morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-09-12
From: US 201/Caratunk, ME (Northland Outdoors)

To: Moxie Bald lean-to
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: few clouds

It was pretty tough rolling out this morning. The zero (as much as it was enjoyed) really sapped my energy. Our first climb of the day was over Pleasant Pond Mountain, it wasn't a breeze, but the climb wasn't all that bad either.As we climbed, the day cleared and we got some amazing views of the surrounding mountains and pristine glacial ponds. Pleasant Pond whooped me more than I anticipated because by the time we stopped for lunch at Baker Stream I felt awful. This was due in part to the fact that I am pretty ill with a sinus infection (not a pleasant thing to deal with anytime, but especially on trail). This is a crass thing to write about, but it is something that has to be dealt with out here on a daily basis, so here goes: hikers try to perfect the art of "snot-rockets", this is because the more toilet paper, the more weight and bulk...not to mention the hassle of having it in a readily available place. Now that I have really grossed everyone out...we stopped and cooked our lunch and took about 40 minutes to break. We were able to rockstep across the stream, so no shoe removal was needed. Everyone is pretty beat down today, and the rest of the crew has decided to call it quits at Bald Mountain Brook Lean-To. Fourteen miles certainly isn't a shameful day, but we decided to push for the original plan. I felt awful and my body definately was ready to stop for the day, but my reasoning was that if I didn't do the extra 4 miles today, it would make for a 22 tomorrow (which didn't sound pleasant at all). While Bug headed down to the shelter to let the others know we were going to go on, I kept hiking. I knew that if I went to the shelter that I would not want to leave. I had really been dreading this last climb of the day because I thought the climb would be super tough and steep. I kept waiting for the steep part to get there but it never arrived. The afternoon's walk was simply beautiful. The forest floor was covered in a bright green moss while spruce towered overhead, and the trail in front of me was a gradual & smooth rock slab. I kept looking around me to see if I could spot any moose. No such luck. Bug caught up to me fairly quick and we climbed up to Moxie Bald together. There were some cool rock formations that we passed under on our way up. As we reached the summit, the sun was beginning to set and it was gorgeous up there, seeing the ponds on either side of the mountain. We tagged the summit and started making our way quickly down the mountain. It was getting dark and Bug had to pull out his headlamp for the last half mile into the shelter. We have decided not to cook since it is already dark. There are several people here and we are sharing the shelter with Good Time and a precocious mouse. Hopefully he will leave me alone this evening.
Date: 2005-09-15
From: Wilbur Brook

To: Chairback Gap Lean-To
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: moderate rain

We woke up to rain this morning. We have had more rain in Maine percentage wise, than anywhere else on the trail. The plan had been for us to head out at 6:30 this morning but that quickly was delayed until 8:30. Bug and I headed out shortly after Hairball and Snowbunny and said so long to Train and Raindrop who were still tucked away snuggly in their tent. They replied, "Have a good hike." We were not sure whether we would see them again today, because it sounded as if they might stay right there in their tent.There was excitement waiting for us as we hiked out, with our ford of the day across Long Falls Stream. We all stayed upright going across, but the water was high (upper thigh on Ms. Priss) and very cold. It was moving very swiftly because of the rains this morning. After making it to the other side we had to climb a mountain. From Barren Mountain, we had some cool views of the mountains and that was the extent of today's excitement. The rest of the day was filled with climbs and rain, lots of rain. Bug and I shared conversations about what our dream meals would be when we got home. We definately need to call our Moms and let them know our menus! We were very happy to get here to the shelter this afternoon and find that there were spots for us inside the shelter. We have eaten our dinner and had such wonderful fellowship with our sheltermates this evening. Team Hairbunny, Pumpkin and her husband Mike. Train and Raindrop did make it here after all and are tented up the way.
Date: 2005-09-17
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite

To: East Pleasant River Lean-To
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Guest journalist: SherpaWaking up to the pitter-pat of rain drops on the tent fly is disheartening most days. After a good soaking two days earlier, everyone was taking this deludge personally. The only consolation was that White Cap would be the last real "mountain" on the trail before Katahdin. The Couples, Little John, Pumpkin and I all left camp at about 7:30AM. The cold rain kept us all on task, focused on the next foot placement so as to not end up face first in the mud. No picturesque Maine vistas today, just miles to hike. All was uneventful until we neared the summit of White Cap. The wind above treeline was gusting around 50 mph, which made the rain--sometimes frozen--feel like needles as it pelted your skin. Everyone ran across the summit to shelter below treeline. We lost Hairball, Snow Bunny, Train and Raindrop at the first shelter after the summit (Logan Brook). They had quite enough "weather" for the day. But Bug, Miss Priss, Pumpkin and I decided to leg out the miles. Because rainy days aren't good for much else, you can get a lot of miles in if you can tolerate the sogginess. The group, now wittled to four, trucked off of White Cap at 4 mph, arriving at East Branch Lean-to at 11:30. 9 miles in 4 hrs, not bad for what has been judged by all the thru-hikers as some of the worst weather on the trail. Now we're all hunkered down at the lean-to for the night, enjoying the pleasure of each other's company.
Date: 2005-09-20
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Abol bridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning we took our time getting out on trail. We boiled some water and had tea and coffee with our pop tarts. Bug and I saw no need to rush since there was only 15 miles to be hiked over not-so-hard terrain. I slept great on a soft bed of pine needles last night and the rain decided to hold off. I had hoped to spot a moose on Rainbow Lake but that wasn't in the plan. We got out way too late for them to still be out. The day went very quickly, and we were all anticipating Abol Bridge and our final moments on the trail. Sherpa was especially ready to get to the road. Hiking 100 miles in his Crocs has really done a number on his feet! At the last shelter before the road, we ran into the ridgerunner (a super nice guy) and drilled him with loads of questions about everything from whether or not there was Ben and Jerry's at Abol Bridge to whether or not there was a register on top of Katahdin. The last 3 miles were filled with conversations about Bed and Breakfasts and we were soon arriving at the road. Everything always seems to work out, but I was a little stressed out when we arrived at the store. We had found out the forecast for the next few days and it was partly cloudy tomorrow, rain 50% chance the next 2 days, and "possibly" clearing out by Saturday. The ridgerunner told us our best bet was to summit tomorrow. Here is why I was stressed: (1) I wanted a beautiful summit day, (2) I want to summit with all my friends and wasn't sure what everyone's plan would be, and (3) summiting tomorrow would give us a 20+ mile day on our final and hardest day. Pumpkin says she definately plans to summit tomorrow, and we weren't sure what the other two couples would want to do after a 23 mile day today. It all worked out and they do want to summit tomorrow as well. Not sure what Papa Razzi, Fig & Just Visiting, EM, and the others will do. We are camped at the primitive campground this evening and have been pigging out this afternoon. We still can't see Katahdin. =o( Also, it has started to pour buckets and we are all safely tucked away in our tents. I am just hoping this isn't a bad omen for what tomorrow will bring. I hope I will be able to sleep...I often have a hard time sleeping before a big event and I would say that tomorrow qualifies as big.
Date: 2005-08-25
From: Woodstage Rd.

To: Cloudland Shelter
Miles today: 4.4

The late night scrabble game at Oreo Angel's last night got us off to a late start today. Or maybe it was the knowledge that tonight we would be sleeping on the ground in the woods that kept us in bed until mid morning, either way it was 3:00 before Oreo Angel dropped us off where the trail crosses the road. I don't know if I was giddy with the anticipation of being back on the trail, or if it was the large Frappachino that I nursed for the whole ninty minute ride from Manchester,New Hampshire. After pictures and quick goodbyes, Papermaker and I were off. The trail for me is like an old friend, you may see each other only infrequently because of distance or time constraints, but you seem to always be able to pick up right where you left off. So with just a few steps, my friendship with the trail was rekindled. It felt great to be surrounded by the woods again. The smell of damp earth, and decaying wood was surrounding me like a soft cloud. The feeling of joy lasted for at least 45 minutes as we climbed up from the road. Sweat running down into my eyes and the smell of my own underarms made me question the sanity of my own mind. I planned to give us a week to get back into hiking shape. Neither of us had ran or walked much less hiked in months. My plan was to take it slow and easy for the first few days. Too bad the trail didn't have the same plan in mind for us! We took our time as we climbed up and over mountains gaining hundreds of feet in elevation only to lose the gain as we traversed down the other side. Our plan to stop at Cloudland Shelter was waylayed because we never found the shelter. I am not sure if the data book was wrong, or if there was a powerline slipped in unbeknownst to the writer. Either way,the shelter was nowhere to be found. We dropped our packs along the side of the trail, and I backtracked to filter water, while Papermaker went hunting the side trail to the shelter. I had better luck than he,and with dark approaching we decided to find a level place to pitch our tent. Under the power line was the most promising spot,of course Goldenrod was blooming in abundance. We will probably both wake up with sinus problems. I fixed us some hot chocolate as he warmed our supper. MRE's,left over from Hurricane Ivan. They are too heavy in my opinion, but Papermaker was insistant that I bring them. As long as we eat the heaviest things in our food bag at every meal,we should do fine. With dishes done and food bags hung from a tree away from our tent,by 9:00 pm two tired weary hikers climbed into the tent and called it a night.Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for PolioAppalachian Trail GA-MA BumpkinMore in 2005
Date: 2005-08-26
From: Cloudland Rd.

To: West Hartford Vermont
Miles today: 6.6

A hiker came through about 7:00 am and woke us up,his boots making soft flopping sounds onthe rocks.. It was disconcerting at first to wake up in a tent, under a power line. That was the flatest place we could find last night to pitch our tent. We packed up and decided to hike the two miles to Thistle Hill Shelter and fix breakfast. We had no sooner started hiking than we came to a sign pointing out the trail to Cloudland Shelter. It figures!! We only would have had to hike another few minutes last night to be at a shelter, complete with two pleasent brooks and lots of level tent spaces. Oh well. Thistle Shelter had the most unique privy that I have seen on the trail. It was six sided and from about three feet up it was screened in. At least one had some privacy from the waist down. The water source was quite a hike down the hill, and it was a natural spring with literally no way to get a filter in it. It took Papermaker a while to get our supply of water. I munched on a bagel and oatmeal while I read the shelter journal. It seemed strange not to reconize any names here. We pushed on stopping for a snack every hour or so. From a high vantage point we could see the interstate highway and the river. It seemed so close and yet so far away. Bunker Hill seemed to be an all downhill hike, then just when you thought you could not go downhill any more without a new set of knees, we were out in an opening and surrounded by houses. We had made it to West Hartford,Vt. Our feet felt like they were on fire, and we smelled as ripe as one could without being totally obnoxious. Glory, glory, is that a river I see? We crossed an old narrow bridge,and followed an overgrown trail down to the water's edge. Within a short time I was totally submerged in the cool refreshing waters of the White River. It was wonderful to feel the hot sticky sweat wash away from me. I rinsed my shirt out, along with my bandana, then preceeded to stretch out on the warm rocks and let the sun dry me off. We fixed a late lunch or an early supper and drank water until we thought we would pop. It was almost 5:00 before we stuffed our feet back into our boots and headed up the trail. The trail follows Tigertown Rd for about a half a mile, but we did't find that out tonight, because just after we started hiking, a guy on a bicycle invited us to stay in a hiker's cabin in his back yard. One thing about hiking, your plans can change with a shake of the head. Whether you say yes or no. In this case we said sure and within minutes found ourselves unpacking our sleeping bags inside a small cabin. There was even eletricity and a radio. We could hear news about Huricane Katrina!! We sat outside at a picnic table drinking cold drinks and talking to the guy until the mosquitos ran us inside. I never even got his name! Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for PolioAppalachian Trail GA-MA BumpkinMore in 2005
Date: 2005-08-28
From: Norwich, Vermont

To: Mink Brook
Miles today: 10.1

It was hard for us to pull ourselves away from The Weather Channel and the coverage of Hurricane Katrina. The Gulf Coast did not need another direct hit from a hurricane. It was raining pretty steady as we walked off of the wide porch of The Norwich Inn. For me that is always the hardest step,going from being nice and dry to being completely soaked in just a matter of minutes. We walked along the highway crossing over the Connecticut River and into the state of New Hampshire. This is our first state line crossing. We forgot to get a picture. We planned to eat an early lunch at EBA's Pizza. That stands for everything but anchovies. Instead we found ourselves face to face,or should I say mouth to mouth with their Sunday Brunch. Oh the wonderful food items they had on their buffet. Papermaker's craving for pizza was soon forgotten as he feasted on smoked salmon,roast beef,fried potatoes,grilled vegetables to mention a few. Myself ,I heaped my plate full of Belgian Waffles smothered in strawberries and covered with whipped cream,bacon,scrambled eggs,and grilled zuchinni. We were both having a grand time. Of course we had no sooner left and headed up the trail than we were reminded of why New Hampshire is called the Granite State. The climb out of Hanover gave us quite a challenge and we both wished we had of eaten just a little bit less. Fortunetly the rain had slacked up some by that time,and even with the trees and bushes dripping wet the afternoon proved to be a nice hike.We had hoped to get to the next shelter but the climbs had taken all of my energy. We finally made camp in a nice meadow overlooking New Hampshire farmland. After a hot meal of Cheddar Potatoe soup and hot chocolate,we both crashed for the night.Sometime in the wee hours of the night we were awakened by the sound of an owl as he perched in a nearby tree. I was too tired to stay awake long to listen to him.When I awoke again,the sky was just turning pink and a light rain was begining to fall. I made a hasty trip outside before the deluge started and went back to sleep listening to the sound of rain on my tent.   Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for PolioAppalachian Trail GA-MA BumpkinMore in 2004
Date: 2005-08-30
From: Trapper John's Shelter

To: Fire Warden's Cabin
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light rain

The first thing I did was check out the privy that Papermaker had raved about. I realize to most of you reading this, privies are not a thing to write about much less get excited about. Out on the trail however privies are noteworthy and held in high regards. This one truly was unique. It was up off of the ground a couple of feet and someone had taken a captain's chair from a dining room set,cut a hole in the seat,sanded the edges of and attached it over the privy hole. I guess you could rest your arms as you waited or read or whatever. To my dismay we got a late start. I was hoping for a 12 mile day . We made good time to the first road crossing where we stopped for a snack,filtered some water and took a break. I do not know what it is about water,but everytime we come to a stream of any size Papermaker wants to soak his feet. This one was no exception. We started the climb up Smarts Mountain. It went up and up and up. Everytime we thought we were at the summit,we were fooled. The skies remained overcast most of the day and our clothes were pretty close to being dry. We came to a rock outcropping and decided to stop for lunch. Every so often the sun would peak out. It did feel good to stretch out on the rocks for a break. We packed up and headed up the trail. The trail was harder to hike today thanks to tons of granite thrown here and there. Several times we climbed up a solid rock wall,our boots grabbing for the tiniest foothole. By late afternoon the rain started again,and in minutes we were making squishing noises as we walked. The climb today was steep and took most of our energy. It was obvious that we were only going to do 6.9 miles. On the ridge is a fire tower and if it had of been clear skies,there would have been lots of vistas. As it was there was nothing but clouds. We set up the tent on a small ledge. We are almost above the tree line here.The wind is whipping around fiercly,but the rain has stopped for now. Our clothes are hanging from tree branches, they smell so bad that we can't stand to have then in the tent with us. A nice hard rain would help the smell tremendously! Of course a nice hot shower would help the smell even more. With supper fixed,dishes washed and nothing more to do,we call it a night and turn in.It is 6:30. Tonight we will be in our sleeping bags I am sure, since you can see your breath!Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for Polio Appalachian Trail GA-MA Bumpkin More in 2004
Date: 2005-09-02
From: Kinsman's Notch

To: New Hampshire 25
Miles today: 9.5

Hurray! We are going to do a slack pack today! True to my blue blazing reputation, I will hike without a pack anytime I can. To me it does not matter if I walked from Georgia to Maine carrying a backpack. Just the fact that I walked the trail is enough for me, well even the few miles I canoed /aqua blazed,it was under my own power,so I will count it. It was a grand day for a hike, but no one told me I might want to bring a jacket for the first part of the day. As long as I was hiking I was fairly warm. We hiked along a water fall for most of the morning. The recent rains had the streams overflowing over hundreds of feet of rocks and boulders. It was magnificent to say the least. The air was filled with ozone creating a crisp clear feeling. I was grateful to be without a pack. It makes the climbs so much easier. We are hiking with Dorothy and Toto also. Mt.Moosilauke stands at 4802 ft. You have a panoramic view in all directions. The wind was blowing so hard though,it was difficult to stay on the summit for very long. We found a secluded spot out of the wind and ate lunch. This is the very begining of the White Mountains,and the views reminded me of the time I spent in 2003 hiking through the Presidentials and these White Mountains. It was by far one of the favorite parts of the hike. We hiked down to the highway and by early afternoon we were back at the hostel. After a hot shower,(this makes two nights in a row!!) we caught a ride to the closest town and eatery where we ordered roasted garlic cloes in olive oil with fresh bread,and hamburgers fit for a king. By our hiking standards were we up way too late,but crawled into bed very clean,well fed and content. Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for Polio Appalachian Trail GA-MA Bumpkin More in 2004
Date: 2005-09-04
From: Glencliff, N.H. 

To: Gorham, N.H.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Today was the chilliest day we have woke up to. Dressed in long johns I forced my way out of the tent. It was too early for me to be up,but my bladder didn't care. I went into the hostel where I found a room full of hikers listening to Papermaker telling about my escapade at the restaurent last night I poured some Grapenuts in a styrofoam cup,added some milk and ate breakfast. We checked our email and found out that Oreo Angel was going to come visit us if we were taking a zero. I called her and told her to come on! I have been hikng for over a week and she drives an hour to come see me. Her and hubby Jim( who has yet to get a trail name) show up and graciously agree to take us up to Gorham. We say our goodbyes to the hiker freinds we have met and away we go. These are fine folks and we laugh and cut up the rest of the day. Once in Gorham,we find a motel that has rooms available. We had forgotten that it was a holiday week end. The restaurent here at the motel serves a family style lunch,so we decide to take advantage of the opportunity. Huge plates of roast beef,baked chicken,ham,vegetables and loaves of fresh bread soon appeared,then just as quickly disappeared. The meal was topped off with apple crisp and ice cream. We laughed until our sides felt like they were splitting at different hiker stories we shared. Too soon it was time to bid them goodbye. Settled in our room,we caught upon phone calls,watched the heartbreaking news from New Orleans,and cleaned some of our things. I could not resist the lure of the hot tub down at the pool room,so we went down and sunk our weary bodies in wonderfully hot bubbling water. Back in our room,we crawled between clean ,fresh sheets and turned out the lights. Bumpkin                           5 Million Steps for Polio Appalachian Trail GA-MA Bumpkin More in 2004