morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-09-05
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Eddy Pond
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Hitched a ride into Rangeley today for supplies. Labor Day crowds were out in full force, so no problem getting a ride. Got pizza and stuffed myself at the Red Onion Restaurant. Highly recommended. Been having more problems with my trekking poles (bottom section does not want to lock in place), but this time there was no place that was knowledgeable enough to fix them, so I bought new ones. Upon re-reading, I guess I did not clarify in my journal, that when I was in North Woodstock, I did finally get them fixed at LaHouts, it just took me forever to get to the store that would do it.Went to the grocery store, still stuffed, and after I bought the few groceries I needed, I bought a small strawberry milk. You know how you're right at the line where you've had enough, you can't eat anymore, and then you get one more little thing, and that's too much? Well, the milk was too much. Feeling bloated, I made my way to the road and hitched back to the trail. The hike to the road, I didn't see anybody. But once I got back on the trail, it was lousy with weekend warriors and dayhikers. I don't sneer down my nose at weekend warriors, because other than this 6-month jaunt, that's all I usually am. Many were coming back from Piazza Rock, maybe even some were coming back from Saddleback Mt or The Horn, making for an 11 or 13 mile round-trip.According to Wingfoot, camping is not allowed at Eddy Pond, so I figured I would get water at the pond and look for someplace near, but not at the pond to set up my tent. When I got there, there was no sign indicating no camping, and there was a nice spacious campsite right at the pond and just off the trail. I figured Wingfoot to be wrong (it wouldn't be the first time), and set up camp, took a dip in the cold water, cooked dinner, went for a walk down the nearby logging road, and went to bed.
Date: 2004-09-06
From: Eddy Pond

To: Spaulding Mt Lean-to
Miles today: 15.0

What a magical day today! The tough climb up was rewarded with fantastic views today. Uphills are always easier when you're above treeline and being rewarded as you climb. As a matter of fact "above" and "treeline" have got to be my two favorite words when hiking, because that almost always means terrific views.Not above cloudline, however. The potential for being within eyesight of Katahdin was stifled by the cloudy day. That did not matter, however, for the low-lying clouds drifted around the surrounding mountains, making for islands of rock and tree in an ocean of fluffy white. It was quite beautiful, and I took many pictures which I will include in upcoming journal pages, including today's entry.According to an interesting pamphlet at Poplar Ridge Lean-to, there are no poplars on or anywhere near Poplar Ridge. There once were, but they were consumed by a fire long ago.Was tempted to go down Mt. Abraham side-trail and see it's promised "spectacular vistas", but it was 1.7 miles one-way.
Date: 2004-09-07
From: Spaulding Mt Lean-to

To: Widow's Walk Boarding House, Stratton, ME
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Shortly after the start of the day, I passed the 200 miles-to-go point. I am now sitting at 187.8 miles from the top of Katahdin, with New Jersey and New York to make up after that.Coming up Crocker Mt, the high elevation point of the day at just over 4200 feet, I was grunting and sweating and taunting the mountain loudly, mentally propelling myself up with bravado and curses. Hearing this was the cleverly named One-Leg, attempting a thru-hike on one good and one prosthetic leg. He seemed a little alarmed. At the top of the hill I met trail celeb Baltimore Jack, patiently reading a book. We chatted for a bit, and then I moved on to the easy part of my day.Got a room at the Widow's Walk in Stratton, an on-again, off-again, quaint little boarding house with reasonable rates.
Date: 2004-09-09
From: Widow's Walk

To: Horn's Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 5.1

According to the schedule I had set for myself back at Gorham, I am now more than a day behind if I want to get to Abol Bridge before my parents do, but if I can make up a little time and make it exactly one day behind schedule, then I should get there at about the same time. The plan is to meet them at Abol Bridge Campground, just outside Baxter State Park, and then the next day, hike the 10 miles to The Birches campsite, meet them there again, and the following day summit Katahdin, and then leave the trail temporarily before I finish the section I skipped back in July.Dreary day today. A light mist ramped up to a steady, cold drizzle hiking out of town. At one point I got off the trail and stepped into a privy just to get warm. It's killing me to miss the Colts season opener, especially since it is against the New England Patriots (boo!), but I can't afford to lose any more time or spend any more money on lodging.The steady rain decided my mind for me, that I would stay here after only making 5 miles. The shelter is spacious, and there is good company. I'll just sit and eat and chat all day, I guess. The caretaker came and talked to us for a bit, sharing trail gossip and the like. The shelter site is comprised of two sleeping shelters, some rough tentsites, and one temporary (not for sleeping) shelter next to the trail. Later on some college kids showed up, their only shelter a large tarp that they all slept under. The caretaker talked them into coming into the shelter for their own health and safety, for the weather was bad. The Friar came into the shelter to visit, but did not take his pack off or sit down, for he wanted to get on to Little Bigelow Lean-to 10 miles further, 1000 feet up, and then 3000 feet down, with probably exposure up high. That was my goal for the day, but with the weather not nice, I kept shortening my goal for the day, thinking I might stop at one campsite or another. Unfortuneately, none of the sites between here and Bigelow had shelters, so I would have been forced to set up in the rain, so I stayed here.
Date: 2004-09-10
From: Horn's Pond Lean-to

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Gotta start making up time today. I figure by the time I get to the 100-mile wilderness, I can be back to within a day of the itinerary I set for myself at Gorham, and then follow the schedule exactly as written. I just won't get to take a rest day at Abol Bridge, which is fine. That's why I made the schedule with some lee-way, in case I got behind.The top of the climb today, up and over Bigelow Mt and Avery Peak was very rocky, exposed, steep, and windy. I don't know how Friar made it over in that rain last night without slipping on the wet rock and killing himself. Just the stiff wind (better than rain) made me feel like I was in an epic adventure movie, struggling against all odds to (fill in the blank with favorite adventure plot).A little more than halfway through the day, I reached Little Bigelow Lean-to. To get to the shelter, one must first step over a very precarious "bridge": a downed tree across a stream. Friar did it in the dark, according to the shelter register. What an adventurer! But then, at that point, he didn't have much choice.
Date: 2004-09-11
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to

To: Rivers & Trails Hostel, Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 13.0

Took a leisurely dip in East Carry Pond shortly into the day. Looked hopefully for moose at Pierce Pond Lean-to, still no joy. The area was pretty, however. Crossed a beaver dam at Pierce Pond, then on to a rugged dowclimb to the Kennebec. At this point, the trail followed a tributary, and the steep slope provided the occasional small waterfall.Finally to the famous Kennebec River crossing. It's hard to believe that at one time hikers were forced to ford this river. The river is close to 100 yards wide, and looks to be about waist or chest-high. There is a dam upstream that releases water from time to time, "and you cannot cross faster than the water rises once it starts to rise", according to Wingfoot. In '85 a hiker drowned trying to get across, and since that time, they have used a ferry service to get across. I think it is amazing that it took someone's death to prompt such a basic safety measure, since all it is, is a guy in a canoe paddling back and forth during limited hours.Coming by himself from the north bank, Steve, the ferryman, was able to make a beeline for me, standing in his boat, to the south shore. However, taking himself, myself, and my pack from the south shore to the north shore was a different story. This was to be no leisurely ride across. I had to work! The strategy was to paddle upstream sufficiently so that when we where fighting our way across the current, and we were being pushed downstream, the result was that we would diagonally float to the north shore with only a moderate effort. It was really fun and exciting. A white blaze was painted into the bottom of the canoe, in case anyone objected to doing part of the trail not under their own legpower.There's an orange-blazed trail, about a mile and a half north of the river crossing. It goes down a very steep hill and the route is confusing. I do not suggest taking that way.The nights are starting to get cooler now as summer is coming to an end and I'm getting further north. Still mostly pleasant weather with little rain and lots of sunshine during the day. From my open window in the bunkhouse, I can hear some blues guitar being played at a nearby music festival. It's a very sweet way to end the day.
Date: 2004-09-12
From: Rivers & Trails Hostel, Caratunk, ME

To: Bald Mt Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: few clouds

Well, if I thought trying to follow that yellow blazed trail down was bad, trying to follow it up was even worse! So much so that I finally gave up and caught a ride with Steve back to the road crossing as he was driving back to do more ferrying in the morning. So I ended up hiking that mile and a half from the road to the side-trail twice. I guess that makes up for some of the sections of road-walking I've missed.Set up camp next to the brook and just before the shelter site. There's a nice little slot canyon, a nice little slice in the rock several feet deep, carved out by the stream. Got myself a good cold shower underneath one of the little waterfalls it created.With another lovely day in the wilderness behind me, I fell asleep to the sound of the babbling brook beside me, one of my favorite things to do in the wild.
Date: 2004-09-14
From: Shaw's Lodging, Monson, ME

To: Shaw's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Holy cow! Best breakfast ever this morning! Pat is an ok cook, but Keith and Keith Jr can make breakfast for me anytime! Even if I wasn't already staying an extra day, I would do it just for the breakfast! All you can eat eggs cooked to order, bacon, sausage, home fries, pancakes (alternated with french toast day-to-day), juice, coffee, milk, and all prepared tasty and perfect.Went to the grocery store a couple towns over with Keith later in the day. Got some big delicious-looking triple-berry muffins to take on the trail. Can't wait to get started on my way.
Date: 2004-09-15
From: Shaw's

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: few clouds

Another knock your socks off breakfast. Same as yesterday, with french toast, my favorite breakfast meal, instead of pancakes. I had 3 of everything, and plenty to wash it down with.I left my headlamp behind at Caratunk, so I bought another one from Mr Shaw, and then he took me to trail. I was especially annoyed myself when I saw how close I was to the road before I took my wrong turn at the trailhead. 3 and a quarter miles of hiking brought me to state highway 15 and the border of the "100 mile wilderness". For the most part, I have been writing this journal for those at least partially familiar with the Appalachian Trail, but for those that are not, the "Wilderness" is a stetch of the AT that is 99.2 miles long with no paved road crossings or any other sign of civilization. It is a land legendary on the AT, that conjures up images of endless forest and mountains, with only the moose and bears for company. It may not be exactly like that, but that is how iconic it has grown.Just a tenth-mile in, I stopped at aptly named Spectacle Pond, and soaked in all the beautiful glory around me. The pond stretched back southwards, and despite my close proximity to the road behind me, it was like I had stepped into a C.S. Lewis wardrobe where time and distance have no meaning, for I could see nor hear no trace of civilization behind me. It was all very inviting and relaxing.Later on in the day, I crossed a beaver dam. Big sucker, too. All the magic was gone in an instant, a few miles later, however, when I slipped fording Big Wilson Stream. I had been carrying my camera in my pocket, and as I turned to ask either Diesel or Maya Guez(I don't remember which, now) to take my camera and stash it up high on my pack, I slipped on the slick rock I had been standing on, and splashed down into the stream, submerging myself and everything on me. It was a warm day, I didn't mind getting wet (very much), or even my clothes because they're drying nicely, but my camera and film appears to be ruined, and I do not believe any amount of drying out will help.Now I know why wet chickens are so mad. I picked myself up, hastily forded the river now that I didn't have to be careful, and stormed my way up the final three-quarters of a mile to the shelter site, crossing the Canadian Pacific tracks along the way.In camp, anger turned into sadness that I would have no pictures of the 100-mile wilderness, for Monson was a day behind now, and there would be no opportunity to buy a disposable camera until the store at Abol Bridge Campground. Seeing that I was inconsolable, Treefrog gave me some hot chocolate, and I was cheered some by the kind gesture. Thru-hikers look out for each other.
Date: 2004-09-16
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: few clouds

Crossed the 100-miles to go mark today. As of right now, we are 88.5 miles from the top of Katahdin. If all goes according to plan, in 8 days I will be celebrating the reaching of Katahdin. Some people are in a hurry to get it over with, but I look at it this way: when I finish the trail, that also means I will be leaving the trail. So no hurry here.Still really peeved about having no camera. Damn thing still doesn't work and the film is ruined. Passed by Slugundy Gorge. Ha. Funny name. NIce view from atop Columbus Mt, half a mile before the day's end. Water was a pain to get to tonight. Down a very steep section of the AT, just as it was getting dark.Lots of people at the site tonight. I've decided that I'm going to tent the rest of the way through Maine. Before I started the trail, all I ever heard was how there was hardly any people once you got into Maine, yet ever since Franconia Notch back in New Hampshire, it seems like we've all been bunched up in a hiker traffic jam that never unfurls.
Date: 2004-09-17
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Carl A Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

So far, there's only been one poorly marked spot on the Maine AT, but it could not have come at a worse place: the descent of Chairback Mt., a steep, precipitous downclimb with huge boulders, and a lack of white blazes led to much indecision on my part. I finally decided to take the straight-down path, only to find that was not the right way, so I made my way back up again until I found the blazes again, this time noticing a veering to the left, and off I was.The weather is beautiful today. After a few miles I took the opportunity to sunbathe on a large rock for several minutes, like a giant two-legged north-woods lizard. The sun and the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere were intoxicating, and I eventually headed on down the trail feeling refreshed and revitalized.Skipped the Gulf Hagas Trail (billed as the Grand Canyon of the east, probably an exaggeration) in favor of hanging out most of the afternoon with some kind former thru-hikers doing some trail magic. They brought lots of snacks and drinks and just about the most delicious mouth-watering chocolate chip cookies I've ever eaten. I love food.
Date: 2004-09-19
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

Took a short day today. Party Girl talked me into it. I was going to go on to Antlers Campsite 8 miles further and be that much further ahead of schedule (actually, I'd still be behind schedule, but ahead of the new schedule), but eventually decided that it would be pointless just to get a half-day ahead when I can stay here and have fun. Besides, it is a really beautiful spot and Party Girl is cool people.PG, Joker, Medicine Man, and The Lorax are doing the 100 mile Wilderness without tents, planning to stay in shelters the entire way. I think they're foolhardy, but what do I know? It is especially problematic for PG and MM and their little trail romance (no privacy).Lots of people showed up at the campsite. There must be at least 20 of us here, including Beagle and Moo Juice. Yay! Fell asleep to the burbling of Cooper Brook, a scenic stream out of a picture-book.
Date: 2004-09-20
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 13.8

Got up early this morning and busted butt down the trail as quickly as possible, for I heard tonight's destination, White House Landing, serves lunch, but they quit somewhat early and it's nearly 15 miles (including blue-blazed trail) plus a boat-ride to get there.On the way, many of us stopped at Pemadumcook Lake, just off the AT. For anyone hiking the 100-mile wilderness, this is a must, especially if you have never seen Katahdin. Some others, including Party Girl and her traveling companions (who I refer to as the Four Horsemen, for they are all strong hikers) were already there. I stepped out of the clearing, and as soon as my eyes landed on it, I was struck dumb. There it was. The Big K. Katahdin. "Greatest Mountain" in the tongue of the Abenaki. A giant standing four thousand feet higher than the low-lying forest at its feet. I estimate that, as the crow flies, it was about 30 miles away, but it still loomed large in our view. Normally, I won't go a mile down a blue-blazed trail, but for a one-pound burger, as the trail rumor had it, I'll make an exception. Plus, I need to re-supply. Finally reached the end of the trail with the Four Horsemen, and blew the airhorn to let the people across the lake know there were hungry hikers waiting.Unfortuneately, we were too late for lunch, but no fear, there were plenty of snacks to be had, including giant chocolate chip cookies, and dinner would be coming up in a few hours. As the afternoon passed, more hikers showed up. We all made ourselves at home in the cabins, some took showers (I had for some reason grown attached to my hiker funk and decided to dispense with the shower), some paddled canoes, and all relaxed. I got into a really good book "10 Million Steps", about a man who thru-hiked the East Coast Trek, or ECT, an endeavor which includes all of the AT, and runs from Key West, Florida, to Gaspe, Ontario. In length, it is TWICE that of the AT, and includes the Florida, Benton McCaye, Pinhoti, and International Appalachian Trails.Dinner was eventually served, and the one-pound burger did not disappoint. All went to bed satisfied and geared up for the final push to Big K.
Date: 2004-09-21
From: White House Landing

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

I'm quickly running out of money so I did not sign up for breakfast last night. Another hiker offered to buy my breakfast, but since I didn't sign up last night, I couldn't get in. When I asked when I could get a ride across the lake back, I was told I would have to wait until breakfast was over. So I get to sit around and not eat while everyone else eats. Swell.The ride back across the lake thankfully deposited us much closer to the trail than the hike from the trail to the lake. It used to be even closer, but the level of the lake has been going down in recent years. Spent a good part of the day hiking and chatting with Krispy Kritter, a kindly fatherly gentleman. We stopped for lunch at Nahmakanta Lake. He gave me some peanut butter for my bagel, and I promptly dropped it in the gravel, pb side down of course. What flecks of gravel I did not get out were mighty tasty. We then spent some time looking at the distant terrain, trying to figure out what mountain was what, based on comparing the map with the actual landscape.Later, I hiked ahead of KK, and found the Rainbow Stream Lean-to, looking just like it does on the cover of one of the AT Databooks, I believe the 2002 edition. A nice babbling stream with a log crossing was situated in front to make the scene even more picturesque, and I set up my tent on a small hill above the shelter. KK showed up later, as did Party Girl and her gang.
Date: 2004-09-22
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

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

Excited about seeing my family upon getting out of The Wilderness, I got an early start, so I missed the big pancake-cook this morning, pancake mix courtesy of some previous stranger or trail angel. As I approached Hurd Brook Lean-to, I was bombarded by mosquitoes. I pushed on.Making good time, I covered the 15 miles by early afternoon and was glad to see the Golden Road. I turned right and headed for Abol Bridge. What a view of Big K from the bridge. This was my first relatively close view (a few miles away instead of dozens or a hundred miles away) and it was awe-inspiring. I cannot wait to get to the top of that treeless summit.I was really struck by the professional(?) photographer who was taking pictures from the bridge. He just couldn't understand why we thru-hikers subject ourselves to all the things we do. Now, I can see the average lay-person not getting it, but this guy? He's out here, photographing these beautiful things. How could he, of all people, not understand? His attitude was severely in danger of undermining my excitement. Bizarre. Idiot just doesn't get it.I walked on to the Abol Bridge Campground, and used the phone to call Mom and Dad on their cell phone. They had just gotten settled in to Millinocket and were headed out to the trail to find me. Unfortuneately, the directions I gave them confused them and they stopped at the wrong place, but eventually found me. Hugs all around and they were amazed at how much weight I've lost. While we were hanging around the store, the call of a nearby loon seemed to fill the air. What a remarkable place to be in. After paying for my tentsite, I set up not too far from the road, next to some of the other thru-hikers, and waited for nightfall.