morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-14
From: Pittsburgh PA

To: Gorham NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My hiking partner (Hoot) and I met up at Logan International Airport. We spent most of the day there because our bus taking us back to Gorham NH (where we left off last year) didn¢t arrive till 3pm. The bus was two hours late arriving in Gorham, but Marni owner of White Mountain Hostel was waiting for us in the parking lot. I can not say enough good things about White Mountain Hostel.
Date: 2016-06-15
From: Gorham NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Hoot and I were ready to go after breakfast and coffee at the Hostel. Our goal for the day was Gentian Pond Shelter. We both have bad knees and had already talked about the need to pace ourselves. I am 60 years old. Hoot is 64. Hoot contracted lyme on his attempted thru-hike in 2012. It was a hot day. As usual I lost my appetite as soon as I hit the trail. I was in trouble right off the bat. I was very fatigued. My legs were cramping. I managed to eat some tuna on a tortilla but was already forcing it down.
Date: 2016-06-16
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I am excited to cross the NH/ME state line. Wow finally made to Maine. This is actually the first time that I have set foot in Maine. I said to Hoot you can truthfully say that you¢ve hiked from Georgia to Maine. He just scoffed at me. I am suffering. I have not eaten anything today. The day is hot. The hiking is tough. When you section hike the first few days are the hardest because your body is adjusting to the trail. It is not a good sign when you throw up in the morning. No food, hot weather, challenging terrain are adding up to a recipe for disaster. I am not off to a good start. Now my legs and stomach are cramping. I made it to Full Goose Shelter.
Date: 2016-06-17
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Spec Pond shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: light rain

I am beginning to notice a difference in my partner¢s and my hiking style. Hoot is up packed and finished with his oatmeal while I am just having my coffee and working on a second cigar. Today we are looking forward to what is called the hardest mile on the AT, Mahoosuc Notch. There was a trail reroute on the way down to the notch which chewed my tent bag up pretty good. The notch was fun though. We helped each other pull and push our packs through the boulders. We incurred a couple scrapes and bruises. Mahoosuc Arm was one mile straight up with very little to grab onto. I still have not eaten going on four days now. I got to the top of the Arm and found a sunny flat spot on a boulder and fell asleep. I arrived at Spec Pond shelter and Hoot said ¢I thought maybe you fell asleep.¢ I told him that I did. I am not feeling well at all. Every step is an effort. I am very fatigued and amp cramping in stomach and legs.
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Spec Pond shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I tented Hoot stayed in the shelter. Our plan was to hike from Spec Pond to Baldpate lean-to. Of course Hoot already had his pack on while I was getting my things together and smoking a cigar. He came over to the tent pad. I said I would meet him at Baldpate. He said no we will meet at Grafton Notch parking lot and decide if we need to go back to White Mountain Hostel for a day off. At least that is what I heard. So the day took its toll on me. I had only been able to force one little pack of fruit snacks down since three days ago. By the time I made the long steep descent into Grafton Notch I knew I was in trouble and needed to get off of the trail for a while and rest and try to get some food in me. When I got to the parking lot I found that Hoot had already moved on from SOBOs. I yogied water from day hikers and crossed the highway and stealth camped.I know I am physically in trouble.Just look at the low miles. Every step is a struggle and having to constantly stop to rest is frustrating.
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Grafton Notch

To: Frye Notch Lean-to
Miles today: 5.8

I rose early packed up and headed to Frye Notch Lean-to figuring that Hoot would be there. I met a hiker who had stayed with him at Baldpate and he asked him to tell me that was was what he would do. So here go still can¢t eat. The weather is super hot and humid. I can¢t drink enough water. The 2,125 up Table Rock was slow but doable. Then I ran into a SOBO who was suffering from hiking the Baldpate peaks. Good news he had Hoot¢s tent. Hoot had dropped it and asked if he could give it to me. He was so relieved to hand it over. So I strapped it on my pack and climbed Baldpate West Peak 3,662 ft., Baldpate East Peak 3,812ft., and Little Baldpate Mountain 3,442 ft. I got close to Frye Notch Lean-to and had to rest. Hoot walked down the trail and saw me and insisted on carrying my pack to the Lean-to. I said that was not necessary, but I did give him his tent. When we got to the shelter he said we need to go to the hostel in Andover and regroup. He knew I was in bad condition. I knew I was in bad condition. I fell down just setting up my tent. I still couldn¢t eat anything.I knew I was hurting but still was not sure why.
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Frye Notch Lean-to

To: East B Hill Road
Miles today: 4.5

It was only about a 4 mile hike from Frye Notch to B Road. The terrain was not bad. I still had to stop seven times and could not get enough water.Hoot and another hiker waited for me at B road. The other hiker had already called for a shuttle to Pine Ellis Hostel. I knew I was hurting. I knew I was in trouble but did not really know how bad. Gloria from Pine Ellis picked us up. We got to the hostel, got cleaned up. I knew that I needed rest and had to try to eat. I started with the Gatorade and food. I rested the rest of the day.
Date: 2016-06-21
From: East B Hill Road

To: Pine Ellis Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

So an unplanned zero day in Andover. I felt bad about how I was slowing my hiking partner down but in the back of my mind I thought the rest might do him good too. I was now eating drinking gatorade and IPA. Hoot didn¢t seem to think the IPA was the right prescription for my condition, but I did.I received a call from a very good friend of our family who is a doctor of internal medicine. Who I respect very much. She told me that I was suffering from heat exhaustion and expressed the seriousness of the condition in no uncertain terms. When she said that 80% of the people with my symptoms die without immediate medical attention I began to cry. I thought if I die I will probably never make it to Katahdin. My wife called Mill¢s Market in Andover and they got a digital thermometer and powdered gatorade delivered the next morning. Thanks to Eileen, Naomi, and Gloria at the hostel and my hiking partner Hoot for being patient I was able to slack pack 10 miles the next day.
Date: 2016-06-22
From: South Arm Road

To: East B Road
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I am feeling much better. I was instructed to check my temperature so after the first big climb of the day I did and was fine. I was not full of energy but had only minor stomach cramps. I made the ten miles but slower than I should have. Hoot waited for me. I missed the shuttle so we had to wait a long time or her to come back. After today's slack pack I feel ready to move on.
Date: 2016-06-23
From: East B Road

To: Bemis Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: scattered clouds

So now we are getting dropped off at the bottom of Old Blue Mountain. It is a 3600 ft. Peak that the SOBOs were saying was so tough. Both of us were surprised at how easily and quickly we made it to the top. There were so many SOBOs at the Bemis Mtn. Lean-to that we barely found a place to set up our tents.
Date: 2016-06-24
From: Bemis Mountain Lean-to

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: scattered clouds

We had a nice evening the night before. Now I am eating too. Hoot is up, packed. While I am finishing my coffee and smoking a cigar, Hoot headed on down the trail. It was an easy hike to Sabbath Pond Lean-to. Hoot had been waiting quite a while. We wanted to hike a little more because we had to be the highway by noon so a friend of his could pick us up. The next water was not until six miles down the trail and neither of us had six more miles in us. So we decided to get up as soon as we heard the birds and move as fast as we could. We shared the shelter with BeeBee and Flo from Kentucky.
Date: 2016-06-25
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Maine Rt. 4 Rangely
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

We did the 10 miles or so easily before noon. We stopped once and enjoyed chatting with some SOBOs at Little Swift River Camp Site. Heather picked us up, gave us Gatorade and drove us to Belgrade where she and her family lived. It felt good to sit in a vehicle. I took it as a compliment when she said we did not smell as bad as she thought we would.
Date: 2016-06-26
From: Maine Rt. 4 Rangely

To: Belgrade
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero day in Belgrade NE with the Seider family. Heather¢s mother worked with Hoot and offered to let us stay in her summer trailer that is right next door to her daughter Heather¢s house. Heather¢s husband Jason is a fisheries biologist for the state of Maine. Since I am a fisherman we had some great conversation.
Date: 2016-06-27
From: Belgrade

To: Belgrade
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Zero day in Belgrade NE with the Seider family. Heather¢s mother worked with Hoot and offered to let us stay in her summer trailer that is right next door to her daughter Heather¢s house. Heather¢s husband Jason is a fisheries biologist for the state of Maine. Since I am a fisherman we had some great conversation. Heather took us to stores for resupply. Again an act of kindness that might have saved my hike.
Date: 2016-06-28
From: Belgrade

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.7

Jason dropped us off at the trail head where Heather had picked us up two days before. He picked up Hoot¢s pack to see how heavy it was and said ¢now I really respect you guys.¢ We said goodbye and could not thank him enough for being so kind to us. We hiked to Poplar Ridge and camped. There were a lot of SOBOs and one or two NOBO thru-hikers. My knee was hurting bad.
Date: 2016-06-29
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Spaulding Mtn. Lean-to
Miles today: 9.8

Spaulding Lean-to was crowded with SOBOs. We wanted to get an early start but I did not care to hike with lightning bolts all around my head. Once the lightning stopped we started hiking in the rain. Hoot was concerned about fording the Carrabassett river because of all the rain but it was no problem. Just after I summited South Crocker Mtn. 4,040 ft. serious thunderstorms moved in. Pouring rain and lightning all around me. There is nowhere to go but forward as fast as I can. The trail is now a flowing stream in spots. All I can do is get to Maine 27 and off of this mountain as quickly as possible and away from the lightning. When I got to the road Public Address (trail name) was waiting for me. He had already taken Hoot to the hostel in Stratton.
Date: 2016-06-30
From: Spaulding Mtn. Lean-to

To: Stratton NH
Miles today: 14.5

Spaulding Lean-to was crowded with SOBOs. We wanted to get an early start but I did not care to hike with lightning bolts all around my head. Once the lightning stopped we started hiking in the rain. Hoot was concerned about fording the Carrabassett river because of all the rain but it was no problem. Just after I summited South Crocker Mtn. 4,040 ft. serious thunderstorms moved in. Pouring rain and lightning all around me. There is nowhere to go but forward as fast as I can. The trail is now a flowing stream in spots. All I can do is get to Maine 27 and off of this mountain as quickly as possible and away from the lightning. When I got to the road Public Address (trail name) was waiting for me. He had already taken Hoot to the hostel in Stratton.
Date: 2016-07-01
From: Stratton NH

To: Safford Campsite
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I spent a zero day in Stratton. My right ankle was killing me. I did not injure it that I know of. Hoot was headed out to hike. I told him to go on without me. He didn¢t seem happy about it. I told him he didn¢t need me to continue. I said that he would meet other people to hike with. That is how it is on the AT. You make hiking friends very quickly. He said well you will have to be by yourself. I reminded him that my old trail name was Lone Wolf. He just replied ¢you will always be Sundance to me.¢
Date: 2016-07-02
From: Safford Campsite

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: few clouds

Public Address dropped me off at the trail head. A car stopped and asked if I needed a ride into Stratton. I said no I am heading back onto the trail. He said he often gives rides to hikers because his girlfriend had recently thru-hiked the AT and he likes to help the hikers. I thanked him and told how much hikers appreciate the help. Today ended up being my most rewarding day on the AT. I thought the Bigelows offered the most stunning views on the entire trail so far. I camped at Safford campsite with Miles, Archilles, and Black Hole. These were young SOBOs. I tried to offer them words of encouragement because they were already feeling the rigors of the trail and seemed a little intimidated by what was ahead.
Date: 2016-07-04
From: Kennebec River

To: Caratunk ME
Miles today: 0.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up early and was one of the first people in the canoe to cross the Kennebec. I hiked up into Caratunk with some other hikers and called for a shuttle to Sterling Inn. Had a good stay there with several SOBOs. I gave them some of my extra food that I knew I would not need. They were very appreciative.
Date: 2016-07-05
From: Caratunk ME

To: Bald Mtn. Lean-to
Miles today: 14.7

I hiked from Caratunk to Bald Mountain Lean-to. When I began my descent of Pleasant Pond Mountain I met up with several SOBOs. One young couple had a dog that was really suffering. It was very hot and there is no water on the mountain. They were giving it water from a bottle but it was not enough. I would not take a dog on the AT for a long distance hike. Other Sobos were complaining about all of the false summits on this mountain. One said that the 100 mile wilderness almost killed him. I did not say much thinking they haven¢t seen anything yet. Southern Maine is unforgiving. Then they still have the Whites. At bald Mountain Lean-to I met Scorch and PA Farm Boy. Scorch and I started talking about the logistics of getting home from Baxter. It felt strange that I had progressed to the point that finishing and exiting Baxter was a topic of conversation.
Date: 2016-07-06
From: Bald Mtn. Lean-to

To: Horshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: broken clouds

I hiked the 14 miles or so to Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to and set up my tent. A group of about 11 girls were there from a Girls Club in Maine. I was impressed with these young ladies. They were friendly and polite. They were up early and packed and ready to hike the next morning. It rained hard that night. In the morning Scorch said the people in the lean-to were worried about me. I did not understand why. When I headed back up the blue blazed trail Scorch reminded me that I could just follow the blue blazes south and get back on the AT where I got my water. I explained how I don¢t skip even a small section of the trail. He understood in an amusing sort of way.
Date: 2016-07-07
From: Horshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson ME
Miles today: 9.0

I hiked the 9 miles to route 15. It started to rain making the trail slippery. I fell once. I made it to the highway and could not get a hitch. I started walking in the pouring rain. Finally two nice people Bob and JoAnne gave me a ride into Monson in their pickup truck. I walked into Lakeshore to see Hoot. It was good to see him. He was headed out the next day. I felt really good and could have gone out with him but my niece was picking me up the next day to vacation on the shore with the rest of my family.
Date: 2016-07-08
From: Monson ME

To: Portland ME
Miles today: 0.0

Hoot and I had breakfast then he waited for his shuttle back to the trail. They were a little slow at the hostel this morning and I noticed this was bothering Hoot. He likes to get going early. Anyway they finally got him loaded and back to the trail he went. I was waiting for my niece to pick me up and meet my wife and daughter in Portland. Another hiker Sarah heard that I was going to Portland and asked if she could ride along since she had broken her arm on the trail. I said of course knowing my niece and nephew would not mind. We rearranged the car and got Sarah to rest her arm on a beer case with ice on it for the trip to Portland. Just as we dropped Sarah off at her hotel near the airport I received a call from Hoot. 4 miles into the wilderness he had taken a nasty fall and injured his knee. He was off of the trail for at least 2 to 3 weeks. This is how quickly these things can happen. I spent the next week at Owls Head Maine with my family.
Date: 2016-07-16
From: Monson ME

To: Wilber Brook
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Got dropped off at the trailhead and am ready to finish the 115 miles to Katahdin. Just as Carrie had said the trail in this section is mostly roots. Roots and rocks nothing new. I wanted to make it to Long Pond Lean-to but it was getting late so I camped near Wilbur stream since it was a good water source.
Date: 2016-07-17
From: Wilber Brook

To: West Chairback Pond Side Trail
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: broken clouds

Sobos told me there was no water at Chairback so I camped near a stream at West Chairback Pond Side Trail. A SOBO couple from Canada also camped there. Not the that the terrain was any more challenging than usual. I was just tired today and was happy to set up my tent, eat my evening meal, and dry out my stinky sweaty clothes as much as possible.
Date: 2016-07-18
From: West Chairback Pond Side Trail

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

It was not bad hiking till mid-afternoon when the clouds opened up. Lightning, and pouring rain. I was soaked when I arrived at Carl A. Newhall Lean-to. I set up my tent and put on my dry clothes. I met a hiker by the trail name Muscle who happened to be from the same place where I live. Small world! I was told by a SOBO that I might not want to do too many miles the next day because White Cap was a tough climb. I replied ¢it can¢t be any tougher than what I had already been through.¢ It was a climb 3,654 ft. not bad by AT standards but I was happy. It was my last big one before Katahdin.
Date: 2016-07-19
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Spring
Miles today: 13.0

I hiked on past East Branch Lean-to. I wanted to camp near a spring that was in the Companion and on my map. Two young hikers that I had met camped at Mountain View Pond and wished me luck finding a camping spot near the spring. It was no problem. The spring had excellent water by the way. I was running low on my water treatment tabs so I was looking for springs.
Date: 2016-07-20
From: Spring

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Now I am feeling good. Now I am feeling motivated to finish this hike.Today is going to be a 17.6 mile day. The terrain is forgiving. I am in no pain. I have plenty of energy. I arrived at Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to and no one was there so I set up my tent near the spring. I was later joined by two nice SOBOs Zero and Chris. We enjoyed each other¢s company. In the morning I showed Chris how small my food bag was and she offered me some of her food. I explained that I had plenty with only one night left in the wilderness.
Date: 2016-07-21
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 18.2

I left Potaywadjo early to cover the 18.2 miles to Rainbow Stream Lean-to.I camped on pine needles on the other side of the trail from the lean-to. I met Honey Bear on the way and we became instant friends. He stayed in the lean-to and treated us to some excellent trumpet music. He carried a plastic trumpet and played it very well.
Date: 2016-07-22
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

I hiked the 15 or so miles to Abol bridge and met Honey Bear waiting for me. He had heard that bad storms were coming in and thought we should go to Millinocket. I agreed and by Appalachian Trail Lodge and zeroed there the next day.
Date: 2016-07-24
From: Millinocket ME

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2

We got shuttled to Baxter. I still had the ten miles to complete after summiting Katahdin so I had to wait till 8am to see if I could get a campsite in Baxter. I was in luck. The rangers in Baxter do anything they can to help long distance hikers. I left my pack at the ranger station and took what I needed in one of the day packs that they provide. I climbed the 5.2 miles up Katahdin passing many tired and frustrated day hikers along the way. When I touched that sign I began to cry. I had my picture taken. I chose to celebrate very quietly holding my American flag and praying on my knee thanking God that I was able to make it to this point. I was still tearing up as I started to go back down the mountain. I could still visualize all of the ground that I covered from Georgia to get to this point. Even though I had ten miles the next day to complete the journey.
Date: 2016-07-25
From: Katahdin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I spent the evening at the campsite talking with two young gentlemen who had followed me down Katahdin. They weren¢t AT hikers but really wanted to hear about the trail. I was packed and gone before they even woke up. This ten miles southbound to complete my AT journey is a pretty easy hike, but my focus is on not getting hurt. As I explained before I prided myself on legitimately walking every step of the trail. If this meant a little more expense such as $30 for the campsite and paying for the shuttle from Abol back to Millinocket so be it. The one thing I could not afford was to get hurt 5 miles from the end have to return next year to finish. I had to cross the same stream twice. I was so careful. Since a lot of this section was low elevation and near water the AT insects got their last free meals on my blood. But I made it back the Abol bridge store to complete my long 2189.1 mile journey of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.
Date: 2016-07-25
From: Katahdin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.6

I spent the evening at the campsite talking with two young gentlemen who had followed me down Katahdin. They weren¢t AT hikers but really wanted to hear about the trail. I was packed and gone before they even woke up. This ten miles southbound to complete my AT journey is a pretty easy hike, but my focus is on not getting hurt. As I explained before I prided myself on legitimately walking every step of the trail. If this meant a little more expense such as $30 for the campsite and paying for the shuttle from Abol back to Millinocket so be it. The one thing I could not afford was to get hurt 5 miles from the end have to return next year to finish. I had to cross the same stream twice. I was so careful. Since a lot of this section was low elevation and near water the AT insects got their last free meals on my blood. But I made it back the Abol bridge store to complete my long 2189.1 mile journey of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.