morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-08
From: South Arm Road

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning was warm and humid and looked to be a hot day. The day began with a very steep climb up Old Blue Mountain. There were iron bars driven into rock ledges at several places. These steps provided aids that were key in getting up and over steeply sloping smooth rock ledges. We gained a total of 2,200' from our campsite to the top of Old Blue Mtn, most of which was in the first mile of trail.From the top of Old Blue we began a 10 mile walk across the ridgeline of Bemis Mt and its five peaks. All the peaks were below tree line and less than 3,500' but there were nice views on a regular basis from open ledges and rocky areas along the ridgeline. There were lots of fresh moose tracks along this section of trail. At several places their tracks were over top of hiker tracks and fresh mud was slung up on rocks. At every turn of the trail I expected to see a moose walking up the trail but saw none all day.We all gathered at Bemis Mtn Lean-to for lunch; me, JB, Iceman, Popeye and Lightweight. The spring was dry and most of us were out of water but we had no choice but continue on. It had indeed turned out to be a hot and humid day and we were all going thru a lot more water than the past few weeks.After a brief lunch break we all headed back up the trail and over the last peak of Bemis Mtn. We finally found a sluggish spring about one third of a mile short of Bemis Stream and filled our water containers. None of us wanted to take water from this spring but we also didn't trust Bemis Stream to be much better so we filled up and treated it well. Bemis Stream was very low but looked good when we crossed it but we were OK for water now so no one stopped.We had thought about stopping and camping at Bemis Stream but because it was only 3.30 PM we decided to continue on another 4.5 miles to Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to. The next mile from the stream ford up to ME 17 was almost as steep as the climb up Old Blue Mtn earlier in the day. It took nearly an hour. Once across the road the terrain became much more gentle and we made better time.As we passed Long Pond I heard common loons calling from out on the water. This was my first time hearing loons on the trip! In another hour we arrived at Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to.Two other hikers were already there. They were NOBO thru-hikers who had made it to Duncannon, PA then flipped up to climb Mt Katahdin and were now SOBO back to Duncannon. I had not met either of them since they were behind me the whole time.Another SOBO we had passed earlier in the day had told us the weather forecast was for 50% chance of rain tonight and 100% chance tomorrow. Based on this I decided not to tent as I usually did but to sleep in the shelter so I could keep my tent dry. With 7 in the shelter things were tight, but at least my gear would stay dry.
Date: 2007-09-09
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I didn't sleep well in the shelter last night, crammed in tight next to several other snoring stinky hikers. I woke about 3 AM to hear at least 3 loons calling fron the lake. They kept calling for several minutes before quieting and I went back to sleep.The morning dawned clear with no sign of rain. I should have slept in my tent. JB, Iceman and I hit the trail about 7.30 AM, hoping to make the Rangeley road crossing by noon. This next 10 miles to the ME 4 road crossing was around two more large ponds and across relatively gentle terrain.Most of the forest along this section looked like it had been clearcut about 20 years ago and was a dense tangle of small balsam fir saplings and pole sized birch overhead.This area appeared to be very good moose habitat and their fresh tracks were everywhere. Again I saw a number of areas where moose tracks were over top of hiker tracks in the mud and wet mud was tossed up on rocks and wood planks. But again, by the end of the day I had not seen any moose.By 9.30 I had covered nearly 5 miles over relatively gentle terrain and decent footing. By 11.30 AM I had reached the ME 4 crossing. JB and I hitched into Rangeley and had lunch at a local pub where Speaks Little joined us. After lunch we called Bob at Gull Pond Lodge and he picked us up and brought us back to the hostel. Popeye and Lightweight were there along with Splendora, Philmont and Mojo. By the time we arrived it was raining hard and continued to do so most of the afternoon.At the hostel we did laundry and figured out what we would need for the next few days to Stratton. Bob then took us into town where we shopped for supplies and had dinner before returning to the hostel to repack for an early departure the next morning. It turned out to be a fairly busy day at the hostel an a very wet day outside - the perfect afternoon to be at a hostel instead of walking in the woods!
Date: 2007-09-11
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Sugarloaf Mtn Warming Hut
Miles today: 10.9

Today was a tough day of walking on a painful ankle. The bright side was that Popeye and Speaks Little took some more of my gear for me and carried it to the Sugarloaf warming hut where I plan to stay tonight. JB is still carrying my tent and both food bags so my pack is much lighter and hiking is much easier than it would have been with a full pack.The day went slowly and with difficulty. I didn't really see much, just kept my head down on the trail and tried not to fall on anything else or do any more damage to myself. It was a steep and rocky downhill to the Orbeton Stream crossing. The ford here turned out to be a rock hop that I managed slowly but without too much trouble. This was followed by a very steep climb up to Lone Mountain. The first mile was much steeper and more challenging than the climb up Mahoosuc Arm. It was tough, made more so by the rain and wet slick trail.The 3 miles to Spaulding Mt Lean-to seemed to take forever. After a quick break JB and I continued on towards Sugarloaf. The weather closed in and it began raining again by the time we got to the Sugarloaf side trail. The warming hut is 0.6 miles off the trail up a steep and rocky trail that was running ankle deep in water in most places. The higher we climbed the stronger the wind got. By the time JB and I broke out of the trees at the top of the peak the fog was too thick to see any of the buildings. Rain was going sideways, visibility was less than 15 yards, and the wind was blowing 50 mph constant and gusting much higher. We finally found the warming hut and got inside to join Speaks Little. Inside it was about 45 and felt much warmer than that. The wind sounded like a freight train all night. I wondered if this was what it sounded like in the LA superdome during Hurricane Katrina. Needless to say I didn't sleep well due to the howling winds.
Date: 2007-09-13
From: Stratton, ME

To: Avery Campsite
Miles today: 8.0

JB and I spent the morning in town doing laundry, shopping for supplies, at the post office picking up and re-mailing boxes, repacking ou gear and making phone calls. We finally hitched a ride back to the trailhead about 12.30, much later than we had hoped to be making it out of town.The afternoon was clear and cool with light winds, perfect hiking weather. It was going to be an uphill day, which was just fine with me. I have an easier time finding flat placement for my right foot and ankle going uphill so I make much better time. We gained about 2,200' in the first 4 miles climbing into the famous Bigelow Mountain range. This range is renouned for being remote and rugged with excellent views from its alpine peaks.At the Horns Pond Lean-tos we met the caretaker and 2 ridgerunners and talked for a while. But, it was about 4 pm and we needed to keep going to make Avery Campsite before dark. The climb up South Horn peak was steep and rugged but the view north to West Peak was excellent. I slipped and fell twice on slick steep trail but no damage done, just tweaked my right ankle a bit kept it soe much of the rest of the afternoon.The final climb up West Peak was steep and long but when we broke out above timberline the views were exceptional. Nearby Flagstaff Lake was directly below, along with dozens of other smaller lakes. This part of ME is truly lake country with water everywhere. I recognized the view north to the fire tower on Avery Peak from photos I had seen on Trail Journals. The late evening light just before sunset made the views much more dramatic. However, it was cold. It was 44 degrees with a 6 mph wind and we were both in shorts and T-shirt so we didn't stay long. Besides, we wanted to make the steep descent down to the campsite in Bigelow Col before dark. Fortunately we arrived about 6.45 and didn't need our headlamps to walk or set up our tents. It looks to be a cold and clear night camped at 3,800' just below timberline. Tired as we are from the stiff climb all afternoon, we are both glad to be out of town and heading north on the Trail in fine fall hiking weather.
Date: 2007-09-20
From: Monson, ME

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: few clouds

I got up about 6.00 AM and had another wonderful Shaws breakfast with Flying Turtle, Backyard Boogie, Tony Tiger and Iceman. Dawn brought us to the trailhead and I was on the trail by 9.15 AM. I hated to leave Shaws' famous hospitality and the extra day off not carrying a loaded pack seemed to do me a lot of good. My ankle felt much better and I felt more rested than I had in the past few weeks. Nice as Shaws was, I was ready to get back to the woods and tackle the 100-mile wilderness.The trail was a series of gently rolling forested hills and ridges. It past close to several small ponds and I looked carefully for moose at each one but never saw any animals.Little Wilson Falls is supposed to be the highest waterfall on the AT, about 60'. The stream was pretty low and the volume of water going over the falls was really just a trickle. It is a very deep canyon of dark, almost black rock, making it hard to see the falls in the shady canyon. I ate lunch at the falls with He-Man and She-Ha, Stitch and Figgy, and Safari 26. I discovered much to my dismay that I had managed to leave my cream cheese back in my room at Shaws so I'll be eating dry bagels for the next week thru the 100-mile wilderness.After climbing up and over another low ridge the trail dropped down to the ford at Big Wilson Stream. It was cold water but not too deep, barely up to my knees, and was an easy wade across. The ford at Little Wilson Stream was even easier. The water was so low that I was able to jump from rock to rock without taking my boots off. I stopped briefly at the Wilson Valley Lean-to for water and to sign the register then headed on up and over the ridgeline behind the shelter. It was 4.00 PM and I hoped to make the next lean-to about 5 miles away before dark. The trail was pretty rocky and rooty along the way, though not too steep or too tough. It was just slow going picking my way around roots and rocks and over the old slippery bog bridges. The ford at Long Pond Stream also turned out to be an easy rock hop but it was getting late and beginning to get dark, making for slower gong than it would have been in midday.About a half mile from the shelter a sign in the trail said the spring at the shelter was dry and to get water from the stream at the bottom of the narrow canyon beside the trail. I scrambled down to the creek and pumped up 4 liters of water. By the time I got back up to my pack it was getting dark and hard to see. The final hike up to the shelter carrying my full water bag went slowly as I picked my way up the steep rock steps in the failing light. At the shelter I got my tent set up, more by feel than by sight, and found my headlamp in time to cook dinner.Tomorrow I'll begin the climb up along the Barren-Chairback Range. It is supposed to be a rugged and remote mountain range with beautiful views of the surrouding Maine wilderness. The weather today was warm and clear and I hope it holds for tomorrow's scenic hike.
Date: 2007-09-28
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained much of the morning and I was glad I had made the decision last night not to try to climb Katahdin today. I spent the day with Mom and Dad doing a little sight seeing and waiting for Brenda to get in to town. It was generally a dreary day and I was glad to just be waiting for better weather in Millinocket instead of sitting in a wet tent in the woods trying to stay dry.
Date: 2007-09-29
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The winds continued howling last night and most of the day today. I had decided last night not to climb Katahdin today but to wait until Sunday when the mt was forcast to be clear with light winds. Baxter Peak was visible over the lake behind our cabin off and on during the day as clouds came and went from the summit of Mt Katahdin. It would have been an interesting windy day on the mountain with clouds whipping by at high speed, but tomorrow is forecast to be calm winds and clear skies - an ideal day to finish my hike - so I will wait for tomorrow.Today was spent with Brenda, Mom and Dad touring around the area and walking a little on the AT above Abol Bridge. We also drove a ways up the Penobscot River and watched some rafters running a fierce cascade chute; some rafts made it thru upright and some didn't. It looked like a pretty cold day to be swimming in a river! There were also a few fly fishermen below the cascade working the pools for big brookies and salmon. It was a blustery and cool but pleasant day to walk in the woods. Days like today make autumn my favorite time of year to be out in the forest and colorful foliage.
Date: 2007-10-08
To: Post #1
Miles today: 0.0

By dark on September 30, my long awaited, long planned, and long enjoyed trip up the AT was over. I had said my final goodbye's and good luck's to about a dozen happy thru-hikers, especially Kilgore Trout. Kilgore's mother had met him at the Katahdin Stream trailhead with congratulations balloons and the look of a very proud mother. I enjoyed just watching them together. I was impressed too, given what I knew about Kilgore's injuries, persistence and ultimate success. He was a great guy whose company I enjoyed and attitude I respected, and I was very happy for his success and obvous pride in his accomplishment.I spent the next five days with Brenda poking around the Maine coast and walking some trails in Acadia National Park. We enjoyed some of the best coastline scenery that Maine has to offer, as well as nearly nightly doses of some of the best lobster that Maine has to offer.While walking a shoreline trail along an inland lake in Acadia National Park Brenda and I passed a couple hiking the opposite direction. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be Birdman and his girlfriend! I hadn't seen Birdman since somewhere in northern PA, and here he was back in his native Maine enjoying the company of his close friends. It was great to see him and hear that he was close to completing his hike too.All too soon, it was time for me to head home too and return to the life of a government slug - protecting the land and serving the people. I'm certain now that I could not have just jumped back into work a day or two after completing the AT. There would have been way too much culture shock. The few days I spent with my parents before and after climbing Katahdin, and with Brenda on the coast of Maine was a much needed wind-down from 6-months of life on the Trail.Now, it's time to get back to work - back to the life I left at home these past 6 months. A 30-year dream had been realized when I walked back down the Hunt Trail. Now, it is time to get back to life and the wildlife of the San Juan Public Lands.
Date: 2008-02-10
To: Post #2
Miles today: 0.0

After returning home to Colorado I waited about 6 weeks before going to see a doctor about my ankle. I wanted to see if it would heal and return to normal on its own. Unfortunately, it seemed to plateau at between 3/2 and 3/4 strength. clearly I needed to have it looked at. Within the next few weeks I saw my GP, who then referred me to an orthopedic surgeon.It turns out that I had fractured my ankle somewhere during my AT trip, the Doctor's best guess was on Day 4 in Georgia. It seems that I may have hiked the entire AT with a bone chip floating around in my ankle. If it had really happened in GA in early April, then clearly 2-Wheel's assistance that day on Big Cedar Mt helped me stay focussed on my trip and stay on the trail.On the other hand, I clearly remember lying face down on a wet rock slab near the summit of Saddleback Mt in ME in early September telling JB that I thought I had just broken my ankle. It sounded rather dramatic at the time but in retrospect, maybe I was right. If that was when the fracture had happened, the assistance that JB, Popeye, and Speaks Little provided over the next 3 days certainly made the difference in helping me finish my hike.So, now I have 2 screws and some other hardware in my ankle and am clunking around the house on crutches. But, the doctors tell me that I should expect a full recovery within 3 to 6 months, just in time for this summer's backpack fly fishing season! Some folks have asked me whether the trip was worth it - YOU BET! I'm just amazed what medicine can do today, and what is considered relatively common practice. Surgery is a new experience for me, but I guess that it is part of the daily string of experiences and surprises that was my thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail!
Date: 2007-05-10
To: Amicalola State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

John did call me and said he couldn't take me because of unexpected meeting at work. I was heart broken. However, he called back and said he could take me later tonight. I was so excited. Still needed more time to get things together. Met John @ his house around 4:30pm and took off for GA. We got there to late for me to hike in to Springer Mtn. We didn't find the road to Springer anyway. I was so pumped up I couldn't sleep much in the shelter Which I had to myself and some clothes that someone wisely left behind......cotton kills in the woods...The Edge. After some time off in nowhere land, I came back to update these journals...oops! Check out my fanpage on facebook....: trip of a lifetime photos.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Hawk mtn Shelter

To: Gootch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.6

I forgot about not updating my journals....I have been off and on the trail in the past three years. I will post the updates from my notes and additional hikes I have done on the AT....sorry about leaving this hanging...I am updating the info on my pics...check them out....I have a facebook page...Martin Hunley with most of the pics on it.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Tray Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was such a hot day. We ended up at the Tray shelter with knowone there to greet us.... We had the perfect place to set up our tents and have the greatest view of the valley while we ate our dinner. I was so happy to be here....
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Ten-Mile Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I have included 3 miles extra from what the trail companion gives for mileage between shelters due to the fact I went out the blue trail ( Herrick ) to the overlook of the Housatonic River and to Mary's overlook(?). What a great day to be in the woods. When I arrive at the shelter there is a book, sleeping bag, shoes and underwear hanging with knowone in site. I set up my hammock and get water from an old well-pump which is cool. It made me think of when i was a child in TN when we would visit my great grandfather he had a similiar well-pump and an outhouse. While I was pumping water I saw movement up in the woods.... It took me a while to see what it was...a few minutes it looked like a cow. Then I could tell that it was an old goat. Where did it come from? After an 1/2 hour a family through by the shelter and I smiled and told them about the goat. Well, the women told me she had met a women earlier that was giving them some history of the area and she mentioned there was a goat around she fed that escaped a farm five years ago....I was like, what. Yep, 5 years living in the wild..... Cool.more to come.....
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Route 55

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

I ended up doing these miles in one day. I wish I had made a plan to do this that way in the first place. I would have left the 24lbs on my back at the house. Oh, well, good training right? That is what my drill sergeants use to say.....It was a great start of a day. The sun was ou,t and my girlfriend was dropping me off at the trailhead. She is so good to me. She was taking her son Travis to get some clothes with his girlfriend in Danbury, CT, and gave me the option to come back home later that day. Well, I was planning on going for a few days south. ...... More later. I met these these three guys on the trail and ended up finding two of their journals on http://www.trailjournals.comthis is what I wrote on there guest book. Dave BrannanJBBeen on the trail for three months. High spirits about 40 days to go.Comments: Hey Dave,it has been such an adventure to read your and JB's journals. I met you guys on the trail last weekend in NY. You had just left the shelter and heading towards Route55 and Nuclear lake. Your excited attitudes about being there was to say the least....awesome. It made me wish I had my trail legs and maybe 20 years younger. I would have  continued with you northbound. I believe I spoke to JB first, not sure. You guys are pretty tough to have done what you have so far..... Making it through the smokies like this winter. Tough and hard headed...probably. I wish you guys the best.  I would have liked to have got you guys a beer or two even if you guys are from GA....lol. I am from Knoxville...a little UT fan....go vols. I am not a die hard fan. I was around UT when Manning was there. Anyway, I guess by the time you read this you guys will be a few hundred miles from route 55. Stay safe.
Date: 2010-05-22
From: Rt 341 Kent, CT

To: Hollow Brook Shelter and campsite
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

AT-backpacking. Came from Conn 341 heading northbound. The climb up Glacier Rock was steep and beautiful. Donna did well. She came across a snake. She did ok with that as well after she came running back towards me and a few feet behind me. Ledge was cool to see down at the town of Kent with be better late Fall or early spring. The ledges was fun and challenging. I wouldn't want to do this in rainy or snowy weather.  Donna felt proud of herself at the bottom and rightly so. I took my time so it was better for my enjoyment. During bad weather, you would have to be very careful or take road route around. We met several people near the campsite and shelter on the trail with bicycles. Not good. I will add more later.
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Steward Hollow Brook Shelter and campsite

To: Conn 4/7
Miles today: 4.7

I will add notes later. I have posted a lot of pictures. Please check them out if you have a few minutes. Just click on Photos on the left and you can see all the pics I have posted. I still have a lot to post from my 2007 section hike. I hope all is well.... Sign My guest book and leave a few thoughts....
Date: 2007-02-28
To: Canada
Miles today: 0.0

4 minutes in CanadaToday I left camp at 8:15 and drove into Vermont then North to the Canadian border. I have to change from my work visa that only allows me to stay in the country for 2 more weeks to a tourist visa that lets me stay till September. I drove across the US/Canadian border into Quebec snapped a quick photograph and then headed back into the USA. Once across the border I got the pleasure of being interrogated for 1hour 20 minutes by the USA Customs and Border Patrol who didn¢t seem to want to let me back in but they eventually let me through so here I am back in New Hampshire at 18:00 quite the adventure. Looking forward to starting my hike on Friday March 16th!