morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-08-15
From: East branch lean to.

To: Antlers campsite.
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

I was slow to get packed this morning, but we were on the trail by 7.30. We had a small climb over Little Boardman Mt. We dropped to Crawford pond and had a long break on a nice sandy beach. The trail was largely flat today, so easy miles. We took our time with lots of breaks. It started to rain just short of camp but is not too heavy. An easy day and tomorrow should be the same.Bye for now,Mayo.
Date: 2011-08-16
From: Antlers campsite.

To: Wadleigh stream lean to.
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

It rained heavily all night and in the morning most things were wet. Plus a mouse had raided my food bag. There was a hole eaten right through the bag. He had found my trash bag so luckily no food was lost. We all packed up and headed out by 7.30. It had stopped raining but was cloudy, the trail was wet and muddy. We walked to Mahar road and took a blue blazed trail to the Whitehouse landing. We blew the horn and shortly a boat came and picked us up. We all ordered the one pound burger, yum yum. We had brownies for afters and sat on the pourch and chilled as we waited for our lift back across the lake. The rest of the day was roots and mud. All the rain has made the trail difficult. We reached the shelter and camped just passed. It is dry and looks set fair for tomorrow.Bye for now,Mayo.
Date: 2011-08-17
From: Wadleigh stream lean to.

To: Hurd brook lean to.
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

I had a dry camp to break and the sun was shining, a change for Maine. We hit the trail by 7.00. We first climbed the small Nesuntabunt Mt and got a nice view of Katadin in the distance. We passed lots of cool ponds and streams with multiple small waterfalls. We lunched at Rainbow campsite by the lake, a beautiful spot. We climbed Rainbow ledges and got a closer view of Katadin. It really looks great, cannot wait to climb it. We arrived in camp and set up our tents. Switchback and Hightower arrived later on, they plan to summit with us. Mehap's parents are hoping to meet us in Baxter tomorrow, assuming they can get into the park, they seem to have so many rules which are there to make life difficult. It's so close now I can't believe this amazing journey is nearly at an end.Bye for now,Mayo.
Date: 2011-08-18
From: Hurd brook lean to.

To: Katadin stream.
Miles today: 13.4

We were up and packed by 6.00, as we were so keen to get to Baxter state park. Mehap's parents were meeting him. We stopped at Abol bridge store for breakfast. We pushed hard for the park, at the entry station we all booked in for the campsite. It was really easy walking and we had great views of Katadin. We met Infadel on the road just before Katadin stream camp, he had just arrived down from summiting. Just then Mehap's parents drove up, what timing. It was a nice reunion for Mehap. They had lots of food so we rushed to put our tents and back for a great feed. We kept meeting hikers coming off the mountain. Twigg arrived it was so great to see him. We congratulated him on his success. Mehap and I decided to move to camp with Switchback and Hightower. We chatted around the camp fire until late. We plan to start the hike up Katadin at 6.00. The weather should be good, we'll see.Bye for now.An excited Mayo.
Date: 2011-08-19
From: Katadin stream.

To: Katadin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I didn't sleep too well, think I was to keen to get started. We packed up and met Mehap's folks in the car park at 6.00. Peter set off ahead and I decided to walk with Mehap and his mum to start our final climb together. The weather was perfect but there was a chance of storms later. We climbed slowly and I found it difficult to stay with them. Once we hit the really steep rock I lost touch so decided to push on alone. I really enjoyed the rock climbing, which was easier with only a day pack. The views got better and better the higher I went. I reached the table lands and could see the top for the first time. My feelings were very mixed as I climbed towards the summit. I pulled out my union jack flag and wrapped it around me and sprinted the last 50 yards to the summit sign what a great feeling to have completed this amazing journey! I climbed on to the sign with my flag and had lots of photos taken. Peter, Switchback, Hightower and Charlie were all here. I went to sit down and my pack hit a rock, my champagne bottle popped and liquid filled it, but I wasn't too upset, nothing could spoil this day. I waited for over a hour and then in the distance Mehap appeared with his stars and stripes waving in the wind. I started waving my flag in response and we met at the sign. Everyone was laughing and cheering as we congratulated and hugged each other, it was a special moment. We had more pics with both of us on the sign. Then Mehap opened his champagne and being defenseless I got soaked!! Great fun. The views down knifes edge were stunning. I rang home and told Sheila the great news. After 3 hours we finally headed down the mountain. I went with Mehap and his folks to Millinocket to the hotel. After showers and clean clothes we had dinner at the AT cafe. What a perfect day, and end to my hike. Tomorrow I am going with Mehap to spend some time in PA at his house, these guys are so great. Bye for now,A Very Very Very happy Mayo!!
Date: 2011-11-12
To: PA & NY & Home!
Miles today: 0.0

After a night in Millinocket with Mehap & his folks, we had a 12 hour drive to PA. I then spent a great week at Mehap's, and they made me feel so welcome, what great people! During my visit I got to visit Jenny's cafe which Mehap had talked about so much. I also experienced my first earthquake & Hurricane, not bad!Mehap and I then headed into New York and spent 3 days exploring this great city. We did all the usual tourist spots. Empire state, Statue of Liberty, Time Square and on the last day we biked around Central Park. We then had our last meal together and I left him at the Station where he got his bus home. It was sad to say goodbye, we have spent so much time together, and I will miss him!The journey home was uneventful, but tinged with sadness. Although I was happy to see Sheila and my family again after such a long time. It did not take long for me to slip back into my old life.I have now been back at work for some time and the trail seems like someone else's adventure. I have flashes of remembering places and people from the trail, which always make me smile. The pictures are also great to look through as well as this journal. I am so glad I decided to keep it to remind me of this great adventure which I am very proud that I completed. Thank you to all the amazing people who made this journey so memorable, all the friends I made and the folk who helped along the way. I think I will treasure you more than anything else.Mayo.
Date: 2011-06-18
To: Communications and Electronics
Miles today: 0.0

My wife and I have spoken by phone every day that we have been apart practically since we met. This will not be possible while I am hiking; a hardship for both of us. Cell coverage is apparently spotty in many places and batteries run down rapidly when hunting for a cell signal. Because my iPhone is a piece of safety equipment I will use it sparingly and I will carry a 3-AA battery backup charger (Griffin Technology Tune Juice), which is nearly weightless except for the 3 batteries. Text messages are said to use little power and can be squirted in both directions even in poor reception. So texting every other day will be our primary means of communicating at least that things are OK. Towns will provide opportunities for calls, roughly once per week. Keeping the iPhone in ¢airplane mode¢ prevents it from looking for cell, Wifi, and GPS signals and running down the batteries. Meanwhile it can be used as an e-book reader, by installing iBooks and Kindle apps and purchasing materials, or downloading any of the thousands of free books that are available. iBooks also stores PDF files. I have loaded some maps (especially the NPS strip map that shows major road crossings and towns), the ALDHA trail guide (alsha.org), and some AMC information on trails and shuttles in the Whites. A clever app called AccuTerra uses the GPS on a topo map of the northern half of the A.T. (southern half also available $.99 each -- app is free). Even without the GPS enabled, this is a built in zoomable map that shows elevation, cross trails, roads, and lakes and streams. With the GPS it could be used to find the nearest water source, shelter, or road. The keyboard on the iPhone is an exercise in futility, except for brief messages. Another free app, Dragon Dictation, allows speech to text translation. I plan to post my progress notes on Facebook so that my family can keep up with my hike. Dragon is useful for that. And it can be used to dictate entries for the trail journal when I finally start my hike. Most town libraries have Wifi signals that can be also used for this purpose. I can also get localized weather forecasts on the iPhone when there is a cell signal.Even though the iPhone is somewhat heavy and clunky, it substitutes for books, guides, and maps and thus both saves space and weight. And, of course, it carries all of my music. The GPS could be very helpful in a rescue situation as well as in locating oneself on the trail. I have looked at the SPOT satellite messenger, which has an iPhone interface. In a case where there was no cell signal and a message had to get through, the SPOT device would certainly be worth the additional costs. But for now, I have decided to rely on the iPhone.
Date: 2011-07-06
From: Abol Campground

To: Daicey Pond
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Katahdin at last.The family saw me off by spending three nights in a cabin at Daicey Pond, BSP. Highly recommended. On the second day, we were all up at 5 AM to get me to the Abol trailhead by 6. Abol is shorter than the other trails but very steep. And poor footing. Fortunately the day stayed dry. At the summit at 9:45, took a photo, started down the Hunt Trail (AT), which is longer and just as steep. I slipped at one point in the boulder field, banging my head and straining my arm. After a brief rest, I continued down very cautiously. Reached Katahdin Stream C.G. by 3:30 and showed up at the Daicey cabin at 4:30 (Daicey Pond is 2 miles on the AT from Katahdin Stream C.G). Very long day. Previous day hikes of Katahdin seemed much easier, but it's a tough climb at best.
Date: 2011-07-08
From: Daicey Pond

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The day following a Katahdin summit is well-advised to be light, but I was so stiff the next morning that I declared a family day at the Pond. An opportunity to spend time with Marty and Julia in this great place. I did, however, load up the food and water plus all else into my pack so that I could experience its heft. I walked the two mile trail around Daicey. Later in the afternoon I split wood with a fairly heavy maul so that Julia could have a campfire to make smores. Big mistake (not the fathering part, the physical part).I had slipped coming down the Hunt Trail in the boulder field and banged my head, chest, and right arm as I caught myself. None of this was more than another ache on day two. But the third day, after the family saw me off on the AT heading south from Daicey Pond parking area, I was suffering. Apparently I significantly strained the intercostal muscles on my right side and the wood chopping, using those muscles, made it worse. I couldn't lift my pack to my shoulder on that side, and as I hiked, the use of the right trekking pole made me wince. By the time I reached the private campground at Abol Bridge I was more than ready to stop, even though the seven plus miles were essentially flat.The discomfort in my right side also factored into my decision regarding the first ford of the Nesowadnehunk Stream. The water was fast and I didn't see any obvious way across. The high water cutoff trail beckoned. Since it is a blue blaze, taking it essentially eliminated a purist AT hike that would cover every foot of trail. But I was alone, with some doubts about the strength on my right side, so prudence won out over the principle of doing every last bit.
Date: 2011-07-09
From: Abol Bridge

To: Appalachian Trail Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The pain in my right side did not improve with a night's rest. In the morning, I had trouble stuffing the gear into my pack (which I had to do in the tent since it was raining). So I began to think about calling Paul Renaud of the Appalachian Trail Lodge, in Millinocket, and asking him to come and get me. As it happened, another southbound hiker had set up next to me the previous evening. Kirk had climbed Katahdin on Wednesday and hiked to Abol Bridge from Katahdin Stream C.G. on Thursday, a very solid two days, especially since he tood the longest route up the mountain. On the way to Abol Bridge he turned his ankle. He was also camping with a light tarp and ground sheet and the mosquitoes were out in force all night. I could see them waiting for me on the mesh on my inner tent. Kirk had them buzzing and biting without any such barrier. After "Good morning," the first words he said were that because of the ankle and the lack on a head net, he was thinking of called Paul Renaud. So we enacted a getaway together.A day in Millinocket meant rest, good food, a hot shower, a soft bed. And great company. Kirk was ready to return to the trail the following morning and took the hiker shuttle with Paul that leaves for B.S.P. at 6:30 AM. After calling to discuss my situation with Marty, my medical adviser, I determined that heading into the Hundred Mile Wilderness under the circumstances was not wise. Yet more prudence. So my shuttle was to the 9:30 AM bus at Medway. (Note: Medway is about 20 miles east of Millinocket. The Cyr bus goes from Medway to the Bangor Concord terminal--and to the airport--where connections to Portland and Boston are available.)I will stay at our house in Maine for the rest of the week and return to the trail over the weekend if things heal reasonably well. I will suggest to Paul that he might create an off-the-trail special that would include shuttles in both directions from Medway, two nights logging, and shuttles to and from the A.T. I hope the opportunity for that conversation comes soon.
Date: 2011-07-23
From: White House Landing

To: West Branch Pleasant River
Miles today: 40.0
Weather: few clouds

They serve a nice breakfast at White House Landing. Be ready with pack at 8 AM sharp; the boat leaves immediately after you finish eating. With my food resupply (including Snickers bars) I was ready for the 70 mile, 6-day stretch to Monson. That first day, I had the 14 mile, relatively flat hike to Cooper Falls Leanto. About a dozen camp kids were tenting nearby and 7 northbounders showed up. I had an hour of thunder showers along the way; a good night to be in a shelter. The shelter is directly on Cooper Brook, just downstream of a series of rapids. Beautiful spot and good swimming.The next day was the first real climbing of the 100 Mile Wilderness. Little Boardman Mt., no big deal really, but it gets one's attention. Up and then down and then back up even higher to Logan Brook Leanto, where I spent the night in my tent.Day 3 was dominated by the climb up and descent down White cap, the highest peak since Katahdin at 3500 feet. Massive stone steps have been set at great effort into the trail, which were most welcome. Great views from the top and then, well, as is the way of the AT, down, down, down. From 3500 feet to 670 feet at the West Branch of the Pleasant River, just past Gulf Hagas. Of course the next day, I would be climbing again. Spent that night in a tent site along the river.
Date: 2011-07-26
From: West Branch Pleasant River

To: Monson
Miles today: 30.3
Weather: scattered clouds

This section of the AT, West Branch of the Pleasant River to Monson, which took me two days, plus a morning, to cover, comprises the whole of Map 3 of the Appalachian Trail in Maine Guidebook. The profile map tells the story: starting at 700 feet, one climbs over 5 peaks in the next 15 miles (Chairback, Columbus, Third, Fourth, and Barren). Each, of course, with a corresponding descent, the longest of which is south of Barren Mt., back to 700 feet from the 2700 summit to Long Pond Stream. To many hikers all this is a great chance to get some great views of Western Maine, Moosehead Lake, and seemingly endless forest. To me it was a test of how much punishment my knees could take in all of the ups and downs.I stayed the first night at Cloud Pond, a beautiful lake almost at the peak of Barren Mt. The shelter in in the woods, but the tent site is right on the water. Great swimming. The morning of the second day saw me picking my way down the 4 mile, 2000 foot descent of Barren, to the ford of Long Pond Stream. And then up again. I camped at a little tent site on the very top of Little Wilson Falls. It rained hard during the night and continued through the morning. So everything was wet. Fortunately, I had only 6 miles to go on the third day to get to the road crossing that marks the end of the 100 Mile Wilderness. I called Lakeshore House in Monson and they came out to pick me up. I was ready for a town break, a shower and cooked meals. It was lunchtime.There are two hiker hostels in Monson, and little else, except for a wonderful bar-b-que place and a small general store. Lakeshore House is on the lake and has a pub, Shaws is on a side street and has its famous hikers breakfast. This year, Lakeshore House seemed to be the in place for northbound through hikers. It has a big laundromat on its main floor, pub to the back, and hiker dorm up stairs. So I met a variety of interesting types who were trail weary after 2000 miles. I went over to Shaws for the big breakfast after sharing a room with two nice guys who spent most of the preceding day taking naps and eating ice cream. Shaws was filled with middle aged adults by contrast, mostly heading south on the AT. I don't know if these geographical demographics are constant year to year, or even week to week, but I decided to shift over to Shaws for my second night in town (private room). Went back to Lakeshore for meals.Since Marty was on her way to Maine from her week in Alaska and would be heading to Colorado in a few days, I decided to spend the weekend with her. So once more to Bangor to catch the Concord bus to Bath. I have become a regular on the route. Back to the trail Monday.
Date: 2011-07-13
To: Coming
Miles today: 0.0

Just getting the journals up and running for the year. I plan to finish off Oregon on the PCT this year and then head to the AT to finish the AT this fall.I began my trek on the AT in 2004, while I was still working. When I retired I set the goal to finish, by long section hiking, the AT and the PCT by the year (or during that year) when I turned 70. I turn 70 in a couple weeks so this is the year for completions. I will not get the PCT entirely done this callendar year as I have, besides Oregon, 2 smallish sections to finish on the PCT in the Sierra and this extremely high snow year was not the year to do that in June, when I had the time. It was not a good fisrt section of the year to do for an old lady with a new knee replacement, But I may be able to finish that part next June if the weather is more kind.I do plan on finishing the AT, although I know that all hike plans are just plans and theory until completed. But the trip is planned and both trips for this year have food boxes packed, maps procured, GPS loaded and all is ready to put feet to trail.Life is good.
Date: 2011-08-30
From: SEATAC

To: Gorham
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today is a very long day. Actually it started last night. After taking care of house and yard and even shampooing my carpets, I climbed on an airplane and left the Northwest. At first it looked like I was without a seat as they had overbooked the plane. But I ended up in first class as that was the only seat left so I am not complaining. I hate the cross continent flight and my theory is to take the red eye, try to sleep on the plane and be so exhausted the first night that I sleep well and am immediately on east coast time. I got some fitfull sleep on the first plane, on the layover in Baltimore and on the second plane to Boston. Now I am killing time waiting for the bus to take me to Gorham. It will get in about hiker midnight so thought I would get this entry done now. Crossing the country in the night and traveling and dozing this day is quite a transition from scurrying around at home to walking on the trail. In more ways than one it is a different world. If all goes well, I will be on the trail tomorrow morning. Amazing! And life is good. Sent on the go from my Peek
Date: 2011-09-01
From: Surplus Pond

To: Bald Pate Leanto
Miles today: 9.9

A longer but better day.-I was up very early to get on trail with first light and was on trail by 6. There were a few blow downs and down hill is not my forte but I made it down to the road in reasonable time. B Hill road sustained hurricane damage and I could hear big trucks around a bend or two working on the road. I proceeded onward and was glad to find I did not have to ford the two streams today but could just rock hop. All body parts seemed to move although legs and knees complained some and I am still tired. Much of the trail was not as bad as I was expecting although there were certainly challenging sections for this old lady. I met a number of thru and section hikers throughout the day. I passed on some-contact information for Milkman, who is feeling pretty poorly. Hopefully he can get to Andover and David can help him find a doc. Hikers I met included; M&Ms, Milkman, Frodo, Samwise, Happy Feet, Sweet Tea, Honey, Spicoli, Slider, Charger, ?, ?, Stroller, Morgan Creek, Always Late, Every Ready and BJ, Milo, Coyote, ?, Mole Hill, ? Fish Head, Soul Slasher, Four Beard, ?, Seven and PC, Tree Beard, Knitty and Gritty. I went over Bald Pate today. I loved it although I didn't love all the trail getting there. But I really like tall granite topped-mountains! It reminded me of Moxie Bald and also Saddleback. The views were amazing! although the sky was hazy. I got to the shelter only slightly ahead of my time yesterday but do get to stay in the shelter which will make getting up easier. Knitty and Gritty are a young couple from central California. They are SOBO and not in a big hurry so I may see more of them. I have been pushing even when tired to get an extra day in my schedule to give me some leeway on the schedule should I need it I had my ziplock half bath and. now it is past hikers midnight and I am the last in the shelter to crash. I am tired. I am glad to be here and glad to sleep. Life is good. Sent on the go from my Peek