domesticated pets. They may not exist. Fakes. But bears do exist. The Black Bear of Maine is real and I saw him today. I actually saw a little too much of him.I was on a narrow bit of trail aiming for the river ford. My eyes trolled the river for hints of the intended crossing site but instead they fell on a bear. He was running along the opposite bank in full view, coming toward me. He playfully jumped in the water and part waded and half swam toward a large rock in the center of the island where he shook like a puppy in a crowd of well dressed wedding goers. I thought to get my camera out but looking through the lens, distracted by the low battery indicator I lost track of him. I lowered my camera and he was back in the water advancing to my shore. This was the longest most unobstructed view of a bear I could of imagined having that did not result in a story where at the end I held up a shredded pack blood dripping from my hand. I was not afraid, I just thought it might be best to avoid that version of this tail. I made to much noise putting my camera away and he turned 180 degrees, crossed the river and ran up the bank. My job, just keep hiking north. The ford was shockingly cold but my tootsies felt renewed and comforted back in their slave socks. Sunny and Share and Slightly joined Bus Driver and I on the opposing bank as we skipped rocks. We dilly dallied for a bit then headed up the way. One of the climbs today did provide us with a clear view of Katahdin. Share, Slightly and I all took in the view together, then called for the weather report. Now seeing Katahdin a wave of duh hit me. (Only cool zen people get realizations, i get duhs) DUH that is way close, and you will climb that, and that will be that, and then what, until then was getting closer.Sunny joined us and we nearly galloped into camp, and just about raced into our bags... it was going to be another cold night. Fall was breaking around us and we were walking into the thick of it.
Date: 2008-09-11
From: Logan Brook Lean to

To: Potatwadjo Spring Lean to
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: clear sky

We are all starving. Not to death or anything, just to a really whiny level. Food is heavy, have I mentioned that before. So Heavy. Heavy. But we all know we need it. It is also not that resupply is a new game to us. We should be pros by now, yet somehow we all blew it. So hungry. My error lay in counting the days, and ignoring the miles. The later third of the wilderness has a fairly flat topographic profile. We seem to have one "bump" a day for the last four days (Katahdin being a rather significant bump).----Side track---When did a mountain become a bump? "We just have one bump to day over such and such mountain" Sheesh I used to mentally prepare for said bump, not 2 months ago. Anyway I digress. So back to the starving thing. Miles are miles and even though they are flat they still must be crossed. Root and rocks are a plenty here in the wilderness which adds to the energy output. There is a formula for a hiker- Calories expended are wanted to be replaced ASAP! Often with interest. There are not enough calories in my food bank, nor really anyone elses to maintain this balance. There is nothing we can do but talk about food. In the morning, as we hike, on breaks. We talk about what we would love to find on the side of the trail, what we are going to eat. How we are going to buy so much food at the Abol bridge store that they will be able to build an addition. We stare at what one another are eating...I hope this doesn't get too hairy.Today went smoothly all and all. Maine is loaded with beautiful swimming holes, all guaranteed to freeze your reproductive organs. With the air temperature loitering around 58 I sadly passed them up. There are some hikers who we started with in the south here at the shelter with us tonight. They are "flip flopping". They felt that they were running out of time to make it to Katahdin by October 15th so they traveled North and now they will complete their hike going south. We asked them if they too were early risers. The smiled and laughed-"Noooo, how do you think we ended up being flip flopers? it wasnt because we got of bed early, that is for sure"I think it will be warmer tonight...
Date: 2008-09-12
From: Potatwadjo Spring Lean to

To: Rainbow Spring Lean to
Miles today: 18.2

My days are numbered. Katahdin has a hit out on my head, and the price he offers is high. There are less than 50 miles to go before I met my greatest contender face to face. It took me almost 5 days to cover my first fifty miles. This will be done in 2 and a quarter. If all goes as planned. But you know me and plans, they are best left unspoken. One dinner and 6 snack bars leave little room for negotiation. The day was beautiful and though without breathtaking views there were plenty of moments that made me take pause. A lot of us talked as we hiked, about what was to come, where we were headed, but none of us spoke of how this trail had changed us. I don't think any of us knew yet. I don't think I will know for some time. I got to the shelter at 3 just before it started to rain. Besides Bus Driver, the others went another 4 miles on to a campsite. I had made the choice to just bring my rainfly as an emergency shelter. The 100 mile wilderness has shelters so frequently that I was not concerned about coming up short or having to push too far. The greatest distance between shelters was ten miles. That was the distance to the next shelter and with sprinkles starting I called it a day. I also had a feeling that there may be company at the shelter tonight for Bus Driver and I. We gathered wood for a fire as the rain fell, it would be chilly again tonight. Three hours quickly passed and soon we heard the whooping tones of Butters cresting the hill. Butters!!!! Rocksteady, Bondi, Mouse and Super Chunk all filled in one by one...."Lady, if you had summited without us we would of been so pissed""Would you of yelled at me?""We would of never spoke to you again"HUGS HUGS HUGS- we would traverse the last 30miles together. The final three knuckles would ride one final time. We chatted and ate and Super even gave me one of his extra diners- at least one man came prepared. (I stored half of it away like a little squirrel for breakfast in the morning-double thanks SuperChunk) The rain came and we squeezed into the shelter. Tomorrow we would exit the 100 mile wilderness and enter Baxter State Park, Katahdin's front porch. More importantly we would see my Mum and Dad and Sister, and they would have food.FOOOOD. I don't expect to sleep well, the shelter floor is unmilled logs length wise, but I am glad to be dry and out of the rain. I hope it will stop by morning. Is that snoring or tummies growling, or energy growing? Feather comforters are in our sights.
Date: 2008-09-13
From: Rainbow Spring Lean to

To: Katahdin Stream Campsite
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Grey light. Not first light, not sunrise, but the grey light of the hint of the sun potentially reaching the horizon. I have woken the past few mornings in the grey light and hiked in the light of day. Today when I woke, and rose from my sleeping bag I could not see the hand in front of my face. It was dark. It was 5am. Bus Driver and I were on either side of a four man sandwich and we sat up nearly in unison. We hit the trail, head lamps and flashlights burning by 5:45. We had motivation.But did we have MOTORvation?We caught up to Mr. Bones and Stubbs before they left camp, and saw Sunny some miles later at the top of the Rainbow Ledges. We were getting ever closer to leaving the wilderness. Six miles lay between us and Baxter State park, food, an end to hiker hunger, and my loving huggy family. I just could not get my motor going. Stubbs soon caught up, as did Rocksteady and I quickened my pace a bit as we closed in on the 2 remaining miles. Soon I could once again hear the sounds of cars rolling down the dirt roads and soon enough I could feel a great wall of energy. I nearly ran, an event as rare as jumping for a thru hiker, and my smile cracked to both ears as I saw my sister and father come down the trail towards me. Kate had an orange blaze feather boa and a huge hug and a kiss for me. Hugs and hi fives from the Papa-ceata.Feathers for her favorite chicken. I feel like they would of carried me if I needed them too. They really did in away. The boys came in one by one and joined us on overturned milk crates for snacks and drinks and sandwiches. It was just noon when we arrived. We bought food, cleaned my parents out of food and bought some more! They took many of our packs and let us fly over the last 10miles of the day. We all stuck together and cheered and whooped. Butters called us out one by one like the starting lineup of a championship basketball team. We were elated. Mum and Kate met us on the trail and hiked us in to our campsite. They fed us and hugged us some more and wished us well.Sunny, Share, Slightly, Bones, Mr. Bones, Stubbs and The Breeze where all up the Birches campsite and we visited and snacked on hot dogs. Yup, hot dogs are snacks. Back at our lean to we built our final fire.Our final fire. Our final dinner. Our final night. Our final morning waited us. I don't think we will get much rest tonight.