morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-10-19
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

I know, it's about time I did some bigger miles. Today was the perfect day for larger miles. But it didn't work out as well as I hoped.We rejoiced at the success of the Red Sox lst night to pull a 14 inning win from the Yankees in the ALSC playoffs even though the Yankees have already won 3 games. The sun was behind the clouds but promised to come out to play. We were out of camp before 7:45 AM and headed up Little Boardman Mtn. When we reached the summit, sure enough the sun came out. The hike down was gradual and actually took the rest of the day.I had it in my head to make it to Antlers Tentsite or even Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to so that we could get into White House Landing fairly early tomorrow. I felt good hiking fast and knew I would have no trouble doing 16 miles and maybe I could do 19. Often when we hike Pokey will take a break and then catch up to me later. Today, he took a break while I hiked on but didn't catch me until Cooper Spring Falls Lean-to where I stopped for lunch about 8 miles into the day¢s hike. He said he tried to hike too fast on the level terraine and managed to hurt his right foot in moving so fast.After lunch we set out again at a pretty fast pace. I was using my hiking poles like cross country ski pole pushing me fast up the small ups and level areas. Pokey fell behind me I assumed, to take another break. I hiked for at least 3 miles then took a break at a rod crossing near a sign that pointed right and said ME Hwy 11. Pokey showed up shortly and said he wanted to stop hiking for the day. His foot hurt and he wanted to rest it. I convinced him to soak it in the nearby stream. When he came back he said he thought he would be all right hiking the 4 remaining miles to Antlers. I slowed down and we continued on. When we got to Antlers he told me he did not want to do more than 10 miles a day for the rest of the hike. I was really surprised. I thought I had been holding him back. I think he does not want the hike to end. He seemed mad at me and very quiet. After White House Landing there is only 30 more miles. I agreed to do those miles in 3 days rather than the 2 days I think we are capable of hiking. Maybe he is right. Maine is awesome why rush through the best part of the entire hike. Except we need to make Katahdin before winter weather closes it to us. Pokey has been a great friend and hiking partner. He has been there for me when I have been struggling. I want him to enjoy the end of his hike.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-10-20
From: Antlers Rent Site

To: White House Landing 
Miles today: 5.9

The most amazing sunrise across Lower Jo-Mary Lake woke us before 6:30 this morning. It was very cold. There was ice on my tarp and the fly on Pokey's hammock. We decided to hike before breakfast and stop to eat once we had warmed up. It only took about one mile to reach a beautiful sandy sun bathed beach where we ate and enjoyed the morning warmth. The trail continued to be rocky and muddy but no steep hills to climb. We stopped at Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to for messages from Burnie and Katie. There was no register. Bummer! We continued on to a view of Katahdin from a very rocky beach on Pemadumcook Lake. Pokey went bezerk. He dropped his pack and danced around in awe. He had no idea how massive Katahdin would appear from this lake. There is snow on the summit making it even more imposing.   He was so excited. I really enjoy his enthusiasm. I was rather concerned when I saw the lake had been drawn down. I was worried that we would not be able to be shuttled across the lake to the hostel. There were huge rocks everywhere and not much water visible.A long 2.5 miles to the Mahar Landing road because of bogs and rocks then we headed down the road to the .9 mile rough woods road to the White House Landing. A toot on the air horn brought Bill, the owner in his outboard motor boat to pick us up. Linda, Bill's wife, greeted us with a warm smile. They thought the hiker season was over since the last group to stop was 6 days ago. We checked the register so saw Burnie and Katie had been here. Linda said they were having a good time and seemed to be laughing and joking constantly. I'm glad their hike is going well. Linda also said the girl's had called from Rainbow's house to see if we were there yet, three days ago. They were surprised to hear the answer.We each had a pizza for lunch followed by a great shower. Then 2.5 hours later we were back in the dining room for dinner. I ate an entire 1 lb burger. I am still stuffed. Then we had a huge apple crisp, home baked with freshly picked apples. We are now listening to the 7th game of the Red Sox/yankee ALSC playoff. The sox are ahead 6 to 0.Pokey's foot was much better when we left camp this morning but it got very painful as the day wore on. Right now it is very painful for him to even touch the knuckle of his 4th toe. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-10-21
From: White House Landing 

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The Red Sox beat the Yankees last night to win the AL pennant and are going to the world series. We stayed up until close to midnight to listen on our radios. I had to stock the wood stove to keep comfortable in the bunk house since the temperature was down in the twenties. We repacked our last mail drops while the game was being broadcast.Our bags were packed and carried to the dining room before 8 AM where Bill Ware was preparing us an amazing hiker breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, pancakes, english muffins, orange juice and coffee filled me up to the brim. Ben, the Ware's 7 year old home school son and Poor Bear, their chocolate lab rode in the motor boat with us when Bill returned us to the trail side of the river. Ben has no neighborhood kids to play with. He helps his parents run the landing. In the winter he meets some kids who ride with their parents on snow mobiles to the landing for a lunch break.Pokey and I decided to take advantage of the water in the lake being drawn down and walked along the lake shore line instead of the blue blazed trail back to the AT. There were hundreds of moose tracks on the sand and mud but we saw no moose. We stopped twice at beaches for breaks, to eat, and to try and warm up in the sun. It was cold all day today but beautiful on the trail as it follow the river connecting the Nahmakanta Lake with Pemadumcook Lake. It was hard to prepare dinner because of the cold. We are in our bags keeping warm in the pitch black at 6:30 PM.    Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art
Date: 2004-10-22
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We were awakened during the night to mice stealing the feathers from my down sleeping bag again. They will gnaw a hole near the foot of the bag then pull the feathers out. I have repaired the holes with duct tape but I don't know how to solve the problem. I could camp instead of using the shelter. I could set up my bivy sack but I have a zero degree bag and it would probably be too hot. I only have 2 more nights on the trail so maybe I will just ignore the mice.We had sunshine as the sun came up this morning but it was quickly replaced with clouds. The view from the top up Nesuntabunt Mtn was a disappointment because K was in the clouds from top to bottom. We hiked around Crescent Pond where I recalled how uncomfortable John and I where on our hike through here 4 years ago because it was very hot and humid and the bugs were unbearable. We stopped for three good breaks today. Staying until we were too cold to stay any longer. The thermometer on my pack read around 40 degrees most of the day. I am cold sitting here outside of the shelter writing this entry. It is getting dark and time for my 6:00 PM beddy bye. Night all!!Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-10-23
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Clouds this morning were discouraging but they cleared as the morning progressed. Most of our hike today was along the shore of Rainbow Lake. We stopped at Rainbow Dam to get some good views of Katahdin. We could see snow on the western slopes. We stopped at Rainbow Spring Tent site for water and a lunch break. Another break at the eastern end of the lake was interrupted by two passing south bound hikers. It was Spirit Al and Canada Goose. They attended the party at Tray Gap that Pittsburgh organized for me on the Saturday before Easter. They are in their 60's. Skipped miles to summit K and are heading south to finish the miles they missed. They told us that 4 thru hikers were summiting today. The Caboose has been behind us for a long time. I don't know how they passed us. We have not seen any northbound hikers since Monson, 100 miles to our south. Wonder if they are flipping?The view of Katahdin from Rainbow Ledges took our breaths away. We had to sit for awhile to digest the view. An easy down hill hike to Hurd brook Lean-to to discover 3 college pledges from University Of Maine performing an initiation stunt that involves spending the night at this lean-to. They brought a lot of food and a lot of booze. They are already drunk.The register is full of some very emotional entries. Flint wrote a wonderful entry about Mr. T. The ridge runner, Poptart, wrote that all trails on Katahdin have been rated class 3 except the Hunt Trail (AT) and Abol Trail which are both class 1. I hope it lasts for the next 2 or 3 days. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-10-24
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Katahdin Campground
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The college boys got pretty drunk last night. Not what I expected for my last night on the trail. PopTart, a early starting northbound thru hiker, showed up before it got too dark and joined us in the shelter. Pokey was smart and slept in his hammock.We got hiking around 9 AM. I explained to Poptart that Sue was going to meet us at Abol Bridge and slack us to Katahdin Stream. He was invited to join us in one last slack. We arrived at Abol Bridge around 11:30 AM. Sue was not there yet but the other Poptart, the Baxter Park ridge runner, was waiting at the Abol Bridge store to inform us that the store was closed for the day. Pokey called him Stale Poptart since he is older. We talked with him while we waited for Sue who arrived around 1:45 PM. She had some problems finding the location. Stale Poptart walked 1.5 miles with us after giving Sue directions on how to find Katahdin Stream. He gave us a guided tour and some history about the sections of the park we walked through. The morning clouds had lifted and it looked like a class 1 day on K to me. He said there was some snow near the summit therefore the mountain was rated class 3 but looks good for a summit tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed.We got some wonderful views of water falls and K on our fast pace into the Park. We needed to do 9.9 miles in 4 hours. We were able to do it in 3.5 hours. We checked in at the ranger station. I am thru hiker number 500 for the 2004 northbound season. It is believed that 90 hikers are southbound. Sue showed up around 6 PM. We headed into Millinoket where she had booked 2 rooms for 2 nights at the Katahdin Inn which has an indoor pool. After dinner at McDonalds we watched the Red Sox beat the Cardinals in the second game of the World Series. Pokey called to say his mom had spent 3 days on busses to meet him at Katahdin after his summit. He had no idea she would do this. She is one awesome lady.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-10-25
From: Katahdin stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak, Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I took a shower and washed all of the clothing in my pack. I emptied everything from my pack then reloaded it with only items I would need for a day hike up Katahdin. A light pack is awesome.We had breakfast in the lobby of the hotel then drove to the Appalachian Inn to pick up Pokey's mom. She was not feeling well and decided not to ride with us to Baxter State Park to see us off on our last day of hiking. The sky was overcast but not raining. Poptart asked the park ranger if it was ever clear on top of the mountain and cloudy down below. He said it could happen but doesn't happen often. We signed the clipboard at the trailhead at 8:08 AM. We made good time to Katahdin Falls. They are very impressive. The trail got steep soon after the falls then very steep with a great deal of tough scrambles. In some locations there are metal rods installed to make it possible to climb over the rocks.   Some of the scrambles were scary. I was concerned about how difficult the descent would be. We continued up the mountain as the clouds began to clear near the summit. We were able to look down on the clouds below and blue sky above. When we reached the Table Lands some of the peaks on neighboring mountains began to appear through the clouds. We reached the summit at 1:00 PM. Poptart had been there for 1.5 hours. We ate lunch after doing pictures. In the distance we saw a hiker approach. Bryan, a day hiker, is on a year long vacation with his wife. They had planned on camping in Baxter but decided to settle for a day hike when they learned the park was closed to camping for the season. He was excited to find 3 thru hikers on the summit. We headed down around 1:30. We made good time across the Table Lands but soon got bogged down with the very steep climb down the rocky ridge. Every step down rattled my knees. Eventually it got painful. Some swelling made it difficult to bend my knee as far as I would like on many of my maneuvers. It was extremely slow going. Some parts were scary. We made it down to the clip board to sign out at 6:08 PM exactly 10 hours from when we started our hike. Sue was waiting in the parking lot with Sheila, Pokey's mom. Bryan and his wife Dawn waited for us to come down to congratulate us on our successful thru hike. We rode into Millinocot stopping for a quick dinner then back to the hotel. A shower made me feel a lot better. Now for a little rest and relaxation. Tomorrow we head for home.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2003-10-05
To: far away from the land of Numbers
Miles today: 0.0

So here I am again... it's 2003 and I miss the trail and trail life... My mind wanders to thoughts and smells from 2000 and 2001... The beard has already started growing out... the hair is getting longer... fame and fortune in the city... I wonder what it has gotten me... Solitude and companionship of the green woods... hmmmm... March 4th is coming soon... I will shed the onion like skin of yesterdaze woes and become a butterfly in golden pimp boots."For seven years I dwelt in the loose palace of exile.Playing strange games with the girls of the Island. Now I have come again to the land of the fair and the strong and the wise. Brothers and Sisters of the pale forest. Children of the night. Who among you will run with the hunt? Now, night arrives with her purple legions. Retire now to your tents and to your dreams. Tomorrow we enter the town of my birth. I want to be ready."- Jim Morrison
Date: 2003-10-06
To: No Where
Miles today: 0.0

It's funny... starting the trail for the third time in four years... I now am a Chef at a very up and coming new restaurant in Chicago. We have gotten many many great accolades (spelling, yes I know but it is early and I am tired): Gourmet named us as one of the top new restaurants, Food and Wine called us the one of the top ten new restaurants in the WORLD, Bon Appetit named us a top new US restaurant... This is great, but... I am tired of the 80 hour weeks; one day off maybe lifestyle... Oh yeah, I'm bitching... So rather than focus on the negative I'd rather start by saying since my thru hike in 2000 I have been dreaming of my return... Rambunny is coming out for her fourth thru hike... See Ya All on the Trail!!!PEACE
Date: 2003-10-12
To: far, far away
Miles today: 0.0

"...Anywhere you go in the world, you'll find the same story being enacted, and if you don't take a place in it you won't get fed."True.""Mother Culture teaches you that this is as it should be. Except for a few thousand savages scattered here and there, all the peoples of the Earth are now enacting this story. This is the story man was born to enact, and to depart from it is to resign from the human race itself, is to venture into oblivion. Your place is here, participating in this story, putting your shoulder to the wheel, and as a reward, being fed. There is no 'something else'. To step out of the story is to fall off the edge of the world. There's no way out of it except through death."Daniel QuinnIshmael
Date: 2004-02-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well... i cut the cord tying me to the "real" world... I made a personal decision to leave the restaurant world forever and to spend some time walking in the woods and deserts of this world. Many people, family included, think I am crazy for quitting a career on a very major upswing. I can not look at it that way. I wish I hadn't waited so long for this moment to come. I am not really sure what I will do for the rest of my life, but I know it won't be in a hot kitchen; sweating... I am looking so forward to being outside, in the woods once again... and after Katahdin... hmmm... who knows?Peace and Love to one and ALL!Aswah
Date: 2004-02-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So, in the last few days I have given notice... It is weird though... I went from knowing my departure date confirmed to having a date ranging from end of March to sometime in April. That really sucks, but I will be patient. I also just moved out of my house and stored everything left that I own. I am getting a wide variety of reponses to my quitting cooking.... everything from "you are crazy leaving such a great job" to "right on". I have to walk my own path thru life... and this is the one I choose.   So now I sit and wait for my spring to come... I sleep in my bag and on my therma rest everynight. I have slept outside on my girlfriend's balcony twice... Seeya out there,Aswah GAME 2004p.s. I did find my Golden Pimp Boots from 2000... they are a little dusty and fragrant... they might make out on the AT for a stretch (and a stench)
Date: 2004-03-10
To: Freedom
Miles today: 0.0

I finally have a concrete date... April 2nd... I cannot wait... I saw Ziggy Marley last night... Very intelligent brother... Very conscious... This will be my last ranting and raving and soap boxing till I start the trail. I want to thank everyone in my life for helping me to find my path in life... Even the smallest star shines brightly in the dark night... everybody's worried about timebut i just keep that shit off my mindpeople living on twenty four hour clocksbut we're on a ride that never stopshey mister bee the world change but you remain the sameand i wonder how you'll survive with the environment going down the drainhey miss dragonfly i see you look at me with your beautiful eyesyou must be wondering what type of creature am ia dog looked at me and said ziggy why can't we trust manpuss and me get together why can't you all just understandan old tree stood there silently listening to every word we saidas a tear fell he cried what type of creature is mani said hey mister tree the world change but you remain the sameand i wonder how you survive with the environment going down the drainhey miss butterfly I see you look at me with your beautiful eyesyou must be wondering what kind of creature am iyou must be wondering what kind of creature am ieverybody's worried about timebut i just keep that shit off my mindpeople living on twenty four hour clocksbut we're on a ride yes we're on a ride we're on a ride that never stopshey mister bee the world change but you remain the sameand i hope you'll survive with the environment going down the drainhey miss butterfly i see you look at me with your beautiful eyesyou must be wondering what type of creature am iyou must be wondering what type of creature is manWOW... remember, this journal is about an inner voyage...   The travel from what is expected in your life by Mother Culture (check out Ismael)... Live your own life... whatever path that takes YOU on... one love... LIVE TODAY...more Ziggy Lyrics...irie days come on playlet the angels fly let the devils diegot to do what you can with the time at handAli boom mah yeah Ali boom mah yeahdon't worry your mind its just the test of timein five years these be the good old daysno one knows what the future holds for everything has a seasonits not a time for war its a time for peacetomorrow knows tomorrow woesI remember when grandpa use to say grandson these be the good old daysthese be the good old daysnow comes the moon with its starry lightsand so begins the night lifethe tribal dance puts me in a tranceas she pulls me in with her magic swingI asked of her what do we celebrateshe said to me these be the good old daysthese be the good old daysleh leh leh leh leh leh leh lehthere is no future there is only nowlet's cherish these moments that we now knowthese be the good old daysOne LoveASWAH
Date: 2004-03-30
To: Bliss
Miles today: 0.0

You know, life sometimes is really fantastic. You meet beautiful people whereever, whenever. In these last days, I have had some of the best conversations about with the people I never expected. Life is fabtastic. Fabtastic? well at least fantastic... I have had the joy of sharing my last moments in the numbered world with both my and lisa's family. I feel I am finally myself... or at least accepted to try to be whom I want to be. Hey if Don King can happen... what about me?Tomorrow I leave the warm shine of family to be with some dear old trail friends... Rambunny and Freighttrain... There was a famous song about leaving on a jet plane... us? we are leaving on a freight train...Peace... in two short days I too will be turned loose in the woods... To show that world to my best friend...Thanks for all the support back home... as I stated in 2000, it is your family and friends who are the true stars of the trail... we fools just walk it.goodnightnext time you hear from me I will be deep in the pucker brush...as Jerry said: "May the four winds guide you home..."Goodnight
Date: 2004-04-01
To: Springer Mountain, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

What a long strange trip it has been... Wow! Lisa and I drove over to Rambunnies house after a night, which originally was gonna be a farewell teary eyed kind of thingey, in a B&B. Both Bunny and Freighttrain (SOBO 00) met us at the Avis and we drove over to Bunnies' nest. After much kindness and discussion we started the drive to Springer. 523 miles. I won't bore you with petty details but I will say we arrived very safely at 2:00 am. We were beat and looking for flat ground to lay down on. We settled on flat ground 1/2 mile from the parking lot. So, by 2:05 am, we had slack packed, stealth camped and night hiked all in five minutes. It isn't even day one and Lisa and I have knocked back a few hiker feats. Sleep came quickly with her purple minions... Tomorrow the hunt begins... Peace, Aswah