morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-09-08
From: South Arm Rd.

To: ME Route 17
Miles today: 13.2

Bear drove our group of five plus Bliss and Grandma Pepper to South Arm Road. The trail was more difficult than yesterday in that there were no places one could just walk without being cautious about rocks and roots. We started with a climb up Old Blue Mountain, and Journeymen hiked behind me all day.I was about ten minutes behind getting to the Bemis Mountain Lean-to, but I moved along fairly well for the last 4.7 miles. Another beautiful day, and the trail varied from going through almost magical deep mossy forest to high rocky balds. Bear met us at an overlook on ME 17 that has a gorgeous view to the southwest over Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Bismarck said it should be better for pictures in the morning.There are loads of new people at the hostel, so dinner was much different than last night (spaghetti, etc.), when there were just 10 of us. There are still just 4 in the bunk room. Others are in campers outside. I did laundry and integrated the food from my mail drop. My pack will be awfully heavy for a 15 mile day, but I am going to try to stay with the group. I may need to skip zeros to catch up. Journeymen is talking about hiking with me. I'd like that but don't want to hold him back. We'll see how it goes. At least tomorrow does not have big ups and downs. The nature of the trail will tell.
Date: 2014-09-09
From: ME Route 17

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 15.0

Another wonderful breakfast at The Cabin, but this was the last. Hopper is going to stay a few days to help Honey and Bear and meet the group in Stratton. I got packed up, we all said good bye to Bear, and Honey drove us to the trailhead on ME 17. She was headed to Auburn to buy supplies at BJ's, about 60 miles from East Andover. She goes to Rumford, some 30 miles, to the supermarket. We did have a great view at 17. The day was cool and clear, with a bright blue sky.Bismarck, RW, Journeymen and I got on the trail at 9:25. I told the three guys to go ahead at their pace. I might make it to the lean-to or stop sooner. I managed a good pace, doing the first 3.8 miles in two hours. I only took two real breaks during the day,but the trail was not terribly difficult. Plenty of rocks, roots and bog bridging but no sustained ups or downs.I enjoyed the walk, even with the full pack. There were no expansive views, but pretty ponds: Moxie, Sabbathday, South. From the little beach on Sabbathday Pond, I saw two loons. This was the first sense I had of a fall day, with fallen yellow and brown birch leaves and some red maple leaves. I made it to the campsite about 6:45 and set up on a tent platform. The guys are staying in the shelter. Walkabout is here in his tent, as are Viceroy and Mallet.The plan for tomorrow is to climb Saddleback, which is 4120' and has a long exposed summit. A man I saw today hiking south said it was very windy. He is from Alaska, finishing a hike he began many years ago. Now 61, he has a metal hip joint. He will hike to about 30 miles south of Shenandoah NP, where he ended his original hike. We will do just under 9 miles, ending at the Poplar Ridge Lean-to, just below Saddleback Junior. Rain is predicted for Thursday.
Date: 2014-09-10
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept about 40 minutes past my 5:30 alarm so was not on the trail until 8:00. The three guys all left ahead of me. The day was another beautiful one -- clear blue sky, cool, little wind -- and as I ascended Saddleback Mountain, I kept stopping to look at the view. Ponds, lakes, the town of Rangeley, and mountains in every direction. Pictures won't even begin to show how breathtaking it was. The climb was long but not terribly difficult, and the trail was in the open on bedrock for over a mile. Viceroy walked with me for a while, and we had a good conversation about everything from relationships, his job as a sou chef for a caterer -- to which he will return -- the trail, to how to tell the difference between fir and spruce trees. He is a fine young man. I probably won't see him again, as he is leaving the trail to go home for his sister's wedding.Viceroy and Mallet were on top as I reached the summit. Then Peter Pan and Bilbo Baggins arrived (we did each other's photos) with two women day hikers who gave us fruit. They left, and Movin' On and Misty Pony came up. I was lingering, because I had a cell signal for the first time since Monday and wanted to text Lee and Leigh and send them pics.I should have known the climb down would be harder than the climb up and not spent so much time on the summit, but it was hard to leave such a beautiful spot. In fact the day was one with three very slow and hard descents -- Saddleback, The Horn, and Saddleback Junior. It took me nine hours to do the 8.9 miles, whereas yesterday, I did 15 miles in 10.5 hours. I think the next two days will be equally hard, and we are supposed to have rain starting late tonight. The shelter is full, and there are at least 8 of us in tents. Three are next to the shelter, Movin' On and Walkabout are just past it, and 3-D and his friend are up the hill. I have a small spot up the hill as well. Journeyman was asleep when I arrived, but I did talk with him later. He and RW got the last rooms at the Stratton Motel, but they are suggesting I take one and they will share. I know J was looking for some private space, but he also wants to save money. We'll sort it out Friday. I will try to do a better job of keeping up -- they beat me here by 3 hours.The plan for tomorrow is probably to do just 8 miles to the next shelter unless the weather and trail conditions allow 13 to a campsite. Movin' On, the three guys and I all came to the same conclusion. I am guessing the shelter will be it. If we do 13, we would go up and over Spaulding Mountain, which looks like it has a pretty steep descent. It will, however, leave a long, hard day on Friday. I'll need to get a very early start to make Stratton at a decent hour.
Date: 2014-09-11
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

The wind picked up sometime around 2 AM, and there was light rain. I started getting organized about 5:30, not sure how far I would be going. I was able to take down the tent under the rain fly to keep it dry and to pack my pack under the fly. I left at 8, and climbed to Poplar Ridge. Very windy and misty. The descent was a steep one, and the wet rocks kept me cautious. It took almost 3 hours to do the 2.7 miles to Orbeton Stream. That included a fairly long chat with K Whomp (not sure of spelling), who is a flip flopper from Florida. She began in GA, hiked to Pawling, NY, flipped to Katahdin, and is now headed back to Pawling. She had some good tips about the trail and said of all the river/stream fords listed by AWOL, she only had to wade 3, because they did not have big rocks. Orbeton Stream is listed as a ford, but she was able to cross on rocks.I stopped on the far side of the stream to take off my hiking pants so I would just have on the rain pants. Walkabout came along, and we chatted while we ate snacks. He is from Stewart, FL. Just as I was ready to leave, it began to rain harder, and it did not let up until I was nearly at the shelter. After the steep climb out of the stream bed, the trail ran along a cascade for a bit before climbing steadily toward Lone Mountain. I decided I'd stop at the shelter, and I was glad that none of today's hike did not go above tree line. From Lone Mountain, the trail became easier, though there were lots of puddles to negotiate, and I made pretty good time, arriving at 2:45. Movin' On and Walkabout had hiked on, but Bismark, Journeyman, and RW are here, along with four other guys. They offered to make room in the shelter, but I opted for my tent. I found an okay site in a tenting area behind the shelter and set up the tent -- footprint and rain fly first, then hung the tent underneath. Before getting out of my rain gear and wet shoes, I went for water.Am now cozy in my sleeping bag but will soon cook dinner and call it a night. The weather is supposed to be good tomorrow, and I hope it begins to dry out tonight. I'll try for an early start in the hope of making it the 13 tough miles to Stratton. I told RW they should go ahead and take the rooms, and if I get there, I'll stay in the hostel.
Date: 2014-09-13
From: Stratton, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 0.0

I was up early, expecting the diner down the street to be open, but they don't open until 8. So I went into Fotter's Market to see what they had. I got a few things, including super glue to fix the Velcro on my shoe for the gaiter, and said I'd be back. The others were already at the diner in a booth, so I sat near them at the counter. Journeymen joined me. I got three scrambled eggs, bacon, shredded potatoes and a croissant. Yum! While there, the phone dinged, and it was a text from Sherlock with his summit photo from yesterday. I texted back congratulations.Next on the agenda was a trip to the laundromat. Journeymen, RW and I put ours together, and Bismarck did his and Hopper's. We had a fun talk with a section hiker. Hopper had her father's truck -- her parents are camping nearby and had brought her here from The Cabin -- and gave me a ride back to the White Wolf. I spent some time organizing and then went down for lunch. I sat with RW, who was finishing his, but he stayed while I ate and worked on his trail journal. I had a beer and an excellent burger with home made chips.I sewed up the hole in my knife pocket, super-glued the Velcro back on my shoe, did a few other little chores, and walked back to Fotter's Market, where I got the rest of the food I needed, plus a pint of B&J's Half Baked. I put the ice cream in the little refrigerator and walked to the convenience store with Journeymen to get Clif Bars. The ice cream was perfect when I got back, and I watched golf on TV while I ate it and did more chores -- organized food and planned the next part of the journey.I had dinner again at the White Wolf, this time with RW. Tenderloin tips with a Dijon horseradish sauce, French fries and Swiss chard, along with a beer and a hot fudge sundae. I was stuffed. I was able to talk with Lee. She has reserved a campsite at Katahdin Stream Campground for Sept 29 through the night of Oct 2. I expect to get there on the 29th, and the extra days will allow for weather changes. It would be great to summit on a good day.
Date: 2014-09-14
From: ME Route 27

To: Safford Notch Campsite
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We all had breakfast at the White Wolf and then crammed into Hopper's parents' truck for the ride to the trailhead. We started about 9:30 at 1450'. Journeyman said he would hike with me, which was kind, since I know he can go faster. It was cold, windy, and in the low 40s. We stopped at the original Horns Lean-to for lunch. Several others were huddled there as well but left before we did. We finally reached the summit of Bigelow West Peak (4145') but did not linger in the cold and wind. We had no real views. Then we dropped into a col before climbing again to Avery Peak. The clouds had lifted some, so we could see a little of where we had been and where we were going.We had a long descent to 2224' over two miles of rough, rocky trail. I tried to move quickly, but it took nearly two hours, and we arrived just before dark. Journeymen stuck with me the whole way, though I offered to let him go on. We did have some good and deep conversation over the course of the day.The others had a fire going, but we had to go a bit to find tent sites, so we each set up, and I went up by Journeymen's tent where there was a log to sit on, and we had quick dinners. It felt good to get into my sleeping bag and finally get warm.
Date: 2014-09-15
From: Safford Notch Campsite

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Wind died down overnight, but it was still cold (about 40) when the alarm went off at 5:30. I managed to get up and going right away and was packed up by 7:20. Got up to the lean-to as the group was putting on their packs to leave. I had to get water so said I'd see them this evening. The trail was .3 from the lean-to and had a fun very large glacial erratic to go under on the way out. I was on the trail at 8 and made pretty good time to the top of Little Bigelow and down to the Little Bigelow Lean-to. The last hard climb and descent before Katahdin -- I think.On the way, I passed Catfish slack-packing SOBO. He evidently had not received my response to his text. I may see him at Katahdin, though he does plan a zero tomorrow in Stratton. Also met Genesis, a woman from Florida, who started in Harper's Ferry, flipped to Katahdin from Manchester, VT, and once she gets back there, will hike south from Harper's Ferry. I stopped in a sunny spot a bit past the trail to the Little Bigelow Lean-to and had some lunch. Had already had a chunk of cheese and half a tortilla at 10:30. Left there with 7.7 miles to go at 12:35, and I hoped to make the West Carry Pond Lean-to by 5. For the most part, the trail was easier, though there were two good ups and downs, and it was neat walking around the end of Falstaff Lake. It is a huge damed lake that is clearly a water supply, as the level is a bit down. About a mile before the lean-to, I came around a curve, and there was Journeymen, just getting up from sitting on a log. He said he had stopped and had some supper and thought I might come along. We walked together and talked until we arrived at just one minute after five. Hooray! It does mean I have a good chance of making the ferry tomorrow, since it is supposed to be even easier walking. But rain is in the forecast, so I want to get going early. The PO in Caratunk closes at 3:45, and the ATC Companion says to be at the ferry by 3:30. I have set the alarm for 4:30. Hope it does not rain overnight. After I got the tent set up, I went to the pond to get water. What a peaceful spot under a leaning cedar tree, and the rocks reminded me of the shore of Sebago Lake. I did see a loon, and we have been hearing loon calls since about 6:30. A sound I love. I took my stove and dinner makings to the lean-to, where Bismarck, Hopper, and RW had made a nice fire. Others had already cooked but were still eating, and we all enjoyed the warmth and the company.
Date: 2014-09-17
From: Sterling Inn, Caratunk, ME

To: stealth site on Pleasant Pond Mountain
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I decided last night that I would let the group go on ahead to get to Monson on Friday, and that I would arrive on Saturday. I don't need to pay for two nights plus all the food I'd eat, and I want to go a bit slower. Mainly, I want to savor these last two weeks in my home turf (Northern New England), and I don't want to hold them back. I'll decide in Monson whether to do the 100 Mile Wilderness on their itinerary or my own. They plan to arrive at Abol Bridge on the edge of Baxter State Park on the 27th. I don't need to be there until the 28th, when I'll stay at the campground there and then hike the 11 miles to Katahdin Stream Campground on the 29th to meet Lee.After breakfast, the group left, and I stayed and took advantage of the wifi. Later, Eric dropped me at the trail, and I started hiking at 9:40. My plan was to go just to the beach by Pleasant Pond Lean-to (5.9 miles) and camp there. It was a fairly easy hike in. I talked with Indy, who is doing his last section, and who had been at The Cabin my last night, and with Mouse, a recent graduate of CU Boulder, who is going SOBO. He is getting a late start because of a knee injury - - he thinks IT Band. He has already done the PCT and the CDT. I hope he makes it. His pack looked much lighter than mine.At the lean-to, I met Heike, a German woman thru-hiker. She has a month in the US after Katahdin and plans to visit friends and see the Maine coast, most likely by camping at Mt. Desert Island. She hiked on, and I went down to check out the beach. First thing I saw was a no camping sign. Plus, the pond has houses around it, and the beach was not big enough. What to do. The tent sites near the lean-to were unappealing, so I ate, got water, and hiked on, hoping to find a stealth site. The trail went fairly steeply up Pleasant Pond Mountain, partly on a relocated section. A SOBO flip flopper said there was a site shortly after starting down the mountain, and I found it about two tenths from the summit sign. A nice spot, so I stopped about 5:15 and set up. I had an "off network" cell signal so wrote and received a few texts. Lee said there is no extra charge so long as usage is relatively low. The days are getting short fast. When I started hiking at 6:30 yesterday morning, it was barely light, and tonight by 6:30, the light was fading fast. It means early mornings packing up in the dark in order to take advantage of the available daylight. That's the plan for tomorrow. I have shortened that hike by coming here, and most important, done the 1000+ foot climb. Still have Moxie Bald to climb tomorrow, which is over 1600 feet above Moxie Pond. I think things level out (a lot of PUDs) for the hike into Monson.
Date: 2014-09-18
From: stealth site on Pleasant Pond Mountain

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 11.2

The night was not as cold as I expected, and there was little wind. I was up, packed, and on the trail by 7:30. The ridge had a few ups and downs before descending to Moxie Pond, but the trail was not difficult other than the usual rocks, roots, and some patches of mud. Last Minute, now hiking south, recognized me from when we met in Virginia. He said he had seen a moose. I met Karate Kid on the way up to the Bald Mountain Brook lean-to, 7.5 miles from my campsite, which I reached at 12:50. Good time, and with just 4.1 miles left, I took an hour for lunch, chatting with Karate Kid. He started on his 29th birthday and said he is anticipating a good decade. He is from Columbus, Ohio. Has not decided what to do after the AT, but does not want to go back to his old job. He is seriously contemplating a PCT hike next year. We talked about how much we are eating and his concern about maintaining fitness once the hike is done. Next came the 2 mile hike up Moxie Bald Mountain. Not difficult, and the views were lovely. Lots of walking on bedrock with only very low vegetation. I took my time and took several pictures. The leaves are changing colors, but the moss on the forest floor is still brilliant green. On the way down, I ran into Dr. Scrambles, who had flipped to Katahdin from Rangley to summit with friends. Four people who had been at The Cabin my last night there passed me while I was texting Lee and calling Shaw's for a reservation -- bunk space was all that was left. They are here at the campsite, which is on the shore of a beautiful pond. My tent is just 25 feet from the water, and Tee Bird's tent is nearby. Would love to sit out and enjoy the view longer, but it is quite chilly, there is a frost warning out for tonight, and the wind is picking up. I ate a big dinner -- a whole package of four cheese mashed potatoes with turkey and the other usual additives -- and was in my sleeping bag by 6:45. Something is making big splashes in the pond, but I don't want to leave my warm cocoon to look. Probably fish. It will be a long night, and I am not looking forward to the usual late night bathroom run, but I am warm and cozy (except for my fingers typing this on the iPad). I put one of my water bottles in the bottom of the sleeping bag, so I can have slightly warmer water for breakfast.
Date: 2014-09-20
From: stealth site by Piscataquis River

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 8.7

I did not sleep as well as I had hoped, but the body got plenty of rest, and I was cozy. The temp in the tent at 6 this morning was 36, but it didn't feel too bad. I did my cold breakfast in the sleeping bag and after packing as much as I could, I finally emerged, took down the tent, and hit the trail at 8:15. Because it was so cold, I was not looking forward to the ford of the East Branch, but I was lucky and able to make it across with dry feet. Part of the crossing was on a large fallen pine trunk with 1 to 3 foot stumps of branches that I had to step carefully around. I heard some others had less luck.Today's hike was over pretty easy terrain, and with an hour of break time, I was still at the trailhead on Route 15 by 1:15. I called Shaw's, and a friend of Sue and Dawn was there to meet me in just a few minutes. The bunk room is nice, not really bunks, but seven single beds. There are just four of us here so far. Saw Hopper, Bismarck, RW, and Journeymen. The first three are arranging to have a food drop four days into the wilderness, and I said I'd like to add mine. That will mean carrying just four days' food instead of eight. So my first task was to sort through the box Lee sent, pack up the food for the bucket, and take it to Lakeshore House. Then I went to Pete's and got additional supplies for the first day. Once the food was packed, I got a shower and did laundry. Six of us had a good dinner -- and for me, Sebago Brewing's Frye's Leap Ale -- at the Lakeshore House.Now to sleep. The famed 100 Mile Wilderness awaits.
Date: 2014-09-21
From: Monson, ME

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

Breakfast at Shaw's was good and filling. Journeymen had said he wanted to hike with me through the 100 Mile Wilderness and was looking forward to the somewhat slower pace. I enjoy hiking with him, and I'll be glad to have the companionship for this last section of the northern part of the hike.The first part of the day (3 miles) to Leeman Brook Lean-to was pretty easy, and we did it in about an hour and a half. After that, the trail became more difficult, but we made the 5.6 miles to Bear Pond Ledge by a little after noon. We ate lunch there and headed out about 1. Shortly after, the light mist became rain, and we stopped and put on rain gear. We encountered slippery rocks and roots and lots of ups and downs but enjoyed Little Wilson Falls before fording Big Wilson Stream. We did not get to the lean-to until a little after 5, but we were able to find tent sites. I set up using my rain method, cooked in the rain, and then ate in the tent -- usually a no-no, but it was raining too hard to stay out.More people came, the shelter was full, and some had to camp on pretty uneven ground.