morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-08-21
From: Little Haystack Mountain Summit

To: Zero Day -- Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

It's been awhile since I have had the energy to write. I'll do my best to sum up the last bunch of days. The Whites are absolutely amazing in every way. After more than half of this hike spent in pouring rain, mud, and enough mosquitos to send a person to the nut house, we have had perfect weather with one day of a little fog. We deserve this beauty. After a pretty sunset on Haystack, I woke up at 5am to crawl back up to the top to watch the sunrise from my sleeping bag. That day we walked the Franconia ridge, which was about 5 miles above tree line. It's been so clear that Maine can be seen. We are within arms-reach of hitting our last state! These gigantic mountains are in layers upon layers, just as you would see in a photo. We've spent 2 glorious nights in the AMC huts. I have heard mostly bad things about how thru-hikers are treated by the hut crew, but thankfully we had great experiences. We signed up for the work-for-stay in exchange for a nice meal and a roof over our heads. Katchup and I cleaned and organized the refrigerators and freezers, Rocket scrubbed the stove, and Grommet cleaned the attic. Their dirty work gets done for free, we get to stuff our faces. Not a bad deal for lasagna and blueberry coconut cake! The crew even made a ton of extra macaroni to keep us satisfied; they were more than accomodating. The next night was spent in another hut, and we all did dishes as our work-for-stay. They fed us soup, homemade vegan veggie burgers, ham and chocolate raspberry cake, and an abundance of wine. This hut was much smaller, so sleeping arrangements were tight. People slept on floors, benches and tables, I took a table. Comfort at its finest! From there we climbed the beastly Mt. Washington. The day started out pretty foggy, but as luck would have it, it burned off long enough for some stellar views of the summit. I think someone recently stepped in crap; the weather in the Whites is typically cold at this time of year. However, we did not have a single cold night. The Presidential Range is a part of the Whites, equally as amazing as Franconia and above tree line as well. I sure do love these mountains, but they are so exhausting; 12 miles is a good day. Today we are resting. Tomorrow, Rocket and I are slack-packing 20 miles in the Wildcats, yikes! We are getting a super-early start and meeting Angela at the end of the day. Should be interesting. I hope the 20 miles don't kill us!
Date: 2009-08-24
From: Trident Tent site

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: light rain

Well, here we are, in the 14th and final state, Maine. According to the border sign, it's the way life should be. I just about peed my pants when we got to the sign. I also almost cried. I don't feel like I walked all this way; however, it's incredible to be here. We have been walking almost half a year, slugging through mud up and down mountains in the rain and fending off mosquitos. Here we are in Maine, and things are starting to feel weird.On another note, Angela is hiking with us and we are happy to have company. I hope these mountains don't kick her butt too much and she has fun. So far it rained on us most of yesterday and most of today. I'd head for the hills if I were her! We heard the weather should be really nice the rest of the week, and I hope that's true. Tomorrow is the Mahoosic Notch, one of the most talked-about sections. It is the hardest mile on the trail but Southbounders are saying it is just super slow so I am not worrying. We have hiked this far, and it'll get done.Lots of changes have happend with our group, again. Rocket and I are hiking together, we had to split off from Katchup and Grommet for personal reasons. We are not Packadivas anymore; I decided we should abandon the group name. Muster is meeting back up with us in a few days and we hope Nutmeg and Billyhoot catch back up before summiting. I really hope we get to finish with them and Muster. Everything happens for a reason, I need to keep telling myself that. Hurry back Muster, we miss you! Note: Details on "Carlo Col Shelter" are available at: http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/at/m.php?wpt=CarloCol.
Date: 2009-08-25
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Stealth Campsite past Mahoosuc Notch
Miles today: 7.5

The weather cleared up in time for the Mahoosuc Notch. We had a few nasty storms roll through the last 2 days from the hurricanes. Haven't we had enough rain yet? Maine is a beautiful extension of New Hampshire, only with mud 2 feet deep. Bog logs are buried completely under water, or just lost in the mud. I sure hope all of Maine isn't this boggy and muddy. So the highlight of today was of course the Notch. I wouldn't hike it again if someone paid me! The first 10 minutes were fun, but the remaining 2 hours of it sucked. There were house-sized boulders we climbed, scooted down, crawled across, got completely scraped up on, beaten by, slid off, fell into, you name it. I have never felt so battered in my life! To fit through certain parts I had to remove my pack and drag it through, it was put through the wringer today. It was a little scary in a few areas where it was up high and had to crawl or step across. Today was completely exhausting and by far the hardest, slowest, and most annoying section of trail. It was, however, really pretty. At this point, there is nothing I can't do out here. We have no breaking point, we have dealt with every weather situation possible, and have been rained on at least 75% of this hike, and we are still going strong. My body has been trying to quit on me for several weeks though and can't wait for a break. Soon enough.
Date: 2009-08-26
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Grafton Notch, Bethel, ME
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I left a few events out of yesterday's entry, so I am back-tracking. Angela bought a brand new camera the day before she started hiking with us. It was stuffed in the side pocket of her pack while going through the notch, but unfortunately not deep enough. It bounced out and into a 5 or 6 foot deep crevass where the zip-lock baggie it was in was barely visible, even with a light. After 20 minutes of poking around, I managed to stab the bag with my pole tip and lift it to safety. Everyone cheered at its grand rescue! The camera deserved a name after the near-fatal loss; we decided on Baby Jessica. We feel the name is very fitting, and hope that most people would agree.Also, I failed to mention the moose that had a fatal fall in the notch 2 years ago. The poor dope somehow wandered in and fell into a gaping hole between some boulders and laid helplessly for days until sadly, he was called upon. For a while, Tibetan Prayer Flags were strung up and flowed in the wind, now all that's left are a handful of bones. When we came upon the bones, someone had written "Ernie" on the boulder above what remains, so now the moose has a name. What an awful and slow death. It was a big talk of the trail and I bet will still be in coming years.Today we got off the trail in Grafton Notch to resupply. The trail got a bit easier towards the notch. It was nice to be on real trail again and not bouldering and rock climbing. I hope it stays this way; I am getting my butt kicked and it is exhausting. What is my body going to think when it's doing so much resting, post-trail? I think I actually will be antsy and find my way to more day hikes before returning to work.We ate some incredible food at the Suds restaurant and bar. The bartender hooked us up with a gigantic brownie sundae since we are thru-hikers. My heart was smiling since my appetite is raging completely out of control, foooooood. The town of Bethel is very quaint. There are some shops and restaurants, but it's mostly a big ski resort town in winter. I would come back in winter again for another round. What a cute and friendly place.Back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2009-08-27
From: Grafton Notch, Bethel ME

To: Stealth Campsite at Surplus Pond
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

A nice dude in the restaurant last night offered to drive us back to the trail today. We, of course, gladly accepted. It's nice not having to find a ride, it makes life easy. He and his wife were sitting next to us and could tell we are thru hikers. Their friend also thru hiked, so they understand. Cool!Baldpate Mountain, nothing to mess with in bad weather, thankfully it was gorgeous. The top was an all-exposed rock slab and straight up. It felt like I was climbing a ski slope covered in snow for some reason. Today was probably our coldest day since April, it was about 50 and super windy up top. It finally feels like fall, and I think the cooler weather is here to stay; that means soon the leaves will change. I have been looking forward to fall foliage in Maine since I started dreaming of my thru hike, yay! We have hiked through every season all in a matter of 6 months, I think that is pretty damn neat.Could it be? Are there really some flat trail sections in Maine? Thank you, Maine, for providing us with several miles of walkable trail, not just boulders and rock slabs. I had a flashback to the Shenandoahs where it was mostly all flat, not a bad thing. I hope this keeps up for a while... Doubtful.
Date: 2009-08-29
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 6.6

What do you do when not a shred of energy is left, when every fiber of your being says to stop? Keep pushing on, suck it up, you can rest in a few weeks. I have never been more exhausted in my whole life. These mountains are incredibly demanding of your attention and energy. I am still enjoying every bit of my time out here, I just wish I wasn't so tired all the time. Sometimes I feel like I am sleep-hiking.Today was pretty chilly. We woke up to 48 degrees, just my kind of hiking weather. It actually felt nice to wear pants again. The morning started gradual, but 2 nasty climbs were ahead. Going up Moody Mountain was really rugged, I can see how it got it's name! There was recently a land slide on the south side of the mountain so the trail has been temporarily rerouted, but right through the land slide. I have no idea why the MATC would have routed it that way, it was actually pretty dangerous to scramble over it. Shortly after the gentle descent was a tiring climb up Old Blue and into the Bemis Range. It was starting to get dusky, so the sky was really pretty. We pushed on into the dark, something we are not crazy about. Up, down and over rocks and boulders, trying hard not to slip and fall. I gave up a while later and found a nice stealth spot for us, we were too tired to keep hiking. So, these extra miles leaves a short day tomorrow for us to get Angela back to her car and time to resupply and meet back up with Muster. What a long day, I am beaten into submission.
Date: 2009-08-30
From: Rangely, ME

To: Rangely ME
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today we slackpacked 13 miles. We arrived in Rangely yesterday to the Gull Pond Lodge and decided to stay 3 nights and slack the next 2 days. What a glorious thing, carrying a day pack is underrated and should happen more often! Muster is back in action with us, Rocket and I are excited to be hiking with her again. Along todays hike we passed by 4 or 5 ponds, all equally beautiful. We had lunch at Sabbath Day Pond and watched some frogs who were watching us. I think maybe they were waiting on some crumbs, but frogs don't eat crumbs! Silly frogs, eventually they moved on. The trail was pretty muddy after yesterday's rain, the next few days should dry it up a bit. It's actually been pretty quiet on the trail. I think because the trail is so remote in Maine that most people don't day hike here, that and these trails are ridiculous. Today, however, was incredibly easy and very enjoyable. We're back at the hostel hanging out with Gwendy the choclate lab and watching James Bond. I just plowed down one of my last pints of Ben and Jerrys, soon that will not be an option. Two more weeks of gluttony and the simple life. Oh the life of a hiker.
Date: 2009-09-01
From: Rangely ME

To: Crocker Cirque
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Happy September!Putting on a heavy pack after slack packing for 2 days is just awful. It feels like a small child is hanging on back there. Yesterday we slacked the Saddlebacks, my first time southbounding. It was actually really cool because we got to see people who are ahead and hadn't seen in a while. The day was much easier than anticipated; it was very gradual. We stayed above treeline for several wind-whipping miles, it was hard to stay vertical most of the time. There was not a single cloud above and you could see for probably 100 miles. I hear you could see Katahdin from Saddleback, but I am not good at guessing which mountain is which. Today was Sugarloaf, and yet another non-killer. Maine is finally shaping up its bad habits and not kicking our asses too hard! Don't get me wrong though: these mountains are still large and in charge, and I am still totally exhausted. It's just a little less hard these days. It felt reminiscent of a roller coaster, lots of little up and downs until we hit a straight down rocky mess. My knees and feet are pissed, but I told them only 2 more weeks of abuse is left! They agree to keep it going. Phew. Another spectacular and clear day. I feel really lucky to enjoy such luxury after so much rain.On to Stratton for resupply tomorrow, one of the last towns we'll visit.
Date: 2009-09-03
From: Horns Pond Lean-to

To: West Carry Lean-to
Miles today: 17.5

Way back in the Smokies we were with Smiley, a fellow thru hiker. He had said we were getting 178 miles, or the 'little guys" out of the way and all we had to worry about was 2,000 miles left to hike. Now, all that's left is the "little guys." Today we hit 2,000 miles! I don't think any of this will register until I get home.Another mountain range behind us, the Bigelows. Wow, were they harsh on my feet! Only the top of each peak were sans trees, so we were able to get nice views from the top. There are so many ponds to see from up high, some so large there are islands in the middle. Some even have beaches, too bad there is no time to swim as it gets dark earlier and earlier. It's been so beautiful out, we're lucky to have good weather.
Date: 2009-09-04
From: West Carry Pond Lean to

To: Cararunk, ME
Miles today: 14.0

Am I really in Maine? The trail was so flat today, it was nice to have a break from straight ups and rock climbs. It did however feel weird to not have any views. We aqua blazed today, but it's the official trail. The trail crosses the Kennebec River. Back in the 80's a woman drowned from fording it, so the AMC has a ferry service (canoe) to shuttle hikers across, 2 at a time. The water level can rise rapidly making it dangerous; also, the current is nothing to mess with. I enjoyed the 10-minute ride on such a beautiful river. OG, Muster, Rocket and myself went straight to the NOC, or Northern Outdoor Center in Caratunk shortly after the nice canoe ride. This place is really cool, it's super cheap to tent, laundry, showers, brewed beer and amazing food. Tonight I enjoyed some Maine lobster and a beer sampler. I was saving lobster for my treat after finishing this biotch, but I couldn't resist the temptation. Some things I look forward to leaving behind after summiting; cooking and eating out of a 1 liter pot, cleaning my one utensil, a lexan spoon, by licking it after dinner, crappy trail food, and wearing the same smelly t-shirt day after day because it's my only wardrobe choice.Something I am super bummed about; knowing some of our best trail friends are too far behind to catch up and summit with. It's so weird knowing that people I run into now is possibly the last time I see them on the trail, some possibly never again. Tomorrow the 10 day count-down begins. Wow.
Date: 2009-09-05
From: Cararunk, ME

To: Stealth Campsite, ME
Miles today: 17.0

Last night there was a frat party camping right across from us at the NOC. Nobody got any sleep. These kids partied all hours of the night since it's vacation time for them on Labor Day weekend. On my travels today, I have been noticing more and more leaves that have turned color and fell to the ground already. I look up and see not so many, I do hope fall is in full bloom before summitting; it's the prettiest season to hike through.Tonight we climbed Moxie Bald as the sun was setting. On the other side of the mountain, the moon's reflection on the pond at the base almost looked like snow, it was unreal. Where else will my eyes be treated with such splendor than these glorious mountains? This is what will be so hard to leave behind soon. We all, including OG and L-Train, hiked on a little below the summit to stealth camp. It should be a cozy night with Clifford (my sleeping bag) since it is really cold. Today started the 10-day countdown to Katahdin. I said good bye to fellow hiker Gail whom I knew I wouldn't see after this evening as she will be zeroing. It made me pretty sad to know that this is it. It's time to say adios to people I will fall off schedule with.On another note, Rocket and I rented a car to road-trip home. There are reservations for my return home. Weird!
Date: 2009-09-07
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

We got into Monson yesterday and came right to Shaws. I think every hiker I have ever met is here, it's so packed out. Bunyan, who we haven't seen since Waynesboro is here, including a ton of people I never met. It's so exciting to run into people hundreds of miles down the line and see they are still truckin.Today we slacked SOBO day one of the wilderness and are spending a second night at Shaws, ahh a bed and shower 2 days in a row. I had no idea that would ever be an option considering it's supposed to be 100 miles of no roads, hmm. We slacked it with Doc, Ice Finger, Simple Man and L Train. Doing this meant one less day of food to carry through, yay for a lighter pack! Anything over 3 days is heavy and we need 6 days of food, yuk. So this is our last town stop, last resupply, last hostel, last shower, last laundry and last bed before summiting. One thing I am elated to not do anymore is resupply. The next time I "resupply" I'll be pushing a cart around the store, sans pack in it, spending way more time in the produce aisle and not worrying about weight.Tomorrow back to sleeping outdoors for one of our last few nights as thru hikers. Wow I will miss sleeping in my tent cozied up in my sleeping bag.
Date: 2009-09-09
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to, ME

To: East Branch Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 17.1

Today we polished off Chairback Mountain. It was definitely not as comfortable as a chair, though. The descent was super-bouldery and slow. Another range in our past and a little closer to the Big K (Katahdin).When we were at Sunfish Pond (Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey -- about midway on the thru-hike), we ran into a ridgerunner who said to yell some expletives at Whitecap Mountain for him. He thru-hiked a few years ago. Well, we climbed it today; it wasn't too terrible. There were 4 peaks in a row all within a 5-mile stretch. Whitecap was the last. From the summit, we got the first glimpse of Katahdin, and it was so exciting to finally see her! The mountain is gigantic, and I can't wait to run up it in a few days. Well, all mountains are now in our past, the Big K is the last one to climb. It's full steam ahead now.
Date: 2009-09-10
From: East Branch Lean-to, ME

To: Antlers Campsite, ME
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Flat, flat, and more flat...love it! We're cruisin right through the last section of the Wilderness. It's beautiful and there are still ponds everywhere. Today we met a super cool SOBO (south-bound) hiker named Ricola. She hiked the PCT 2 years ago. (Upload note: The Pacific Crest Trail, or PCT, runs from the US border with Mexico -- via California, Oregon, and Washington -- to the US border with Canada. The trail is 2,654 miles in length.)We didn't talk long, but she did say that everyone ahead was rude and we were the first NOBOs (north-bound) hikers today to converse and be nice to her. I think everyone is just so tired and has tunnel vision. Rocket and I both promised to deliver her trail magic once she gets to our home states. I'm totally excited to help other hikers once I am done.Still no moose in Maine and not much time left to see one. By the way, they are very courteous poopers: it's always to the side of the trail and never ON the trail. Thanks, moose, for keeping it off the roadway!51.8 miles remaining. We're trying for a marathon day tomorrow; we'll see how it goes. Here we come, K!
Date: 2009-09-12
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today it really hit home that this trail, this adventure, is about to end. We stopped at Hurd Brook Lean to, the last one on the trail, for a snack. I read everyone's last register entries with tears in my eyes. I, of course, said my piece and we moved on. I hiked to Abol Bridge with a lump in my throat. How does that damn lump happen anyway? We cruised right through today, most of it was beautiful. I find it amazing that within seconds, you turn a bend and the woods are completely different than what you were just walking through. There were 2 small bumps of a climb, one which led to Rainbow Ledges, another stellar view of Big K. You can finally see trees in the distance speckled with fall color.Once we got to Abol Bridge we took some photos. It's the best view of Katahdin on the trail. I can't get over how huge it is, totally humbling. Just past the bridge is a campground and store, so it's where we are spending the night. It's great having access to real food and beer! We made a fire. Bunyan, Cruiser and Goof joined for a while. This turned out to be a perfect and relaxing night under a star-filled sky. I am content.Well, 15 miles left to hike of this trail.