morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-07-10
From: Imp Tent Site

To: Gorham Rt. 2 / White Mountains Hostel 
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

2017 Miles = 190.7Total AT Miles Completed = 1891.5Percentage of AT Completed = 86.4%An easy eight miles into NH Rt. 2, and the White Mountains Hostel.  A young fellow named Eric bought the Hostel from Marnie, and now Marnie works for Eric. A team of four makes the place run smoothly. Mellon, a 29 year old former hiker, greets me in the driveway, explains the procedure.  Hang pack in garage take off shoes, take off dirty clothes and throw in a bin.  Someone will wash my clothes. Come inside, check in with Eric, then go take a shower.  Nothing to do here but relax, and wait for the 6:00 run to Walmart to buy dinner and breakfast.  There's even sheets on the bunk beds.  I am so sore from these last two days.  I will zero here tomorrow.
Date: 2017-07-11
From: Gorham Rt. 2 / White Mountains Hostel 

To: Gorham Rt. 2 / White Mountains Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0

2017 Miles = 202.5Total AT Miles Completed = 1903.3Percentage of AT Completed = 86.9%As hikers sit around and talk of their experiences, at least three of us intend to buy knee braces at Walmart.  The Whites certainly took their toll.  A lady I've seen frequently through the Whites has the name Soul Flower. I would guess her to be in her late sixties, yet she seems to hike at my pace.  She is here at the Hostel, and I notice the good quality of food in her diet.  Other hikers are ordering pizza, beer, or are eating Ramen.   On the hostel¢s run to Walmart for resupply, she came back with bread butter, tomatoes, kiwi, blueberries among other items.  That made me examine my own diet to include less junk food.
Date: 2017-07-12
From: Gorham Rt. 2 / White Mountains Hostel 

To: Gentian Pind
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

2017 Miles = 212.1Total AT Miles Completed = 1912.9Percentage of AT Completed = 87.4%Two older couples and a daughter, who were at the Hostel hiked the 12 miles to Gentian Pond, showing up an hour after I arrived.  We share the shelter together.  I worn my new knee compression bands, and they seemed to help reduce the pain.  I will continue wearing them.  The two couples here have been out for short hikes up in Maine.  They testify to the extreme difficulty that lies ahead.
Date: 2017-07-13
From: Gentian Pind

To: Full Goose Shelter 
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

2017 Miles = 224.1Total AT Miles Completed = 1924.9Percentage of AT Completed = 87.9%Woke this morning in the shelter to heavy rain.  The couple who are sectioning are not to be deterred so they pack up, put on their raincoats and head out intending to hike 9.6 miles to Full Goose shelter.  After they leave, the rain intensifies and the wind and fog moves in.  I put on rain pants, coat, and gloves, and leave the shelter fifteen minutes later.  At the first stream crossing, the couple clearly are uncomfortable and are underdressed.  They decide to bale out, taking a side trail down to a road crossing where they catch an AMC shuttle. I climb to the top of Mt. Success, which goes above tree line into the alpine region, and the driving wind, rain, and fog is daunting. Stopping for very long could result in hypothermia.  There is so much water on the trail, I am walking through ankle deep water.  I arrive at Full Goose shelter around 5:00 pm. There are seven hikers here and everyone is soaked. Gear and clothes hang from nails throughout the shelter.  Everyone tries to get warm in their sleeping bags.
Date: 2017-07-14
From: Full Goose Shelter 

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 12.0

2017 Miles = 232.1Total AT Miles Completed = 1932.9Percentage of AT Completed = 88.3%I awake to a bright dawn in the northeast.  The sun is going to shine today.  I know this will be a challenging day, with the Mahoosic Notch, the Mahoosic Arm, and Old Speck.  The Notch is purported to be the most difficult, or most fun mile on the AT, depending on one¢s outlook.  The hardest part of this morning is crawling out of the warm bag, and putting on yesterday's rain soaked tee shirt, shorts, socks and shoes. But the clear weather seems to make them tolerable, and warm quickly.  I believe I'm getting my Trail legs. I'm able to go farther, but still suffer with sore knees. I make it to Baldpate at 5:00, 11 hours of hiking, just before the rain starts.
Date: 2017-07-15
From: Baldpate Lean-to

To: East B Hill Rd. Andover- Pine Ellis Hostel 
Miles today: 8.0

2017 Miles = 242.2Total AT Miles Completed = 1943.0Percentage of AT Completed = 88.8%I consider the hardship of hikers back in the 1950¢s and 60¢s, without the aid of hostels, that have sprung up over the years.  I am so grateful for the many hostels, and tonight I'm staying at Pine Ellis in Andover Maine. Like most Hostel proprietors, Naomi is very welcoming and accommodating.  She sets up slackpacking for several sections of the trail, so hikers don't have to carry heavy packs through difficult sections. I return each afternoon and shower and launder clothes.  I've slacked two sections and will again tomorrow, tackling Old Blue Mountain.  The driver at the hostel will deliver the rest of my gear at Maine Rt. 17, then will hike 3 miles to Sabbath Day Pond shelter.  Since it is Saturday, the Little Red Hen Restaurant in Andover has an all-you-can-eat Italian dinner with pizza, lasagna, breadsticks meatballs.  I eat my fill.
Date: 2017-07-16
From: South Arm Road

To: East B Hill Rd. 
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: broken clouds

2017 Miles = 250.9Total AT Miles Completed = 1951.7Percentage of AT Completed = 89.2%Today four of us are slackpacking 10 miles between East B Hill Road and South Arm Road.  The Hostel folks suggested doing this southbound.  I agree it was easier in that direction.  Getting back into Pine Ellis, I showered and walked to the General Store and ordered a large crab roll, fries, a side salad and two large chocolate shakes. After walking back to the hostel, one of the other hikers made BLT nachos.  I consumed a quarter of the pan.  Leaving at 6:00 in the morning.
Date: 2017-07-17
From: South Arm Rd. Mile 1943.0

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: broken clouds

2017 Miles = 268.6Total AT Miles Completed = 1969.4Percentage of AT Completed = 90.0%There are four of us who will ride to South Arm Road and head north.  Terminator, Trail Snail, The Grateful Dad, and myself. Terminator goes ahead as he is fast. Grateful Dad and I hike together through the day.  Trail Snail lags behind due to an injured rib.  Grateful Dad and I are slackpacking for 13.1 miles to Maine Rt. 17, where we've arrange to have the rest of our gear delivered at 3:00.  We walk along sharing stories about ourselves. He tells me about Mike Sadler, the punter for Michigan State who was courting Grateful Dad¢s daughter, as became a familiar face around his house. As he was telling me this, he mentioned that exactly one year ago, Mike lost his life in a car accident. He said that really affected everyone.  I said, ¢yeah I know all about that sort of thing¢, and told him about my 34 year old daughter Sarah.  Sarah died in a car accident on Christmas Day in 2014. He was hiking behind me and I heard his voice crack and was weeping.  As we walked along he remembered a poem read at Mike¢s funeral, an excerpt from Dr. Zhivago called the World is You.  It touched me so deeply I stopped, turned around an we hugged each other.  I've never had anyone touch my life like he did this day. We hike well and arrive at 2:20 hoping the driver would arrive early.  There is a scenic pull off where we wait. 3:00 comes, no driver.  3:30 I call, only to be ensured the driver¢s on her way.  Finally at 4:45 our packs arrive.  The driver apologized but construction and an accident held her up.  All the while we waited the weather turned from beautiful sunny skies, to dark threatening thunderstorms.  As she pulled away pellets of rain and wind sting my cheek.  There were lots of visitors at the pull off area, and many were interested in our hike. People would stroll by and ask us questions.  ¢Are you hiking the whole trail?¢  ¢When did you start?¢  ¢Is that your pack?¢ ¢How much does it weigh?¢   As we sit there entertaining passers by, i told Grateful Dad to watch my Yogi-ing skills.  To Yogi anything from people is a reference to the Yogi Bear cartoon character, who had an art of relieving people from their food and drinks.  As I talk I say, ¢Do they have drinking fountains here?¢  ¢Oh, are you thirsty?¢ Immediately we are offered bottles of water.  One lady gave us oranges.  I could say, but did not, ¢Yeah we have to carry lightweight food, and sometimes it's not enough¢.  Then we would be offered candy bars, fruit, etc. People love to offer what they have.  We still have another 3.8 miles to hike yet, to Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to. We just make it before the rain starts steadily.
Date: 2017-07-18
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Rt. 4 Rangely - The Hiker Hut
Miles today: 9.4

2017 Miles = 279.3Total AT Miles Completed = 1980.1Percentage of AT Completed = 90.5%This is supposed to be an easy 9 miles to Rt. 4 and the Hiker Hut, but yesterday was so intense, I barely have the strength.  I am really getting fed up with all the mud and water on the trail, but I know there is nothing I can do about it. I waste a lot of time negotiating a way around the mud.  I finally take the ¢freedom step¢, and walk right through the middle, sometimes sinking to my ankles. This proves to be much faster, and I arrive at Rt. 4 at noon.  The Hiker Hut is unique among hostels, as it is set up more like a camp. There are several small cabins, and a slightly larger bunkhouse. There is no electric so to charge a phone, I plug into the owner¢s van.  Steve and Katherine Lynch own the Hut.  On arrival, a sign requests the hiker to ring a bell as I enter the compound.  Steve immediately greets me and offers a bottle of Gatorade, some chips and salsa.  Steve had to show me how the shower works. He leads me down a path to an area next to the stream, from which he bails a pail of water. There is an on-demand gas hot water heater mounted on a 4x4¢ post, and a small pump connected to a battery to pump the water out of a tub to the shower head.  I have to turn on a switch on the heater and the pump.  This whole affair makes a scalding hot shower if one desires.  The is hidden from the path by a curtain between two trees, otherwise the area is open.  Grateful Dad comes in an hour after I arrive. About 2:00 Steve drives us into Rangel, the nearest town 8 miles away. After some short looking at the stores, we head to the Parkside Restaurant and their outside deck that overlooks a bay on a lake.  Grateful Dad and I sit at an umbrella table and chat, as we sample the beer from local breweries. He is an attorney from Michigan, a little younger than me, and we talk a variety of subjects, including our religious backgrounds and all that's going on in our lives.  The hiker appetite is quite real.  I order a lobster roll dinner with fries and coke slaw.  When the waitress asks if we would like desert, I order buffalo chicken wings.  Our pickup point in town is the ice cream place, with walk up style service.  I order a large caramel sundae, and as we sit at the table, a large crowd of twelve or so gather and spot my AT hat.  They are intrigued by our hike and ask all the usual questions about trail life.  Then I order another large caramel sundae. When we return to the Hiker Hut, Steve offers a big slice of blackberry pie, and Katherine offers chocolate brownies, which I indulge. Grateful Dad then pulls out a package of the new mocha Oreo cookies.  I decide I need an extra day's rest, and will zero here tomorrow.
Date: 2017-07-19
From: Rt. 4 Rangely - The Hiker Hut

To: Rt. 4 Rangely- The Hiker Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

2017 Miles = 287.3Total AT Miles Completed = 1988.1Percentage of AT Completed = 90.8% As I awake I look out toward the fire pit and Steve has started a fire. I step outside and Katherine offers a cup of coffee, then Steve makes fried egg sandwiches for everyone who stirs.  Grateful Dad is jumping ahead 30 miles to Stratton to meet his friend from Michigan. The two of them plan to finish hiking to Katahdin together.  I am sorry to see him go. He was a great companion for the short time I knew him. I promise to send him my summit photo at the end of my hike.  I am glad I decided to take a zero day. I am still sore from the past few hiking days. I spend most of the morning dosing in bed; it is so quiet and peaceful here.  I ask Catherine if she has an AT Passport stamp.  Catherine draws her own in the passport book. She does a remarkable likeness of the Hut, with very fine and precision pen work.  Steve takes me to town (Rangely) where I go back to the Parkside Restaurant and enjoy the day on their outside deck.   My legs are feeling better as I walk around town. I'll be ready to hike in the morning.
Date: 2017-07-20
From: Rt. 4 Rangely- The Hiker Hut

To: Orbeton Stream - Mile 1982.9
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

2017 Miles = 280Total AT Miles Completed = 1982.9Percentage of AT Completed = 91.4%Felt good today after a zero yesterday. Steve's fried egg sandwich really stays with me.  The views above tree line in Maine are phenomenal, and Saddleback, the Horn, and Saddleback Junior prove the point.  I set up my tent on the road bed just above Orbeton Stream. This roadbed is the supposed place that Geraldine Largay took when she disappeared four years ago.  It's a little disconcerting to think she walked this road, only to be lost, and she eventually died.  I walked past Poplar Ridge Lean-to, the last place she was seen alive.  Her picture was mounted inside the Shelter.
Date: 2017-07-21
From: Orbeton Stream - Mile 1982.9

To: Crocker Cirque Tent Site - Mile 1994.3
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

2017 Miles = 287Total AT Miles Completed = 1994.Percentage of AT Completed = 91.4%I walked all day today and saw almost no one.  The only comment for today is the difficulty of some of the trails.  The descent to the Carrabassett River was ridiculously steep.  I stayed tonight at the Cirque Campsite.
Date: 2017-07-22
From: Crocker Cirque Tent Site - Mile 1994.3

To: ME27 Stratton- White Wolf Inn
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

2017 Miles = 300.8Total AT Miles Completed = 2001.6Percentage of AT Completed = 91.4%High altitude tent sites are nice as they are breezy with low humidity. I slept well in my tent.  Today I finally reached the 2000 mile mark on the trail. Someone created a 2000 made of twigs on the ground. Even it it wasn't the exact spot, it was good to celebrate it here.  On the way down to ME27, I met Medicine Man, a retired pharmacist from Georgia who decided to hike the trail.  He asked me how I planned to get to Stratton, five miles to the west.  I held out my thumb.  I think he wasn't sure about hitchhiking. After all he's a professional man, and sticking his thumb out may feel like a vagrant on the move.  I told him that people know we're hikers here.  I said, ¢you just need to be transparent. Just tip your hat back so they can see your face, don't wear sunglasses, and smile.  He said, ¢I'll watch you.¢  I walked to the other side of the road, and about the fifth car stopped to pick me up.  About five minutes after I walked into the White Wolf Inn, Medicine Man walked in. I said, ¢see how easy that is?¢  Stratton is a very small town.  Seems like the further north I get on the trail, the more remote and smaller the towns.  However on this day, is a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts are in town gathered around a stage concert directly across the street from my motel.  Motorcycles run the street blaring loud exhaust. I hope they don't party too late. The Stratton Motel next door runs a free hiker shuttle to the trail at 7:30 tomorrow morning.  I'll be ready.
Date: 2017-07-23
From: ME27 Stratton- White Wolf Inn

To: Safford Notch Campsite Mile 2012
Miles today: 10.4

2017 Miles = 311Total AT Miles Completed = 2012.0Percentage of AT Completed = 91.8%Trail Snail, Moving Target and I met at the picnic table at the Stratton Hostel at 7:00 to catch the free shuttle to the trailhead on ME27.  We were quiet during the ride, as this was going to be a rough day with a lot of steep climbs. Today, the Bigelow Range.  South Horn, West Bigelow Peak, and Avery Peak.  Even though it was a long climb, the day was clear and cool, and the views were fantastic/awesome. Maine is indeed beautiful.  I had planned on staying at the Avery Tent Site, but chose to push on to the Safford Notch Campsite.  Today's distance is 10.4 miles, but very difficult miles.  Hopefully today ends the tortuous Southern Maine.  From here on the terrain should calm down.  A couple of tenths from the Safford Notch Campsite side trail, a southbound gentleman asked how far is the next lean-to.  I said the last lean-to was Horns Pond. It's seven miles over the Bigelow peaks.  It's 2:30 now, and will take 4 hours of hard hikiI advised him to stay at Safford Notch.  He agreed.
Date: 2017-07-24
From: Safford Notch Campsite Mile 2012

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 12.6

2017 Miles = 320Total AT Miles Completed = 2024.6Percentage of AT Completed = 92.1%After I left Safford Notch and neared the top of Little Bigelow Mountain, I lost the trail and found myself suddenly unable to find the trail. I walked around ten minutes confused. I checked Guthook¢s app, and it showed I was nearly on the trail.  The terrain is so rough I couldn't go the direction the app indicated.  I finally found the pine needle trail that led me astray and backtracked.  I had walked right past a switchback.  I got to West Carry Pond Lean-to about 12:30 after 12.6 miles. Too early to stop. I could go another ten miles to Pierce Pond, but it looks like rain.  I decide to stay in the lean-to.  Rain starts about 1:00 so that was a good choice.  It's nice to be in the shelter when it's raining.
Date: 2017-07-25
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

2017 Miles = 333.8Total AT Miles Completed = 2034.6Percentage of AT Completed = 92.9%Only 155 miles to Katahdin.  I never thought about how close I was as all my energy was dealing with each day's climbs.  At this point, I'm out of the difficult southern Maine section, evidenced by today's lazy ten mile leisurely walk to Pierce Pond Lean-to.  I arrived at noon, and the Kennebec River ferry is only another 3.8 miles, but I'm not going to play beat-the-clock.  The ferry, a canoe, is free between 9:00am and 2:00pm.  This way, I'll leave here at 7:00 tomorrow morning and meet the ferry at 9:00.  This will give me a nero day (nearly a zero) at the Caratunk bed & breakfast on the other side of the river.  Word on the trail is there is a sport camp down a blue blaze trail where we can get breakfast in the morning.  We have to go tell them the night before however. Medicine Man, Ryan, Moving Target, and Trail Snail will also go in the morning. So at 6:00 this evening I put my hiking clothes back on and Moving Target and I walked the 0.3 mile to the camp where we met Tim, who owns and runs the camp.  For nine dollars we get 12 pancakes, four raspberry, four blueberry, and four peach.  They come red white, and blue.  For another three dollars, we can also have eggs and sausage.  Now that's a hiker breakfast.  The scene here at Pierce Pond is idyllic, with the clear waters, the sun shining through the spruces and over the mountains in the background.  It is nature at its best.
Date: 2017-07-26
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Caratunk B&B - ME201 - Mile 2038.6
Miles today: 4.0

2017 Miles = 337.4Total AT Miles Completed = 2038.6Percentage of AT Completed = 93.1%It was a gorgeous night sleeping on the hill above Pierce Pond. The five of us planning to go to Harrison's Sport Camp for breakfast are eager to get going by 6:15 am.  Tim Harrison was an Actuarial Consultant for an insurance company in Boston for eighteen years.  He grew tired of the fast pace and decided to open this incredible respite in the woods.  Trail Snail, Moving Target, Medicine Man, Ryan, and myself sat down at the dining table. The floor obviously slants one way, and we joke about it. At 7:00 am sharp, as promised, Tim brings each of us a stack of twelve pancakes, and a plate of eggs and sausage. Everyone is quiet and we have no trouble finishing the breakfast.  It's only 3.7 miles to the Kennebec River Ferry, actually a canoe. It is the official route of the AT across the river.  We sign a release form and don a life jacket, and Mike the Ferryman paddles us across.  Medicine Man is paddling in the bow.  Medicine Man and I cross the highway and walk to the Caratunk B&B and Hostel.  Paul greets us, offers a milkshake and a pulled pork sandwich.  Paul keeps a well stocked resupply of all the usual hiker food in the basement.  I feel somewhat antsy for taking the day off since it's a beautiful and cool day, great for hiking. However I'm seeing my limitations and am aware of the rest I need to keep going. I'll take the rest of today off.  Paul Fuller, owner of this Hostel, is a genteel person, soft spoken, and very giving. He doesn't normally make dinner for guests, but because there is only me and one other person, he makes us huge cheeseburgers with lettuce and tomato.  I have blueberry pie with ice cream for desert. Paul is a 10,000 mile hiker of various trails. He's 78 now, has hung up his boots, and wants to give back to serving the hiker community by operating this Hostel.
Date: 2017-07-27
From: Caratunk B&B - ME201 - Mile 2038.6

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.7

2017 Miles = 352.5Total AT Miles Completed = 2053.3Percentage of AT Completed = 93.8%Typically Hostel owners are good cooks, and Paul is no exception. The four of us that stayed last night woke up to a breakfast of egg omelettes made with broccoli and cheese, fried potatoes, and blueberry muffins, and coffee.  It rained last night and I could hear it on the metal roof outside.  I did not want to get up and start hiking.  I was sure I'd stay another day. But after breakfast I forced myself to hike on, and I'm glad I did.  The day¢s weather turned decent.  About mile 2050, the trail followed a gravel road, and about a hundred yards down, a man and two frisky dogs appeared from the side.  One of the dogs ran at me as fast as he could, barking and snarling. I bent down and held my hand down in a submissive gesture, but the dog circled me while growling.  Only then did the owner holler for his dog.  He said, ¢sorry about that¢.  Don't know why he waited so long to call his dog.   Got to Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to at 3:00pm. Very quiet.
Date: 2017-07-28
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

2017 Miles = 365.5Total AT Miles Completed = 2066.3Percentage of AT Completed = 94.4%First item of the day was to climb Moxie Bald Mountain.  The summit was very breezy and foggy, but I could see clear skies coming.  Had a little trouble finding the trail from the summit sign.  It's a little misleading because the summit sign is just off the trail.  Thanks to Guthooks app, I found the way.  Up to today, all the rivers noted in AWOL¢s ATGuide as a ¢ford¢, that is, one must wade across the river, were low enough to rock hop across them. Today I had to ford the West Branch of the Piscataquis River. We haven't had heavy rain for some time now, so the ford was only knee deep.  I got to Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to at 1:00 pm, and was real tempted to go on. Even so I decided to stay.