morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-29
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Started at 10:30 and ended at 4:35MOOOOOOOOOSE!The whole day I'm hiking with my head on a swivel. Stopping for 5-10 seconds when I hear the faintest sound. Well lo and behold, at the end of the day I have about a mile to go and I'm playfully ribbing myself, out loud mind you, about how stupid I and every other tourist is for thinking they are gonna see a damn moose when - Splish! Splash!I'm walking by a lake and I know the lean-to is up ahead so I figure it's just hikers having a swim. Grab my camera just in case and got not one, but three shots of the beast before he retreats back into the woods. It's also a pretty good thing that I heard him because I tend to tread softly when I want to and I would have walked right up on him. Where he was feeding was literally 25 feet away from the trail. I realized later that he must come out so close to the trail because the wind was blowing in a Northerly direction and 9/10 times he would have sniffed out foot traffic ahead of time. All I can say is, if I had a rifle, shoot, even a sharp spear, I'd be eating Moose tonight. At least that is how close I felt. My heart goes out to Mogley who had been NOBO, but had turned around in hopes to see a Moose before his parents picked him up from WV. He hooked me up with some trail magic in the form of homemade granola bars. They were on par with Cliff bars. I snapped a photo of him because he did look a lot like Mogley.The Rainbow Stream lean-to is beeeeeeeeeautiful. Even snapped a photo of the artwork in the privy, ha. Will head to Lighthouse landing tomorrow for a real adventure.
Date: 2009-07-30
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Whitehouse Landing
Miles today: 15.8

Today is the first day I stopped to journal. I don't think this view is in my guide book but it is definitely a good one. Unfortunately all the blueberries have been picked clean by others who thought it was a good view too. Can hear a Moose calling on the other side of the lake while I do some foot care. The rain from last night has turned the trail into a mess at times. Well, at times, it's more like a river, less of a trail. In no hurry to batter my feet up more so I'll take extra time achieving my destination (Whitehouse landing). I hear they make a good burger.Now I'm acquiescing to Mogley who stated yesterday that it's good to have no time schedule. The only reason I have a destination is because I choose. It's good to feel you have total control in a place under mother nature's control. Well, back to the feet and then back to the trail. Will write tonight.Well right after I wrote you last I discovered what the rivers had in store for me down trail. Some crossing now quadrupled in size made the kayaker in me smile, but not the hiker. I booked 8 miles from 3-7 all the while dealing with the water. The tunes helped though. Nothing a little heavy metal couldn't help. When I got to Whitehouse later though some guy was talking about trying to ford one of the streams (rivers), lost his footing and ended up being dragged down with his pack. He was able to unstrap, but at Whitehouse he was arranging for a plane ride home. I was the last one to come into Whitehouse that day and 2-3 hours prior to my arrival some SOBO's to Munson had built a bridge. Rockhound, Envirodiver, Maryl Gorgy (?) and a girl whose name escapes me.Late addition - the girls name is Vonfrick.
Date: 2009-07-31
From: Whitehouse Landing

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

So today was drizzly all day, but a necessarily easy hike. Just checked the temperature in the lean-to and it's 69 degrees. No skeeters tonight because of the rain all day and its still misting down in typical mountain style. The kind of rain that soaks you for a few days and gives you delicious trench foot (JK). My feet are fine and I am in good spirits. Packed house tonight at the lean-to. First come, first served though and I was here 3rd. for the day. A group of 15 (that's what I heard, I didn't to check them out) was up the hill tent camping. 7 in the lean-to and two more groups of 2 or 3. The other two tent camping were in the Army together and I'm guessing the 3 were NOBO's, but I'm not sure. I'm with the 4 who built the bridge though and the other two kids who were at the lean-to first.
Date: 2009-08-01
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Got my trail name last night.   "Lucky"Went from Cooper Brook to Logan Brook today. Last night there were 7 of us in the lean-to, so after I couldn't sleep in such close quarters I took my hammock out and set it up for the first time this trip. I was glad I had practiced the knots because I was able to do them solid in the dark. Often more times solid with my head lamp off. About an hour after I am finally set in my hammock the tree it was attached to falls. A tree I could barely fit my arms around has been felled by my BUTT in a hammock. After scattering away when it fell and retreating back to the lean-to I got a few hours sleep.No one got much sleep last night however due to the crowded space. Anywho, the hikers I was with gave me the trail name "Lucky". Needless to say, I like it and have formally given up "Sean" for the next few months. Vonfrick was the one to pinpoint the name. The rest thought "Lucky Irish Bastard" was too long, ha.So here I am now at the Logan lean-to, but I've set up my hammock in a more solid location. There is a nice fire going and I'm sitting with my red headlamp lens and a pen. Another packed house and I've run across a diverse group of people. No thru hikers but a lot of people doing the 100 mile Wilderness going N or S. A group of college aged kids are working on the trail here with the Maine Conservation Corps and they are based in Garland (?), Maine. Another group of 12-14 year old girls with two Wilderness guides have also set up shop from a girls camp in Maine. Those little troopers are doing 7 miles a day. I got to sit in on their 'lil closing ceremony which was cool and introduced me to a different methodology of wilderness learning. I gave my "rose", "bud" and "thorn" for the day as did each of the young girls and the guides.Very cool to meet so many people. Lucky is out for the night and will write tomorrow.
Date: 2009-08-02
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: West Branch of Pleasant River (ford)
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Logan Brooke to the ford. Did my first bit of "stealth" camping I guess you could say. The area I set up in pretty much looked like a campsite. Checked my food supply and realized I need to get to Monson soon. Will keep pushing tomorrow.
Date: 2009-08-03
From: West Branch of Pleasant River (ford)

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: few clouds

The 5 miles up Chairback Mountain was a killer but I'm all good because I was expecting it. I'm sitting here chilling on the first peak after Chairback. The view is so nice I decided it was a sin if I didn't stop to enjoy it. There is a breeze, yet it is so comfortably warm I took the shirt off for a tanning session. My feet are good, my chaffing is under control, but I have a bit of a belt rash where my hip belt contacts the outside of my left thigh. By "bit" I mean it sucks, but this hiking jazz really puts me in a good mood so I couldn't care. Nothing a little Neosporin can't fix.....back to my sunshine.Spent tonight in the Cloud Pond shelter. Sharing it with 6 scouts on a venture trip. Eating all my food and saving one meal for tomorrow.
Date: 2009-08-04
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Leeman Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

Well, I've got 1 sack of Idahoan potatoes left and here I sit on a sunny, rocky outcropping, contemplating heading to Monson. I'll probably just end up at the shelter tonight and just make Monson a whole day of rest and recuperation. I hear its a neat 'lil town, but what's more on my mind is foooood. My boots also haven't been dry since day one, ha. I'll definitely be clogging around in Monson resupplying and shipping off the stuff I don't need. When I weighed my pack at WhiteHouse it was just over 40 pounds.Ended up sleeping at the shelter. I was just 100% shot at the end of the day. I figured I'd sleep in the shelter tonight for free and then be able to spend the whole day at the hostel tomorrow.
Date: 2009-08-05
From: Leeman Brook Lean-to

To: Monson
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: broken clouds

Trekked in Monson and immediately sought out Shaw's. Ran into Vonfrick, Warraghiyagey and Rockhound who had hitched out of the 100 mile wilderness the day before. They said they sat on top of the Barren Ledges and could smell the beer in Monson. The kicker for them though was that they are all regular smokers and they had about 3 rolling papers left. Believe me though, these three are some pretty badass backpackers. Whenever I was near them on the 100 mi., you could ask them what the terrain ahead would be like and they would know.I was able to scope out the General Store, and get a bite to eat there. I also decided then and there to take an extra day, or a "zero" day in Monson because my body felt like I had played a football game. I've also read a trail journal about a hiker being sidelined by MRSA, so it would be a good thing to let my open sores heal. Today I didn't have the energy to do much more than make a few phone calls and enjoy the company of the other 3 hikers. I will save resupply, washing and Post Office for tomorrow.
Date: 2009-08-07
From: Monson

To: Near Bald Mountain Pond
Miles today: 11.6

Late start but still got around 10 miles in. Looking to hit Pierce Pond by Sunday. Rockhound left Shaw's yesterday and Vonfrick and Warrachiyagey are going to meet up with him in that area. Hopefully I can cash in on that camaraderie. Plus, it'll be a nice little push to catch up with Rockhound. I slept about 3 miles before the Moxie Bald Lean-to.
Date: 2009-08-08
From: Near Bald Mountain Pond

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

Made it to Moxie Bald for lunch. Catching up on my journaling here. Will try to get some serious mileage in today. Don't know how far I am going but hopefully far.Ended up pushing it to Pleasant Pond Lean-to. Skipped dinner and went right to bed as today was the first day I pushed my hiking all the way 'til the end of sunlight.
Date: 2009-08-09
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Well here I am at the Pierce Pond Lean-to. No sightings of Wargiyagey and/or Vonfrick. Turns out Rockhound spent last night here, so I am still just a day behind him if I intend to crash here. Got here in pretty good time and was able to catch the last ferry across the Kennebec at 11:00. Had a delicious lunch of Beef Ramen which I added some dehydrated ground beef to. Probably already spent more time here waiting for W + V than I wanted to, but this has gotta be one of the nicest lean-to's I've been to.It's now night on the pond and you can sit and watch the loons to their thing. It's awkward to think that I have no one to share this with. It also seems that every time I take a picture, the photographic evidence just doesn't do the scene justice. For example, Moxie Bald, which I nicknamed "fat man's climb". A short and easy, but very rewarding climb which gives great 360 degree views of the surrounding area. I didn't even take a picture. I didn't know why at the time but now I realize it was just because I was too floored at the time to even think of it. It's also now that I realize that the trail name "lucky" is suitable for a number of reasons (Vonfrick and Wargy just showed up!!). I'm lucky to have come on this journey. I'm lucky to be alive, and in the future I'll be Lucky to have the ability to share my experiences.Well in my typical Lucky fashion, Vonfrick and Wargy showed up so it looks like I'll spend the night with them. Its good they showed up because the chaffing was starting to fire up again as was my sense of "gotta move along" for no reason. I'll hopefully eventually realize that this trip is less about the miles and more about the smiles .
Date: 2009-08-10
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

After some trail magic last night I got a great start after pancakes at Tim's. Got plenty of pictures to help explain the place to family and friends back home. Did 17 miles today from Pierce Pond to Little Bigelow Lean-to. Rockhound is still one day ahead of me. I can definitely tell why Pierce Pond is one of the MATC's best shelters.Went for a swim after dinner which took place after I had written in this journal last. Vonfrick, Wargy and Sherry showed up. Sherry even brought her beagle along. It was pretty good company and I'm glad they came when they did. I was about to head out after my extended lunch. Up and over Bigelow Mountain tomorrow. Possibly even on to Stratton. We'll see how the wind blows........
Date: 2009-08-11
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Horns Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

Just came up the West Peak from Little Bigelow Lean-to. Stopped at Avery Memorial Campsite for lunch and some journaling. Wanted to get here around 12. Made it by 2:00. Got barely any sleep last night. Damn bugs. Would love to make a push into Stratton, but I don't know if that's going to happen. Tomato Stew with Lentils is on the menu and its smelling delicious. Picked it up in the hiker box at Lakeshore in Monson. I'll share it with Steve if he gets up here while I am still here. Now I haven't said much about Steve, but I met him at Pierce Pond. He's freshly back from Afghanistan after working as a military contractor. He's much less about actually hiking the whole trail and he is just detoxing from his last situation. Had a great time at Northern Outdoors apparently.Later the same day - Well I made it to the Lean-to at around 5:00, but the rain beckoned me to stay. This way it will be a short 5 miles into Stratton for a hitch, resupply, shower, laundry and a bed at a hostel. I really could have made it today, but it's good knowing I afford myself a little more time to check out the town. The trail towns really are an experience all their own.
Date: 2009-08-12
From: Horns Pond Lean-to

To: Stratton, Maine
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: light rain

Well today I strolled into town and immediately stopped at a pizza joint. I ate the whole 16" pizza myself. I asked for bacon and onion and she gave me pepperoni and onion.........I still hate society. Midway through the day I noticed something that changed my mood. At the same place - The Plaza Hotel and Lounge - they put up a sign "Dancers".......sometimes I love society. However the dancers were for Thursday. Guess I'll have to take a zero.
Date: 2009-08-13
From: Stratton, Maine

To: Stratton, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

So today is my zero day in Stratton. If I'm really to spend a whole zero day here for "dancers", I will get my use out of the town. The caretaker at my last lean-to on the trail was Jeff at Horn's Pond Lean-to. I slept there on Tuesday the 11th. He was very informational when he talked to Steve and I on our way into Stratton. So, Steve and I checked out the town today. We went into the historical society. Mind you, we both realized it was "open weekends 1:00 - 4:00", however the door was open. We went in. Turns out a guy was working on the place. Spent about 2 hours in there until the guy kicked us out. He said he could have locked us in there but he saw us go in and I knew he recognized us as hikers who knew better. I'm thankful he pretended he never saw us enter. It turns out that a lot of the information Jeff supplied at Horn's Pond was very historically correct. The town of Flagstaff was very closely knit as we marched along the same lake which had covered it years earlier. Flagstaff Lake. Look it up. Learn something.As for the dancers, ask me about it sometime.
Date: 2009-08-14
From: Stratton, Maine

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: few clouds

Spent tonight at Crocker Cirque Campsite. Beautiful cowboy camping under the stars and in front of the fire. Very nice platforms with very nice company. Met Joe (no trail name yet), Hawaii 5-0 (Eagle Scout from Hawaii) and Trail Blazer (Eagle Scout from Savannah, GA.) Can't swing a dead cat without hitting an Eagle Scout. I got here last out of Stratton, but was welcomed as they had met me the night before. They were all behind me due to my mileage, but caught me due to my zero. Joe brought out his IPhone and played "Georgia" by Willie Nelson. Ended the night up perfectly along with other hiker hijinks.
Date: 2009-08-15
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: few clouds

Went from Crocker to Poplar Ridge Lean-to. Great little hike. 14 miles with a nice little uphill ending. Three section hikers took up the lean-to. Typical. I grabbed a hammock spot down near the privy. Ate as much as I could tonight because I expect to bounce in and out of town tomorrow.
Date: 2009-08-16
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Went over Saddleback Range today about 11 miles. Kicked my ass! Was wanting to stop in Rangeley and get back on the trail but just as I was at IGA I ran into Rockhound, Wargiyaghey and Vonfrick who almost ran me over while I was on the sidewalk. Of course, just to get my attention (to be continued later *).I'm copying down what I wrote down n a register book where ppl asked for you to write down your thoughts. Some good quotes I've heard I'd like to pass your way.+ "A bad day in the woods beats a good day in the streets"+ "Hike your own hike"+ "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always be who you always were"As for me, I thoroughly believe this AT thru-hiker business is saving my life one step at a time. Everyday is beautiful, even if its not. I feel more than I ever have before, and I'm not talking about my blisters and chaffing. Every time I go back into town for a re-stock I realize why the hell I am out here in the first place. To put it nicely, its nice to get away. To be blatant, people who spend $300 for a purse, sunglasses or some other bull crap are damned morons. Want a reality check? Come hike the AT. The best part about it, at least I know where my life is going.....South.....to Georgia.After that, no idea, but probably in a totally different direction than the day I stepped foot on Katahdin. I'm so glad to be alive, and you'll probably never understand how much that means to me to be able to say that.LUCKYSOUTHBOUND FOR A REASON *....continued from before. So I ended up hanging out with them for a bit and they took me back to Gull Pond Lodge where I ran into Band-Aid who was holed up there after a case of Giardia. I also ran into Hawaii 5-0 who had gotten ahead of me by pulling some miles but had taken a zero. While at Gull Pond Lodge I took a sunset kayak paddle out on Gull Pond. It was beautiful. Now, there are very few hostel owners who are about their money as most do it for the company of hikers. Gull Pond Lodge was a perfect example of "for the hikers". The owner/operator was a guy named Bob who looked to be ninety. The company of his dog Gwendy and the hikers was all that he needed. A flat fee included a bed, continental breakfast, laundry, and a shower. If anything, he's loosing money.
Date: 2009-08-17
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Bemis Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: few clouds

Today I hiked with Hawaii 5-0. I also had my second Moose sighting about 1/2 hour after I ate lunch at Sabbath Day Lean-to. Hawaii 5-0 and I actually took such a long lunch break we decided to flip a coin to decide whether to continue or not. The coin was flipped and on to Bemis we went. My lackadaisical attitude about leaving however........
Date: 2009-11-07
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Ashfield Rd.
Miles today: 21.1

Dad met Dances and I at Smith Gap Rd and took our packs for a weekend of slack packing. At the end of the day we visited Cabelas and slept at 501 shelter. It's a 4 walled shelter recommended by a friend, Easy Strider and we had it to ourselves.
Date: 2009-11-09
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA.
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

This is being written by Joe, Lucky's dad. I felt compelled to add an entry. Although Lucky stopped journaling as many hikers do, I wanted people to know that he is still on the trail. Last weekend I helped him and his friend slack pack for a couple of days in Northern PA. They are stepping up their pace and were 76.5 miles into PA after 4 days.He has been with Dances (from TN.) since Vermont. They were in CT and spent some zeroes at home in October. They are anxious to put the PA. rocks behind them and look forward to the bottom half of the trail. The colder nights have gotten their attention and they plan to finish mid to late January.They are both physically and mentally well and I'm convinced they have what it takes to finish. They are good together and Lucky did tell me he has done some journaling so maybe he can transfer his written words to this site in the future.
Date: 2009-12-12
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Daleville and home for the holidays
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Got into town and got to the PO before it closed. New sleeping bag isn't going to fit in stuff sacks I have. Decided to gear up at home and spend the holidays with the family. Will be back with winter gear and probably a few extra pounds. Dad will be picking me up in AM.
Date: 2010-03-07
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We were joined last night in the shelter by Jack Straw. Pleasure meeting him. In the morning we summited McAfee Knob and took a ton of the obligatory pictures there. We then descended to the 311 parking lot. I continued on while Dad relocated the car. Dad noticed the hours at The Home Place restaurant were shorter on Sunday, so he intercepted me on the trail at VA 624. We went to dinner which is not to be missed by any thru hiker. They treat hikers like Kings and we ate great. We then hiked the 1.2 miles in the dark from VA 620 to the Pickle Branch shelter. I'll be hiking North tomorrow for the 1st half of the day to fill the gap from the shelter to VA 624.
Date: 2010-03-08
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: few clouds

Started the day by hiking North. Dad hiked out to the car and went back to VA 624. He hiked South and we met near Rawies Rest. Hiked down to the car together. We drove back to VA 620 where I resumed my hike South and he drove back to CT. I spent the night at the Niday shelter.
Date: 2010-03-09
From: Niday Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Heavy snow going.Here is what I wrote in the shelter register (not all, but the most meaningful part):P.S. NOBO's - if you wonder why SOBO's write so much, look around. No one goes SOBO and we have no one to talk to. Besides, I and myself are pissing me off today.I really thought that the last statement captured the humor of the loneliness that can be felt on the trail during the periods of "hiker drought". I think solitude can only last so long before it takes on a negative connotation.I'm getting my legs back under me, but I don't even know if I ever lost them at this point because most of the hiking I've done has been in snow. Funny thing is however it's been 50 degrees F for the past 3 days and I've got the sunburn to prove it. If you can put 2+2 together good. If you can't: slushy/sink/swallow your foot snow is what I'm hiking in. None the less, spirits are up.Plan for tomorrow: 16.6 to Bailey Gap Shelter