morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-10
From: Hall Mountain Lean-to

To: Hall Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0

Decided to take a zero today, as we both felt we needed more rest. It was be interesting as far as food is concerned, but we're quite sure we will have enough to make it to Rangelely - we will be eating whatever is left over for our last dinner.We slowly walked up to the viewpoint behind the shelter and spent about an hour or so up there. It was nice - great views, sometimes warms (when the sun was out) and sometimes cold (when the clouds obscured the sun). We finally decided to come back to the tent and get inside to warm up. Even with the sun, the air temperature is cool.Spent most of the rest of the day in the tent, staying warm, eating, listening to the radio, talked with the Wanderers (who wandered by), baking bread, cooking dinner and eating more. To sleep about 9:00 with the hopes that we will feel better and be able to hike tomorrow.
Date: 2006-09-11
From: Hall Mountain Lean-to

To: Bemis Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: few clouds

Slept in this morning, and got started about 8:30. It was a slow day, we got to the shelter about 6:00. Cheetohs and Puffy are here also. We deciced to sleep in the shelter after a quick look at the tentsites which did not seem like they would allow a good nite sleep - too slopy.The weather was great today - sunny and cool to warm.Had some great views from Moody Mountain, Old Blue and the Bemis Mountain viewpoint.Lots of steep ups and downs today (actually most of the downs were not too bad, but the ups were steep). The last downhill from Bemis Mountain to the shelter was steep and slow for Jeanne.Ran into Iron Wolf, Old Drum and Bumblebee doing a southbound trek today. They are hiking together I guess for the rest of the trip. Bumblebee knows a lot about the plants and trees - he was telling us which ones were edible and made good teas, and it was neat to find that we knew a lot of the ones he did. It would be fun to hike with him for a day to learn more from him.We both felt pretty good today, so our rest day yesterday was a good thing.
Date: 2006-09-12
From: Bemis Mtn Lean-to

To: Little Swift River Pond Campsite
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

A beautiful, clear fall day, sunny, cool (lows in the low 30's, highs around 60F), nice!It was cold last night in that shelter, and none of us (Jeanne, me, Puffy or Cheetos) slept well. It felt like sleeping in a refrigerator. Tents are so much warmer!We warmed up hiking along over sun-drenched granite ledges through a young forest (old forest fire area) of spruce, fir and blueberry shrubs, along the lower Bemis Mtn sub-summits, with occasional gorgeous views of Upper Richardson Lake and Mooselookmeguntic Lake, then down to cross an old railroad grade and stream, up 1000' to cross Rt 17 (more views of the lakes), up over Spruce Mtn, dn and up to a ledge with great views of quiet, sparkling Moxie Pond, then down to the sandy, breezy pond shore itself, where a Loon called from across the water, on another half a mile to Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to, where we sat on a rock sticking out into the water, eating lunch and soaking up the sun. An extremely nice morning on the AT.I felt tired from the remainder of the head cold and from lack of sleep, but it was such a nice day, it was good to hike anyway. At Little Swift River Pond, we found a nice campsite that had two canoes for use by hikers. We went for a nice, sunset paddle around the pond, then returned to cook dinner.Dinner was leftovers. We had taken all of our leftover food in the morning (flour, oats, cheese, spices, garlic) and had made one huge 2 pd sourdough loaf, which I carried in my pack during the day to rise. At camp, we baked the loaf and ate it hot, with lots of honey. Butter would have been better, but it was a tasty dinner, and FILLING! Cold night, good to sleep on the ground in our nice, warm tent with the door zipped down tight. In the middle of the night, we got up to pee, and clomping around clumsily in the dark, we scared up a moose down in the pond, and heard him (or her) go ker-plonking and splashing across the shallows and into the woods.
Date: 2006-09-13
From: Little Swift River Pond Campsite

To: Eddy Pond on Saddleback Mountain
Miles today: 8.5

Today started sunny and cool (40's), then clouded up, with rain starting at dusk.During the 4 mile or so hike to Rt 4, we walked up on three moose in the woods, all apparently cows. Two were in a swamp, and when startled by our whisperings, rose up and moved off rapidly, smoothly and powerfully through the thick muck and into the woods, making almost no sound. For such a large animal, they are incredibly graceful when in their element. I spent the rest of the day trying to walk over roots, rocks and mud as smoothly as those moose had done, but never even came close.We arrived at Rt 4, and hadn't even had a chance to don our shirts before Laurie, an employee at the Rangeley IGA, pulled over and gave us a ride into town. That was nice! We bought fuel, caught up on weeks of journals at the library, met up with our through-hiker friends The Wanderers, and Sleep Ninja, and put out our thumbs to get a ride up the hill to the IGA.We were picked up by a nice man with two large, very friendly golden retrievers. I (Linc) sat in the back with the dogs, and was totally mauled by them in the short 4 minute ride to the store. I emerged, covered with dog slobber. After shopping, we sat out in front of the store for an hour, eating yogurt, fruit, pita pockets stuffed with hummus, cheese, spinach (yes, that E-coli ridden vegetable). The ride back to the trail came as quickly as the other two rides, and luckily, didn't involve any dog slobber.We then hiked uphill for 4 miles to a campsite off an ATV trail near Eddy Pond, and spent the evening talking with The Wanderers and Sleep Ninja until rain drove us all into our tents.
Date: 2006-09-14
From: stealth campsite near Eddy Pond

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 15.0

Today we went over the Saddlebacks. We got our wish that it would not be raining as we climbed over them, however, it was cloudy (we were hiking inthe clouds), so we got no views, but at least the rocks were relatively dry. It was quite cool above treeline with the wind blowing, so had to wear windjackets above treeline.Got here to the lean-to early by our standards (4:40 p.m.). Cooled down pretty quickly once we stopped hiking. Saw lots of mosse tracks, trails and poops today, but no moose sitings by us. One other hiker, Sleep Ninja, saw a moose on the trail, and in fact, herded it down the trail a ways, until the moose ran into another hiker coming southbound, at which point it disappeared into the woods. They said it was a big bull moose.We're hoping to be home tomorrow!!! Stratton, here we come.
Date: 2006-09-15
From: Eddy Pond on Saddleback Mountain

To: Our own yard in Stratton, ME
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Today, after over 11 months away, we came home to Stratton, Maine, and the house we had spent 2 years restoring. But first we had to walk 13 miles, climbing 3700 feet over 3 summits, in a mixture of clouds, sun, mist and fog, rock hop one river, and enjoy some autumn foliage (plus hitch into town).Our ride into town was from a local woodcutter, who, when asked what was new in Stratton, said, "New? Nothing! It's Stratton. Stratton never changes!" And, he was right. Nothing had changed. It was like stepping back into our lives a year ago, except that the house was occupied by the family that rented it from us, so we tented in the yard, but were still able to use the house for showers and laundry.It was so good to see and talk to our neighbors too. People in Stratton are so nice. Two invited us over for dinner for the following night, and another gave us usage of her car in order to drive 45 miles to the hospital in Farmington.Why were we going to the hospital? Well, the youngest of the three Wanderers, 12 year old "Gear", had fallen and hurt his arm on Spaulding Mountain, and had then walked 10 miles, down, and up over the Crocker Mountains and down to Rt 4, with his arm in a makeshift sling. Our neighbor, a nurse, suspected the arm was broken.Jeanne and I stayed up late, making lists, organizing and repairing gear, and attending to business matters now that we could access files that we'd stored at our home.While hiking in the quiet of the wilderness, we occasionally have thoughts that pop into our heads that don't seem to originate from our minds. I'm not sure where they come from, but I thought I'd share this one:"The logical mind operates on fear and anger. The heart operates on love."
Date: 2006-09-16
From: Our Own Yard in Stratton, ME

To: Our Own Yard in Stratton, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Linc took the Wanderers to Farmington so that Gear could get his arm x-rayed, and it turned out that he broke both the radius and ulna. They put his arm in a clamshell cast so that he could continue to hike the trail, with instructions to see a doctor when he got home for a regular cast. While in Farmington, Linc got parts for our car so that when we return in a couple of weeks, we can fix it and get it back on the road, and also went to the grocery store there for our next resupply.I stayed home and worked on our 2003 Colorado taxes, ground flour, rolled oats, and other miscellaneous chores in the garage. Didn't quite get all our chores done, so we will need to continue and finish up as quickly as we can so we can hit the trail again.WEnt to the neighbors, Stan and Patty's for dinner and had delicious steaks cooked ont he grilll, together with red potatoes, also grilled, and a fresh salad. Got to be too late again, after 10 p.m. - need to get back on the trail so we can get to bed earlier.
Date: 2006-09-17
From: Our Own Yard in Stratton, ME

To: Safford Brook Campsite
Miles today: 10.4

Although not all official A.T. miles (8.8 were on the approach trail), we are not over 2000 miles - wow, hard to believe we have hiked with full packs on along a trail for over 2,000 miles.We got a late start - Stan dropped us and the Wanderers off at the trailhead at 11:00 and off we went.Beause of a lack of sleep, the hiking felt somewhat difficult, and some of the sections were slow for Jeanne (mostly the steep downhills).The views from atop the Bigelows were fantastic - we never seem to tire of the views overlooking Flagstaff Lake, and the fall foliage colors add to it tremendously.Jeanne had her 6th fall today, as it was getting dark before we got to the campsite and she didn't see a root or rock that she tripped on. Just a little scrape on the knee and shoulder. The worst part of it is getting the pack stuck downhill and trying to get back up.Lots of people here at the campsite.
Date: 2006-09-18
From: Safford Brook Campsite

To: Sandy Beach on East Carry Pond
Miles today: 16.0

Got a late start out of camp this morning - 8:45, and got here to the pond just before 6:00 p.m. This campsite is great - right on the pond, although there is sand in everything. Had a great sunset with the pink and orange clouds reflecting onthe pond.While we were sitting here by our tent cooking, a sandpiper wandered along the shore from our right. When it got to just in front of us, iit must have suddenly realized there were people there, and it ran really fast until it got beyond our tent. It looked quite funny running so fast on those short little legs.Had more beautiful views of Flagstaff Lake from atop Little Bigelow. Some of the terrain was was quite easy today, allowing us to hike about 10 miles in about four hours.There have been a fair amount of cedar trees today along the trail, and there are some here at the Pond - nice.
Date: 2006-09-19
From: Sandy Beach on East Carry Pond

To: campsite 1 1/2 miles S of Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

Got started under foggy skies around 8:30 this morning and got to the campsite around 6:00 under raining skies, which is why we stopped here instead of going to the lean-to.The terrain was quite mild today as far as ascents and descents, but was quite rugged (lots of rocks and roots) on some sections.Got to the Kennebec River just before 2:00 and waited a few minutes for the ferry. Got to the Post office for our maildrop, made a few phone calls, one to find out about replacement for our new steri pen water filter which broke when Linc fell. The concept of the pen is great, but it is too fragile. It turns out that the company just manufactured a new bulb that they said they could throw up into the air 18 feet and not have it break upon impact. They are going to mail it to Monson, so we'll get to try it out for the rest of the trip. We'll see if it's less fragile when Linc galls again.L:inc also got to talke with his Mom for a few minutes. We got back onto the trail about 4:00 p.m. and quit when it got rainy and was getting dark early. Glad we stopped as it started raining harder. Set up the poncho off the end of the tent for a shleter to cook under from the warmth and comfort of the tent.
Date: 2006-09-20
From: Sandy Beach on East Carry Pond

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 10.9

Well, we didn't sleep too well last night at our hasty tentsite in the woods. Big lumps and holes in all the wrong spots underneath us. It rained steady all night long. We woke late, baked bread on the stove under the cover of our poncho rigged as a front porch roof, then packed up our wet tent, wet clothes, somewhat damp bags, clothes that had gotten wet INSIDE plastic bags INSIDE the tent, and our wet food bags, and headed up Pleasant Pond Mountain on the muddy, slippery trail. My pack feeled like it was at least 10 lbs heavier than it had been yesterday, due to the additional water.By the time we arrived at the summit, the skies were only partly cloudy, and we spread everything out to dry on the bare granite rocks and small spruce trees to dry in the wind and sun. It took an hour to dry everything, but it was very worth it, the packs being much lighter once everything was dried out. While things dried, we enjoyed wonderful views west of the Bigelow Range two trail days behind, and to the east Moxie Bald, Barren, Chairback and Whitecap Mountains, all to be crossed in the next few days. The great Maine woods spread around us in all directions, dotted with lakes and ponds. What a neat part of the country this is!The trip down off the mountain was slow, on slippery rocks. We both took falls, moving me up to 30 falls for the entire trip, and Jeanne to 6 falls so far. Her fall was bad enough to raise a big welt on her right buttock, making walking difficult, and increasing her hesitancy in descending.At the bottom, we sat on a dock on beautiful Moxie Pond, had a snack and rested before the final 3 mile uphill to the shelter. It was a short mileage day due to the late start (9 or so) and our fatigue from lack of sleep the night before.
Date: 2006-09-21
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Campsite just South of Route 15, Monson
Miles today: 22.0

A record for us - 22 miles (3/10 of a mile more than our longest day yet)!!! Boy did we hoof it today to get this far. We took short breaks. Luckily the terrain was not too bad.Started with our biggest climb of the day up and over Bald Mountain - it was not bad of a climb, partly cloudy, cool and windy. We didn't stay up top too long because we got cold quite quickly.Stopped in at Bald Mountain Lean-to for lunch and sat on the shore of the pond - it was absolutely beautiful - sunny, out of the wind, warm.Continued on from there along a pretty stream, eventually coming to the West branch of the Piscataquis River, which we forded with sticks in hand, slowly onthe slippery rocks, with the water up to our upper thighs - had rolled the shorts all the way up - the bottoms of Jeanne's got slightly wet. Got done the ford and just continued on with our wet sandals, while others had to dry off - how nice this sandal hiking is.Hiked along the ups and downs of the shore of the west branch of the Pscataquis for about five miles to the East branch of the Piscataquis, which was a much easier ford - only calf deep. It was a beautiful hike along the West branch, with the clear, flowing water, the gurgling and rushing sounds over the rocks, and the fall foliage colors in the trees, and mostly sunny skies. We saw someone who we guess was panning for gold along the other shore of the river. He had half a 50 gallon drum with a screen over it, onto which hw shovered rocks from the shore, and then poured water over it. Since he was on the opposite shore, we could not talk to him about his panning.WE had planned to camp at either Hebron Lake or Doughty Pond, but alas, neither had campsites, both were quite hilly and lumpy looking. So, when we got to Doughty Pond, we decided to hike the rest of the way to the road (another 1.4 miles), mostly in the dark. Were able to hike a bit of it without headlamps, but finally had to don headlamps for about the final 3/4mile. Got to the road, crossed it, and luckily found a spot about 50 feet in to set up the tent. It was so late (almost 8:00 pl.m.) that we decided not to cook dinner. We ate our last pice of bread and a bowl of oats with nut mix and honey for supper and crawled in for some snoozing. It took us both a while to fall asleep, but we finally did. Awoke to sprinkles on the tent (which was surprising considering how clear the skies were when we went to bed. Jeanne got out to coer the packs and then back to snoozeland.Into Monson tomorrow for resupply. Plan a short to no mile day before heading into the 100 mile wilderness and our last week on the trail!!!!!!
Date: 2006-09-22
From: Campsite just South of Route 15, Monson

To: Leeman Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in thismorning - amazing, we didn't even wake up until 8:00!!!! Got all packed up and got a ride into Monson from the first vehicle that came by. Spent most of the day in Monson, taking care of grocery shopping, post officing, internetting, baked our final two loaves of bread, eating and finally heading out of town about 5:00 p.m.We were disappointed as the grocery store in Monson did not offer much as far as the kinds of foo we like to eat. So, wefigured for our last week we would just do our best. No breadbaking this week, just white flour bagels, white flour pasta, ramen noodles without the spice packet; luckily we were able to get old fashioned oats and nut mix, so at least our breakfast will be normal.No tentsites here at the shelter, so we are sleeping in the shelter with one other person
Date: 2006-09-23
From: Leeman Brook Lean-to

To: Wilston Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

So, we didn't make it too far today - the rain that was supposed to be mostly in the afternoon actually started early in the day, sprinkles around 8:00, hard enough rain around 10:30 to put on the ponchos. Got to the shelter around 1:00 and it was still raining, and started to rain harder as we ate our snack. Finally decided to call it a day rather than push on in the cold rain.Shelter is full tonite, and there are three tents set up outside the shelter. Good to be warm and dry.Had to ford Big Wilson Stream about 3/4 mile from the shelter, and it was cold and crotch deep (at least on me), so the bottom of the shorts got wet.
Date: 2006-09-24
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: moderate rain

Another short day today. The rain was still coming down when we first woke up, but by the time we got ready to go, it was mostly done raining, but everything was very wet - leaves, roots, rocks and uddy trail. It was pretty slow going for Jeanne, so by the time we got to the trail into this shelter, it was too late to be able to make it to the next shelter, even though it was really too early to stop for the day.The shelter is again full, and there are three tents set up outside. The shelter is in the clouds, mking its name a fitting name.Jeanne had her eighth fall today, slipping on a wet root that she knew better than to step on.Wow, we are less than 100 miles from finishing our trek.Just before bedtime, the skies started to clear, we actually saw blue sky and a glitter of sunshine.
Date: 2006-09-25
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Carl Newhall Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

Glad to make a bigger mile day today. The first part of the day was slow, but as the terraine got better, we were able to make up for our slow morning, getting to the tentsite a little before 6:00 p.m.Nice views from Fourth Mountain and Chairback. The winds from last night and this morning did a good job of drying out the roots and tocks, making the footing better.We had clear skies, cool temperatures, wind all day, but it id warm up during the afternoon enough to prompt shirtless hiking fof a couple hours so as not to get our long sleeve tops sweaty.The raisin bread that we bought in Monson is not very filling, and is much too sweet - we had not read the ingredients on the package, and it turns out that it should have been called Sugar Cinnamon Raisin Bread, because there was more sugar in it than anything, which did not keep us going for very long. Slightly hungry all day until we filled up with our pound of pasta (except that it is white flour pasta instead of our usual whole wheat - oh well).
Date: 2006-09-26
From: Carl Newhall Shelter

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Yay, we made the distance we were hoping for, despite the slight gnawing hunger all day because of white flour bagels.We started hiking at 7:10 this morning and finished up here at 5:30. Lots of ups and downs, over the four peaks of the White Cap Range. Nice views from atop White Cap, but could not see Katahdin due to clouds.Weather was mostly cloudy all day, with a short misting this morning, cool all day, but no more rain, and the clouds were high enough that we got some views.We were happy when we got to the East Branch of the Pleasant River to find that it was a rock hop rather than another ford. Nice ponds to pass by throughout the day. Ramen noodles for dinner, with out usual fixings of sundried tomatoes, garlic, fish packet, Italian seasonings and black pepper. It didn't taste too bad with all that on it, just not as filling as our whole wheat pasta would have been.
Date: 2006-09-27
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Shore of Nahmakanta Lake
Miles today: 21.0

A long day today, trying to make up for the two short days when it was raining. We have to put in big miles in order to make it to Abol Bridge before we run out of food. Most of the trail was in good shape, except for the last four or five miles where it was rooty, rocky and some steep ups and downs along the lake. Beautiful scenery along the way as we passed lakes, ponds and wandered along strams.Volunteers were working on the bridge just north of Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to, and were just about to take it out as we got there. So Linc was the second to last person to walk it, and Jeanne the last - what a momentous occasion. The volunteers took off their hats (those who had them anyway), and placed them over their hearts at this honorable event.Stopped at the shore of Pedadumcook Lake and had a great view of Katahdin - it looked so close.We've got a beautiful site here next to the lake, and it's starting to cool off for the nite, so happy to be sleeping in the tent for extra warmth.Continue to hike with a slight gnawing hunder, and happy to eat our bigger dinner of white poasta with all the fixings - can't wait for real food again!!!!! Hoping for a 20 mile day tomorrow to Hurd Brook Lean-to.