morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-22
From: perimeter road, Katahdin Sream Campground

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: few clouds

Today was the romantic¢s version of what hiking the AT should be like. Bob dropped me off at the trailhead & I headed into the woods of Baxter State Park to spot a moose. I immediately passed beautiful ponds, walking on bog bridges made of half logs. I spied a beautiful deer in the water at the edge of Elbow Pond, but when I tried to open my camera case, the sound of the Velcro separating spooked it. I put my camera in the pocket of my shorts, so I¢d have it handy when I found my moose! I walked leisurely, wearing only a daypack & followed each side trail to see waterfalls and viewpoints. About midway, I came upon a very challenging stream (river!) crossing where a bridge had washed out from the recent rain & high water. I put my camera back in it¢s case & put that in a ziplock baggy of trail mix. It took me about 15 minutes to maneuver my way across a jumble of logs, rocks, & boards, but I didn¢t fall in! Remember¢¦I¢m still pretty sore & bending my legs is painful! Most of the walk has bordered either ponds, streams, or rivers. Sometimes I¢d be surrounded by huge cedar trees and the ground all around would be covered with lush moss. At other times, I would find myself up to my elbows in huge ferns & felt like I was in a tropical rainforest. Baxter Park is truly a magical place!   I heard a sound sort of like a high pitched grunt. It sounded like a sound Bob makes when he calls alligators (yes, for those of you who don¢t know him¢he does things like that!). I looked into the woods & at first thought it was a deer. But, then, as it moved, I realized it was a moose calf! I know to be cautious in a situation such as this & was looking everywhere for signs of Mom or Dad moose. I s-l-o-w-l-y removed my camera from its case¢darn that Velcro--& began moving along the trail parallel to the little moose. It did not seem to be particularly afraid of me & kept making that sound & looking at me as if to say, ¢Are you my mama?¢ There is a children¢s book of similar title that I was reminded of. Anyway, he came right out on the trail and looked at me. I spent about 15 minutes watching him before heading on down the trail. Never did see any sign of those negligent parents! That evening, at Abol Bridge, we saw 3 more moose!It¢s a chilly, cozy evening in the camper with a magnificent view of Katahdin over the pond behind our campsite. ¢We do not go to the green woods & crystal waters to rough it, we go to smooth it out. We get it rough at home¢¦¢                           Old Nessmuk
Date: 2005-06-23
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

I left Bob at the camper at 6:30 a.m. to enter the 100 mile wilderness. Skies were blue & temperature was in the upper 30s. Perfect backpacking day! I¢m carrying a fairly light load, as I¢ll only be out one night. This promises to be a very long day. 15 miles is a long way to walk on a first day carrying a full pack, but 15 today & 10 tomorrow will get me to the South end of Nahmakanta Lake where Bob will meet me. This will put me in the Jo-Mary Lakes area where I will then be able to do some more slackpacking. For my non-hiking friends, slackpacking is hiking with only a daypack & is, of course, much easier than backpacking which necessitates carrying tent, food, & all of the other necessary gear. I am not doing the romantic¢s version today. Today is WORK! I¢m not looking for moose. I¢ve got to make some miles today. Scenery in the woods is rich and vibrant. I reach steps created by the hard work of trail maintainers that just go up & up¢probably 200 feet! I really appreciate the hard work it took to place so many rocks strategically to make the climb up to Rainbow Ledges a little easier. The view at the top was great, but I must keep moving. I pass 14 boyscouts on a bog bridge¢I¢m able to step aside. I reach beautiful Rainbow Lake. The trail terrain is really rough, with lots of rocks, roots, mud, ups & downs! I was walking along, heard a sound, & crash! A tree fell down just ahead & to the left of the trail! What are the chances of that? Makes you think more seriously about tenting! I stopped to cook an early supper beside the lake and a spring because I know it will be late by the time I reach the lean-to. I arrive at 5:40, tired, but in good shape. No blisters, yet! There is a nice couple there. He is a northbounder (Nobo) who will finish 4 months to the day of starting. His girlfriend is doing the 100 mile wilderness & Katahdin with him. They were tenting, so I decided to stay in the lean-to that overlooks the stream. ¢Advice to older hikers on hard climbs. Stop now & then for a heart beat or two. But never stop long. A minute will do.¢                                                Earl Shaffer
Date: 2005-06-24
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: S. End of Nahmakanta Lake
Miles today: 10.7

I slept fairly well, but think it will be awhile before trying a lean-to (a 3-sided shelter) again. The feeling of little mouse feet running across my sleeping bag is not conducive to sound sleep! The bothersome little critters managed to chew into my food bag even though I hung it in the prescribed fashion. I will have to replace the mesh bag with nylon. I¢m told that mice don¢t like nylon.Very tough trail today! Lots of roots, rocks, & deep, black mud! The climb of Nesuntabunt Mountain wasn¢t all that bad until I was distracted by the sight of another hiker ahead (I don¢t normally catch up with anyone!) & I tripped on a little branch that stuck out right at ankle level. I took a pretty hard tumble & landed face first a few feet below on the trail. I took a quick inventory of my body parts & determined that everything still worked, hoisted myself up, which is hard with a pack on, & moved on. I usually fall down on the first day of a backpacking trip, so I guess I did good to make it to the 2nd day with my pack. I arrived at our designated meeting place 4 hours early. I hope Bob gets here before the blackflies carry me off.¢Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms¢to choose one¢s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one¢s own way¢¦Man¢t inner strength may raise him above his outward fate.¢                                                Viktor Frankl                                Viennese psychiatrist imprisoned in Nazi Camp
Date: 2005-06-25
From: S. End of Nahmakanta Lake

To: Jo-Mary Road @ Cooper Brook Bridge
Miles today: 15.2

Bob dropped me off at the trailhead this morning for a long "slackpack." Temperature in the 90s is promised. The trail was much easier early in the day & followed the lovely Nahmakanta Stream for the entire morning. My left ankle and foot are bothering me. Maybe I have an injury from yesterday's fall after all. I came across two groups of LLBean trail maintainers. LL Bean maintains an 18 mile section of trail in this area. I watched them work as I ate my lunch at the Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to. They cleaned the privy, cleaned out the firepit, sanded graffiti off the walls of the shelter, etc. I've always been a fan of LL Bean merchandise and now I have even more reason to appreciate the company. Trail maintenance is hard work! Near the end of my day, I was coming across a bog bridge (a half log & requires those balance beam skills we had when we were 12)when I startled a big, beautiful black bear who ran away as fast as he could! He had a lush coat & looked just like the Maine black bears I saw a few months ago at the Dreher Park Zoo. Tomorrow I am going to rest my foot and air my blisters. It was a very hot day today!
Date: 2005-06-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Bob and I spent a leisurely morning at Jo-Mary Lake Campground, then went to Millinocket in search of internet access. We ended up at Katahdin Shadows, a private campground where we stayed before going to Baxter State Park. We were able to do laundry there and upload some pictures. We had a great Sunday dinner at the Appalachian Trail Cafe in Millinocket. Left ankle is swollen and the foot is discolored. I have a blister on each heel and a rash (from the heat, I think) on my ankles. I'm a mess! Are we having fun, yet??
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Jo-Mary Road @ Cooper Brook Bridge

To: Kokadjo-B Pond Road
Miles today: 6.9

Today I completed a very easy and short slackpack. I actually hiked backwards from Kokadjo-B Pond Road back to Jo-Mary Road where I left off day before yesterday. I'm trying to go easy on the ankle and foot. The left ankle wants to constantly roll out. I've decided to cut back my mileage. I want to enjoy and complete this trip! I've gotten to know some of the other hikers in the area and met quite a few of them today since I was hiking in the opposite direction. There is a plethora of 15 to 30 year old guys. There's also quite a few other solo female hikers. I do not feel at all unsafe on the trail, although I would feel better if I were not such a klutz! Bob met me with a yummy, hot hamburger from the Jo-Mary Campground Store and a Bud Light! I was already sitting with my feet soaking in the creek! Life is soooo...good!
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Kokadjo-B Pond Road

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today's hike was all uphill and it was very hot! I'm in my tent tonight. The shelter has 4 boys in their teens--all very nice young men. Three just graduated from HS and the other (solo) is only 15. He seems very mature and is undoubtedly gifted (as a former gifted teacher, I can spot them!). He called his mom to check in on a satellite phone. Nothing else works up here. I can't even get good radio, so I'm missing the President's address tonight. What a shame! It was a hard day, but the "kids" are complaining, too. Foot, ankle, blisters don't seem any worse for wear! Tomorrow, I will complete the climb up Whitecap Mountain and 3 other peaks!
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Carl Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

I left Logan Brook Lean-to at 6:30 a. m. in hopes of avoiding the heat. I reached the exposed (above treeline) summit at 9:00. There were some views, but most of the surrounding mountain ranges were fogged in. Rain clouds were on the horizon. Later, it did drizzle, but never really rained. I was thankful for the cloud cover as I climbed 4 mountains today! The terrain continues to challenge my ability to be balanced and surefooted. I have fallen nearly every day, but none seriously except for the first time. My blisters and injured ankle are doing better, but I am very slow. I'm slow going up because it's hard. I'm slow going down in order to concentrate on the placement of each foot. I saw my 4th moose today! She stood right on the trail in front of me, looked me over, and ambled off into the woods! I'm actually sleeping in the shelter again tonight. I'm hearing lots of thunder reverberating off the mountains & I don't want to hassle with a wet tent in the morning. Plus, I wasn't really very happy with my tent. I have a few things to still get worked out. I meet Bob in the morning & will be taking four days off in order to spend time with him before he heads back to Florida. I had hoped to be through the 100 Mile wilderness by July 1st, but that is not to be. It will be nice to have a few days off. We're going to visit a Bernese Mountain Dog breeder that we met a few years ago. Although we don't currently own one, Berners are our favorite breed & we have owned 2 in the past.
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Carl Newhall Lean-to

To: West Branch of the Pleasant River
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night I shared the lean-to with 5 other hikers! I didn't know whether I would be comfortable in this situation, but I was fine. And, there were no mice! Maybe if you have enough people, the mice stay away! I was awake early and was on the trail by 5:30 a. m. I didn't know what time Bob would be at the trailhead to meet me, but I was anxious to get there. The hike was all downhill and the terrain was a little more friendly, so it should have been an easy walk. But...there's always a "but"...the blackflies and mosquitos were wicked! I first coated myself with Badger Bug Balm, a natural, nonchemical insect repellent that smells good and has been working pretty well. I figured out early on that I must not have put enough on and I added some more. When that didn't work, I resorted to Ben's with Deet--a poison. I was still getting bit. So, I developed a rhythm--walk and swat, walk and swat...It's a beautiful area, but it was hard to stop and appreciate the beautiful scenery with all of the bugs. To make matters worse, I can always tell that I am the first person on the trail because I get all the spider webs in my face! They really stick to the bug balm! I reached the river, which required fording, at a few minutes before 9:00. I knew Bob probably wouldn't be there so early, but before I even took my pack off I heard a car & looked up the road & there was the camper rolling towards me! What timing! I'm taking the next 4 days off, then Bob will be heading for home. It's hard to imagine not having the security of knowing that I will see him every couple of days. We will be heading up to Dover-Foxcroft where we will hopefully have cell service and internet. Thanks to everyone who has signed my guestbook, and especially to all of you who have made donations to the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches in honor of my hike. I hear that the fundraising is going well, which makes this whole experience more special than if it were all just something for me.
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Side trail to Chairback Pond

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I climbed Third Mountain, reaching Monument Cliffs, Fourth Mountain (I guess they have run out of names for all of these mountains!), and never-ending Barren Mountain! Overall, my body feels good, but the ankle is getting worse again. It was boulders, and more boulders; up and more UP, UP, UP! For the first time, I¢m not sure that I can continue with this ankle on this terrain. I knew Bob would be in Pennsylvania by tonight, so when I reached the summit of Fourth Mountain, I dug out my cell phone on the remote chance of getting a signal. Amazingly, I reached him & asked him to please wait until I get out of the wilderness. He agreed to return to Freeport and wait to hear from me. It was a long, painful day to the Long Pond Stream Lean-to. Storms were threatening as I finally arrived. Two other girls were in the shelter and a group of boys from a Maine camp were tenting. The girls are just hiking Maine and New Hampshire. They have backpacked together for the past four summers and reassured me that this was a very hard section of trail. There are many boy¢s camp groups on the trail, but I have been very impressed with how well-behaved and managed the groups have been. Unlike the Boy Scouts, who seem to travel in huge groups of 14, the camp groups are usually limited to about six or eight. The kids are always very respectful and helpful. One of the boys was kind enough to fill my water bottle down at the stream, so I wouldn¢t have to hobble down there. It is thundering and pouring rain, but I am safe and cozy in the shelter. Oh, I forgot to mention that I saw another moose today! This time it was a large male, who didn¢t hang around long enough for me to get a good look. I think this is my third sighting on the trail, not including those seen from the Abol Bridge campsite. I have met many hikers who have not seen a single moose. I think I see them because I am solo and slow! I still have not heard a loon.
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Leeman Brook Lean-to

To: Side trail to Monson, Maine
Miles today: 6.3

I don¢t think I slept much at all last night. I was warm, but my ankle throbbed all night and my whole body is aching. Yesterday¢s fall has taken its toll. I was on the trail early and managed to climb down the ravine in my camp shoes, crossed the stream, and then filled my water bottles and put on my wet boots and fresh, dry socks. It was a struggle getting myself up and out of the ravine, but then the going was a little easier. It was a beautiful morning. I found myself crying off and on. I can¢t believe that I am such a KLUTZ! I can¢t enjoy the trail like this and know it¢s dumb to try to keep going. Yet, I also know that maybe just a few days of healing & I could keep going. I¢ll have to see.   Guess what? As I passed near Lily Pond I heard a loon!! That eerie sound fit my mood perfectly. I stopped to take a picture of beautiful Bell Pond. I reached Highway 15 early & knowing that it would be a couple of more hours before Bob would be here, I crossed and walked the final 3.3 miles through beautiful woods to the side trail to Monson. The morning sun filters through the leaves and makes interesting dappling patterns on the trees and ground. I am so sad. My feet, arm, and ankle are telling me that I¢ve made the right decision for now. I reach the side trail and then the road into Monson. Bob isn¢t there, so I start walking. Finally, I can go no more and just sit down on a rock at the side of the road and wait. It¢s only about 15 minutes before he arrives. I know that he really wanted me to succeed on this journey, but he¢s also very happy to see me. We have cheeseburgers and milkshakes at the Monson General Store before heading to Freeport for a hot bath and lobster dinner. I¢m thinking of having him drop me off in Virginia where the terrain wouldn¢t be so rough & might allow the ankle and arm to heal. He¢s concerned about Hurricane Dennis who may head for the Appalachians after it slams the gulf coast of Florida. I¢m on such an emotional edge and keep crying off and on all afternoon. I¢m beginning to get sore all over. My arm is badly bruised and I can¢t raise it. Bob thinks I¢ve torn the muscle. Last summer at the Florida Sheriff¢s Conference, Sheriff Bob Milner told everyone that I was going to hike the AT ¢until I was done.¢ I always appreciated that language because I was never positive that I could or would be able to complete the entire trail. Then, I had the opportunity to use this trip to benefit the Youth Ranches. I began to believe that I could, and would, be a thru-hiker. Now, I realize that I probably won¢t finish the trail this year and so I am a section-hiker. I may be down, but I am not out! For all of you who have made pledges based on miles, don¢t put away your checkbooks, yet! As soon as I can walk again, I will be back on the trail somewhere.
Date: 2005-08-04
To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Leaving On a Jet Plane!The decision has been made. I fly out of West Palm Beach on August 30th. I will fly into Reagan National, take the Metro up to Union Station, and then the MARC (Maryland Commuter Train) out to Harper's Ferry. It will be interesting to see if I interest law enforcement or security, since I will be wearing my pack. After breakfast on the 31st, I will go to the outfitter's to buy my fuel, check in at the AT Conservancy headquarters, and hit the trail!I am not able to leave any sooner because I am still under doctor's orders not to lift anything heavier than 5 pounds before that time. My torn tricep is feeling much better, though, & I expect to be good as new by the end of the month. Now, if the weather will just cool down a bit!I decided to start at Harper's Ferry for several reasons--the least of which is the easy access to the trail. I know that even if I started in Maine, there is no way that I would be able to finish the entire trail by winter. Therefore, there really is no sense in being so far from home. At this point, I like the idea of being no more than two days from South Florida. Finally, I am still doing this as a fundraiser for the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches. I have raised over $16,000 for this worthy cause, but there are a few people who have made pledges by the mile. I can make better time & more miles on the southern half of the trail, which equates to more money for needy kids.I made a trip up to Orlando to Travel Country, an outfitter with staff trained in Phil Oren's Fit System, to have my boot situation evaluated. In two seconds I was told that my Montrail boots are good boots & one of their best sellers, but totally wrong for my feet. It seems that I have "high volume" feet because I have very high arches. My boots were "low volume." The manager at Travel Country spent an hour and a half showing me boots and having me try them on. In the end, I purchased a pair of Vasque Breeze. They are lighter, but still are high enough to provide the ankle support I need. I've worn them around the neighborhood & so far, so good. Keep your fingers crossed that my feet will perform better & keep me upright this time!I have to confess that my long fascination for the AT has always been with the idea of a long, continuous journey, and that I've lost some of my passion for this endeavor as a section hike. But, I have long believed in the old "bloom where you are planted" philosophy and so, for now, a section hike it is. Hopefully, next summer (following my son, Adam's, wedding), I will be back up North to tackle the southern half of Maine & points south. In the meantime, I'm looking into the feasibility of using a Blackberry so I can get my journal entries on-line daily. So, starting August 31st...come along with me!Thanks to all of you who followed my journey and sent warm, caring messages of concern after my fall. You mean everything to me!
Date: 2005-09-01
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: broken clouds

The first thing I noticed today was how much later it gets daylight. In Maine, it would be light enough to start packing up at 5 a.m. This morning it was after 6 before it seemed to make sense. But, I was wide awake! However, it was so pleasant that I took my time. I sat on the porch in a comfy wicker chair and ate my granola while watching hummingbirds dart back & forth to the feeder hanging just outside a few feet away. I left the hostel about 7:45 & began the steep climb back up to the trail. I was on the AT heading south again by 8:00. Originally, I had not planned to stop at Bears Den because it would be such a short day, but a couple of people have recommended it to me & I decided that I just might want to take advantage of the opportunity to have a few amenities. The trail today was mostly very rocky, with several challenging ascents. It sort of reminds me of N. Georgia and the Blood Mountain area. I passed a rocky overlook called Cresent Rock where some camp kids were going to be learning to rock climb. The counselor took my picture in front of a view of W. Virginia's Allegheny Mountains in the background. A few minutes on south, I met a northbound section hiker who had stayed at Bears Den last night & he said I should not miss it. Just after that, I crossed the stateline into Virginia. It was getting very hot & I decided to go to the hostel. I had to cross Hwy. 7, which is a 4 lane busy highway. When I got across I had trouble locating the trail. I find that signage and directions in the guidebooks is often geared to the northbound hiker & may not be obvious at all to someone coming from the other direction. You had to walk about a quarter of a mile on the shoulder of the road. I didn't like that very much. Even though it is a short day & I could certainly go further, I really don't have to. This place has a very comfortable bunkroom (if I'm lucky, I'll have it to myself!), a kitchen & food that can be purchased. There's a washer & dryer and a REAL bathroom INDOORS with a real tub, hot water, & a flush toilet! These are all things we take for granted at home, but come to really appreciate on the trail. This is giving me the chance to update my journal on their computer, which is easier than the Blackberry. I probably will not sleep inside again until Skyland Lodge in Shenandoah National Park, which is about a week away. I should be a new hiker by the time I leave tomorrow. I'm hoping that it won't be too long before the terrain gets a little less rocky.