morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-11
From: Medway, ME

To: Roaring Brook Campground
Miles today: 0.0

Made it to the Big K today. Was a little worried for the first couple miles, thought I was going to have to walk the forty miles to the mountain. After the first ride to Millinocket, the hitching became much easier. It was awesome, I got to jump in the back of a pickup truck (twice) like I used to see people do back in the 80s. But yes, I am here. I made it to the bunkhouse by noon, si I've had all day to chill out. I figured it would be good to rest because tomorrow is going to kick my ass. And yes, the flies are catching a beatdown. I am going 80s WWF style and droppin a Supafly Snucka on their bitchasses. Alright, 2 80's comments in one day... I am banning myself from any further writing today.
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Roaring Brook Campground

To: Lean-to on wrong side of katahdin
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: few clouds

Holy Shit, what a day. I guess there's a reason why people lon't carry full packs up and down Katahdin. The shitty thing is that they wouldn't let me go down the southbound side of the AT because the weather looked like it was going to get bad. So now I get to do it again tomorrow. Thats cool, it is amazingly gorgeaous up there. And there asre a couple benefits to this situation as well. When I summjited I was the only person on top os the mountain, which I am a huge fan of absolute solitude. Another thing is after I summited, an emergency chopper dad to pick some guy off the mountain, because he couldn't go down. I was about 50 yards fromthe whole thing going down. I got in on the recorder. And the last reason I don't mind going back up again is that it sets me apart from all the other thruhikers... I have five extra miles and I summited Katahdin twice with a full pack. Haha. Anyway, I started the day out kiking witha guy I met in the bunkhouse yesterday. He was doing an overnight trip then heading down to the Whites. We started off together, but after a mile and a half he took off ahead. A 100 mile wilderness full pack is impossible to keep up with a day pack. I felt like a sissy at first, but quickly realized the difference. The ranger let me stay in a lean to for free tonite, which was awesome because they're $30 a nite. WOW, I'm seriously beat!Birds Seen: American CrowRobin
Date: 2010-07-13
From: Lean-to on wrong side of katahdin

To: katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

I guess there's a reason people don't carry full packs up and down Katahdin 2 days in a row. Yesterday kicked my ass so bad that it made today twice as hard. Well, gong up atleast. As I begrudgingly trudged my way up the mountain for the second time, I realized Mt. Katahdin is no joke fo sho. But I was bound and determined to make it over the mountain and on with the trail. I think I was so annoyed going up because I had already don it AND it wasn't even an actual part of the AT. As soon as I hit the first white blaze I felt my attitude change dramatically. I had completely forgotten about the previous day's struggle and merrily went on my way. The clouds rolled in just as I reached the peak, which was pretty cool. I could have gotten some better pictures on the way down though. It was simply amazing. The trail turned into almost a knife's edge with these huge boulders to scramble down. Which, with a 47 pound pack was pretty interesting, let me tell you. it was funny, because it was so cloudy, there was almost no visibility for an hour. I was in a singing mood and e en belted briefly as a couple came to pass me, heading north. I was a bit embarrassed, but they said it was the best music they heard all day. I'd imagine it wasn't the only music they heard all day either I stayed at Katahdin Stream Campground for the evening. I met some Sobo's at the summit what dad extra room at their site and welcomed me in. A storm hit me about two miles from camp. It felt so good, I was starting to get really hot again. I'm definitely going to have to get some electrolytes when I get to Abol Bridge. I think drinking just water, like I've always done, is not healthy. So at least the ranger says. Not going to do anything tomorrow- my body is shot to shit.Birds Seen: Magpie????
Date: 2010-07-14
From: katahdin Stream Campground

To: katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Gonna give my body a break today. I beat it up pretty food the past two days. There's a flip flopper, Grapevine, staying the night as well, so we're going to share a site. He left his poles on the mountain and missed them on the way down, so he's going to wait for them. He banded his knee up as well. So, just gonna chill today and get my body back. All day we just sat around thinking of ways to get human food. it really sucked not being able to hike, but I guess it's reasonable to do the right thing and give my body a rest. Another flip, Itchy, joined us for the evening. She had high hopes of her friend showing up to pick her up and bring mucho food. Not such luck, she never showed. Hope she's alright.
Date: 2010-07-15
From: katahdin Stream Campground

To: Hurd Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4

I can't count how many times I said "WOOHOOO!" today. Or "Isn't this just the coolest thing in the world!" It was a really fun walk out of Baxter Park with so many interesting things. Two waterfalls, two stream fords and I walked a long a stream and river most of the day. I hiked at the same pace as Grapevine and he and I ended up in Abol Bridge at the same time. I got my much needed gatorade and the mac and cheese I've been craving so hard. My pack is soooooooo heavy, I need to cut some weight or just eat a shit ton of food. Today was the first day I actually felt like I was on the trail... hiking the AT finally. Katahdin was great, but there were so many day hikers, it didn't have that outdoorsy feeling if you know what I mean. Well, I'm in the 100 mile wilderness now, so I got nothing BUT outdoors!! I am so stoked. I keep meeting Nobos heading to the mountain to finish their thru, and its kind of funny because we both envy each other. Most of them that I've met would love to be able to keep hiking, while us starting out would love to be that close to accomplishing something so spectacular.Birds Seen: Ovenbird (Warbler)Barn Swallow
Date: 2010-07-16
From: Hurd Spring Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I started a rock collection. I've found some really cool ones so far. Not really, I just wanted to see who thought I was that dumb. Haha. You would actually think I did if you felt my pack. I'm trying to eat as much as possible to lighten my load. I'm starting to get a little bit of an appetite. Still don't really want to eat breakfast. But, in this world, if you don't eat you are screwed. Today was another fun one. I saw a baby snake briefly. I didn't really get a good look at it. I didn't realize there were any in Maine. The top of the hill had a great view of the big K, but I was too busy with the smorgasbord of blueberries up there, that I didn't give a rats ass about no stupid view. Haha. When I got down the hill, it brought me to Rainbow Stream Lake. I immediately found the first path to it and jumped in. Ahhhh. It was so humid and muggy today. I actually cooked lunch today, but then I cooked dinner anyway. Anything to get rid of this food. After lunch I was sitting by the lake and saw woe heads popping up out of the water. At first I thought maybe an otter. They dove under and would come back up 30 seconds to a minute later about 20 yards away. It was amazing. They looked like loons, but were actually cormorants. I watched them for a bit, then headed on. I missed seeing a moose in the lake on my way to the shelter. Bummer. When I got here, there was a guy named Crock (Crockatoa) who I had me back at the base of Katahdin. We hung out and cooked dinner, and he gave me some parkay and dried milk for my mac n cheese, which was fanfuckingtastic, by the way. So I had another box for dessert. Who cares, I'm already 2 belt rungs down so whatever. Oh yeah, so I received my trail name yesterday. Grapevine had been pushing to call me Two Times, but I was a bit reluctant. His stubbornness brought everyone to think about it and a kid named Branch came up with "Why2K." You know, with the whole summiting twice with a full pack thing. I decided that is pretty fitting and am now allowing people not to address me by my royal name of ArionBirds Seen:   Double-Crested CormorantsP.S. This is the most beautiful lean to set-up I have seen. It's about 25 feet from a stream. Almost like I want my home to be like in the future. Absolutely Gorgeous.
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Lake Nahamtaka beach
Miles today: 11.0

"If it's the beaches, if it's the beach's sands you want, then you will have them." I know these past couple days have been low mileage days, but its damn near impossible to not want to stop at all these great places. Last nights lean-to was picturesque. If I can,k I would like my home one day to be just like it. I heard there were some sandy beaches, si I decided to crash here tonite cowboy style. Looks e like some clouds are rolling in, so probably hot many stars tonite. Its all good. i just saw my first bird of the day as I started writing. Well, first one close enough to identify. There was a gorge this morning that I got to walk along for a couple miles, so I dipped my upper body in the one part. Thats the great thing about Maine, water is abundant. I jumped in the lake when I got to camp., It was perfect after a hot day. Speaking of perfect, the two cool ass mofos was chillin with some lemonade at the first beach, just waiting for a cool as mofo like me to come along. I also scored a chips ahoy and 4 caramels. WORD! Ah, I could go for a lemonade right about now. But any way, I can't tell you how many times I've bent down to pick up a piece of trash and it turned out to be birch bark. Ridiculous how clean the trail is here compared to PA. I've only had to pick up one piece of duct tape that probably fell off someones shoe. For being the 100 mile wilderness, its not all that remote. I mean you can go to the store in like a day and a half from now if you want and get a 1 pound burger and stay at a hotel. I guess you can't ever really get away from everything. Like Into The Wild, where the last shot of the move starts on his body in the bus in the wilderness, then pans up to a plane way up in the sky. I see what that kid was trying to get at- trying to get away from it all. One day hopefully briefly I can do that with someone. Alright, gonna try ti hit 18.6 tomorrow... going BIG.Birds Seen: Common Loon
Date: 2010-07-18
From: Lake Nahamtaka beach

To: Cooper Springs Lean-tp
Miles today: 18.6

Extraordinary day. This morning I came across 2 moose eating in the stream. A mother and her little one. Then I saw a kingbird. After that, a yellow bellied sapsucker (cool) and almost stepped on about five snakes. A plethora of wildlife. I met 2 women from NE PA who want us to do our fracking play at a bunch of their schools. Awesome Trail!! Beautiful lean-to with a waterfall and swimming hole. The reason I wanted to make it here.Birds Seen: KingbirdYellow Bellied SapsuckerP.S. What a small world. Just met a man that lived two houses down from me for three years in State College. Wierldly AmazingP.P.S. My farts are making me hungry. They smell like my seasonings
Date: 2010-07-19
From: Cooper Springs Lean-tp

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 8.1

Such a beautiful rainy day today. Decided to stop a bit early today. Yesterday made me not like pushing for big mile days. It makes the day uncomfortable. Obviously down the road in less scenic areas I won't mind as much, but for now I'm going to keep a more relaxed attitude. I had a great dinner concoction- brown rice with peanut butter and garlic and salt. Gonna be a favorite, I can tell. Makes me miss making stir-fry for Ian though. Everybody caught up with me this afternoon. Carebear stayed at Whitehouse landing for the night, so I'm caught up[ with everyone who left the day before me. I;m gonna take it easy and plan on hitting Monson Saturday morning an maybe doing a work for stay deal. We'll see. Definitely taking a zero day Saturday no matter what. Somethings telling me I should relax a little before getting to these dreaded White mountains. Gonna call it an early night. Holy shit- I just figured out this bird I've been hearing all summer. Sweet!Birds seen: Veery (Thrush)
Date: 2010-07-20
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Carl Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Skeeterville, Skeeterville, draws more blood than your peter will. Sung to the spiderman tune. That was my song of the morning. We alll got eaten alove this morning, and all last night. Today was a a tough one. I know there will be many more like it, but White Cap Mtn ain't no joke, bitches. They did have some nice steps going up at the top. Beautiful view, a little cloudy so Katahdin wasn't visible. It keeps getting farther and farther away I think the reason today was tough was because it was so slippery. Having rained all day yesterday, the roots and rocks sucked ass like donkey cock. I almost bit it a few times. We all did. I'm still hiking with Grapevine. Loadstone is with us too, but he started the day before us We keep pretty much the same pace, but I;m sure they're going to push farther the next couple of days. Check this out, I have the lean to to myself tonite. Unless someone comes, but unlikely. Just me and the mice. So I heard this bird this morning that I just heard and sort of saw fly by a bout an hour ago. It was hard to see through the trees though. It looked like an egret or something, but it flew with a long neck out. hmmm.Bird Seen today: Blue JayBig Mystery Bird
Date: 2010-07-21
From: Carl Newhall Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

Its amazing how smells can take you back to certain places. There are so many beautiful scents here, it's ridiculous. Today I was reminded of the walks up to Pulpit Rock at Papoose Pond. i miss camping there. The first half of the day was a great slight decline which then turned into another big climbing day. It's great, it's getting me ready for the Whites. Some really cool trail majick right before the mountain. A previous thru left a cooler of cold sodas and moonpies (homemade). Amazing. Stayed at eh lean-to tonite because its supposed to rain all night and morning. Its been T-storming for the past hour, which has been cool because we are near the top of a mountain. There';s no water here though. The "spring" is dry so I'm feelin kinda thirsty. Have to wait til morning to get some agua. We haven't passed any Nobos for two days, so there was no one to tell us about the water shortage. Oh well, could be worse.Birds Seen: Female Downy Woodpecker
Date: 2010-07-22
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Slugundy Gorge (stealth)
Miles today: 11.5

100 mile mark!! Alright, only 2078 to go. Haha. I can definitely do it. I'm starting to feel the flow of it today. The whole wake up, pack, walk, unpack, eat, sleep thing. Found a great stealth site right in the gorge. I'm sleeping about 2 1/2 feet from a 3 ft waterfall. It has a little swimming hole that I just submerged myself in. I'm under a big rock ledge on a moss covered rock about 2 feet wide. Gorge-ous. Wow, yes I just did that. I met the trail angels from yesterdays magnificent find. Whispering Pine and her sister Tall Pine (who did a tarzan call for me as I left). They heard me singing form the viewpoint and thought there was a bunch of people up there. "If I were king of the forrrrest..." Supernice people though. It was great on that ledge. The wind was blowing the rain sideways at my face. I put my softshell on and began to sing. The mountains are so majestic when it rains. While I stopped to wet my whistle today, a yellow-throated warbler flew up and perched about a foot from my head. Really cool. I love today.Birds Seen: Common Yellow Throated Warbler
Date: 2010-07-23
From: Slugundy Gorge (stealth)

To: Leeman Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Scored some gatorade from some Quebecians who had to turn around and go home because they had too much food. Carebear and Grapevine scored some sweet dinners which I missed because I was eating berries. Gatorade kicks ass though. So, I need to make a patch for my pack that says "I break for berries." Seriously. I found some red raspberries today and then some serious blueberry patches at the end of the day. Can't wait to get to Monson. No identifiable birds today I need some binoculars.
Date: 2010-07-24
From: Leeman Brook Lean-to

To: Rt. 15 Lakeshore House Monson
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

Katahdin, check...check. 100 mile Wilderness, check. Now just have to get through the Whites! Sure was nice to get a shower today. 2 weeks and a day, not that I was counting. I got to do a work for stay, which is bangin. 3 hours of work to stay for free is nice. Clothes are clean, ready to go dirty them up. Probably stay here one more day. There's a band that's playing tomorrow on the waterfront, which I'd like to see because I haven't heard live music in quite some time now. A bunch of Nobo's showed up today and filled the place up. They put Dead Poets society in the VCR and started drinking beer. About 20 minutes into it I decided to walk outside and saw that there was a beautiful mist on the lake. I jumped in a kayak and paddled out to the middle of the lake and sat there. Ahhh. On the way out, and in, I passed 2 loons and 2 baby loons. I drifted right up to them about 20 feet away. I didn't want to get any closer and make them nervous. It was awesome though. Great Day. Good to give my body a little rest.Birds Seen: Common Loon
Date: 2010-07-25
From: Rt. 15 Lakeshore House Monson

To: Rt. 15 Lakeshore House Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Had to hit up Shaws "all you can eat" breakfast this morning. A cool ass kid from Hoboeken NJ made me go, he even gave me the money because I told him it wasn't in the budget. Way too cool. I put the AYCE to the test, and found out that it really isn't, because me and a couple other kids got flagged. I was full though. Listening to the band now and writing my journals in all day because there's so much from the first two weeks, I didn't want to burden Ian. Just chillin today though. Awesome.
Date: 2010-07-26
From: Rt. 15 Lakeshore House Monson

To: Rt. 15 Lakeshore House Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, another day in paradise, literally. Rebekah (owner of the hotel) asked me if I would be willing to stay another day and shuttle someone to Stratton tomorrow for some money and a free night stay. After .5 seconds of thoughtful consideration, I decided "hellz yeah!" So I did some chores around here, some driving around town and some dishes and also scored a two course dinner (lobster roll, pot roast) and a brownie sundae. Taking another zero isn't the best thing logistically, but this opportunity could not be passed up. I'll have to make the miles up on the trail. I did get to contact Keen today about my boots. They were superhelpful about sending me new boots in the next town, and I don't even have to send the old ones back. I think it's good to skip Stratton and head right to Rangeley. Its gonna be a tough 100 from the looks of it, but I have a shit ton of food that has to get eaten. My pack is a bag of bricks again. REBEKAH ROCKS!! and she keeps telling me how much I rock. She said if I stay another day she's gonna have to keep me for good because I am a kickass cleaner. Tempting, but I'll take the wilderness.
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Rt. 15 Lakeshore House Monson

To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.0

It's weird driving a car. Unlike walking in the woods, if you look away for a second you don't swerve ha ha. I dropped Tennessee off at the trail head in Stratton. As I did, a girl came out going sobo and was hitching, so I gave her a ride. Ate lunch at the hotel when I got back, collected my money and was on the trail by 2. Got some sweet trail magic from the trail angel, Strider. He has a cooler filled with soda and ice, with a printout of the weather report and all. Dude's the man!! Then I forded the stream without stepping in the water. Beautiful beaver dam. I didn't feel like getting my boots wet, since today was the first time since I left that they were dry when i put them on. It was nice. Tomorrow will be the 2nd day. It's nice to be back on the trail again. Though it was comfortable at the hostel. Rebecca really didn't want me to go. She even started making the beds like I did, she like my work so much. Ha Ha. well, I'm ready to hit these upcoming slopes. Gotta start getting tough real quick like.Birds Seen: Loon, Downy Woodpecker
Date: 2010-07-28
To: Horshoe Canyon Leanto - Moxie Bald Leanto
Miles today: 8.9

Either a short day tomorrow or today. Today. Shelter on lake is nice. the company here is nice. Saw a Thrush being eaten by a snake today. Weird. I guess the snake couldn't digest it because a saw it later on the side of the trail.Birds seen: Thrush
Date: 2010-07-29
From: Moxie Bald lean-to

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: few clouds

The best combination ever - oreo cookies dipped in peanut butter and nutella washed down with dehydrated milk (re-hydrated of course). It was phenomenal. They should change the name of Pleasant Pond Mountain to Fake Summit mountain. There was about 10 times I thought it was the summit, and it was not. Good times though, Two beautiful peaks today. I could see the Bigelows from both, and they look scary. It was so nice having a charged battery for my phone. I got perfect reception up there. it's so nice to talk to my family> it really does something for the soul. got in just before dark because I spent a bunch of time at the top of Moxie bald. it was the last view of Katahdin, which was not much of a view, it was a sliver of a view, 150 miles away. It's nice to see it go though.
Date: 2010-07-30
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond lean-to
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: broken clouds

So I woke up a little later than I wanted to, and realized it was 9 o'clock this morning and I had to make it 6.2 miles to the Kerebee Ferry by 11:00.I skipped breakfast and ate a snickers on the run. I made it to the ferry with 20 minutes to spare, which was good because the roots and rocks were kicking me arse. The second half of the walk today I just chilled out and mosied my way along a sweet river with a bunch of great waterfalls. I was going to push out 10 more miles, but Pierce Pond is just too nice, gonna save the cranking out miles for the more boring mid-atlantic states> But, tonight I cowboy on the lake again, perfect, well almost. I had a 3 course meal for dinner which was spectacular. First meal was Quinoa and sun dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, and mesquite. Second mac and cheese with basil, third spicy chicken ramen with peanut butter, peanuts, garlic. 1 & 3 were phenomenal. The sad thing is that I could have eaten more, it's weird, sometimes I could eat everything in my bag and other times I have to shove it down to eat it. I'm doing better eating and getting calories so I have energy going up hills. Main is beautiful!