morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-10
From: Liberty Tent Platforms

To: Zealand Falls Area
Miles today: 14.0

We started our hike today at the base of the Francnia Ridge Complex. First you hike up 3 miles the trail junction and then you do some serious rock climb/scramble up the side of Little Haystack Mtn. As you climb, the firs begin to predominate and you get closer and closer to just big blue sky. The wind became increasingly cold and we added layer after layer until we had on full cold weather gear at the top. Now Franconia Ridge is reputed to be the single most impressive sight on the entire AT. It consists of Little Haystack Mt 4760; Mt Lincoln 5089; Mt Lafayette 5249; and Mt Garfiled 4488. They cover a 5 mile straetch and each peak is connected to the other by a narrow ridgeline and all of which is above the treeline. The sides of the these peaks are extremely steep and rise up from the valley on either side to form a narrow ridge which was our walkway. At points it may be as narrow as 50 ft or as wide as 150 ft. THere is nothing but rock, boulders, and a few patches of orange and yellow grasses and a nice covering of green lichen on the boulders. The whole scene reminds me of the look of the Great Wall of China. And I can say without hesitation that this was one of the most beautiful sights that I have ever seen. The interplay of plunging mountain-sides dropping into green vally 2500 ft below is absolutely breathtaking. And we absolutely hit the day perfectly with puffy white clouds against a brilliant blue sky. The temp. stayed around 45 all day long; but with 30 mph winds; it was cold. We stopped between Lincoln and Lafayette behind some East/North facing boulders for lunch and with them as a windbreak; the rocks we sat on were actually warm from the sun. We both could have stayed there all day taking photos and just walking around; but we really needed some miles and it was mujch too cold to dally for long. Once we passed over the crest of Mt Garfield; we descended to the area of Zealand Falls for the night. We were really tired and so grateful to find a couple of spots to put our tents. The campsites could not have come any sooner since it was getting dark and conversation had already ceased and we were starting to stumble more. A sure sign of a tired hiker who is about to get into trouble. The temps are supposed to get down into the 30's tonight so it will be a cold one.
Date: 2008-09-11
From: Zealand Falls Area

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: fog

I guess we ended up somewhere near Zealand Falls last nite That was a big day; but once we were on Franconia Ridge we made better time. We stopped by Crawford Notch around non and then we had a 6 mile climb to Mizpah Hut where we can camp. Again, we spent the whole afternoon doing vertical rock climbs and all the way up they kept routing us out onto these spectacular ledges for views. This state really is one mountain range after another and the vistas just boggle the mind. For a hiker; it is heavenly if you can find some normal trail. We've seen some at intersections with the AT and they are wildly different. I thnk that for the AT, they simply diverted a stream at the top of the mtn and put out some white blazes. That's why they ru straight up and down and they are all rock. The other states cut the trails through the woods so you get normal walking trail and switchbacks. My hat is off to the other states where they did the hard work to make it right. If we don't freeze to death tonight; we'll go for Mt Washington tomorrow.
Date: 2008-09-12
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Madison Hut tenting platforms
Miles today: 14.0

We causght up to Rocky and Root-C last night and so we all tented on the same platform. I talked to evelyn last night and she isn't coming up. That should lower both our stress levels. It has just been too hard to predict our mileage. One day is rock climbing and the next is trail; but you no way of knowing which it will be. I could easily be off by a day or more. We rolled out at 6 am and we are off for Mt. Washington; home of the worst weather in the world. Top wind speed is 231 and average snow fall is 244 inches. I've stopped for a bite to eat at the hut now.    We hiked up in complete fog and reached the summit and could scarcely find the building. As we tried to leave; the ranger urged us to go down because the rain had begun and sure enough there was ice on the rocks. It is supposed to do this for the next two days.
Date: 2008-09-13
From: the barn in Gorham

To: North Carter Mtn
Miles today: 11.0

The Barn Hostel in Gorham was pretty nice by hiker standards so we stayed there. Dinner was a pizza and microbrew followed by banana splits with locally made ice cream. This am we got to Welsh's for breakfast at 6:15 and the weather looked surprisingly good so we hitched to the auto road leading back up to the summit of Mt. Washington. We were picked up by two hikers who were part of a group that was planting flags on all the 4,000 footers to commemorate 9/11. They were so nice to us. Boo & and the Mad Hatter took us to the auto road where we found that it was closed for a vintage auto race so they took onward to Pinkham's Notch so that we could keep going forward on the AT. I'll still have t figure out a way to swing back and pick up the rest of the Presidentials; but it's tricky since it is so weather dependent. Boo& the Hatter are just so typical of the kindness and generosity that we find day after day. I think those stories really make the hike so much more than a hike. The actual hking began at Lost Pond. It was so beautiful that we probably spent 20 min there photographing the reflections of the mountains and the trees in the water. The water so so clear and peaceful. As soon as we left the pond it was all straight up for 3 miles to Wildcat Mtn. Once we reached the summit where the gondola was situated; there were Boo and the Hatter and they had their flag up. We would see two more before the day was out. Boo had made two kinds of brownies and hiked them up so we had one of each and then we were on our way. The rest of the trail up the various peaks of Wildcat, Carter Dome and Mt Hight all gave us terrific views of Mt Washington in the clouds and the rest of the Presidentials. It turned out to be a gorgeous 65 degree blue sky day. We finally made camp 2 miles shy of Imp Mtn Campsite off the trail in a little patch of open ground among the moss covered rocks and old stunted trees. As we finished our dinners we saw the full moon rising and realized that were weren't being bothered by any mosquitoes and there seems to be no wind tonight. If that doesn't mean rain, we are in for a good night.
Date: 2008-09-14
From: North Carter Mtn

To: Mt. Hayes
Miles today: 11.0

It was so quiet all night. Not an insect or tree frog to be heard. I thought it had begun to rain around 4:30; but it was the wind blowing pine needles onto the tent. At 6:00 we were up packed, and making our way along the trail through the fog. By 8:00 it had begun to rain and by 8:30 the wind was howling over the rocks on top of Imp Mtn. The temp was 50 degrees; but the rain was stinging our faces because the wind was so strong. After we crossed the summit of Imp we were better protected from the wind; but it was still a cold rain. After 8 miles we passed Rattle River and the shelter there and we now have less than 300 miles to go. WOO HOO!!!   We caught a ride from a lady hiker from VT who actually passed us and turned around to give us a ride into Gorham. We went straight to the laundromat to clean and dry our socks and clothes, then ate well at the Pizza Place and then re-supplied. By 5:00 we were ready to roll again. The rain had stopped so we caught another female hitch to the trailhead and headed up Mt. Hayes where we are camped tonight with a view of the full moon over the Androscoggin River. 15 miles from MAINE!
Date: 2008-09-15
From: Mt. Hayes

To: Mt. Success
Miles today: 16.0

We had a very nice campsite overlooking the Androscoggin River; but the wind just hohwled all night and it would continue throughout the day. When we rolled out at 6; the air was remarkably warm and humid so we started in shorts and short sleeves which is unusual for us at that hour. I can't say enough nice things about this section of the trail. This is the first time we have been able to really walk. We climbed a few mountains; but really there was very l9ittle rock hopping. On top of Mt. Hayes the surface is continuous solid granite with soft greenish white lichens covering everything except a 2 ft wide path. It looked like a sidewalk through the garden. For lunch we stopped at the first of three ponds called Dream Lake and had lunch. We had already been nearly 10 miles and we were excited at the prospect that we might make Bethel, Me in 2 days rather than 3; because LG's mother and Evelyn are going to meet us there either Tues night or Wed am. After the third pond........and still no moose; we began the ascent of Mt. Success...the marker for the border between NH and ME It was steep; but hiker friendly and we were both going pretty hard so that we could camp in ME tonight. The dome of the Mtn was very broad with the granite crests separated by the typical alpine bogs of spaghnum moss and grasses. But the wind! Definitely up into the 40;s and a fine rain from time to time so we hustled across and put on warm clothing only to drop down and then climb again so we got hot and had to take it all back off. As we meard the CarloCol shelter, we hit our first seriously difficult boulder scramble in 2 days. I fell and my pole flipped up and smacked me in the mouth. My teeth were OK and I didn't bleed; but I'll bet I have a fat lip when Evelyn comes. We camped just before the shelter in a lovely level clearing with pine needles for bedding. After hot chocolate...a nightly ritual now...and sour Skittles; we ate our dinners and then as a special treat, LG made a freeze dired blueberry cheescake with graham cracker topping. Even as we dined the wind began to blow harder still and the temperature quickly dropped until I was shivering too hard to stay out; so we hung our bear bags and now I'm snug in my bag. This looks like it will require the full mummy technique tonight.
Date: 2008-09-16
From: Mt. Success

To: Old Speck Mtn
Miles today: 11.0

I'm in Maine!!!!! Up at 6 and away we go. WE're going to do Mahoosuc Notch today. Known as the toughest mile on the entire AT. We climbed down from the mountain and out onto some nice balds where the views were clear and long. I wonder how many of these peaks are in our future. By noon we were at the Full Goose Shelter for lunch and then into the "notch" The nontch is a ravine where boulders have fallen into the cleft leaving sheer rock walls on either side for the whole mile so any thoughts of a bypass can be set aside. The boulders in the ravine are huge and granite. They are 10-20 feet on a side and where one has fallen across two or three others you cannot climb over them so you have to take off your pack, crawl through and pull your pack after you. Twice I fell down the rocks and raked my shins so I really looked the part after a while. Up and over, throw the poles to the top and pull yourself up and then turn around and hang off the other side and drop down. On and on and on. By the time I was halfway through I felt physically and mentally whipped. I kept wondering how much longer this could last and if I could last any longer than that. We passed a set of dry moose bones in one of the clefts. That must be tough to be stuck down here knowing you'll never get out. Got to get outta here!!!! It took us 3 hours to eventually make the 1 mile and we still had 7 miles to the road and LG's parents. NO WAY. You know what comes after a ravine by now so up and up we go. The trail is almost a complete slab of rock 100's of yards at a time. Thank Goodness we're ascending so that our boots stick well to the rock and we can think less about slipping and more about climbing. As darkness closes in we've passe the first mtn- Mahoosuc Arm and we're climbing Old Speck for all we're worth. Neither of us can find cell service to let our people know our situation. By 8:090 we summited Old Speck; but with headlamps for the last 30 minutes. Now so far; the southern slopes have been the most treacherous and the northern slopes which we descend have been easier; but nothing is easy by headlamp. So disappointed; we call to tell everyone that we'll be there in the morning. The trail here has a wide area so we'll camp in the trail and hope no one else is foolish enough to night hike this area. Dinner was pretty minimal as the tempmerature drops very quickly over 4000' and we snuggled into our bags and tried to get warm. The moon was so full and bright that I thought once that it was a night hker shining his light on my tent wall...and to complete the picture; I hear the baying of a coyote nearby. That is really as good as it gets!!
Date: 2008-09-17
From: Old Speck Mtn

To: RT 26 to Bethel, ME
Miles today: 3.5

It is the end of my third week and I'm under 300 miles and I'm really actually in Maine finishing the aT. You think about it all the way from GA to Maine and now we're really here. The past two days have been rather different because the open summits allow you to look back over the peaks you've just done and forward towards the line you'll be following for the next few hours or even days. It has been refreshing to see sun and sky after so much time deep in the woods. The Green Tunnel as it is known. Evelyn will be at the bottom with Chris and Bob and then we'll spend the day doing laundry and resupplying. If my aching knees will just get me down there. There they were right at 9:00 and what a happy re-union for us all. LG had not seen her folks for nearly 5 months and it was great to see them together. I hadn't seen Evelyn for 3 weeks; but for us that is a very long time. It's good to have her here.
Date: 2008-09-18
From: RT 26 to Bethel, ME

To: East B Hill RD
Miles today: 10.0

LG and I are going to slack pack 10 miles today and then meet up with our folks again in the afternoon. Slack packing is really just day hiking as you only carry a few items of food, clothing etc so your pack appears "slack". The trail today is just a completely different experience. I feel light on my feer and I don't get that hea vy footfall when I step down from a rock. And best of all...I can look around so much more. Regardless of the benefits of the lighter pack, today's section has been just delightful. There have been no rock climbs and so we feel that we are just cruising like we used to do in the southern states. We picked a nice sunny spot on some moss for lunch that was protected from the wind. We came across two balds that were fun to traverse but the wind made it too cold to stay and enjoy. We met Stumpknocker whom I had met on my hike in '04 and this is the end of his 6th thru-hike. I think that he more or less lives on the trail. We finished up our 10 miles after lunch and LG's parents picked us up. I really feel like these two days of light hiking are going to really rejuvenate us both physically and psychologically after all of the punishment that we endured in the White Mtns of NH. The weather is changing today and tonight will be the first frost of the season as the temperatures drop into the 20's.
Date: 2008-09-19
From: East B Hill RD

To: ME 17
Miles today: 12.0

Today was Evelyn's last day with us so we were pretty slow about getting ready and ack to the trail. We didn't actually start walking until 10 when she dropped us on South Arm RD. This is going to be a tough day to get started after such good times together.    Ww were indeed quite slow through the mountains called the Bemis range even though they weren't really very tough. We made 12 and stillcame into camp by headlight. We stayed at a nice site by the Bemis stream and just shy of ME 17.
Date: 2008-09-20
From: ME 17

To: South Pond
Miles today: 12.0

It's a Sunday and the river sounded so nice. No cars came by on the roads so it really was a nice campsite. I know we climb early; but the remainder of it promised to be gentle up and downs for 14 miles. It was one of our best days so far, and for so many reasons. The trail was a woodland one with great carpets of bright green spaghnum moss to either side and very few rocks. We saw 2 loons at Sabbath Day Pond and then when we got to Little Swift River Pond we saw Geoff and Snacks out on the pond in a canoe. They paddled in and let us have a turn and it was so nice. The pond surface was like glass and you could see reflections of the sky, the mountains and the trees until the ripples from the canoe broke them up. A few water lillies were still around, but they semed to be dying back. I called my moom and she was doing well and she was pleased that I have been seeing Spruce Grouse since that was one that she and Evelyn saw in Manitoba and I missed it. After 20-30 min on the water; we reluctantly shouldered our packs and marched on through the forest. By 6:00 we reached South Pondand we ere torn between camping by the pond and trying to walk one more hour. We opted for the pond; because this is really as good as it gets. The lake is beautiful, we've got time to cook before dark, and now while she is talking to Frank; I'm looking at all the stars in the universe above me. I hope we get to hear a loon tonight. Maybe we'll even see a bull moose in the pond in the am.
Date: 2008-09-21
From: South Pond

To: Oberton Stream
Miles today: 14.6

The morning light across the pond was even more beautiful than the setting sun had been. A white mist was slowly lifting off the water and then drifting sideways to the far shore. We were so enamored as we took pictures; but it was LG with her creative eye who realized that the picture wasn't complete without someone or something in the pond. Since we had no moose handy we made a paddle using a small board and a branch and duct tape and took turns being photographed in the canoe. If they are as good as I think the'll be, they'll be at the top of the list for the entire trip. I wish I had paddled out last night to see the stars; but I was too tired and not quite adventuresome enough so go out in all of my warm clothes onto a lake with a home made paddle in a canoe with a fairly decent hole in the bow.(Though high enoug to be above water line for one person) We loaded up and headed off for Saddleback Mtn. This stretch is supposed to be the most difficult in Maine so we weren't expecting a lot of miles; but it is a gorgeous day and we'll be above tree line for most of it so the views should be terrific. Either today or tomorrow, we'll reach the summit of Sugarloaf Mtn where you can see both Mt. Washington and Mt. Katahdin at the same time...a distance of 260 miles. I hope it will be a day like today.We;ve been meeting more and more north bounders all of a sudden. It's like they're materializing out of nowhere. I've had some fun asking about their highs and lows over the past five monthes. Most people following these treks from home think of all the mountains we climb from Ga to Me; but I can tell you now that a lot of these people have climbed personal mountains along the way as well. No one stayus high and happy all the way and the trekkers who can climb the personal mountains are the 10-20% of hikers each year who complete the journey from start to finish. We summited Saddleback so we were above treeline again for the first time since Mt. Washington. It is a beautiful day and we stopped for lunch on a shoulder where the sun was warm and the wind was less. To the east we could see low hills with lots of red color and to the SW we could see all the way back to Mt. Washington. To the West were two large lakes and a small ski resort and then to the north were lots of mountains that are surely in our future. Soon, we were caught by Thor, Hobo Joe and someone with a great circular something in his ear lobes. He had a trumpet the last time we saw him; but now Hobo JOe had it and was playing it on each of the summits for the day: Saddleback, The Horn and Junior Saddleback.    Our goal was the OBerton Stream for a 15 mile day but we ended up night hiking for the last 30 min to get here. Still it is a nice campsite and we can hear the river so I like it. Lots of stars again tonight so it'll be a cold one. Ididn't last long after dinner so I'm writing this in my sleeping bag.
Date: 2008-09-22
From: Oberton Stream

To: North Crocker Mtn
Miles today: 14.6

It was pretty a pretty cold night as temps dropped to 30 but my tent and sleeping bag were up to the task! I can't tell you how nice it is to snuggle down inside when it is that cold outside. Really the sleeping bag is more significant for the thru-hiker than someone trekking shorter distances; because the thru-hiker cannot afford to carry enough clothes to stay warm so it's eat your dinner and into your bag.   we got a good early start because we thought it was too cold to eat until after we hiked a bit so we crossed the Oberton stream and climbed Lone Mtn where we made some hot chocolate and ate breakfast. Now its' noon and we've climbd spaulding and Sugarloaf (ME's 2nd highest) but we still have a pair of 4000' to handle this afternoon in order to hit Stratton early tomorrow. We ad really been looking forward to climbing up to the summit of Sugarloaf; because you are supposed to be able to see both Katahdin and Mt. Washington from there; but unfortunately the summit house was closed so we had to skip it. We hit the climb to South Crocker and it wqs both rocky and steep; but without the high step ups of NH. We gained huge altitude in no time so it was quite a workout. By the crest; my thighs were screaming and I dreaded the last climb up NOrth Cocker; but it wasn't really so bad. We found a good campsite about 1000' below the summit so now we have only 3 1/2 miles tomorrow to Stratton for our resuppl and to update our journals. We plan to head back out in the afternoon to pick up a few miles toward Caratunk; because LG has a package at the P.O. and it closes at 11:30. LESS THAN 200 MILES TO GO!!!!!
Date: 2008-09-23
From: North Crocker Mtn

To: Just North of Stratton
Miles today: 6.0

Today is going to be a NERO. That is a low mileage day for resupply etc. rather than a ZERO when you don't hike at all. We broke out early and planned to eat breakfast at one of the two streams on the way down to the road in Stratton. THe birches and maples along here are already changing to re and yellow and some are already on the ground.    We got to the road surprisingly fast so we caught the shuttle in to the Stratton Motel for showers and journal updates. We had trouble with downloading our photos so I am sorry that I can't offer you any new pictures. We ate lunch at the local tavern where Hobo Joe, Thor & Co. were already throwing back pitchers of beer and playing darts. AAAHHH!   The life of a hiker on the trail. WE ordered soup, mozzarella sticks, zeppellis and a 16" pizza. We saved 3 pieces for dinner and then decided to play a game of pool. She's been wanting to play ever since we passed up a chance in Woodstock so I suspected that she was good. She racked them, chalked her cue and sank the 8 ball on the break! How do you compete with that??? We walked next door and added to our food stashes; because we eard that there is no food available in Caratunk so we'll have to add two days to our supplies. Now our food bags are enormous with 5 days of food.   By 5 we were back on the trail and climbing the Bigelow Range; but we only had an hour or so before dark. We set up in a nice glade that looked as though it hadn't been used before. So after we pitched our tents, we made a fire ring, collected some firewood and roasted marshmallows to make smores. I'd neither had one nor made one before so my technique was not quite as good as LG's; but at least I didn't set them on fire.   After I went to bed, I was listening as some little critter walked around our campsite and then around 2 am I heard a tremendous snorting noise. Apparently we had camped in a buck's favorite spot and he carried on for over 30 min. until he finally gave up and left the area. Unlike me, LG slept peacefully through the whole thing and never heard a thing.