morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-25
From: Perham Stream, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

It rained last night but was only foggy this morning. By late morning the weather cleared up to a cool and partly sunny day. I was dropped off on the trail with Shelter Monkey, Snake Whisperer, Creek Diver and Whisper at 8AM. I climbed up Lone Mt., skirted Mt. Abraham, Climbed Mt. Spaulding and skirted Sugarloaf Mt. The trail has a way sometimes of bringing you up these mountains but then not taking you all the way to the summit. I then dropped down along a ravine to the Carrabassett River. Parts of the trail were right along the ravine drop off and made me a little uncomfortable, as if the trail could just crumble away. I know I've been along worst parts of the trail, but this little section just made me uneasy. The Carrabassett was low enough that I was able to rock hop across, with the help of a wooden plank at one part. Just on the other side of the River was a forest service road that went 4.5 miles to Maine 27, which in turn goes to Stratton. My mind really wasn't into hiking today, so I walked along the forest service road for a mile until a family in a pick up truck came up behind me and offered me a ride down to Maine 27. From there I walked north on Maine 27 for a mile to where the AT crosses the road. After about 20 minutes of unsuccessful hitching (I wasn't with the girls, amazing how much easier it is to get a ride with them) the same family in the pick up truck came back the way I was going and brought me to the post office in Stratton where I got my maildrop. Staying at a hostel here tonight where everyone else has shown up at. There is also a girl named Wing It here who had a pretty nasty fall the other week that left her face bruised and her shoulder dislocated. I saw her in Andover and she looked pretty beat up but now she looks like she recovered pretty well. There are lots of instances of people still getting injured out here. Back at the Lemon Squeezer in NY there was a thru-hiker named Mr. Burns who broke his leg. Just the other day I heard a story of another thru-hiker breaking their toe here in Maine, so close to the end. I feel like since I've gotten to Vermont I fall almost every other day. I've just been lucky that none of the falls have been serious. Anyways at this point everyone's body is a hiking machine, but at the same time the wear and tear is really catching up.
Date: 2008-08-27
From: Horns Pond Lean-tos, ME

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Crossed the 2,000 mile mark today. It felt great. And a relief. It felt like I would never reach that mark. Creek Diver was with me when I got to the mark (or at least where it was painted on a road) and I asked her what was more difficult, the first 1,000 or the second 1,000. She answered the first 1,000 because the first few hundred miles were really tough physically until she got into hiker shape. I thought about it and had to say the second 1,000 were more difficult for me. Physically the Whites and Southern Maine were the toughest terrain I've encountered on this hike and mentally I got down about all the rain in Vermont and New Hampshire as well as being distracted by the not so exciting mid-Atlantic states. Also while hiking today I noticed that I have not seen very many SOBO's lately. I guess most of them are south of me now as it is getting late in their season to start. I also heard their overall numbers are down this year because of all the rain Maine got earlier this summer and many called its quits early on. I don't blame them. If it rained for the first three weeks of my hike I may have jumped ship too. Anyways I got a late start out of Stratton yesterday. I did not leave until after lunch and then did a short mileage day to the first shelter. Whisper left early this morning and jumped ahead of us as she is trying to reach her family in two days to hike with her for the remainder of her hike. Although it was a short mileage day all the miles were uphill as I entered the Bigelow Mountains. At the lean-to tonight the rest of us roasted marshmellows, brought out of town by Creek Diver. The campsite did not allow fires so we roasted them on Shelter Monkey's alcohol stove. Not exactly the same effect, but still good. It also got pretty cold last night but it was also an incredibly clear night. With the exception of one time in the Alps I saw more stars in the sky than ever before. Today I immediately climbed up South Horn, then Bigelow Mt., then Avery Peak. It was chilly and windy up there this morning but also sunny and very clear. Avery Peak is named after one of the founders of the AT. From there I went down to Safford Notch and then up Little Bigelow Mt. where I passed some trail maintainers builder rain run off drains to prevent trail erosion. After Little Bigelow I was out of the Bigelow Range and dropped down to Flagstaff Lake. From here to Caratunk, ME the trail will be relatively flat. It was also much warmer and buggier down here. On my way to the shelter I passed the 2,000 mile mark.Tonight I am tenting for the first time in Maine, and actually for the first time since Glencliff, NH because the mosquitoes are so bad. Only 165.2 miles to go!
Date: 2008-08-28
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to, ME

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 14.0

I heard lots of loons on the pond near the shelter last night. It was also the warmer at the lower elevations. Completely different from the night before. Today's terrain was relatively flat which meant I was moving at a faster pace despite having to navigate some bog boards and logs on the edges of some swamps. There really were no views to speak of other than of some ponds and lakes (difference determined by depth apparently). The mosquitoes were also out all day.The highlight of the day was crossing the Kennebec River by canoe. The Kennebec is the largest unbridged body of water I've encountered so far. It did not look very deep when I got there, but there is a dam up river that periodically releases water which can cause the water to rise very suddenly. Years ago a thru-hiker drowned while trying to cross and ever since the ATC has provided a ferryman here. The canoe itself has a white blaze so it is the official trail route. I had to sign a release form and wear a life jacked and then I got to help paddle across the river. Just on the other side of the river is the town of Caratunk, which may be the smallest trail town so far. It is just a street with some houses and a post office. That's it. From here we hitched a ride 2 miles up US 201 to the Northern Outdoors Resort, a rafting and general outdoors lodge. We split a 4 person lodge room for $14 a piece and then spent the rest of the evening in the restaurant/bar/game room. It also has its own brewery. Bonus. This place should be closer to the trail.
Date: 2008-08-29
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up a little before 7AM, had breakfast and was shuttled back to Caratunk at 9:30AM. I went to the post office and saw Pleasant Pond Road. This triggered something in my memory that I had seen on my map earlier this morning. I looked at the map and saw this road intersected with the AT 5 miles away. The lady at the post office said the road used to be the old AT. Good enough for me. I informed Creek Diver of what I was doing and she said she would follow when she finished at the P.O. About a mile later I a pick up truck pulled up behind me on the road and Creek Diver was riding in the back. I hopped in and got a ride the rest of the way to where the trail crossed the road (which I use loosely as at this point the road had turned into a dirt logging road, which most roads in Maine seem to turn into eventually). Out of curiosity I looked at the map again and saw the dirt road went around Pleasant Pond Mt. and intersected again with the AT a few more miles away. I told Creek Diver I was going to take it. I'm just at the point where I want to finish the trail as fast and easily as possible even though I have had good weather and am enjoying Maine. Creek Diver said she was going to take the trail. Not 200 yards down the road a guy in a jeep pulled up behind me and asked me if I needed a ride up ahead to the trail. Sure. By 11:30AM I was on the trail finally and hiked an hour to the shelter where I took an hour lunch. After that I hiked up and over Moxie Bald Mt. I couldn't tell if I could see Katahdin from the top or not though. From here I dropped down to Moxie Bald Lean-to on another pond for the night. Creek Diver showed up about an hour and a half later and couldn't believe I had gotten another ride right after leaving her. The shelter here is scenic because it is on a pond, but it is also buggy. Only Creek Diver and myself here tonight (and a freshman orientation group from Colby College). We got ahead of everyone else today with our yellow blazing. We're also tenting because the mosquitoes are worse than ever here. I'm going to check the pond in a little bit for moose. Also just heard some coyotes in the distance.
Date: 2008-08-30
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up at 6AM and ate breakfast inside my tent before packing up because the mosquitoes were so bad already. It was cloudy out and looked like it was going to rain, but it never did, and cleared up somewhat by lunchtime. Today's hike was relatively flat and I was moving at a good pace again. I had to rock hop across two streams, one using a rope line, and then I had to ford two rivers, the West Branch Piscataquis and the East Branch Piscataquis. I took off my shoes and put on my crocs for both of these last two, the first time I've had to do that. The water on each only came up to about halfway to my knees. Fortunately there has been good weather in Maine the last two weeks so a lot of the rivers and streams have gone back to normal levels. From what I've heard, earlier this summer some of these rivers would have been chest high on me to ford. So anyways it was fun to ford them and the cool water felt great on my feet. After I forded the West Branch Piscataquis River I passed an older hiker acting all jittery who asked if I had any pot. I later found out this guy has been disturbing people and harassing women all along the trail and in towns and that the police and forest rangers were trying to track him down for some damages he caused. There's always a few weirdos out here. I'm glad I went with my instinct and moved on away from him right away. After the second fording I met Mountain Berry and Tom Thumb, who may be the last two SOBO's of the season. They were enjoying some trail magic left in a cooler alongside the trail and I joined them and we talked for about 10 mins. They seemed like really nice hikers. There are a few SOBO's I've met who I would like to keep track of and hopefully give them some trail magic when they get to PA. A few miles after the trail magic I hit a blue blazed trail that led into Monson, the last town on the AT. Creek Diver caught up to me and we began walking towards town. A guy in a pick up truck who seemed in a really good mood and covered in tattoos pulled up and asked if we needed a ride. We hopped in and I noticed the empty beer bottles and Creek Diver later said he reeked of beer - no wonder he was in such a good mood. Fortunately it was only a two mile ride to town on a back road. Once we got to town I got my last mail drop and checked into the Lakeshore Hostel. I even managed to catch the highlights of the PSU game before going to bed.
Date: 2008-08-31
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Last day of the month. Last trail town. And last zero day. Going to fully prepare, resupply and relax for the 100 Mile Wilderness and the final push to Katahdin. The 100 Mile Wilderness is not really 100 miles (it's a little more) and not really a wilderness (forest service and logging roads cross the AT in it), but it is a hassle to try to get off the trail or resupply while in it. Maybe I'll even finally get to see a moose. I'm excited to be done, but at the same time I'm not sure if I am ready for this experience to end. If all goes well I should summit Katahdin on September 8th.
Date: 2008-09-01
From: Monson, ME

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

My first day in the 100 Mile Wilderness (HMW) and less than 100 miles to go as of the end of today. It is also the first day of September. I honestly cannot believe I have been living on the trail from March to September, but only 7 more days to go. The weather was great again today - sunny, cool, clear and a nice breeze all day. It seems as though Maine is having an Indian Summer after all the rain earlier this summer. They deserve it up here. The hike today was relatively flat. At the start was a sign for the HMW warning hikers to take care as the area was the most remote on the AT and to carry not less than 10 days worth of food. I only have 7 days of food. If that is not enough something will have gone terribly wrong. As it was, today was anything but a 'wilderness'. The trail only made small ascents and descents, nothing over 500 ft I think. I crossed 3 dirt roads (one with a car parked on it), passed several day hikers, crossed a railroad track, and heard sounds of nearby logging activity for a good part of the day. The most exciting part of the day was putting on my crocs to ford Big Wilson Stream. The water almost came up to my knees, but felt great on my feet, which were aching more than usual due to carrying a heavier than usual pack load. Also my insoles, which I've had since Kent, CT are pretty much worn through and my trail runners, from Hanover, are also breaking down. My knees also hurt more than usual today. When I got to the shelter late in the afternoon I made a campfire because it will be a cool night and one of the last chances to make one. I'm here tonight with Creek Diver, Shelter Monkey and Snake Whisperer who all left Monson today too.
Date: 2008-09-02
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to, ME

To: West Branch Pleasant River, ME
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

2nd day in the HMW. Today's wilderness experience featured mountains and less roads. Only one really. A logging road which I camped near tonight. I was on the trail by 7:15AM and it was a cool and partly cloudy day. I went over Barren Mt., Fourth Mt., Third Mt., Columbus Mt. and Chairback Mt. They all fell mightily beneath my aching, weary hiking feet. No views of Katahdin though. I think it was hidden behind Whitecap Mt., which I'll go over tomorrow. I did not see many people today, only two SOBO flipfloppers who both failed to warn me that the water source at Chairback Lean-to was nothing more than a mud puddle. Inexplicably they told Creek Diver and Shelter Monkey who got there after me. So I went down the steep slope in front of the shelter to the mud puddle for nothing. Good thing I wasn't staying there. I hiked another five miles to this stealth campsite with CD, SM, and SW. Plenty of water here. Also right before the logging road was a plastic bag containing the remnants of trail magic. There was one soda left. I knew CD was close behind me, so I waited for her and we split the soda. Amazing how much I crave sugar after just a day out of town. Not a whole lot else happened today. The descent from Chairback had a short steep rocky section, but nothing compared to the Whites or Mahoosuc Arm and Notch. Spent a lot of time thinking of the beach today.
Date: 2008-09-03
From: West Branch Pleasant River, ME

To: East Branch Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 16.3

Crossed the 2,100 mile mark today and got my first views of Katahdin. And what a view. Impressive is an understatement. It looked monolithic and was still 73 miles away. Finally a view of the mountain I've been walking to for so long. Even though it was still so far away I could see where the treeline on it ended and the white rock of the barren top portion of the mountain. It also looks about 10 times more impressive than Springer. I feel sorry for all the SOBO's, Springer must seem like such a let down after starting in Maine and the Whites.I saw Katahdin from the summit of Whitecap Mt., which was the fourth mountain I went over today. The others were Gulf Hagas Mt., West Peak, and Hay Mt., each becoming successively higher mountains. I began the day by fording the West Branch Pleasant River in my crocs and making a 5 mile gradual ascent along Gulf Hagas Brook. I took a mid-morning break and then pushed over the mountains. I stopped for lunch on Whitecap and just gazed at Katahdin in the distance while I ate. I felt a lot of excitement looking at the mountain and knowing that I would be there in 5 more days. After that I made a 5 mile descent to this shelter where the combination of mosquitoes and lack of good tent sites caused me to just set up my tent in the shelter (CD and SM took the other tent sites). Good thing I'm the only one in here tonight. From here the trail should flatten out again for the remainder of the HMW, with nothing above 2,000 ft. until Katahdin.
Date: 2008-09-04
From: East Branch Lean-to, ME

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: light rain

I finally saw a moose today! I was walking on a bog bridge and heard some crunching and cracking noises off to my left. I turned and there was a moose walking through the woods about 50 yards away. Just as I stopped to look at it, it stopped and looked back at me. We gazed at each other for about 10 seconds, and then it turned and ran off in the other direction. It was hard to tell through the trees, but I thought it might be a young bull moose, as it looked like it had antler nubs on its head. It was pretty exciting and happened when I least expected to see a moose. The remainder of the day was not nearly as exciting. Lots of flattish trail and only two real ascents - Little Boardman Mt. first thing in the morning and Potaywadjo Ridge at the end of the day. Although it was chilly last night and 49 degrees when I got up this morning at 7AM, the rest of the day quickly warmed up and felt humid for most of the day. I crossed three logging roads and heard logging activity again in the distance. I also met a bear hunter, apparently hunting season has begun in Maine. Also last night a group of college freshmen on their freshmen orientation came into the shelter/campsite area. Kind of makes it hard to feel like I am in the wilderness when college kids on their freshmen orientation can access the area so easily. And finally, tonight I realized that I have not yet showered in the month of September.
Date: 2008-09-06
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to, ME

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

Got out of the 'wilderness' today. The last miles were relatively flat and easy and took me around some lakes and ponds. Water really is everywhere up here. I stopped at the last shelter in the wilderness. These last few shelters everyone ahead of me has been writing their final thoughts in the trail registers. It is interesting to see what people ahead of me are thinking in their final days out here. This last one was full, so I did not write anything in it. That's ok, I really don't have any profound final thoughts anyways. I am just hoping for a Class 1 weather day on Monday and looking forward to reaching my goal. Before the last shelter, on Rainbow Ledges, I got cell phone reception and was able to make an outgoing call for the first time in six days. I talked to my dad, who is meeting me in Baxter State Park to take me home, and to a friend who had some good news to share. On the downside they both informed me of the remnants of one hurricane coming up the coast and another one also starting to move up the coast. What are the odds that I will finish my hike with two hurricanes colliding over Maine??? With everything that has happened on this trip I would not discount that possibility. The weather today was overcast and muggy all day and now it is drizzling out. Upon coming out of the wilderness I crossed Abol Bridge and on the otherside was a campstore and campground on the edge of Baxter State Park. We are staying here tonight in a campsite on the Abol Stream and West Penobscot River. I also took my first shower since August and binged on soda and other snacks from the campstore. We also made a campfire and roasted marshmellows. From our campsite I could also see Katahdin all afternoon until it got clouded in when the rain began. If Katahdin looked huge from 73 miles away, it truly dominates that entire landscape from this close up. In part it just does not seem as though there are any other mountains nearby that even come close to rivaling it in size. It was fascinating to see it close up and be able to make out all of the details on it. It will be an amazing and intimadating hike and finish to this adventure.
Date: 2008-09-07
From: Abol Bridge Campground, ME

To: The Birches Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 9.9

Well it rained last night, all night, and was raining this morning when I got up and as I was packing up. By now I have learned that there is no way to keep my tent dry when packing it up in the rain. Good thing I am staying in a shelter tonight for my last night on the trail so I could care less that my tent was wet. After packing up I had a sugar loaded breakfast at the campstore and was on the trail a little after 8AM. As soon as I started hiking the rain stopped. Just past Abol Bridge I entered Baxter State Park the home of Katahdin, where I had to register at a kiosk that I would be staying at the Birches that night. The Birches are two lean-to, 4 people each, that are specifically reserved for thru-hikers. However, you are only allowed to stay in them one night. So I was really hoping the weather would clear up for tomorrow. All morning the weather was cloudy and humid. The trail in the park was fairly easy and I walked along the West Penobscot River and then a tributary stream. There were two semi-tricky stream crossings due to all the rain last night, but with the help of some fallen trees I was able to rock hop across without having to put on my crocs. I also stopped to admire the Big Niagara Falls.A little after noon we (CD, SM, and SW) reached the ranger station at Katahdin Stream Campground, from which the Birches was a quarter mile away. We had to register with the on duty ranger. It turned out I was NOBO thru-hiker #207 to reach Katahdin for the season. Seemed like a really low number for this time of year. I guess all the rain earlier this summer forced more people off the trail than I thought. So I've gone from #303 in the beginning to #264 at about the halfway point to #207 at the end. I also had to pay $10 to stay at the Birches Lean-tos. Shortly after arriving at the Birches the weather cleared up and the rest of the afternoon was clear and sunny if a little cool out. Looks like it will be a Class 1 day tomorrow after all. I spent the rest of the day getting my pack organized for tomorrow as well as a day pack. The ranger station provides day packs for thru-hikers to use when climbing Katahdin to make it a safer ascent and descent. I have to admit it will be nice to carry a less than 10lb pack up and down the Big K. Late in the afternoon Dust in the Wind showed up at the Birches. She had been a day ahead of us all through the wilderness and had just come back down from Katahdin. She had a Class 2 day but said it was an amazing experience all the same. It made me all the more exciting to go up tomorrow and it was great to see her one last time. Then tonight we made a big campfire, bon fire really, as we ate dinner and roasted the last of our marshmellows. I also ceremoniously commended my dirtiest, smelliest, holiest pair of socks to the flames. Man they stank and smoked while they burned. For awhile we sat around reminiscing about our hikes. I don't know how I am going to sleep tonight.