morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to (1280')

To: Shaw's in Monson, ME
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: few clouds

Today started with a beautiful climb over Moxie Bald which had cool rock formations on the way up and an awesome view. The weather was beautiful and the rest of the day was very flat and easy walking. The two fords of the Piscataquis River that have been nasty recently were fine today. I walked along the Piscataquis for a little while which was nice. I had lost my deet yesterday so I got really eaten up. I got to the Monson road crossing and was able to get a hold of Shaw's for a ride. When I arrived at Shaw's there were a lot of southbounders recovering from the 100 mile wilderness. The scene reminded me a lot of being in GA and everyone was in pain and taking it easy (and there were a lot more people.) I haven't been around this many thru-hikers in a while. A southbounder named Chef offered to cook dinner for some people (Filet mignon, fish, and salad) and considering he is an actual Chef as his name implies I jumped on the chance. While dinner was cooking I got cleaned up and went to the general store for resupply. When I walked in the owner was playing a 12-string and showing off a muzzle loading flint lock rifle he had hand made most of. I was able to get all the food I needed and there were a few random things I needed that Tim, the owner, helped me find. The store seemed to be the center of town with people popping in all the time and everyone knows one another. Tim even gave me a couple things for free. When I got back Chef had just finished dinner and I sat down to eat with a couple southbounders. Some of them didn't finish theirs and I had no problem helping them out. I hung around some more and got packed a little. Chef gave me some dehydrated stew and I'm psyched because its something he made himself. I talked to Richard and the wheels are still in motion for the off campus house next semester. There are so many southbounders here at Shaw's. I never really knew that there were swarms of then like the northbounders. Pretty soon though they'll be the lonely ones in a midst of northbounders.
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Shaw's in Monson, ME

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to (2420')
Miles today: 19.1

I slept great on the comfy bed at Shaw's and woke up to their famous breakfast. It took me a while to finally leave because I had to go down to the Post Office to pick up my memory card and I also called home to finalize plans for Ragged Lake and get directions on how to get there. I didn't hit the trail until 10:30. I always get bummed about late starts but I am so psyched to be in the hundred mile wilderness and I felt really prepared. That was until I realized I forgot to get alcohol fuel in Monson. It was too late to go back and I probably have enough for two or maybe three dinners. My next chance to resupply is about 70 miles from Monson but I didn't intend on stopping there. I feel like it takes away from the 100 mile wilderness and that I should deal with my own forgetfulness. I also considered buying fuel from any southbounders I saw that were going into Monson but again I feel like its my responsibility and I should be completely self reliant at this point. The hiking was nice for the most part. I couple of fords and really nice waterfalls. Barren ledges and Barren Mtn had some great views but there was also some crappy overgrown stuff. I made a fire when I got in to not waste my fuel and I cooked a meal that normally would require a lot of fuel so that the meals I have left are only going to require small amounts. I don't really feel like I'm almost done and I'm not sure if thats a good or bad thing. If I felt like time was running out I might try and do things differently from how I normally would. I'm really excited about seeing Mom, Dad, and Esra and being at Ragged Lake with them. I'm also looking forward to visiting camp, the bluegrass festival, hanging out at home with friends, and living in my new off campus place when school starts. I suppose its good I've got so much to look forward to after I finish so that I'm not fixated on wanting to be back on the trail. It is hard to not think about those things while I'm hiking though and it gets distracting. As of right now I'm less than 100 miles away.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to (2420')

To: Logan Brook Lean-to (2485')
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

Today started with a few ups and downs and some light rain. I saw two woodpeckers that looked like pileated woodpeckers but smaller and without the red. They were going in and out of a hole in a tree. I saw a couple baby birds (or chicks I suppose) that flew right in front of my face and they still had their fluffy down feathers. There's been a lot of good bird calls but I can never see the bird or have any idea what it is. There's one I keep hearing that sounds like someone playing every note on a high pitched flute as fast as they can. I was going to take lunch at the hermitage which is an area of white pines over 100 ft tall but when I got there I was swarmed badly by mosquitos. You can't stop moving when they're around or you'll have 20 on you in a second. At this point I hadn't put on deet yet and didn't plan on it until after I ate but I had to get some on. I threw down my pack, grabbed my deet and was pacing up and down the trail spraying myself. A southbound hiker came across me panning around spraying deet but I'm sure he understood what was going on. There was a cool bog called Fourth Mtn. bog that I walked across today early on and it was very pretty and high up, quite different from most of the bogs I see. The rain picked up again going over West Peak and really got going when I was coming down White Cap. There's supposed to be a view of Katahdin from White Cap but the visibility did not allow it. I'm in the shelter with Stealth tonight who started hiking from Springer March of last year, had open heart surgery, and then picked up hiking again this year from where he left off. I did better today at not thinking about what's waiting for me after Katahdin. It was a physically tough day with my pack heavy with food, 24 miles, and 8 mountains traversed. According to the southbounders I've met Whitecap is the last climb I have until Katahdin and my elevation maps seem to say the same thing. I did use some alcohol fuel tonight because its too wet for a fire but I was able to get away with only using a little bit.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Logan Brook Lean-to (2485')

To: Pemadumcook Lake (530')
Miles today: 23.7

Stealth was out way before me this morning. The skies were clear and I immediately walked through a young birch forest. There were two small climbs still on a nice trail and then the trail turned onto some old road. There were two big treads and it was real flat. I felt really slow all through this even though its been some of the easiest trail in Maine. My pack felt heavy and my feet were acting sore. I took a break at Crawford Pond and then again when I reached Jo-Mary Lake at Antlers Campsite. I had seen a huge Pileated woodpecker earlier and when I was leaving Antlers campsite a spruce grouse started yelling and charging me. I just whacked my sticks together and scared it and then it charged again. I guess it was defending its nest. When I got to Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to I was relieved to get a break, but the bugs were horrible. I couldn't relax like I wanted to. I saw there was another lake less than a mile away so I headed there thinking the breeze would keep the bugs away. I'm camped at a side trail to Pemadumcook Lake that has a view of Katahdin. I set up and made a small fire for cooking dinner and I went to eat at the lake. I'm on a rock with driftwood all around and to my left is Katahdin. I can't see the whole thing, its teasing me right now. Its lifting up its skirt a little bit but not giving away the whole thing. All day today when I was walking on the trail that used to be a road I was feeling disappointed with the 100 mile wilderness. But all these lakes are great and the trail appears to be back in the woods more. It is a great moment at this Lake I'm at. It's something I've been imagining for a while and it feels nice. Only two mild days of hiking left then Katahdin on the third.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Pemadumcook Lake (530')

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to (710')
Miles today: 29.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up to the sound of a raindrop on my tent. I desperately did not want to be carrying a wet tent around so I packed up as fast as possible. The rain never picked up so I was able to keep everything pretty dry before I got going. I saw Stealth as I was about to leave. He had stayed at the buggy shelter and just set up his tent inside. There's a place called White House Landing about a mile off the trail where you blow an air horn and get picked up by a boat that takes you where there is a place to stay, burgers, and resupply. I didn't want to stop because I wanted to do the 100 mile wilderness in one continuous hike. I was good on food so I kept going past it. There was a lot of nice walking along rivers and streams today and it was pretty flat. The rain was light and in and out but overcast the whole day. I felt a lot less tired today and was moving much better. I pushed all the way to Hard Brook Lean-to because I was feeling good and didn't want to cut the day short, especially after seeing Katahdin yesterday. Now I can either hike up it tomorrow or the next day and it will all depend on the weather. I really want a nice day up there and I've been lucky so far on this hike with having good weather when I wanted it most (Smokies, Whites.) There was a sign on top of Rainbow Ledges that told me I was 2.6 from the shelter, but it also said I was 20.5 miles from Katahdin. Everytime I've seen Katahdin on a sign its had some ridiculous mileage in the hundreds next to it and I usually just ignore whatever it says. All signs to Katahdin until now have been something funny you take a picture of. Seeing 20.5 miles with the word Katahdin next to it was pretty cool. At this point 20.5 miles is an easy day. The elevation map of Katahdin is pretty scary though and all the southbounders are recommending I not take my pack up. I'm definitely taking it up since I've carried everything this far why would I stop on the last 5 miles or so? It should be a lot of fun and I hope tomorrow is a nice day and if not then the next day better be.
Date: 2007-11-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Welcome friends, family and passersby. You have locked in on or stumbled upon the trail journal For Crabby Appleton. I hope that you find some enjoyment, sadistic or otherwise, in following my '08 hike of the AT. Very optimistically, I tell you this will be a five or six month experience that you can ejoy vacariously through me.In another entry, I will try to share the reasons for this impending journey and why I'd want to follow up 36 years of public service with 5-6 months in the woods. I could just as easily be cooking my body on the beach, chasing a small dimpled ball around, finding an obsession with yard sales, or just being a retired bum. But nooooo, I'd rather sleep on the rocky ground, swat blood-sucking bugs, test the last pieces of cartilage in my joints, smell like a goat (no offense to goat lovers!), and annoy countless unsuspecting victims with my noxious snoring. And do all of that for about a half year!I've been thinking about this trek now for over twenty-five years with it being a post-retirement goal for the past 10 years. For the last two years, it has been an obsession that has consumed me to the point that some friends are probably saying, "I wish he'd go ahead and get that damn hike over with!" So here we go with the planning and ultimate departure in mid-March. And, NO, you can't place a bet here!!
Date: 2007-11-19
To: A Walk in the Woods
Miles today: 0.0

How many times have you asked your self, "wouldn't it be nice if I just dropped what I'm doing and went for a wlak in the woods?" Or anything else that was a diversion and caught your imagination? Well...... that's me. After all of these years of work, it's my time to do that.Less I get charged with some copywrite infringement, let me give full credit to Bill Bryson who authored the book of this entry's name. In all fairness, the book was entertaining but for the purists like me, very disappointing. After a few spurts on the trail followed by generous stays in towns and at eateries, his hike wasn't inspirational to thru hikers wannabees.Now don't get me wrong. Even months prior to my start date, I long for the 4-5 day hikes through pointless ups and downs (PUDS) followed by town binges on cheeseburgers, brewskies, and ice cream!!So the time will come soon when my delivery on fortitude will be tested versus Bill's. Come on back, Bryson!!
Date: 2007-11-20
To: Butch the Trail Cat
Miles today: 0.0

Meet Butch. That's Butch the Trail Cat. Butch is my housemate and good buddy.The last two years of obsessing both openly and secretly about the trail and the pending hike have not been lost on him. He's checked out the new gear purchases and watched closeby as I peruse TJ.It finally came to a head as he overheard me discussing the hike on the phone. First, there was the subtle question about the "catpack" that he has apparently seen some of the canines sporting on TJ. Then, the questions of what kinds of food he could expect on the trail and, of course, it was a very picky variety.We finally had the definitive discussion. He used the value of his body warmth at night as well as his superior hunting skills in face of mice infestations in the shelters. In response, I made it clear that this was not that kind of outing and that the hike was to be one with nature and intolerant of indescriminate killing.Finally, in the face of his obstinance, I had to use the old cliche to end the discussion. I asked where he thought the phrase" like herding cats' came from. There was no response. So with that, it was decided that he would tend to the house and refrain from large parties.
Date: 2007-11-23
To: Trail Names
Miles today: 0.0

If you¢ve had a chance to visit the ¢Trail Name¢ spot on my page, you have a feel for the background behind what I¢ll answer to for 5-6 months. It¢s all a part of the trail culture. Now unless you¢re a trail journal junkie like me (who has been consumed with hiking stuff for the past two years) this trail name game may be confusing.Many who embark on this and other long distance hikes endeavor to pre-name themselves prior to starting. My theory, and the reason for establishing a name now, is that you might not wish to experience the other way of obtaining a trail name.Many hikers allow their trail companions to plant a name on them. Usually, it¢s based upon obvious personal attributes or a single event. Examples are Snack Break, Slow Poke, Lead Dog, Mountain Dew. Now, for me (and others) the risk of others who you barely know giving you a tag that will be your handle for 2,175 miles is a bit scary. Imagine the possibilities based on one occurrence or an attribute that you¢re not so proud of. Names like Stinky, Clumsy Oaf, Fartfly, Handburner, or Privy King.No thank you. I¢ll just keep my name. Yes, I know it has its got its problems too. So the next time you run across a hiker with a trail name like ¢Helter Skelter¢, consider the possibilities.Crabby Appleton, ¢Rotten to the Core¢.
Date: 2007-11-25
To: Frequently Asked Questions
Miles today: 0.0

Like most of us announcing our thru hike plans to others, I¢ve gotten a host of well-intentioned and thoughtful questions. Aside from the generally unasked ¢is he crazy?¢, the questions generally follow the same pattern. In the order of popularity, I¢ll try to answer these burning questions.#1 (Believe it or not) Aren¢t you afraid of the bears?Actually, for me and for others, I hope I do see a bear! With only a few exceptions, black bears are more afraid of us than most folks think and will avoid contact, if possible. Now, if I¢m unlucky enough to come between a mama bear and her cubs, ask me that question again!#2 Are you going alone?That¢s a tough question. I think most people mean, ¢is a friend going with you?¢ The answer is no. However, my starting time is mid-March and is a very busy time at Springer Mtn. So I won¢t be alone. What I look forward to most is meeting people and joining the trail community. So the answer is ¢no, I won¢t be going alone¢.#3   What about showers and similar comforts?I¢m planning to see just how disgusting I can become doing w/o a shower for 6 months. Wrong. No, for the most part, I¢ll be hitting towns( motels & hostels) every 5-7 days so I won¢t be offending everyone that comes within 30 feet of me ( I can hear my friends who had planned to meet me along the way canceling as they read this)#4   How far will you be going?The whole way! That¢s not intended to be sarcastic because some hikers just do sections of the trail at one time. My plan, body willing, is to do the full 2,174 miles over a 5-6 month period.#5 What will you eat?Bugs, grass, and an occasional songbird. Now, that¢s sarcastic! I¢m sorry. Truthfully, I¢ll resupply in those towns that I mentioned. I¢ll live off of whatever goes with hot water boiled on my stove and travels light. That means Ramen noodles, Lipton Side Dishes, Mac n Cheese, etc. When I hit those towns, fat and greasy cheeseburgers are fair game! Burning 5,000 ¢ 6,000 calories per day allows for that¢¦¢¦.ain¢t it great??
Date: 2007-11-26
To: Trail Talk (Part 1)
Miles today: 0.0

Now don¢t get confused. This isn¢t going to be one of those pieces that defines the anachronisms like they have in the armed forces. This is a brief dictionary of sorts that will define terms that I may find myself using once I get absorbed in the trail culture. Those who endeavor to hike the AT become closely bonded and use terms that are meaningful generally to themselves. I¢ll try to define them as well as other words uncommonly used by flatlanders.AYCE--- Brings a smile to most thru hikers since it means All You Can Eat places in towns. They¢re great when trail food can¢t possibly keep up with the 5,000-6,000 per day calorie burn.Bear Bag----No, it¢s not a feeding contraption for all the Yogi¢s in the woods. These are bags hung from trees and other devices to keep the inquisitive and hungry guys from raiding food stashes.Blazes--- Probably more important than the AYCE places. Blazes, white ones in particular, mark the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. A road sign of sorts.Bounce Box---Weight (or lack thereof) is critical on the trail. To keep the weight off of your back, you send less needed items (battery chargers, clothing, etc.) ahead to post offices for occasional use. They are ¢bounced¢ from PO to PO.Cowboy Camping---When one feels especially confident of dry weather and no bugs, the sleeping pad is laid out under the stars sans the shelter or tent.Double Blaze--- Two of these placed atop one another indicates that the trail is taking a turn ahead. End to ender---Another word for a thru hiker or someone doing the 2,000+ milesFlip Flopper---Keep those heads clean, now. This refers to someone who may hike in one direction but, in order to finish the hike or section, flips to the other end and hikes in the opposite direction.Gearhead¢I confess, that¢s me. Researching and buying the equipment may be as much fun as the hike. Hike Your Own Hike---This should be the motto of everyone hiking the AT. It means simply that this is your own experience and your pace, habits, style, etc. should be only yours to follow.PUDS---Pointless Ups and Downs. This is more of an attitude that comes into play after continuous hiking with mountains, valleys, and gaps running together (mentally)Purist---Okay, I admit it. That¢s me. The trail is roughly 2,174 miles long and I¢ll hike every mile of it, if successful. That means no shortcuts around mountains or hitches in cars to avoid AT miles. If it¢s got a white blaze on it, I¢m hiking it.
Date: 2007-12-01
To: Trail Talk Part 2
Miles today: 0.0

If you¢re still interested, here¢s the second edition of the trail lingo seminar. Stay awake now!Section Hiker---Some folks just don¢t have the time or desire to hike the whole AT at one time (been there). Some do it over years in sections. The term also refers to people who are out on a short hike¢good for them. There are more of them than thrus.Stealth camping---Not something that you may plan ahead but a little on the sly. This is camping in undesignated areas or without a trace. Slack packing---This is not for this ¢purist¢, a violation of the thru hiker creed. This term refers thinking a stretch of trail without carrying your normal load of gear. It happens when someone is willing to meet you at the end of your stretch of trail by car thus eliminating the need to haul the normal weight. Generally, it happens in short stretches of trail.Stile¢The AT crosses over public and privately owned land. In some places, cattle share the common ground. Obviously, a fence of sorts is needed to keep the moo cows contained. A stile is a crossing device that allows hikers out and cows in. Fortunately, for the farmers, the cows haven¢t figured a way around or over these¢¦..yet.Thru hiker¢You¢ve figured this out by now. It¢s those of us that make it the whole 2,174 miles.Trail magic--- It¢s all that it sounds!! Locals, formers hikers, or just good people perform the ¢magic¢. It ranges from beverages placed in streams to cookouts strategically located along the trail to help out hikers when they need supplies and food the most. Truly, it represents the best part of the trail existence.Yogi-ing--- In some cases, this is the skillful art of looking pitiful enough to have someone give a hiker food. If you ask for it, it¢s called begging.Zero (in)---For most, especially guys my age, this will be a magicical term. Every 4-6 days, there are small towns on or near the trail. These places contain stores for resupply, restaurants for real food, and motels/hostels for a real bed and shower. Many times, a day spent in towns may be just getting caught up on food, mail, R&R, communications, and laundry. There are zero miles logged on the trail, thus the term.