morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-19
From: Warren, NH

To: Mizpah Springs Hut
Miles today: 62.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I've been postponing writing because I feel there is simply no way to describe the last week. My hike has changed one thousand per cent, and it's difficult to put into words. The White Mountains have absolutely blown me away (figuratively and literally). I have never seen anything so beautiful nor dangerous, nor difficult. I have found myself surrounded by the most intense thunderstorm I have ever experienced, climbed sheer rock faces in forceful winds, ascended above the clouds, walked ridgelines in the sky, and climbing over 4000 feet has become "normal". Some things I've observed:- the weather can change alarmingly fast. It has gone from sweltering (high 90s) and sunny to stormy with hail and wind gusts approaching the triple digits within hours. It now dictates our schedule, as much climbing is done above treeline and is highly exposed. As I wrote, we are waiting out a storm at the Lake of the Clouds Hut, as continuing onto Washington could be fatal. - there is no more walking. You climb. Straight up, and then straight down, using trees, roots, cracks in the rock, and anything else you can manage to make a hand or foot hold. - hiking has become fun again! In all honesty, the hiking part had started to feel a bit chore-like and even boring at times, but the new challenges have made it feel exciting again, and there's a greater sense of accomplishment after working so very hard and getting to the top. - until I had climbed the first two mountains, I hadn't realized how much I had actually doubted that I could do this. I found myself legitimately surprised at what i had completed! Now I know that I can handle whatever this trail, and hopefully life, can throw at me. It's hard, and sweaty, and I'm sore, but successful. - i parted ways with my crew, which was hard to do, but they had a projected schedule that I knew would be difficult to maintain. I wanted to truly enjoy this section and take my time, as I have no deadline. Plus, I'll have another 800 miles to do after Katahdin, and it wouldn't be wise to kill myself at this stage in the game. And while I miss them, ultimately I'm glad- this section has been such an incredible challenge and joy that I would hate to rush through it.
Date: 2013-07-20
From: Mizpah Springs Hut

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 5.0

Since I can't stop gushing over these amazing White Mountains, let me try to explain some more what has been going on out here. For starters, they had been built up to be terrifying. In many ways, they are. But as they say, with great risk comes great reward. One of the ways I've seen this come true is in the views. Until you've seen miles and miles of pristine wilderness from a perch nearly a mile high, you don't realize that it's worth climbing up precarious cliffs for hours to see. But it is. A hundred times over. Another way is the hut system. There are very little options for camping through the whites, and since it's about a week from Lincoln to Gorham, there's no way to resupply. However, the AMC huts allow thru hikers to sleep on the floor and eat leftovers for free in exchange for work. This could potentially allow you to carry less food through the mountains. But they only allow a few hikers per night, so it's an enviable gig. I took a gamble and only packed 4 days of food for what should be a weeks worth of hiking. However, the risk has payed of as I've been able to score a few nights of work for stay and enjoyed plentiful delicious dinners in exchange for sweeping floors and doing dishes. As I write, storms with hail and wind gusts nearly 100mph prevented us from summitting Mt Washington today, so we are safe and dry and well fed at the Lakes of the Clouds Hut, until we can go over tomorrow. Again, a gamble, but totally payed off! I also experienced my most frightening fall yet yesterday. In all honesty I fall at least once a day, sometimes more. Not sure why, sometimes it's funny and sometimes it's painful. This time it was neither. I was uninjured, but scared. Recently there have been a lot of smooth Sheetrock that slants upwards at varying degrees. I have found that with a few handholds on roots or trees, or a toehold in a crack or cleave in the rock it is possible to climb up them carefully, even when wet. I was going up one such rock, perhaps 6ft high, when about 3/4 of the way up I paused to search for my next step. While I was figuring out where to go, I felt my back foot start to slip. I tried to lunge upwards to put my weight on my front foot when that one slipped as well. I fell on my side and slid back down the rock, trying to grab at anything I could to stop. Fortunately I hit a tree at the bottom, which was the only thing between that rock and a sheer drop off. With my momentum, had I missed the tree I undoubtedly would have continued over and off the ledge. I only slid perhaps 4.5 feet or so, but at a steep slant and with a ledge at the bottom I was fairly shaken, but miraculously unhurt. I was very grateful for such an outcome and thanked God for my safety. Needless to say, since then i slow down a bit when I get to such rocks
Date: 2013-08-06
From: Safford Notch

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After completing our final 4500+ footer (except for Katahdin), we don't have any climbs over three thousand feet for next 160 miles! With the 2000 mile mark under the belt, the big mountain literally in sight, and relatively easier terrain, it's like someone flipped a switch; big mile days and motivation have returned! Following the Bigelows we churned out two 20+ milers, feeling good. Tuesday was fairly utilitarian, the goal to cover the ground and get where we were going. Yesterday however was simply amazing: with an early start, I quickly covered the 7 miles to the Kennebec river with the famous Ferryman. Being down river from a dam, the water levels can change drastically and quickly, making it unsafe to ford on foot. Hence a canoe ferry service! After signing my life away via a safety waiver, the Ferryman paddled Breitside and myself safely across the river in a canoe. We caught a ride into Caratunk and enjoyed some pizza and ice cream in the company of our entire 8 member flock. A few of us went back to the trail and walked another 7 miles to Pleasant Pond where we spent 2 hours swimming and basking in the warm, rare sunshine. Finishing up the last 9 miles to the shelter was a breeze, with a few small climbs and the cool evening air.As with all good things, it had to come to an end, as the thunderstorms rolled in through the night. Foxi and I set out to climb over Moxie Bald, which, as the name infers, consists of a bald rocky summit. As is my luck, the lightening and thunder was raging around us, and I chose to follow the summit bypass trail in hopes of safer passage. This has been my only true, deliberate "blue-blaze" (following an alternate trail instead of the AT, which are typically marked with blue blazes instead of the iconic white), but after the Saddleback debacle, i chose to air on the side of caution. On the other side of the mountain we found wild blueberries and ate as many as we could possibly find. Today held another river fording, this time without a canoe. We've had several rivers lately that require crossing, but without bridges or stepping stones. Therefore, you simply have to wade through. Some people take off their shoes, or wear crocs to cross, but thats really not very safe. Plus, in all honesty, my shoes are nearly always soaking wet anyway, so i don't see the point in trying to avoid it. So across the Piscataquis we wade! Twice. We ended up cutting the day moderately short as it rained fairly heavily for most of it and we knew we could cover the miles to Monson quickly tomorrow! We managed to build a fire and spent the evening roasting our wet socks and sneakers over the fire to dry them. The smell was atrocious, but the outcome was dry footwear, some melted soles, and an especially crispy pair of socks.
Date: 2013-08-10
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 34.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Nothing motivates me to rise early and walk quickly like town day. However, as we packed up at 5 am, the torrential rains began again and continued for the 3 hour 9 mile sprint to Monson. Drenched and freezing, we arrived at the road crossing and were picked up by our gracious host for the night, Rebekah. She runs the Lakeshore House where we were staying that evening. Monson is the last town on the AT, and therefore the last chance for the showers, beds, a roof, and real food, so we took great advantage of it! With a pub downstairs for eating, a hostel upstairs for sleeping, and a lake out back for swimming, I had found my paradise. After cleaning up and drying off, we spent the day watching movies and rain as it fell outside, reveling in the fact that we were not out in it. The rest of our gang arrived the following morning and we enjoyed the day with kayaking, swimming, and relaxing. However by the time Monday rolled around I was ready and eager to get back on the trail. Monson also marks the southern end of the 100 mile wilderness, the final stretch of trail leading to Katahdin without any road crossings, towns, or points of resupply. Energy was high among the troops as we set out to tackle the wilderness and the remaining mileage dipped down into the double digits. This was it! There were only two mountains early on and the reminder of the elevation profile appeared fairly flat. While it was indeed flat, it was also an obstacle course of rocks and roots. The intense root systems made the trail appear like a bowl of spaghetti, though they were much less forgiving on the feet than the pasta would have been. Nonetheless, we covered ground quickly, as neither the rainfall not sore feet could dampen our spirits. We were almost there!
Date: 2013-10-14
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 34.3

Today I am thankful to have such positive people around me. Yesterday morning we got up early and booked it the 14 miles into Damascus, arriving by 11 am. This allowed ample time for acquiring the aforementioned and eagerly anticipated sweet potato fries, doing laundry, grocery shopping, and general loafing about town. We were thrilled to run into some friends who had arrived the previous day- Red Tail and a couple, Terducken & Sprout. We had all been traveling separately but knew each other from passing on the trail. It was exciting to catch up and socialize with the others. We all went out to dinner at the Blue Blaze Cafe where the conversation and laughter flowed late into the night. Everyone was excited to relay home to family that there were other hikers around. ("mom there are FIVE sobos here!") Perhaps it is that the northbound section of my hike was more challenging because of the weather, but this section has been simply delightful in so many ways. At dinner everyone expressed the sentiment that they have just been so thoroughly enjoying themselves and that there were few or no parts that they disliked. The other night as we were laying in the shelter, Houston turned to me and said "you know, this is just so cool, what we're doing.." and he's right. That thought has stuck with me and crosses my mind frequently- this is just so cool...Today we arrived in Tennessee!! After a long leisurely morning eating breakfast and relaxing at a coffee shop, we departed town around 12:30 and crossed the TN border about an hour later. After high fives and a 5 minute border party, we were so pumped that we ended up going to the shelter 18 miles away and making it before sunset. The shelter was full of mice and two somewhat uncertain characters so we went a bit further to tent camp on our own. Here's to being in a new state for the first time in over 350 miles, and doing something really cool!
Date: 2013-10-18
From: Kincora Hiking Hostel

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 33.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I am thankful for the many colors of fall. Despite yesterday's rain, the last few days have been a splendid display of the transition to fall. We had a relatively easy week planned of days in the high teens (mileage wise), although two of those days include climbing up and over Roan Mtn, the first ascent above 6000 feet since Mt Washington. We left Kincora yesterday morning in a light drizzle that picked up to a steady rain before tapering off around 4. I moved slower than usual with a pain that seemed to come from nowhere. I remember having similar soreness when I was running a lot, but never to the degree where it detracted from my abilities. It was frustrating but I accepted that I would just walk slower and take more breaks. We enjoyed the company of Terducken and Sprout at the shelter again last night and slept well.Today was cool and brisk as we climbed for the majority of the day. The first two hours were quite painful, but it seemed to let up a bit for during the afternoon. I reached the first peak of the Roan Highlands and was in awe of the view. The gassy balds were reminiscent of the mountaintops in New England, except less rocky. we went slowly the last 4 miles to a renovated barn that serves as a shelter. It is freezing already, and we're anticipating a chilly night. Here's to stunning views and watching fall fall!
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Hurd Brook Lean To

To: Rainbow Stream Lean To
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm not sure what time I woke up, but it was early. The sun was just hitting the tops of the trees. I ate a quick breakfast, packed up, and hit the trail. The climb up to Rainbow Ledges was less difficult than I thought it would be. I stopped at the first one and took some time applying moleskin to my feet and duck tape to my hips, where the hip belt was rubbing. Sitting here in the shelter now, the right one is still on, but the left one broke while I was putting it on. Now my pants have some sticky on them. Also, pulling off duck tape is very painful.A lot of the trail today was along various lakes, and I got some nice views of them through the trees. Also, mud. There was quite a bit of mud on the trail. If my shoes hadn't been tied, one would probably have gotten lost.I got to the shelter around 1:30. Giardia was there, and I met Wooly, Skunky, and Xena, and their dog Sugaree. The poor dog looked pooped, but they were pushing on a few more miles. I think I'll run into them again, I feel like I'm a faster hiker. An uncle-nephew group showed up shortly after. (Kenny and RJ) They're hiking the 100-mile wilderness. I'm wondering when Richard and Cheech & Chong (the guys from the shelter last night) will get here. The uncle/nephew were a lot of fun to talk to. Kenny knows his stuff, and plans to thru hike when he retires. I hope I run into them again. As I sit here this evening, Rainbow Stream shelter is growing on me more and more. The river is just in front of the shelter, and the whole scene is gorgeous. It will be hard to find another shelter or campsite this nice again.Today is the longest day of the year, so I have no idea what time it is now. I figure I'll go to bed when I'm too tired to stay up anymore. It was also hike naked day, but I didn't participate. My legs hurt less than yesterday, but my knees hurt now. Maybe the pain will work down to my feet and then be gone. I wish. I've run out of things to say, so I'm going to go to read somewhere comfortable then go to sleep.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Antlers Campground

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean To
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: clear sky

I woke up to a red sky, and knew it was going to rain. I thought about getting up then, but decided it wouldn't start until later. I was wrong. I packed up and sat under my tarp to see if it would pass. After a while I decided to just pack up and head for the next shelter. It rained the first four miles to Jo-Mary Road, then the trees dripped on me for the next four miles. The rain was nice- it kept away the mosquitoes and got me and my clothes a much needed shower. Here at the shelter I hung everything up to dry and washed out my socks. It is amazing how much mud a pair of socks can hold.Today was a short day, but it sets me up to go over the higher peaks over the next few days. I'm looking forward to more views and fewer mosquitoes.I may be in luck. A couple of NOBOs stopped by for lunch and said that the next shelter is virtually bug free. This is probably the best news I have received in a while. It means that next time I hike in the rain I won't get a DEET-sunscreen-sweat mixture dripping in my eyes (it stings) or on my lips (numb) or in my mouth (tastes terrible).PS: Next time you see me, ask me about Rope and his wife.
Date: 2013-07-03
From: West Carry Pond Lean To

To: Safford Notch Campsite
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: moderate rain

I woke up, and not surprisingly, was the first one out this morning. I think I need to do something better for breakfast, because a bagel or a package of poptarts does not keep me full for long.The first 5 miles where pretty easy, just a few small bumps. After a very short roadwalk, I started climbing in the Bigelows. It was steeper, but not too bad to Little Bigelow Leanto. I stopped there to refill my water and have a stack. Thus fueled I basically ran up to the summit of Little Bigelow, passing a few people on the way. I mis-remembered the guide, and thought I had to go to the end of the ridge to get to the summit, but it was actually half way across. So I missed the summit of Little Bigelow. I did, however, stay for quite a while at the viewpoint where I thought the summit was. There was an awesome view of what I get to climb tomorrow. It was a quick descent to this notch where I am set up for the night. I'm expecting Richard, Bartender, Goatman, Jubilee, and Phoenix to get here eventually. They all were at the shelter last night, but arrived after I had finished writing- the problem with doing this in the middle of the day. It was fun to finally meet some new SOBOs. Bartender had a ukulele and was showing me how to play it. I think I should get a guitar and learn to play it when I get off the trail. It seems like it would be a good skill to have, though I don't know where I would ever need to use it.The sun can't decide if it wants to stay out. I hope it does so my socks will dry. All of my toes suddenly became hot spots today while I was on the side trail to the campsite here. I washed my feet in the stream. (It was a little overdue)
Date: 2013-07-04
From: Safford Notch Campsite

To: ME 27
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

I woke up very early, as it was just getting light. I went to pee and crawled back in my bag. After a while I decided to get up and get going. My shadow was very long as I climbed up Avery Peak. I didn't realize it was named after Myron Avery who was one of the driving forces behind the trail. When I got to the top the sun was trying to peek through, but there were too many clouds. I climbed down to the col, then back up to West Peak. Still no view. It was quite windy at the summit- not enough to blow me over but close.This was followed by a nice ridgewalk, in the trees, to the Horn. Still no view, but there were a bunch of trees so a view was less likely. The descent to Horns Pond was very steep, but the campsite was really nice. I should have stayed there. There was then a long, steep down to the road.I walked about a half mile down the road and started to try to hitch. A car from Maryland went by, then a minute later I saw it going the other way. It turned around and a lady offered me a ride. She said she stopped because she had run over some animal earlier, and felt bad. It turns out she was on her way to Now Brunswick and Quebec to visit family. She let me off at the gas station and I walked over to the Stratton Motel. I have a bunk, and did a resupply across the street. I'm thinking I'll get a pizza and some beer for dinner. I also still need to take a shower. It's five bucks to do laundry, so I'll pass on that. Once the owner goes home I can use the computer to update the blog. I don't want people to think I'm dead.For lunch I downed a pint of Ben & Jerry's. I've never eaten so much ice cream so fast. It took me about 15 minutes to finish it, and now 2 hours later I'm getting hungry again. Hiker Hunger is here in full force. I think I'm going to start eating 2 sandwiches during the day, and try to have a bigger breakfast. Maybe I should bring and drink more alcohol. The TV/VCR is broken, and despite my EE degree I couldn't fix it. Not that I really wanted to watch any movies.There are a lot of people here today who are all planning to get back on the trail tomorrow morning. I'll have to wake up early or hike fast if I want a spot at the shelter. Last night the 5 people didn't show up to the campsite. My guess is they got sidetracked swimming in "The Tubs" at Little Bigelow Shelter. Now I'm probably a full day ahead of them.
Date: 2013-07-05
From: ME 27

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean To
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up early and lay in bed for a while. I finally decided to get up and bring by stuff downstairs to cram it back in my bag. I was ready to go at 7, but I couldn't get a hitch to the trailhead. I sat around the hostel until 8, then was able to get a ride there. I was on the trail by 8:15. It was a long but not bad climb up to North Crocker. I took a picture then headed to South Crocker, which has a view, to take a break. Sitting there eating my delicious peanut butter and honey sandwich I decided to push to the shelter.It was very steep down to the Carrabasset River. Lucky for e the water was low enough I didn't need to get my boots wet. It was then an extremely steep climb up Sugarloaf. The trail doesn't go over the summit, but there is a nice ridgewalk along the back. I passed the 200 mile mark at a plaque that commemorates the completion of the trail. back in the 1930's. From there it was a quick up to Spaulding Mountain, then about a mile down to the shelter here. Shutterbug, Blue Sky, and a section hiker Pundit were here already. Its strange not being the first one to the shelter and getting my pick of spots. I don't think that the others that were in Stratton yesterday will get here.I did the math, and I climbed 5000 vertical feet in 13.5 miles. This felt like the hardest day. It took me 8 hours to do all this. My feet hurt. There is a fire going, but the wind is blowing the smoke the wrong way to keep the bugs away.It's a bit later, and it is a party here. A guy, Lost, with the Wounded Warriors and another guy showed up. Then a bunch of the Stratton people arrived, and then Bartender. Lost is a character.
Date: 2013-07-06
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean To

To: Poplar Ridge Lean To
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: moderate rain

I woke up and was the first one out this morning. Blue Sky and Shutterbug had said Mt. Abraham was nice and had good views, so I decided to go the extra 3.4 miles (1.7 each way) to the top. It's also a Maine 4000 footer. That's number 7 so far this trip. When I got to the summit, however, it was socked in and very windy. I sat behind a small stone wall and had a granola bar, then headed back to the AT. Even with eth extra excursion I was still the first one to the shelter. From the shelter it was flat then down to a river, which I had to ford. It was then an extremely steep climb to Poplar Ridge. The shelter here has a baseball bat floor. There is also an information packet left by the maintainer. It was an interesting and informative read. Apparently he has been maintaining this section/shelter since 1956, and helped reroute the trail in the 70's and 80's.A group of teenage girls just showed up, so the quiet is gone. The NOBO section hiker said they are well behaved. They just walked by, and all had matching bright orange rain covers. It was fun to watch. Tomorrow I'm doing 9 miles over Saddleback and the Horn. It will then be quick to get to the road to resupply and get lunch in Rangeley. Hopefully the library will be open so I can add more Journal entries to the blog.