morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-01
From: pierce pond lean-to

To: pleasant pond lean-to
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: light rain

I awoke early in the morning and set out towards the river. I had caught up to Hedgehog at the shelter, and the three of us headed down to the nearby Harrison's pierce pond camp for a 12 pancake breakfast. The camp was very rustic and situated right alongside a brook complete with some large waterfalls in the distance. The pancakes were amazing and fluffy and complete with some hot coffee it was a breakfast fit for kings. I stuffed the food down my stomach then headed out with AJ towards the river, hedgehog shortly ahead of us...The trail to the river was a moderate 3 miles of mostly downhill alongside a brook. When we arrived at the river hedgehog was just about to set out in the canoe with the guide, so I joined along for the ride. The river was very high at the time and the current was incredibly swift and powerful and it took quite the effort to paddle against it, even along the edge of the river in the reeds. Soon we reached the turnoff point and we paddled across the river, letting the current take us downstream to the drop off. From here hedgehog and I made our way to the road where I continued to the post office for my package and he headed down into town for his resupply. I was glad to finally receive my package, which contained my original pair of asolos which I used for the first 700 miles. My brother glued and re-waterproofed them for me and they looked great. Soon AJ arrived and we ate some PBJ sandwiches which a local lady had just put in the hiker box outside the post office, before heading back to the trail. I intended on hiking another 18 from the road junction to put me within a day on Monson, but as we hiked along I soon realized the previous days long haul had made me quite tired and I stopped at the pleasant pond lean-to and said my goodbyes to AJ, who was pushing on to Katahdin in hopes of summiting the 5th. I relaxed for a while then headed down to the pond for a dip before setting up my tent to escape the bugs. I read for a while then dozed in and out of sleep, feasting on snacks in between naps. Sometime in the night rain started to roll in...
Date: 2013-07-03
From: road 

To: Monson - Shaws
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

I awoke in the morning to find that most of the tent had dried during the night, and I found myself surprisingly comfortable. But I knew this was to end soon as I inevitably had to put on my wet clothes. I made some breakfast and coffee then packed up and continued down the road. The walk was not terrible and I was able to pick a few wild strawberries along the way. Eventually I reached the paved road where I crossed over the river I would have forded. When I finally saw it I was immediately glad I had decided to hike around it, as I surely would not have made it across without swimming for my life..I finally reached the trail after hiking up the hill on the pavement for a mile or so, and made my way slowly to Monson. I arrived at Shaws shortly before noon and immediately went into relax mode, washed my clothes, showered, then set everything in the sun to dry. I went to the convenience store for a sandwich then relaxed in my room, and when I came downstairs to grab a drink I saw redbeard and tebow in the living room. They had just come from Katahdin and were on their way home but wanted to stop and see hedgehog who they had hiked with for quite a long ways earlier in their trip. That's when it struck me that I had not seen hedgehog, and I knew from the SOBOs the day before that he was attempting to ford the river and I hoped he had managed to make it across alive..Later in the evening I headed back to the gas station for a late dinner where I ran into hedgehog, who had quite the experience with the river. He had decided to ford it despite the high water, and as he made his way across it became too deep for his poles and he lost balance and the current took him instantly downstream. He was floating towards a section of heavy whitewater and knew he only had moments to react or his life could be on the line. He paddled furiously with all the strength he could muster and managed to just make it to the other side. He also had a tough time with the second crossing, but luckily there was a rope and he was able to make it across without having to swim. He deemed it the scariest experience of his life and wished he had never attempted the ford in the first place....I headed back to the hostel to relax for the night and said my goodbyes to hedgehog (temporarily hopefully). He took a zero after the trauma of the crossings and a late arrival that night and planned to head out the next day. My final mail drop did not arrive on time and so I must zero on the 4th since there is no shipping on the holiday..
Date: 2013-07-04
From: Monson - Shaws

To: Monson - Shaws
Miles today: 0.0

Today I awoke in the morning to the smell of fresh coffee and breakfast in the makings. I headed downstairs and grabbed a cup of joe and soon enough food arrived at the table. I ate some delicious French toast followed by a large helping of eggs, hash browns, bacon and sausage. It was delicious!After breakfast I relaxed and did some reading before doing some journal work.Tomorrow I will be setting out into the 100-mile wilderness to complete the final 115 miles of my hike. It has been an incredible journey so far and I've had some amazing times. Part of me is sad to see the tale coming to its final few pages, but eventually we all have to succumb to the obligations of real life and head back to society...I don't anticipate having very much internet during my time in the wilderness so most likely my next post will come after I have summited Katahdin and am on my way back home. I thank all off my fans for following my journey up to this point and it has been a pleasure to read your encouraging entries in the guestbook and I hope that my trip can inspire some of you to follow in my footsteps...
Date: 2013-07-05
From: Monson - Shaws

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

Today began with an awesome all you can eat breakfast at Shaws. After getting my fill I headed over to the post office and picked up my last and final mail drop of the trip. I was excited and ready to head into the wilderness, so I packed up my belongings and headed on down the trail..As soon as I entered the wilderness I was immediately greeted by a small ford of a pond outlet. I laboriously took off my boots and put on my vibrams, hoping for dry feet for the last 115 miles. From here the trail continued along many small rolling ups and downs, and traversed the shores of several lakes and ponds before arriving at little wilson falls. By now the heat of the sun was beginning to catch up with me, and I had to constantly stop and wet my bandana to keep myself as cool as I could..After stopping for a snack at the falls I descended down to the stream and managed to avoid a ford by shimmying across a fallen tree. I continued down the trail in the hot sun and after a small climb and descent I came across a set of railroad tracks soon followed by the wilson valley shelter. By now I was beginning to get quite tired, and my fully loaded pack weight was slowing me down. But I mustered up the energy and pushed on..I made a small climb past a woods road before a pleasant flat section. I was able to avoid two stream fords by skipping on the rocks, as the water levels were quite low from the recent sunny weather. At the bottom of the valley I had to ford a wide shallow stream and then make a small uphill climb to the shelter..
Date: 2013-07-06
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: campsite near west branch pleasant river
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Today I awoke early to beat the heat, despite my lack of energy. From the lean-to the trail rose steadily for about a mile to barren ledges. Finally I was able to catch my first vantage point in the wilderness, and I could see many lakes and small peaks in the surrounding area. As the day progressed it became foggy along the ridge. The trail skirted around barren mountain staying relatively flat until sharply rising up to the summit. The fog was rolling over in waves, and I climbed up the rickety tower on the top of barren mountain to try and catch a glimpse of the upcoming terrain. I could not see much and did not wish to stay for very long, as the cold wind whipped steadily at my face and the tower began to sway in the wind. I continued from barren mountain and soon hiked past the turnoff for cloud pond leanto. From here I thought most of the tough terrain was over but unfortunately the many ups and downs ahead were unknowingly bad. I started becoming weary at this point, as I was becoming tired of all the ups and downs and ready for the flat stretch to Katahdin. I made my way over fourth mountain and across the beautiful fourth mountain bog, where i spotted some nice flowers and numerous pitcher plants. From here I climbed third mountain where I coulght some views of the upcoming chairback mountain and white cap mountain across the valley, the final major uphill of the trail (besides Katahdin of course). After scaling chairback I arrived at the chairback leanto and stopped for some lunch and to dry my socks off in the sun a little. I continued after the leanto and started descending downhill towards the river. I enjoyed the rocky hike down and took in all the roots and mushrooms along the way. Eventually I reached the west branch of the pleasant river and enjoyed the pleasant ford in the shin deep water. It felt nice and cool against the soles of my feet as a slid across the slick bottom. I reached the other side and was soon greeted by a ridge runner who said there were some good campsites just north of the river on a side trail. I took his advice and found a nice secluded spot next to the river. I set up my tent and went down to the river for a dip. When I returned i was forced into my tent by the influx of mosquitoes and retired for the evening...
Date: 2013-07-07
From: campsite near west branch pleasant river

To: east branch leanto
Miles today: 16.4

I awoke early in the morning, excited to climb up and over the last and final whole mountain range of the trail. I climbed up the gradual incline and soon reached the turnoff for the gulf hagas, a famous gorge. Unfortunately I did not feel up for the extra five miles, guess I'll have to come back and check it out some other time. I continued up the incline over the many rocks and occasional small bogs and eventually reached the carl a newhall leanto, the start of the steeper terrain for the day. This was a nice cozy leanto nestled in to the trees near a small stream. After having a small snack I started the uphill climb and before long I reached the summit of gulf hagas mountain. From here the trail continued a very short ways along the ridge and then descended steeply to the shoulder of west peak. By now the day was beginning to heat up some, and I wished there were more water sources to wet my bandanna. I made the steep climb up to west peak and then the long trek began to reach the climb up white cap. The ridge from west peak to hay seemed to last quite a long time and I was tricked several times by some false short descents before I eventually hit the real summit of hay and then the descent afterwards. The climb up white cap was quite steep, but incredibly well graded with many rock stairs. When I reached the top I ran in to several SOBO hikers who were amazed to see I had come this far and was so close to the end. I enjoyed the view from the top and a small snack before heading down. I had hoped to catch a view of Katahdin from the top but unfortunately it was smothered in clouds. After making quick work of the steep rock stair-littered descent I reached the logan brook leanto and stopped to relax my feet and eat some more grub to lighten my pack. I stopped for a very long break and almost stayed, but some other hikers soon arrived and I figured I would push the extra few miles to the river. I continued down the trail, which was incredibly moderate and well graded. In time I reached the leanto, which was full of camping girl scouts. I gladly set up my tent at a site nearby, washed in the river, then retired to my tent for some nice reading on the kindle. As I was reading shortly before dusk I heard a loud thudding sound in the woods. Luckily I had pulled back the rain cover on my tent to vent in the scorching heat because as I sat up and looked through the mesh of my tent I spotted a female moose 20 or so yards away. As I moved slowly to reach for my camera, it took off in an instant and the encounter was over. I rushed outside hoping to possibly catch another glimpse, but my effort was futile. I returned to my tent and hit the sack.....
Date: 2013-07-08
From: east branch leanto

To: nahmakanta stream campsite
Miles today: 23.8

I awoke very early in the morning to catch a good early start on the day and knock out some good miles on the flat terrain. I was excited to log in some big miles today and hopefully catch my first view of Katahdin. I trucked my way along the trail and around a lake before making the small up and over boardman mountain. I made the slow descent off the peak and continued down the moderate terrain, traveling along several pretty streams and lakes before reaching the cooper brook falls leanto for a snack. I wish I had stayed the night at the cooper brook shelter, as there was an incredible swimming hole in front and it was a gorgeous stream which headed down into a small gorge. From the leanto I continued down along the trail, traversing several small bog sections, but most of the trial was either rocky or covered in a soft bed of pine needles. I eventually reached jo-mary rd, and stopped for a small break before continuing towards my destination. Just when I couldn't take it any more I reached the potayjadjo leanto for a small break. After heading on my way I stopped to take a sip of the crystal clear and ice cold spring near the shelter. This spring was spectacular and green and lush. I could see the water gushing straight out of the mountain, and it was pure as any water could be. A made the short trot down to the lake and at last caught my first view of Katahdin. It was great to finally catch sight of the mountain I had been hiking so long to see. I pushed on down the trail and eventually reached the nahmakanta stream campsite for a good nights rest....
Date: 2013-07-09
From: nahmakanta stream campsite

To: rainbow lake campsite
Miles today: 17.7

Today I slept in a little bit as I was planning for a slightly shorter day. The hike was great and soon after following a few lake shore I reached the short climb up nesuntabunt mountain. This climb was very pretty, and the trail wound its way in between small moss covered cliffs to eventually reach the top for a spectacular view of Katahdin in the distance. The feeling was great to finally have the end in sight and I stopped for a while to eat and soak in the view. I continued my hike and eventually reached the rainbow stream leanto, where I stopped for a snack and a dip in the stream. The water was a bit warm, but there were some pleasant people there who enjoyed hearing some tales of my hike. I wished them the best in the long hike ahead of them and made my way casually down the trail and soon arrived at the rainbow lake campsite. I set up my tent and headed down to the lake shore to enjoy the spring water other hikers had spoken of. When I arrived I met two hikers setting off on their journey southward. One was a flip flop hiker and soon left, the other (who I later gave the trail name "so kind") decided to stay and keep me some company for the night. We enjoyed sharing stories and had a great meal by the fire and an awesome sunset...
Date: 2013-07-10
From: rainbow lake campsite

To: the birches leanto
Miles today: 21.2

I awoke in the morning and packed up my stuff after enjoying a nice breakfast with So Kind. I headed on down the trail, and as I made my way towards the finish line it was becoming evident that the journey would be over. As much as it had been grueling and down right terrible at times, part of me was sad to see it coming to a close. Nonetheless I continued along the trail and over rainbow ledges (no view unfortunately due to the fog) and then descended to reach the famous abol bridge. I stopped at the small restaurant for a cup of soup and a sandwich, which i devoured. I was thinking about the weather at this point, and contemplating finding a stealth site and calling it a night and shooting to summit a say later than planned. Thankfully, the attendant at the convenience store was kind enough to check the weather for me, and it looked like the forecast was becoming more favorable so I pushed on ahead. I hiked on into the park and soon ran into the ranger at the info station. He had hiked the trail the year before, and I stopped and chatted with him for a while before heading towards the birches. The hike was awful and littered with mosquitoes. It was amazing how a few hundred bugs can ruin the day and make hiking terrible. But they weren't looking to be heading away any time soon, so I coped with them and headed up the trail. I hiked along the river for several miles before branching off and following the nesowadnehunk stream. The crossing didn't look so good, but I managed to hop across the rocks and make it over. The next section was surprisingly less buggy, and as I headed uphill the bugs began to diminish some. I reached the other fork of the stream and made a very poor call on trying to avoid a ford. I attempted to hop the rocks but soon discovered they were very slippery. I was fortunate enough to twist my knee just right and catch my weight on my legs and I avoided hitting the water with my boots. It was a crazy close call that definitely would have left me with a damaged leg if I was 20 years older. After the crossing the bugs suddenly vanished and the hike became pleasant again. The clouds were becoming darker and I was worrisome of impending rain. But I kept hiking and soon reached the birches...
Date: 2013-07-11
From: the birches leanto

To: KATAHDIN
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke in the morning to a light drizzle, hoping for a chance that the weather may clear up. I hiked down to the ranger station and switched out my pack for a day pack and headed up the trail for the final push and the end of my hike. I practically raced up the first half of the mountain. It felt like I was hiking on air, in part cause I didn't have my full pack on, and also because it was the end of my hike. I continued up and up and up until I reached treeline, where I stopped behind a rock for a snack. I immediately discovered that the daypack I was using had opened itself on the main compartment, and my shell was gone. I panicked and started racing down the mountain at full speed. I soon ran into two hikers who I knew were not far behind me and asked if they had seen the jacket. They had indeed seen it way near the bottom of the trail, but failed to pick it up. I sulked, but couldn't change my situation so I continued up the foggy slopes toward the summit. As I climbed and climbed the fog began to part every few minutes for a second or two. When I reached the table lands I knew I was only a mile from the top. It was amazing to think that I was so close to the end, and I didn't want it to be over for some reason. I took my time and turtle trotted up very slowly toward the wooden sign that I knew remained perched on the summit behind the dense blanket of fog. I soaked in all the memories of my hike and thought about all the great people that had helped me along the way and made my journey possible, especially my parents. They mailed all my mail drops to me and always made sure I had the mix of snacks and sweets that I wanted. They supported me the whole way up the trail and visited me several times. I can't thank them enough for what they did..As I neared the summit I caught a glimpse of the famous sign in the sparse moments of freedom from the fog. Soon I reached the top, the final top, the end of the hike...I stayed at the summit for several hours and ran into a man starting off on a southbound section hike. He had hiked the trail twice already, once northbound and once southbound. I began asking everyone who approached the summit if they had seen my jacket, and sure enough two men came along that had grabbed it for me. It was such a relief!! It was great to share my trip with the old man, and to have someone there who knew what the feeling of finishing was like. It is hard to describe exactly how I felt, but the closest I can get is overwhelming pride...I hiked down the mountain with the old man (Birdnut) and we shared life stories and chatted until we reached the rangers station, where I left him some trail magic in the form of food, and wished him the best as he set off southward. I caught a ride into millinocket from the two men who had grabbed my jacket and said my goodbyes to the beloved Mount Katahdin...I'll be back one day for sure!
Date: 2013-05-08
To: Four days to go
Miles today: 0.0

Starting my journal today. I have been reading lots of articles about the trail and its wonders. Getting psyched!! Just read an article in the newspaper about the cicadas that could be rising from the ground any day now. So far I have a lot to get done before me and my dad's departure on Sunday. The living room is a complete disaster with sleeping bags, clothes, tents, etc. sprawled everywhere.
Date: 2013-05-09
To: 3 Days to Go
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

As the days wind down before our departure I find myself getting more and more excited but nervous as well. My dad bought a ton of gear for the trip but we both have been so busy we haven't had a chance to start packing yet. Hopefully that will get done tomorrow. Once we are packed though we got to weigh them to make sure the packs aren't too heavy-- that's a scary thought. I must say the stress is on!
Date: 2013-05-12
To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Monday night dad and I flew into Tri-Cities, Tennessee from Salt Lake City. Unlike the Salt Lake airport we got our luggage (two cardboard boxes with our packs) within 5 minutes after getting off the plane! The only real waiting we had to do was for our ride. A real nice lady who runs the Black Bear Resort came and picked us up. The drive to the hostel was amazing! All of the green and the flowing rivers we passed by were spectacular. The hostel was impressive as well. We were right next to a river and had a cabin with a heater. As soon as we laid down our packs out came my dad's guitar. He hadn't played for a long time, but I was very impressed by all the different chords he played. Some people think him crazy for carrying his guitar on the trail, but he is determined to walk the entire AT with it on him. He is a big man, some might even say he is scary, but with his guitar in his pack, his pack covered by his rain cover, and is pack on his back he looks like a real giant!