morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-14
From: Saddleback Jr. Mt

To: Caribou Valley Rd.
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night Skiman saw a handful of shooting stars. The sky was magnificent everytime I rolled over and opened my eyes, but I never saw any shooting stars. We started hiking today at 6am in our warmest clothes. My thermometer read 50, but it was windy and damp. The disadvantage of sleeping on the summit is the descent first thing in the morning when your eyes are barely open! The mountain elevation was 3655' and we descended to 1500' in 4 miles to purify waer and cook a dinner for breakfast. The trail to Lone Mt. 3280' and Spaulding Mt. Lean-To was as perfect as you could imagine. It was level, covered with pine needles, temperature was 60, and we crossed many pristine streams. At the shelter, we cooked another dinner for lunch and took a nap, since the level path had enabled us to be ahead of schedule. We did see many piles of scat that looked like blueberry jam. The berries were not digested at all and the pile was just blueberries. We wondered if it was a bear or some other animal. The mud on the AT is drying up, so we can stop in it without fear of our hiking shoes being sucked off our feet! We met my husband, Cargo Master, at Caribou Valley Rd. (a rough dirt road 4 miles in from the main road), and he brought us and two section hikers from NC to a motel for the night. It was wonderful to have a great dinner and to sleep in a real bed next to my husband! Today is the 70th anniversary of the completion of the "AT" as Maine was connected to the trail August 14,1937, thanks to the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Date: 2007-08-15
From: Caribou Valley Rd.

To: Avery Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Afer breakfast at the Stratton Motel, Cargo Master dropped off Skiman and I at the AT around 8am. It was a welcome 8.2 mile slack since we started at 2200' amd climbed to South Crocker Mt 4010' and North Crocker Mt 4228'. We then descended to ME27 1400' where we met Cargo Master for lunch. He had done our laundry as well as packed up the car and brought sub sandwiches. I do not know if we could have completed this 16.2 day without his help yesterday and today. Fueling up, getting a good nights sleep and the moral support was great as we count down the remaining days. We said goodby after lunch. Skiman and I hiked in the Bigelow range and finished the long day with a 3rd 4000 footer called the West Peak of Bigelow Mt 4145'! There are 10 4000' peaks in Maine and today we did three! Tomorrow we will climb another called Avery Peak 4088. We hung a food bag from the tree limb at our campsite. the squirrels and a mouse have been visiting us as we set up camp and cooked dinner. I am grateful for today's morning slack, because we had full packs with 4 days of food. The extra 8lbs makes a big difference on my knees and ankles, as well as hiking a slower pace as we climbed these beautiful mountains. We met 357 Magnum. When asked how he got his name he explained that he started at Spinger Mt, GA 3-5-07 and he and his wife will celebrate Katahdin with a magnum of Champagne!
Date: 2007-08-16
From: Avery Memorial Campsite

To: West Carry Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Skiman let me sleep in til 6am this morning! We had a wonderful view from Avery Peak 4088', where Skiman made a panoramic movie. You could see the Sugarloaf Ski area and Flagstaff lake. We thought we could see Mt Katahdin, but at 178 hiking miles away we could not be sure. we cooked lunch at a brook and then went for a swim at Flagstaff lake. The sandy shore felt good to my feet. With no cottages on this huge lake, we wondered who owns the lake and what restrictions there are. Skiman has a blister on his heel; that he has been taking care of the past few days. I left him at the beach and hiked the remaining 2.5hrs to the lean-to by myself. Castaway and Hangman played leapfrog with me and cooked supper at the lean-to before moving on a few more miles. Skiman and I went in to West Carry Pond for a swim before dinner. after dinner it rained hard, so we were glad we had decided to sleep in the shelter rather than our tents. as we hiked today, we noticed that under a boulder in a cave-like opening there were huge feathers. We wondered what animal would have devoured the bird leaving only 12" long feathers. Could it be an Eagle or Osprey? They were the kind of feathers an Indian would have worn in a head dress. Today we crossed the 2000mi mark, painted on the road, of our 2174 Appalachian Trail hike!
Date: 2007-08-17
From: West Carry Pond Lean-To

To: Caratunk ME
Miles today: 14.0

Skiman and I hiked 10 miles to the Pierce Pond Lean-To in 4.5hrs. The trail was fairly level as we hiked on rocks around East Carry Pond, on boards over swampy areas, and on wonderful pine needle covered paths. Skiman has been telling me stories about his days fishing with our Grandfather at Cobb's Pierce Pond Fishing camp. Although we cannot see the camp from this part of the pond, Skiman told me how they would come to this area to fish. He remembers seeing the Pierce Pond Lean-To from their boat. We enjoyed watching a pair of loons and a garter snake sunning itself. After lunch we crossed the Pierce Pond dam and followed the stream until we found a suitable place for a refreshing swim. The woods next to the stream sarted off with a mossy carpet of green velvet everywhere. Then, it changed drastically to be an eroded forest of huge roots. When the path returned to a bed of pine needles we reached the south fork of the Kennebec River. We were #4 and 5 in line for a canoe ferry which Steve runs from 9-11am and 2-4pm. Our trip occured just before the dam release, which Steve pointed out the rocks that would be submerged. I enjoyed the opportunity to paddle with him. we were then at US201 and hitched a ride 2.5miles with Neal, whose truck was full of ferrie paraphenalia. We got our maildrop in Caratunk and sorted through it at our 2 man tent on a platform. This facility caters to white water rafters, but there are 4 other Thru-Hikers staying tonight. 151 miles to Katahdin! I have "get home itis".
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Caratunk ME

To: Moxie Bald Lean-To
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Skiman and I gort a ride to the AT, 2.5 miles from our platform tent at Northern Outdoors, from our dinner server from last night. It was 55 degrees so we started hiking with rainjackets. We saw a bear's footprint in the mud and we continued to see moose scat regularly. We climbed Pleasant Pond Mt and Moxie Bald Mt today, both around 2500'. Skiman fell five times today and he pulled a muscle in his right thigh. Again, the wet rocks and roots from Last night's rain posed a problem in addition to the mud. Just as we were nearing the Lean-To there was an animal skull on the trail, which we presume to be a moose! Here, at the lean-to, we have eaten our dinner sitting on rocks at the Bald Mt Pond, watching a loon and a large beaver. It is too bad it is too cold to take a swim! We have all our clothes on just to stay warm this windy night. It seems strange to see so many lakes and ponds without cottages, docks and moorings. It is just beautiful from the shore as well as looking down from the mountains. A 19yr old Thru-Hiker, named Young and Dumb, has joined us in the shelter. He is an Eagle Scout from NY and starts college in September. He is very smart for being Young and Dumb! Today marks the 20th week hiking the AT. Our total for this week was 110.1 miles. We have started a coutdown to Katahdin: 9!
Date: 2007-08-19
From: Moxie Bald Lean-To

To: ME15 Monson, ME
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

Last night when I got up to "P" I saw a mouse climb out of my pack and walk down Skiman's hiking poles! This motning Skiman noticed mice had gotten into our hanging food bag and specifically into my peanut butter crackers! It was 50 when we got up at 5:30am and it stayed a chilly 55-60 all day. It seemed like a typical fall day. when we had to take off our shoes to ford the East Branch of the Piscataguis River, the knee deep water was chilly. This was the 1st of 2 fords today and the only ones on the trail to date. We saw the skeleton of a coyote on the At. Skiman and I thought it was a fox, but someone knew more than we did, so we learned the correct identification Hiking next to the Piscataquis River and Lake Hebron today was beautiful. The trail still has mud, rocks, and roots, but we completed nearly 18 miles in 10 hrs. this includes cooking a lunch and several breaks. we are staying at the Shaw's Hostel tonight in Monson, ME. for $35 which includes a room with twin beds, laundry, and breakfast. We wear clothing from the hiker closet while we do laundry and for after our showers. Skiman and I have each eaten a pint of Ben and Jerry's Phish Food! Today starts my last full week of hiking the AT. Young and Dumb has been asking me questions which reguire reflection, such as: Do you have any regrets? What would you have done differently? What is your favorite memory? I have found that it is very hard to hike and cry at the same time, so I am trying to enjoy each day for all the beauty and surprises it holds. The countdown continues: 8
Date: 2007-08-20
From: ME15 Monson, ME

To: Long Pond Stream
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

In order to summit Katahdin on Mon. Aug 27 Skiman and I have to hike 16.4 miles per day. Because our last 2 days were a little longer in mileage, we are starting the 100 mile wilderness with 4.3 miles "in the bank". Today we picked up our final maildrop at 7:30am with 5 days of food. Ten pounds in our packs is the heaviest the packs have ever been! After breakfast, the hostel hosts brought us back to the AT to begin the 100 mile wilderness. There are 114.5 miles left of the AT, as we start this day. I have missed not having my Pocketmail to send and receive e-mails. This will likely be the last entry until I return home next week. Thank you so much for your love, support, and prayers during my 150 day (projected) AT hike. I have been blessed in so many ways during this journey! For now, I need to stay focused on safe hiking and making sure Skiman does not fall anymore! Thank you family, friends and to those of you who have written to me whom I have not met. This continues to be an incredible experience of my life. I look forward to sharing the remainder of my journal next week from home in Wolfeboro, NH. The countdown continues: 7! The shuttle dropped Young and Dumb, Skiman and I off at 8:45 at the AT to start the 100 Mile Wilderness. I was disappointed to get such a late start,but that was when our shuttle from Shaw's could transport us. Skiman and I planned to hike to a shelter 15.1 miles, but he suggested we might press on to one 19 miles away. Since we started 3 hrs later than usual, and agaian...the rocks,roots, and mud...We stopped at 14.3 miles to tent beside the beautiful Long Pond Stream. We were advised that there was no water at the shelter, so it worked out well to camp here on the pine needle bed with the sound of the water cascading over the rocks to lull us to sleep. Today the map indicated we would ford 3 rivers. The widest one was Big Wilson Stream, about 100ft across. Skiman said the rocks were slippery and the water was deep, so I played it safe. I took off my socks and waded across in my hiking shoes. Although they are saturated, I didn't fall and the shoes should dry out in a day or so. Little Wilson Falls are 60'high and we enjoyed a snack on the ledge overlooking the falls. We are still hopong to see amoose! 100.2 miles to Katahdin!
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Long Pond Stream

To: Woods Rd
Miles today: 15.6

It wasn't quite 50' when we broke camp at 6 am. I had 3 shirts on plus my hat and gloves with gloves. Soon, it warmed up to 55' and I was back to my sleeveless top. I met a 76 yr old man of German descent, named Heinz, who lives in VT with his wife, Inga. He told me that he heard that there are two Catchups, and that he is the "real" Catchup because there"s only one Heinz Catchup! We had our picture taken together and it was fun to me someone else with MY trail name! Next, we met 4 men section hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness northbound, followed by 3 women from Portland, ME doing the same route. Today, the sky is blue as can be and the temperature is perfect for hiking. I have been collecting feathers along the trail. Today, I found a brown striped one which I think belonged to a grouse, then one which Skiman thinks is a hawk feather.Flaxseed is the only Thru Hiker on our schedule, so it is possible we may summit Katahdin the same day. These 7 section hikers are taking more days to complete the 100 Mile Wilderness, so we will not be on Katahdin the same day. The temperature got up to 85' today and there was no breeze. It was a comfortable day with challenging ascents and descents and beautiful views at the summits. It was fun meeting so many hikers just hiking the Wilderness today. All body parts are working fine. I am losing my first toenail and expect others to follow eventually! Skiman and I hiked separately most of the day, since he is faster. He waits for me at shelters, breaks and lunch. If we are alone for 1.5 hrs, the lead hiker then waits for the other to catch up. The countdown continues:6 days!
Date: 2007-08-22
From: Woods Rd

To: Little Boardman Mt.
Miles today: 20.3

Last night mice gnawed a hole through Skiman's tent, jacket, food bag and two baggies to get to his gorp. They also got into my toilet article baggie of daily medications! Today, we hiked from 6 am-4 pm, the last of the highest peaks on the AT in the 100 Mile Wilderness. We climbed Gulf Hagas Mt 2680', West Peak 3178', Hay Mt 3245' and finally White Cap Mt 3654'. From this last peak we got our first view of Katahdin, 72.8 trail miles away! I was overcome with emotion. We saw about 11 southbounders hiking the 100 Miles. We met Wolverine, a college age northbound Thru Hiker from Ohio, who started the AT 2 weeks before me. It was a beautiful day, though it started as a chilly 50' but ended in the 80's. The next 4 days are low elevation with no substantial climbs, but we are advised that the roots and rocks continue. Today the final part of the path was pine needles and through a grove of pine trees. it is easy to see why Maine is the Pine Tree state. When we were through eating supper at the Pleasant River Lean-to, Skimnan and I talked about the potential of staying at the Whitehouse landing Hostel tomorrow night, which would be a 22 mi hike, then .9 off the trail to where a boat picks you up. Since our Monson maildrop was for five days, plus our leftover food from the Caratunk maildrop, we will be a little skimpy for 6 days in the 100 mile wilderness and on to Katahdin Stream Campground. Stopping at the hostel will provide us with dinner, breakfast, bed, and a shower with the opportunity to purchase additional trailfood. We have had no cell phone connection this week, so I am hopeful to call Richard tomorrow. So.. we packed up and hiked 3.5 more miles to Cowboy Camp on Little Boardman Mt. The sunset was lovely and we have hung our food bag in a tree just in case. The countdown continues: 5!
Date: 2007-08-23
From: Little Boardman Mt.

To: Mahar Tote Rd.
Miles today: 18.4

Skiman and I both saw a shooting star last night. No critters touched our hanging food bag, but Flaxseed had a terrible experience with mice last night in his tent. With the trail at low elevation we cruised today, completing 14 miles by noon, which includes three breaks totalling about an hour. First, we purified water and soaked our feet in a stream. The second break was to sign in at a shelter and visit with other hikers. Finally, we spent a half hour with my dear Thru-Hiking friends CNN (Charles and Nancy) who flipped to Katahdin and are now southbound to Gorham, NH. We had not seen them since July 16, so it was great to reconnect and meet their friend Gadget. We took a mile Blue Blaze trail to a dock at Pemadumcook Lake where Skiman blew the airhorn to signal Bill, owner of Whitehouse Landing across the lake, to pick us up by motorboat. we have joined 3 other flipfloppers in the bunkhouse, which has no electricity. For dinner Skiman and I split a 1lb hamburger, pepperoni pizza and a pint of Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. In addition Skiman ate a whole loaf of homemade zucchini pineapple bread! We enjoyed hearing about the history of the Whitehouse Landing and the logging industry. There is a bull moose, affectionately named Baxter, who frequents their area. Bill encouraged us to take the canoe around the point, but it was windy, so we passed. Skiman and I got on the scale in the shower house. He has lost 30lbs and I have lost 57lbs. 45.9 miles to Katahdin! The countdown continues: 4!
Date: 2007-08-24
From: Mahar Tote Rd.

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning Bill fixed blueberry pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and english muffiins for us 5 hikers for breakfast. Then, we all got into his motorbaot and he dropped us off at the dock across the lake. We took out our raingear and were prepared for a damp day. Within 15 minutes I spotted a huge bull moose who we presume was Baxter! The 5 of us took pictures and Skiman also took a movie. Baxter made our day! Most of our hike today was next to lakes and streams at low elevation. We were next to the Nahmankanta Stream and Lake and went in for a swim at the sandy beach, even though it was raining. We had a 1000' ascent to Nesuntabunt Mt 1520'. The trail was slippery and I fell three times. We saw no Thru-Hikers today. Flaxseed is a day ahead of us and plans to summit on Sunday. Raincheck's son has returned to the UK after his fall hiking, which was not serious. Raincheck is trying to catch up to us. We understand that bear hunting season starts Monday, so I am glad we will be off the trail by then! We are staying at this shelter with 3 section hikers. We have shared digital camera pictures of moose that they saw and enjoyed sharing stories. One hiker saw 6 in one day! Sorcerer, is 33 yrs old from TN. This year he will complete is AT hike after 6 yrs of section hiking. We plan to summit the same day! 30.1 miles to Katahdin. The countdown continues:3 days
Date: 2007-08-25
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night the mice got into our hanging food bag and gnawed on Skiman's backpack. In the foodbag, they ate the gorp (again), but didn't touch anything else. This morning it was a humid 80', and by 9 am, we had all ready been in for a swim. We had scattered showers during the day including just as our hot Mountain House meal was ready to eat on a rocky mountain summit. The trail was mud, rocks and roots as usual. I slipped twice on boards over a swamp. Skiman and I had low energy today. I was glad we ended our 15 miles by 3 pm. We have a campsite at the Abol Bridge Campground on the West Branch of the Penobscot River. Unfortunately there was no view of Katahdin today from the bridge. As we took as swim, we enjoyed watching 10 rafts go by, each with about 12 passengers. However, soon after we took showers the thunder started and the Camp Ranger advised everyone of severe thundershowers and wind. Skiman poounded our two tent's stakes into the gravel and we placed our packs inside our tents. At 5:30 the lightning started and it rained hard. However, it only lasted a half hour, so we were relieved. Today, we completed the 100 Mile Wilderness in 6 days. Skiman commented that southbound AT Thru Hikers could get very discouraged starting with the rocks, roots and muds in Maine. Sorcerer came over from his campsite to visit. He left just in time as the wind picked up and the thunder and lightning returned. 15.1 miles to Katahdin. The countdown continues:2 days
Date: 2007-08-26
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

Last night my tent pole broke in 2 places so my sleeping bag got damp from where the condesation in the tent touched it. I'm glad this was the last night I would need my tent! Last night's lightning lasted 2 hrs with a flash about every 2 seconds. It was truly as if someone was turning the bedroom light on and off. There were no lightning bolts, just flashes and lots of rain and wind.This morning our tents were soaked and sandy. Sorcerer joined us at the campground store to purchase a little breakfast/snack food. The three of us hiked together for the day to Baxter State Park. The Park is 204,733 acres of forest preserve donated by the late Gov Percival Baxter, with the stipulation that it be maintained as pristine wilderness forever. Today's trail followed the Nesowadnehunk Stream where we had to cross on high wobbly logs with ropes strung across to hold on to. The side trail to Big Niagara Falls was well worth it. We also enjoyed watching white water rafters body surf down smaller falls. During the hike, we were very surprised to meet Raincheck hiking southbound! He was hiking to Abol Bridge and will summit Katahdin tomorrow also! Next, my husband, Cargo Master, and my brother, Pete, met us on the trail and escorted us to shelter #12 at the Katahdin Stream Campground. We appreciated the lunch they had brought for us and it was great to see them. We went to the Ranger Station to obtain my Distance Hiker Entrance Permit. After the completion of my AT Thru Hike tomorrow, I will be the 115th person and the 14th woman to complete the Trail in 2007. Hot dog! Next, my son Robert, arrived from Ellsworth, ME to climb Katahdin with us, which would be his 4th ascent! After supper, it was decided we would descend Katahdin on the Knife Edge, which is the Helon Taylor Trail, after ascending Katahdin on the Hunt trail which is the AT. The men shuttled Robert's car to the Roaring Brook campground so it would be there when we completed our hike. After everyone had gone to bed in the shelter, I could not get to sleep. It wasn't because I was so excited for tomorrow's hike as it was that I was sad it was coming to an end. I remembered that my son, Kevin, aka Tucker, spent his last night on a picnic table at the Katahdin Stream Campground day use area. Kevin, who lives in Korea, would have loved to have been with me for the final climb. This made me sad, so I decided to spend the night on the picnic table, as he had in 2003, gazing at the full moon, listening to the brook and admiring all the stars in the sky. I didn't get very much sleep. I recalled all my hiking partners along the way that I had not exchanged e-mail addresses with, and might never hear from them again. I decided to think of Katahdin as "just another hiking day" so I would not be tearful and risk getting injured. It was a hard night, no pun intended! 5.2 miles to Katahdin The countdown continues:1 day