morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-13
From: Lonesome Lake Hut, NH

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite, NH
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

Franconia Ridge--simply spectacular--an above treeline ridge hike that runs along the top of Little Haystack Mountain (4800 ft.), Mt. Lincoln (5090 ft.), and Mt. Lafayette (5250 ft.). After climbing nearly 3500 feet from Franconia Notch we entered the subalpine zone just as a dark sky moved precariously towards us. A long straight shadow was moving slowly across the notch below. After taking cover behind a rock I noticed Couch sitting on a rock then slowly disapearing into the cloud cover which eventually brought on a mix of driving winds and not so heavy rain.Once the storm system passed blue skies and high clouds took over and we had views of everything around us. For just a moment Mt. Washington was visible without any cloud cover. At least 1500 feet of Mt. Washington is above treeline.Trail Speed: There are no flat stretches of trail in the White Mountains. What looks flat on the maps is constant ups and downs. Thirteen miles per day is not attainable if the scenery is to be appreciated.Hiking Poles: On the way to Mt. Garfield, while trekking down, I kept going forward while my pole stayed wedged between a cluster of rocks. My hiking poles took a blow and the lower 20% of the pole snapped off. It's still useful to some degree but must be replaced.Garfield Ridge Campsite: All the tentsites were taken so I stayed in the shelter with a few SOBO's (south-bounders) and Stubble was there as well. I had not seen him since taking the four zero days with Ann.I will be at Mt. Washington in a few days, perched in the middle of 25 miles of above treeline hiking. Pictures to follow at some point.
Date: 2007-08-15
From: Stealth Site, Ethan Allen Trail, NH

To: Stealth Site, Webster Cliff, NH
Miles today: 6.9

A good part of the day was used to shower, do laundry, and resupply down at Crawford Notch. The five mile hike to Crawford Notch was easy grade but the hike out was a nearly 2000 foot ascend in two miles, with a thunderstorm thrown in. I had heard from a SOBO (south bound hiker) about some good camping sites under canopy and close to the cliffs at Mt. Watson, so I set out to knock out a chunk of tomorrow's climb to Mt. Washington and reached my destination around 5 PM.While eating a bacon and apple on an "everything" bagel down at Dry Lake Campground, I engaged in conversation with Bob, a gentleman who was RVing around the country with his wife. They offered to take me back to the trail, so I gathered up my gear and we headed up the notch. After they dropped me off I was only a few steps up the trail when I remembered that my cell phone was still plugged into the bathroom receptacle down at the campground. This meant two more hitches, but I was SO relieved that this oversight was remembered now and not up the trail.Bob was asking me about the "Pocketmail" device I was tapping on and the on-line journal I was keeping. Here's how it works: I type out the journal, transmit it to Ann using my cell phone as a modem. Ann receives an e-mail of the entry, edits, and pastes it to the web journal. Internet access, which is becoming harder to come by as the trail goes through less dense areas, is necessary to transmit pictures.So tomorrow I'll attempt to Summit Mt. Washington which will be the high water mark in elevation for this hike--6288 feet. I'll need a good night's sleep.
Date: 2007-08-16
From: Stealth Site, Webster Cliff, NH

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut, NH
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: broken clouds

Excellent weather on tap for first full day on the Presidential Range.It wasn't until 8 AM until I had all my gear packed up and was on the trail. The trail would run the ridge all the way up to Mt. Washington and then follow a massive gradual ridge descent down the other side and loop around to Pinkham Notch. Last year Ann and I took a series of trails totalling less than five miles from Pinkham Notch to the Mt. Washington summit. The ridge running AT route is just over 13 miles. With the trail going over or close to Mts. Webster, Clinton (don't ask), Jackson, Eisenhower, Franklin, and Monroe the view of Mt. Washington became closer.It was near 3 PM when I arrived at Lakes of the Clouds Hut and decided, despite decent weather, to wait until the next day to summit since that would entail hiking an additional seven miles, which would only be possible during daylight if I did not break atop Washington.I was able to do "work for stay" right away by washing all morning dishes. That's morning dishes for the largest hut in the AMC system--about 75 people. I slept on top of the eating tables again and was not alone. There were 13 hikers in total. All staying at the hut since the camping oportunities are nil when above treeline. Not only are most hikers not equipped with adequate tents to withstand the high winds but it's against park policy.Things I miss: Playing old Beatles cassettes during dinner.
Date: 2007-08-17
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut, NH

To: Stealth Camp, Pinkham Notch, NH
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: mist

Actually, the day's hiking miles were closer to 18 due to a side summit and a few errors.Couch and I left the Lake of the Clouds Hut just before 7 AM and reached the Mt. Washington summit by 8. Another day with no clouds covering the summit. I and the group I'm hiking with were all fortunate to have been at 6288 feet with views abound on the same range that blasted Ann and I with three separate storms last year. The hikers quickly took obligatory photos next to the summit sign before the throes of auto hikers and cog railroad visitors formed an impromptu photo line as proof that they too had summitted mighty Washington. Ugh.ERROR NO. 1: I backtracked 1.2 miles (each way) (1300 feet altitude differential) to try to find my cell phone that I thought had dropped, but later recalled I stashed it in a special dry bag.And while the weather was generous, the thought that the clouds could turn as quick as an incoming wind motivated me to get below treeline before too long as I had several "presies" (Presidentials) to summit. I have not forgotten KY's earlier remarks on who's in charge when up on the Whites and certainly remembered my error in judgement while hiking Ben Nevis a few years ago. I left the gang and continued my loop around, had my last bacon sandwich at the Madison Hut then continued on toward Pinkham Notch. Or at least thought I was. ERROR NO. 2: Bad news: I caught the wrong trail after Madison. Good News: This trail paralleled the mountain but was a precarious, poorly marked boulder scramble. It took nearly 45 extra minutes before I was back on track.When I finally made it to Pinkham Notch just 30 minutes before dusk, I was physically spent and ready to shell out $50 for a warm bunk with linen and blanket, but they were booked and told me to hike two miles UP Tuckerman Ravine to the shelter. NOT!!! I stealthed camped behind the lodge and slept well except for the moaning moose that was hanging close by.Things I miss: Hanging out at the corner seats of Garrison's Tavern with Ann.
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Stealth Camp, Pinkham Notch, NH

To: Imp Campsite, NH
Miles today: 13.0

Not only have I heard the talk about the hike up the four Wildcat peaks, I had experienced Wildcat "D" last year and recalled it being one of the toughest hikes ever. My memory was correct although this year's hike included at minimum 30 mile an hour dicy cold winds and 35 pounds worth of gear to maneuver up. This is no attempt to sensationalize here--any reader is challenged to Google "Wildcat Peak D" to hear other insights. It took a mile an hour pace to summit the four peaks (A,B,C,D) and although there was no rain, I was soaked from rain clouds that were spinning downward from Mt. Washington and bouncing off of Wildcat. At one point I turned around to see if Washington or the notch might be viewable--they weren't. But a splendid rainbow in the ravine was. Things I miss: Playing Scrabble with Ann at the breakfast bar.
Date: 2007-08-19
From: Imp Campsite, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: fog

Gorham is a sleepy little town with one traffic light and mom-and-pop motels lining the main drag. They are all pining for a small slice of the tourist dollar from the visitors who are here to hike, ski, snowmobile, or just gaze at the Whites.I'm thinking the gang I was hiking with made it into Gorham late today. But I paced hard and made it up Wildcat on fresh morning legs yesterday and they would've had to do it mid-afternoon with the winds howling down their backs. There is no sign of them here in town as Jan, the bartender at J's Corner. has been serving me Woodstock Pig's Ear Brown Ale to accompany the New England clam chowder and steak caesar salad. And although today's eight mile hike was mostly down hill, it's still a busy time for long distance hikers. I've hitched three different times today in resupply efforts, bought a new camera as my existing cam screen cracked during one of many slips, did laundry, organized then reorganized shit, soaked in a steamy shower at Hiker's Paradise Hostel where Bruno, who is really a pleasant guy, told me at least four times that no smelly hiking boots were allowed in the hostel.I'm homesick now and am on the homestretch of this journey. Next stop is Rangeley, Maine and I've got enough food to, well, feed a group of hungry Hashers for about an hour. But it'll last me five days. Five tough days. And then the trail will ease up a bit. I miss my baby, I miss everything about Harrisburg. 300 miles to go.Thing I miss: Hanging out at the "Corner" with Rob, Julio, Brian, Drew, Jack, Randy, Jon, Gino and the rest of the gang.
Date: 2007-08-20
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gentian Pond Campsite, NH
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: few clouds

While short lived, life was good at Hikers Paradise Hostel. Bruno served me up my own carafe of java to go with eggs over medium, toast, and home fries. Bruno placed a bottle of no-name ketchup on my table along with the advisement, "Here you go, now you can ruin your potatoes." The ketchup was not requested as I normally just take the lid off the pepper and pour amply.But after breakfast it was off to the post office and time for a big cheers to EMS! Eastern Mountain Sports came through in stunning fashion as not one but two brand new hiking poles were waiting for me at the post office as well as a postage paid label to return the broken stick. It was no hassles as employee Michelle picked up my call and took care of all logistics to get the new sticks shipped out - FOC!!!And this was not my first positive with EMS on this hike. Walter, the thru hiker, from Poughkeepsie first asked me if I was loading up on ibruprofin when I limped into his store to get new shoes and left with the confidence I needed to keep going. "Send me a picture from Katahdin!," were his last words.And sales person Kathy from the New London store took the time to fit me for a pack that worked for my load working entirely off of my comment, "I just want a pack that keeps my Poptarts from breaking."Thank you EMS!!!!!
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Gentian Pond Campsite, NH

To: Speck Pond Shelter, ME
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

Hello Maine!!!Goose Eye Mountain: Great weather made the ridge walk between the peaks of Goose Mountain (3790 ft.) breathtaking. I was moving in and out of the alpine zone but without the winds commonly found on the Presidential Range. This walk left me awestruck.Mahoosuc Notch: The "Appalachian Trail Companion" book refers to this 1.1 mile scramble through the bottom of the notch the "toughest mile on the AT." It took me 90 minutes to go end to end and involved several risky leaps between boulders, some shimmying through the "subway" and straddling around, but I made it through despite one fall flat on my back"pack" (the pack saved me from what could've been a potentially dangerous situation). Too much for a moose to handle, though, as the head, pelt and skeleton are all that remains of one that fell into the notch in July. And what about the near 1500 foot climb it takes just to get in and out of the notch? I thought it was nearly as challenging. Net time for the 5.2 mile trek down and back up: 5 hours.Misc: Mt. Washington and Mt. Madison are still key figures on the skyline but are now some fifty miles back. Today was a 13 hour hiking day--one of the longest days since the first week. 281 AT miles in Maine. Target completion date: September 12th or 13th.Things I miss: Hearing Zappa singing about "zircon encrusted tweezers" on XM Radio.
Date: 2007-08-25
From: East B Hill Road, ME

To: Rt 4, Rangeley, Maine
Miles today: 51.4

Wed, 8/22 - SPC >>>East B Hill Road, Andover, 14.9 miles Thurs, 8/23 - EBHR >>> South Arm Road (slack pack), 10.1 miles Fri, 8/24 - SAR >>> Rt. 4, Rangeley, Maine, 26.4 miles Sat, 8/25 - "zero" That's not a typo on the miles from South Arm Road to Rangeley. I was in a walking mode, the weather was an overcast mist and the trail had eased up slightly.  The decision to hike in high gear was also based on having several outs if the legs fatigued or the weather broke loose.  The legs were good despite walking on roots and through mud much of the day.  But the rain broke open after I hiked past the last official camp site which in turn was a hasty decision as I the trail turned from mud to muck to a small stream to the point where there was no sense in sidestepping the water.  (Note to Ben D. - this is the closest I could relate to the Civil War soldiers).  The rain in turn slowed my pace down and dusk came quicker than the 8 PM I anticipated.  And to compound the situation, hitching was an adventure as 1) less people are driving after dark, 2) less people are picking up hitchers after dark (hey - I wouldn't pick me up either), and 3) NO ONE wants to pick up a wet hiker er and gear.  Long story, longer: I arrived at the Gull Pond Hostel near 10 PM and owner Bob O'Brien showed me the way to a hot shower, leftover food, and the type of warm conversation that literally keeps hikers going. Gull Pond Hostel is pond front property but this pond is bigger than many lakes.  Ponds in Maine reflect the landscape around in wild symmetry, an occasional low flying gull, and constant water rings showing the precise position of the fish in the shallow rocky bottom below. Todays agenda is a whole lot of nothing.  Aside from walking around ultra sleepy in a cool kind of way Rangeley I also have been drinking coffee with the  young staff of BMC Diner.  And Mary Keliher, I'm not sure if there is room for another diner in town but hopefully you can check out BMC. It's been a busy hiking week and up until yesterday the sun continued to shine and the rain fell else ware. Baldpate Mountain provided yet another trek through the alpine zone and since most Maine mountains have multiple summits provides a constant close up view of the next peak. Thanks to everyone who has followed along.  Life is good even when I'm soaked....all the talk is about summiting Mt. Katahdin in a few weeks.  The end of this adventure is somewhere on the other side of one of these horizons...gonna do my best to soak up everything near and far.
Date: 2007-08-29
From: Safford Notch campsite

To: Pierce Pond
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: clear sky

Sun, 8/26 - Rt. 4, Rangeley Maine >>> stealth camp at Orbeton Stream. 13.4 milesMon, 8/27 - OS >>> Rt 27, Stratton, Maine. 18.8 milesTues, 8/28 - Rt 27 >>> Safford Notch campsite. 10.4 milesHIKER NOTE: Gwendy, Gull Pond Lodge owner Bob O'Brien's dog was inadvertantly left at the Rt. 4 trailhead on Saturday, 8/25. Gwendy is a friendly brown lab. Any info on Gwendys whereabouts, call Bob at 207-864-5563BIG IS BETTER: The Bigelow Range may take second place to Mt. Katahdan for highest mountain but all the Bigelow peaks offer magnificant views of the surrounds and even give a glimpse of Katahdin which stands some 180 trail miles away. Excellent weather and numerous outcrops had me taking long breaks just to take it all in.BOGGED DOWN: Maine is full of bogs and log planks are used for hikers on the trail. On Wednesday, a mother and calf moose were spotted eating. The splashing around is what tipped me off as the moose appeared to be eating grasses that were under water. A third moose was sighted moments later.I'M NO HOBO: But did stealth camp on an old railroad bed that was totally flat, had loads of pine needles which made for a soft and dry place to pitch tent. The ten foot waterfall at Orbeton Stream provided water and great background sound for sleeping.PRATICAL RUSTIC: Pierce Pond Camp is actually next to a waterfall that the pond overflows into. Old log cabins with oil lamps, wood stoves, and each with it's own front porch and rockers. Tim Harrison, the owner, makes a huge breakfast for hungary hikers and anglers. Just follow the blue blazes off the AT for 3/10'ths of a mile and leave the rest to him.THE END IS NEAR: 155 hiking miles left to go as the trail officially ends atop Mt. Katahdin. This brings a mixed blessing as the constant pounding of the feet comes to an end and no more backpack to strap on nearly everytime I take a step. But all this effort has shown me the road less traveled, provided the opportunity to meet many extremely eclectic people, and offered much time for self reflection.Freedom comes with a cost.
Date: 2007-08-30
From: Pierce Pond

To: Pleasant Pond Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

A great way to start a hiking day is with a big breakfast. Big as in twelve blueberry/apple pancakes, 2 eggs over medium, 2 extra big sausage links, juice, milk, and 4 or 5 cups of java. That was the morning menu at Pierce Pond.The timing for the breakfast feast was great as the Kennebec River would be reached 3.5 miles into the hike and a canoe ferried hikers across starting at 10 AM. The ferry operator informed me that a hiker drowned in 1985 attempting to ford the river and just this year four young hikers had the swim of their lives trying to ford. A white blaze is painted on the bottom of the canoe making it an official part of the AT.After resupplying for the two day, 40 mile hike to Monson I was back on the trail and the rumbling that I originally thought was logging trucks barreling down Rt. 27 turned out to be thunder and accompanying rain and wind storm closing in. The skies turned an ultra dark grey blue and the winds snapped a tree in half about thirty feet from where I was working double time to get pack cover and rain gear on. The lightning filled sky made me think of a night baseball game with the stadium lights flickering off and on.Any thoughts of hiking a bigger day have been abandoned as my clothes are drying out and hanging out seems to be in order.After setting up base at the shelter I walked down to spring fed Pleasant Pond to filter some aqua for the evening and the first part of tomorrows hike. Pleasant Pond was lined with a low dense random mix of pontoon boats, small fishing boats, row boats and canoes. The closest road to the pond is Boise-Cascade Road, an old logging road, and the cabin owners use the boats to get goods to and fro their hide aways. That's exactly what Gordon Haynes and his wife (I forgot your name - sorry) were doing along with their dogs, Gus and Layla. Thanks for the tomatoes and beer guys - it was nice meeting you!!!Signing out from Maine.
Date: 2007-08-31
From: Pleasant Pond Shelter

To: Moxie Bald Lean-To
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

With wet shoes and socks, I hit the trail around 7 AM with the attainable objective of summiting both Pleasant Pond Mountain (2470 ft.) and Moxie Bald Mountain (2630 ft.). The overcast skies hid any views from Pleasant Pond Mountain but as the day progressed the skies cleared some and Moxie Bald offered dramatic views of the surroundings.Next time I embark on a long distance hike I'll make sure to have some tunes to treat myself to for a few hours each day. I miss the Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, Pat Methany and all the stuff you might hear when visiting or tuning in to XM Deep Tracks (that's not a sponser, it just reflects some of my tastes).No matter how beautiful and new things are around me there is a void during the day that, naturally I think, has grown greater as time passes. As I manuevered around the usual roots, rocks, and wet trail today, I spent much time thinking about summiting Katahdin and envisoned myself riding the Amtrak home. I get an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment, relief and wonderment as to how things will be back in Harrisburg.The accomplishment of hiking near 1000 miles speaks for itself I believe.The relief feeling is difficult to convey. While it's easy (and correct) to view this voyage as a vacation it has really been a tremendous piece of labor and I not so secretly long for being able to get a cold glass of milk whenever I wish. I look forward to walking around without a pack. Things like taking a shower, putting on clean clothes, pulling weeds and tending garden. Most of all I cherish the thought of being with family and friends again.And I wonder how life will be as the transition is made from the woods to the suburban enviroment. There is little drama out here as everyone is too busy gazing out over a mountain or wondering whether the next water source will be flowing.The simpleist things that most of us take for granted are the things that hikers pine for. I wonder if I will appreciate these things for a day, a week or forever.The answer is an unknown but I hope it's a long, long time.
Date: 2007-09-01
From: Moxie Bald Lean-To

To: Rt. 15, Monson Maine
Miles today: 17.9

115 miles to Mt. Katahdin.A hiker going north on the AT hits "The 100 mile wilderness" in central Maine then finishes the hike with the 4000+ ascent up Mt. Katahdin.The 100 mile wilderness is a stretch of trail that, with the exception of dirt logging roads, does not cross or come near any other roads or towns. And to make things interesting, The Monson General Store is where I'm resupplying. It's a tiny mom and pop outfit wit two small aisles of groceries. The last time I purchased food to hold me over for five days I ended up leaving stuff behind as I could not fit it all in my pack so I may need to get real creative with space management or just rent a yak.And surely cell phone service will not improve the farther north I hike so there is some posibility that the next time an entry is transmitted the hike may be completed.But for now, I'm hanging out and waiting for laundry to dry. Then I'll head down to the Lake Shore House on Lake Hebron for a few cold ones and a bunch of food with Bushwhacker, Monkey (future Pittsburgh Hasher) and his wife, Cocoa.Peace on your trail - where ever it may be.