morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-08-19
From: Franconia Notch (NH)

To: Bethlehem (NH)
Miles today: 0.0

due to the heavy thunderstorms in the Whites, today mule, slick b and i zeroed at amy's place!!! we slept in and watched more simpsons and played PS2 and got a picture in the stumpy village. the stumpy village is made up of logs painted and clothed to be...snowmen. haha. in the summer the stumpy's are wearing visors and bandanas. tonight we went out to eat with amy when she got off work. i ate an entire 12inch pizza by myself and then of course amy and i split a brownie sunday great fun!
Date: 2006-08-22
From: Franconia Ridge Trail (NH)

To: Pass Galehead Hut (NH)
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

this has been my most favorite section of the trail so far. franconia ridge was awesome and breathtaking with views all around you. mt. garfield was way awesome today too...but we got to the hut to early so they turned us away for work for stay. it all worked out...we hung out for a little and caught up with the river weasel and then walked on a tenth to stealth it. homeward and wiggy caught up with us tonight too. i never had better night sleeps than here in the whites.
Date: 2006-08-23
From: Pass Galehead Hut (NH)

To: Thoreau Falls Trail (NH)
Miles today: 9.2

today was easy hiking with a great lookout just before zealand hut. the river weasel, slick b, mule and i headed to the hut for $2 all you can eat soup...AND i ran into my old hiking buddy cornbread! it was so exciting! the soup was chicken noodle, a solid choice but nothing spectacular. mule, slick b and i ended our day at some falls.
Date: 2006-08-24
From: Thoreau Falls Trail (NH)

To: Crawford Notch,US302 (NH)
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: broken clouds

today was a short hike to route 302 where we enjoyed food and ice cream at the willey house. then we decided instead of calling amy to pick us up...we'd hitch hike since we now know our way around NH (plus there was a road map at the willey house). it took two hitches to get to The Rocks Christmas Tree Farm (www.TheRocks.org) in Bethlehem, one in the back of a pick up truck and the next in a car pumping Led Zeppelin...so we knew it was straight. so now we're "Home sweet, home" at amy's enjoying music and food
Date: 2006-08-26
From: Crawford Notch,US302 (NH)

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut (NH)
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: mist

we got on the trail late because we had to resupply and we ate at a Chinese Buffet. Slick B's friend Julie drove us around & dropped us off at the trailhead. We had a great afternoon with a heady climb with heady views but as it got later the day became foggier and cold. We made to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut. i worked for stay at Lakes of the clouds hut, folded sheets, blankets and swept, etc. Dinner was soooo! good. mashed potatoes, ham, veggies, bean soup, homemade bread & butterscotch dessert bars. also there that night was Enuff & Too much, Trickster & What, Model T & Ranger Dawg, Slick B, Mule, Uphill, Sleepy the Arab & Cosmic Punchline. it was a packed house for the thru-hikers and the yuppie tourists. i am a hard sleeper, but not everyone slept as well as me because apparently guests were up to use the bathroom all night, kids were crying and someone was snoring.
Date: 2006-08-27
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut (NH)

To: USFS Osgood Tentsite (NH)
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

i summitted Mt Washington. the weather on Mt. Washington was great, clear, cold but not too windy. It's traditional to moon the cog railway train. the train rolled up to the visitor center and Slick B and i ran out to moon the train. you are supposed to moon the train where it crosses the AT, but we thought this was our only chance so we ran out in front of everyone, hikers, visitors and train riders and "dropped trou". The weather got increasingly worse when we left Mt. Washington. It was rainy and foggy so all the thru hikers convened at the Madison Hut. Cosmic Punchline continue to hike into Pinkham Notch and i continued alone to the Osgood Tentsite. Climbing over Madison was the most intense hiking and bad weather i have been through. The wind completely knocked me off my feet and almost off the ridge 4 times. i scurried from rock cairn to rock cairn to avoid the wind. Once i got below the treeline the wind slowed down but i'm left with bruises on my legs and hips from being thrown into rocks.
Date: 2006-08-28
From: USFS Osgood Tentsite (NH)

To: Pinkham Notch / Gorham (NH)
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: fog

Hitched with Slick B and Mule to North Conway to EMS to try and take care of equipment issues. No luck for me or Mule, but Slick got his pole fixed. Then we hitched to Gorham because the weather was bad. We ate alot of pizza and stayed at the Barn Hostel. It meets all of our needs but it is expensive. We saw 42 & Lightweight at the hostel. i could not stop laughing, telling Slick B & Mule about my horrific experience yesterday. Sending about 100 pictures to my dad to put on my journal. Tomorrow we will hitch back to Pinkham Notch.
Date: 2006-08-29
From: Pinkham Notch / Gorham (NH)

To: Carter Notch (NH)
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: mist

we got a late start today b/c everyone had errands to run before leaving town. we ran into FDR, The River Weasel, Yellow Belly, Identity Crisis, Treehouse and Rusch Hour but they are all a day or two ahead of us. we climbed the wild cats today...and they were steep! but fun b/c you have to climb up rock boulders.
Date: 2006-08-30
From: Carter Notch (NH)

To: Hogan Road (NH)
Miles today: 15.8

today was a rough hiking day with ups and downs and rocks and roots...but the last miles were smooth and easy. we made great time today and hitched into Gorham for the second time for a resupply. slick broke the replacement pole that EMS gave him so he had to hitch back into N. Conway but we all reunited that evening. and we had to stop at mcdonald's before getting back on the trail b/c it's the last place to get fast food on the AT. mule, slick b and i camped out just on the other side of US2.
Date: 2006-08-31
From: Hogan Road (NH)

To: Carlo Col Shelter and Campsite (ME)
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

the ME mission! i woke up this morning...early and had the ambition to start the ME mission. the ME mission just required sleeping in maine thus getting out of NH. it was a long, hard day...the terrain wasn't the worst i've seen but there were just a lot of little ups and downs, which wear out your body. as you get closer to the maine border the terrain gets more ridiculous with rocks...not big boulders that you have to step over but long flat slate-like ones that you have to slide down. within the 0.5 it took from the border to the shelter i was bleeding, slick b cracked "the amigo" (his guitar), and mule got a hole in his pack. hows that for a welcoming? we get to the shelter which is 0.3 off the trail and downhill to be greeted with happy, lively college freshmans on a group trip. we walk into camp looking like death run over and see that no one is staying in the shelter...so we decide to b/c we don't have the energy to set up our tents. slick broke "the amigo" to pieces by wacking against the shelter like a rock star. and then we had to take shots of whiskey to calm our knees.
Date: 2006-09-01
From: Carlo Col Shelter and Campsite (ME)

To: Mahoosuc Notch (ME)
Miles today: 7.0

ooooo the big bad scary "hardest mile of the trail," mahoosuc notch. well...it was pretty tough. i had to use every muscle in my body to climb up rocks, dangle between rocks, squeeze under and through rocks...but luckily this wasn't uphill or downhill it was just across (i guess). we met a former thru-hiker traveling through the notch with trail magic. they had cookies and candy and they left energy drinks in a stream. when slick b, mule and i got on the other side of the notch we rested for a while and then decided to move on over mahoosuc arm...and then we walked 0.2 to a large flat camp spot by a brook and decided to set up camp
Date: 2006-09-02
From: Mahoosuc Notch (ME)

To: Frye Notch Lean-to (ME)
Miles today: 12.9

today's hiking was RUGGED! it started out with mahoosuc arm...which i'm glad i didn't attempt at the end of yesturday b/c my body was beat. it starts out okay and like a typical uphill climb but then by the middle/end your scaling the side of a mountain with your knuckles and knees. later today we got trail magic from "Old Fart," with bologna sandwiches and pastries and sodas, which gave me enery to hike up and over Bald Plate mt. bald plate is just that...no trees just rock slate and wind that you have to climb up...it was amazing but incredibly tough on my knees on the way down.
Date: 2006-09-03
From: Frye Notch Lean-to (ME)

To: Andover, Maine
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

the hiking was so smooth and easy today...but then again it was only 4.5 miles. when we arrived to the road "sour ball" and "drifter" were there providing breakfast trail magic with cinnamon buns, bananas and beers. i was planning on going into andover to resupply and then get back out of there...but it's hard when it's raining to go back outside. mule, slick b, shebear, 42, indiana, gary, bama, piniata, burner, feng shui, the professor and jesse james stayed at "the cabin" hostel. they have all of these dress up clothes and accessories (wigs, hats, belts, ties) for when you do you laundry you have something to wear. it was so much fun! i wore a blond wig and the boys got into skirts the hostel provided an all you can eat dinner. it felt like a big family gathering during the holidays with long tables (and small card tables shoved in the corners to get everybody a seat). food resupply is kinda a bummer here unless you have time to take a zero to make it to walmart...but i guess i'll be resupplying at a gas station again...sooon enough i'll be in rangely and they'll have something more.
Date: 2006-09-04
From: Andover, Maine

To: South Arm Road (ME)
Miles today: 10.1

today i woke up early for an all you can eat breakfast with blueberry pancakes, potatos, biscuits n' gravy, omletes anyway you want them, sausage, bacon. i smuggled some pancakes to our late rising friend slick b. we had tough climbing today with metal rungs in the rocks but then arrived at an awesome campsite at the end of the night. we talked indiana into staying one more night with us. he got off the trail for a wedding and then was trying to make a summit deadline of september 20th. soulman, brownie,42, slick,mule and snickers stayed at the campsite too. we all heard a moose stomping through the river next to the campsite in the morning i ran out of my tent!! and 42 just thought it was slick being random and playing in the water. well it's supposed to rain tomorrow...we'll see how that goes.
Date: 2006-09-05
From: South Arm Road (ME)

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to (ME)
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

it was misty this morning..but cleared up and turned out to be a great hiking day again. Today i saw my first Moose, a mother moose. Slick B & Indiana were with me. slick and i washed the mud off of our boots and feet and socks in the pond. it's been incredibly muddy and disgusting for the past week. indiana is with us another night..hehe..mule and 42 showed up too and we built a fire and slick played the mando. ahhh so nice to be in the woods.
Date: 2006-09-06
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to (ME)

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to (ME)
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

today slick and i stopped at a pond on the way into town that had canoes so we went for a ride and then mule and 42 showed up and we had a canoe bumping war...hehe...but no one tipped. slick just flug mud at me after i pushed him in it..haha. in my defense he was antagonizing me and 42 by stomping his feet in the mud to splash it on us. we went all went into rangely for some good eats and met up with indiana again..hahahahha!! Staying at Piazza Rock Lean-to tonight is Feng Shui, Burner, Shebear, 42, Lightweight, Slick B, Mule, Indiana & me.
Date: 2006-09-07
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to (ME)

To: Old woods road (ME)
Miles today: 11.7

Today was a hard day it reminded me of the Whites. Saddleback,the Horn and Saddleback Junior were like the notches. Beautiful views. We were able to camp at Old Woods Road which was a great flat area which is the beginning of a waterfall making the road unusable, but a great place to camp. Here tonight is Cohiba, Otter, Shebear, 42, Slick B, Mule, lightweight & me.
Date: 2006-09-08
From: Old woods road (ME)

To: ME27 / Stratton, Maine
Miles today: 18.7

We had a great hike into Stratton. The view and the weather were great. At night we went to a "Karaoke" and dancing place. It was great fun and the locals were really good. Slick B got up and sang. The pizza was yummy too. We all had alot of fun. There was Burner, Indentity Crisis, Bofus, Treehouse, Feng Shui, Lebowski, Indiana, Mule, and Slick B. We were able too get a motel room for $45 that 3 people could share some rooms even had bunkbeds.
Date: 2006-09-09
From: ME27 / Stratton, Maine

To: Horns Pond Lean-tos (ME)
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: light rain

today was beautiful and then we started laundry and it rained so we waited it out then we tried to hitch and watched...hmmm...about 5 cars pass us by and then decided to go back to our hotel to get lunch then we got a hitch in a Saab...but after hiking for about 30min a storm hit and it rained all afternoon. it was freezing out!
Date: 2006-09-10
From: Horns Pond Lean-tos

To: East Flagstaff Road (ME)
Miles today: 11.6

avery peak and the bigelows are one of my favorite peaks/ridges on the whole trail. you get great 360 degree beautiful views of ponds and lakes...and the climbs aren't difficult. When we got to East Flagstaff Road, we were treated to some great trail magic, there was a group of ex- thru hikers camping there for a week greeting hikers with hamburgers, corn on the cob, etc. They had a u-haul type truck filled with food and supplies. We decided to stay the night, so we could have breakfast in the morning. Here tonight is Indiana, Identity Crisis, Treehouse, Bofus, Lebowski, G-Man, Lightweight, F-Bomb, Slick B, Mule, me and a sobo Doc Gnarley.
Date: 2006-09-11
From: East Flagstaff Road (ME)

To: Pierce-Pond Lean-to (ME)
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: few clouds

we woke up to potato and walking home cooking breakfast sandwiches and frost on our tents. looking at the terrain it seemed really easy today...which feels great on my body but it means there will be no views...little did i know that we would be walking around ponds and lakes all day. treehouse, mule and i went swimming. the pierce pond shelter looks right out onto the pond and mr. harrison that is in charge of a camp down the trail came by to get breakfast orders for tomorrow morning. bofus, lebowski, slick b, mule, lightweight, piniata, g-man, treehoue, identity crisis, rising sun and slip n slide stayed at the shelter.
Date: 2006-09-12
From: Pierce-Pond Lean-to (ME)

To: US201 / Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 4.0

G-man, Pinata, Lightweight, Rising sun, identity crisis, treehouse, slick b and i went to the "Lumberjack" breakfast at the Harrison's. the harrison's cabin is in the middle of the woods on a creek. it's a really beautiful part of maine. lebowski and i caught the ferry (canoe ride) across the kennebec river together. and then lebowski, bofus, slick b, lightweight and i met up at the Northern Outdoors center. we all had the intention of resupplying and getting out of caratunk...but the northern outdoors center sucked us in with their micro-brews and hot tub and cheap lodge rooms. NEW PICTURES IN JOURNAL STARTING 8/31
Date: 2006-09-14
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to (ME)

To: Shirley- Blanchard Road (ME)
Miles today: 15.7

Today we had a easy hiking day, hiking with Lightweight, Windtalker & Mom. we hike along rivers, a pine forest and some beautiful fall leaves. We did have to forge a cold river, almost up to our knees. it was alot of fun. Lightweight & i camped alone tonight.
Date: 2006-09-15
From: Shirley- Blanchard Road (ME)

To: ME15/ Monson, Maine
Miles today: 6.3

Today was another easy hiking day. when i got to Monson around 10:30am i went to the Post Office to pick up my mail drops. I decided to stay at the Shaw Hostel. We all went to the General Store for some music and dancing. The locals performed. There were 4 guitars, a banjo, a saxophone, a mandolin, harmonica, fiddle and a washtub bass. They were really good.The place was small but we all had fun. Here tonight is Lightweight, Mule, Shebear, River Weasel, 42, Eggshells, Jukebox, Delicious, Carbomb & Lichen, Brownie & Souleman, Sumo & Lush. Tomorrow we start the 100 mile wilderness.
Date: 2006-09-16
From: ME15/ Monson, Maine

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

Entering the 100 mile wilderness was great. We saw so many great camping sites during the entire 15 mile hike. It was an easy hike, thank goodness to help give my knee a break, having a lot of sharp pains. The ibuprofen has little effect now, but I am determined to finish. My emotions are mixed about finishing the AT. With really pretty scenery, the wilderness is beautiful. The leaves changing colors adds to the beauty. We passed waterfalls on our way to the Long Pond Stream Lean-to. Here tonight is Cohiba, Otter, Jersey, 42, Shebear, Pinata and the River Weasel. Plan to Summit on Sat. 9/23.
Date: 2006-09-17
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to (ME)

To: West Branch of Pleasant River (ME)
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

today i hit the hiker "wall," which it seems that other thru-hikers are feeling the same way. yesturday was easy...but today in the wilderness it was difficult to motivate myself, which has been very rare on this trip. i haven't gotten tired of hiking before the day has even started until today. mentally it was hard and physically i feel like my body is deteriating and worn out. but i made it through...and met up with everyone at a great camp site by the river. Jersey, Otter, Cohiba, The River Weasel, Eggshells, 42, Pinata, Shebear and Delicious.
Date: 2006-09-18
From: West Branch of Pleasant River (ME)

To: East Branch Lean-to (ME)
Miles today: 16.3

The trail today started easy, but quickly became harder with 4 mountains to climb. The only mountain that had a overlook was the last one. It was to overcast to see Mt. Katahdin, but i know i am getting closer, just 68 miles to the end of this amazing journey. The day ended with a nice easy hike to the campsite. Here tonight is Rising Sun, Pinata, River Weasel, Lightweight, 42, Shebear, Cohiba & Otter. Slick B, Mule & the other guys are a day behind, wish we could summit together.
Date: 2006-09-19
To: Bruiser's Dad
Miles today: 0.0

My Wife and I are going to Baxter State Park in Maine this Thursday to see our daughter, "The Bruiser" summit Mt. Katahdin on Saturday. For the past 5-1/2 months she has been following a white blaze, so I thought I might wear one, so maybe she might follow us home. I can not believe that I drove south to Georgia on the 1st of April for over 9 hours and now I am going to drive north 1-1/2 hours to Richmond, Va., get a plane heading north to Portland, ME., then drive north 4 hours to Baxter State Park, while Michelle hiked all that way carrying a 40 pound bag, thru the woods, mountains, heat, cold & rain. My wife and I are very proud of her. GREAT PICTURES NOW BEING ADDED STARTING WITH JOURNAL SEPT.5
Date: 2006-09-19
From: East Branch Lean-to (ME)

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to(ME)
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

today's trail was soooo easy...few rocks and roots and the fall colors were beautiful. i spent a couple hours at the Antler's Campsite, which is right on a lake. if you are out hiking this campsite is camper/outdoor enthusiast heaven. however, after hours of contemplating i pushed on to the next shelter b/c i'd rather do larger mile days on easy trail days and we got word from SOBO's that the trail gets rougher towards the end. The River Weasel, Rising Sun, Otter, Cohiba, Lightweight, Pinata and i were at the shelter tonight.
Date: 2006-09-20
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to(ME)

To: Rainbow Stream lean-to (ME)
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

Rising Sun, The River Weasel, lightweight and i hiked on the mile long side trail to go to The White House Landing for the famous burgers. The caretaker, Bill has to pick up hikers from the other side of the lake by motor boat and you get their attention by sounding a fog horn. when he came over to pick us up he was dropping off our old hiking buddies Rusch Hour, Baldy Locks and Ameoba and i met Fiddlehead for the first time. when we got to the white house landing we met up with eggshells, jersey, g-man and 42 and shebear showed up later. the burgers are a pound and as big as my head!!! they are so good...pricey but worth it b/c you're in the "wilderness." The River Weasel and i started back on the trail around 1:30 with 16 miles left to do....the trail was flat with the exception of Nesuntabunt Mountain where i saw Katahdin for the first time. it looked massive and changed weasel and i's emotions about summitting that thing! i did have to do about a half hour of night hiking (b/c its getting dark around 6:45 now) but without weasel's support and motivation i wouldn't have made it...so thanks!!! Otter, Cohiba, Pinata, Baldy locks, Rusch hour and Fiddlehead stayed at the shelter tonight as well.
Date: 2006-09-21
From: Rainbow Stream lean-to (ME)

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to (ME)
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

today was an incredibly easy hiking day...and it was my absolute favorite weather to hike in. i could wear a long sleeved shirt all day without sweating...ahh nice. shortly after i got to the shelter...a trail legend for us april starters arrived...Ball Pahk!!!! he left chocolate...and then of course provided alumni thru-hiker advice about the end. we talked about our buddies from springer to damascas and tried to discern everyone's location on or off the trail. it felt nice to have someone familiar around that saw me during my first week...and probably wondered if i was gonna make it. soon lightweight, jersey, baldy locks, g-man, 42 and shebear arrived at the shelter. tonight we had a big fire and shebear and i sang songs...everything from TLC to Janis Joplin. Dizouble Dizutch
Date: 2006-09-22
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to (ME)

To: Katahdin Stream Campground (ME)
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today when got to Abol Bridge, i got to meet Banjoman who was there to greet trail buddies he met on the trail. He put on a great concert for us. we also had Trail Magic twice today from my parents that slackpacked us from Abol bridge to the Katahdin campsite. Now at my final campsite...shebear called and reserved two lean-tos for us to stay in. we got to see our former thru-hiker friends Bama, Birkenstock, K'ache, Pi, Shenanigans and Brainfreeze. The River Weasel finished today...craziness! it was a perfect day to be on the mountain, clear, cool, sunny. Only 5.2 more miles until i reach the summit. jersey, gman, shebear, 42, pinata, baldylocks, lightweight and i made a fire and roasted marshmallows...yummm. believe it or not tonight was the first time i made s'mores on the trial...it was great! it's going to be hard to sleep tonight. mule, slick b, bofus and lebowski never caught up to me during the hundred mile wilderness so we won't end up summitting together...but they'll be in my thoughts as i climb and i hope i get a chance to see them before i leave town. they're my brothers from another mother