morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-08-22
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: light intensity shower rain

Today we woke up at 5am. And made it to Dunkin Donuts before 6. And then tried to hitch a ride for almost an hour and a half. It was our worst hitching experience yet and we almost gave up. But finally a nice man took pity on us and we were hiking by 8. The climb up Wildcat was steep and slow and we'd gone 3 miles or so when we made it to the chairlift. Storm had fallen in the morning and hurt her finger so she headed back to town with a nice family and Billy Hoot, Nutmeg and I continued on. The day seemed endless and had a lot of ups and downs. We banged out he Wildcat peaks and had some neat views along the way. Eventually we ran into Angela and Uncle Hikey who were hiking the past 2 days and who would be joining us for a week or so! So I hiked with them for a mile or so and then the 3 of us had to be on our way. It was like 2:30 and we still had 12 miles left! By the time we started climbing Mt. Moriah the rain came down! And although it didn't pour for long, we got soaked. And at one point I slid down a rock face for a good 6 feet and scraped my knee cap. So then we started going down and it was the usual slow going, rocky trail. We finally made it to the part of the trail that was flat and we busted out the final couple of miles until we got to the road. And it was like 9:30 at night! We walked a mile to a campground where an awesome guy saved our lives and drove us to the motel. I was so tired that I was dizzy and my body wanted to collapse. Storm was waiting at the motel with a calzone and new camp shoes (I lost my croc the other day). Wonderful to see her! She got a splint for her finger that looks pretty beat up. Hopefully tomorrow will be less exhausting!
Date: 2009-08-23
From: Gorham, NH

To: Trident Tent site
Miles today: 6.9

I was exhausted from the insane day yesterday, but got up and packed my stuff, said goodbye to Billy Hoot and Nutmeg and were given a wonderful ride to the trailhead by Angela's Uncle Hikey. And now introducing our newest guest hiker: Moss! Storm and I are very excited to have Angela join us on the hike to Rangeley. We got kind of a later start and were on the trail around 11. We ran into O.G. and Fidget and caught up with them and then continued on our way up, up and down, down in the humidity and then eventually the pouring rain. Ugh. My feet got soaked and my big toe felt busted! Wow, it hurts. We made it to Trident Tent site and pitched our tents for an early night. I hope the rain stops!
Date: 2009-08-24
From: Trident Tent site

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: light rain

It rained pretty much all night, but thankfully it stopped for us to pack up all of our soaking wet stuff and be on our way. Of course as soon as we hit the trail the rain started and it rained pretty hard for an hour or so and we were all soaked to the bone again. The trail continued to be rugged, muddy, rocky, steep and slippery. So, it's still pretty slow going, although not as bad as hiking in the Whites. The sun eventually came out and we made it to a shelter where we had lunch and tried to dry out our stuff. After lunch we climbed Mt. Success and almost as soon as we got to the summit, some crazy rain clouds came rolling in and we could see the rain falling from the clouds over the valley below us. It was beautiful even though we knew we were going to be soaked pretty soon. And then everything I had dried at lunch got wet again! Such is life. The rest of the afternoon was the same kind of trail, but highlighted by our entrance into our final state of Maine. Incredible! It's still hard to grasp all of what we've walked out here. But we made it to Maine and I am excited and proud. And scared about the end! We walked a little more and have the shelter all to ourselves tonight which is wonderful.
Date: 2009-08-25
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Camping past Mahoosuc Notch
Miles today: 7.5

I probably slept better last night than I ever have in a shelter. Probably because it was just me, Storm and Moss in it all to ourselves! But we got up nice and early and started climbing Carlo Mountain as the morning mist and clouds were quickly blowing away. The morning hike was beautiful, complete with incredible views, several rocky topped summits and gorgeous weather. We made it to Full Goose shelter for a nice lunch break where we dried out our stuff (and hit the 1,900 mile mark!). After lunch we headed down to the Mahoosuc Notch, the alleged most difficult mile of the AT. The notch was pretty incredible and the word rugged just doesn't do it justice. There were house sized boulders that we had to climb up, under and squeeze between. It was fun at first, but then the constant hoisting and scraping became exhausting and I was ready for it to be over. At one point I decided to try to climb up a sheer rock face that was like 6 feet in the air. I almost made it. Key word: almost. I free fell for like 3 seconds, with my pack breaking my fall completely and not getting hurt at all. But it could have been so bad and I think Moss and Storm were as shaken as I was. After that I was about ready for it to be over! The final cave and boulder climb was difficult but rewarding and when we finally made it out we decided to stop at a campsite on the way up Old Speck. Shortly after we arrived a big group of NOBOs that we hadn't seen since the Whites showed up. I don't know if the notch is the hardest mile, but it was definitely the longest!Reality changing moment: finishing the longest mile!
Date: 2009-08-26
From: Camping past Mahoosuc Notch

To: Grafton Notch/Bethel
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning's climb up the Mahoosuc Arm was pretty slow going. But the Maine woods are so dense and green and lush with life. There were a lot of rock slabs and boulders to climb but we made it up the peak and got some beautiful views of the ranges in front of us and the bad weather headed our way. The trail continued down to Speck Pond, Maine's highest pond. We had a fun break with the caretaker at the shelter there and then headed up more ridiculous boulder climbs and rock slabs up to the top of Old Speck, where the rock face was practically vertical and the wind was knocking us down. Wow. But then we made it back into the trees and had a relatively nice gradual decline through a dense forest and waterfalls and just plain gorgeousness. We made it to Grafton Notch and within minutes got a ride to Bethel, a town I have not been to in years. We had a fun time getting food and relaxing in town and now I'm laying in a bed missing my family, my pets, my friends, my life and trying to help myself understand that I've spent the past 5 months or so walking from Georgia to Maine and am now really starting to think about being back at home. How can I go back to regular life after this? I don't think I'll be able to look at the world the same way anymore. We all talk about the transition back to the "real" world with anxiety. Well, I still have some major mountains in my way before I have to really face it.
Date: 2009-08-27
From: Grafton Notch/Bethel

To: Camping at Surplus Pond
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a day of relief. We woke up, had an incredible breakfast at the Chapman Inn, got a ride from a friend we made in town and were on the trail by 9:30. The weather was absolutely perfect: blue sky, cool air, no humidity, and even the smell of fall in the breeze. The walk to the first shelter, Baldpate Lean-to was gradual and very nice. We had a quick break there and then headed up the steeper part of the climb. This was slower going and a little tedious because it was rocky, rooty, slippery-the usual for the past couple of weeks. But when we got above treeline the view was amazing and just kept getting better. At one point the trail was hard to find because it basically went straight up a rock face. The wind was blowing and it was cold up there. We had a panoramic view of the mountains around us and it was breathtaking on such a clear day. The descent was a little slow too because of the steepness, but we made it to Frye Notch shelter for a lunch break. We started to get chilly so were on our way quickly. After we climbed Surplus Mountain, the trail was flat or gradually descending for almost 5 miles, which was basically like being in heaven. I stretched my legs and walked like I hadn't walked in weeks. The cool breeze kept me from even sweating and the sunlight coming through the trees left a smile on my face. It was wonderful hiking. The trail crossed over the top of a 60 foot waterfall and later on a beautiful brook with some sweet campsites. But we pushed on after the road to Andover and made it another 2 miles or so to Surplus Pond, where we found a sweet campsite, built a fire and gazed at the beautiful Maine pond. Life doesn't get any better than this.
Date: 2009-08-30
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a day of ponds. It was the nicest, easiest hiking we had done in weeks, aided incredibly by Bob slackpacking us. We had a wonderfully relaxing lunch break at Sabbath Day Pond and then meandered along the trail past wonderful campsites and beautiful ponds. It was almost totally flat so we were just enjoying it while we had it! We made it to the road and were picked up within minutes by a nice family. Bob picked us up at the IGA and we headed back to the hostel where we ate pizza, ice cream, met up with OG again and watched some James Bond. The loons are calling on the pond and there are a million stars in the sky over the pond. Today was beautiful.
Date: 2009-08-31
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: few clouds

Today we were southbounders for the first time out here. It was awesome! Bob took us to the old railroad bed after breakfast and after walking a bit (and thinking we'd never find the trail) we were on our way headed south back to ME4. I was unusually tired in the morning and felt like I was going at a snail's pace. So Muster and Storm pounded ahead of me while I hung in the back. Then we started running into some NOBOs we hadn't seen in a while! So it was fun to catch them while headed south. They weren't expecting us at all. The climb up to Poplar ridge and the shelter were gradual and really pleasant. We had lunch there, but didn't stay too long because we were getting cold! Once we got above treeline, the wind was so fierce that the air really felt cold, and I hiked with my winter hat on for the first time in months. But for as windy as the ridge walk was, it was just as beautiful. Wow, the whole day was just incredible beauty for as far as we could see. Mountains, blue sky, lakes, puffy white clouds. Sometimes it's all too beautiful to really take in. We made it up little Saddleback, the Horn and finally Saddleback before gradually descending to several beautiful ponds (one with a loon), the best privy I've seen out here and then eventually to ME4 where someone finally took pity on us and drove us into town. And we're back at Bob's for our final night in a bed for what might be a long and final stretch. We're in countdown mode at this point and are just trying to savor these last 200 miles of the hike.Reality changing moment: hiking south and loving it!
Date: 2009-09-01
To: Crocker Cirque
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Things to mention about today:It's the first day of September.We said goodbye to Bob and Gwindy with tears in our eyes and miss them already.We had full packs for the first time in 3 days.The weather was perfect and we are even seeing some fall color.The descent from Sugarloaf was tedious and painful.The rest of the hiking today was gorgeous and enjoyable.We have a campsite to ourselves tonight.It's chilly!
Date: 2009-09-02
From: Crocker Cirque

To: Horns Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

This morning we were up and out of camp by 8 (after signing the register in the privy!). The climb up Crocker mountain was steep and it was surprisingly warm this morning, so we were all drenched in sweat by the time we got to the top. We took a little break there before heading down the 5 miles or so to ME27. O.G. met us there and we hitched into to Stratton with him. We resupplied, had a delicious lunch and then relaxed for a bit in the shade. It was probably 85 degrees today so we were all tired and sweaty and didn't want to move. After a kind of difficult hitch, we were back on the trail around 4:30. My pack was so heavy with food that I wanted to cry. It felt like my body was being pounded into the ground with every step. Storm and I took a nice beak at Beaver Pond, hoping to see some moose. And then it was time for the second part of the climb which was very steep, with huge boulders. The woods were incredibly beautiful, almost magical, but it was hard hiking and I was exhausted. We made it to Horns Pond Lean-to where we have an amazing view of our climb that awaits us in the morning and the full moon shining down on us. Life is good.
Date: 2009-09-03
From: Horns Pond Lean-to

To: West Carry Lean-tp
Miles today: 17.5

When I woke up this morning I could tell it was going to be a hot day. There was a nice breeze blowing, but by the time we made it up the South Horn, we were all completely soaked with sweat. It felt like July, not September in Maine. The morning's walk was beautiful, complete with panoramic views and exposed ridge lines. We mad it to Avery peak and then headed down quite a descent until Storm and I eventually decided to stop for lunch at Stafford campsite. We aired our feet out and talked about the heat. After we got to what was the top of Little Bigelow the trail kept going up, then down, up and down. Plus, I was running out of water. When we finally made it to the sign, we had 1.7 to go until the next shelter and I had no water. Great. All day we walked along a ridge line with a view of Flagstaff Pond and all I wanted to do was jump off the mountain right into it. We finally made it to Little Bigelow shelter where we chugged water and got plenty for the rest of the day-which actually wasn't that bad! We eventually did make it to that huge pond, and while I didn't jump in, I took a pseudo-bath and relaxed. Storm and I talked about our newest accomplishment of hiking 2,000 miles, achieved earlier today. We agreed- neither of us have ever worked so hard for anything like we have out here. Not school, not a job. This hike has shown me what I really can do if I care about something enough. And our conversation reminded me that this hike isn't for anyone else but me. My challenge, my accomplishment. And I'm savoring every last day of it.Reality changing moment: hearing loons welcome us as we approached the shelter tonight. We have the place to ourselves! Me, Storm, Muster and O.G.
Date: 2009-09-04
From: West Carry Lean-tp

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 14.0

Today was another unseasonably hot day. But it didn't matter too much because we had an incredibly flat walk to ME27. It was so flat that it made my feet hurt! Hilarious. Storm and I had a nice stop at Pleasant Pond lean-to before following the stream for a few more miles until it reached the Kennebec River, the AT's widest unbridged river. So we had the treat of getting ferried across. I had been looking forward to this for awhile so I grabbed an ore and Storm sat in the middle while we paddled pretty hard against the current. We made it to the other side and walked into Caratunk where Muster and O.G. awaited. Wonderful! A guy gave us a ride to the Northern Outdoor center, where I took a shower, put my stuff in the washing machine, ordered an insane amount of food and beer and hung out in the main lodge. Sweet! Visions of Monson and the Wilderness are dancing in my head tonight.
Date: 2009-09-08
From: Monson, ME

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Ummmm, my pack is really heavy. Just when I think I've done it all out here, my pack is heavier than it's ever been! Our first day in the wilderness with full packs started with a stream crossing that was treacherous enough to make me put my flip flops on. And then it was a steady up until we ran into some day hikers and Doc and had lunch. We had a clear view of the next peak so we headed out. I was running out of water so we tried to get to the next stream as soon as we could, only to find s puny trickle. But we made it work and pushed on. The afternoon was difficult and tiring and I'm sure the ridiculous weight of my pack and food bag weren't helping any. We eventually all made it to the Chairback Gap lean-to and we have it all to ourselves! Sweet. Everyday we are that much closer to the end and it is exciting, exhausting, and surreal. Tomorrow we climb Chairback and Whitecap and the next big mountain after that will be Katahdin. Only a few more days left.
Date: 2009-09-10
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Today we put in some nice, easy miles. Things would have been a lot more pleasant for me if I didn't have a monster blister on my pinky toe! Come on, I can SEE Katahdin, do I really need my worst blister ever right now??! Whatev.Today was miles and miles of flat waking after we got off of Whitecap and climbed a little hill called Little Boardman. We met up with Muster for lunch at Cooper Brook Lean-to, a really pretty spot right in front of the water. The rest of the afternoon was so flat that I felt like I could fall asleep while hiking; more from exhaustion than boredom. The trail is gorgeous and continues to change character often. Tonight we're camping at Antler Campsite, a beautiful spot on Jo-Mary Lake under pine trees. I feel like I can see every star in the sky. It's a perfect night. Now if only that blister would go away...
Date: 2009-09-11
From: Antlers Campsite

To: Rainbow Springs Lean-to
Miles today: 21.7

Storm and I woke up at like 5:30 this morning to make sure we had plenty of time to put in the miles. When we went to the pond, we saw an incredibly beautiful sight with the morning fog just burning off and the sun rising. We took pictures, but as usual it's hard to capture the moment in its entirety. After a funny visit to the privy (this one was titled "Fort Relief") we were off. My pinky toe was throbbing all night and walking on it this morning was not pleasant. I'm pretty sure it's infected because it's so swollen. So I was sleepy and in pain for the morning, and we accidentally took the high water route and waked in a circle for .4 That's a first! Muster must have passed when we were off trail because we heard she was ahead of us from some southbounders. (but had no idea that we weren't ahead of her!) We had nice break where I re-bandaged my toe and Storm made us hot chocolate. Fancy! We talked for awhile to a guy who thru-hiked in 1972. He said he saw about 10 thru-hikers the whole time, and that he's seen 15 that morning alone. Anyway, we were off and before too long we were onto the final map of the trail. One of the coolest things about this hike has been reading the maps and slowly going through them all, section by section and state by state. And now we're on the last one. It's hard to believe. We made it to Wadleigh lean-to for lunch and Cruiser joined us for a bit. I re-bandaged my toe AGAIN and then we headed on to what was my all time least favorite climb of the ENTIRE trail: Nesuntabunt Mountain. It was horrible. Don't make me relive it. But the view of Katahdin was sweet from the top. The rest of the afternoon wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be, with lots of little ups and downs. But eventually after walking along Rainbow Stream for awhile, we saw Muster's tent and were relieved to see her and end our day! The spot here is beautiful and I can't wait to go to sleep.
Date: 2009-09-12
From: Rainbow Springs Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The moon was so bright last night that it woke me up! But this morning I slept in a little and felt really well rested. My toe looked and felt a lot better, too. I guess the best thing to do for an infected toe is backpack 22 miles on it. We were out of camp before 8 with visions of Abol Bridge and its campstore as a good motivation. The sun was shining and it was pretty muggy. Plus, I was just exhausted from yesterday and I felt like I was dragging. We stopped for a morning break and Cruiser caught up. We got to the top of Rainbow Ledges in time for lunch so we stopped and enjoyed it. This is one of the prettiest spots in the wilderness I thought. There was a sweet view of Katahdin, too. It just keeps getting closer. So we pushed on and made it to Hurd shelter, which apparently was the last shelter because everyone said their goodbyes in the register. They were touching to read and Storm and I added our own. To me it just doesn't seem that real to me right now, though. We booked it afterwards and within an hour saw the sign that we were out of the wilderness. Not bad! We got to the road and we arrived at Abol Bridge with the breathtaking view of Katahdin. Holy crap, we're almost there. We spent a lovely evening camped here and built a fire and all the thru hikers here joined us. We reminisced, talked about going home and food. The usual topics. After the sun went down I sat along the edge of the water by my tent and watched Katahdin under a sky filled with stars and thanked everything and everyone in my life for helping me be right here, right now. There is no place I'd rather be. I'm tired of hiking, but I'm scared to leave the trail. I can't wait to climb that mountain though.
Date: 2009-09-13
From: Abol Bridge

To: Birches lean-to
Miles today: 9.9

Today was a fitting final day of regular hiking out here. We started off with killer mosquitoes and ended it with rain! It was actually pretty hilarious. I had a hard time sleeping because of the excitement of everything, so I slept in a little this morning. After breakfast and resupplying, we hit the trail around 10. It was totally flat, which was sweet, but soon enough the mosquitoes descended and it was like being tortured for the next hour. I don't think they were that bad the whole hike! We were petty much jogging to get rid of them until finally things lightened up and we stopped for a nice lunch break by the water. And then it started raining! Ha! Our string of days of incredible weather finally came to an end. So we busted it to the campground where I signed in as thru hiker 299 of the year. Things really are starting to feel weird out here and it's hitting home that tomorrow is our last day out here. I pitched my tent one last time tonight. I don't even know what I'm feeling right now! I'm exited, proud, sad, confused, nervous, all of it! We are all remembering our months out here and thinking about what's next in life. All I know is that things will never be the same again.Looking forward to Katahdin tomorrow.