morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-12
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: few clouds

Sun Jul 12, Day 124. Rain is so hypnotic. The sound of it lulled me to sleep as a storm front passed in the night. The heaviest rain woke me up but I quickly fall back to sleep curled up warmly inside my sleeping bag.By morning the wet stuff was gone and I smell the fresh air left behind. I'm invigorated. Heck, I'll be in Maine today!My thoughts trace back along the hike and it's hard to comprehend the end is so near. Then I snap back to reality. Maine will be another tough state. Just get me to the 100 Mile Wilderness where all the SOBOs tell me it's relatively easy. Last picture taken in the state of NH Click on picture to see full sizeHard hiking into the state of Maine today - the last state. Wooohooo!! I am so ecstatic to be here. I tell you, I am very pleased to be done with the Granite State of New Hampshire. What a tough section of trail and of course the Whites were an extreme challenge because the weather created such horrible conditions. Welcome to the state of Maine NH-ME State Line Sign First view in Maine Trail shows it's rocky sideToday's hike had it's share of bouldering. At times I stood there going over options of how to navigate - should I go up or down a steep rock face? I'm intimidated by the rocks since I've fallen on them so much! Over, under, or through? It's not any easier descending the bouldersWe were rewarded with some good views along the ridge and from the West Peak of Goose Eye Mountain. Help across the Maine Mud Butterfly on the trailI make it to the Full Goose Shelter and set up my spot inside. Tomorrow will be Mahoosuc Notch, a jumble of house size boulders and reputedly the Toughest Mile on the AT. I've heard of peiople taking up to 4.5 hours going through this one mile section. What's in store for me? Click here for more on Mahoosuc NotchShortly after I arrive at the shelter, Don Burrell, aka Longshot, comes bopping in. It's great to see him. He started at the Success Trail this morning as we had set up this shelter as our meeting place. I can't wait to hike with him through Maine! Don didn't waste any time, he pulled out a Ziploc baggie full of blueberry muffin tops. "Are you hungry?" he asks. "You're darn right" I replied. Don tells me to eat up - since they weigh a pound he's happy to get rid of the weight! Full Goose Shelter - sleeps 8, circa 1978That's Longshot taking a break Tent platform at Full Goose ShelterA first time hiker from Maine named Emily shows up. I met her on the trail yesterday. She's really doing good considering the rough terrain. She's only going as far as Grafton Notch. Her left knee is hurting...but whose isn't? Emily does a little housekeeping The end of a great day of hiking. let's hope there's more to come!
Date: 2009-07-13
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Mon Jul 13, Day 125. Got up this morning with anxious anticipation of going through Mahoosuc Notch then up the Mahoosuc Arm. I've heard stories from both extremes. People love it or despise it. Me, I tried to go into it as a fun exercise in agility and problem solving. No doubt when you have arrived - you know you are there by the house size boulders and snow down in the crevices. Yikes, it's deep down there! Not someplace you want to fall. I follow the blazes and carefully adjust my steps. Longshot leaps through the maze without any problems. I come to my first "tunnel" and quickly realize I have to take my pack off and push it and my trekking poles through the hole to get to the other side. I'll do this two more times before it's over. I only get lost once and double back before I spot the plaze. The Notch is conquered in 1 hour 40 minutes (1:40). Got one video, it doesn't really do the maze justice.You can see more videos by going to www.youtube.com and search for "Mahoosuc Notch", you'll get a better idea of what the Notch is like. Mahoosuc NotchClick on picture to see full size Longshot in the Notch If you can't go over or around, you have to go through! Spokes in the Notch Now for a steep climb up Mahoosuc Arm, a gain of 1,600 feet in elevation while hiking only 1.6 miles from The Notch. There are some slick rocks to walk up but luckily no spills today. The summit is reached in 1 hour and 7 minutes (1:07) from leaving The Notch. Views from Mahoosuc Arm After the tough going in the Notch and the Arm we get to Speck Pond Shelter and have a snack. It's early so the plan is to go to the Baldpate Lean-to. This means I'll be in Andover a day early. Yeah! Spokes at Speck PondAbout a mile past the Speck Pond Shelter we earned some views from Speck Mountain (3,985'). Views from Speck Mountain Two miles before reaching the shelter, we crossed ME26 at Grafton Notch, pretty cool sign there to mark the AT Trail crossing. AT Sign at Grafton NotchMy left boot upper got cut near the little toe on a rock. Looks like I'll get to use my Keen boots in Andover.Made it into Baldpate Lean-to, twelve miles was a full day when it includes the Toughest Mile! Fellow hikers in the Baldpate Lean-toTiger Lily and Stranger
Date: 2009-07-14
From: Baldpate Lean-to

To: Andover, ME - Pine Ellis Hostel
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

Tue Jul 14, Day 126. Left lean-to under cold foggy skies. The drizzle came shortly after. The twelve hundred foot climb up Baldpate Mountain (it has two peaks, 3,662' and 3,810') was scary with exposed wet rock and breezy conditions. The descent was taken cautiously. Thank goodness - no falls. The rest of the hike was nice. We called the Pine Ellis Hostel in Andover and David met us at the trailhead at Upton Road with fresh lemonade. David greets us with fresh lemonadeClick on picture to see full size Longshot enjoys the lemonadeWe got the last room! There's not much here but all the staff have shown great hospitality.. I'm glad the maildrop came. New boots today (see T&O below). Right now I'm using their computer and will head out in the morning. Pine Ellis Hostel The Chicago Sisters It's hard to describe the emotions sparking through me right now. The final stretch of this fantastic adventure is slowly coming to an end. Notice I said s-l-o-w-l-y. Maine is a tough state and if I can just trudge thorough the next 70-80 miles the trail should get better. The weather has been partly cloudy with only sporadic showers so I have been able to see some good vista views. I'm happy that Longshot was able to meet me at the Gentian Pond Shelter and will be hiking along with me for the entire state of Maine. He is a wealth of information and knows the lay of the land in these parts. He even brought a supply of delicious blueberry muffin tops to feast on the first night out (Thanks Dana!).There are some scary mountains ahead. Wish me well!Tidbits and Observations:T&O Tech Note: I carved up my Garmont Gore-tex boots (the ones I bought in Manchester Center on June 20) on some rocks, sliced the left one open out to the little toe. So I'm back in the Keen Targhee II's again.
Date: 2009-07-15
From: Andover, ME - Pine Ellis Hostel

To: Bemis Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Wed Jul 15, Day 127. The day started early. Up at 0430 hours and to the General Store Diner by 0500 for breakfast. Breakfast at 0500 in the Andover General StoreClick on picture to see full sizeAfter a hearty meal, David shuttled us to the trailhead at East B Hill Road. He gave each of us apples as a special gift.Today will be hard. The climb out of the road was steep but not rocky. From a start of 1,485 feet at the trail head we summited the North Peak of Wyman Mountain (2,920'). Along the way the trail was washed out due to a rock slide. Trail maintenance workers did a detour and it was muddy but passable. We got some good views from Moody Mountain (2,440'). Longshot on Moody Mountain Spokes on Moody Mountain Views from Moody Mountain After Moody, just before South Arm Road, a stream crossing was due. On go the crocs and I wade across in knee deep water. Brrr! Cold!! I have a food break and consume some water before heading back on the trail. Now it's up and over Old Blue (3,600'). It was a hard pull but tolerable. My legs feel like glue today. The three peaks of Bemis Mountain (West - 3,580', East - 3,532', Third - 3,115') were steady and unrelenting. It was breezy and cloudy, the sun came out from time to time, a little bit cold on the mountain peaks. We ran into a lot of Southbounders. The trail conditions are very boggy. When you step off in the wrong place, you can easily sink up past your ankle in the muck. Not good. Lot of moose droppings, but no moose sightings.Bemis Mountain Lean-to was achieved at 1644 hours. At 18.8 miles, today was the longest mileage day since Vermont and I'm super tired. Good golly, my legs really feel it. The new boots I got in Andover did well, I also ordered an extra pair and shipped them to Shaws Lodging in Monson, ME. We're going to try to make another 18 mile day tomorrow in to Rangeley, ME tomorrow. Today is supposed to be the best weather day and then Thursday and Friday it¢s supposed to start raining again. Hopefully we¢ll be well on our way to Rangeley by then.It's an indescribable feeling being in the last state. Almost to Mt. Katahdin, The Greatest Mountain. I can taste it, I can feel it. Tidbits and Observations:T&O Bug Note I: The black flies have not been too bad. I¢ve gotten bit maybe once. Every so often you¢ll see one, so far they really aren¢t a problem. T&O Bug Note II: Mosquitoes haven¢t come out yet. It¢s been so rainy. Give it a couple of days of nice weather and they may start to appear.T&O Bug Note III: The No See Ums are in the air but other than being a nuisance that¢s just part of the game of being on the trail. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-07-16
From: Bemis Mountain Lean-to

To: Rangeley, ME - Gull Pond Lodge
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

Thu Jul 16, Day 128. Left at 0616 hours, plan to get to Rangeley, ME today. Had one big climb up to the Second and First Peaks of the Bemis Range. Views from Bemis Range Click on picture to see full size Once off the range there weren't any more big climbs. Shot one video of Longshot fording Bemis Stream using the "Croc" technique. Along the trail Got to the trail head at ME4 at 1545 hours. We had called the Gull Pond Lodge (where we are staying tonight) and arranged a pick up for the 9 mile drive to the lodge, but they forgot us! Fortunately a nice lady from Boston, along with her kids, who are doing day hikes picked us up and gave us a ride. The Lodge was full, it has a hiker bunk room (and private rooms) in a private home on a lake. Dinner was Tofu Pad Thai at the Thai Blossom Express in Rangeley, a nice evening with a wonderfully eclectic group. The Three Amigos, Lunatic, Chicago Sisters, Moses, Cold Feet, Wizard, and Jason are all here. Missed getting to the Post Office. Not sure about the morning schedule, we'll play it by ear. Inside the Gull Pond Lodge
Date: 2009-07-17
From: Rangeley, ME - Gull Pond Lodge

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Fri Jul 17, Day 129. I slept on the top bunk last night. I don't mind it but this one didn't have a ladder to easily get up and down. Breakfast at the Gull Pond Lodge was spartan at best. An assortment of cereals, pop-tarts, OJ, and coffee. Oh, they did have some bananas. Bob shuttled Castaway, Longshot, and me to the trailhead on ME4 and we were on our way about 0700 hours. The best vistas today were from the summit of Saddleback Mountain (that's SADDLEback), mile 1964.0. To the Northeast we could see Katahdin - 102 miles in the distance. Needless to say, nice clear skies! Here is a composite topo map of what is ahead of me. The red line starts in the lower LH corner on Saddleback Mtn and ends at Mt. Katahdin in the upper RH corner. Of course those 102 air miles translate to 210.7 trail miles. 102 air miles from Saddleback Mtn to Mt. KatahdinClick on picture to see full sizeIf you want an image with more resolution, click here to download a 1Mb image. You can then right click on the image to save it. OR right click on this link and choose "Save Target As" to save the file.It was the first viewing of The Greatest Mountain and I admit it made me stop and take account of just how far I've come. After crossing over Saddleback, we summited The Horn (4,040') and enjoyed more fine views. Views from Saddleback MountainClick on picture to see full size Katahdin can be seen on the far horizon! Fellow hikers atop Saddleback Mountain Spokes Spokes and LongshotLeaving The Horn, the hike up Saddleback Junior (3,655') was a tough little grunt. Moose antlers on the trail We made almost 11 miles (as much as our legs wanted today) to stay in the Poplar Ridge Lean-to tonight. This shelter has a baseball bat floor. Not all that comfortable! In the early years hikers were expected to cut fir boughs to lay down as a mattress. You can't do that anymore but the construction method continues, this six person shelter was built in 1991.My right knee has been hurting over the past couple of days. I'm popping Vitamin I in hopes of mitigating the pain. We'll probably make it to Stratton, ME by Sunday.
Date: 2009-07-18
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Spaulding Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sat Jul 18, Day 130. Hi Folks, We had some excitement at the Poplar Ridge Lean-to last night. A hiker named Cold Feet was coming down Saddleback Mountain Jr. when she stepped down onto a sharp tree branch that punctured her left leg near the shin causing a deep deep wound. She was able to stop the bleeding and then hiked about 2 miles to the shelter. When the adrenalin wore off she could not bear weight on her leg. Not good! I called 911 and requested search and rescue. Three hours later at about 2145 hrs. a team of a dozen rescuers showed up. It began to rain and it took them another three hours to figure out the best way to evacuate her. They decided to take her back UP the mountain. I found out later it took them 4 hours to get her out. She got treated and is now on crutches letting the injury heal. Get well soon Cold Feet!I missed my maildrop at Rangeley, ME but had it forwarded to Caratunk. The hiking has been good. I have had only one day of solid rain and some sprinkles on other days (bring it on!). Longshot and I continue to trudge along.
Date: 2009-07-19
From: Spaulding Mtn Lean-to

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Sun Jul 19, Day 131. We made it into Stratton. ME today and will get re-supplied before heading out tomorrow. It was fun crossing the Carabassett River today, once again the hiking poles came in handy as I used them to steady myself on that shaky board you can see in the video!I can taste Katahdin with every step.Thanks for all the great guestbook entries. If you know someone who might enjoy following along please pass the link on. The more the merrier!
Date: 2009-07-20
From: Stratton, ME

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Mon Jul 20, Day 132. Sweet day of hiking out of Stratton today. The hike up the Bigelows was amazing. Got some video from the West Peak of Bigelow Mountain (4,145') and marveled at the 360 degree view. This is what I've been waiting to see- some views! Staying in the Little Bigelow Lean-to. We are back below 2,000' here, and are quickly walking our way out of the big mountains. Only 2 other NOBO's showed up here tonight. I guess most of the SOBO push is over. I feel really sorry for them since they have had it wet. For most, 22 out of 25 days has been in the rain. I know, I know, it's been wet for me too.
Date: 2009-07-21
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Caratunk, ME - Northern Outdoors Lodge
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: light rain

Tue Jul 21, Day 133. Great views, good weather, and very favorable hiking terrain today into Caratunk, ME. Mileage is cranking up, this is the first 20+ mile day in a while. Hiked by two beautiful bodies of water today, Flagstaff Lake and Pierce Pond.Longshot and I got the canoe ride across the Kennebec River this morning. Several years ago a thru hiker died trying to ford the unpredictable river and ever since a canoe ride ferry has been provided. It's an ATC sanctioned/official ferry and even the canoe has a white blaze painted in the bottom. Nice! Staying in the Northern Outdoors Lodge. We grabbed the last room available. I'm doing laundry and trying to get packed up for our next trail town visit- Monson, which is 37 miles ahead. That will be the start of the Hundred Mile Wilderness, the last 100 miles of the AT. During those last 100 miles there are no services or road crossings. Gotta be prepared!If all goes well, I hope to summit on July 31 or August 1, 2009. Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed for good weather. Can't wait to touch the sign on top of Katahdin!
Date: 2009-07-22
From: Caratunk, ME - Northern Outdoors Lodge

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Wed Jul 22, Day 134. Made it halfway to Monson today. Ended up at the Moxie Bald Lean-to. There is a pond right out in front of the shelter, beautiful setting. We saw moose across the pond, not close enough to get any pictures but majestic nonetheless. We listened to the plaintive sounds of loons all night long (Click here to listen to loon sounds!)The wail sound is what I've been hearing mostly. Haunting!It was so nice, idyllic even...EXCEPT FOR THE PART ABOUT GETTING EATEN ALIVE BY MOSQUITOES!!! Yep, they were thick everywhere in and around the shelter tonight. I slept in long sleeves, long pants, way down in the sleeping bag, and wearing a head net - the kind like beekeepers use that covers your whole head! Longshot even set up his tent inside the shelter to get away from the voracious creatures.
Date: 2009-07-23
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Thu Jul 23, Day 135. Knocked out the 18 miles today in quick order and were standing at ME15 waiting on a shuttle into Monson by 1415 hours. Got into town and are staying at Shaw's Lodging. For NOBOs like us, Monson is the last trail town on the AT! Wooohooo!!114.5 miles to go, the next section of the trail is referred to as The Hundred Mile Wilderness. It passes through some of the most remote feeling mountains and forest traversed by the AT. No services, the trail is only crossed by woods roads and logging roads until we reach the Abol Bridge 100 miles ahead (15.1 left on the AT at that point). We'll go into "blackout mode" for the next 6 or 7 days...very appropriate since we are just three days past the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing.Last Page Note:This journal is updated twice - first from the audio posts, text messages, or phone calls (that happens fairly quickly) and then again when Spokes sends in his paper journals and pictures and video to be uploaded to the site. The second ("full") updates contain lots more detail but take a little longer (OK, a lot longer) - so keep checking back to see previous days that have been updated. It's worth the wait, there are pictures and videos on the pages for each day's hike. Wed 7/15: Just finished adding full updates for July 4-July 9. These were some of Spokes' toughest days. Lots of pictures and videos. Go back and check them out.Thu 7/23: Full updates for June 30-July 3 added, AND uploaded 99 pictures just received. Videos will be added soon!Fri 7/24: Uploaded 15 videos taken July 10-21 . They are in the Video section and on the journal pages. Good stuff![Note from Transcriber (Ron)] - PLEASE: If you have just a minute or two, please sign the Guestbook. Those brief posts mean the world to Spokes, when we hiked with him in late June we saw first hand that it's the first thing he checks as soon as he gets cell coverage (he can read them from his phone). It's easy to do and doesn't take long, so click on the SIGN button on the left side of the screen under Guest Book. If you don't like leaving your real name, substitute something, he'll figure out who you are! Thanks. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-07-24
From: Monson, ME

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: moderate rain

Fri Jul 24, Day 136. Entered the Hundred Mile Wilderness this morning. Have mixed feelings about the remaining 115 miles. I come back to a quote by Charles Lindbergh, I picked it up on the blog that Doug "Boogieman" Dawkins maintained while on his cross-country run last year. He left the Atlantic in Sunset Beach, NC on July 15, 2008 and stepped into the Pacific on December 12, 2008 (Click here for his blog).Within the hour I¢ll land, and strangely enough I¢m in no hurry to have it pass. I haven¢t the slightest desire to sleep. There¢s not an ache in my body. The night is cool and safe. I want to sit quietly in this cockpit and let the realization of my completed flight sink in¢¦ It¢s like struggling up a mountain after a rare flower, and then, when you have it within arm¢s reach, realizing that the satisfaction and happiness lie more in the finding than in the having. Plucking the flower and having it whither are inseparable¢¦ I almost wish Paris were a few more hours away. It seems a shame to land with the night so clear and so much fuel in my tanks.I know how he feels. Wanting to finish the adventure, to get back to friends and family and the comforts of civilization, yet feeling such a strong yearning for this adventure not to end.I am pushed forward by thoughts of Katahdin, such as this thought from Earl Shaffer, the Appalachian Trail's first thru-hiker:The glory of Katahdin lies in its dual beauty: to look at, and to look from.I'll experience that glory in a few days, but there are miles to be enjoyed between here and the Greatest Mountain. I don't know if I'll be able to get any updates out until we reach Abol Bridge. In the meantime...stay tuned!About today's hike:Rained all day today, total of two to three inches. Several river fordings, some knee deep, but I only fell in once! Rocks on trail were slippery, made for treacherous footing. It was a miserable day. Made it to the Cloud Pond Lean-to, but it's full so we are having to tent. Then at 0200 a bunch of kids show up at the shelter - what in the world were they doing hiking at 2am? It's crazy out here!
Date: 2009-07-25
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Carl E. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 16.8

Sat Jul 25, Day 137. No rain today, but feet are tired and sore from the mud and rocks. Got in to the Carl E. Newhall Lean-to, trying to get gear dried out.My spirits are high, the taste of Katahdin is ever closer. You know...the 100 Mile Wilderness was no longer the 100 Mile Wilderness once we passed the sign yesterday morning...the mileage is dropping every day!
Date: 2009-07-26
From: Carl E. Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

Sun Jul 26, Day 138. [Transcriber's Note]: Had a brief telephone conversation with Spokes at 0910 this morning, he had a cell signal atop White Cap Mountain. Here is what could happen this week:Today (Sunday) - 18.9 miles to Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to. This is confirmed, got txt msg at 1524 saying they are inside the shelter, "Showers 2day"Monday - 13.8 miles to White House Landing Wilderness Camp, a private camp with lodging and meals reached by taking the Mahar ToteRoad 0.2 mile to Pemadumcook Lake, then following the lake shoreline south 1.0 mile to boat dock where you give one airhorn blast for the boat to come pick you up and take you across the lake to the camp!Tuesday - 15.8 miles to Rainbow Stream Lean-toWednesday - 15.0 miles to Abol BridgeThursday - 9.9 miles to The Birches, a campground designated for thru-hikers only (12 slots) at the foot of Mt. Katahdin.Friday 7/31 - 5.3 miles (and 4,188' of climbing) to the summit of Mt. Katahdin (5,268')As with previous plans on this trek, it is all subject to change depending on the weather and a bazillion other things that could affect the daily mileage.