morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-12-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Among the 2,185 things on my TO DO list (You see what I did there?) is the desire to thank everyone who supported me this summer. I'm about 50% thru my mailing list... However, despite the endless support, I do not have an endless supply of postcards. So this is a digital shout out to all who supported me online and/or otherwise. Whether it was via Facebook "likes," Blog comments or TrailJournal reads, I appreciate every one of you! THANKS.p.s. Those of you still waiting to see photos of the second half of my journey on TrailJournals. It's #1,873 on my list... I'll get to it eventually.
Date: 2014-06-12
To: Wrapping things up
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

It's been a busy, stressful week trying to get all my work finished and making arrangements for everything that needs to continue happening while I'm out wandering around in the woods for a few months. If it weren't for the fact that, starting Tuesday, I'll be out wandering around in the woods for a few months, I'd probably go crazy! That's the biggest difference in the planning and prep this time around - in the past, I've always been at a logical transition in my life - between high school and college, just graduated from college, etc. This time, I'm taking a break from "Real Life" (such as my life reflects that); there are bills that will continue to need to be paid, projects that will have to continue in my absence, and so forth. At times I feel guilty for dropping everything and wandering off, but I know that once I get through the stress and bustle of the next 4 days (4 DAYS!!! WOOOO) I'll be right where I want to be!I have reservations to camp at the Roaring Brook Campground in Baxter State Park for 6/17-19. Roaring Brook is where I officially ended my hike in 2009 after coming down from the Knife's Edge - it seems somehow fitting that I'll be starting from the same parking lot this go-round. My friend Fred will drive me up on the 17th, and then I will play it by ear as to whether I climb Katahdin on Wednesday or Thursday. At this point, it looks like Thursday might be the nicer of the two days, but we will see as we get closer.
Date: 2014-06-13
To: Mothballing
Miles today: 0.0

Ok, I'm not actually mothballing my yurt. But I am "summerizing" the place and getting everything set up to be left alone for a long while.You learn a lot of interesting things when you live in an uninsulated fabric structure in the woods for a while. For instance, it is pretty hard to sleep when turkeys come cooing and clucking under your yurt in the wee hours of the morning. Or, when your onions freeze in the winter, cut and cook them while they're still frozen; they turn to mush when they thaw. Or, most pertinent to this time of year, when it rains for days and days on end it just gets properly damp in there. I'll take February's frigid temperatures over June's warmth and rain any day.I usually have to light a fire in the stove once a week to dry the place out and keep everything from mildewing this time of year; since I'm not going to be around to do that, everything fabric is going in plastic tubs, and all the non-necessities are going down to my parents house in Massachusetts. The blankets and pillows and other things that are nice to have around will stay behind but sealed against the moisture.Everything food-related also has to go. Boots and shoes need to go. Backpacks, tote bags, and duffel bags need to go. The mice are going to move in one way or the other, so the name of the game is damage control: get everything tasty and nest-worthy out of the way so they can't chew it up!Otherwise, it's just a matter of preparing things for a long absence: some firewood is sawed, stacked, and covered. The propane tank is full, and I'll fill the water jug before I go. My parents are kind enough to come up every now and then to check on the place, oust the mice, and get a fire going, so I want things ready for their enjoyment. (It's about 1/4 of a mile from the driveway out to the yurt, so the less you have to haul back and forth, the better!)
Date: 2014-06-18
To: Rainy night in Baxter 
Miles today: 0.0

Fred and i got up to Baxter yesterday afternoon with big plans of hiking Katahdin today. The weather gods has other designs for us - around 1am it started pouring and continued to do so until 8:30. There's a not-insignificant river raging underneath Fred's tent, and we decided to spend the morning in Millinocket. The AT Cafe is lovely and friendly, and a great place for breakfast! We may try to change our reservation and hike up to chimney pond this afternoon, the summit tomorrow. We'll see if the park is willing to let us do that!
Date: 2014-06-19
From: Baxter peak 

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 5.2

And we're off! Fred and I were up and climbing by 6am and we slowly made our way up the Cathedral Trail. It was about 1.7 mi and all but the last 2/10ths were fairly well straight up. None the less, we were at Baxter Peak by 7:45. Not only was it crystal clear, but we had the summit ALL to ourselves! A far cry from my experience up there in 2009!The wind was strong and steady so we only hung out for 30 min or so. Then I started following white blazes and Fred went down the saddle trail to get the car. I was down by 11:00 - pretty fast all things considered. I passed a number of people on the way down; a few were SOBOs, and i spent a while chatting with a 60 year old Gemini who had me pegged as a SOBO and another Gemini the moment he saw me. Now I've got a walk-in campsite near the AT and will see who else shows up tonight. Fred gave me the rest of my gear and got o his way home; maybe he'll come hike with me again near Andover. The blackflies are eating me alive, but luckily other than looking like i have a skin disease, I'm not suffering excessive itchiness or inflammation. I can't wait to start walking in earnest tomorrow - they're almost tolerable when you're moving!
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite
Miles today: 21.1

No idea what time I was out this morning, but I'd guess it was about 7 am. The walking was EASY - other than 2 fords it was level, dry, and scenic. I forgot how much was on the riverside. Before I knew it I was at Abol Bridge - 9 miles and it was only 11 am. I took the requisite from- the-bridge photos of Katahdin then moved on to Hurd Brook; another easy 3 miles. I ate lunch there and decided to move on and not waste the afternoon. By 3:45 I had done another 8 mi or so to Rainbow Spring. Theres only really one flat spot here...not much of a campsite...My feet feel great, my body feels great, and my legs feel great - pretty good for a first day on trail! We'll see how it all goes once I start climbing real mountains!
Date: 2014-06-21
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite

To: Potaywadjo Spring Shelter
Miles today: 22.0

Another day defined by relatively easy terrain. It's rocky and muddy and rooty, but except for Nesuntabunt Mtn it wss a day of strolling along lakes and rivers. There were many miles of especially scenic walking, and a couple stretches that were filled with lady slippers and wild irises. It seemed like everywhere I turned I had another great view of Big K - strange to think that I'm still within 16 miles of it despite all the trail miles i've covered!I didn't see a single other hiker today, NOBO or SOBO. I must be right on the heals of the SOBOs who started on tuesday and wednesday, but I guess I'll see. I am starting to get into some territory I remember from 2009 - where i ran into the Chewonki girls near Wadleigh Brook, and where I joined the swim team and broke my pole in the river that was the AT. Needless to say, there's a lot less water this time!The miles finally caught up to me today - I have blisters on both my heels now and some other aches and pains. It had to happen sooner or later I guess. The mosquitos here are horrible so I am hiding in my tent despite an empty shelter. I even ate dinner in here - I don't think I have ever done that... If it ain't one damn thing it's another - if not the wind or the rail, its the bugs!
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Potaywadjo Spring Shelter

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 23.1

Another big day, but also another FLAT day! Things began as they have been, scenic and riparian and then ... mosquitos!! They hit me hard. They hit me fast. I killed thousands of them and yet they just kept coming! I ended up having to put on my long sleeves and long underwear just to be able to walk in relative peace. They were really really bad until Little Boardman Mountain, where I could finally lose the layers and walk comfortably.I finally met another SOBO this morning - Chivago. Interesting guy - he NOBO'd in 2010 and has done lots of small sections. Apparently I passed his friend, too, without even knowing it earlier in the day. He must have been off trail and I was too focused on killing bugs to notice him. On top of Little Boardman I also met 4 ladies walking in to Monson; only out for 4 days. East Branch Lean-to was huge and empty, and I moved on the 3.6 miles to Logan Brook - the place is packed! Full shelter, tents everywhere; I am camped on this gravel pile, which sucks for two reasons:1) It's 0.1 miles north of the shelter, but I spaced on my directions and walked .1 south to look for it, and;2) I lost my ground sheet at some point today and I have to set up my basically brand new silnylon tent on sharp pointy gravel. Not cool. I wonder if any of these SOBOs will come the 17 miles to Chairback tomorrow... It could get crowded up there if they do.
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: moderate rain

The shelter last night was like a cave - it's in a deep dark hemlock forest anyway, and with the rain it stayed dark longer than any other place I've been so far. It was after 7 when I finally woke up, and I still had to wrap my feet and pack; then I had 10 and a half miles to walk before noon when I told mom and dad I'd be at the road crossing. I never know how long I've been walking, but it's especially hard to tell in the rain. But despite the later start, some confusion at the railroad crossing, and some slow walking along slick-as-snot rocky ledges, I made it to the parking lot by 12:01. The first order of business was to buy some new flip-flops to replace the one I lost; then we went to Kelly's Landing in Greenwood for lunch. We hadn't been there in ages (10 years at least) but it was great, and more than satisfied my craving for a burger. Then we went back to the grocery store and on in to Monson.I've got a bed at Shaws for the night with two southbounders and one northbounder. All are great folks. I took a shower, dried out my gear, and did my laundry (all good things!) and then we watched one of the World Cup games in the lounge. We got together with another guy, Forage, and had some dinner and beer at the Lakeshore House, and now I'm totally pooped. Tomorrow will start with breakfast at 7:30, then I will pack up, get a refill on alcohol, and get back out on the trail. Timing and weather will determine how far I go, but I'd like to try for Caratunk in 2 days to set me up for crossing the Kennebec on the third. Then it's on to Rangeley for my next resupply!
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Monson

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 17.9

It rained heavily all night, and well into the morning, too. Breakfast started at 7:30, and we all took out time over the french toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns to wait for the rain to clear out. Magellan and I got a shuttle out around 9:45, and i quickly got on my way.Right off the bat I slipped on some submerged roots and broke a trekking pole, but it wasn't bad (all things considered) until the East Branch of the Piscataquis river. I met Forager at the crossing, and charged off. The water was only about mid-thigh, but was moving fast. Then it was an easy walk to Horseshoe Canyon. Then, 3 miles later, came the West Branch ford. This one was a lot worse. It was about 75 feet across and chest deep, and situated where two channels come together. 2 other southbounders had already given up and turned back because of the high water, but I went for it. Without the pack it was fine, so i hoisted my pack onto my head and plowed through without incident. Whew! I really didn't want to get stopped that early, especially by the river.Most of the stretch from there to Moxie Bald Lean-to was ankle to knee deep in water, but was smooth sailing otherwise. I have the place to myself, save for the mosquitos and loons out in the lake. Looking forward to a good night's sleep tonight!
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: broken clouds

Wow - less than 48 hours since I left town and I'm back in a real bed again! I boogied out and over Moxie Bald and Pleasant Pond Mountain and then cruised on in. I met a couple section hikers, and a guy driving and hiking, but otherwise had the trail to myself most of the day. Other than one fall on Moxie Bald, where I sheared the tip off my finger sliding down the sharp rocks, it was pretty smooth sailing. The trail was drying out a little, but was mostly mud anyway - the shoes started wet, and they're still wet now. Gross. About 3 miles from the Kennebec River I ran into three SOBOs, Lone Ranger, Chief, and Caboose. We ended up coming into Caratunk together and getting a ride to the Sterling Inn, where we are splitting a room. This place is a big old house (its been an inn since 1816) and has all sorts of rooms and hiker amenities. They do our laundry for us, have a resupply room, and took us over to the Kennebec River Brewing Company for dinner. Not too shabby!Tomorrow I will have to wait for the ferry at 9 am, then can head on. We will get into some 'real' mountains, so I will probably slow things down. After the ferry, though, I won't have any real scheduling issues, so that will make it easier to walk longer days!
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Caratunk

To: Little Bigelow Lean-To
Miles today: 21.7

Long day, with a late start because of the ferry crossing. I dallied a bit after the ride to wait for Chief and Caboose to get across, then struck off. The walk to Pierce Pond was uneventful other than the sketchy dam (loose rocks, nasty boards), then I cruised on to West Pond Carry Lean-To. As I was eating lunch the shelter maintainer showed up, so I helped him haul boards and blocks up from his boat to repair the privy. Turns out he worked for the NRCS for a long time and used to live right in Norway. Small world!It was a pretty easy walk to Bigelow Mountain with a couple climbs in between. Now I'm at the shelter with Tiger, Bob, Walker, Strider, and Almost There (who reminded me a lot of Trudy) - all heading south! Another big bubble is up ahead - I'll probably meet some of them tomorrow. We start some new big mountains tomorrow - the Bigelows, then Crocker, Sugarloaf, and Saddleback, etc. I made a peg leg for my broken trekking pole so now hopefully I'll be able to double pole on the hills until I can call Leki for a replacement. Going at least down to Cranberry Stream Campsite near rt. 27, but if I feel adventurous I may go all the way to Crocker Cirque - but that would be a pretty brutal day!!
Date: 2014-06-29
From: Little Bigelow Lean-To

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite 
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Not my biggest day mileage-wise, but definitely my biggest in terms of climbing. Got right to it, second out of the shelter, and went up Little Bigelow. I caught up to Strider on the summit (the first person to overtake him so far) and gave him his GoPro back, which I had just found lying on the trail...apparently that was the second time he had "lost" it in 3 days!After bombing down to a small valley, we went WAY up again to Avery Peak, then down and up to the West Peak, then down and up again to the Horn - all part of Bigelow Mountain. The worst part was that the whole time you could see right across the valley to Sugarloaf and Crocker - the next two major climbs for the day!After the brutal downhill to the road, and random huge nose bleed (I have no idea what was happening with that), I ALMOST called it a day and camped down there...but I decided to push on. I mean, what's 7 more miles between friends? Well, 5 of those miles climbed steeply up Crocker, then a dip and .5 up to the other Crocker, then 1.5 all but straight down to Crocker Cirque. By the time I got there I was just beat!! But as soon as I get to the campsite? First words I hear? "We have a beer for you!" WOOT! Turns out Molly, another SOBO had packed a 6-pack up from Stratton to share with whoever ended up at the campsite. Turns out it was just us and the Wolf Pack - so there was plenty to go around!We had a great evening by the fire, and eventually peak-bagger Tom, who I ran into earlier in the day on Bigelow, showed up too. Great little crowd in a great campsite by the river. We're getting into the area where Inchworm disappeared last year...sort of ominous...
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite 

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

Passed the 200 mile mark on this "shorty" day! I decided that after all the climbing yesterday, and the remaining climbs up and over Saddleback, that I'd spread out the 25ish miles to Rangeley and not kill myself.The hike up Sugarloaf was brutal, and I passed about 6 NOBOs on the way who all practically ran me off the trail on their way down; they weren't stopping or slowing down for anything! Then there was some bumbling around on the ridge to Spaulding Lean-to, down to the valley, and up the beginning of the Saddleback range to Poplar Ridge. The climb up here seemed interminable - I'd swear I was going less than 1 mph; none the less, it was only about 2 pm when I got to the lean-to. That means I averaged over 2 mph over the 8 miles from Spaulding ... including lunch ... wow ...I probably could have moved on a ways farther today, but I don't think it would gain me much in the long run. I just hope there isn't a huge bubble ahead of me rushing for the hiker hostel near the trail crossing - it could get expensive if I have to find myself a hotel room in town!I am camped out here now with Myk, who zeroed here today, waiting to see if Molly and the Wolf Pack come this far - I hope they do; they're all good folks and I'd like to see more of them!
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

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

This morning was marked by the single most unified early start I have ever witnessed at a shelter on the AT. Molly's alarm went off once at 5:30 am, and INSTANTLY she, the two section hikers from VT, and the Wolf Pack (they all showed up around dinner time last night) were up and packing. I couldn't sleep through all the activity, so I got up too; Myk was the only one who stayed asleep, and he didn't budge once during all the ruckus.I rolled into Rangeley by noon; when I got up to the end of the guard rail by the Hiker Hut, Emerald and Sporkless (NOBOs) were trying to get a hitch, and Rough Bananas (SOBO) had scoped out the hut and decided that he wanted more amenities than they had to offer. Before I could check it out for myself, a truck with state government plates pulled over and made my choice for me - I was heading into town.Rough Bananas and I split a room at the Town & Lake Motel - more expensive than I would have liked, but a nice place right on the water with hot water, beds, and Internet. It might not be much by "normal" standards, but it's all we need!I got my broken pole more-or-less repaired at Ecopelogicon; they had a bottom segment for a newer style Leki, but it is the same diameter and works fine. We had lunch at the Red Onion, I did my laundry, then had some dinner at the Shed BBQ - all good things. Looking forward to stretching out on a real bed, and sleeping in the nice breeze blowing off the water!!
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.4

Ok, today was a pathetically short day. I got a great breakfast at Moosely Bagels (they even had my beloved Carrabassett Coffee Backdraft Roast) the. Packed up and made my way across town and got a ride up to the IGA to resupply. Rough Bananas decided to zero in town, so I quickly did my shopping, tore apart my pack and all the grocery packaging on the sidewalk out front, then spent about 20 minutes with my thumb out trying to get a ride back to the trail.Not 5 minutes into the hike, around 10 am, it was already 85 degrees out and I was soaked in sweat; so much for the freshly laundered clothes. But the terrain was nice and easy, so I moved right along. By 2 pm I was at Sabbath Day Pond, and between the allure of the pond, the oppressive heat, and the fact that everyone else I knew was zeroing in town, I called it early and decided that big miles could wait till tomorrow. I had a wonderful swim, and after about 2 hours of chillin' with a mostly complete moose skeleton, a NOBO named Gizmo showed up. Neat guy, and I traded him an extra dinner for a Mate tea bag he got from the 12 Tribes in Rutland. Later on Spock showed up, an interesting guy from NY/NJ who hiked from GA -NH in 2012 and is finishing this year. No other SOBOs have come out of town, so I guess they all stayed the extra night in town. Tomorrow I need to make some miles in case Shawn wants to come out and meet me in Grafton Notch - it will probably be rainy, but it's still worth a shot.
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Hall Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 21.1

I woke with a start this morning, out of a deep deep sleep; usually it's a lot more gradual than that when I'm on the trail. Spock and Gizmo were already packed up, so I got up and was ready to roll by 6:30 am (in case you hadn't noticed, early to bed early to rise applies quite literally to my hiking schedule). I talked with Goat Grrl and La-Z-Boy - flip-floppers who started at the Delaware Water Gap - for a fee minutes, and was hiking out by 7. Easy miles down to Route 17, which was yet another vague road crossing (MATC is not good at indicating what happens when the trail crosses a road), and then I came across some trail magic from Rowdy Jack's Parents. I don't know Rowdy Jack or his Parents, but they left some great brownies and soda for us - awesome power food for climbing Bemis Mountain! Near the summit I ran into 3 slackpacking section hikers, and we had a couple nice chats about my kilt and my turtle Blur. Nice folks. I cruised on to Old Blue for lunch; it was a surprisingly easy hike up the North side, and surprisingly horrible descent on the South. This was apparently not lost on the trail maintainers, because there was a sign on a tree at one particularly gnarly part that said "Ol' Bitch" - my sentiments, and those of my sore knees, exactly. Moody Mountain was also ok on the uphill, but had one of the worst descents yet. I'm pretty sure I remember a land slide here in 2009 that made just wrecked shop - it's still a huge mess. Then came the climb up Hall Mountain - up up up! Even with the rare switchback, I wasn't sure I'd make it. I finally got to the shelter and had a great evening chatting with Athena, Minnesota (eh!) and [insert forgotten name here - sorry!!]. They're moving slow, but they're having a ton of fun and are just a blast to hang out with!On to Old Speck tomorrow; still not sure if Shawn is coming out to meet me or not, or if it will rain or not, or if it will be a mob scene out there because of the 4th, or or or ... but I guess I'll find everything out tomorrow!