morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-09-01
From: Grafton Notch ME 26

To: East B Hill Road
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Yesterday, Murphy's Law Prevailed. The forecast called for a 60% chance of rain beginning late morning, with scattered thunderstorms and hail possible. I decided to zero to avoid the rain, and of course it ended up barely raining, and then only late afternoon. If I'd chosen to hike, it would have poured all day. Oh, well. It's only one day. Houdini and I took our time yesterday getting to Andover, a trail town centrally located for my planned slack packing while I wait for Geo. We are staying at Pine Ellis Hostel in a private room in the main house. Lots of hikers have been coming and going. Houdini is getting a good taste of the hiker hostel community and is enjoying himself. Here in Andover, if you blink you miss the center of town. We've eaten breakfast and dinner at the Andover General Store and Diner. I had really good chili last night. We were at the trail head parking lot at 7:45, and who should pull in right behind us, but Jimmy with I Believe and Owl Bear! I Believe and I haven't hiked together since before Killington. She is 3 1/2 days ahead of me, having done the Mahoosucs, and is now to where I have jumped ahead. We caught up on our news, and hiked together for much of the day. It was good to see them all and hike with I Believe. We will be doing the same slacking for the next couple of days, so I should see them again tomorrow. It feels a little odd jumping ahead. I am now hiking in ME, yet have not officially hiked across the state line. I am counting down the miles, none the less. I now have under 300 miles to go and barring injury or extreme weather, I should summit this month! Wahoo!
Date: 2014-09-02
From: East B Hill Road

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.1

After a hiker breakfast at the Andover General Store, Houdini dropped me off at the trail and I was hiking at 7:30. Jimmy and Owl Bear were at the parking lot and I headed out with Owl Bear. I Believe had already hit the trail. It was a good day of hiking over Wyman and Moody Mountains. Yesterday there were wet rock slabs to contend with, while today was mostly dirt, roots and rock steps. I especially liked Moody for it's steep and varied ascent with steps, wooden ladders, and rebar. I caught up to I Believe and we hiked some together. I fell twice. What else is new? It was hot and humid and rained for a total of 2 minutes. Our go to place to eat in Andover has been the Andover General Store and Diner. The Red Hen restaurant across the street has been closed the days we have been here. The diner owner's brother, Mark has made our breakfast both mornings and also makes the diner's chili and haddock chowder. I told Mark how much I liked his chili and was looking forward to some of his chowder. I was not disappointed when we stopped there for dinner. The chowder was delicious. On this warm late summer evening, Houdini and I sat outside and chatted with fellow hikers. Once again, the hostel is full. Ilene, the owner, is in her 80's and still keeps the hostel going. Here tonight are Cat Fish, Saybak, Hot Sauce, Wing It, Hobbitt who is nursing an ankle sprain, and others. Tomorrow is my last day of slack packing, then it's back to Gorham. Geo is hiking into Gorham tomorrow, and we will start hiking the 31 mile stretch that includes Mahoosuc Notch the day after tomorrow.
Date: 2014-09-03
From: South Arm Road

To: Oquossoc, ME 17
Miles today: 13.2

It has been a good day, but a long day and I am going to go to sleep rather than stay up late to journal. I slacked today and it still took me 9 1/2 hrs to hike 13.2 miles. That's just how the terrain is. The mountains are big, steep, and rocky, and the descents long and arduous, especially when wet. I finished hiking at 5:15, and then Houdini drove me back to Gorham. After we had dinner in town, he dropped me off at the White Mountain Lodge and Hostel at 8:00. Geo was already here and Marney, the hostel owner, put us together in one of the bunk rooms. I am fed, showered, tired, and ready for bed. Tomorrow Geo and I get to be hiking buddies again. Goodnight.
Date: 2014-09-04
From: US Route 2, Gorham NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: few clouds

Even though I got to the hostel late last night, Marney was kind enough to do my laundry, and my hiking clothes were washed and dried when I came downstairs at 6:30 this morning. Coffee was ready and I savored a cup while I packed up my gear. After a hearty breakfast, Geo and I headed out at 8:10. White Mountain Hostel is literally on the trail where the AT follows the road for several tenths of a mile.Before I put on my pack, I walked .1 mile back to the parking lot where the trail came out of the woods, and Houdini had picked me up several days ago. I hadn't yet hiked that .1 mile of trail since Houdini had driven me to the hostel and so as not to skip any of the trail, I had to walk it this morning. My stay at White Mountain Hostel was way to short. I would love to have zeroed there. It is a lovely hostel and Marney is a gracious host. There are linens on the beds, the bunks are comfortable, the house is clean and spacious and the grounds are beautiful. It is good to be hiking with Geo again. We stayed together all day. The day was long, and the miles difficult, but it was perfect hiking weather, sunny in the 70's. We were tired when we got to the shelter at 6:00. I'm tenting on a tent platform and Geo has set up his hammock. Voodoo, who caught up and passed us on the trail is here tonight too. We hiked for a couple of days together in TN and hadn't seen each other since then!Tomorrow we hike out of NH into the 14th and LAST state!
Date: 2014-09-05
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

Today had everything: the good, the bad and the ugly. The good is I passed the 1,900 mile mark and crossed the state line into ME! I have walked from GA to ME. I can hardly fathom it, never mind having actually done it putting one foot in front of the other for almost 6 months. Geo and I stopped for photos at the state line sign and shared the moment with Legs, Lt. Dan, Chevy, and Shoes. The bad today was the slow miles. Geo and I hiked from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and only walked 9.6 miles. The terrain in NH and southern ME is unforgiving and relentless. I sound like a broken record, but we climb one steep, rocky, and rooty mountain after another, and the long descents are tedious and treacherous. I had a moment today when I asked myself if this is worth risking life and limb which brings me to today's ugly. Shoes, who is 75 and sectioning from Hanover to Katahdin, and has been hiking with Geo and me since yesterday, took a nasty fall on some rocks. Fortunately he was not seriously injured, but did get a number of cuts and abrasions on his legs. I witnessed his fall and it is a terrible feeling to watch someone go down. We stayed with him the rest of the day, and I invited him to do Mahoosuc Notch with us tomorrow. There is safety in numbers out here. He graciously accepted. This is my second time to Full Goose Shelter. Last year my niece, Lexie, and I hiked a blue blaze trail to the AT and then hiked southbound to this shelter to surprise First Gear who had stopped here for the night. There are some great tent platforms, but I have opted to stay in the shelter tonight. There is rain in the forecast for tomorrow, and Geo and I want to get an early start hoping to avoid it. Staying in the shelter will save me some time in the morning. Finally, tomorrow I hike the infamous Mahoosuc Notch. It feels so good to be home in ME.
Date: 2014-09-06
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: clear sky

I was up at 5:30 this morning and Geo, Shoes, and I were on the trail at first light at 6:10 to beat the rain. I thought of you, Lexie as I hiked the section of trail we did together last year. First Gear and Greenlite, I was clammy in my sleeping bag last night and sweating all day in my short sleeve shirt. I told everyone that the night you were here last year, it was 19 degrees. My hike through Mahoosuc Notch and up Mahoosuc Arm is now history. There were huge boulders to climb up and over, around and through. A few took some strategizing to negotiate. We handed our packs off a couple of times to make getting through tight spaces easier. I can say the Notch was fun, but it was hard work using legs that were already weary from many days of tough terrain. It took us two hours and forty five minutes to get through the Notch. Many of the rocks are moss covered in this section and there was an interesting abrupt change in temperature from cold to hot repeatedly as we made our way through. The climb up Mahoosuc Arm was steep and seemed long over rock slab, boulders, steps, roots, and planks over the mud. We got to the shelter at 1:30 before the rain. Our bodies needed a break, so we had planned a short day. I am dry, warm, and cozy in my poofy jacket and sleeping bag in the shelter watching the rain. Tomorrow Houdini is meeting me at Grafton Notch. I'm going home for a zero on Monday.
Date: 2014-09-07
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Grafton Notch, ME 26
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: clear sky

There were only five of us in camp last night. Geo hung his hammock far enough away from the shelter so he could have the peace and quiet he seeks each night, and I was in the shelter out of the rain with Shoes and a couple from South Portland out for an overnight. It never did rain all that long yesterday despite a prediction of thunderstorms and heavy rain, but it was foggy and chilly this morning. I packed up and waited until the last minute to stow away my down jacket before Geo and I headed out at 7:10. Shoes and I wished each other a safe journey. I may see him again up the trail and I may not. So many people on this journey touch your life for only a brief moment in time. At 75, I admired Shoes' fortitude, and his unwillingness to let an aging body prevent the still youthful man inside him from reaching his goal of completing the AT this year. Geo and I hiked up Old Speck Mountain, the trail skirting the summit, but not before we climbed over the steep exposed slab bald in the fog with a cold wind gusting to 40 miles an hour. It made up for the beautiful weather I had going over Mt Washington. Geo and I both value the solitude of hiking alone, but at the same time have enjoyed each other's company these past 4 days and the peace of mind of having a hiking companion looking out for you. After talking it over, we have decided to hike together the rest of the way. Ahead are streams to ford, the section of the trail where Inchworm vanished last year, and the more remote 100 mile wilderness. Houdini, and Geo's mom and sister, Esther, are relieved. It's the least Geo and I can do for our families who while being very supportive, worry about us out here in the woods. Houdini met us at the road crossing and drove us into Andover where we had lunch at The Red Hen, and then dropped Geo off at Pine Ellis Hostel. On the restaurant's porch stood Maverick, my first hiking buddy back in Georgia. We hiked together early on, were reunited at Harpers Ferry and not again until now, in ME. I was happy to see him. I hiked 33 miles past Grafton Notch last week while waiting for Geo, so am still ahead of him by that much. Instead of my one zero tomorrow, I am going to be home for three days while he does those miles. We will meet up on Thursday and together begin the final push to Katahdin. In the meantime, I'm going to relax, see family, friends and my massage therapist, rest my feet and eat well. This may push my summit date to the first few days in October, but so be it. Physically and mentally, I will be better prepared. I will journal next my first day back on the trail. Thanks again to all of you that continue to sign my guest book with words of advice and encouragement, and offers of help.
Date: 2014-09-12
From: Oquossoc, ME 17

To: Piazza Rock Lean-To
Miles today: 15.0

Instead of hiking yesterday, I spent a 4th day at home. It rained yesterday and Geo's knees and ankles needed a zero, so we decided to wait until today to get back on the trail. I had a relaxing 4 days visiting with family and friends and eating home cooked meals. I had a fabulous massage from my massage therapist, Marsea, and driving myself there was the first time I've been behind the wheel of a car in 6 months. It was strange, but felt good. These trips home are going to make reentry into my old life easier. Houdini and I were on the road at 6:00 this morning and stopped to pick up Geo at Pine Ellis Hostel. It was almost 9:00 by the time we got to the trail head where Houdini slacked us for the last time. It was the coldest it's been since last spring. The car said it was 49 degrees and it was windy. I made sure I had enough layers before heading out. The trail had it's share of rocks and roots, but was relatively flat compared to what we've become accustomed to of late. The wind died down in the woods and by afternoon it had warmed up to only the high 50's. The sun was warm though, and it was comfortable hiking weather. We reached Houdini at the next road crossing before 4:00, took our packs, said goodbye and headed back into the woods. I am tenting tonight. Today is the first day I have carried my stove since VA and none to soon. I made hot chocolate and a Mountain House meal for dinner and the hot meal tasted wonderful. I am in my sleeping bag and my hands are cold as I blog. It is time to warm up these hands and say goodnight.Tomorrow Geo and I climb The Saddlebacks.
Date: 2014-09-13
From: Piazza Rock Lean-To

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-To
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

There are still 4,000 footers to climb in ME. Geo and I were packed up and on the trail at 7:10. There was rain in the forecast for this afternoon, so our goal was to get over the Saddlebacks to the next shelter. Then we would see how we felt and how the weather looked. Well, we were plenty tired though only 3:00, it was cold, and the rain was coming, so the shelter we are staying. We climbed over Saddleback and The Horn, both 4,000 ft mountains, and then the very steep 3,600 ft Saddleback Jr. It was cold with a strong gusting wind above treeline over Saddleback and The Horn. We were dressed for it, but only stopped at the summits briefly for obligatory photos before moving on. We took our breaks below treeline where it was chilly if we sat too long, but at least the wind was calm. Toretto, thanks for the heads up about all the false summits today. There were many and my hopes weren't dashed every time we reached one thinking I'd made it to the top.It must be in the low 40's now at 5:00. I was going to stay in the shelter to avoid packing up a wet tent in the morning, but my tent is warmer so, tenting I am.Today I met up with Sherpa, whom I haven't seen since Duncannon. It was like seeing an old friend for both of us. He was slack packing and doing bigger miles today, but hopefully our paths will cross again.Like last night, my fingers are freezing as I type. The weather is getting colder too fast. We should have warmer weather again, but it is a reminder that I have been out here a long time and I want to finish before cold weather sets in for good. There are still more tough climbs ahead, but every day I check off another mountain or two, or three.
Date: 2014-09-14
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-To

To: Campsite at South Branch of Carrabassett River
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I packed up my wet tent this morning and 2nd guessed myself for not staying in the shelter last night. I was warmer in my tent, but I spent the day watching the sky hoping for enough sunshine so that I could stop and dry it out, but that never happened. The sun and blue sky came and went all day vying with the fast moving clouds overhead. It was chilly and another one of those days where my hat and gloves went on and off repeatedly depending on the wind, elevation, sun, and how much I was sweating. The trail was kinder today with some ridge walking between peaks. After yesterday's big ups and downs it was a welcome relief and a chance to do better miles. Geo and I got to camp at 5:45. The days are getting noticeably shorter. By the time I had set up my tent, made and ate dinner, filtered my water, and got squared away in my tent it was starting to get dark. By the way, tonight is the first night this entire trek that I have had to set up a wet tent. I find that pretty remarkable. I have always been able to dry it out the next day whether on the trail or going into town. It is 7:40 now and pitch dark. There is no wind tonight, so it feels warmer then last night. We are camped next to a roaring river. It is the 3rd river or stream that Awol has listed that potentially may need to be forded. So far, I am happy to say, the water in all of them has been low enough to rock hop to the other side.Tomorrow Houdini is picking us up at a road crossing and we will spend the night in Stratton for a shower and resupply. Today Geo and I passed the "under 200 miles to go" mark. I am getting there, slow but sure.
Date: 2014-09-15
From: Campsite at South Branch of Carrabassett River

To:  Route 27, Stratton ME
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: overcast clouds

After all these many months, I still look forward to the days when I get to go into town. Geo and I had a big climb up and over Crocker Mountain's South and North Peaks, but it wasn't particularly technical. It was just up and up. The descent was gradual over 5 miles, not one of the grueling steep downs that I find so taxing on my body and my mind. My knees protest the downs more these days then they used to, which I attribute to the cumulative effect of hiking 2,000 miles and the more difficult terrain of NH and ME. I still have soreness on the soles of my feet at the end of every day, but it is tolerable. I look forward to putting on my crocs first thing when I get to camp. Geo and I hadn't been on the trail more than 1/2 an hour this morning when we came upon Sherpa. He hiked with us much of the day. We invited him to hike with us the rest of the way. It looks like this dynamic trio will summit together, much to the relief of our families. Inchworm has been on all our minds these past few days as we have hiked in the area where she disappeared. It is reassuring to hike with others, and also exciting to share these final days with fellow hiking compadres. We got to the road at 2:00 where Houdini was waiting for us. We crammed into the car along with Bam and are all staying at the Stratton Motel. Here too are Cadyshack and Hobo, 2 gals that have been hiking together since May and for the past week with Sherpa, and Nora V. As I sat at the laundromat this afternoon, I realized it is the last one I will wash my clothes in on this journey. Caratunk and Monson are a reasonable distance from my brother and sister-in-laws home in Pittsfield, ME, so that is where I'll be going for a final nero and zero. This life I have led for over 6 months visiting small trail towns is nearing it's end. Our plan was to hike out early tomorrow morning, but there is rain in the forecast for the morning into the afternoon, so we are going to wait until the morning to decide when to head out. A cold rain with temperatures only in the 50's in the valley, is an ominous forecast when heading up a 4,000 ft mountain.
Date: 2014-09-16
From:  Route 27, Stratton ME

To: Horns Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: scattered clouds

It was raining lightly this morning with a possibility of rain until 4:00 in the forecast, then clearing skies. Geo, Sherpa and I decided to wait until late morning to make our decision about hiking. Geo needed an extra poly pro layer with this unseasonably cold weather we are having, and with time to kill, we got in the car and Houdini drove us to Rangeley. The store where he ultimately found what he was looking for didn't open until 10:00 so we had time for a chai tea and muffin at an interesting, eclectic shop on Main St. I sat in an upholstered leather rocking chair that rivaled the most comfortable chair in which I have ever sat. Maybe it wasn't that good, because my standard is likely much lower then it used to be. How I miss a comfortable chair in the woods. The sky was improving by the time we got back to Stratton so we decided to hike out, but make it a short day. We were on the trail at 11:15 and entered the Bigelow Mountain Range. I liked the hike today. It was generally a moderate climb over rocks and roots interspersed with flat sections and steeper short rock scrambles. We passed a huge mile marker, the 2,000 mile mark! We of course stopped for photos. A trail angel left a can of beer at the sign which Sherpa and I couldn't resist sharing to celebrate. It is incredible what I have accomplished, and not without blood, sweat, and tears. It started to rain again lightly about 1/2 hour before we got to the shelter, but I arrived fairly dry. There are 2 shelters at this site, and I'm not sure why. Bam is in one, and I am by myself in the other. Geo has set up his hammock and Sherpa is in his tent. This is the first shelter I've had all to myself. It is cold, the sky is clear, and thankfully there is no wind. It will be in the 30's tonight. The stars should be magnificent later. It is time to warm up my hands. Goodnight.
Date: 2014-09-17
From: Horns Pond Lean-to

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Getting out of my sleeping bag on these cold mornings reminds me of my early days on the trail in March and April. It is hard to do. Hike we must though, so Geo and I were on the trail at 7:15. The Bigelow Mountains are my favorite section of the AT. The trail is well maintained, difficult and varied enough to be interesting, yet not so impossibly difficult as to be treacherous, and the views are spectacular. We had a beautiful day to hike them. We took the time to live in the moment, appreciate the beauty, and I was in awe of the mountains and lakes all around us. Caroline, I thought of you. I believe the photo of you with your Merrowvista cohorts atop a mountain was taken in the Bigelows. And to Rich, my nephew, I have thought of you many times as I have hiked over trails in ME wondering which of the rock steps I have climbed, you helped construct. We expected to do more miles today, but Little Bigelow turned out not to be so little. When Geo and I got to the shelter there were only two other hikers, one of which was Nora V whom I've known from months back. As I lie in my sleeping bag in the shelter blogging, I count eleven "20 something" thru-hikers sitting around the fire. I knew none of them except Nora V. We have heard for months about a big bubble behind us. I have no idea how many hikers are still behind us, but clearly they are catching up as we all push to Katahdin before October 15. Geo is in his hammock wishing I'm sure we had stealth camped somewhere quiet in the woods. Sherpa headed out after us this morning, and has camped somewhere behind us. I left my Sawyer Squeeze at a stream this afternoon. I set it down when Geo offered to use his Katadyn pump to filter my water and then forgot to pick it up. I am more unhappy that I littered the woods, than that I don't have my filter. I have Toretto's Sawyer at home, so will ask Houdini to being it next time I see him. Geo has been graciously filtering water for me and I haven't had to use my back up Aqua Mira. Thanks Geo.