morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-07
From: Caribou Valley Road

To: Stratton Brook Pond Rd
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

August 7Finally an easy day. To get me back to the trail, Joyce drove back down the long gravel road past 2 bridges with holes in the timber to where the washed bridge stopped car traffic. After a 1/2 mile walk past that, I got to where the Appalachian Trail crosses the gravel road. In the morning coolness of 7:00 I met Wandering One, Still Thinking, and Pogo and we began our hike. It took about 1 hour to climb South Mt Crocker. And another hour to descend and climb North Mt Crocker. There at the summit, in a nice spot with rocks to sit, we stopped and snacked. Since we were only going to stop this once today, I pulled out my huge turkey sub and wolfed it down. (I was pretty embarrassed eating such a nice lunch in front of them. From now on I'm going to ask them if I can get them something to eat from town too). Then we took off down the mountain, making good time. Along the way we met some college age girls hiking in various size groups that were all speaking French. Then almost at the bottom I saw the number 2000 made out of cut twigs laying off the side of the trail. I quickly took a picture to commentate a cumulative total of 2000 miles hiked on the Appalachian Trail. At Highway ME 27 we all stopped for some trail magic given by a lady supporting her husband's thru hike. Then we hiked another .9 miles to Stratton Brook Pond Road. We sat the three hikers on the Elements rear tail gate and gave them a ride back to ME 27 where they quickly hitched a ride into Stratton. Today we hiked 9.1 miles in 6 hours. Tomorrow we've decided to take a zero day.
Date: 2015-08-09
From: Stratton Brook Pond Rd

To: East Flagstaff rd
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

August 9Today we drove to Stratton Brook Pond rd and met Wanderer, Still Thinking, and Pogo at 7:00. For the 1st mile it was level and fast, then we started up. The up lasted till 12:00 but it was mostly fast. We sat down on the lee side of the summit and ate our sub sandwiches. We were in the middle of a cloud and had no view. So we put our jackets on so we wouldn't shiver when we cooled down. The rest of the day was all downhill from there and was complicated by the tangled roots and boulders. I quickly started to loose my strength and shortened my gait a lot to save energy and be safe. So I fell way behind and ended up finishing at 5:50. Joyce was there providing trail Magic to the boys as they all sat around talking. Shortly thereafter we drove to Kingfield where we bought subs for everyone tomorrow, had dinner and turned in. Joyce had a very enjoyable day highlighted by visiting the Stanley Museum. The Stanley twins invented many things for the car, for photos, and for art. I wonder why they are not mentioned more in US history. Anyway, I went 16.1 miles in almost 11 hours.
Date: 2015-08-10
From: East Flagstaff rd

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0

August 10Joyce and I left our hotel in Kingmen at 6:00 to meet back with the guys at East Flagstaff rd. on the way, we encountered 3 moose in the early morning fog. We tried to take pictures but couldn't get close. We distributed the turkey subs and headed out at 7:10. There wasn't any mountains to climb today and the trail was supposed to be untangled. About 75% of the time it was untangled. Again I was strong for the first 5 hours then I slowed down for the rest. When we stopped for lunch, Pogo got a text from Speck asking if she could rejoin us at Monson. We all cheered. Today we traveled along the shores of ponds, some had nice sandy beaches. So I arrived at 4:30 at Pierce Pond lean-to. We were lucky to be early as many hikers came in later and either went to Harrison's Sport Camp or set tent somewhere along the shore of Pierce Pond. The lean-to was set up right next to the pond and we viewed a wonderful sunset across the water. I quickly heated up my spaghetti and had dinner. Then got my pack ready for tomorrow and was on my sleeping bag by 7:00. So I went 16.3 miles in 9 1/2 hours.
Date: 2015-08-11
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Pleasant Pond Rd in Caratunk
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

August 11Today my kind hiker friends lent me some breakfast stuff as I forgot to pack it. Pogo gave me a granola cereal and powdered milk. Wandering One gave me a Carnation chocolate breakfast mix and some powdered milk. With that we were off by 6:30. We walked along Otter Pond Stream until we reached the Kennebec River. There we were canoed across by a full time worker for the AT. We did the next 7 miles under the threat of rain very quickly and arrived at Pleasant Pond rd at 12:00 just as it started to rain. Joyce and I ferried the guys to the Sterling Inn to spend the night out of the rain. Joyce greeted me with the news that the bug bite on her leg was from a tick and she had spent Monday at the hospital getting it diagnosed and treated. So now we've both had Lymes Disease. Today we only went 10 miles in 5 hours including the wait time for the ferry ride. So we are in Caratunk and feeling good about the trip.
Date: 2015-08-12
From: Pleasant Pond Rd in Caratunk

To: Moxie Bald Mt lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

August 12Got up at 6:00 at the Sterling Inn in Caratunk. Ate a quick breakfast in my room and met Pogo at 6:30. Joyce took us to Pleasant Pond rd and we were off and running with about a 45 minute head start on Still Thinking and Wandering One. Since it rained all night all the bogs were pretty deep. Still my feet stayed dry until we had to ford a stream. I took off my socks and removed the inner sole to my boot and put my boots back on for the wade across. The river was only up to my knees and the only problem was walking on slick boulders. Speck texted that she had a fever and had to cancel her return. We were all saddened by this news. So we continued on up a surprisingly tough Moxie Bald Mountain. And then down to the lean-to to complete our 13 mile hike by 4:00 in 9 hours.
Date: 2015-08-13
From: Moxie Bald Mt lean-to

To: ME 15 Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

August 13Last night we were serenaded by the loons. It was a strange and beautiful sound that sort of lulled me to sleep. At 5:00 AM I got up and started my morning routine of packing and eating breakfast. Today I had granola cereal and a chocolate instant breakfast. We were on the trail by 6:00. At 7:00 we had our first river ford. I took off my socks and my insole, and rolled up my pant legs and went across. But after drying my feet and putting my boots back on, my socks got soaked anyway. The next 3 fords I just walked across with my socks on and on the other side poured the water out of my boos and wrung out my socks. I also left the pant legs down and now both my boots and pant legs had the mud washed off. All day long the trail was pretty level. We walked through if big after mud bog and I now didn't try to avoid the deep spots. I just plowed on through. We traveled along side a river most of the day and finally left it to walk around a pond then go up for our 3 miles to ME15 highway. Tonight we are staying on Monson at s hostel. So today I walked 18 miles in 9 1/2 hours.
Date: 2015-08-14
From: ME 15 Monson

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

August 14Last night Joyce assumed the trail name of Mother Theresa or MT for short. In the morning we stayed for breakfast. I had 3 eggs, bacon, and blueberry pancakes with orange juice. MT took me out to the trail for an 8:00 start. The others stayed for the hostel shuttle and were on by 8:30. Still Thinking and Wandering passed me at 10:30 and Pogo caught up with me at 12:00 for lunch at a huge water fall into a gorge. Here we were in the 100 mile Wilderness and there were kids with their mothers eating lunch at the top of the falls. Anyway I managed 1 1/2 miles per hour all day through short ups and downs filled with roots, boulders, and bogs. We went through 3 fords and traveled next to a roaring river almost all day. Near the end of the day I came upon sign that said there was Trail Magic about 1/8 mile off trail. I knew they had turned off there but would catch up to me if I kept going. And when they caught me they had some good news. The guy giving the trail magic offered to go and pick them up to stay at his place the night then drive back up to where MT was going to drop me off in the morning. So we found MT who was not entirely sure she was in the right spot. She was very glad to see us way out in the middle of no where at the dead end of a dirt road. So I went 15 miles in 10 hours and 45 minutes. We are now at Otter Pond. I'm staying with Joyce in Monson. Tomorrow she moves to Millitocket.
Date: 2015-08-15
To: Katahdin Ironworks Rd
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

August 15Yesterday, August 15 was my Bill Bryson day. Just like he had to get off the Appalachian Trail at Katahdin Ironworks gravel road so did I. The day started with MT dropping off at Otter Pond and me linking back up with the guys who had spent the night at the trail magic cabin. The trail was immediately an uphill grind for 2 hours. We ended up at the top of Barren Mountain and barren Ledges. Spectacular views. Then we went up and down Fourth Mountain, Third Mountain, Columbus Mountain, and Chairback Mountain. It was grueling but we finally arrived at Katahdin Ironworks Rd at 6;00. Some went 15.3 miles in 11 1/2 hours. A father and son day hikers were also there waiting for a pickup. The son went .4 miles down the road to a parking lot and came back in a car. I hitched with them to the same parking lot in case Joyce was there. She wasn't so I sat there to wait while the others sat back at the trail crossing. When it got to be 6:45 she was 45 minutes late and I started worrying about her and the darkness closing in. So when the last car in the parking lot was loading up to go home I hitched a ride with them to the gravel roads front gate check point. The lady at the check point said I could use the land line there as the whole area we were on had no cell service. Joyce answered and said had driven down an abandoned road and gotten stuck in some mud and that she had called 911 and the Sheriff was there with her trying to get a tow truck. The tow truck finally arrived and pulled the car out around 10:00. But the car was was not drivable. In the meantime a family drove up to check out The Katahdin-Jo Mary area and he agreed to leave his family at the check point and drive me back to where the guys had been waiting for over 2 hours in the dark and mosquitos. So I got them up to the check point just as the gate was closing till 6AM. Then Joyce arrived with their backpacks and they set up their packs with enough food to get them through 5 days of the wilderness. They camped out there and were going to hitch a ride the 7 miles back to the trail in the morning. Cline took Joyce and I to a motel in Dexter. Now it is the Sunday morning in Dexter and we are waiting till 11:00 to see if Larry the tow truck driver and fix the car. If he can't he will tow it to a Honda dealer. Sunday morning we found out Honda was good to go. So now I plan on rejoining the group in the middle of the 100 Mile Wilderness at Jo-Mary rd on Tursday morning. I am going to carry food for 3 days and sleep in the lean-tos. Will update further after I get back.
Date: 2015-08-18
From: Jo-Mary Rd

To: South end of Nahmakanta Lakei
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

August 18Well it's Tuesday and I'm back on the trail again. I have skipped the 2 hikes between Katahdin Ironworks road and Jo-Mary rd so I can hike with my friends Wanderer, Still Thinking, and Pogo. So After I summit Katahdin the actual end of the Appalachian Trail, I will hike by myself the 2 hiking days I missed to get to my own logical end of the trail. Today Joyce and I drove up Jo-Mary rd to the Appalachian Trail crossing. There we met the guys who were expecting us. They all hugged Joyce and were glad she was ok. We hiked 15 miles to the gravel road at the south end of Nahmakanta Lake. We arrived at 3:45 after beginning the day at 7:00. All of the day we walked next to a stream. The track was fast, at least 2.5 mph the whole day except the last 3 miles of the day which were back down to the Maine speed Limit of 1 mph. Tomorrow we hope Speck shows up by 10 AM to join us.
Date: 2015-08-19
From: South end of Nahmakanta Lakei

To: Rainbow Stresm lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

August 19Well partner, last night was my first time I cowboy camped. No tent, no shelter, just me in my sleeping bag under the stars. The night went quickly and I was ready to go this morning, but we settled down and waited for Speck to rejoin us at 10:00. She brought in in cold Cokes and sub sandwiches for all of us. We had a joyous reunion. Then we set off at 10:45 for our 11 mile day. It was very hot and humid. When we went up the climb of the day my dri fit clothes the sweat right off me. My shirt totally soaked and my pants were wet down to my knees. I sucked on my eloctrytes and water and to refill my camelback once. At first we traveled along side a lake. Later in the day we were next to a roaring river, of course going up stream. I accidentally passed my friends when they went to a scenic overlook and took a break. Some young guy while passing me let me know that my friends were behind and so I took a long break and waited up for them. Eventually we got to Rainbow Stream lean-to at 5:00. So we went 11 miles in 6 hours and 15 minutes. Tonight I had a freeze dried rice and chicken dinner. Very delicious. I'm sleeping in the lean-to which is right on the banks of the stream. The sound of the stream going over rocks is very soothing and putting me to sleep.
Date: 2015-08-20
From: Rainbow Stresm lean-to

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

August 20My alarm went off at 5:00 AM. I could barely see it was still so dark, but I felt rested from a full nights sleep. I had my breakfast of carnation instant breakfast and ate directly from the oatmeal package filled with water. We were on the trail by 6:08. It was the fastest we ever hiked in Maine. It was mostly level and the track without rain was pretty fast. We had 3 breaks and still arrived at Abol Bricge at 1:30. There MT greeted us with cookies and soda. The guys shopped in the rafting and canoe store and got chocolate milks and ice cream cones. The 6 of us piled into Speck's rental Jeep Compass. Wandering had to sit in the far back. 40 minutes later we were at our inn getting showers and making plans for tonight. So we did 15 miles in 7 1/2 hours. Tomorrow we hike 10 miles up the base of Katahdin. Then Saturday, we hike to the top of Katahdin. Then take a day off to celebrate with the families. Then hike 2 more days with Speck to pick up the days she and I missed.
Date: 2015-08-21
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

August 21Last night I was feeling sick, probably from something I ate at MacDonald's,and missed the arrival of Wandering One's family. The others and my wife stayed up all the way till 9:00 talking. His son joined us at 6:00 this morning to go on today's hike. MT dropped us off at Abol Bridge and we set off in a light rain at 6:45. The hike was real fast. Hardly any obstacles on the pine straw path. We did have to rock hop across 2 river fords on very slippery rocks. But otherwise it was the easiest 10 miles I have ever hiked on the AT. We finished 4 1/4 hours later at the base of Mt. Katahdin at the Katahdin Stream Campgrounds. Wandering One's wife and daughter and grand daughter drove up in a separate car behind MT. We all took pictures next to the Katahdin Campground sign and enjoyed the moment. When we got back to the inn, Speck packed up her gear and left for Monson to hike the beginning of the 100 Mile Wilderness. The rest of us relaxed waiting for the big day tomorrow when we summit Katahdin.
Date: 2015-08-22
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin Summit
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

August 22It was awesome! It was difficult. It was a lot of fun. It was a fitting end to hiking the Appalachian Trail. The night before, we all ordered from a Pizza place and got it delivered right to the inn. We all ate in Pogo's suite. It had a formal dining room, a living room, and a kitchen which fit all the families nicely. Around 8:00 we broke up to get some sleep. At 1:00 in the morning I awoke to thunder and lightening and the rain was coming down in buckets. I rolled over with a groan anticipating either a bad hiking day tomorrow or a cancellation of the hike. When my alarm went off at 4 AM it had stopped raining. We headed out in Pogo's car at 5;00. And arrived at Katahdin Stream Campground at 6:45. There we met Caption, a young girl from New York, that we had hiked with before. She joined us and we headed up the mountain for a 5.2 mile hike to the summit. It was at first a well groomed trail heading slightly up. Then it became stones set in the ground like stairs, with a very steep grade. Then the trail became a tangle of boulders, always heading upward   Next the heavy rain runoff from last night started draining down our path and we were trudging through ankle high running water. Then we had to start climbing big boulders through the streaming water having to pull ourselves up with whatever foot and hand holds we could find. Finally we got above the tree line and we had to pack away our walking sticks as now we started to mountain climb. Soon we had some panoramic views and the sun was out giving us a beautiful sunny day. We stopped to snap some pictures. Finally after some steep climbing among the granite rocks we sort of got up onto this narrow neck of the mountain that we had to traverse and climb over more granite boulders with huge drop offs on both sides. When finally got to the top of the neck of boulders we saw we were on a table land of the mountain. We walked between guide ropes to keep us from ruining the environment across the table land and curved upwards for another climb of boulders. When we got to the top of that we were basically on top of the world with 360 degree views of the land around Katahdin. In another 15 minutes we walked up to the Appalachian Trail sign that was the northern terminus. Everyone took pictures of each other with each other's camera. We were all a very happy group. We enjoyed our lunch and everyone was very sociable to be with. It took me 4 hours to go 5.2 miles. I am very happy to have completed this day and will always remember it as one of my best achievements. I was able to call MT from the summit. She and the families were in the Appalachian Cafe and they all let out a cheer when they heard we had just summited. I told them we would be back down in 4 hours. They met us at Katahdin Stream Campground with sparkling juices and cookies. We gave Caption and Mass a ride to the Appalachian Inn. We are now resting in our inn. What a day!
Date: 2015-08-24
From: Katahdin Ironworks Rd

To: East Branch lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

August 24My 2nd to last day. After summiting Katahdin it was hard to get my mind set to do these 2 more days. But Speck shared our room at the inn and she was ready to go. MT dropped us off at Katahdin Ironworks Rd. at 6:45. In a light rain we set off. A 1/2 mile in, we forded the West Branch of the Pleasant River. So my socks and boots were soaked right away. Soon the rain stared to come down hard. We decided to just keep walking with out putting on our rain gear. The stones you usually walk on to get through a bog were about 4 inches under water and water continually went over my boot top to keep my boot full of water. After about 45 minutes of hard rain it slacked off and we had intermittent rain for the rest of the morning. We snacked when there were lulls in the rain but didn't eat lunch until we finally reached a lean-to at 2:30. We finally arrived at the East Branch Lean-to at 500. Our day of 16.9 miles in 10 hours was complete. We shared the shelter with 2 nobo girls. It's 7:00!and I'm ready to hit the sleeping bag.
Date: 2015-08-25
From: East Branch lean-to

To: Jo-Mary Rd
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

August 25I was warm and cozy in the lean-to while it stormed throughout the night. In the morning we arose to an overcast day but no rain. I had to put on my still wet socks and slip into my damp boots, but I took it all with a grin as I prepared for my last day on the Appalachian Trail. Speck and I were out on the trail by 6:30. 3/10 of mile brought us to a river fording. The tips of hoppable rocks were showing and Speck and I managed to get across without falling in or getting our boots wet. From then on, the 11.8 miles were a piece of cake. Speck took some pictures of me, to have a record of my last day. She also had to endure some of my celebratory yips and remembrances of the Appalachian Trail. Thank you Speck, without you and the guys I would not have had the wonderful experience of having such fine traveling companions and the words of encouragement you all gave me as I tried to adapt myself to the Appalachian Trail in Maine.
Date: 2012-12-08
To: Getting ready
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Hello All,A few months ago I told my Mother that I was going to attempt to hike the AT. She said finally, you have been talking about this since you were 13. Well, I am now at a time in my life when I have the time and desire to do the thru hike. With the encourgement of my family and friends I will be off, leaving Georgia in mid March I hope to arrive in Maine by September. Save me a lobster roll, I am on the way!Last weekend I went on a short 5,5 mile hike over Kennesaw Mt. to start getting ready for the hike. With about 100 days left to go before I depart I need to really start taking the working out part a little more seriously. With work winding down I will have more time to hike longer distances and get better prepared. I plan to continue my training increasing the distance and frequency each week.As things progress from here I will post another update. Looking forward to seening you on the trail in the days ahead.
Date: 2012-12-18
To: Equipment -- Gear -- Oh My!!!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My search for new gear is becoming a daunting task. I have been reading the articles on the web for all the must have items, doing the research, going to the stores, playing with the stuff only to have someone say ¢have you tried out the xxxx yet? It is amazing.¢ and I am off to another store to look for xxxx. Fortunately or maybe unfortunately I haven¢t purchased much stuff yet. The list of items is still being made and refined. Trying to make sure that everything has a purpose, a good purpose not one that I just made up in my mind because I might need it on mile 750. No use lugging around a paperweight when there are rocks on the ground. One thing for sure that I have noticed is you can spend a small fortune on gear with no trouble at all.Which brings up the other question of the day ¢ How durable is all the ultra light weight gear vs. the light weight vs. oh my god how heavy is your pack? I don¢t want to spend Kings Ransom on an ultra light tent only to have it blow out two weeks into the trip because it is supper duper lightweight weight and doesn¢t hold up in a thunderstorm in the middle of the night. ¢Cause ya know it won¢t rip apart on a clear starry night.   No equipment ever malfunctions in fabulous weather.
Date: 2012-12-19
To: Telling Friends
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Time is getting a little closer to kick off, 85 days left until I depart. This is now starting to get a little more real. Since I have past the 90 day mark I have started to tell some of my friends and acquaintances that I am going to thru hike the Trail.   Wow, what funny looks and questions you get. I have now gotten the apparently obligatory (after reading other journals) question regarding getting eaten by wildlife. My response was that there are no tigers on the east coast of the US except in zoos, the bears eat berries not people and lions live out west. The next most interesting question so far is: Why? Of course that is the question of the year or life time. Keep reading here and you might be able to help me figure it all out.