morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-09-01
From: Monson Route 15

To: Monson Route 15 - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

September 1, 2004 ¢ Zero dayI woke up pretty early but only managed to stay in bed until 6. They were already serving breakfast in the house. I had the ¢2 around¢: two pieces of French toast, two fried eggs over easy, two slices of bacon, two sausage links, two pieces of ham and two scoops of home fries. Not to mention juice and a cup of tea. Hung around in the common room this morning as hikers headed out. I¢d decided to stay and take a zero and wait for Hobbes. Chasqui headed to the trail 30 miles north and will hike back here before taking a week off to be with family. Ranger Jim and Wizard and Reauchambeaux headed north. They all might end up at the same shelter tonight. Took some pictures this morning ¢ one of Baltimore Jack, Keith Shaw Junior, me and Keith Shaw Senior and one of the two Shaw¢s. Keith Sr. gave me a t-shirt to wear as advertising. Keith Jr. said I must have sweet-talked him. Tapeworm is taking a zero today too. He came in late yesterday. We¢ve both been trying to come up with things we can take out of our packs. I didn¢t have much luck. Food bag is going to be really heavy leaving here. I hadn¢t planned for the stop at White House Landing so I have enough breakfast mix, drink mix and M&Ms to get me to Katahdin. The rest of the snacks, etc. were easier to repackage and send ahead. I have an extra camera going with me too, to make sure I have plenty of film.Hobbes is here ¢ he came in just before noon. He stayed at Horseshoe Canyon last night. I hear the river crossings were pretty tough. Had a nice nap this afternoon and another pint of Ben & Jerry¢s. Dinner was pot roast, potatoes, corn-on-the-cob and green beans. It was Keith Sr.¢s 75th birthday today so we sang and had cake for dessert. An early breakfast and early start tomorrow. Hopefully some of the rivers will have gone down.
Date: 2004-09-02
From: Monson Route 15

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

September 2, 2004 ¢ Monson Route 15 to Long Pond Stream Lean-to ¢ 15.1 milesKeith Jr. had to come wake me for breakfast this morning. I was dead asleep when he knocked. I had 2 pancakes, 2 sausage, 2 bacon, 2 over easy eggs and 1 helping of hash browns. I settled up with Keith Sr. and Hobbes and I were hopping out of Keith Jr.¢s pickup truck at the trailhead about quarter past 7. The theme today was water and fords. We crossed more than 15 brooks ¢ 4 we took out shoes off and went across in sandals. I got wet almost to my waist going across Big Wilson Stream and dragged the bottom of my pack in the water. Nylon shorts dry quickly and nothing in my pack got wet. Need to pull out my pack cover and rain poncho which I store way at the bottom and see how they fared. The ford at Long Pond Stream wasn¢t as deep but I think the current was stronger. Hobbes and I took pictures of each other crossing. From the ford at Vaughn Stream to Long Pond Stream I hiked in my sandals. In between all the river crossings I actually managed to keep my hiking shoes dry ¢ pretty amazing. It was nice to put on warm and dry socks after each crossing. Small pleasures. Big milestone today ¢ less than 100 miles to go ¢ 99.4!
Date: 2004-09-03
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Henderson Brook
Miles today: 15.2

September 3, 2004 ¢ Long Pond Stream Lean-to to Henderson Brook (tenting) ¢ 15.2 milesThe Mad Hatter joined Hobbes and me at the shelter last night. He¢d also hiked out from Shaw¢s. It cooled off quickly last night and I wore my fleece and hat and gloves to bed. It was really chilly this morning and I was reluctant to get out of my sleeping bag and change into my hiking clothes. I warmed up pretty quickly but did wear my long sleeved shirt all day. We climbed over the Barren Chairback Range today. Up over the Barren Ledges, Barren Mountain, Fourth Mountain, Third Mountain, Columbus Mountain and Chairback Mountain. Hobbes caught me having a long lunch break on top of Third Mountain. We met up again at Chairback Gap Lean-to to decide where we were headed. There was a freshman orientation group from Colby College headed to East Chairback Pond so we decided we¢d go a bit further than that. We actually made it all the way to where Henderson Brook joins the Pleasant River. The mosquitoes are fierce here. I had to put on my rain gear to keep from being carried off. Hobbes and I went town to the Pleasant River to have our dinner after we set up camp. Tomorrow¢s ford shouldn¢t be a problem at all. Got a little bit of trail magic today. At the logging road we crossed I scored a Whoopie Pie! Weather was great again today ¢ a little cooler than yesterday and a few clouds rolled in, but great views and visibility. The cloud cover should keep it a little warmer tonight. 84.2 miles to go. If all goes as planned, this time next week I¢ll be done.
Date: 2004-09-04
From: Henderson Brook

To: Logan Brook
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: overcast clouds

September 4, 2004 ¢ Henderson Brook to Logan Brook (tenting) ¢ 12.8 milesAnother night tenting and another night of rain. Oh well ¢ only my tent fly is wet. With the cloud cover it didn¢t get cold enough to put a damper on the mosquitoes. They were fierce again this morning. I put my rain gear on to pack up camp. Wore my sandals to the ford and went across with my rain pants rolled to my knees. The squiters went for the gap between my pants and the water. Actually seemed to cool off during the day today. Always feels cooler inside the clouds. Went by the trails for Gulf Hagas. That¢s someplace I¢ll have to go back to. Followed the brook for almost 5 miles. Had climbs up Gulf Hagas Mountain, West Peak, Hay Mountain and then finally White Cap. The climb today is the last thing >500 feet before Katahdin. We finally got some views on White Cap. The clouds had raised up enough so you could see under them. I took a bunch of pictures.Met a really nice group of day hikers on the way down White Cap. Hobbes took my picture at an overlook with Katahdin in the background. Had forgotten it was Labor Day weekend, but that explains the 13 or so people at the shelter so far. Hobbes and I were 4 & 5 in. He¢s in the shelter. I decided to tent, for warmth and more personal space. If it¢s dry enough tonight my fly should be dry in the morning. Think I got a bit of a chill today. Hobbes reminded me I had tea so I broke out my pot and stove and made some Chamomile. I think it did the trick. I¢m also going to have a snack right before bed. If I put on too many more clothes I won¢t have any pillow left. Still meeting flip-floppers and south bounders. That surprises me, but it does give you a perspective on the trail ahead. Flat between here and the big K and we¢re hearing good things about White House Landing where we have a planned stop Monday. There are 3 section hikers here who I met the night before going into Monson. They are finishing the trail this year and talked about how much dedication, planning, etc. it takes to do the trail over many years. A good story. Then they went into Monson via Pleasant Street and left the next morning via Route 15 ¢ skipping a 3 mile section of the trail! After all that talk! Now I suspect there are lots of little sections they haven¢t done. We all miss a few blazes here and there, but to brag to everyone about doing the ¢whole¢ trail and then willfully skip a section ¢¦ it just rankles me. Besides those three, the Mad Hatter is here. Tapeworm went by ¢ he¢s going to do a few more miles before calling it a night. The rest are all southbound! I was going to try to talk Hobbes into doing a few more miles this afternoon (we got in about 3:30) but it wouldn¢t have changed the long term schedule. After tonight in the shelter with those guys he might wish I¢d talked faster. It is good to have someone to hike with again, even if we only cross paths at breaks, photo ops and evening campsites. It will be neat to summit with someone I¢ve not only hiked with before, but who I met my first day on the trail.
Date: 2004-09-05
From: Logan Brook

To: Cooper Pond
Miles today: 16.7

September 5, 2004 ¢ Logan Brook to Cooper Pond (tenting) ¢ 16.7 milesWell last night it wasn¢t the rain that was a problem, it was condensation. My fly was soaked on the inside. Someone in the shelter had a thermometer and said it got down into the 30s! Made a pretty quick exit since I had to keep moving to stay warm, either that or crawl back in my sleeping bag. Easy downhill hike to the East Branch of the Pleasant River. Reauchambeaux and Tapeworm were still at the shelter when I went by about 8:30. Rock hopped across the river. Had two small 500 foot climbs this morning and then it was mostly flat. I reached the Cooper Brook Falls lean-to in time for lunch. I took a picture of the falls there and the privy. Someone had told me it was supposed to be one of the fanciest on the trail. I wasn¢t impressed. I hung up my tent to dry which it did quickly in the sun and breeze. Hobbes cam in about an hour later, dried some gear and we hiked the rest of the day together. We¢re camped next to Cooper Pond. Beautiful place. Very quiet. It¢s on a blue blazed side trail. There wasn¢t a sign at the trail junction and the trail was easy to follow, but not heavily used. Sitting on a rock in the sun listening to the water lap around the edge of the pond. Someone said the trail around here is maintained by employees of LLBean. I guess the trail maintainers on other sections are jealous because they (LLBean) can put together big groups to do trail maintenance. Not that this section looks particularly hard to maintain, but maybe that¢s why. Had another encounter with the section hikers today. At the lean-to where I had lunch there was a great swimming hole right out front. Too cold for me, but two of them went in. Not a big deal until he jumped out, soaped up, and jumped back in. A little lax on the trail ethics. That is someone¢s water source. Actually that brook flows right into the pond Hobbes and I are sitting on right now.
Date: 2004-09-06
From: Cooper Pond

To: Mahar Tote Road
Miles today: 8.8

September 6, 2004 ¢ Cooper Pond to Mahar Tote Road ¢ 8.8 milesGorgeous stars last night. Fogged in this morning. Had my first snack of the day at Antlers Campsite and my second one at Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to. Got a great view of Katahdin across Pemadumcook Lake. From the Tote Road we had a 1.2 mile hike down a blue blazed trail to the dock for White House Landing. We blew the air horn and Bill came over to get us in the boat. I have a room in the shore side cabin. Had a 1/3 lb. burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, relish, etc. for lunch. It came with chips and cucumbers and homemade pickles. I also had a root beer and a Whoopie Pie the size of a dessert plate. Had a shower. Did some laundry by hand and with an old-fashioned wringer. Went through my mail drop and have been lazing around ever since.There are 10 of us here tonight: 7 thru-hikers (me, Hobbes, Laura & Pablo, LWOP, Cotton and Tapeworm) and 3 section hikers. Hobbes and I shared a loaded homemade pizza. We had corn-on-the-cob from Bill and Linda¢s garden and cucumber salad. I¢m stuffed to the gills. They have a nice scale here, up in the main lodge. After lunch and dinner I¢m up about 4 pounds! I¢m fighting a food coma. Need to stay awake a little longer since we¢ll have a late start tomorrow. AYCE breakfast at 8 am then a boat ride to within 2/10 mile of the trail. Still waiting for my long sleeve shirt and my hiking socks to dry. They should be fine by morning. Beautiful sunset here ¢ pinks and aquas all over the sky and reflected in the water. A lot like the sunsets at the lake. Great stars.
Date: 2004-09-07
From: Mahar Tote Road

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

September 7, 2004 ¢ Mahar Tote Road to Rainbow Stream Lean-to ¢ 15.8 milesGot a slow start this morning. Got up to pee about 6:30 and then crawled back in bed for 45 minutes. I was all packed and ready to go before breakfast. Watched ducks on the lake and the fog gradually lift. Breakfast was served buffet style. Scrambled eggs, english muffins, potatoes, bacon and blueberry pancakes. As usual I ate too much and was sluggish most of the day hiking.   Hobbes and LWOP and I took the first boat back to the tote road. We started hiking about 9:45. We hiked around Nahmakanta Lake today. Nesuntabunt Mountain had an amazing view of Katahdin ¢ 16 miles away as the crow flies. Walked around Crescent Pond and up along Pollywog Gorge and along Rainbow Stream. Bumped into LWOP, Cotton, Tapeworm, Hobbes, Laura and Pablo at lunch. We¢re all at the shelter tonight. Decided on the shelter. My last chance to sleep in one with the old style baseball bat floors. Back when they were built in the 40s and 50s the intent was that you would cut pine and fir bows to line the floor for comfort and scent. Now that¢s out of favor and most of these style shelters have at least had the floors replaced. Actually, with my thermarest I really don¢t feel them. 30.1 miles to the top of Katahdin. 2144 hiked.
Date: 2004-09-08
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

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

September 8, 2004 ¢ Rainbow Stream to Abol Bridge ¢ 15.0 milesIt rained last night for a while. Was still drizzling and dripping out of the trees this morning. I had been one breakfast short when we got to White House Landing and Hobbes had an extra so I had grapenuts with raisins and almonds this morning. A nice change from my shake mix. The weather cleared up about 9 or so. We hiked next to Rainbow Lake for 5 miles. The loons were very active and vocal today. Also saw/heard a float plane land and take off about 3 times. Climbed over Rainbow Ledges and got to see a view of the bottom half of Katahdin. Met Hobbes at Hurd Brook Lean-to for lunch. We both did really well this morning ¢ 11.5 miles in under 5 hours. We hiked the rest of the way together. Had a spot of trail magic before the Golden Road. I had a honey bun. Took a picture of Katahdin from Abol Bridge. The famous postcard view. We stopped at the Abol camp store. Decided to stay here instead of the State Park across the road. For $3 more (each) we have a picnic table, bathroom, access to a shower, a trash can, and easy access to the store. I¢ve had a cream soda and am half-way through a root beer. We¢re expecting pretty bad weather the next two days. We bought a tarp and put it up over the picnic table so we¢ll have someplace out of the rain to get organized in the morning. Both our tents fit on the site with tons of room left. Cotton and Tapeworm have joined us. 2159 miles hiked, 15.1 to go. Saw a trio of juvenile spruce grouse today. We startled them but they didn¢t go more than 4 feet from the trail. Had a great late evening view of Katahdin from the campsites by the river. Too dark for a picture but great for just sitting and staring ¢ until the mosquitoes came for us ¢¦Only 2 days of lunches and snacks and breakfasts and one dinner left in my food bag, and this time it won¢t get filled up again.
Date: 2004-09-10
From: Millinocket

To: Millinocket - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

September 10, 2004 ¢ Zero Day in MillinocketIt rained all night, but not particularly heavy until this morning when we were leaving. Then it poured. We hung out at the ranger cabin until the weather forecast was posted. 90% chance of rain, 40 degrees, winds 10-15 mph. Same think it said yesterday. Class II day. Forecast for Saturday: sunny, 60 degrees, winds light and variable. Which would you pick as the way to finish after a 2100+ mile hike? LWOP and Hammock Hanger came into the park and decided to skip it today. When Cotton got there we decided to skip today too and his sister gave Hobbes, Tapeworm and me a ride into Millinocket. There was a lot of hedging, rationalizing and second guessing going on but we all agreed that given the forecast for Saturday there was no reason to have a potentially miserable hike today. Tomorrow should be fun with about 3 days of hikers going up.We stopped at the AT Lodge to check for availability but they were full. Saw Mad Hatter, Reauchambeaux, Dharma, Flora and Fauna at the AT Caf©. Tapeworm decided to take Mad Hatter¢s room at the Lodge. Christina, Cotton¢s sister, drove Hobbes and me to the Best Value Inn. We got showered and organized and started to dry out. After checking in with my sister, I found out my dad was headed for Baxter State Park to meet us after we summited. I called the park headquarters and they got a message to the Togue Park Gate to let him know we were in Millinocket. He found us here about 12:30. We went downtown for lunch and laundry. I was able to send the gear I no longer needed home with dad. I even swapped packs with him so will just have a large day pack for the hike tomorrow. Clothes, food, first aid kit, water and a few extras and stuff I¢ll need tonight. Gale sent a batch of brownies and Dad brought a bunch of snacks and sodas so we¢ll eat well this afternoon. Now it¢s Country Music TV and journalling, the crossword puzzle, and maybe a nap. Watched Disney¢s Atlantas on TV, ordered pizza in for dinner. Soda and brownies to round it out.
Date: 2004-09-28
To: Hobbit's Return
Miles today: 0.0

Hobbit stepped off March 31st, she did.Stepped off on a journey, eyes wide as a kid's.She hoped and we hoped she'd return safe and sound,'Cause of lions and tigers and bears that abound.A trail so long as to allow just a few,To finish completely and see the world anew.The trail can be lonely but you were never alone.So welcome back Hobbit, we're glad you are home.Poem by Bob Sides
Date: 2004-03-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, tommorow is April Fool's Day and my last day of work. I love how fitting it is. It also means I've got less than seven days to finish my preparations for the trail. I can't believe how much stuff I still have left to do. Mail drops, gear selection, packing/cleaning the apartment, insurance... For the last week I've been trying to take care of the non-AT issues like taxes and insurance but five minutes into a 1040A form and my mind wanders over towards the topo maps and the pile of gear. Truth be told, I haven't spent that much time on the AT-related issues either. Most of the time I hop around in circles of joy.
Date: 2004-04-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'm so excited I can hardly see straight. I'm lucky I've gotten anything done over the last few days. During a typical day, I'll start sorting mail drops. After a few minutes, I'll get distracted by my stove and I'll start tinkering. Halfway through a test burn, I'll begin weighing my cold weather gear. While looking for my left glove, I'll see my headlamp and I'll... It's been a constant source of amusement for Dave.I must give a word of thanks to Dave and my sister. Dave's been been kind enough to let me take over his house while I sort and pack my gear. He'll also be sending off my mail drops. My sister will be transcribing my journal entries and downloading my pictures. I'm so excited, I'll be on the trail in hmm, now where'd I put that stove...
Date: 2004-04-07
To: Atlanta
Miles today: 0.0

Ir'a little after midnight. 3 1/2 hours till the shuttle pickup to the airport. Tired. nervous. Excited. Transfering songs onta a mp3 player. That's the last thing on my list to do. I've got the feeling I'm going to be mailing lots of stuff home. I think my pack weighs 26pounds w/o food or water. I should be able to lose 5lbs by goint to a new pack and summer clothing. Still, heavier than I would like for a two kmile walk. I still haven't accepted that i'll be hiking the AT,. I guess I just have to wait till I'm on the trail. Meet intersting people traveling. Spent an afternnon w/ a "22 year old" Brazilian and a Virgian Wrastler "in school." He's been practacing for the last six years in his backyard (letting people throw him into the air, practacing landing on his face, back... Scared of heights though, esp. the elevator in the Atlanta Sheridan. Well, I hope his official schooling works out for him.
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Atlanta

To: Springer Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hard time sleeping. Keep waking up every 1/2 hour. Worried gonning to miss the shuttle to the trailhead. Weep wondering how early I can call the shuttle. Excited. Well, given up on sleep. It's three am and there's an Aussi and two americans playing 10 questions w/ professional wrestlers. Is he in WWA? PCW? WWF? Hardcore tag team? ECW world champion?... Amazing.Got a rid in w/ Tom... for 65 dollars. Weighted my pack (40lbs) at Amicalola. Signed the register and hiked to Springer Mtn Shelter. Met Slow Train, Dave(?) w/ two dogs Lucky and Pokey. Oh and a guy from Montana. Great weather, the slight cloud cover and light drizzle kept the temps down. Thought of getting to sleep by seven but ended up talking to an assistant high school principle while watching the sunset. Was a good day.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Arrived at Hawk Mnt. Shelter around noon. Driving me insane (10 mi/day limit). Found squarish and blue glasses at shelter, will take north. Met a diverse group of people at the shelter. There's the Aspen kid (former grocery shelf stocker at Aspen City Market), drspacemonkey5000? (a younger guy from NY), Dan (Army recruiter from MT), Slow Train (he's a slow hiker and he's asthmatic so he huffs and puffs), and a few more. LNT and bear safety my ass. There's a cooking grill/firepit ~15ft in front of the shelter. The bear bag cables are ~5' from the shelter. People cooking in the shelters. hmm... sounds pretty lazy. I should fit right in.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: broken clouds

Left Hawk Mnt Shelter at ~1am (I thought it was around 4). Hiked to Gooch, wondered why the sun hadn't risen, took a nap and hiked the rest of the way to Neels Gap. Met a few people, forgoten their names already. Stayed at Walasi-Yi. I thought sleeping would be the easiest part of this trip. I'm going to need to start wearing my watch again. 1am was a tad bit to early...
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

My first zero day. Muhahah. Bought a new pack, should save three pounds or so (I'm going to pick up the pack at Rainbow Springs though). Winton (owner of Walasi-Yi) invited the hikers out to his place for Easter dinner. Good eating (creamed spinach, fried turkey, green bean casserole...). Getting the itch to get hiking though.
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

A cool drizzle today. Met first drop out at Testnatee Gap. He was another guy from Montana, problems with his knee. Quite a few people at the shelter today. Old Man, Jocker (a guy with a 20lb pack filled with fig newtons and "thru-hiker yearbook" buisness cards), Ronnie (guy from Floria), Jeff (from Philly), Frogggy Pete, and a southbound weekender.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mnt Shelter
Miles today: 14.9

Ronnie and the Joker hitched into town at Unicoi Gap. They seem like cool people. Joker was telling me about his boat trip in the Yukon. His low-tech approach is refreshing too. Lots of people on the trail (including me) have gotten sucked into craving the latest and shiniest gear. I sure was glad to have my warm sleeping bag though. Hiked into Tray Mnt Shelter and it was cold and windy. There was an older guy (polish grandfather?), Eliza and Moose. Eliza had the right idea and hiked to a lower elevation before setting up camp. The rest of us woke up to snow inside the shelter.