morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-08
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Gorham New Hampshire to Gentian Pond Shelter We managed to get out of town relatively early thanks to a quick ride from a very nice man who I think was a realtor. We're finishing up the last few miles of New Hampshire today and tomorrow we crossed the border into Maine! Will no longer " be " hiking from Georgia to Maine but will have hiked from Georgia to Maine. It is an off thing to have had such a seemingly far away goal that it seemed would take forever to reach, and now here we are. I am trying to savor more, to take in all of the small things as well as the grand things. I realize there are so many thins, I have come to take for granted living in the woods for five months. For example, the croaking of the frogs and sound of the running stream. The fat that I will sleep somewhere different each night. Simplicity. Each day I go through so many feelings: this is so hard, this is so beautiful, I am so tired, I feel so free. I can't wait to get to Katahdin. What will I do/feel when I've gotten to Katahdin? It has transpired from an abstract, faced and climbed, and there isn't another one up the trail because there is no more up the trail?I am very eager and excited to see where my path leads from here. I am certain that the adventure will continue and be blessed and magical as this one has. But it will also be different. I hope that when I reach the end of this trail, I will hold all of the lessons in my heart and remember how to take the time to take it all in. Life moves so fast, I am so very grateful to have been able to slow down time to take this long walk, and be reminded of what is meaningful, put things in perspective and find out what it truly important to me and us.Tomorrow, the meeting of the milestones continues when we go through Mahoosic Notch, "The most difficult mile on the trail"Danger
Date: 2005-08-09
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Campsite @ north end of Mahoosic Notch
Miles today: 12.2

Gentian Pond Shelter to Campsite @ north end of Mahoosic NotchMaine today!!! Today we crossed from New Hampshire into Maine, and what a welcome we received from our fourteenth and final state! The morning started off with a steep climb right off the bat to the top of Mt. Success. Although the climbs so far aren't as big (in terms of vertical feet) than in the Whites, there are more of them and they're just as steep. There were many sections of precarious rock scrambles to go up and sheer rock faces to negotiate down.We hit six named peaks and many un-named bumps in between before we reached Mahoosic Notch, supposedly the most difficult mile on the trail. We had much time of rocky open summits from which we could see for miles. It is distinctly more remote now. We could see no towns and the only roads in sight were dirt.The trail challenged and beat us up today, but we took it with a smile. What a feeling it was to come to that final state line sign, welcoming us to Maine, "The way life should be." The scenery was as spectacular as the trail was rugged. Mahoosic Notch was a fun but challenging end to a very long twelve mile day. Scrambling and bouncing between, up, over around and through the giant boulders was great fun, and we even spotted several patches of the year round ice that is housed in the notch's colder crevices. It was like being in a cool air conditioned room there amongst the boulders, a phenomenal relief from the pounding heat we'd battled all day.I don't remember the last time a twelve mile day tired me out so much. I was worried that we'd missed the campsite and were in for a death march when we heard Raz call out to us. We're now camped just past the northern end of the notch, sharing the site with Raz. It feels amazing to finally be in Maine! We have really hiked from Georgia to Maine! Such a difficult thing to fully comprehend. i can tell you though - I think my legs comprehend it a lot more clearly than my mind does!Danger
Date: 2005-08-10
From: Campsite @ north end of Mahoosic Notch

To: Frye Notch Shelter/Campsite
Miles today: 12.9

Campsite @ north end of Mahoosic Notch to Frye Notch Shelter/CampsiteVery, very tired tonight. Another super long day with just 12.9 miles taking all day. The morning started straight out with Mahoosic Arm: ~1400 vertical feet in .8 miles. Then straight down to Spec Pond followed by a ~2300 vertical foot climb up Old Spec Mtn. By lunch, which we enjoyed by a stream on the north side of Old Spec, I was pooped. Although not nearly as pooped as I was yet another 1100 vertical foot later at Baldpate lean-to, on top of West Baldpate, East Baldpate, Little Baldpate or right at this very moment for that matter.The last nine days have been rugged and difficult and boy an I feeling it. My muscles are fatigued and cramped and the joints feel as though they've aged about seven decades in the last week. The scenery is absolutely spectacular. Though we climb peak after peak we are also rewarded with view after view.But my body and mind are beyond tired. I am badly in need of a rest. Hopefully the short day into Andover tomorrow will be an easy one and give some time for R&R. We hear there might be an opportunity to do some slackpacking too, so perhaps we'll take advantage of that. As for tonight, I am fed and cleaned up. Now it's time for a good sleep.Danger
Date: 2005-08-12
From: Andover - E.B. Road 

To: South Ann Rd
Miles today: 10.1

East B Road to South Ann RdAh, 10 mile slack. How nice is that? The Cabin is actually one of those truly magical places on the AT where a hiker feels completely at home. If you get up at 5 am at home that is. Breakfast is at 6 am and we were off to slack by 7 am. It was an uneventful hike and we were done before we knew it. It's nice when miles can be like that. Then we lounged around for a few hours, ate an amazing dinner prepared by Honey after which Danger and Bear (the proprietor) talked about Ramah and New Mexico. It turns out he knew the area where Danger grew up in rural New Mexico. Then off to bed early for another early day tomorrow.Gravity
Date: 2005-08-13
From: South Ann Rd

To: ME17
Miles today: 13.3

South Ann Rd to ME17Another fabulous day slackpacking and coming back to The Cabin. The morning started out cloudy with misty drifts sweeping in the valleys and nesting below the peaks like wispy gowns. Looking south over the valley and subsequent mountains, it looked like a tough 13 ahead of us. Honey assured us that although it is a rugged stretch, it's not as tough as it looks.The sky cleared ever so gradually as we climbed the Beamis and made our way towards Old Blue. We saw several NOBO's and had a chat with Spice Rack. We seem to have emerged from the vacuum, and are once again among other hikers which is quite nice as we near the end. Despite a good amount of climbing, the tread in general seems to be improving. The hike was just as Honey had promised and not only not so tough but enjoyable and quite beautiful. By the time we reached the summit of Old Blue the day had cleared, humidity lifted and visibility was spectacular. Descending down the south side of Blue was steep and severe, but we were distracted by thickets of raspberry bushes from which we plucked and munched berries. We weren't down more than five minutes with enough time to splash around and freshen up in the stream when Bear arrived with a smile and cold drinks. Raz appeared shortly and we piled into the caravan to head back for showers, R&R and another delicious homemade dinner.What a day, what a place and what fantastically wonderful people.Danger
Date: 2005-08-14
From: ME17

To: The Cabin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero Day!Cloudy and threatening rain, Bear declared it an "Act of God" day and pleaded a pretty convincing case to zero. We were convinced and the day was spent napping, reading, snacking and watching movies. Aaaah, what a lovely vortex this is to be sucked into. Tomorrow we will pull ourselves out and head north again. The zero was much needed and couldn't have been at a better place.Danger
Date: 2005-08-15
From: The Cabin

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

ME17 to Piazza Rock Lean-toWe finally dragged ourselves away from the Cabin today and began heading north again in earnest. Fortunately the trail was some of the easiest we've had in many weeks. Despite the damp and foggy morning, the weather turned out beautiful. We passed several beautiful glacial ponds, ideal moose territory although we sadly didn't see any. I'm sure we'll see at least one moose before the week it is done though. Lunch was at Little Swift River Pond where we used one of the canoes to paddle around the pond. It wasn't quite warm enough to go in for a swim, but the water was cool and clear. The rest of the miles were smooth but my legs and feet were sore and bothering me. I still seem to be recovering from the tough terrain recently. We arrived at the camp site/lean to around 5:00 p.m., and are grateful for the tent platforms, though we can still hear the very loud talking and laughing by the people at the shelter. We went down there to have a look at the register and see if Raz was there. One of the weekenders was kind enough to tell us that we are the slowest thru hikers he's seen this year. I'm sure you can imagine how cheerful that, and made me. He got the eye deggers, or " the look " as Model T calls it in " walking on the happy side of misery. " I'm finding myself a little impatient, some might say moody today. Gravity seems to be feeling the same or similar. It's better that I play hermit in the tent rather than try to socialize this evening. I'm tired and hoping for a good long sleep anyway. . . Danger
Date: 2005-08-16
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Spaulding Mountain lean-to 
Miles today: 16.9

Piazza rock lean-to to Spaulding Mountain lean-to Longer day today than we've done in a while and the feet and legs are feeling it. Saddleback Mountain and The Horn were beautiful, said to be the most beautiful above tree line stretch in Maine. The first possibility of a view of Katahdin from Saddleback, but it was cloudy and she evaded our site. The clouds were tendrill-y and low, sort of dancing near the summit's of Saddleback and The Horn. The views weren't absconded altogether and were actually quite lovely. The climbs up and over Saddleback Mountain them up to The Horn went surprisingly well. The descent from The Horn was steep, rocky, slippery and treacherous making the subsequent climb up Saddleback Jr. rather tough. Fortunately it was the last part climb for the day although the 1,000 ft. of Lone Mountain at the end of the day drew some sweat. We played in cleanup and the waterfall a sluiced Brock before heading to more miles up the person stream where we'd hope to camp. Unfortunately there wasn't a nice spot to camp to be found, so we pours the 3.3 mi. on to the shelter. I was pretty cooped and grumpy with the unplanned extra miles, but Raz was here to greet us when he pulled and and that made me feel better. Saw a bunny rabbit and a very small owl during dinner. The owl silently glided right by Gravity and landed on a limb about 30 ft. (at most) away. He sat there twitching his head from side to side and all around contemplating us and the evening. He perched there for a good five minutes letting us watch him before taking flight and soaring down towards the shelter. Perhaps he's hoping for mouse for dinner? Danger
Date: 2005-08-17
From: Spaulding Mountain lean-to 

To: Stratton Maine
Miles today: 13.5

Spaulding Mountain lean-to to Stratton Maine It seems like the mile markers are coming up so quick. Today we crossed under 200 mi. left to Katahdin. The dataum closest to this point was a plaque commemorating the completion of the final segment of the A.T. in 1937 (?) by the CCC and for the first time a footpath went all the way from Katahdin to Oglethorpe (the southern terminus at that time). It really hit home how the vision of one-man, Benton Mackay, and the work of thousands upon thousands created the footpath that we had been walking for the past 5 1/2 months. How much work goes into maintaining and creating the trail and shelter system, and here we are, taking a significant portion of our life to hike every step of it. Why build it? Why hike it from end to end? People have answers for these questions, but with less than 200 mi. left I wasn't sure I did. I will probably be answering that question for the rest of my life, but the best that I think I will ever manage is " I wanted to know what it was like to hike from Springer Mountain to Katahdin ". I wanted to know what I would feel. I wanted to know how I would change. I also wanted the chance to spend a significant amount of time with Danger, alone, without the complications of everyday life. After a few moments of introspection as we both gazed at that the plaque we shoulder our packs and moved on down the trail talking about how we felt about the effort to complete the trail, why we were hiking and how we felt with only 200 mi. left. The trail moved on and we lost elevation to the Carabassett River which we forded. Up and over the Crocker mountains and down into Stratton, Maine. We got a room at the White Wolf Inn, did laundry, ate dinner and retired for the evening, realizing that the number of times we would sit around a laundromat in our rain gear was numbered. We joked about reliving the experience in Colorado when we felt we needed to feel of the trail again. Gravity
Date: 2005-08-18
From: Stratton Maine

To: Safford Notch campsite
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Stratton, Maine to Safford Notch campsite Today was one of those spectacularly perfect days which at the beginning of the hike you expect every day to be but in the long haul realize are actually a precious few. We slept in a little and made it to the diner for breakfast around 8:30 a.m.. The waitress was exceptionally friendly and the food delicious. The eggs and potatoes cooked and seasoned to perfection, the sausages bought specially from a small farm up the road. The box was waiting for us at the P O, where the Postmaster was smiley and nice. I put on the new shoes that I just received and we quickly caught hitch from three Mainers, the driver with the quintessential Maine accent that just tickled us. The first miles of the trail were graded and beautiful beneath the cool sunny morning. It stayed cool and breezy all day, feeling the breath of autumn chasing on summers' heels. The climb to Horn's Pond went well and we took our lunch break sitting on a rock by the pond. We watched the wind ripple the surface of the clear water, making the lily pads shimmy and tremble as fish occasionally flung themselves up from below to grab a tasty insect just above the surface. We strolled leisurely up to the south Horn and onto the West peak of Bigelow Mountain. What a grand Mountain she is with the rugged and rocky top emerging above tree line. The humidity free day provided a seemingly endless visibility through which we had our first sight of our journeys goal; Katahdin. She loomed shadowy, mysterious and etheral, the farthest peaks we could see. But nonetheless she stood grand and alone, conversing with the clouds. It was both a heavy and giddy feeling, seeing the great Mountain there in the distance. This is the first time we could see the terminus of the trail, and the first time that the knowledge that the journey will end felt real and imminent. Katahdin is like a graduation commencement-the end and culmination of hard work, but the beginning of all that is to follow, which will be the sweeter and more rewarding for the journey. We hugged and held hands, silently gazing out-both together and alone, utterly overcome by our feelings, the wind and birds the only sounds between us. How can words describes such an experience? Yet in ways that words can express, which I understand one another completely in this moment. The evening is a perfect end to a perfect day. The tent platform is just the right height and orientation to set up the tent easily. The water sources nearby-a copiously flowing spring fed stream. The water from it is clear and sweet. We find a spot under a large overhanging boulder with little plank benches, a fire pit and plenty of wood. We have a fire in the cool evening as we eat our dinner. After dinner the fire had burned down. We spread the coals and feel the even warmth as the embers sizzle and sparkled like fireflies. Now, the leaves rustling gently above me in the gray blue twilight. Included cool and it feels cozy under the down sleeping beg. I'm sleepy and my body is sore, but my spirit is strong and full. Danger
Date: 2005-08-19
From: Safford Notch campsite

To: East Carry Pond
Miles today: 16.5

Safford Notch campsite to East Carry Pond We traversed Little Bigelow Mountain this morning, making the last of the most difficult mountains (until Katahdin) and crossing the 2,000 mi. point. It was a cool and partly cloudy morning with the sun gaining strength through the day. Little Bigelow has more ridge that a specific and dominant summit peak like the West peak of Bigelow or Avery. So, we kept hitting false summit's as we walked up and down along the ridge until finally we came to the rocky top with the sign officially signifying the top. On the way down we met some day hikers who told us there was a note and " surprise " down at Little Bigelow lean to, and a SOBO hiker who said some people came by the shelter last night looking for us. We haven't gotten trail mail since down in Georgia, and we're pretty excited that there were someone looking for us. We conjectured that might be the Brits since Kiri's parents came down from Canada to Caratunk to see them. We thought maybe they drove by to show the parents a bit of hiker life and do a little trail magic. Boy were we surprised when we finally got down to the lean to and read the note taped to the registration box. It was Cat Toy, Rocky, Spooney Love and Stick who'd come to see us! The girls have all come down from Canada to summit with Stick on the 17th, and had done some good detective work to find us. We were terribly disappointed to have missed a surprise reunion with the old crew from the beginning of the hike. What a shame that we were only 5 mi. away! But the note, sodas and champagne they left us were a fantastic surprise despite the disappointment of missing them. The trail really did ease up quite a bit allowing us to pick up the pace some. We decided to push on past West Carry Pond lean to in order to make it into Caratunk tomorrow. We're hoping to catch the Brits and Red Rover and perhaps enjoy the last bit of the trail with them. Tonight we're camped at a stealth site next to East Carry pond. It's quite cool and the wind is coming in off the pond. We're hoping hear some loons and maybe even see a moose. Gravity went for a swim in the clear cool water, but it was too cool for me. It's really began to feel very fall like and the days have gotten significantly shorter. Everything around continues to remind us of the waning of the season and the journey. . . Danger
Date: 2005-08-21
From: Caratunk, Maine

To: Caratunk, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Zero @ Northern OutdoorsWe woke up a little after 6 this morning to the sound of pouring rain outside. Neither of us had any interest in willingly subjecting ourselves to a wet slogging torture today. We lay for awhile on our cots in the canvas tent cabin. Listening to the insistent rain outside, and decided to put on our rain gear and head over to the main lodge to have breakfast and inquire about alternative accommodations.We decided to upgrade to a "real" cabin and moved into our new and much improved digs for the day around 1pm. Naturally after we decided to zero and had made arrangements, the storm clouds cleared and it turned into a gorgeous day. We were still happy with the choice and had a great day spent between the bar, arcade and relaxing in the cabin.This will most likely be our last zero day, and it was a good one. We resupplied down at Rivers Trails in the morning after breakfast and goofed around the rest of the day. Matt and Trip hung out for awhile but went back to the trail to move on. Duke hung out too and decided to stay in a tent cabin. Didn't see the Brits, so I guess they hit the trail too.A nice fun and relaxing day, so I think I'll be ready to hit the trail again tomorrow.Danger
Date: 2005-08-22
From: Caratunk, Maine

To: Bald Mtn Brook Campsite
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

Caratunk, Me to Bald Mtn. Brook CampsiteIt was tough motivating to leave the cozy, clean cabin this morning. But, it was a beautiful day and Katahdin's call is getting stronger. The desk guy at Great Outdoors was kind enough to give us a ride to the trailhead, and we were walking by 9am.The first stretch to Pleasant Pond Lean-to was good fast walking. We had a break there and lamented the crumbs remaining of the trail magic Sassy left recently. It was neat to see the magic and little register from Sassy since we'd started from Springer with her and Shadow, who I think is behind us. They live here in Maine, so it must feel great for Shadow to have walked home.The climb up Pleasant Pond Mtn. wasn't too bad and the top offered great views back of the Bigelows. Couldn't see Katahdin for the storm clouds to the north. The day remained beautiful for us though.We snacked and cat-napped on a small dock on Moxie Pond before making our way the last couple of miles to the campsite. Gravity slid on a rock and took a fall, breaking his hiking pole. He didn't even lean on it, but it must have caught something because the lower shaft was fully bent to a 90 degree angle. Poor guy, just got the replacement pole for the one that sacrificed itself to the Connecticut River in Pinkham Notch, and now he's down to a single pole again. Drat, drat, drat!That fall and pole breaking really made me feel like it's really getting time to finish this thing up. I am not ready for the simple, relatively carefree life-style of hiking to be over. But, I am ready to not have to wake up every morning and hike north. We've been out here for a long time. While there's something instinctively liberating about living like a nomad, it can simultaneously begin to feel tiresome.I do feel that this long walk has given me the opportunity to re-set patterns, priorities and perspective. I have more clarity in terms of how I want to live my life, what my life goals are and what is truly meaningful for me. Thru-hiking has been a profound experience for me. Both the process and the goal have been deeply meaningful. But, this isn't a long-term life-style for me, and I am feeling the urge to attain the goal, experience the triumph, and take all I have learned and begin to move forward, beyond the trail.Danger