morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-08
From: Pine Ellis Hostel

To: Pine Ellis Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

I got dropped off around 9:30 with a pick-up planned at 4pm. The ups and downs around Moody Mountain were tough. Very steep with slippery dirt and mud from last night's rain. I was going South, so right away I met several hikers. I knew Whitey, Wingin It, and Scuffy. Later in the day I passed Dirty Harry and Bug Bear (previously Fran). We seem to always find each other.I was behind schedule after lunch so I moved down the easier part as fast as possible. After 3 miles it seemed I was going to be on time and I was about 15 minutes early. My legs are sore and it seems they will stay that way for a while.
Date: 2014-08-09
From: Pine Ellis Hostel

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 12.3

They dropped me off around 8:30 at South Arm Road. I started the day with a 2000ft climb. Lots of ups and downs, but nothing really large after that. I found lots of blueberries on Bemis mountain. I picked 1/2 cup for breakfast.I ran into Dirty Harry and Bug Bear several times, as well as O'Conney and Crocs. Everyone seems to pass me, but I always seem to get ahead of them again because they are always making town stops. I didn't make my goal for tonight, but didn't really expect that since I was carrying 4 days of food. I finally found a tent spot on a side trail. It's really tough to find tent spots around here.
Date: 2014-08-10
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 15.9

Finally a 16 mile day. Wasn't sure I could still do them. It was fairly easy elevation changes today, which made things easier. Came out to ME17 and found trail magic left by Solo - Cokes and Candy. There was a nice bench there to sit and enjoy the views of the mountains and lakes. I like that the mountains in Maine don't look as big as the White Mountains in New Hampshire. It was relatively flat most of the day with lots of mud bogs. I'm lucky that it hasn't rained in several days or it would be much worse.
Date: 2014-08-11
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 15.9

Started off with a 2000 ft climb over Saddleback Mountain. I was able to give my wife a call but reception is spotty. Saddleback was tough and got tougher going over The Horn and then Saddleback Junior! I got to Poplar Ridge Lean to around 2pm, much later than I planned. Heavy rain is expected soon and I had to get more miles in. I was beat, so I ate a big lunch and downed 2 cups of coffee. Then I drank a liter of water. I felt much better.I hiked until almost nightfall. Couldn't make it to the next shelter, but finally found a tentsite. It was dark by the time I finished cooking dinner, so I ate in my tent.
Date: 2014-08-12
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Statton Motel & Hostel
Miles today: 14.5

Started with an easy mile into the shelter, then things got tough. I was still sore and tired from last night. Lately, I have been getting leg cramps at night while I'm sleeping.Up and over Spaulding Mountain and Sugarloaf mountain, then down to the river for lunch. The guidebook says I need to cross rivers, but so far it hasn't been necessary thanks to the lack of rain. Going over the South and North Crocker Mountains really did me in. I was so tired during the 5 miles downhill to ME 27 and to the hostel.The hostel seems nice but there is already one hiker with stomach problems. A flu virus is going around again. I sure hope I don't get it. I have already lost 30 pounds, can't afford to lose anymore.Taking a zero day tomorrow during the torrential rains.
Date: 2014-08-14
From: Statton Motel & Hostel

To: Statton Motel & Hostel
Miles today: 10.4

Did a southbound slackpack today. I should have asked ahead of time how much it would cost, found out in the morning it was $50, probably because I was the only one. It was cold and rainy, but at least I got 10 miles in. Unfortunately i had to walk 2.2 miles just to get to the trail, so really I walked over 12 miles today.The mountain tops were freezing! High winds and rain with no tree cover or visibility. All in all it was a pretty easy hike, even though the trail was flooded at times. My feet were soaked almost all day, but I was able to get over 2 mountains.
Date: 2014-08-15
From: Statton Motel & Hostel

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 12.2

Had to walk the 2.2 miles again to get to the AT. Only cost $20 today, because there were other people. That's more reasonable. Well at least I did the toughest mountains yesterday during my slackpack.Fairly easy going over one mountain today, but lots of puddles. Early in the day, I thought about stepping on a rock only to find my foot calf deep in mud. Pulling my foot out just squeezed the mud into my boot. So I stopped, removed my boot, cleaned out the mud and washed the boot. I had one soggy boot for the next few hours.I mostly danced around mud the rest of the day. I found trail magic from the AT class of 2015 in the form of beer, cokes and snickers. That beer went down fine with a snickers chaser! Then when I got to the shelter, I found cheerios crispy treats. The caretakers brings them to the shelter twice a week.It started to rain again, hopefully not too hard. I plan a 20 mile day tomorrow. There are no mountains to cross, just the Kennebec River where we use a ferry service.
Date: 2014-08-16
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 17.3

Got a good start by going 10 miles by Noon. The best I've done in over 2 months. Lots of mud, rocks and roots, but very little elevation change. Some parts were easy walking. Met Bagheera, Taz and Crocs at the shelter for lunch.The 3.7 miles to the river crossing was pretty easy, but I was getting tired by this time. The river isn't very deep but there is a very strong current and it's very wide. At least 100 yards. The river guide has rescued stupid hikers that thought they could make it only to find themselves drowning. After the river crossing, I decided to tent before the shelter.It looks like I will be hiking in wet shoes for the next ten days. I think it has rained every day since I entered Maine. There are also several rivers that I have to cross through the next few days. I am a little concerned with all the rain we've been getting.
Date: 2014-08-17
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Stealth Campsite near Bald Mtn Pond
Miles today: 17.5

My first real ford today of the Moxie Pond. It was tough because of the rocky slippery path. It was little over knee deep with a strong current. I got half way across, lost my balance and almost fell in. I did a little spin and caught my balance. Whew! Didn't want a wet pack, can't handle the extra weight. I stopped before the next ford because I couldn't see how deep the water was at 7pm and it was flowing very fast!
Date: 2014-08-18
From: Stealth Campsite near Bald Mtn Pond

To: Lakeshore House in Monson ME
Miles today: 15.9

Started off with wet feet. Had to ford the stream first thing this morning. It was a hard 16 miles today, fording rivers and avoiding mud puddles, rocks and roots. My ankle and knee are sore from my fall on Moxie Bald. So happy to make the Hostel a half day early. I feel confident I can be at Millinocket to meet my wife on the 26th.A roast beef dinner at the dinner next door was great. They also have a pretty decent resupply shop.
Date: 2014-08-19
From: Lakeshore House in Monson ME

To: Stealth Campsite - near Long Pond
Miles today: 13.6

Had an excellent omelet at the restaurant next to the hostel. Took me a while to get my resupply all packed up, didn't get hiking until after 8:30. this needs to change since I need to average 16 miles a day. Only had to ford one river today as we were able to rock hop across the other river crossings.I was a little light on the miles today. Hopefully I can do better tomorrow. I saw my first moose today. Although he was just bones, he died some time ago.
Date: 2014-08-20
From: Stealth Campsite - near Long Pond

To: Stealth Campsite - near Katahdin Iron Works rd
Miles today: 16.2

Lots of ups and downs today. Went over 5 mountains today. Barren Mountain was the biggest climb, but they all had very steep sections. Lots of rocks, roots and mud. I was exhausted and planned to stay at the Chairback Pond Trail, but the sign had been changed from .2 to .4 miles off trail. So on I went until I finally found a nice camping spot over a mile later.I had a fall at the end of the day, but only bruised my palm.
Date: 2014-08-21
From: Stealth Campsite - near Katahdin Iron Works rd

To: Stealth Campsite - near W Branch Ponds Rd
Miles today: 14.9

I started the day with a ford thru West Branch Pleasant River, but it was only about a foot deep. I didn't sleep well last night, but I felt strong today as I humped over 4 mountains. White Cap Mountain was the highest I will be until Katahdin. I made my last call home today. I will see her in 5 days. That will be the best view I've had in months.Can't wait to get this thing done, only 70 miles to go.
Date: 2014-08-22
From: Stealth Campsite - near W Branch Ponds Rd

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 18.0

There was only one small Mountain today. I moved fast getting to lunch around noon covering 10 miles. The terrain was fairly easy with less rocks and roots. I got my stashed food today, so I'm all set for the last days of my hike.While I was in Monson, I arranged to have a box of food hidden in the 100 wilderness, so I didn't have to carry 8 days of food. They gave me a map to it's location which was really easy to find. I think the trip will take about 7 days so I gave away some food to other hikers.I have been busting my hump to do the miles to get to Millinocket to meet my wife, but just realized that I must have miscalculated. I am going to get there an entire day early.
Date: 2014-08-23
From: Antlers Campsite

To: Nesuntabunt Mountain
Miles today: 0.0

I slept through my 5:40 alarm, but still got going by 7:30am. I felt sluggish all day. Even though the trail was mostly flat, the rocks and roots were on steroids. It was so tiring just finding a spot to place my feet. I did not fall today. I ran into Ben, Eliott and Dad several times today. I finally got ahead after the last shelter.I had a plan to camp on the mountain top somewhere so that I could get an extra 2 miles in, to make tomorrow 18 miles instead of 20. It mostly worked, except for one problem. I get to the top and there is a squirrel eating a nut and watching me from the sign 3 feet away. So cute that I take some pictures. Then I see a sign for a view of Katahdin. Great view and I come back down. There are now two AT paths shaped like a V. Both look almost identical. There is no sign indicating distance or direction (north or south). I walk down both a bit and can't tell which one I came up. Oh well.I just set up my tent in the V and hope someone comes by after 5pm. It's 8pm now and still no one has come by. I know 2 lady hikers that start hiking at 5:30am every morning, so I'll be watching for them in the morning.
Date: 2014-08-24
From: Nesuntabunt Mountain

To: Hurd Brook Lean to
Miles today: 17.7

Well, I missed the girls or they never came by. Luckily a NOBO named Dog came by to verify the correct path. I would have guessed correctly but it's always better to be 100% certain. Pretty good terrain today. I was passed by Obi-Wan. It was a tiring day as I'm just getting worn down.At the shelter I had just finished dinner when O'Conney and Solo arrived. Nice to see them again. It was a tough night since my air mattress had a leak, so it doesn't supply much support anymore.
Date: 2014-08-25
From: Hurd Brook Lean to

To: Millinocket, Maine
Miles today: 13.5

Final day to Millinocket. It was fairly easy terrain. I arrived at the Katahdin Stream Campground around 2:30, but wasn't sure what to do. Met Mozzy and his son and looked over to see a young couple coming down a trail. I immediately asked them if they were going to Millinocket and would they give me a ride. They did and it was so nice of them. I can't remember their names, but they were so nice to do this.In town I wolfed down 2 Mcdoubles, 2 apple pies and then stayed at the Katahdin Inn, washed clothes, and relaxed. Just waiting for my wife's arrival tomorrow night. I will climb Baxter Peak with her on Wednesday, and then my adventure on the trail will come to an end.
Date: 2014-08-26
From: Millinocket, Maine

To: Millinocket, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day, my wife will be in Millinocket around 4pm at Ruthie's Hotel Terrace. Resting,eating, and relaxing. After getting to Ruthie's, I decided to take another shower because I could. I was naked in the bathroom when my hotel door opened and a women walked in. The bathroom door was not closed since I wasn't expecting anyone. She quickly mumbled someone must be here and exited the room. I think it was Ruthie. They have locks like a bedroom lock with no bolt on the door.When my wife arrived later, we decided the door lock wasn't adequate. We cancelled our other nights and moved back to the Village Inn. We went out to a lobster dinner and met several of my thru-hiker friends at the restaurant.Can't wait for the last climb tomorrow. The end of a long adventure.
Date: 2014-06-27
To: Just What I Needed
Miles today: 0.0

"Hi Diane, I just wanted to let you know that your blood work showed positive for Lyme Disease". She didn't have to tell me because, in fact, I already knew. I knew since the day before I had the blood work done. I knew as I described every symptom that had been plaguing me since last summer, adding one at a time to the list as the months rolled on and those damn spirochetes multiplied in my bloodstream, to my PA, and I knew as they withdrew 3 vials of my blood the next morning. I tried to get them to start me on the antibiotic right away, but of course that's not what they do, so I waited....a long, long week and a half for the news to be positive, which of course it was. I started the Doxycycline a short hour later. I needed as much in my system as I could cram in there since I was scheduled to hike in 3 short weeks.I had had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever back in the 80s from a tick I had gotten most likely in our yard or at the pond where I walked with the kids daily. I thought I would die before they found out what was wrong with me. I lost 3 months of my life to that nasty Rickettsia infection, so why did it take so long for me to figure it out that I had another tick borne disease? I remember saying to Jack last summer, "I'm complaining a lot, and it's not like me...I don't like it". "You're supposed to be on your thru-hike", he reminded me. It was true, I had gotten off the trail 3 months before with an ankle injury that stopped my 2013 thru-hike in its tracks. It made sense; I was cranky and unmotivated, and it was because I couldn't hike.Then in August, I headed up to the White Mountains to hike the 140 miles I had jumped in 2003. Halfway through the first day, I injured my left knee and by default (I wasn't going to be carried off the mountain. I'd get off under my own power if I had to crawl) I hiked the 12 miles into Pinkham Notch and got off.....for the second time that year.In September, I hiked for 10 days with my Trail Sister Knee Hi and buddy Stays. My knee did well and I was good to go.In November, I helped a good friend pack up her 3 story home for a move south. My left hip began bothering me during that fun and interesting adventure, but I chalked it up to standing for hours on 60 year old bones, and dealt with it. But it never got better. Then my knee acted up, then my elbows, then my memory starting failing me, and finally the daily fevers. I sat upright in bed one night the end of June and said to myself, "Holy sh*#, I have Lyme Disease". And so I did.
Date: 2014-07-14
To: Ready to Roll
Miles today: 0.0

"You'll be fine, your hip and knee will perform as needed", my acupuncturist said at my last appointment before heading out. I had been seeing him for the past month to help alleviate the pain in my back, hip and left knee, and the treatments had helped, but not completely....until after starting the Doxycycline for the Lyme Disease. I was comfortable and ready to leave later this evening. I would be driving 3-4 hours across PA's I 80 to get a jump on my drive to Beerdra's house in Massachusetts.I had said my goodbyes to Jack this morning. He would be in the middle of a meeting when I left. I had all day to say my goodbyes to the critters. Son Jeff, daughter in law Kelly and grand daughter Charlotte would be helping Jack with the animals in my absence. Thank goodness for them as without their help, this trip could not happen.The car was packed throughout the day; town clothes for traveling, backpack, Leki's, trail food, and my big bin of trail clothes, first aid, extra food and accessories. I headed out around 4, stopped to fill up, got cash, a drink and a bag of Combos for my road trip. The drive across Pennsylvania was pleasant, the truck drivers courteous, and as time flew by, I played old Santana and Doobie Brothers CDs. When I got tired of driving, I pulled in to the nearest Hampton Inn and added a few points to my Hilton Rewards. My headaches were gone, achy joints gone, and my fevers were gone. I had been on my antibiotic for almost 3 weeks, and would finish them on my second day of hiking. I was feeling healthy for the first time in a long time and ready to hike. Tomorrow....I get to meet BeerMom
Date: 2014-07-15
To: Arriving at Beerdra and BeerMom's House
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

After a long drive through the PA, NY, and MA countryside, I arrived at BeerMom's early in the afternoon. I had not yet met BeerMom in person, but felt like I knew her as she'd been an ardent supporter of my 2013 Trail Journals journal. Actually it was the only way she could keep tabs on Beerdra when we were hiking together!I was welcomed like family and given Beerdra's sister's room for the night. Thanks Booby, I slept like a log in your comfortable bed Beerdra and I headed into Great Barrington for a meal and a tour of the downtown. It is beautiful, vibrant and has some really great shops. We stopped at a pub to eat, then on to the candy shop for treats. To go along with the candy, they gave me a teeny, tiny toothbrush that would work great for hiking!After arriving back at the house, we of course talked gear, clothing and food. Tired from traveling, I settled in early. Tomorrow would be our last drive to Pinkham Notch in northern New Hampshire, where I had gotten off last August.
Date: 2014-07-18
From: Carter Notch Hut, NH

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 7.2

I was up at 6 AM after a great sleep in a warm hut. My 20 degree sleeping bag was too much in the hut, so was unzipped and open for most of the night. There were no snorers, which makes for a good night!Breakfast is served in the main hut at 7 AM and consisted of oatmeal with fresh coconut, raisins and brown sugar. Pancakes and bacon were served after the oatmeal. I had my fill of food and hot coffee, shared with a table full of people that come up every year and climb 4,000 footers. Their ages ranged from late 30s to late 60s. It was an interesting group of folks.At 8 AM Beerdra and I hiked out and up Carter Dome. We went from 3407 feet to 4832 feet. A half mile later we stopped on Mt. Height for lunch with our father and son hut mates. We had amazing 360 degree views from our seats on the warm rocks.It was a sunny, clear day; a wonderful reward for a morning of climbing.In the afternoon, my right knee issue escalated and I was getting no relief as it hurt both climbing down (like my left knee last year) and going up (which I hadn't experienced last year). I continued to take ibuprofen every 4 hours.We slid down into Zeta Pass from Mt Height, over giant boulders. I would throw my poles down, then use both hands to climb down.Arriving at our destination for the night at 5:45 PM, the .2 hike into the shelter felt more like .5 after a long day of climbing. I was whipped, every step hurt my knee. My essential oils didn't work, so tomorrow I'm going to try hiking with the small tens unit that I carried this trip, just in case something like this happened. I would not be going home until I was finished this hike!We chose 2 spots in the shelter; far corners on left and right, and had 2 fellows above us on the platform. Next stop was the cooking area to make dinner. I had started to chill, so added a long sleeved shirt like I usually do when I stop. The caretaker stopped by to collect our $8.00 and take our information. Dinner was 2-6" tortillas with mayo and foil packed chicken. They would have had cheddar too, had it not been rotting in a now warm cooler in the back of the Mini at Pinkham Notch. Gosh, I missed that cheese.At the campsite are numerous tent pads, a bear box for our food, and a composting privy. I enjoyed having the separate, designated eating area as it helps to keep the bears away from the shelter.After taking ibuprofen and a benadryl to assist with a good night's sleep, I settled into my cozy sleeping bag. The two above were already snoring.
Date: 2014-07-19
From: Imp Campsite

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We were up at 7 and hiking by 8. I wore a light long sleeved shirt because it was clean and I felt the need for a clean shirt.The forecast had been for record lows, but the weather so far this hike had been amazing; 50 at night and 70 during the day. When we get to town, I'm ditching the fleece, hat and gloves that I had tucked in my pack last minute to ward off cold temps that never came.The long sleeved shirt, though very light, proved to be a mistake as the temps climbed and the humidity set in. During our first break on our way up Mt Moriah, the long sleeves came off and the dirty sleeveless shirt went back on. Yuck.The day was full of ups and downs, though none as difficult as the previous two days. Lunch was eaten at the Rattle River in the cool shade, with few bugs. After eating, I took pictures of the cold, clear water and the big boulders that it ran across. We hopped across the boulders and headed up, lighthearted about our first town since hiking out of Pinkham Notch on the 17th.A quick stop was made at the Rattle Run Shelter which sits right on the river and is a delightful place to rest and take a swim if needed. We took off our packs and ate a snack, just enough to hold us for a couple more hours. About 2 miles from the road, for the first time in 3 days, the trail leveled out with no rocks or roots. Despite my oh-so-sore knee, my feet flew over the trail, my heads filled with thought of showers and restaurant food.When we reached NH2, we turned left and walked the road the short .1 mile to the White Mountains Lodge and Hostel, a great place to rest, relax, and eat one of the best breakfasts on the trail. Marni, the owner is a great lady that, with the help of family and hiker Eric, care for our weary souls. Tomorrow will be a well deserved zero day.