morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-26
From: Caratunk

To: Bald Mtn Brook Lean To
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 30 - "Karma"Caratunk to Bald Mtn Brook Lean To (14.7)Some days you wonder if you made the right decision. I am really glad we decided to push on in to Caratunk yesterday. Northern Outdoors was great. Had a very relaxing evening. Got our laundry done, had a nice dinner with ice cream. The place is just really cool. May have to come back here to do some rafting.Garage Man and I decided to get up at our normal time and to try and hitch. If all else failed we could walk the 2 miles back or wait for the 9am shuttle. We were out at the road by 6. Lots of traffic - mostly logging trucks and vacationers. I got out in front and held up the "hiker to trail" bandanna. Garage Man was about 10 ft behind me up the road. We both had our thumbs out. Zoom they kept whipping past us. Then all of a sudden a young woman pulled into the parking lot and then pulled out next to us. Scored. The Garage Man said it was his grandfather MOJO working. You work it Garage Man. We were ecstatic. The woman works as a rafting guide on the weekends and works near Portland during the week. She was heading to Portland. We told her she was a trail angel. We were hiking by 6:30. How great was that?My clothes were clean, I was clean, my boots were dry, had a great dinner, found a dime (up to 99 cents) and still got back to the trail by 6:30. Karma.Right before I hit the first shelter I saw a deer.Got to the shelter and a couple of college guys were there. They had come out on Sunday to do some trail magic at the shelter and to stay the night. They were just getting up when I got there at 9. They gave us bananas, offered us some beer, and gave us some water. Sweet. Passed on the beer.Had a great day on the trail. Heard some blue jays, nut hatches and saw a black throated blue. Karma.Again didn't see anybody until late in the day - then a bunch of sobos.Met a really nice guy yesterday - Lint. He is a ultra lite, ultra fast hiker. Yesterday was his 3rd month on the trail. Amazing. This is his second AT hike. He has done the PCT, CDT, and a few others. Not a bragger guy - just really nice. Told the Garage Man that he should still be proud of his hike even if it is not a thru hike. And, he told him he should still get his AT tattoo. Garage Man didn't think he should since he didn't thru hike. The guy was just really encouraging. We might see him again - once he finishes and is heading south.Just the Garage Man and I at the shelter tonight.Karma was good today.
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Bald Mtn Brook Lean To

To: Horse Shoe Canyon Lean To
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 31 - "Pants on the ground, pants on the ground"Bald Mtn Brook Lean To to Horse Shoe Canyon Lean To (13.0)Another good day on the trail. The best part is that it didn't rain and the sun stayed out all day. Had a nice climb up Moxie Bald Mtn. Spectacular views once again. Supposedly you could see Katahdin. I am sure we did, but I have no idea which mountain it was.Had our first real Maine ford. Donned my crocs and away I went. Water just up to my knees. Slippery, but the water felt good. Saw a king fisher fly down the river. Nice.I weighed myself in Stratton and if the scale was accurate I'm down 10 lbs. My shorts don't fit any more. I either have to cinch them up so I look like Erkel. Or, I have to pull them down and I look like a home boy with my pants on the ground. They get too bunched up under the pack belt and it is beginning to hurt. If I do the Erkel look - I end up with a wedgie. Can't win.So today I hiked most of the day in my compression shorts. Felt good, but no pockets. May do it again in the AM. Met a nice couple from Alaska. Headed south. They need to finish Maine and they are done with their hike. Took them 17 years.Passed more sobos today. We are at the shelter with 2 sobos. Young couple from Cleveland. Euroboy and Camel.Into Monson tomorrow.
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Horse Shoe Canyon Lean To

To: Monson
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 32 - "Last Trail Town"Horse Shoe Canyon Lean To to Monson(9.0)The shelter ended up being packed. A nobo came in (Hotpants) who started his hike last year and had to leave once he got to Franconia. So, he is out to finish. And, a bunch of sobos. One in particular had a great story. His name is why2k. Apparently, he made a reservation at a campsite on the wrong side of Katahdin. So, he hiked up with a full pack. Once he got up there there was a storm and some excitement. A news guy from Bangor or Portland had fallen 15 feet and was being medivaced out. So, he had to get off the mountain. Some how he got to the correct side and re-hiked to the summit. So, he ended up doing the Mtn twice. Pretty funny. We were hiking by 6 and by 7 had to cross another river. Normally, it requires a ford, but it was low enough for us to get over by rock hoping and stick hoping. I got one boot a little wet, but no big deal. Just as we were getting ready to cross the Garage Man spotted a mink. Really cool. Small and black and it just got on the other shore and was running up the shoreline. Way to fast to get a picture, but it was a great sighting. Then a king fisher flew down the river. Wow. We got across the river and there was trail magic. We had heard rumors, but until we saw for ourselves we didn't want to get too excited. The cooler was fool of pop with ice. Had a ice cold mountain dew with my luna bar. Breakfast of champions.I made it to ME 15 by 11am and sat there waiting for the Garage Man. Once he arrived we called the shuttle from Shaws. And, here we are. We got a private double room. Did laundry, got some food and are relaxing.Our next job is to figure out how we are going to do the 100 mile wilderness. My plan has us doing some big miles and summiting on Friday - his plan has us summiting on Saturday. We just have to figure out how much food we want to carry.I will update tomorrow on what are plan was.The SQ send some Gorilla Glue, some shoe goo and duck tape. I have done some repairs to my boots. I will check them out tomorrow and see if I need to do some more. I will be sending home some more stuff tomorrow. Hard to believe this late in the game, but I have stuff (rain pants) that I have not used - so why carry them any further. Yesterday we saw some incredible rock formations below Moxie Bald. On one of the rocks was a memorial plaque for a guy named Tony Poulin from Jackman, ME. Might be related to the SQ. She will have to check.
Date: 2010-07-29
From: Monson

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 33 - "Zero Day"Shaw's is a really great place. I am really enjoying sitting around doing nothing. Pretty much have done nothing but relax and rest.We had a great breakfast this morning and I am already anticipating another great one in the morning.Garage Man and I went down to the Lakehouse for dinner last night. While we were sitting there a guy came in. He looked really familiar. I almost went up to him to ask him his name, but he opted to eat outside and I didn't want to follow him out like some kind of stalker. I figured he was a hiker because he was wearing crocs.Later in the evening he walked into the backyard and I looked at him, he at me. I said I know you. He couldn't remember my name, but as soon as he spoke I said "you are Bonjour". He said he was. I told him we had hiked together for a few days last summer north of Damascus. He was with his daughter who had thru-hiked and she was hiking back to Damascus for Trail Days. He stayed on and went north. I couldn't believe it. He lives in Minnesota. He, his wife, and daughter were here to hike the wilderness. But, the wife got hurt (1st day out) and they were back here at Shaw's. Can't believe what a small world it is sometimes.The Garage Man and I have settled on a plan for the wilderness. We are going to go with his plan - so we expect to be at the base of Katahdin next Saturday. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate.I mailed home a few things. Hard to believe this late in the game that there is still stuff to get rid of. I am not looking forward to carrying all the food, but that is the way it goes.I am excited about the possibility of seeing some pitcher plants in the wilderness. They are carnivorous plants. I hope we get to see them.I think my boot repair is going to work. I used the gorilla glue to plug up the seams. Once it dried - I used the shoe goo to coat the seams. I am hoping that it holds for another week or so. My Karma is still hanging in there. Found a dime so I am up to 1.09. The best part - Dawn the proprietor told me today that it is my lucky day. Apparently, I am the 500th hiker to come through. She gives a free breakfast for each 250 persons. So, I get a free breakfast in the AM. How sweet is that.Plus, it is all you can eat taco night at the Lakehouse. Life is good.This will probably be my last update for a while. Wish us luck and good weather.
Date: 2010-07-30
From: Monson

To: Long Pond Stream Lean To
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day 34 - "Donkey"Monson to Long Pond Stream Lean To (15.1)Monkey says I was playing pack donkey again today. I sure felt like it. My pack felt as heavy today as it did the day I left Springer. Thank goodness the trail was some what kind.Not a lot of elevation gain - just quite of few puds (pointless ups and downs). Lots of roots and a lot of slate. I saw lots of pieces of slate that I would love to take home for my gardens. Maybe next time.   Beautiful day today. Only in the low 70's. Other than the pack weight and getting started late 8am) it has been a great day.We are under 100 miles - 99.4.Saw some cedar waxwings. One of my favorite birds.Found 11 cents - penny (on the trail) and a dime (at a shelter) - both heads up. Good luck coming my way. Up to $1.20.Saw a snake - half in and half out of a mud hole. I thought it was dead. The part in the water looked smashed down from being stepped on. Went to move it with my pole and it slithered off.Forded a river. Felt great on my feet. Water just up to my knees.Boot repair is holding up.
Date: 2010-07-31
From: Long Pond Stream Lean To

To: West Branch Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Day 35 - "Now I've seen everything".Long Pond Stream Lean To to West Branch Pleasant River (15.3)Another incredible day on the trail. Climbed quite a few mountains - Barrent Mtn, Fourth Mtn, Third Mtn, Columbus Mtn, and Chairback Mtn. Had great views from each.Had a good wildlife day. Saw a snake. Saw a bird of prey fly thru the forest. Only caght a glimpse so I am not sure exactly what it was, but it had the outline of a falcon. Saw lots of dragon flies. Ran into a male spruce grouse - who didn't care that I was on the trail. I got so close to him that I finally had to shoo him away so that I could walk down the trail.I did get to see the pitcher plants in a bog near Fourth Mountain. Really cool. Smaller than I thought they would be. They are a carniverous plant like a venus fly trap.The morning started out really cold, but by the afternoon it was pretty hot.We are stealth camping down near a river which we may have to ford tomorrow. The shelter we had planned on staying at had no water source.Got some trail magic about .5 miles from here. A fake Mountain Dew and a real whoppie pie. Yum. Courtesy of the Pine Family. I have never had a whoppie pie. It was good, but really sweet.I've seen the strangest thing I've ever seen on the trail. I ran into a guy heading south who had two pack goats with him. They are bigger than your regular billie goat. He is from Maine and is hiking from Abol Bridge to Monson. They have been averaging 13 miles per day. His name is Bernie and the goats were buster and moose. While we were talking the goats were eating a tree. Probably why they don't really want pack animals on the trail. Lots of goat dung on the trail. Crazy.Tomorrow is our lat day of big climbs until Katahdin.Yipee.
Date: 2010-08-01
From: West Branch Pleasant River

To: East Branch Lean To
Miles today: 16.3

Day 36 - "Hiking Machine"West Branch Pleasant River to East Branch Lean To (16.3)We did end up having to ford the West Branch of the Pleasant River. Just couldn't find a way to cross. Water was just above my ankles. That early in the morning the water was way too cold.Today, I felt like I did last year - was cruising. The trail for the first 4+ files was really rooty. I couldn't get my rhythm. But, then we started to climb. Some switchbacks, but lots of stone steps. Actually ran into some trail maintainers laying new stone steps. I was in a zone. We did some climbing. Went up Gulf Hagas Mtns, West Peak, Hay Mtn, and finally White Cap Mtn. I crushed it.Garage Man and I set a time for me to stop for lunch - figuring he would get there 15 minutes later. He showed up 45 minutes later.We didn't get any real views until White Cap. Then it was awesome. Including my first look at Katahdin. Magnificent - just so big. For a while I wasn't sure it was it because it just looked so close. Hard to believe that it is still 68 miles away.I got to the shelter before the one we are at before 3. There had to be 50 hikers there. It looked like Grand Central Station. We had run into 5 different camp groups - all headed to Katahdin. Including at least two groups from Canada. Probably three of the groups are teenage girls. I decided I would let Garage Man decide if we pushed on or not. Once he got there - he said let's go.I did the last 3.6 miles in 1hr and 15 minutes. I felt good even though both of my feet are hurting. I am glad (and so are my feet) that the end is in sight.There are two camp groups here, but they are tenting. It is really good to see so many girls out here.We are in the shelter with Hardrock. He is also finishing his hike this year. 63 years old from Georgia - a hiking machine. Starts way after us and always catches and passes us.Saw a red fox early this morning and a male grouse after lunch.Passed through a pine forest right before I got to this shelter that looked how you would imagine an enchanted forest would look. Pine needles and moss covering everything. Airy - the trees were spaced apart. All it needed was a leprachaun.
Date: 2010-08-02
From: East Branch Lean To

To: Potaywadjo Lean To
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: few clouds

Day 37 - "Smell the Barn"East Branch Lean To to Potaywadjo Lean To (19.5)The Garage Man and I have been doing some pretty good mileage as of late. Good miles for us anyway. Garage Man keeps telling me that I am working him hard because I am like a horse that can smell the barn. Because I can smell the barn I am running for home. We changed our plan and I think at this point we may be able to summit on Friday.I paid last night for being the hiking machine. My left left was killing me all night. Normally, the pain will go away, but not last night. Pretty much stayed with me until I got up.The trail was pretty good today. A really small climb and then pretty flat. Still a lot of rocks, roots, and wood planks - but easy going. I didn't have the energy like yesterday and was glad to be finished today.We got away from the camper groups today. We are at the shelter with Hardrock.Scored trail magic again. One of the camper groups got a resupply at a logging road and they had too much food. So, I got some iced tea, lemonade, cookies, and an apple. Just what I needed to boost my energy and spirits.Saw a common yellow flicker (1st of trip), a brown creeper, and another grouse (female).I also found a really cool feather. It is a shade of yellow. I have never seen one like it. Hopefully, I will not lose it so that I can try to ID it.I was also thinking today about the variation in toads that I have seen. Shape, color, size. It is really amazing. I wish that I knew more about them.48.3 miles to go.
Date: 2010-08-03
From: Potaywadjo Lean To

To: Rainbow Stream Lean To
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

Day 38 - "Three Kinds of AT Hikers"Potaywadjo Lean To to Rainbow Stream Lean To (18.2)It started raining around 2am - glad we decided to push on to the shelter yesterday. Made for a longer day yesterday and today, but will mean a really short day tomorrow.The past couple of days we have hiked by a lot of streams, ponds, and lakes. Very beautiful, but the terrain around them is very rooty. The trail was rocky and rooty and being wet it was slick and slippery. Made for slow going at times.The morning was pretty flat, but this afternoon we had a climb that reminded me "Yes, Virginia, you are still on the AT even though you forgot because the terrain has been flat and easy". Like a little slap in the face - a reality check so to speak.Still meeting sobos. The shelter is packed. We have been hiking with four thru hikers since Monson (flow easy, snowman, redman, and picker). They normally tent, but because of the rain they are in the shelter. Hardrock had to tent as well as a couple of guys who just started yesterday and are going to Katahdin. There is an older guy here who is going to Monson - shows up with no tent. Luckily there was room for him in the shelter. Had he been 15 minutes later - I don't know what would have happened. It is not right that people do that and then somebody would have had to give up their spot for him. Not too cool.Saw three ducks on a river. Gotta check my book when I get home. They had slate colored bodies and rusty heads.Hardrock told us last night that there are three types of AT hikers. The thru hiker. The lifetime achievement hiker - who does a little bit each year for 20 years. And, the Lasher. The Long Ass Section Hiker - does it in less than six sections. I guess I am a lasher.30.1 miles to go.
Date: 2010-08-04
From: Rainbow Stream Lean To

To: Hurd Brook Lean To
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Day 39 - "Inspiration"Rainbow Stream Lean To to Hurd Brook Lean To (11.5)Today was a pretty easy day. It rained all night again, so the roots and rocks were slippery. Despite that the trail was pretty good. Travelled around a lake - heard some loons and scared away some ducks from shore. No moose sightings.Right before the shelter there is a river - with some pretty big rocks. I guess at times you had to ford it. I started across and lost the blazes. I saw a log that I thought was grounded - so I stepped onto it. Big mistake. It went down and I went down with it - into waist high water.I fell back - trying to keep my pack out of the water. I tried to climb out using my poles and monkey went under - way under. Sorry Monkey. Can't believe with less than 2 days to go - I fall in. My boots were already wet, but now they are drenched. Oozing water as I walked up to the shelter. The repair job is hanging tough - we'll see if it holds after this.I started to think about why I did the trail and the whole story about wanting to do something significant in my life. This is all still true, but I have been thinking about what else has inspired me to keep going for these four years. It has been my younger brother PK. He is a recovering alcoholic. This month he will be celebrating his 4th anniversary of being sober. I have been hiking for four summers. Back at Fontana (my very first hike) he sent me his 7 month AA coin. I have been carrying the coin for every hike. I will leave it on Katahdin as a reminder of both of our journeys. While mine will end - his will continue and I will be there for him just as his coin (and he) have been here with me.18.6 miles to go.
Date: 2010-08-05
From: Hurd Brook Lean To

To: The Birches
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

Day 40 - "A Wake Up"Hurd Brook Lean To to the Birches (13.4)It was just Hardrock, Garage Man, and I in the shelter last night. Very relaxing day.Two guys who we had met yesterday showed up. They are tenting. They are out doing a couple of days to Katahdin.   College buddies from Wake Forest. I am very impressed by them both. One guy has a BA in Philosophy, got his Masters in Theology, and is starting a PHD program in Philosophy at Kentucky. The other guy has a BA in sociology and is in a program in inner city Phillie teaching school. Really nice guys. Two brothers from Maine who hiked all of Maine and are going to Katahdin are also here tenting. We met them in Monson and hiked with them for days when we started the wilderness. They fell back because they went to do the Gulf Hagas trail. They wished they hadn't wasted the energy, but they finally caught up.I told Garage Man earlier that I hoped they were going to show up so I could yogi from them. I've never yogied before. Yogi is when you try to get something from someone without them knowing you are doing it. The Birches (in Baxter park) only allows 12 long distance hikers to stay. If you are the 13 hiker and up - you cannot stay and there is nowhere to stay unless you had a reservation in the park. It means you need to leave the park and get back in to hike. I was worried we might not get in if some fast hikers from behind passed us. I knew the brothers had a reservation for two nights at the Katahdin Stream campsite. So, I asked them if we could stay with them at their site if we didn't get a spot - especially since we are best buds now. They said sure.We made it to the Abol Bridge camp store a little after 7. The three of us each spent over twenty dollars buying food. I got a mountain dew, a chocolate milk, two pasteries (one for today and one for tomorrow), a breakfast sandwich, two subs (lunch and dinner), and a couple of snacks for tomorrow. I felt like a glutten, but I didn't care. It was worth it. I ate the breakfast sandwich, the pasterie, the milk, and the mountain dew. Energy galore. Charged my phone and got rid of my trash. Life just doesn't get any better than this.Today was a really easy 13.5 miles. The two places that sobos told us we had to ford - we were able to rock hop.Passed 5 sobos - God, I am glad I am not them.The past 100 miles have been easy compared to the rest of Maine. It was a great way to get ready for tomorrow.I got here around noon. Have been relaxing ever since. Garage Man, Hardrock, Flow Easy, Snowman, Picker, and Redman and I are the only ones here. We will all summit together. Nice group of people to spend the last days on the trail with.Hardrock, Garage Man, and I were talking last night about when we were in the military and how when you got close to getting sent back stateside - you said you were short. You were X number of days and a wake up. Today - we just the wake up.Hard to believe that the journey officially ends in 5.2 miles.Our plan is to start hiking by 5:30.
Date: 2010-02-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Greetings,I'm 37 hours away from leaving and am very anxious to get started. The plan is to arrive around mid-day Tuesday at the road crossing just north of Springer, backtrack to the trail terminus, then camp on Springer. So the first day of actual hiking will be Wednesday. These plans are all contingent on the weather, of course.March 2 is too early to start this year I think, at least for me, but I am too stir crazy to wait until April 1. My working plan is to stall a bit by taking rest days in town, and possibly hiking some side trails at lower elevations, while waiting for the Smokies to thaw. As the Poolerbears said, "I never saw a motel I didn't like", and the NCAA tournament is approaching so there is no shortage of entertainment.Cheers.
Date: 2010-03-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Leaving for Georgia in less than 12 hours, and I am pretty excited but also apprehensive about the snow and cold. I am wobbling on whether to do the approach trail at this point but likely will do so if it is snowing, which is forecasted at this point.If you have popped in to check in on my hike, I appreciate your support. Please be patient with the postings as I only discovered this site at the last minute, and I am not very savvy with the cellphones, digital cameras, etc.Cheers,Birdy.