morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-20
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

I got up and out by 6:30 this morning. The hiking has become much slower. No such thing as a switchback here. Lots of rocks to climb. My pace is down to about 1.5 mph. Today was Mahoosuc Notch(2,150') and Mahoosuc Arm93,770). At about 3:30 in the afternoon a thunderstorm came rolling in over me. So after a short but hard day I have stopped here at Speck Pond Shelter which sits by a really big lake. There are 6 hikers here in the shelter tonight and the are already asleep at 7:00 in the evening.I've been looking at the AT handbook and am thinking that I will be a mile 0 in roughly about 3 weeks from now. It's exciting to think about after exactly 5 months of being away from home. I'm ready! Time to sleep....
Date: 2010-07-21
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Hall Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: broken clouds

I woke early today and started out from Speck Pond with a climb. The trail has become not as difficult suddenly. It still is not an easy trail, but not as much hand over hand climbing. Today our destination is Hall Mtn Lean-to. NATURE and I are still hiking together. Had several very nice climbs up some rock faces with great views. Today was a steady all day hike. At about 2:00pm the decision was made to push for Hall Mtn about 10.5 miles away. At 3:00pm it started to rain, thunder and lightening. By 7:00 pm we arrived at Hall Mtn Lean-to. Very tired, cold and wet. It has rained every day in Maine. I am tired. Time to sleep...
Date: 2010-07-22
From: Hall Mtn Lean-to

To: Bemis Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Last night there was a huge thunderstorm. I was glad to be in the protection of the shelter. I must say that Maine so far has been about as difficult as any hike one might undertake. We made it the 12+ miles to Bemis Mtn Lean-to. There are beautiful views of lakes and ponds. The trail has been crazy tough, straight up and the down, straight up and the down. I'm hoping to make it to Rangeley in a couple days and spend a zero day there. SO far it has rained every day in Maine and I am ready to dry out all my gear. Today I took a good fall, but thankfully I did not injure myself. I have had no luck with my cell phone, even from the tops of mountains. I'm very tired. Time to sleep....
Date: 2010-07-23
From: Bemis Mtn Lean-to

To:  campsite
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

My plan today was to head for South Pond and camp there. The hiking today has smoothed out allowing me to pick up the pace a bit. However, there are quite a fewbogs and lots of mud that slows me down. Today I hiked solo for half the day and somehow missed the turn off to South Pond. I have set up my tarp here along the Sandy River. In the morning I'll catch a ride into Rangeley. My plan is to hike solo for the rest of the hike. The weather has turned cooler, about 70F. This is far nicer then the 105F back south in NY. A god night sleep now after listening to music, I am so sleepy...Just a short call from FROST, before being cut off.Frost stayed at the Bemis Mtn Lean-to the evening of Thursday, July 22.He is planning on going into Rangeley, ME tomorrow morning for a nero day.Cell phone connections have been nearly non-existent since entering Maine.He was calling from a high point at about 1,951 mile mark from Springer Mtn, GAFROST said that the hiking this past week after leaving Gorham, NH has been REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hard for him with steep ascents and descents.
Date: 2010-07-24
From: Cowboy campsite

To: Gull Pond Lodge, Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 2.1
Weather: light rain

I was up and out on Highway 4 at 6:30AM. The first car coming by stopped to give me a lift. First I went to the BMC Diner for a nice breafast. Then did my laundry, bought more fuel and then went to the library. A parade was getting ready to begin so I sat in the sunshine to watch by Rangeley Lake. LIFE IS GOOD!I called Bob owner of the Gull Pond Lodge and he came into town to get me. Staying there was REDWING, LITTLE DIPPER, ROBO J, ATHOS and E. After my dinner of pizza I really enjoyed a nice time of talking with E. I listened to A Prairie Home Companion on NPR but there was no reading of my missive that I gave to the New Hampshire Executive Editor of NPR, who I had met back in NH out hiking the trail with his son on Franconia Ridge. It was a re-run of previous shows. SO maybe nice weekend?Then I stayed up late watching a movie with everyone. Around 11:00pm I fell into bed.FROST called this morning from outside the laundromat on Main St. in Rangeley with a good cell connection. He was doing a load of laundry. We got to finish our "cut-off" conversation from yesterday. He camped last night several miles outside of town and hitched a ride into Rangeley this morning at 7:30. He described more about his past week saying that the section after Gorham was probably the most difficult for him because it was a combination of steep ups and downs, ups and downs, and more ups and downs with rain added into that. It rained every day. The mornings would begin clear or mostly clear, then by afternoon the thunderhead clouds would begin building up and then rain would arrive, making the trail wet and slick andeven more treacherous. I would have thought his "post-holing" through the 3'-4' deep snows back in February and March and The Great Smoky Mtns would have been FROST's most difficult time, but he says this past week has been harder then that! Combination of nearing the end and his body growing weary I'm sure.It was just before 10AM when FROST called. There was a parade getting setup to start down Main Street with classic cars, huge logging trucks and equipment. FROST has never been that interested in parades, so it was funny to hear him getting all excited about the Rangeley small town parade and telling me he had to go cause he wanted to watch it!FROST has reservations to stay 2 nights at Gull Pond Lodge/Hostel several miles outside of town. He plans get back on the trail early Monday morning for his next section - 32.2 miles up to Stratton.
Date: 2010-07-25
From: Gull Pond Hostel, Rangeley, Maine

To: Camp site below treeline of Saddleback Mtn
Miles today: 5.0

I woke early this morning and headed down to the kitchen to make some coffee. Sat in a big comfy chair, in the early morning dark, thinking about all the amazing things I've experienced over the past 5 months. I decided to head into Rangeley and perhaps visit a church. Then I think I'll hit the trail and get a start on Stratton. I did find a nice church, Rangeley Baptist. Met some nice people at the coffee time after the worship service. Brett and Sue offered to take me to the store and then back to the trailhead.It's a beautiful day with a cool breeze, 60 degrees and no rain in the forecast.I hiked to about a mile from the Saddleback Mtn summit and have found a great site for my tarp. I made a simple supper, then made some plans for the next week ahead. I have a good idea of when I could reach the summit of Katahdin, but I will not say when yet. I need to stay healthy and try not to get run over by a moose! One step at a time. This is hard to believe, but there was not a single bug today. Life is good! I'll listen to my book on tape, then time to go to sleep...FROST says to tell Brett and Sue, "THANK YOU" for all your kindness and the ride back to the trail Sunday afternoon. He ended up doing a short 5 miles and set up his tarp at a campsite just below the tree line.There's been a change of plans. FROST got an offer of a lift back to the trail, which is about 9 miles east of Rangeley and has decided to take it and return to the trail right now, instead of doing his first plan of another zero day and leave tomorrow--Monday.This morning he attended the Baptist church in Rangeley. It was there a couple from church offered to take FROST back to the trailtoday. FROST had met up with the man(sorry-I did not get his name).while he was section hiking last week. FROST was calling from the grocery store aisletelling me he had only about 15 more minutes until he had to meet up with this couple. Sounded like he was scrambling to get the food items needed to re-supplyfor his next section, which is relatively short--32.2 miles to STRATTON, ME.It was noon in Rangeley and he is hoping to get to Poplar Ridge Lean-tobefore nightfall, over 10 miles up the trail.FROST was glad to hear the weather forecast for his area is mostly clear for Monday and Tuesday and not as hot as what the eastern sea board states south of Maine are getting now.
Date: 2010-07-26
From: Camp site below treeline of Saddleback Mtn

To: Spaulding Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke a bit later then usual today. It was cold outside the tarp-55 degrees. A cold front has moved in bringing with it high winds. When I got to the summit of Saddleback Mtn it was very windy and foggy and I had to hang on to the rocks.Tonight I searched for a place to set up my tarp but could not find any area suitable because the woods on each side of the trail here are so thick and dense.Instead of setting up my tarp I am staying here at the Spalding Mtn Lean-toGot a call from FROST early this morning from a point about a mile and a half from the summit of Saddleback Mtn(4,120'). It was a cool 52 degrees up there.He was at the 1,966.4 mile mark with 212.4 miles to go.When I inquired about what his transportation plans are for getting on home after stopping off in Colorado to visit his mom, sister, brother-in-law and nephews- his response:"I'm going to take the big gray dog(Greyhound) down to the CA/Mexico border and hike the Pacific Crest Trail home to Bellingham!" Of course I KNOW he was just joking - but do know that FROST has been bitten quite severely by the hiking bug!
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Spaulding Mtn Lean-to

To: A few miles N of N. Crocker Mtn
Miles today: 11.4

I woke up at 4:00 this morning and decided to write in my journal. My little camp site here is very comfortable. However, I ran out of water and could not find any water sources. So I went to sleep without water to cook dinner or to drink. The wind has been blowing all night making sleeping very nice. Today the mileage was short, but included 3 mountains, all over 4,000 feet. Up on Sugarloaf I met a ridge runner. He pointed out Mt. Washington to the south and Mt Katahdin to the north. They were both vaguely visible way out there. Amazing to think the end is in sight! Also I had a great swim in the Carabassett River. Sat under a waterfall. There was not a soul around. I'm thinking about ways to get home. Possibly the Greyhound bus with a stopover in Denver to see family.Again, FROST had a good cell connection and got through about 7:00PM his time.He said he passed 2 SOBO hikers who told him there was no water to be found from their meeting point all the way up to ME Hgway #27. The streams he did cross over were pretty nasty looking.FROST has decided to set up his tarp down on the north slope of North Crocker Mtn.and then Wed. morning hike to #27 and hitch a ride into Stratton, ME.He drank the last of his water after coming down off Crocker--so his dinner wassome soft tortillas, but no liquid. He'll be good and thirsty by the timehe gets into Stratton Wed. morning.He says the weather is awesome, clear blue skies and cooler.
Date: 2010-07-28
From: A few miles N of N. Crocker Mtn

To: Old Man's Head
Miles today: 11.2

Had a really great hike today. In fact I think the Bigelow Mtns are my favorite on the entire AT. Avery Peak is beautiful and I passed the 2,000 mile mark!!FROST had a restless nights sleep. Mostly likely due to ?something? big crashing around through the bushes near his tarp, about 2:00 AM. He said it could have been a bear or a moose it was making that much of a racket!! He wanted to be sure whatever it was knew he was there and did not come stomping over his tarp so in a very loud voice he made himself known by talking to the noisy invisible creature,whatever it was eventually moved off. "WHEW!!"At 5:00AM FROST was heading up the trail to ME#27. He quickly caught a ride with a nice woman who was heading towards Stratton. There he met an AT hiker who is no longerhiking due to an injury. However, his wife is still hiking and this man is meeting her at points along the AT, via his vehicle. FROST said to post a big "THANK YOU" to WHITE JEEP(not sure if that's his correct trail name?)for treating him to a delicious breakfast in Stratton. FROST was back on the trail after a re-supply of food and water for his next push up to Monson which is 73.3 miles away. He was hiking along as we talked, walking past the Cranberry Stream Campsite(1,993.2 Mile Mark). He will enter the BIGELOW PRESERVE. This section will be the last of the 4,000'+ high mountain peaks until that final big peak - "THE GREATEST MOUNTAIN". Just read in the AT hiker's handbook that's what Katahdin means. His goal today is to make it over Avery Peak(4,090') to OLD MAN'S HEAD which is the 2,000 mile mark!!! I'm hoping another packet of FROST's journal pages arrives in the mail box today so I can update the missing details of his hike through the WHITE MNTS.We'll keep you posted.
Date: 2010-07-29
From: Old Man's Head

To: near Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: few clouds

A group of young boys were at the Safford Notch campsite. Just a side note--it seems the AT hiker's handbook has an error stating that Little Bigelow Lean-to is on the wrong side of the Mtn. Had a smooth hike, mostly downhill to West Carry Pond. I walked until late for me -7:00PM. I set up my tarp near Pierce Pond. The moon came up over the pond and I thought of my dear Silver Fox. The loons make a haunting call in the morning and evening. Maine is a beautiful state.I received FROST's journal pages for JULY 15-24 of his hike through The White Mtns and into Maine and have added them to his TJ.Picking up the pace a bit. Did a 20+mile day.
Date: 2010-07-30
From: near Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: broken clouds

This morning I woke early and walked about 7 miles in the cool morning to Harrison Camp. There I had coffee and pancakes. Also there were 12 young girls from all around the states who are section hiking. Just now I'm relaxing at a window seat writing in my journal and waiting while me camera, cell phone and MP3 recharge. Got an early start today so as to catch the morning scheduled 9-11:00AM Kennebec River ferry service(canoe ride) across before the 11-2pm closed time. Ferry service does not restart for 3 more hours-- from 2-4PM. The rule is "IF YOU'RE LATE, PLAN TO WAIT!!" The AT Thru-Hiker Handbook states, "The Kennebec River is very dangerous to ford. A dam upstream releases water automatically on an unpredictable schedule when power generation is needed, and you can not out run the water once it starts to rise!!! An unfortunate section hiker drowned here in 1985. Since then, the ferry service has been in operation during peak season." I got to the Kennebec River at 10:55pm as the ferry operator was taking 10 girlsacross(2 at a time), so I was glad to have made it there for the morning crossing before he stopped for his 3 hour break.Was able to get over 15 more miles in today after the Kennebec before setting up my tarp. I'm here at Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to. It's about 22 more miles to Monson, the last trail town for the north bound hikers. Depending on how things go tomorrow, I might make itthere by late Saturday or early Sunday morning. I'm tired. Time to sleep....
Date: 2010-07-31
From: Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to

To: A tree farm near Lake Hebron
Miles today: 17.2

I got up a bit late for me, about 8AM and headed north. My first stop was Moxie Bald. This is a very cool Mtn that is all granite on top. Long stretches of climbing on the granite. Had my brunch on top of Moxie Bald then picked up some speed on the way down. Had a great swim in the Piscataquis River. The mosquitoes here have been out in full force, so they keep one moving along! I walked until nearly 6PM.Put in over 17 miles today. I've set up my tarp and mosquito net near Lake Hebron by a tree farm. It's a quite a pretty location. Maine sure is a beautiful state. I hope to get up early in the morning for about an hour+ hike into Monson-last trail town!! WOW!! Last zero day!! WOW!! Last big re-supply!! WOW!! Lots of lasts. I'm tired and hope to get a good nights sleep.However, the mosquitoes are out in full force and they are voracious!!! I've got my bug net in place and hope I manage to keep the buggers out!! I'm listening to A Prairie Home Companion. This has been my tradition from the start of the trail to listen to PHC on Sat. evening.
Date: 2010-08-01
From: A tree farm near Lake Hebron

To: Shaw's Hostel, Monson, ME
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: few clouds

Had a restless night of sleep, not from the mosquitoes, just restless. Woke up in the middle of the night thinking it was 5:00AM, alas it was only 11:30PM.Got an early start to hike the nearly 5 miles to Highway 15. Caught a ride witha nice couple heading toward Monson. They were getting an early start to a U-Pick blue berry farm. I have found the people in Maine to be very nice.Got into Monson about 8AM and plan to stay here at the hostel run by Dawn and Sue -Shaw's Lodging, a TOP 10 Best Palce to stay on the AT. Dawn Sue and John and everyone here really care about hikers. Just like Lenny & Gary - The Blueberry Patch owners.There is only 1 other hiker here-COOKIE MONSTER.Dawn invited me to go to church with her this morning after I checked into the hostel, which I accepted. This will be my last big re-supply for the final push through the 100-Mile Wilderness and then on to Mount Katahdin. After going to church with Sue and Dawn I spent a relaxing day. I'm still not sure if I will stay 2 nights or head out Monday. Monson is a quaint town and would be a nice place to take a zero. I got most of my food for the 100 Mile Wilderness, which I expect to hike through in 6 days. Now I should go to the PO and send home anything that I no longer need, like all my cold weather gear I carried through the White Mtns. I'll go do that now.
Date: 2010-08-02
From: Shaw's Hostel, Monson, ME

To: Shaw's Hostel, Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I've decided to spend a 2nd night at Shaw's. It was a relaxing day with a few short walks. Also went to the P.O to pick up a packet from Silver Fox and mail home a box of the winter clothes I had for The White Mtns. It's hard to say if the extra day of rest helped. Time to sleep now....When I asked Frost what he is doing today he said--"Not much".Picked up his package from the PO, had some lunch, took a nap, rested his feet,bought the final re-supply goods and worked on re-organizing his backpack.Our cell connection was not good and we got cut off once but reconnected.I'll most likely not hear from him the rest of this week through the 100 Mile Wilderness. The SOBO hikers say that cell phone use is nearly non-existent.So stay tuned to find out when he gets through the 100 miles and what day he plans to summit Mount Katahdin.
Date: 2010-08-03
From: Shaw's Hostel, Monson, ME

To: ?
Miles today: 0.0

FROST said the hostel was full and overflowing with section hikers, SOBO hikers and NOBO hikers last night. He was out the door early heading back to the AT by about 7:30 this morning with a full backpack for the final push through the 100 Mile Wilderness. Then he'll enter Baxter State Park after crossing the W. branch of the Penobscot River. From there it's about 10 miles to "THE BIRCHES" Campsite which has only 12 spots for thru-hikers only. We hope there's an opening for FROST when he signs in at Abol Bridge! Then the final stretch is the 5 mile climb up Baxter Peak, Mount Katahdin(5,267')The forecast today is calling for passing showers and possible thunderstorms.Oh well, that's nothing new. FROST has been through nearly every kind of weather over the past 5+ months and 2,064 miles.
Date: 2010-08-03
From: Shaw's Hostel, Monson, ME

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

I was up early and ready to hike again at 6AM. After breakfas Dawn the owner gave me a ride the 3 miles back to the trail head. A little rain had the slate rock slippery. Today I walked past pretty ponds and over rushing rivers. It's beautiful country. My plan was to do 15 miles but I did 19 instead. There was some thunder today but no rain. I am here in a shelter with 5 others and about 10 are tenting here at Cloud Pond Lean-to. If I can get an early start tomorrow I may shoot for a 25 mile day, taking me over White Cap Mtn.
Date: 2010-08-05
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite

To: Campsite near Trail to Copper Pond
Miles today: 22.3

I got up early and started up White Cap. The mountain lived up to its name, the summit covered in clouds and no view. This was my last steep climb. I did my best to keep up a good pace and rewarded myself with a nice swim in Crawford Pond. The trail has leveled out and I was able to pick up some speed. I am starting to think I could summit Katahdin a day early on Sunday, instead of Monday. Tonight I'm about 3 miles north of Copper Brook Lean-to. There's 56.7 miles to go, so with two 25 mile days and one 6.7 I'll be done.FROST put in over 22 miles today. Set up his tarp about 5 miles north of he Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to.Phone rang here at 6AM this morning - I thought, could it really be Alan getting a cell connection in "The Wilderness"?!?It was!! He was on the summit of White Cap Mtn( 3,650') He slept in a lean-to 2 nights ago that was packed full with 8 hikes, meant for 6.Said it was odd to be sleeping in the shelter with so many after all the solo camping he's been doing lately.FROST is making good progress. Hiked over 19 miles out of Monson on Tuesday and yesterday, Wed he covered about 18 again.White Cap Mtn puts him at 72.8 miles from the summit of "K".and at 2,106 miles from Springer Mountain, Georgia.Just wanted to keep you in "the know" with Frost's progress.Have a great day!!
Date: 2010-08-06
From: Campsite near Trail to Copper Pond

To: near Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 24.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, I did not get 25 miles done today. I cut it short in order to camp here at Crescent Pond. This will now make tomorrow a 28 mile day to get to The Birches campground. Today was a great walk. I took a swim at Jo-Mary Lake with a beautiful sandy beach. Met up with TUMBLE WEED; MEAT STICK; FUSION and ROUGHING IT. Then we got some great trail magic from WHITE JEEP and SEMINOLE. Many thanks to them. I'm under my tarp tonight. I need to get to sleep for and early departure tomorrow to cover the 28 miles!For all the SOBO hikers telling NOBO hikers there is virtually no cell phone connectionin the 100 Mile Wilderness, it's amazing that FROST has gotten through to me again - early this morning-Friday, August 6 at 5:45(PCT). FROST calledfrom out on a peninsula on Jo-Mary Lake. He said it was quite windy and I had trouble hearing him with his cell receiver picking up all the wind noise.He put in a 22+ mile day yesterday and is hoping to do at least that many miles again today.FROST said there's a change in his ETA on the summit of Mount Katahdin. He had been thinking he would summit on Monday, August 9.However, with the 20+ mile days he's been putting in he will most likelysummit on 08/08. He wanted me to relay this info on to Art and Heidi who are on "standby" and will be picking FROST up off the trail.Art is the Chairman of the Board of the Matagammon High Adventure camp which is on the shores of Lake Matagammon, located in the north of Baxter State Park. Art will be at MHA this weekend and will wait for FROST's call from the summit of Katahdin.THANKS SO MUCH, Art and Heidi for EVERYTHING!! You 2 are awesome!!