morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-21
From: ME Route 4

To: Sluice Brook Logging Road
Miles today: 13.5

First up, my apologies to everyone reading this blog. Connectivity is very difficult along this stretch, and for all I know, may continue to be so but be assured, between Monarch and myself we will keep up the journal.    I¢d also like to take this opportunity to thank Jameison, for taking ¢Murica into Rangeley to get a new pair of shoes, as his old ones were losing their soles. The rain continued all night and despite having poor nights sleep I was up and back on trail by 08.00. The day was overcast and the fog was rolling in. As you would expect everything was soaking wet. Having passed a couple of ponds, I climbed up Saddleback Mountain and then the Horn, which includes almost 3 miles of above tree line slab walking. The gusty winds kept the fog rolling along and made a few attempts to push me off the mountain.There are now an increasing number of South bounders (SoBo) that I am meeting. One couple told me that they had suffered hypothermia crossing the mountains yesterday in the heavy rain and had to set up camp very early, just below the tree line to get warm.Having done a number of rather wet, steep ascents and descents, I came to the Oberon Stream, which is now in fact a river and of course, the crossing stones were all well submerged. I spent time changing into my camp shoes to cross the knee-deep water crossing.  Then after a short climb, I found myself on the Sluice Brook Logging Road, which as the name suggests, is an old logging road.  As time was getting on and the next few miles were another ascent over Lone Mountain, I erred on the side of caution and camped on the logging road beside the stream and above the waterfall.  A great spot but for the bugs! It took military precision to put the tent up and get in it without inviting all the ¢locals¢ to join me. Others have camped here before and there is a fire ring in the middle of the road. However, there is evidence of 4x4 traffic coming along the road so I camped on the side just to be sure!   I don¢t want to look like a bug that I have just finished dealing with!
Date: 2019-06-22
From: Sluice Brook Logging Road

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 19.0

Today the weather pattern reminded me of home, back in Tasmania where you can get four seasons in one hour. It started overcast then we got a heavy short shower followed by sunshine.  The temperature then dropped and we had a hailstorm with thunder and lightening. Then the whole pattern repeated itself!The trail took me past Spaulding Mt where the trail turned from a bogfest into an assault course due to the fallen trees across the trail. The wet steep ascents and descents continued.   I enjoyed North and South Crocker where views of the surrounds enabled me to watch the rolling rain storms pass over the entire countryside.I passed many day hikers who were dressed very ¢trendily¢ and smelt great but were however, soaked to the skin.I met Bruiser who is a south bounding section hiker. She saw my dirty girl gaiters and said that Glow Worm had the same style. She was amazed when I told her that I had a photo of Glow Worm and myself from some time ago. I told her that the photo was taken by his sister who was called Sonora Songbird - she had slept next to me in the shelter and had snored all night long, not 2 inches from my ear!I took to pronouncing her name as ¢Snorer¢ as she had sung her ¢song ¢ all night long, just like a nightingale!I passed the 2000 miles mark today. Yeah!There is now only 188 miles to go.I met up with Jameison and resupplied and was able to call Monarch. There is still very poor mobile connectivity in this neck of the woods.
Date: 2019-06-23
From: Stealth Camp

To: Flagstaff Campsite
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Firstly let me give a big shout out to Hound, who summited Katahdin yesterday despite his shoulder injury. Congratulations young Hound very well done! The day was one of climbing up to South Horn then steeply up to and onto Bigelow West Peak, which gave stunning 360o views. This was followed by a dipping ridge walk onto Bigelow Avery Peak (named after the architect of the AT).  Then onto Little Bigelow Mountain and the Lean-to of the same name where I filled up with water.The plan was to get a campsite next to one of the ¢ponds¢ in this area. Essentially these bodies of water are huge lakes. Tonight there is a fabulous breeze that is keeping the bugs away!Another day that was hard but rewarding.
Date: 2019-06-24
From: Flagstaff Campsite

To: Pierce Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

For me, today has to rank as one of the best days on the AT.The miles covered over the last few days have been to enable me to arrive at the Kennebec River in time for the canoe ride between 9 -11 am. The trail was gentle and I arrived at the Lean-to by mid afternoon. I have been walking with Lightfoot, Avatar and his son Tic-Tac.En route I came across two dry bags of personal belongs that had obviously been dropped accidentally.  The items included a wallet, credit cards, glasses and medication, which did have a birth name on the container but not a trail name.What to do?  Did these items belong to a North or South Bounder?I was just deciding to leave a note and carry the items when Lightfoot came and thankfully recognised the birth name as Avatars. As you can imagine Avatar was mightily relieved that the items had been found.The trail continued meandering along the edge of a pond.  We came across a couple of girls who had just had a swim. They showed us the leeches that were in the water. These leeches were 6 inches long and very active!  Brave girls.  If a few of those got on you they'd cause severe anaemia!Having set up camp, it was sheer bliss to sit and shoot the breeze for a while. We decided to pay a visit to Tim at the Harrison¢s Pierce Pond Camp sporting / hunting lodge which had been given a good wrap by other hikers. What a sheer joy it was to go and spend some time there. We were planning to have his pancake breakfast for which, you need to book the day before. Essentially Tim caters for the sporting / hunting guests but is very Hiker friendly. It is truly worth a visit to experience the lodge - it is stunning. Tim gave us some left over food and coffee/ lemonade. I spent time sitting in his kitchen talking with him.As I sit here writing the blog my tent is not 4 yards from the pond edge and the sunny day is drying my washed shirt and socks.Yes, a truly great day and worth every aching muscle in my body and every bug bite!  Many blessings!
Date: 2019-06-25
From: Pierce Pond Lean-To

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

The day started with a pancake breakfast at Harrison¢s Pierce Pond sporting / camping lodge. This lodge has a distinct air of ¢bygone days¢ about it and is quite quirky, as even the floors slope at an angle.   I¢m sure too, that each and every cherished item in the place has a long history. Drop in and say hello, as its totally fascinating and very well worth a visit. Fuelled by the pancakes and the bottomless coffee, I headed out with Avatar, Tic-Tac and Lightfoot for the canoe trip across the Kennebec River.  Despite it being early in the season, there was a queue on both sides. Having signed the waiver form, two at a time, we safely arrived on the other bank. Thanks to Jameison I was able to quickly re-supply and head off back into the woods, all the while working on strategies to cover the next few days. The terrain was gentle and I decided to push on to the next shelter despite rain being forecast for the afternoon. It did start spitting but it is only now while I¢m tucked up in my bag writing this blog that the rain has really started to pour down. There¢s nothing better than the sound of rain on the roof that shelters you. That said, I couldn¢t possibly sign off without having a whine about the bugs that are still relentless in pursuit of my blood!   Ouch!   Splat!
Date: 2019-06-26
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-To

To: ME Route 15
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

The last prayer of each day is to the ¢Bladder Gods¢ asking for a Ten Hour¢ Bladder! If the prayer falls on deaf ears, as it nearly always does, there is usually just enough light to go about your business without using your head torch. However on waking in this shelter it was pitch black and very disorienting!   It took a while to get my bearings; hence my apologies to all whom I might have trodden on!The trail was a bogfest, especially as it followed the river.The usual culprits were responsible for slowing our progress; wet rocks and tree roots! There were a number of river crossings that required us to wade knee-deep in water. The group I have been walking with made the decision that they would head into Monson via the snow mobile trail.   However, I wanted to exit at Route 15.  Then, just as I was about to arrive at the road and was walking down the last rock slab, both feet went from under me and I was slam-dunked onto my back with a force that winded me. Thankfully my sack took the impact but I got a moderate whiplash injury. I lay there for a good while turning the air blue, more because I could have really injured myself ¢ and so close to the Katahdin!Having picked myself up, I arrived at the trailhead ready to hitch into town when I saw Fresh Grounds in his van. He kindly offered to give me lift into town where Lightfoot had kindly secured me a bunk for the night at Lakeshore House and Restaurant where the pot roast was well worth having!  Yum!Tomorrow is a zero so that I can plan the end game to Katahdin!
Date: 2019-06-27
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-To

To: Shaw's Hiker Hotel
Miles today: 0.0

We went to Shaw¢s Hiker Hostel for breakfast and to confirm our booking for tonight. The place was full of familiar NoBo faces and many new SoBo (south bounders) faces, which are full of energy and enthusiasm! I caught up with Numb Numb who has had a name change to Iron Will. He got his initial trail name because on the approach trail to Springer Mountain he was complaining that his face was numb. He sustained a R) leg injury but kept walking on it for 150 miles!  As the pain persisted he saw a doctor who confirmed by x-ray he had a traverse fracture of his lower R) femur.  He is now back on trail, talking big miles, as young fellows like to do!  The final plans are now in place.   Now, all that's to be done is to walk those last miles to Katahdin and beyond!
Date: 2019-06-28
From: Shaw's Hiker Hotel

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.2

Yesterday I caught up with Togs and Lucky who were off trail as both of them had been ill.  Their sensible plan is to rest up and then get straight back on trail and finish the AT.  My heart goes out to them both and I wish them well.   I would highly recommend staying at Shaw¢s Hostel.  The owners, Poet and Hippy Chick are very Hiker focused and their breakfast is legendary and well worth it.  Poet got his name because he use to write Japanese Haiku¢s in the shelter log books, when he did his AT through hike. Although the thunder/lightening storm was quick and intense last night it was nevertheless large enough to ensured that for this section all the trail remained wet.We started out at 0800 hrs and walked through extensive woodlands.   The air was very humid and energy sapping. We had a couple of river crossings and out of laziness and as I did not want to take my boots off, I attempted a rock hop across which failed and I got wet.  Still, learning has not occurred! The Blue Man Crew kept telling the south bounders when they met me, to give me a hard time. Thanks lads but the trail is giving me a hard enough time anyway. The Cloud Pond Lean-to is a 0.3 mile descent from the trail and is an assault course. We arrived to find a large group camping.   Thankfully the shelter itself was empty. I spent time talking with Recon who on climbing Katahdin, will become a Tripe Crowner.  Very well done!
Date: 2019-06-30
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Sidney Tappan Campsite
Miles today: 18.5

Forget the dawn chorus this morning, as it is pouring with rain and not a single note is to be heard.  Neither Lightfoot nor myself were too keen to get moving but we were soon packed up and started picking our way through the dense patch of tents, as we made our way back to the trail. The effort required to negotiate the trail was not reflected in the mileage covered.   This was psychologically a bit discouraging.  However the miles must be walked, so head down and onwards forever onwards! I have met a number of south bounders from Australia, including Drop Bear who through-hiked the AT in 2015 and a young fellow with no trail name yet. Wishing you both happy hiking. There was quite the crowd scene at one of the larger river crossings.   An AT Caretaker was slumped in her hammock ¢ looking unsure as to what her function was.   She lifted her head and looked slightly amused as she watched me take off my boots to wade across.   Later, as we approached our campsite for the night, there was a trail maintenance crew building steps down the steep trail to the campsite.  Many thanks for your efforts.  As you can probably tell from the tone of this post, today was hard day.
Date: 2019-07-01
From: Jo-Mary Rd, - 2136 miles

To: Stealth Camp - 2159 miles
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: few clouds

The plan was to get to Wadleigh Stream Lean-to and then, to access how we feel about going on further. The day did not begin well.  As I stepped from the safety of my bug free tent, a huge cloud of mozzie's descended on me.  They really did mean business. They attacked all morning as we passed from one pond to the next .  Thankfully they did ease up in the afternoon when we camped but there are now over 100 mosquitos on the mesh of my tent as I write this blog entry. Well, the trail had a slice of everything on offer today;  bogfest, dangerously wet angled wooden walk ways and beautiful gentle trails.  It continued with stretches of slippery rocks and roots.  Then again, there were gnarly ascents into seeming other worlds.   And the day was not without its vistas!  One of those being when I walked to the edge of a pond and standing on a rock, I got my first view of Katahdin!It really had it all.  A hard challenging day, which I very much enjoyed.   We arrived at the Lean-to and decided that we were a little ¢undercooked¢ if we were to make Abol Bridge tomorrow.   The thought of stopping for food was too much of a temptation, so we pushed on to reduce the mileage tomorrow.
Date: 2019-07-02
From: Stealth Camp - 2159 miles

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 17.9

Up early and on track by 05.30.  Despite it raining overnight there were still swarms of bugs awaiting my departure from the tent.  I felt like a celebrity as I literally had thousands of followers! The trail this morning was stunning. We made an ascent, following the course of a fast flowing dynamic stream making its way down the mountainside. There were water shoots, dramatic funnels, waterfalls - it really had it all. Then as we passed a number of ponds where floating sea planes could be seen taking off.We continued and made our way through a total bogfest. If Maine is going to give you something, it¢s 100 percent - No half measures.  At one stage we came across an abandoned red rucksack which was full of wet hammock gear.  But here¢s the strange thing, it was all placed under an inverted umbrella that was suspended from a rope tied high between two trees.  Then there was other gear spread around on the ground.  Very strange indeed. The weather was showers interspersed with rolling thunder over Katahdin. As we approached our destination, it was evident from the very large hail stones on the ground that Katahdin had more than rain!  I hope for a safe passage to those doing their ascent today, my thoughts are with you. We arrived at Abol Bridge and as we crossed we had a very picturesque view of Katahdin - our final goal.  Oh, be still my beating heart! Sadly, the restaurant here is closed; only opening for breakfast for people staying in the cabins.Never mind, it was a true joy to be able to shower and do laundry while making numerous trips to the ice cream shop to sample the many flavours on offer. Tomorrow we aim for the Birches Lean-to and line up for our final push up Katahdin and Baxter Peak.
Date: 2019-07-03
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground 
Miles today: 9.9

Having had breakfast we headed out with the usual cast of a thousand following us. The trail was gentle. On entering Baxter State Park, we could find nowhere to real register, so we hiked on. We came upon the Blue Blaze trail to the Birches Camp site.As Lightfoot was having problems with his foot, a decision was made for Avatar, Tic Tac and himself to head on down that track, whilst I continued on the actual AT because I am using a spot tracker enabling folk to follow my progress.  As I hiked, I passed a number of SoBo¢s, some who wanted to chat, whilst others just walked straight past without a word. It was of little concern to me as my mind was focused on the summit of Baxter Peak. On arriving at the Birches campsite, the lads were not happy.  The grounds had major water pooling and the shelters were out of the question due to the bugs.We had to wait, as the Rangers were changing shift.   Eventually, Tim the Ranger appeared and was very helpful as in a short space of time, he was able to give us a campsite that had become available.  Many thanks. I registered for my final climb up Katahdin. When I started my Thru Hiker NoBo number was 197.  At Harpers Ferry (the halfway mark) my number was 54 and I can now state that I will be the 50th Thru hiking NoBo to summit this season. Shaggy has just joined us and he had completed the AT in 94 days, which is amazing.   As I write this, he and Recon are sitting nearby talking about all the records that they would like to break - young buck stuff!
Date: 2019-07-04
From: Katahdin Campground

To: Baxter Peak - Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2

Happy Independence Day.As is the habit, I was up early this morning, full of good cheer as I started heading up the hill, expecting a long steep climb.The weather was cool and clear with an occasional breeze - a perfect day to summit.The trail took us steeply up a ridge line, which plateaued out as it passed along Thoreau spring, we then continued upwards on a well-defined path. Confession time ¢ As some of you will have read/heard; my major complaint against the AT is that, if you walk a hiker to the top of the hill, no matter how hard or easy, you have to give them a vista!  The AT does not always do this. Then again, when I do get a good vista, I say it reminds me of the PCT. This was my mind-set up until to today! The vistas are 360o, totally stunning and unique ¢ and guess what?  It did not remind me of the PCT.   In fact, the PCT didn't get a moment of air space in my head; so awesome was this viewLeading to the summit, I could just make out the old battered summit sign; a sure indication that the end was in sight!  From the summit the boulder strewn trail continues along a spectacular knife edge with dramatic drops on each side. I could almost hear it calling my name. I could see a number of day hikers slowly negotiating this alternative descent. Where was my camera!!!!I was totally transfixed as I breathed in the glorious topography.   It is now in these final steps that the AT revealed its most precious treasures.  Truly, the impressions created here while standing by this summit sign are far more powerful than being able to call myself a thru-hiker and that insight was totally unexpected. For me, the best day on the trail was today and not because it was my last day. Of all the trail magic I have been honoured to be the recipient of over these last few months, these moments on the summit were by far the best trail magic I have ever had!  Absolutely awesome!Well dear friends, it has been a joy to share this journey with you.  Thank you for your support, messages and your company along the way.  It is my intention now to fly to Oregon and to finish off the PCT trail before heading home to Tasmania.  In the coming days I¢ll let you know how I¢m going, so that those amongst you that would like to come along in spirit, can do so. Until then!Wishing you all peace and happiness in this ever present moment.
Date: 2011-02-01
To: Catching Up
Miles today: 0.0

It seems that I am late to the game posting anything, or for that matter knowing what to post. I made the choice to attempt a thru hike just before Thanksgiving 2010, which is turning out to be a pretty tight crunch getting everything together. I am fortunate enough to have some experience backpacking with the boy scouts, but that only gets my bag packed and 10 miles down the trail. I've gone through a crash course in long distance hiking via books and some very helpful hikers along the way. Now however, it seems like getting my life in order before the hike is more of a challenge than the idea of hiking.After one change in the plan or another, I have come to the conclusion to abandon the life I have setup for myself since graduation. I am leaving my apartment, quitting my job, and moving away from a large group of support to pursue my pilgrimage north. I have a whole new life starting in March.I will work over the next few weeks to bring this journal up to speed and expand on the momentous shift that has propelled me to Springer Mountain.
Date: 2011-02-24
To: Fire and Ice
Miles today: 0.0

Putting my thoughts into writing has helped me more than I thought. I am always thinking critically, but never take time to write down and articulate what it is I am pondering. A lot has happened in the past week and with the hopes that this will propel me even farther ahead, I will try to catch my writing up.In my past entry, I brought up a topic that has no immediate solution. Dismantling civilization to better serve the earth is nothing that will come about in a grass roots movement in my lifetime. To focus on something out of reach is to ignore what is within reach. I can't waste my time fighting against the whole world. My progress in the end would be less than had I just focused my efforts into one area. I want the fire, but need to start with a spark.I am now more future oriented with my dreams. I have taken thought into what I enjoy, what I am effective at, and what will benefit others the most. I've already come up with a career that encompasses all three - High School Guidance Counseling. The idea was one I had at the beginning of high school when I first started thinking about my future. I dismissed it back then because of an unstable relationship I was in. I couldn't stand listening to another person's problems, unable to make them change their mind. Put it like that and I was very controlling, but when the topic was self destruction I wanted to save the person from themselves. I was learning the lesson 'you can only lead a horse to water'.   It was a lesson too hard to learn back then and pushed me away from any career that was intended to council people through problems like this and worse.   It's been years and I have seen that lesson played out every day since. After so much exposure to the frustration, I have realized how important it is to protect. It is what makes us individuals and allows us to filter what is best in our own lives. We all are allowed our opinions and must respect others in order to be allowed the same respect. What is right will eventually rise to the top of popular opinion because it is right for the majority of the people. I am not suggesting we stop voicing our opinions, I am just stressing the importance of how we present our opinions to others. That said, I am considering counseling again. In a high school I work with students (which has been my dream all along), faculty (who share my passion), and still have access to theatre and music (where I've spent the past 10 years of my life). I'll have more time to think about all of this on the trail, but I wanted to post something a bit less aggressive than the last post.I will be hiking 18 miles this weekend from Duncannon NB. My cousin will be joining me so I'll get some practice hiking with someone. I can't expect to be solitary with so many amazing people hiking around me.