morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Kennebec River - Caratuck, ME.

To: Bald Mountain Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.0

It was a cool, rainy morning so we started out today with pack-covers on and almost needed headlamps to see the roots in the dense forest undergrowth. We had 2 small climbs to 2500' today. The first was on Pleasant Mountain...a misnomer because I feel 5 times. Pleasant Mt. had a combination of slate and granite and the slate was wet and slick! My shoes grip granite well enough to walk up a 30 degree slope, the slate dumped me with just a slight grade...ugh!!!!   The only thing hurt was my pride and a new kink in hiking pole! The second mountain was Moxie-Bald Peak..all granite..yippee! The rock boulders on Moxie-Bald reminded me of Piazza Rock with huge cantilever rock slabs overhanging the trail. It was very windy and cooler so we didn't linger at the summits. On the way down Moxie-Bald we could see Bald Mountain Pond and the area of our Lean-to destination. The pond too was wind swept and there were even white-caps breaking in the strong wind. The vista also showed the logging areas of fresh cut and newly replanted areas. Arriving at the pond we ate dinner on the rocky shore while a beaver swam near-by and a pair of loons also fished.
Date: 2007-08-19
From: Bald Mountain Pond Lean-to

To: Monson, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

If plans remain firm, today we are "Single-digit Midgets"...just 9 more days on the trail. We left at 06:00 and had clear skies as the sun rose. It remained cool but warmer than the day before. Much of the trail followed the Piscataquis River through a canyon with steep woody and rocky walls. We had two fords, one was easy enough with the low water levels that we actually could rock jump our way across without taking off our shoes. My blisters (left heal) and Charlie-horse (right thigh) felt fine today..I'm excited to be near 100% health as we reach Monson and our "Last Mail-drop". We are staying at Shaw's Hostel tonight. We didn't expect to get this far but in 2 days we have hiked from Caratunk to Monson Me., nearly 40 miles. Tomorrow, after the Post Office opens, and we consolidate our mail-drop with our left-over food, we will depart for the "100-Mile Wilderness" and the final approach to Mt. Katahdin..our destination.
Date: 2007-08-20
From: Monson, Maine

To: Long Pond Stream
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

We had a huge Blueberry Pancake breakfast at Shaw's Hostel and waited for the P.O. to open. Then we consolidated our last maildrop with a few left over food items for the "100 mile Wilderness" and donated some excess items to the "Hiker's Box". The Hiker's Box is for unwated items that any other hiker is fre to take and usually contains items like noodles, duct tape, toilet paper, etc.   Once again we had ideal hiking weather, low 60s, blue sky and nice scenery. We searched the many passing ponds for moose (No luck) but were treated to lots of ducks/Loons. Following the Wilson Stream we enjoyed a 60 foot waterfall over a slate canyon...reported to be one of the highest waterfalls on the Appalachian Trail. The path was filled with roots at times but the sunshine was drying up the mud from all but the deepest holes. The Southbound hikers told us there were lots of people staying at the Long Pond Shelter so we camped a little ways short on the bank of the Long Pond Stream. "Catchup" and I were both tired today..I think leaving a Hostel with "all you can eat" meals is tough on the body when you got back to power-bars and de-hydrated food. 14 miles was a little short of our desired 16 mile day but we did get a late start waiting for the P.O. to open.
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Long Pond Stream

To: West Branch Pleasant River, Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather was warmer today with Blue skies AGAIN! Catchup and I often remark how lucky we have been to hike in shorts and short sleeve shirts everyday..maybe with a long sleeve shirt needed for only a mile in the early morning. Today's hiking was over Barren Mnt, Columbus Mnt, and Chairback Mnt in the Barren/Chairback Range. From Barren Mnt (2700') we had wonderful views of Lake Onawa...one of the countless uninhabited waterways we viewed that seemed to invite exploration and wilderness fishing...some other time. In spite of the beautiful countryside, I didn't like hiking today because the roots were bad and they were inter-mixed with ledges and many small ups/downs. I like to get into a hiking rhythm with a consistent path surface/slope..NOT today. The Southbounders say the hiking gets better after Whitecap Mnt...the last climb in the 100-mile wilderness before reaching Katahdin...I sure hope they are right. We have only 85 miles/1-week to go!
Date: 2007-08-22
From: West Branch Pleasant River, Campsite

To: Little Boardman Mnt - Wilderness Camping
Miles today: 20.0

We approached today with a lot of enthusiasm because of the terrain...our last big climb before we finish with Katahdin. We started out through the "Hermitage", a stand of 130 foot tall White Pines. I love walking among these old giants. I'm always looking up at their extaordinary height and tripping because I'm not paying attention to what's under-foot. We skipped the famous "Gulf Hagas" side trails to Maine's Grand Canyon...we couldn't afford the lost-time and maintain our 27 Aug date with Katahdin. Next we climbed 4 seperate Peaks: Hagas Mnt,West Peak, Hay Mnt and finally White Cap Mnt at 3,654'. Each peak had a small descent before the next peak, so the overall elevation change was essentially the same as climbing Katahdin..a confidence builder. Intially we stopped for supper at the East Branch (Pleasant River) Lean-to. Then we discussed our desire to reach the "White House Landing" Hostel the next day..stil 22 miles away and decided to try and hike for 3 more miles before it got dark. We arrive at the low summit of Little Boardman Mnt and found a ledge with a good view as the sun was setting. Because the sky was cloudless, we decided to fore-go tents and risk sleeping under the stars because the weather had been so good..it worked. Besides sliding down the slope of the ledge a little, we both enjoyed a beautiful star-light canopy. 6-more days!
Date: 2007-08-23
From: Little Boardman Mnt - Wilderness Camping

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 19.0

Catchup and I both saw a shooting star during the night to prove our decision to "Cowboy Camp" was a good one. The reports of the trail getting better were accurate. Now that the climbs were all done except for Katahdin, we were on cruise control this morning with an old logging trail as our compass. We hiked 14-miles by noon and that included several long social stops. We were both motivated to get to the Hostel for one last shower, bed and big meal and we arrived there by mid afternoon in spite of a mile detour off the AT. With one blast of the air-horn, Bill boated across the Pemadumcook Lake inlet to pick us up and bring us to the site of a grand old "White House" Hotel, long ago destroyed. Bill and Linda lease the property and have a hiker's bunkhouse and two private cabins for familes...a real possibility for people wanting to "Get away" from civilization. After a hot shower, Catchup and I split a 1-lb hamburger, large pizza, and pint of Ben & Jerry's ice-cream. 2 beers topped off my meal..love those carbs! Now we have just 31 miles to Katahdin...whahoo!
Date: 2007-08-24
From: White House Landing

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Friday: Leaving the hostel after our "All-you-can-eat" Blueberry pancake, bacon and eggs breakfast, it was a dark and rainy day. Bill took us back across the inlet to the AT side-trail and shortly after beginning our hike we sighted "Baxter", the local Bull Moose. He was huge and pretty cooperative. I had my camera buried in my pack because of the weather but fortunately Catchup had her camera at the ready. So Catchup got the pictures of our only Maine moose sighting. It was a little cooler but humid today and the trail followed the shores of Lake Namakanta and then Rainbow Stream. I saw one fisherman all day. With our Katahdin date getting closer we were happy to hear from other hikers that our Monday climb/termination had a good forecast but thunderstorms were still reported for Saturday & Sunday afternoon. Catchup slipped 3 times today. She is being cautious but the roots are often hidden under leaves or a little dirt and when you hit a slippery one, you are going down! The final mile along Rainbow Stream revealed numerous small water falls and swimming holes but it was a little cool as we reached the Rainbow Stream Lean-to. Just 15-miles and 2-days and this adventure will be complete!
Date: 2007-08-25
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

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

Saturday: Waking up with our fellow hikers we discovered that the shelter mice had gotten us again eating thru Catchup's dry bag which I hung between two trees. Most people agree that the Maine mice were the worst on the AT...it is hard to protect food from these hungry critters. Peanuts are their food of choice so I strongly recommend against peanut filled trail mix when mice are around. Again the trail was full of rocks, roots and a little mud, making progress on this our last full hiking day a little slower than we expected. The day began with sunshine radiantly pentrating the trees. The air was perfectly still so I attempted to capture some reflecting pictures at Crescent Pond...the only ripples coming from a pair of Mallards cruising the shoreline. The trail followed Rainbow Lake for 8 miles and when we ventured in for a swim, we discoverd a fishing Camp a 1/2 mile away. It appeared to be accessible by Float-plane only? The last mile of the hike was into civilization along a gravel logging road used by vacationers/campers in Baxter State Park...with Katahdin as a back-drop. I gorged myself with junk-food at the camp store: cookies-chips-ice cream and beer and got a stomach ache in return. The best part of the campsite was the 25 cent showers...the cheapest we had seen at any pay-shower facility. Of course that only provded a 3.5 minute shower but when you are a hiker, that's all it takes to get clean - NOT!!! As we were settling in for our standard evening curfew of 7 PM. the campground became a buzz with talk of severe thunderstorms. They could be seen off in the distance and the first "Boomers" passed well south..we thought we were safe. Then a second line of storms came through and although we stil weren't in their direct path, they pounded us with heavy rain, thunder/lighting for 2 hours. My tent stood up well and the "Mouse hole" I patched with Duct-tape kept the rain out just fine!
Date: 2007-08-26
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Lean-to #12
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Sunday: Breaking camp was a pain because the Thunderstorm's heavy rain had splashed sand/dirt all over my tent. I washed the footprint in the stream and packed up the rest of the tent still wet. Knowing that today was a short 10-miler to get to Katahdin and meet family was motivation enough to "Be Happy" all day and the thunderstorms had left a clear sky in the wake! The trail followed the Penobscot River and Katahdin Streams. We had more than one fun stream-crossing. If we had been smart we would have forded the stream with our crooks on but no...we had to balance on the slippery old logs and use a slack rope 5 feet above the stream to steady our crossings. Once again we were lucky and no-one fell in! Entering Baxter State Park reminded me of past fishing trips (in the 1960s/70s)to Kidney Pond and Daicey Pond with my Grandfather newton, Dad and brothers. Now both facilities are owned by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club as family cabins rentals. Just before arriving at the Lean-to we met my brother Pete and Catchup's husband Richard (aka "Cargo-Master"). A little later my nephew Robert arrived from Ellsworth ME. We all registered with the Ranger for Monday's climb, confirmed the weather looked good and learned that unfortunately, the night's thunderstorm had eletrocuted a camper. Catchup was the 115th Thru-Hiker to register for the Katahdin climb after being the 510th person to start at Springer Mt Georgia 150 days earlier...what a testimony to her strength, determination and family support. We are all so proud of her. 1-day and 5 miles to go!!!!
Date: 2007-08-27
From: Katahdin Stream Lean-to #12

To: Mt. Katahdin Summit - 5,267'
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

Monday - 27 Aug: It is important to note that this date is exactly 1-month earlier than Catchup had planned to finish her thru-hike. Blessed with good weather, good health and a strong desire to get back to our families, we pushed ourselves further and faster each day. Catchup had also lost some 60 pounds, I've lost 30...we were hiking "machines" in August.We got our typical start hiking at 6 AM with our group of family and friends. The ascent was mostly a steep rock scramble with a few steel-bars to help with the extra long reaches along the way. As forecast, the weather was another beauty...nearly cloudless with blue skies. Of nephew Robert's 5 Katahdin trips, this was his first with good weather...so we all felt fortunate to get this extra ordinary weather on our first (and only?) Katahdin trip. The climb was completed in just over 3.5 hours and no one else disturbed our private summit celebration for nearly an hour. Brother Pete provided a split of Champagne and Sparking Cider to top off the climb. We descended on the "Knife Edge" Trail...a spectacular ridge line that is at times only 3 feet wide with dramatic cliffs on both sides. As I had often seen, the Ravens and Hawks just looked down and laughed at our slow progress as they cruised overhead in the ridge wave at 50 MPH. It reminded me how much I miss Hang-gliding!   A special thanks to family (especially "Cargo-Master") and friends who supported Catchup and I along the way and to all the other Thru-hikers, Sections hikers and Day-hikers who added their encouragement and shared in the love of the outdoors and unique beauty of the Appalachian Trail. "Skiman"
Date: 2007-03-24
To: Intro
Miles today: 0.0

I've done a lot of hiking over the years. Most of it in the mid 80's, some 20 years ago. Then I ran out of money and had to start working again, bummer! About four years ago, I decided to start doing some long distance hiking again. First trip (2003)was 100 miles of the Long Trail in Vermont. The top half, in the fall. The top half of the LT is some of the hardest hiking around. Good way to get back into long distance hiking! Having been a summer/fall caretaker for the GMC,(two seasons) it was nice to see familar sights again. The next year (2004) it was 100 miles on the AT in SW VA. Unseasonably warm for May, and having new Limer ulta-ligh boots that didn't fit too well yet slowed me down and had to quit after only 100 miles. The year after that (2005), it was Springer MT GA to New Found gap in the Smokies. Would have gone farther, but sprained my Achilles tenden the first day into the Smokies and limped all the way to New Found gap. A few days resting in Gatlinburg didn't improve it any, so went home. Gatlinburg is too expensive a town to spend much time in waiting for a trail injuy to heal!Last year (2006)it was Mt Rodgers RA in VA down to New Found Gap in the Smokies in the sping. Hiking south with all the northbounders going the other way was interesting, meet just about all of them, at least 700 people passed me by. The in the fall, I did the CT and MA sections of the AT. This is a section I had not done before and was harder than expected. Meet a suprisingly large number of late south bounders in that two weeks. This year it will be Roanoke, VA up to Harpers ferry. Virgina is such a nice state to hike. Lots of trail magic and nice friendly locals. The first 100 miles of this years spring hike will hopefully be with a long time hiking buddy of mine, who has become envious of my yearly spring hiking trips. Then its on my own again for the duration.
Date: 2007-04-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

In light of the current cold snap much of the country is experancing at the moment, I'm glad I didn't head down to Virgina yet! The cold and all the snow we've had here in New Hampshire this last week has made going out and walking a few miles everyday impossible. I'm going to have to start doing my walks regardless soon, or the first few days on the trail will be painful. I went down to the EMS store yesterday to pick up some odds and ends. Primarly, I wanted to replace my short therma-rest pad with a long one. Looking over the selection, I found an "air core" mat made by "Big Angus" called the REM sleep pad. It's about the same weight as the Therma-Rest Prolite 3, but a tad smaller and half the price at $49.95, so I decided to buy it. Big mistake. Took me at least 10 minutes of huffing and puffing to blow the thing up and nearly as long to deflate it. That's way too long and way too much work. The chincher is the pad isn't all that comfterable. So, I'll have to make the 70 mile round trip down to EMS again and exchange it for a proper Therma-rest pad. Oh well, you get what you pay for! On the other hand, the Six Moon Designs "Lunar Solo" tent which came in the mail recently looks like it will work out nicely. I was able to set it up outside before winter came back for a last blast. Its a good idea to figure out how to set up a tent before you actually need to do it in a hurry out on the trail! This tent goes up easy, just stake the corners and put the hiking pole up the middle, takes 5 minutes tops. Just need one warm, sunny day to seam seal the seams. I don't expect to use the tent much. Virgina in late APril, early May should be fairly quiet, with only the early start or faster through hikers getting that far up the trail.Well, only about another week and a half to get ready for this years stroll on the AT. Lots to do in the mean time.
Date: 2007-04-22
To: read set go!
Miles today: 0.0

Two more sleeps and a wake up, then its on the bus for a 26 hour ride down to Roanoke. My favorite part of the trip ¢ not! I had planed on hiking up to Harpers Ferry then hop the train to DC and home, but now seriously considering going all the way to the Delaware Water Gap. Last time I did this section, it took me 40 days to go from Troutdale, VA to the DWG. That was in 1989, almost 20 years ago. I might be able to do it a little faster this time, seeing my pack in a lot lighter and I was wearing heavy Limer boots on that first trip. Limer boots are bullet proof, but they weight about 3 pounds each ¢ dry. You really feel that at the end of a long day. Now that my pack is down to 25 pounds, fully loaded with 5-6 days worth of food and using feather weight Lufuma hiking sneakers, I should be able to dance down the trail, hi. Just a few more chores to take care of in the next two days, then its off to the trial, finally. Hopefully my next entry will be from the trail.
Date: 2007-04-23
To: Heading out
Miles today: 0.0

This is it. Bills that can't wait have been paid, work that has to be finished is. "Gone Hiking" sign is on the door to the shop. Been able to get out and walk two miles most every day for the last two weeks, so boots are broken in along with my feet. Trip starts with a one mile walk to the bus station at 7 am tomorrow morning. 26 hours later, will be in Roanoke. I'll wimp out and take a taxi to the Troutville. Haven't decided if I'll spring for a motel room or do the 3.5 miles into the first shelter. Most likely I'll go for the room so can be refreashed for the first day out. Its good to get a good meal and a good nights sleep after a long bus ride! It's amazing how much space all one's gear takes up when you spread the contents of the pack out. Amazing it all fits in the pack and only weights 23 pounds! Thats with 5-6 days worth of food in there, but no water. Pretty hard to get it much lighter with out being uncomfterable and a hard core minumalist. I'm working on it though :-) See ya on the trail,
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Troutville, VA

To: Glasgow, VA
Miles today: 55.0
Weather: clear sky

On the trail! First town stop here in Glasgow, VA. Was going to stop at Beuna Vista in another day, but my right ankle started acting up coming down a long hill yesterday to Matts Creek shelter. So, with a road to town only 2 miles north of the shelter, decided it would be best to go to town and rest it for a day, rather then stress it for another 30 miles or so, up and down some good hills between here and the next town. There's nothing like a 26 hour bus ride to the nearest town to the trail. Trail magic started when I got to Richmand VA, when another hiker got on the bus. I had no idea how I was going to get from the bus station at Roanoke to the trail in Troutville. Turns out "Foot Pilot" had arranged for a ride with a trail angel and I was able to tag alone. Since I needed to eat something, I had him drop me off at the "Waffle House", then walked the 1.5 miles or so of road to the trail head. Another 4 miles in 80 degree heat and I as at the first shelter (Fullhart knob. Where I immeditately passed out for the duration of the day. Day two was a fairly easy 13.5 mile walk to Bobblets Gap shelter, where I meet my first true early through hikers. Not too many of them this far north yet, but there are a few out who started end of Febuary. Thankfully, a cold front started to move through the night before and was much more pleasent hiking.Day three, another fairly easy 13 mile day to Bryant ridge shelter. Still cool with morning fog, but cleared up in afternoon. No real shade on the ridges yet, so glad I packed some sun screen. Starting to get my "Hiker Tan" (or burn) real quick. Still wearing long pants, as don't want to burn my legs yet. Day four, little harder with a long slow 5 mile climb out of Bryant ridge shelter. The rest of the day was typical AT ups and downs. Nice view from Apple Orchard Mtn, dispite FAA golf ball on top of mountian. I'd like to be up there in a thunder storm and watch the lightning strike the spikes on the ball! (okay, not really)At Thunder hill shelter, a guy meet his wife who was finishing a short section hike. He treated us to hot dogs, cokes and cheese and crakers for dinner, as the parking lot is only 0.3 miles away! More trail magic!Day five, some long, slow up, some long flat, some long slow down hill. Warm and sunny with no shade for 12 miles. On the long decent to Matts creek is when my ankle started to act up. Belive it i the side of my low cut boots and brusing it. Or its just a little strained. In anyevent, I got to get rid of these low top boots and get some real ones at Rockfish Gap, which seems to be the first place I will be able to do so. Another 60 miles, Oh well. Day six, is today, guess it is time for a rest. Going to find lunch and the hotel. Next update most likely in a week from Rockfish Gap or Waynesboro.