morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-09-01
From: Pierce Pond lean-to

To: Bald Mtn Brook lean-to
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I got started, doing less than a half mile to Harrison's Pierce Pond Camp, and breakfast. Had a huge plate of blueberry, raspberry, and apple pancakes. Eggs, coffee, sausage, milk, and juice for $12. Must have great breakfast!!! Left there and walked along Pierce Pond stream and Otter Pond stream. Nothing but waterfalls! I got to the wide, and famous Kennebec River. Steve took us two at a time across the river in a canoe. It is the official way to cross. There's a hydraulic dam upstream, which periodically releases water. That can cause a sudden, rapid rise in the river. Someone drowned a few years ago, so the ATC pays someone to ferry hikers across.   As soon as we left the river, some of us went the .3 miles to the Caratunk Post Office. I had a mail drop, and I mailed 1 lb. 9 oz. of stuff home.   I left the P.O. and was back on the trail at 11:00, with 15 miles to go. I had a quick lunch at the 2nd Holly Brook crossing. I changed to clean, dry socks, and cameled up on water (I didn't want to carry any more than necessary with the added weight of resupply).    I climbed a very steep Pleasant Pond Mtn. 1100' in 1.1 miles! I picked a cup of blueberries on top for my oatmeal in the morning. They were so ripe that they were falling off as I picked them. Then I hiked down to Moxie Pond, and forded Baker Stream. It was a knee deep crossing if you went from submerged rock to submerged rock. I did take my shoes and socks off, and donned my crocs (camp shoes). The cold water actually felt great on my sore feet. I crossed a large beaver dam, but I had no fear, because of the ultimate engineer, the Beaver. Flushed two coveys of grouse. And I saw the first wild turkey for several states. I thought it was a hen as it ran ahead of me on the trail. But, after further evaluation, I saw that it was a gobbler because he had his beard slung over his left shoulder so he wouldn't step on it while running.    In camp at 6:45. Shutter came in at 7:10, and none of the others showed up. Oh well, they know we will meet in Monson on Saturday.
Date: 2011-09-02
From: Bald Mtn Brook lean-to

To: Shaws
Miles today: 22.1

I knew it was going to be a long day, so I got up before daylight. After three previously long days, I was exhausted, but you gotta hike. First thing, I hiked up Moxie Bald Mtn., with outstanding views all around. I could see back to the Bigalows. Came down the other side and got to Baker Stream, which the guide book didn't say anything about fording, but you had to ford it. There was a rope strung across the stream to hold on to while crossing. Then Marble Branch was up and I forded it. A half mile later I crossed the West Branch of the Piscataquis River.   Then I had one of the most beautiful walks of the adventure along the river for 5.5 miles. The weather was great. High 60's, slight breeze, and not a cloud in the sky. Then I crossed the East Branch of the Piscataquis River. That's four shoes and socks off, crocs on, river crossings today. At this point I decided to go for town. I was in the lead, so I left the others a note on the trail, and moved on. Flushed more grouse today.   I got to Hwy 15, and called Shaws to pick me up. They were full, so I tented in the yard. I will have a private room tomorrow night. I showered, and went to Spring Creek BBQ.
Date: 2011-09-04
From: Shaws

To: Wilson Valley lean-to
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I had the AYCE breakfast again this morning. You sit at the table and they come take your order. You hold up fingers or shout out how many of everything you want. Three means three pancakes, three eggs, etc.   Then got to the trail at 9:00. Crossed two fords, one was Little Wilson Stream, which had waterfalls. The other was Big Wilson Stream. Shoes and socks off on both. Then a rock hop on Thompson Brook.   Do What and I had the 2nd shuttle out, cause we weren't through eating, and the vehicle couldn't take us all in one trip. So we get into this shelter right before the rain starts...within minutes. So we are behind the rest, not wanting to get wet.   Pouring rain again after stopping for an hour. Rain forecasted for several days. Oh great, the trail is already a muddy, sloppy mess.   I am ready to finish this hike and go home. I have been very homesick of late. All my love and many thanks to my wife Kelly for the support she gives at home. I miss her and the kids, and think about them all constantly.
Date: 2011-09-05
From: Wilson Valley lean-to

To: stealth camp at trail to West Chairback Mtn.
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Forded three raging torrents today. Last nights rain had a normal stream crossing very dangerous. I just took my time and everything was fine. It starred raining again around noon and I got soaked to the bone. My shoes were already wet from walking in water all day, and my feet were badly pruned up. I crossed Barren Mtn and Fourth Mtn, and then some smaller hills. Also crossed the mark of less than a hundred miles to go.    I was getting cold from being soaked, so I stopped at the first camp spot I could find. I got on dry clothes and into my sleeping bag. I did not cook as it rained all night again. I will catch up to the others eventually. Do What passed as I was in my tent. Told him to tell the others I'd catch up tomorrow. Maybe.    Saw more grouse today.
Date: 2011-09-06
From: stealth camp at trail to West Chairback Mtn.

To: campsite .2 miles North of W Br of Pleasant
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: light rain

It was a wet, rainy morning. I stayed in my tent until I was sure that it was just water dripping from the trees. I was on the trail at 7:40. I climbed West Chairback Mtn. Then down the rock slide trail where Rusty Bumper broke his ankle. Last saw Rusty Bumper at the Bagel Cafe in Bear Mountain, N.Y. I saw on the ledge on Chairback where the rescuers chainsawed a spot for the helicopter to land and pick him up. Rusty Bumper, we all are thinking of you. We also all know that each step could potentially be our last out here. It could easily happen to any one of us. It scares us all. There are a few that say otherwise, but they are young and foolish.   Got to Katadin Iron Works road, and then down to the ford. Just as I thought. The river was out of its banks. Attempts were made in three different locations, but you couldn't get 10-15' out in the river before the current was too strong. It was waist to chest deep, even that short of a distance out into the river. The overall (100%) concensus was that it was too dangerous. If you fell, the current would have you. At best, you would lose your poles and/or pack. At worse, your life. So I get out the maps I've been carrying for just such an occasion. The closest option was a twelve mile road march around to the other side of the ford. So that's were we are tonight. Twelve miles that didn't count, to gain 50' of raging river. We couldn't cross it, but we were right back on the other side. Some wanted to take a road to a side trail, and skip ahead 10-12 miles, but the rest of us wanted to continue the AT. Got a chance to mostly dry my gear out. It's supposed to rain again tomorrow ...great!    Flushed two more grouse this morning.
Date: 2011-09-07
From: campsite .2 miles North of W Br of Pleasant

To: East Branch lean-to
Miles today: 16.1

Longs climbs over Gulf Hagas, West Peak, Hay Mtn, and White Cap Mtn. I was supposed to see Katadin from White Cap, but it was rain and clouds. It rained most of the day. Cold rain, mud, and no views. But, that was the last mountain before Katadin. Only hills left. I forded one stream today. But will have to ford the East Branch of the Pleasant River first thing in the morning. The 100 mile wilderness is going slow. Do not underestimate its difficulty. I know the 67 miles left will come, but it's been tough so far. I had planned for 6 nights and 7 days, but lost a day at the West Branch of this river. It's anything but Pleasant.   Got to the shelter, and we give Doc a surprise birthday party! I got him Mr. Bubbles. The rest got him 4 bottles of white russians, candles that we put in a jar of Nutella, and a streamer that said Happy Birthday. He was so thankful and very, very surprised!    I saw more grouse today.
Date: 2011-09-08
From: East Branch lean-to

To: Antlers campsite
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I forded the East Branch of the Pleasant River this morning. I didn't even put my hiking shoes on, just donned my crocs and walked the .3 miles from the shelter to the river. I crossed the rushing, raging stream. And then kept the crocs on through a bog area that was missing boards. After putting on the shoes, I walked up two hills totaling about 900'. Those were the only significant climbs of the day.   We took an early lunch at Cooper Brook Falls lean-to. What a great location, and I would have loved to stay there, but it was too early in the day. I had to rock hop several streams today. Then crossed Jo Mary Rd, which is a little over halfway through the 100 mile wilderness. I was there about 45 minutes; and a car, a pickup, and two log trucks came by. So much for wilderness.   I had to ford the outlet to Mud Pond. Do What fell in, slipping on a log, and cut his thumb on a rock. The lower half of his pack went for a swim also. Kerplunk!   We are on this sweet little peninsula on Jo Mary Lake. The pines remind me of the pine trees back home.   If everything goes well, we should summit on Monday. I'll be sure to get you that picture, Uncle James. Speaking of pictures, I will get most of the pictures I took posted here. It may take awhile to label or identify them, but they should be worth a look.   Seeing grouse everyday. It's very unusual if I don¢t see any.
Date: 2011-09-09
From: Antlers campsite

To: camp on the summit of Nesuntabunt Mtn.
Miles today: 15.3

Everyone got up a little later than expected, but all were out of camp by 6:00. It was six miles to the blue blazed side trail that leads to White House Landing. Everyone but Shutter is going in for lunch and resupply. I stopped at Potaywadjo Spring (I just pronounce it 'potato joe') to get water. What an awesome spring. It was boiling out of the ground. The coarse sand was boiling out also. I hope the picture turns out. I also did a short video clip on it. It was so cold, it hurt my head to drink...kinda like ice cream does. Then I got my first look at Katadin from Pemadumcook Lake. It is a huge mountain! It looks so close, from over twenty something miles away.   Blew the airhorn and got picked up by the guy at White House Landing. We had to wait about an hour for his wife to get back from town with supplies. But we just all just hung out in the yard and on the poarch. The sun just felt good, and I just did some journaling. Then we all ordered. I got the cheeseburger deluxe with 1 lb of meat, and a brownie, with root beer. When I got through, I got a few snacks to get me through tomorrow. And I got a loaf of zucchini bread for breakfast in the morning.   After lunch, we were dropped at the beach head. I forded Tumbledown Dick Stream, and a mile later, I rock hopped a branch of the Nahmakanta Stream. I walked along that stream for about five and a half miles. Then after Wadleigh Stream lean-to, we decided to go up the very steep Nesuntabunt Mtn instead of waiting till first thing in the morning. Nesuntabunt Mtn had a short side trail to a viewpoint of Katadin. It was 16 miles by line of sight, and over 36 by trail.
Date: 2011-09-10
From: camp on the summit of Nesuntabunt Mtn.

To: Abol Pines campground
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: broken clouds

It was a long day, but not to tough of a trail. It was cold this morning (high 30's), so I left my long handles (base-layer) on for awhile. I hiked along Pollywog Stream, then a feeder stream, which I believe was Rainbow Stream. Beautiful views of Katadin all day. It is a massive rock! At Rainbow Ledges, we had a Spruce Grouse fly to a limb about head high, and about 15' away. Not sure I got a clear picture though.    I got to Golden Rd, and crossed the West Branch if the Penobscot River, which was out if its banks. Glide's wife, Julia, was there with trail magic. Subways, chips, cookies, and refreshments. Camped on the riverbank at Abol Pines. We sat around the fire for awhile tonight, too excited to sleep. We are usually too tired for a fire in camp, but had the second one in three nights.
Date: 2011-09-11
From: Abol Pines campground

To: The Birches
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Got up and hiked along the Penobscot River, then up the Lower and Upper Nesowadnehunk Streams. Had a relaxing lunch at Big Niagara Falls. After that, stopped by Little Niagara Falls, and then on to Katadin Stream campground, where there was trail magic. Thanks Raye and Judy! We registered for the hike tomorrow at the Ranger Station. We are all excited about the summit of Katadin tomorrow.
Date: 2011-09-16
From: Katadin !!!

To: Charlotte Regional Airport
Miles today: 0.0

Just an update waiting on a flight to Mobile, Alabama. Was gonna stay in Millinocket another day, when Glide and Julia called and offered me a ride to Bangor. Yes! So left around noon after mailing my pack with most of the contents home. Threw away the stinky shoes, socks, and shirts. After stopping at the Sea Dog micro brewery in Bangor for lunch, we proceeded to Bar Harbor and Acadia for the evening. Ate lobster and walked out on the famous bar at low tide. Then walked around the town and many shops. I bought a new shirt. Stayed the night, had large breakfast in the morning, and then toured the island. Arrived in Bangor a little after noon. Spent a couple nights at a hotel by the airport, and went to the mall for some shoes. Ate at a couple of good spots called Ground Round and My Fork.    Excited to be finally going home!
Date: 2011-10-06
To: top 10 trail foods
Miles today: 0.0

Well I just got around a few days ago, to viewing my pictures. It will be a few weeks before I get them posted. In the meantime, I will make a few post relating to my experience on the trail. I hope this will help future hikers as well as just some plain old good reading. I will start with the top ten foods I liked, or loved on the trail. Off trail will come at a later date. 1. Hot chocolate! I put this at number one, mainly because it was such a surprise to me. I started the trail consuming coffee mostly, with an occasional hot chocolate. Except during extremely hot weather, I had hot chocolate most every night. It was soothing and very enjoyable to have at camp. It was one the first things I did after setting up camp.2. Skittles. I was never without them the last two months, and finished with an unopened bag in my pack. I learned to use them to "help" me up a mountain or hill. I found that a handful was to much because all that sugar would make me crash before I got to the top. 8-10 would power me up most hills. If I lost 'power, then I'd have a few more. This practice took the guess work out of having a trail bar or other snack. Looking ahead at the terrain and trying to guess when I needed that fuel. 3. Cinch Pomegranite Energy Tea. This product is made by Shaklee. Another item I would not be without. It worked so well that I had doubled the intake by Maine. I would put two packets in a liter of water. Mostly twice a day. Lighter than Gatorade, because of the lack of sugar. In fact, there is no sweetner at all. 4. Mountain House Sphagetti. My favorite of all the freeze-dried dinners. I would add parmesian cheese and lemon juice from packets.5. Taco Bell mild border sauce. The best meal spicer upper I carried. And those who knew me, knew I carried alot of condiments.6. Chicken, pouch or can. I couldn't under stand why in the world people would ask me 'you carrying those heavy cans?' With the chicken and water added gone, they may have been an ounce heavier than the pouch, and the pouches only came in 7 1/2 ozs. The cans had smaller portions, so i actually carried less weight...go figure!7. Snickers dipped in peanut butter. Two old standbys, but at the end I had to have the calories.8. All other trail bars dipped in peanut butter. Clif bars, Snickers Marathon, Payday, were my favorites.9. Jerky. Expensive, but tasty and a great change of trail snacks.10. Anything with crunch! Chips, and cookies. My favorites were Wheat Thins tomato & basil (these held up extremely well) and Keebler Pecan Sandies.Honorable mention: gummy bears, mountain house lasagna, mountain house beef stroganoff
Date: 2011-04-30
From: Damascus

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Last night I pulled into ¢The Place¢ in Damascus just after dark and was pleased to find an open bunk. This time of year is the middle of the NOBO rush for this part of the trail, and so it was quite crowded. Many people had chosen to tent, so I found an open bunk upstairs, right next to the one I used last October. I later noticed a sign that stated ¢Hikers only, no drive-in stays.¢ Discovering this fact after a 13-hour drive was, to say the least, disturbing. When I was here last year there was no such sign, and the Thru-hikers companion states ¢Stays and parking are limited to two days.¢ I thought about leaving but then decided to call the phone number on the sign after talking it over with Metric, a thru-hiker from Germany. The person that answered said it was ok to stay. Whew. I really didn¢t want to find a different place to stay, or even to park.Well, all of this led to an early start in the morning. About 6:30, some guy knocks on the door and then comes right in and asks, ¢Does anyone here have a car¢? I told him I did and he brazenly states, ¢Well, you have to leave.¢ This struck me as rather funny as I had absolutely no intention of staying. I mentioned the call of the evening before and he grumbled something and left. I can¢t help but wonder how many other hikers received this rude wake-up call before he finally got to me.I¢ve struggled as to whether or not I wanted to convey this story. I didn¢t want to start this journal on such a sour note, but the story just demanded to be told. Having written it down I think I know why the demand; it is just this kind of petty rule enforcement that makes me want to be hiking in the woods, free and relaxed. So there¢¦ it¢s been said.After breakfast at Cowboy¢s Caf©, I once again continued my journey northward. It is one week before Trail Days, and the town is quite full of cyclists and hikers. The first mile or so was a leisurely stroll along the highway; I then came to the stairway that is the trailhead.   Now, I don¢t know if thru-hikers ever get this feeling more than once, but every time I start out on a section hike, I always have this feeling of apprehension mixed with excitement.I rounded Cuckoo Knob around 11:30 AM and started getting the kind of views that so quickly remind me of why I do so love these hikes. The trees are flowering and the distant hills are green and beautiful. About noon, I came to the Iron Mountain Trail and stopped for lunch.I was up Straight Mountain and reached the Saunders shelter around 5:30. I decided to tent, as the weather was so nice. Here I met Dixie and her son and two other hikers   Another great day on the trail.
Date: 2011-05-01
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Campsites, stream at mm 478.3
Miles today: 7.8

Today was a very nice day of hiking with lots of variations. I packed up, and was on my way by 8:00 AM. The morning hike was mostly easy downhill mountain hiking. In the afternoon I came to the Virginia Creeper Trail, which was paved and had benches to sit on along the side. There were lots of cyclists as this is one of the more popular bicycling trails in the country. There was a bridge that went over a beautiful river gorge. Then it was back in the woods for a while, then onto a gravel road.I passed the Lost Mountain Shelter around 4:00 PM. By 6:30 my tent was set up at a stealth camp site that was near a stream. Perfect!
Date: 2011-05-02
From: Campsites, stream at mm 478.3

To: Va. 600, Elk Garden
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The trail today was delightful. Metric caught up to me around 9:30 this morning. We spoke for a bit and I took his picture. Soon the trail became a walk through a mix of fields and woods, both full of spring flowers.After noon I began to see some signs of the Virginia Highlands as the trail headed up to Buzzard Rock.   From Buzzard Rock there were 360 degree views of the Virginia countryside. When I reached Elk Garden, I did a quick hitch back to Damascus, stayed overnight, and picked up my car.
Date: 2011-05-03
From: Va. 600, Elk Garden

To: Wise Shelter 
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The Grayson Highlands! I thought I'd never see this place. I've read about it for years. What a beautiful place... one of the best yet. On the way I came to a fence post with the skull of a pony on top.By noon I was up and over Mount Rogers, the highest peak in Virginia and at the Thomas Knob shelter for lunch.I then came to Rhododendron Gap... and the ponies!!! What a treat! They were so tame. I watched a colt bolt from behind its mother and come as close to me as it dare; maybe 30 feet away, then it would jump up in the air and run back behind mom. It did this about 5 times. I was captivated.The views from Wilburn Ridge were wonderful. This area really is special. I went into fat-man's squeeze, a rock tunnel. It was fun. I almost walked right by it and I had to backtrack to find it.Around 3:00 PM I came to the south end of the Grayson Highlands State Park. At Massie Gap there were more ponies. These came right up to me. I know hikers carry carrots and apples for the ponies. I had not, and I think one of them got rather indignant about it and was nudging me with its snout.I came to the Wise shelter area just before the rain started. It was full and then some. I had to tent. I was lucky enough to get the tent up just seconds before the sky opened up with a hard, cold rain. Here I met Fulltime, Turtle and RC Slowpoke
Date: 2011-05-04
From: Wise Shelter 

To: Va. 603, Fox Creek
Miles today: 7.6

There were overcast, cloudy skies all day today. At least I didn't wake up to rain. I packed up my wet tent and headed out.I took a picture of RC Slowpoke & Turtle as they crossed the footbridge over the Big Wilson Creek. We hiked together for quite a while. The terrain is more of the beautiful Grayson Highlands. Very easy trail, it's a bit like hiking on constant balds with lots of rock outcroppings.I got lost for a while. I continued on a horse trail instead of the AT for about a mile. I then cut back up the Bearpen trail and picked up the trail again. This took me over Stone Mountain and down to ¢The Scales¢, a livestock corral. The Scales had trailers around it, but there was no one around.I reached the Old Orchard Shelter in the afternoon. Realizing this is the 500 mile mark. I signed the register with:   05/04/2011   500 Miles! 7 Years - 2005 - 2011While I was there, it started to hail and the temperature dropped a lot.Then it was on to Virginia Rt. 603. From here I walked to Troutdale. RC Slowpoke, Turtle, Fulltime, and I shared a shuttle to Sugar Grove, Va. We had dinner at a restaurant, and all got hotel rooms for the night. It was great to get things dried out.