morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Cranberry Stream Tentsite

To: Maine Route 27 and Stratton Maine
Miles today: 1.8

June 19, 2016Maine Route 27 mile 188.2   miles hiked 1.8All Right! Town day! Town, I am beginning to love that word. And Stratton is SO close! I am up early, so are the church boys, we pack up quietly so as not to wake up the vocabulary deficient group. I am walking into Stratton at 8:30 A.M. Its another paradise, there is a bunkhouse, grocery store and diner. I am all set. First, grocery shop, I decide to get enough food to get to Andover and skip going into Rangely. So once again I am food heavy. I buy my supplies and find a shaded spot near the store to repack everything. I get rid of almost all the packaging material and repack the food into ziplock bags. It fits better and I don¢t have to deal with much trash on the trail. I kind of feel like a homeless person when I do this. After repacking I go back for a couple of yogurts, whoopie pie, 2 plums, 1 banana and a chocolate milk. I consume this sitting outside the grocery store looking at the Stratton Bunkhouse across the street. It¢s too tempting, a bunk, electricity, shower, kitchen for 25$ and I have all day and night to relax. I do it, walk across the street and get my bunk. Now that that is settled I take a luxurious shower, get a pizza for later and nap. Mid- morning, a car drives into town and the Intrepid 5 stumble out, they grocery shop and continue on the trail. Apparently they scored a spot in a person¢s house and were wined and dined all night! Pringles and Purple Buff Boy are staying in Stratton. I was able to talk to my family for a long time, thats so nice. I really miss them. My bunkmates so far are Pringles and Banchee. From what I can gather, Banchee just graduated from high school and has made it this far on the trail never having set foot in the woods apparently. I hear some of the guys downstairs giving him some advice. There are a bunch of people here. Purple Buff Boy, Pringles, Balou- a new Dad from California I think, and others too. There is an important sporting event going on and everyone is watching it downstairs on the TV. I noticed a laundry mat late in the afternoon, I was disappointed because I felt compelled to do my laundry and didn't really want to expend the energy. In the end I didn¢t do it. Stinky clothes, is that bad?Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Maine Route 27 and Stratton Maine

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean To
Miles today: 13.5

June 20, 2016Spaulding Mountain Lean To mile 201.7     13.5 miles hikedWhew! I am toast! My first day hiking in heat and I am done in for the day. Today started with a 3000 foot climb up to North Crocker Mountain, then down, then up South Crocker Mountain. Beautiful view from S. Crocker straight down 1800 feet to a glacial cirque. I rested a bit there. More elevation loss and a climb up to a ridge with awesome views of the Carabasset Valley. Over a shoulder of Spaulding mountain and up Sugarloaf Mountain. Ugh! It was a hot day, did I mention? It took all day and 6 liters of water to hike this 13.5 miles. I am a sweaty mess but feel ok besides being melted. I am happy with my slow pace, resting, eating and hydrating because I needed it to stay healthy today. I am laying in my tent not moving because I can¢t. Won¢t. I refuse to move!Balou, Stretch and friend (Flatlander I think) 2 other SOBOS and 2 campers are here.I drank so much water today, I know I will have to pee all night!Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-06-21
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean To

To: Piazza Rock Lean To
Miles today: 16.9

June 21, 2016Piazza Rock Lean To   mile 218.6    miles hiked 16.9What a wonderful day!! I recovered from hiking in the sauna yesterday, today was sunny with a cool breeze. I climbed up to Saddleback Jr., over to the Horn and on to Saddleback. Much of today was above treeline with amazing 360 degree views. I walked over bare rock and carefully through alpine bogs. It was beautiful. I stood for long periods of time watching the alpine plants deal with the gusty breeze. It¢s amazing how they survive, it¢s pretty stark up here. I made it over the Saddlebacks!! My feet are throbbing right now and I don¢t even care. I am happy and relaxing in my tent reliving the day. Can¢t wait for tomorrow¢s adventure!Icky conditions are temporary. Ignore them.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-06-22
From: Piazza Rock Lean To

To: Sabbath Pond Lean To
Miles today: 11.2

June 22, 2016Sabbath Pond Lean To  mile 229.8   miles hiked 11.2I started lazy and late on this nice cool morning. My Delorean indicated that it would be pouring rain this afternoon so I had my rain jacket and rain cover handy. I hiked past some areas that used to be beaver ponds but the beavers have long since moved and the pond has returned to land, kind of neat. The hike was not difficult although it was full of up then down and repeat. I enjoyed to cool air. As promised it started to downpour about 1 hour before I got to the Lean To. No matter, I knew I I would get wet today. I arrived at the Lean To, got water, got set up under the roof and snuggled in my sleeping bag. A total of 7 other people arrived and did the same thing. A sardine club again. Here are some sad notes:My shoes are shreddingI lost my wonderful pocket knifeI have a small hole in the butt of my pantsBoth of my pairs of socks are wet and smell really baaaaadThe mesh on my water bottle sleeve on my pack has a hole in itOh well, if thats the worst, all is WELL!I am hoping to find a whoopee pie in Andover. Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-06-23
From: Sabbath Pond Lean To

To: Bemis Mountain Lean To
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: scattered clouds

June 23, 2016Bemis Mountain Lean To  mile 238.1   8.3 miles hikedOh, I just couldn¢t sleep!! I guess I am so used to my tent, I can stretch out and flail around as much as I want to. I am so aware of other people so close to me that I feel like I have to sleep in one position and I think I log roll a lot as I sleep. I got up at 4:00, and hiked it here to the Bemis Mountain Lean To and yep, set up my tent. It was a spectacular hike. I started before dawn and got to see the forest change from night to day, it is so pretty. I love it. The trail was mostly flattish with one climb of about 1500 feet up to Bemis Second Peak. I got to the Lean To at 11:00 and decided to hang out at this spot. Here are the hikers that showed up:White Gurl, Honey Bun, Baloo, Hooch! I haven't seen these guys for days! Also I met Rocky Horror and Rippa- from New Zealand, Slipping Jake- just graduated from UNC Chapel Hill I think, he is on the extreme Frisbee Team and Noah - first time meeting him. . A good crowd today.4:00 is early but not too early, I love a good sunrise.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-06-24
From: Bemis Mountain Lean To

To: Hall Mountain Lean To
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

June 24, 2016Hall Mountain Lean To mile 250.9  12.8 miles hikedUgh, this was a hard day of steep ups and downs. Wow, why was I so tired? It was so steep that I had to keep my eyes on the ground. As a result, I noticed many and varied moss clumps. I devised the game of moss busting in the tradition of cloud busting. I imagined lots of cool shapes and animals in the moss clumps. I started to name moss families and neighborhoods and that¢s when I thought maybe I was tipping over the edge! I also noticed tons of glittery mica in the bedrock, like glittery snow well, except that it was rock. I enjoyed grand views from Old Blue Mountain and took a good rest there. I could see a wind farm in the distance. The further south I go the more MAN stuff I come across, a ski area, power line swaths, roads. Its still really wild but I see MAN stuff every day now. The same crew shows up here later. Good banter and stories at the Lean To. Almost every one commented on the steepness of the trail today, usually in colorful language. I didn¢t feel so bad knowing that other people found the trail difficult today.Andover tomorrow! YES! I know I will find my Whoopie Pie!!Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-06-25
From: Hall Mountain Lean To

To: East B Hill Road
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: broken clouds

June 25, 2016East B Hill Road (to Andover Maine) mile 256.9  6 miles hiked  Another town day!! I am stoked to get to town early. I like to stay as near town as possible so I can hike in early and have a whole day for chores, eating and relaxing. So I am up early, enjoy my breakfast knowing I will soon be having a REAL breakfast in town. I had arranged for a shuttle from the Pine Ellis Hostel to pick me up at noon, so I had a long time to hike the 6 miles to the road. I would get to town a little later than I like, but a free shuttle isn¢t something to pass up. I hiked up over Wyman Mountain and the usual ups and downs. A refreshing slow hike. I was at the road crossing at 10:30. Hmmm, it¢s still pretty remote here and I am glad I have a shuttle because there is NO traffic. One by One the crew of young men show up, Honeybun, White Gurl, Slipping Jake and Hooch. I know they had a definite plan to crush miles today. They collected at the road and someone mentioned ¢All You Can Eat Italian Day¢ and so very quickly plans changed into ¢crushing some Italian¢ in Andover. Easy decision since they knew I had a shuttle coming. I don¢t mind except they really smell and the smell intensifies in closed spaces- like a shuttle van. It¢s nice to hang with them, I probably won¢t see them after Andover because they hike faster and plan longer days. I plan to stay 2 nights at Pine Ellis. The shuttle comes, the driver is a hoot, we get the tour of town. Its one square mile, and it is beautiful. A diner/ grocery, library, restaurant, houses, even a tiny home. Everything I need. I check into the Pine Ellis and at first choose the bunk house but switch to the bunk room upstairs in the house. The bunk house was a little sketchy and there was a young man (Karate Kid?) there who seemed not happy that I was sharing the space. I think he wasn¢t feeling well or was injured, it happens, so I gave him space. The bunk room is wonderful, its just a big room with as many twin beds that will fit. My spot is comfy and has a little shelf next to it on the wall. I put laundry in and get some loaner clothes and set out to the diner/ grocery. I purchase my snacks and eat with a big crew of SOBOS at the tables outside. I am the only girl and I could be everyones Mom. How strange. Back to Pine Ellis for a shower and nap, later I have the big Italian feast at the Red Hen, with the big crew. I also meet ¢That Guy and The Duchess of Slugs¢, they are tenting behind the restaurant. Back to my nice bed and relax. 3 NOBOS are here, I enjoy their stories and wonder If I will be as cool and casual after 2000 miles as they are. I love Andover. I could live here. Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-06-26
From: Pine Ellis Hostel Andover, Maine

To: Nowhere/ Andover Zero day
Miles today: 0.0

June 26, 2016Zero day in Andover   mile 256.9   0 miles hikedSuch a good day! I enjoyed a huge breakfast at the diner, pancakes, bacon and eggs with real coffee. Bought snacks and some resupply. I face timed with family, wrote some post cards, sat on the porch swing and listened to the Pine Ellis Ladies laugh and bicker. They could host a reality show, for sure. One of the guests saw my shoes and was terribly concerned and thought I should be arranging to get to an outfitter TODAY to replace them. I got some super glue and used it with duct tape to fix my shoes, they need to get me to Gorham, where I hear I can buy new shoes. Pine Ellis has a decent resupply cabinet on the front porch. I get the key, take what I want and give my list with prices to the Pine Ellis Lady. She says, well, you can go ahead and add it up better than I can. So I did! I have 4 days of food to get to Gorham, That¢s in NEW HAMPSHIRE!I am hoping that Super Glue and Duct Tape live up to their reputations so I won't be walking into Gorham in my sock feet.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-06-27
From: East B Hill Road

To: Stealth on Old Speck
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

June 27, 2016Stealth Camp  mile 268.1    11.2 miles hiked Found a sweet spot part way up Old Speck Mountain! My shuttle driver took me to the wrong road crossing, I am glad I noticed because I would have had to hike that really steep horrible section up to Hall Lean To again. No Thanks!! My poor Pine Ellis Driver ¢oh, well she can¢t hardly hear or see so she gets the wrong information on the shuttle board! I just go by the board you know! she really needs to see about her ears, can¢t hear nothing except the TV!¢ " I am just the driver you know!" All said with good humor, please don¢t get the wrong impression, the Pine Ellis Ladies are very kind and very funny.  I have no set destination and it feels nice. It¢s a warm but beautiful day. I pass by Dunn Falls, the shoulder of Surplus Mountain, Frye Notch Lean To, Little Baldpate Mountain, East Baldpate, Baldpate, West Baldpate and yes, Baldpate Lean To. The climbs are not horrible and I walk on an open ridge for part of the day. Old Speck looks challenging with a 2600 foot climb. I start the climb and notice a nice flat spot near a cascade, it¢s a little close to the trail but it¢s perfect. I set up my tent, soak in the cascade, hang my bear bag line and rest. It¢s been a good day. One hiker passes by later in the evening and admires my spot. Thats the only person I see today except for my gracious Pine Ellis shuttle driver. Tomorrow, first thing, a 2000 foot climb to the top of Old Speck. Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-06-28
From: Stealth mile 268.1 part way up Old Speck

To: Full Goose 
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

June 28, 2016Full Goose Lean To  mile 276.9    8.8 miles hikedToday is the day of the Dreaded Mahoosic Notch. I have heard it¢s the most horrible crazy and dangerous section of the entire Appalachian Trail. It bears the moniker MahooSUCK. I hear I have a very steep decent of 1600 feet in about 1 mile and then a mile of car sized boulders to navigate. Thats after climbing the rest of Old Speck Mountain. This will be an interesting day! I make it up Old Speck and take the blue blaze trail to the actual summit. I can see a plateau looking area and a steep drop off, I assume thats my descent. It looks not too bad, from here. I am oh so WRONG! The descent goes on for ever, I just can't believe it and my legs start to feel like jello. So I need to sit occasionally and chill out. Jeekers, that¢s steep. I am finally at the bottom and have a brief respite of flatness. I notice a short side trail leading to a large flat camping area with a nice stream. I go to check it out, its really nice and if it were later in the day maybe I would have tented there. I start to go back to the trail and I can't find it! What?! As I said, it¢s a big area. I have to poke around a bit to get back on the trail. Very soon I am immersed in huge boulders, they are just enormous! Car sized, How about bus sized? I have never been through anything like this. Many places I have to stop and figure out how to proceed. This is really a lot of fun! I guess you just pick a path and keep heading through the boulder field. I have to take my pack off several times to get under and through some spots. There is ice in some of the crevices. I take a lot of time here, you have to, it¢s not a walk in the park. So I think I can make to the state line for sure today, I am feeling good. Ugh, until I realize I have another mountain to go over. Ouch! I get over Fulling Mill Mountain and collapse soon after at Full Goose Lean To, 4.1 miles from the State Line. That hurts! 2 SOBOS are here, Alex and another but I don¢t catch his name. I am recovering in my tent tonight. The 8.8 miles belies how difficult but fun today was.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-06-29
From: Full Goose Lean To

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: moderate rain

June 29, 2016Gentian Pond Shelter mile 286.5     9.6 mile hiked29 days to hike the 281.8 miles in MaineWelcome to N.H.!!!!!!Maine doesn¢t like to let you go. No indeed. The Goose Eye Mountains were in the way, then this crazy climb near the Mount Carlo blue blaze trail. I was hiking along and where the heck is the trail? I came up to a rock wall. I refused to believe that was the trail. After looking for an alternative to what I secretly knew was the truth, I took off my pack and climbed hand over hand up the wall and , yup, there was a white blaze. Oh Crap! I love Maine but it is time to move on!! I have to go back down for my pack and figure out a way to get myself and it up all this craziness. And my left shoe is now hopelessly shredded, I have to clear out rocks and debris about every 100 feet. It¢s cloudy, I smell rain. Hey, what¢s this? It¢s the STATE LINE!!! I am so happy I cry like a 5 year old on my birthday. I really did. Then I ate my state line celebration snickers bar, so satisfying. My first hike in New Hampshire was up and over Mount Success. Success! Finally in my second state. The rain starts and I hear thunder in the distance just as I get to what I think is the summit, I am correct and start to hustle off the mountain as the thunder gets closer and I see lightening. Oh Crap! Mount Success is one long broad exposed expanse! Crazy again, I just start running, the thunder and lightening are chasing me, how big is this summit????? Yikes, finally I get back under treeline but continue to hoof it to Gentian Shelter. Thank God! I make it without becoming a casualty. During a break in the rain, I am able to set up my tent. The shelter is getting crowded and there is a large group of young girls tenting somewhere near. Busy place today. It¢s a lovely shelter right on Gentian Pond, after I settle down, I can appreciate how beautiful it is. White Mountain Hostel tomorrow. The White Mountains are in NEW HAMPSHIREInsect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-06-30
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: NH Route 2 White Mountain Lodge and Hostel
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

June 30, 2016Route 2, White Mountain Lodge and Hostel mile 298.2  11.7 miles hikedTown!! I got up early and was hiking by 6:15, Yesterday, I kept checking to see if I had a signal so I could call the Hostel and reserve a bunk for 2 nights. I heard that It¢s a popular place being right on the trail and I wasn¢t going to miss my chance to stay. I did make my call and was relieved to know that I had a spot. Yesterday, Alex, another SOBO, whom I have run into from time to time was planing to head to the lodge but upset that she didn't have a reservation, her phone was dead. She was almost out of food. I lent her my phone and gave her some pickings from my food bag. No worries. I am sure this will happen to me at some point and the favor will be returned. The terrain was fairly easy and mostly descending all the way to Route 2. I put all my thoughts away and just walked at an easy pace and was delighted to see the Lodge right in front of me at 12:15. Marnie is the owner and she runs a top notch service. There is a system for smelly hikers. First you enter the garage, your shoes go on the shoe wall. Next your stinky pack goes on a hook on the garage wall, take out all your laundry go into a changing room and put on loaner clothes, all your stinky laundry goes into a basket. Clean laundry appears in a basket in the common living room in the afternoon. Then you go into the house (finally) to the kitchen and settle up for your overnight bill. You get a quick tour that ends at one of the shower rooms, you are given a towel and wash cloth and encouraged to shower immediately. Well. OK then. It works, everyone who is actually inside is freshly showered and wearing clean smelling loaner clothes. SMART. Tonight I am in a gorgeous bunk room that has 5 bunkbeds. the place was crawling with hikers, Alex showed up, I recognized That Guy and The Duchess of Slugs, Rocky Horror and Rippa, Baloo and Noah. There were lots of others as well. I met 3 section hikers from Cumming Georgia, where my brother and family live. Mission (he hikes really fast and carries a wooden staff with a pant leg for a flag) and his friend Cammomile (also very speedy), JellyBean, Pyro and Peanut Butter- 3 SOBOS that I have heard about but never met. I signed up for the evening shuttle to Walmart. Oh My God! Just too much stimulation, I didn¢t really know how much food to buy for the Whites, so I bought everything, EVERYTHING. 8 days worth! YES, I am an idiot. Back to the hostel to chill and eat pizza. Rest day tomorrow, my goal is to find shoes and waterproofing for my tent, oh and to eat a lot.If you are reading this, Do not buy 8 days of food for the Whites. Just don't do it. Keep reading and it will become clear. Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-01
From: NH Route 2 White Mountain Lodge and Hostel

To: Zero in Gorham
Miles today: 0.0

July 1, 2016Chores in Gorham NH mile 298.2    0 miles hikedBreakfast at the hostel, 7:00 AM. Everyone assembles, totally worth it. They served coffee, juice, breakfast lasagna and toast in really big portions. People finished up and the day¢s shuttles started. Some walked back to hike the trail, some were shuttled to south to Pinkham notch to slack pack back northward back to the hostel, 21.2 miles. Some went to Pinkham and were taking 2 days to hike back. Hmm, that sounds good to me. So, today I will take the morning shuttle to town for shoes and rainproofing spray and tomorrow I will shuttle south to Pinkham Notch. I will take 2 days to hike back to the Hostel. There is a shelter I can stay in 13.5 miles in (the Imp Shelter), so I will just pack a little food and my sleeping bag and pad. Light pack!! The next day I will hike back to the Hostel and spend another night. My first slack packing experience! The outfitter in town is actually an outfitter/hardware store. The owner only sells Merrrils. That¢s ok with me, I have hiked in Merrils before and been more than happy. I get a half size up and I am good to go. I also find some spray for my tent. Back at the Hostel I eat some more and spray my tent. It isn¢t really leaking, but in really hard downpours it little micro-drops come in. Maybe that¢s normal, it isn¢t really a problem since nothing seems to get wet but I thought I would see if it makes a difference. Now I can spend some time relaxing and try to figure out how to get through the Whites. Baloo is here and looks green, he has been sick at both ends and is contemplating going home to rest if he doesn't shake it in the next 2 days. Marnie and staff spend time disinfecting everything Baloo has touched!Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-07-02
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Imp Shelter from Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

July 2, 2016slack pack day 1Pinkham Notch to Imp Shelter  13.4 miles hiked northUp for my breakfast at 7:00, a delicious breakfast burrito, hash browns, sausage, coffee and juice. I am very excited about carrying a very light pack to go over the Wildcats, Carter Mts., Mt. Height and Mt. Moriah. I will hike 8 - 4000 foot peaks over the next 2 days! Among the slack packers are Alex (now the Librarian because¢¦.she really books it on the trail!) Jellybean, Pyro, Peanut Butter, Mission and Cammomile. We pile in the shuttle van and zip to Pinkham Notch to start a northward trek over some really spectacularly steep mountains. Of Course our driver has to point out the trail head as we stumble around looking for it! I think everyone is doing this stretch in 1 day except for me. It is a beautiful day, sunny but with a crazy crazy CRAZY wind on top of the exposed summits. I stopped for a snack at Carter Notch hut and chilled out a bit by the pond. I am in no rush. It was really awesome to hike with my light pack. Such a fun day. I met up with White Gurl, Hooch and Big Tyler going south. It was nice to catch up with them. I caught up with Jelly Bean, Pyro and Peanut Butter and we had some fun on top of Mt. Hight leaning into the wind. The wind was so strong it held us up. It was very difficult to walk upright with the wind coming at us sideways. We all started laughing really hard, that wind was so ridiculous! All the summits were like that so it made for an exciting day. I stayed in the shelter, it was packed, I was happy to have gotten a spot since I didn¢t have a tent. As it turned out, I could have hiked back to the Hostel if I had too. Slackpacking rocks!Insect SOBO 2016