morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-25
From: Bald Pate Leanto

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

When I woke up this morning, I had to confess that I had a nightmare and dreamt I was being strangled by someone who broke into my house. I remember saying to myself "scream as loud as you can"...so I did. But I guess I screamed out loud and woke everyone up...even Beach Bum out in his tent 50 yards away! How embarrassing. This is the third time this has happened to me, I am unsure what that is all about. Everyone had a good laugh about it.   Evil Eye and I headed out and went up Bald Pate (West Peak -3,662) and the East Peak (3,810). The problem with these peaks is many times you get up one and then have to drop back down in elevation before going back up the next. It can be exhausing going down especially because the slope is steep ans it is smooth rock at times. There are also steep rock steps and root tangled trail. Just add water and you have a slippery, risky hike. Because it has been raining, the trail is wet and the conditions are slick. That means take your time and be sure of your footing, and don't plan on big miles.   We arrived at Frye Notch Leanto and had lunch. Nice snack break. the sun began to come out later in the day, but it has been hazy, hot and humid...yea in Maine, believe it or not. I am soaked from rain and sweat.   We are going into Andover as I have a mail drop at "the Cabin". So when we arrived at the road, there happened to be a bunch of college students just ending their four-day orientation hike, so they gave us a ride into town. We ate lunch and called Earle to come and get us.    Earle, better known as Bear, and Honey, his wife, have been running this hostel for thirteen years. They have everything a hiker needs, and really go out of their way to accomodate us. They had a queen size bed in a separate room set aside for me! Score! It was awesome.   Later Pootz and M & M came in, but there was only one bunk left, so I gave up the Queen bed for them and took a top bunk.
Date: 2007-08-26
From: Andover, ME

To: South Arm, Black Brook
Miles today: 10.1

Woke up today to the smell of coffee. Man I miss that! We had a wonderful breakfast that Honey & Bear fixed for us: blueberry pancakes, eggs, muffins, bacon, OJ, coffee as much as you wanted. I fixed a couple of pb&j sandwiches for lunch as Bear was going to drop us off at the road where we got off and we will hike to the next road where he will pick us up and we can shower, eat another wonderful meal and head out in the morning.   We got to the trail around 9:30 and we could take our time as we only had Moody Mountain (2,440) and Wyman Mountain (2,920) to go over. So it would be a relatively easy day. There were rebar in some places and it still was wet from the thunderstorm last night, but overall, it was a great hike...especially since we lightened our load and didn't have to carry all of our gear.   As I was hiking, I was told to take the lead as I have a faster gait. That didn't make sense to me because we are not in a hurry and I can pace myself to a slower hiker easier than a slower hiker can pace to me. Regardless, I hiked first. As I was going along, I found an antler...it looks like a deer antler, but they think it's a young moose antler, because the base is so big, and it only has two points on it and hasn't "splayed" out yet. I think it's a great souvenior, so I am mailing it home. The trail has many gifts.   The weather forecast looks good for the next several days. So I look forward to hiking out. It is my understanding that Sunny (from Elmer's in Hot Springs) is stopping by tomorrow, so I want to see her. She is coming by to see Bonnie Carolyn and me. I will get a late start hiking, if I am able to hike at all, but that's ok...it's good to see friends out on the AT. Speaking of which, I have seen Stubble, Blue and Thunder in town. I guess they are one day ahead of me. I was so excited to see them again, I haven't seen Blue since before the Smokies! I would love to hike with them again- such a great bunch of guys. If you remember, I helped named Thunder back at Gooch Gap Shelter in Georgia because of his snoring. It seems I was the only one who could sleep through it though! I think the last time I saw Thunder was at the NOC. Wow, its cool how people just show up again!   We had a fantastic dinner tonight as Honey went out of the way to make turkey, corn on the cob, salad, kale, cranberries, and all the fixin's! It was wonderful and we all were stuffed. Ahhh, trail Life is good!
Date: 2007-08-27
From: South Arm, Black Brook

To: The Cabin - South Arm
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

So today I will get a late start as Sunny said she will arrive at noon. I am helping out Honey and Bear around here as they have a lot of work running the hostel. I have cleaned up the hikers area, helped clean up after breakfast and now Honey wants some green beans picked fresh from the garden for dinner....MMMMM!   Sunny has just called and won't be by until dinner time. So I guess I will relax and take it easy unless Honey and Bear need more help. I am mailing home my moose antler as it is quite heavy and this way I won't have to carry it.   Well, Sunny has arrived and everyone is so happy to see her. We had dinner and the girls helped clean up and then chatted late into the night...it was wonderful. So good to see friends out here. Bonnie Carolyn is continuing South from her flip-flop and will finish her hike when she reaches Port Clinton, PA. I am continuing North tomorrow until I reach Katahdin in Baxter State Park. Sunny is visiting her mother in Maine and is staying open to where she needs to be.   Life is Good!
Date: 2007-08-28
From: The Cabin - South Arm

To: Sabbath Day Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.0

I had another fantastic breakfast this morning courtesy of Honey and Bear. It was wonderful. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, OJ, and coffee. I am going to get spoiled if I don't leave this place soon!      I packed up a lunch and my pack weighs a ton. I have five days of food I am carrying because I don't plan on hiking into Rangely for a resupply. So I hope to get to Stratton by Sunday.      Bear took me to the trailhead. They are such wonderful people, I just cannot begin to tell you. They are more of the people who have defineately affected my hike in more ways than they will ever know. I am grateful for having met them and I am thankful they opened their home up to me.      So off I went up Old Blue Mountain (3,600). I went up for three miles to the top. I saw Quartermoon, Ohlms, Chef, Church Mouse, and Jew Dog up there. Next it was onto Elephant Mountain and then up Bemis Mountain (3,580). I crossed the first, second and third peak of the Bemis Range and then headed down to a road crossing. The weather is sunny and cool. Perfect for hiking. I hiked up to Moxie Pond and then to the Long Pond right before reaching Sabbath Day Pond Shelter. Ther was a beach right before the shelter so I cleaned up before making my dinner. It was about 6:30 and I don't have much daylight left.      The shelter was nice and not crowded as everyone wanted to tent. I went to sleep quickly, but I didn't sleep to deeply (rats).
Date: 2007-08-29
From: Sabbath Day Pond Shelter

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

I awoke today and I was debating wether or not to put in a long day and try to get over Saddleback Mountain to the Poplar Ridge Lean-to...a 20 mile day with a huge climb at the end, or make it a shorter day, and go to the Piazza Rock Lean-to. We are supposed to be getting rain and I wanted to get the Saddleback Mountain behind me. I went down to the pond to "ponder" the days hike (sorry for the bad pun). I saw a beautiful sunrise. I decide to make it to the first shelter, and if I felt good and strong, I would push on.    As I hiked it was aparrant that I was tired. But I still wanted to get that big climb behind me! Arrrrgggh! All morning I weighed the pros and cons of hiking a longer day. I finally got to the road to Rangely and I was hungry. I decided to hitch in, get a good meal and hitch out to the fist shelter. I will have been well fed and go to bed early and then be rested up for the big climb tomorrow...rain or shine.      It has been a sunny great day, and I took my time hiking. I got Ohlms and I a ride into town and I should have no problem getting back to the trailhead. This way I will have listened to my body, ate well and have gotten plenty of rest. I have noticed I am a little cranky as most of the other hikers are as well. People seem to be getting tired of hiking and they are getting homesick. I know I am. A ridgerunner said he noticed how the hikers seem to be a little irritable lately. We concluded that six months out on the trail IS a long time, and most just want to be home with their loved ones. I am glad to be hiking solo, as I have time to pray, think and reflect.
Date: 2007-08-30
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 16.9

When I woke up, Quartermoon and Life Traveler had already headed out along with Chef. I felt good and I had a good nights rest. The sun was out and it was a bit hazy, so the view from Saddleback Mountain ( 4,120) was limited, but still good. I spent an hour up there! I met Quartermoon, up there and then Hyde and LT showed up soon after.       We headed over the Horn (4,040) and then Saddleback Junior (3,655). Great views, but we could see a thunderstorm looming, so we decided to head out. As we were hiking, the sun went away and then the thunder started. Hyde started to go fast, so I ran behind him...he would mess with me, and let me get close, then take off. It was fun to go fast again! We arrived at Poplar Ridge Lean-to just before the rain. We ate lunch, resupplied or water and waited out the rain. I was supposed to stay here and wait for Evil Eye, but it wasn't even noon yet, so I decided to push on.   I hiked up Lone Mountain (3,260) and made it into Spaulding Lean-to just before the rain again! Lucky! There was a huge group of college students there for orientation, so at first I thought there wasn't room in the shelter. But they were tenting, so Quartermoon and I had the shelter to ourselves. Hyde, LT and Soko went on to Sugarloaf Mountain four miles ahead...in the rain!   They told me the last shelter was packed, so I am glad I pushed ahead. I should be able to make it into Stratton tomorrow, so I will have saved a day. It seems like everyone around me wants to finish on the 15th...could be a problem. I am going to take it a day at a time.
Date: 2007-08-31
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean To

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

We awoke to students banging and making noise...even though they slept in tents, they kept their stuff in the shelter and were making alot of noise packing up. I took my time getting up today, and didn't roll out of bed until 8:30. I was hoping it would stop raining.   I got up and headed out. It had rained hard last night and everything was wet and damp. It was still drizzling when I left. It is cloudy and rainy today, and my mood is dreary as well. I really don't feel like hiking and there is a big downhill and the rocks may still be slick. But that is all part of the trail.   I hiked down to the Carabassett River and then over South Crocker Mountain (4,040) and over North Crocker Mountain (4,228). Had to take it easy going down the rocks as it was slick and my knees were aching. Got a hitch into Stratton and came into the Stratton Hostel.   I am glad to be in town to get my supplies, shower, and dry out. Tommorrow it's the Bigelows!
Date: 2007-09-01
From: Stratton, ME

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today when I awoke, the weather was cloudy and damp. I was hiking with Beach Bum. He is a great guy and hikes consistantly...although he claims he is slow, he does the miles and always shows up when you least expect him to...very cool.   We hiked up the Horn three miles, then up South Horn. After that we climbed up two miles to West Peak and Avery Peak. The views were amazing. When I got to Avery Peak, Soko and Chef were there. We sat down by the fire tower and had it block the wind while we took in the fantasic view. Beach Bum showed up and we all had lunch.    Then a magical moment happened. We sat, thinking and talking about our journeys, realizing we may never be there again. We each captured this specific moment in time, and each of us, in our own unique way, realized that this trip was almost over. We were all grateful, and in that moment of silence and awe...I think we each became blessed. Something passed through our beings, we felt it. It is indescribeable as we sat there on top of the mountain, on a place between heaven and earth. Each of us received a "knowing". What a gift. Chef got up and had someone take a picture to catch the moment, but I don't think a camera can capture a "spiritual" moment like that! It was a place on the trail that I will always hold inside my heart.   We came back to reality, and put our packs on to continue our hike. I took a picture from Old Man's Head trail, and then headed down to Stafford Brook before heading up and over the Bigelow Mountains.   While I hiked the Bigelows, I ran into Fred and Joy Aerosmith, a nice couple who were hiking the Bigelows with encouragement from their "hiking" kids. It was nice chatting with them before I headed off to the shelter.   I arrived at the shelter around six and ran into Little Red and Wolf.I passed the 2000 mile marker today. When I did, it really hit me. I am so homesick. I really have started to think about home more and more. I miss my family. I miss my pets. I miss the comforts of home...my bed, running water, a hot bath, blue jeans and cotton clothing! I miss a hot cup of coffee, ready to go without having to get the water, boil it and make a single cup at a time. My feet and knees ache, and there are days I see a pond or a beautiful spot, and I just want to stay there for days, but I have to hike. Time is short. I cannot whittle it away. So I hike... to the next shelter or campsite. The days are getting shorter, the air is getting crisp, leaves are starting to change color and the squirrels are chattering and beginning to get prepared for winter. I feel the changes, subtle as they are. I feel the need to get home and prepare myself for winter as well. I haven't felt this in the past as strongly as I do now. So on I hike. Thinking about how I will acclimate myself back into society. What will it be like? I think about this as I hike. So on I hike.
Date: 2007-09-02
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Another sunny, cool and beautiful day today! As I hiked I was trying to decide if I could hike 21 miles by 3:30 and make it to the Kennebec River. The Kennebec is the most formidable unbridged water crossing on the AT. The Native American word for Kennebec means "long quiet water". A thru-hiker drowned in 1985 trying to ford the river, and many other hikers had close calls with rocks, strong currents and unpredictable water levels due to releases from the dams upstream. The ATC and MATC has provided a canoe ferry service to aid hikers in crossing the river. They are there for limited hours, so I was hoping to get there within the time the ferry was there. After much debate, I decided I would not "race" there, and would go to the shelter two miles before the river. This way I could take my time and stop along the way at some of the beautiful ponds and take in the views.      I stopped at Flagstaff lake, man that was beautiful. I sat and reflected on my hike and some of the people I have met. I headed over Roundtop Mopuntain and then to West Carry Pond. I ran into Promise Keeper and OO-Rah and hiked with them a bit. As I was hiking, I thought "Why is that horse standing in the trail?"...wait...that's NOT A HORSE...ITS A MOOSE! The cow had a calf and as soon as she saw us she veered into the woods, and of course by the time I got my camera out and turned on, she was behind so many trees, I couldn't get a clear shot. That's ok though, I have it in my memory, and I won't forget that one!   When I arrived at the shelter, no one was there, so I bathed, did laundry and soon Little Red and Wolf showed up, and then Beach Bum came in after that.   I watched the sunset over the pond. It was relaxing to watch the sutble changes of the colors and clouds in the sky as it reflected on the water. A perfect end to a perfect day. What a gift.
Date: 2007-09-03
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

I hiked out with Little Red and Wolf today to get a 12 pancake breakfast at Harrison's. Boy I am so glad I didn't push to cross the Kennebec river yesterday, or I would have missed this! Wolf and I ate what little Red couldn't...my appetite is ferrociuos!   I took the ferry across the Kennebec. I miss my kayaks! I enjoyed paddling and using my upper body. I am looking forward to kayak camping in the future.    We all needed to resupply, so we hiked into Caratunk and picked up enough food to get us to Monson. I have a mail drop there, so I didn't need to get much, just a few days supply.   I hiked back to the trailhead alone. I have been enjoying hiking solo. I have time to get lost in my thoughts. I think about home. The jobs I will come back to. My family. My Mom. What lessons I have been taught while I am out here. I pray alot. My communion with God has developed into quite a relationship. I talk to Him alot. Somedays I get answers to my questions, other days I don't...because I am not ready for the answers, or, I am not supposed to know. And I now trust that. It is a beautiful thing.   I arrived at Pleasant Pond Lean-to and had lunch. It has been another sunny and cool day - such perfect weather for hiking. I ran into Tom B and we hiked into the shelter. We dicussed Pi who was life flighted off the trail because he passed a kidney stone.Anything can happen out here. Stubble got a staff infection in his knee and he had to go home too. I prayed and thanked God for my good health.   As we hiked into Bald Mountain Lean-to, who do we see on the trail but Pi and K'ache (pronounced "cake")! He told us what had happened and how he is doing, and we were glad to see them back to finish their hike.      When we arrived at the lean-to, I saw Blue, Thunder and Georgia Blue Sky BBQ along with Chippy, Sampson and Uncle Tom. We talked about how we could come off the trail, as anything can still happen. We talked about the emotions we are going through as we get closer to finishing our hike. And, we talked about how we are cranky and how we are getting homesick and anxious to be done with the hike. It was nice to share our different outlooks, and how we can change our perspective.
Date: 2007-09-05
From: Shaw's Boarding House

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

I slept like a log last night! Oh that is such a great feeling. I had a room to myself on such a soft bed...as FlyAway would say "it was wonderful"!   The only thing is...it makes me miss home that much more! But I am getting very close now, so I just take one step at a time and I will be there before I know it.   We had a huge breakfast...and it was AYCE (all you can eat). After breakfast, I received my maildrop. So I just have to get my food together for nine days (as I have decided to take my time here), get my pack together and then get shuttled back to the blue blaze. It turns out I was the only one to come in on that blue blaze...the others either arrived before me, or hours later. Everyone didn't want to hike the extra two miles. But, I still would have done that, because I do not carry a cell phone and I don't hitch alone.   So I started off having to hike the 3.5 that everyone else had hiked the day before. Many hikers are taking a zero day here. They are saying it is the last chance to "zero" in a town. I would rather zero in the woods or at home at this point, so I am heading out.   I am not motivated today. Hiking seemed slow. The miles seemed to drag. I felt like I was caught in some giant spider web, and it was pulling me backward. There were not alot of views, and all my thoughts kept drifting home. Mentally it was a difficult day. Other than that, it was sunny and beautiful. The terrain was relatively flat compared to what I have been hiking. So I know I need to make a mental shift, but I am struggling with it.   I also just feel tired. I am getting tired of walking. I am sore and can no longer feel my toes. I think of Bob and just want to be with him. It is a mental challenge.   I arrived at Big Wilson Stream and had to ford it. It was rather deep in areas and the current was a bit swift. I unbuckled my pack and made my way slowly across. At times, my hiking pole sunk up to the handle...too deep there, go back a bit. I made it across and the water made it up to my butt at the deepest part. When I reached shore, I thanked the Lord for giving me such long legs!   When I finally arrived at the shelter, there was a section hiker there. We talked a bit before it got dark. I felt tired...still. There are supposed to be a lot of mice at this shelter...it gets alot of use from the common public, and they are not so protective of their food as thru-hikers are. I have noticed that difference. They have a different approach. Their food is replaceable easily. For us, we have to walk to where we need to resupply, and our appetites are such that we eat EVERYTHING, whether we like it or not...we need the calories. So we are careful not to waste anything, or feed any animals as it only encourages them to come back for more.      The temperature is dropping at night. I was able to see my breath. I am glad to have my down sleeping bag. Hopefully I will get a good night's rest.
Date: 2007-09-06
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today it is sunny and cold and I am climbing up the Barren Chairback Range which includes a series of mountains including Barren Mountain (2,660), Fourth Mountain (2,380), and Columbus Mountain (2,325).   I am hiking solo today and have lots I am thinking about. Mostly I am thinking about how I am going to transition back to my home life, my jobs, family etc. I wonder how it will be when I finish this trail...will I miss the people and will we stay in touch? Will I ever see them again? If so, will it be the same? I walk on.   I decide to take a lunch break by the side of the trail because the shelter is so far off the trail and down a huge hill. It will be a short break, so I don't feel like walking to the shelter just to turn around and head back to the trail after 15 minutes. And, conveniently, there is a huge rock inviting me to sit down and rest. As I eat my lunch, Pi and K'ache come by. We chat a bit and I end up hiking the rest of the day with them. We were all heading to the same shelter anyway, so it was fun to walk and talk. When we arrived at the shelter, Ishmal was there. I stayed and Pi and K'ache headed down the trail a few miles to set up their tent by the West Branch Pleasant River.   It looks like rain, so I felt comfortable staying at the shelter. I got to catch up with Ishmal on his hike...I haven't seen him since NOC. We were both injured there and he was going to go home for a week. He ended up staying there five days. I thought he had gotten off the trail like so many others. We talked about how many people have started this trip and dropped out for various reasons... health, boredom, etc. We talked about other hikers we knew and where they were and where they are now. We spoke about the beauty we have seen and how the weather was for us at certain points along the way. It was fun. It made us realize how many miles we have hiked. How far we had come!   We watched as the clouds rolled in. A couple of section hikers showed up and pitched their tent up. We chatted a bit and soon it was dark, so off to bed we went.