morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-30
From: Chapman Inn

To: Surplus Pond
Miles today: 12.0

My body was still sore this morning but better and I was ready to get hiking again. Surprisingly Bethel had an Uber driver. He¢s been at it for two weeks now :). He picked me up from the b&b and drove me the 20 miles to the trail. The day started with a steep climb up Baldplate Mountain. Thank goodness these rocks are dry now! The hike up and down was almost all sheer rock face. The summit was beautiful. Weather was great today, perfect hiking weather! I found a great stealth spot next to a pond to camp. It was gorgeous. I was the only one there besides the frogs and chipmunks. Feeling so much better today :).
Date: 2018-07-31
From: Surplus Pond

To: Human Nature Hostel
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Early this morning I felt a pain in my upper thigh. Like a pulled muscle. I stopped and rested but it didn¢t get much better. After 9 miles I decided to stop for the day. I was at the road to Andover, which is 9 miles away. Thought I¢d run into town and pick a few things up, however it was not a good hitching spot and no Uber¢s. I saw a sign at the road crossing for a hostel so I called them and they picked me up. The owner, Yukon, picked me up and took me to the grocery store in town on our way to the hostel. This place was very cool. Brand new, their first year of operation. The house is dome shaped. Beautiful wood work inside. Bunkhouse in the basement. Only two other hikers were there tonight. One was laid up with a hurt ankle. The other, Mr. Maps, I had met at the Hikers Welcome Hostel. They fed us pizza for dinner and I crashed shortly after.
Date: 2018-08-01
From: Human Nature Hostel

To: Bemis Mountain Lean to
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: moderate rain

Today was a lazy start. I didn¢t get much sleep last night. I can¢t seem to get used to sleeping in a small room with strangers. Yukon and his crew had breakfast for us by about 7:00. Huge pancakes with blueberries and syrup. We left for the trail around 8:30. Socrates, one of Yukon¢s employees, drove me. He told me all kinds of stories, from all the accidents he had from crazy stunts he¢d done to his marriage and divorce. I got to the trail by 9am. I was really tired today, from the lack of sleep I guess, and the hike up Old Blue Mountain wiped me out. It took me longer than I thought it would and I stopped early at a shelter. There I met Curtis, a southbounder. We exchanged stories about what we can expect coming up. He moved on to hike some more and I crashed out in my hammock.
Date: 2018-08-02
From: Bemis Mountain Lean to

To: Little Swift River Pond Campsite 
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: moderate rain

It rained some last night so the rocks were a bit slick today. I fell on my butt a few times. The trail leveled out quite a bit by the afternoon which was so nice! I was hoping to make it to Rangeley today, but my feet were real sore so I stopped 5 miles short at a campsite by a lake. It was quiet here with only one other hiker here. I crashed out by 8:00.
Date: 2018-08-03
To: Hiker Hut 
Miles today: 5.0

it was an easy 5 mlles to the trailhead and another .3 miles along the freeway till I got to the hostel. The hostel is run by Mike and Cathrine a very cool laid back couple. I took a room in the bunkhouse. I had a shower in the amazing outdoor shower right along the river. Like Cathrine said it was good for the soul :). They dropped me off in town and I roamed around for a few hours checking out the shops and eating food. By the time I got back to the hostel I was tired and crashed by 7pm.
Date: 2018-08-04
From: Hiker Hut 

To: Piazza Rock Lean to
Miles today: 2.0

The weather was scary today. The  rain came down in buckets and thunderstorms were threatening. I decided I didn¢t want to climb Saddleback in the rain and hunkered down in the shelter for the day. A group of 10-15 boys age 12-15 years old camped right next to me. So it was a good night ;-)
Date: 2018-08-05
From: Hiker Hut 

To: Sluice Brooke Logging Road campsite 
Miles today: 14.0

Saddleback was a tough climb but not as tough as I thought I would be. I was aiming for the campsite 10 miles away but ended up at a stealth spot 4 miles further next to a waterfall. Looking at this gorgeous waterfall I was planning to wade/bath in it. When I started to wade in, it was so cold I quickly changed my mind! I had a peaceful night with only one other NOBO camping nearby.
Date: 2018-08-06
From: Sluice Brooke Logging Road campsite 

To: South Crocker Mountain 
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

More climbing today. Not the toughest I¢ve done but no cake walk either. Climbed Lone Mountain, Mt. Abraham, Spaulding Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain and South Crocker Mountain. I was hoping my mileage would increase again after leaving the Whites but southern Maine is tough! I found a stealth spot on top of South Crocker Mountain to camp. There were a few rumbles of thunder but no rain overnight. Supposed to be coming tomorrow...
Date: 2018-08-07
From: South Crocker Mountain 

To: Stratton Motel
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: broken clouds

I did a short summit to North Crocker Mountain this morning and then hiked downhill to the Route 27 trailhead. When I got there I found two other hikers, southbounders, waiting for a shuttle to the Stratton Motel, where I was headed. We waited about 20 minutes, chatting and then shuttle picked us up. Stratton is a cute town with a couple restaurants and a grocery store across from the hostel. I resupplied, did my laundry and went to the local pub for dinner. I shared a bunk room with the two guys I met at the trailhead and other who came in later. Fairly uneventful night spent mostly talking with people back home :).
Date: 2018-08-08
From: Stratton Motel

To: Safford Notch Campsite 
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

I think I may of had a glass of wine or two too many last night because I was hurting this morning. The hostel owner drove us to the trailhead at 7:30. It was a tough climb up North Horn and South Horn Mountain and then up Bigelow Peak and the hangover definitely didn¢t help! My full pack with my resupply was heavy as hell too. Sucked it up though and got to Safford Notch Campsite where I was headed. I may have promised to ¢never drink again¢ a few times :).
Date: 2018-08-09
From: Safford Notch Campsite 

To: East Carry Pond Beach
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

It was a long day today. It was so nice to have the trail flatten out!! I was able to do 16 miles today, my longest in a long while. I was tired and my feet were definitely sore by the end of the day though. The area by the bone on the side of my left foot by my pinky toe has become particularly swollen. A little worried about that... I stealth camped tonight next to East Carry Pond. There was a nice sandy beach nearby. After setting up camp I went to the beach and waded in. Reminded me of being home :). Watched the sun fade down then headed back to camp to have some dinner. Made some delicious Mac and cheese and crashed in my hammock. Five other hikers did show up that night after me. Two of which I¢d see more more of.
Date: 2018-08-10
From: East Carry Pond Beach

To: Sterling Inn
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

It was a flat and relatively easy hike today. Less than 10 miles and  I was at the kennebec river. Here you are not allowed to ford the river. A guide has to escort you across in a canoe. When I got there I saw the two hikers, a girl and guy, who I still dont remember their names :(, that Id seen at the campsite last night.  We waited for the guide and chatted. Strangely enough it turned out they were both from Detroit. Small world :). Two other guys showed up and then we saw the guide show up across the river. He was an energetic guy. He was an excellent guide and got us across safely. After getting us safely across he pulled me aside, im assuming as the only women in the group on her own, and gave me detailed instructions on how to navigate the town and gave me his card in case I had any issues with creepers so he could report them. Yikes...I went to the hostel just off the trail. They were full for the night. I didnt think I would stay in town tonight anyway. This hostel offered pulled pork sandwiches and milkshakes. I gotboth while I recharged my devices. Seriously the best pulled pork sandwich I have ever had!! My feet were worrying me enough that I asked my husband to book me a room at the Sterling Inn down the road. I had no signal so Matt called and booked it for me . I cant say enough good things about this place. They picked me up from another hostel, took me anywhere i would have wanted to go, and just so accommodating!!
Date: 2018-08-11
From: Sterling Inn

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean to
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

Sterling Inn had a light breakfast available for guests this morning. I had a bagel with cream cheese and coffee. After I got packed up the owner drove me to the trailhead. Today¢s hiking was nice. There was one steep climb up Pleasant Pond Mountain and after that is was a gradual downhill. I was able to do almost 15 miles. So nice to be able to get my mileage up again :). At the shelter I found a perfect spot to set up my hammock right next to a stream. Maine continues to amaze me at how gorgeous it is. The only thing I don¢t like is crossing so many streams with no bridges. These are mostly fast moving streams with usually only a handful of exposed rocks. So you always have wet feet and it¢s difficult to cross without slipping.
Date: 2018-08-12
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean to

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean to
Miles today: 13.0

I started the day with a steep climb up and down Moxie Bald Mountain. There were beautiful views up here. Unfortunately my phone was almost dead so I didnt get any pictures. Forded several more streams today. My shoes are in a sad state with many holes through them. I have a new pair waiting for me in Monson tomorrow. Cant wait
Date: 2018-08-13
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean to

To: ShawÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Lodging 
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I had an easy 9 mile hike today to the trailhead heading to Monson. Poet from Shaw¢s hostel picked me and another hiker up around 11 am. Monson is the last town before entering the 100 mile wilderness, or the first town after leaving it for southbounders. As such the hostel was packed. After I checked in I went to pick up my resupply box and new shoes. I spent most of the afternoon sorting through my resupply items and resting. I hung out by the bonfire at night chatting with other hikers. There were quite a few southbounders. So I was able to ask about what to expect in the 100 mile wilderness and at Mt Katahdin. I also ran into several northbounders I hadn¢t seen in a while, including Sunshine who Matt and I had met doing trail magic back in Connecticut. Went to bed fairly early. Plan to hit the trail in the morning.
Date: 2018-08-14
From: ShawÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Lodging 

To: Wilson Valley Lean to
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

I got a very late start today. Because of the large number of hikers staying at the hostel, Poet had to run three trips of shuttels to the trailhead. I took the third one and got on the trail at about 10 am. Entered the 100 mile wilderness today! I quickly realized that my new shoes were too small. My toes rubbed painfully and blisters quickly formed :(. The trail was fairly level today but because of the foot pain and the late start today was a short day.
Date: 2018-08-15
From: Wilson Valley Lean to

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a steep climb up Barren Mountain today. Beautiful view from the top. At the top I met a hiker, Mountain Dew. She had hiked from Georgia to Pennsylvania and had biked from there to Monson and was now hiking to Katahdin. It rained hard in the afternoon. I was still having foot pain so I keep the day short and found a stealth campsite near a stream. I¢m hoping I can start doing bigger miles tomorrow.
Date: 2018-08-16
From: Campsite 

To: Carl Newhall Lean to
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today¢s hike went up and over the Chairback Mountain peaks. The climbs weren¢t to hard but very rocky. I passed by the Gulf Hagas trail which is apparently a popular spot because I passed several day hikers which I didn¢t expect in the 100 mile wilderness. My blisters were a little better today so I was able to push on and do some more miles. At the shelter I met a nice older couple, Smurf and Cub. They were finishing up a seven year section hike of the trail. I have met so many interesting people out here!
Date: 2018-08-17
From: Carl Newhall Lean to

To: Crawford Pond
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Today started with a climb up Whitecap Mountain. The climb was not bad at all. The trail was smooth, not many rocks or roots. There was a small climb in the afternoon up Little Boardman Mountain. There I met a hiker that was just out to do the 100 mile wilderness. He had sprang his ankle earlier today and was in some pain. Shortly after that at a gravel road crossing I came across a woman doing trail magic and a group of hikers including Sunshine and Beast. The woman gave me two McDonalds sausage McMuffins, a Mountain Dew and a glass of wine! Completely unexpected and amazing . I hung out there a while and the hiker with the sprang ankle showed up too. Sunshine and Beast hiked on to the next shelter and the other hiker and I went only a quarter of a mile farther to camp at Crawford Pond. Beautiful spot next to a beach. I love all these lakes here in Maine, makes feel like Im home :).
Date: 2018-08-18
From: Crawford Pond

To: Whitehouse Landing
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

The trail leveled out today and was blissfully flat. I was able to go faster than I have for a long time. I decided to get off the trail at a hostel to recharge my phone. There is a hostel off a side trail that ends at a lake. From the boat dock you call the hostel and they send a boat to pick you up. I got there about 3pm. The owner picked me up and ferried me over. There is a bunkhouse and several private cabins. I stayed in the bunkhouse. I was the only one in there. All the other hikers were in private rooms. I took a shower and went to the main lodge at 5pm for dinner. I had a huge burger, salad and zucchini bread. It was pricey but very good. There was a southbounder, a northbound section hiker and two woman who were completing a thru hike they had started last year. We had a great time at dinner and I went back to the bunkhouse and crashed early.
Date: 2018-08-19
From: Whitehouse Landing

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite 
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I got a little bit of a late start today. Bill, the hostel owner, took us hikers back to the trail by boat at about 8:30. The trail was again amazingly level today. I passed so many beautiful lakes and streams today. It was hard not to stop and jump in. But i was on a mission to put in some big miles today. I got to the campsite around 6 pm. The place was packed. I found a place for my hammock next to a group of hikers I had met at Shaw¢s Hostel. I sat and ate my dinner and chatted with them. They were all northbounders and were excited about their hike being almost done. We talked about different hikers we¢d met on the trail and about what day they planned to summit Katahdin. I went to bed early planning for another big mile day.
Date: 2018-08-20
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite 

To: Appalachian Trail Inn
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

I started early today and planned to hike 21 miles to the campsite at the base of Katahdin. After 11.5 miles I got to Abol Bridge where there is a store and restaurant. I stopped for a sandwich and a beer. The hikers I camped with last night showed up and we had lunch together. Then Sunshine and Beast showed up, then two other hikers I had met the day before. So I ended up spending a lot more time there then I had planned. I decided to get a room at a hostel in Millinocket tonight instead of pushing on. The shuttle came and picked me up at 2pm. The weather is supposed to be perfect tomorrow and rainy the next. So I decided to summit Katahdin tomorrow and then go back and hike the remaining 10 miles the next day. I loaded up on carbs at dinner and went to bed early. Definitely nervous about the hike tomorrow, but excited!
Date: 2018-08-21
From: Appalachian Trail Inn

To: Mt Katahdin 
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

The shuttle from the hostel took me and two other hikers to the trailhead at the base of Katahdin by about 7:45. The mountain was full with thru hikers and day hikers. The hike up the Hunt trail on the AT was not as bad as I had feared. The first couple miles was relatively easy. The next mile was steep rock climbing. But with a light day pack it was not too difficult. Then the last mile was easy and gradual uphill. I hung out for a bit at the top and got my picture taken. I didnt stay up there for long though. I wasnt sure how long the hike down would take. I went back down the Abol trail. The first mile down was very steep and rocky. After that though it was an easy climb down. The hostel wont pick hikers back up at the trailhead so you have to hitch back to town. I was worried about getting a ride but once I got to the road I got a ride after only the second time I stuck my thumb out. A man and his daughter picked me up and drove me the 20 miles back to MIllinocket. In the ride back my knee started hurting pretty bad. I got back to town around 4 pm. I had an early dinner and rested in the bunkhouse the rest of the night. It feels so good to have this  climb done
Date: 2018-08-22
From: Katahdin Stream 

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I had planned to take a zero day today to rest my knee and go back tomorrow and do the 10 miles I had missed. I packed up my stuff at the hostel and moved over to a hotel on the other side of town. My mother in law and her partner were coming soon to pick me up and take me down to Harpers Ferry. I got to the hotel and checked in. I walked down to the grocery store and ran into one of the hikers I had met at Shaw¢s Hostel. He was heading out to hike the same 10 miles. His wife was driving him to the trail and offered to take me too. I decided to go and get it done. The day was rainy but the trail was easy. When we got back to town I found that my mother in law was here already. The three of us went out to dinner and planned to hit the road in the morning. Perfect timing :). Northern half is officially done, on to part 2!
Date: 2018-08-23
From: Millinocket, ME

To: Dansbury, CT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning the three of us went to breakfast at the Appalachian Trail Cafe. I ran into the same hiker, I can¢t remember his trail name, and his wife that had taken me to the trail yesterday. After breakfast we hit the road. We stopped at LL Bean on the way and then found a nice restaurant for lunch. We stopped in Dansbury, CT for the night and should get to Harpers Ferry tomorrow.
Date: 2018-08-24
From: Dansbury, CT

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0

We had another day of driving today. We got to Harpers Ferry by about 4 pm. Judie and Loren took me to the grocery store to resupply and then we went out for dinner. Judie and I had a glass of wine to celebrate my making it half way. They have been spoiling me so much I need to get my head back in the game to hit the trail in the morning!
Date: 2018-08-31
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Luray, VA
Miles today: 81.0
Weather: few clouds

This week I didn¢t have much for cell service. So I have combined this into one entry. I got back on the trail on the 25th going south from Harpers Ferry. I had gotten a new hammock mailed to me in Millinocket. It was much heavier than my old one. After a few miles that first day I realized my pack was way too heavy. I also didn¢t have the proper clips for the hammock straps and the ones I used were broken by the second day. I ordered another one of my old hammock and had it shipped to a hostel in Luray, VA. I got a ride to the hostel the evening of the 27th. I took a zero day on the 28th since the hammock didn¢t show up until after 3pm. On the 29th I got back on the trail near Luray and headed north to hike the section I had missed. It took two days to do about 45 miles. I got back to the hostel, Open Arms Hostel, the night of the 30th. Something I ate that night did not agree with me and I was very sick the next morning. I took another zero at the host on the 31st. It¢s been a strange week. I was hoping to make up some time with big mile days but have instead taken two zeros. I need to do a lot of catching up. I¢ve met lots of southbounders though. And I made it through the ¢roller coaster¢ which is about 17 miles of steep ups and downs. The weather has been super hot and humid. Hoping it will cool down soon.
Date: 2018-09-01
From: Luray, VA

To: Big Meadows Campground 
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Alison, the owner of Open Arms Hostel, dropped me off at the trail this morning. She gave me a hug and lots of great words of encouragement fo my hike. The day started with a climb up to Mary¢s Rock. It had a beautiful view (pic above). The rest of the terrain today was easy ups and downs. I randomly came across a stable of horses along the trail. Pretty cool! It rained on and off all day. Then the last two hours or so the sky turned scary dark with thunderstorms and buckets of rain! I stopped at a campground for the night. Being Labor Day weekend I didn¢t expect any open sites but with the rain I was able to get a spot. I was also able to take a shower and dry my clothes. There was a Lodge right next to the campground and I went to the taproom there for dinner. It¢s amazing out here. One minute you¢re out in a thunderstorm storm soaking wet and the next you¢re eating pizza and having a beer :).
Date: 2018-09-02
From: Big Meadows Campground 

To: Hightop Mountain 
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The terrain again was fairly easy today. My feet however were very sore. I think it¢s the change in the trail to lots of smaller sharp rocks that grind into the pads of my feet. I stopped at a camp store at the Lewis Mountain campground for lunch. I love these campstores and waysides here in the Shenandoahs! I come across one almost everyday. Nice places for a break. My feet were hurting so bad I almost stopped early for the day. But I got a second wind and hiked up Hightop Mountain as I had planned and found a great stealth spot to camp. I love being able to do bigger miles lately but my sore body is protesting a little...
Date: 2018-09-03
From: Hightop Mountain 

To: Loft Mountain Campground 
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a tough day. My feet again were super sore. It was HOT too!!! My clothes were almost as wet today with sweat as it was in the rain the other day. I got to the Loft Mountain campstore around 3:30 pm. I took a shower and washed my clothes and got some food. I also got a bit of wine  :). I chatted with a group of northbound section hikers while I ate and charged up my phone. Amazingly my feet felt much better after that bit of wine :). But when I found a good stealth campsite by the campground I decided to stop for the night. I was so ready to climb in my hammock tonight :)
Date: 2018-09-04
From: Loft Mountain Campground 

To: Blackrock Gap
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a late start today since I decided to walk back the 0.2 miles back to the campstore when it opened at 8 am to get some breakfast. I had planned to get to Stanimals Hostel in Waynesboro tomorrow to resupply. In looking at their website I saw that they offer slackpacking services. Since the temps were supposed to reach over 100 degrees today I decided to have a shuttle pick me up at Blackrock Gap and the do a couple days of slackpacking from there. They picked me up around noon and took me into Waynesboro. I got settled in and took one of the private rooms, with the biggest king bed I¢ve ever seen! I did a few errands in town and got some dinner. It¢s a pretty big trail town with everything you¢d need in walking distance. I got some good rest, enjoying the A/C!!