morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-13
From: Trident Col Tent site

To: Gentian Pond
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: light rain

It rained all last night. Everything is wet and sandy outside the tent. Inside we are dry. It is hard to get up knowing we face packing up and fixing breakfasr in the mud. We finally get going about 9:15. Some weekenders have gotten really wet. They have put their rain fly on wrong and their sleeping bags got wet. The trail is muddy, wet rocks, but pretty today in the mist. It¢s not an easy trail, but not terrible. Some of the bog boards sink when we walk on them. Most places there are no bog boards. We sometimes sink over our boot tops in mud and/or water. We are lucky to have Goretex lined boots and gators. Our feet and socks stay somewhat dry. We got as far as Generation Pond, and decided to call it quits for the day, even though it is only 3PM. ¢Walk Softly¢ is in the shelter. He stealth camped last night and found out later he pitched his tent on a drainage ditch. He has been drying out and sleeping most of the day in the shelter. Later K2 comes and is spending the night in the shelter. Two other NOBOS drop by, but they are going on to the next shelter. (In ME) A SOBO section hiker comes later. We set up our tent, just before the rain and thunder start. 6:05, I guess we are in for the night. It¢s raining too hard to walk back down to the shelter for socializing. Relentless is already asleep snoring.
Date: 2004-08-14
From: Gentian Pond

To: Carols Col tent site
Miles today: 5.2

It was pretty wet packing up this morning. When I walked down to the shelter to get our bear bag from the bear box and cook, I got a pleasant surprise. Bluebird had hiked in after we had gone to our tent. She had spent two days in Gorham. We ate our breakfast at the shelter and chatted with her. Then we finished packing up and all left together. The trail was really muddy and wet. My boots are soaked completely. Even the Goretex liner in them can¢t keep the water out. The trail was pretty steep but not terrible at first, but then got more difficult. Relentless tried to walk across a rock and fell then had to come down it like a big rock sliding board. He said he bruised his back a bit, but the pack took most of the jolt. There were several spots where Bluebird and I had to take our packs off to get down. Yahoo! We made it across the Maine state line. We stopped to take pictures and enjoy the moment. Only 281 miles to the end. The trail rewarded us with the worst descent of the day. At first we weren¢t even sure it was still the trail we finally found a way down. Two other NOBOS came by. The man had done the trail 12 years ago. He said this was just a taste of what is to come in the next two days as we go Mahoosac Notch (the hardest mile on the AT) up Mahoosac Arm and over Old Speck. Blue Bird and I agree that we would not have ever attempted the whole trail if we had known NH and Maine had so much rock climbing. We are happy to see the turn off for Carols Col Campsite just after the big descent. We quickly get out the stoves and cook up some dinner. I made Gnoches with tomato sauce, a treat I had been carrying that weighed a lot. Bluebird made rice and tuna. We shared food since Bluebird likes the Gnoches and Gary doesn¢t. Bluebird made some Cowboy Coffee for us too. Later, Snowman, Bear behind, and Aussie came. Everyone is dreading the rocks ahead and concerned about more rain. A hurricane in the south makes rain almost inevitable right when we are at the worst part of the trail. We put up our tent and went to sleep.
Date: 2004-08-15
From: Carols Col tent site

To: Full Goose Tent site
Miles today: 4.7

We had a fast start this morning and needed it. The trail was more rock climbing up and down cliffs and boulders. The views, though, were fantastic. The sun even came out toward the end of the hike and we could see a long way from the rocky tops of the summits. Bluebird hiked with us today and we all got to the shelter about 2:30 PM. I hung out some things to dry out and set my shoes out in the sun. They certainly aren¢t dry, but my socks got almost dry and the tent dried out. We have a weekend hiker camped here with us tonight, a Canadian named Phil. He is really nice. We are running out of fuel and he boiled some water for us to have tea tonight. Tomorrow we tackle the Mahoosucs. There were three thru hikers who came by about 5:00 and left to do the 5 mile trek to the Speck Pond campsite tonight. They will probably end up doing some of it in the dark. I don¢t see how they can do that. It seems far too dangerous to me. We are going to leave as early as possible in the morning. It will probably take us all day to do the worst mile on the AT and climb Old Speck. I¢ll be glad to get it out of the way.
Date: 2004-08-16
From: Full Goose Tent site

To: Speck Pond Tent Site
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: clear sky

This was our WORST DAY ever on the AT! We woke up early to a drizzle and debated whether to hike at all. We were about out of fuel and food. Because of the hurricane there is a good chance the weather won¢t get better but worse. The drizzle stopped about 7 and we went to eat our breakfast in the shelter. Then we made the decision to hike the worst mile of the AT. The Mahoosac Notch. It lived up to its reputation. It is a mile long valley of huge boulders dropped on top of each other from the surrounding cliffs. The trail goes over them and under them. Sometimes we had to take our packs off and crawl through. There are deep caves formed by the rock with water running below. Gary lost one of his poles down one of these holes. I twisted my shoulder slipping off a moss covered rock trying to get up one of the boulders. It seems ok now, but it made an awful cracking noise and hurt like crazy for about 5 min. After several hours of crawling and climbing through the notch we started up the steep trail of the Mahoosac Arm. We climbed 2,000 feet in one mile, most of it up slippery rock using root and trees for help. It was like climbing up a huge rock sliding board. When we finally got to the top, it had started raining pretty heavy, and we were greated with a sign that said we had .9 more to go. We walked bog boards and through the mud to Speck Pond in the rain. The shelter was still not there. Finally we came to it, crowded with people. My clothes were drenched. I could wring the water our of my hiking shirt, so I quickly got a dry fleece from my stuff sack and put it on. We put our tent up in the rain, crawled into our sleeping bags and went to sleep. We are thinking about quitting this and going home. Today we hate the AT. 5 miles tomorrow to a road and 15 mile hitch into town. The trail is steep, Gary has one pole, and everything including our boots is wet and soggy. I am not looking forward to the hike down, but I can¢t wait to get to town.
Date: 2004-08-17
From: Speck Pond Tent Site

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

The rain stopped during the night, but everything was pretty wet except our sleeping clothes and sleeping bags. Everything smells like wet hiking socks and boots. I made a good breakfast of noodles, half a bagel with peanut butter and half a candy bar since we didn¢t have anything to eat yesterday but a cup of oatmeal and a candy bar. We packed up and started out. Bluebird left a little ahead of us. The hike up Old Speck is steep but not impossible. I¢m used to climbing rocks at a 75-80 degree angle hoping my boots don¢t slip. I¢m even getting comfortable climbing a 90 degree rock holding on to roots and trees. The view is wonderful, huge cliffs, a steep valley covered with pine. After going over the top of old speck, the trail got easier and the sun came out. It filtered through the trees to leave bright patches on my path. We passed a lovely waterfall on the way down to the stream from it cascaded over the rocks to my left. I¢ve almost forgiven the AT for yesterday¢s pain and agony. The trail is the object of tense feelings. Sometimes I hate it. Sometimes I love it. It is my opponent and I struggle against it. It is my friend, the voice of the wind, the sweet music of the birds, the amusing antics of the chipmunk, the slow moving fog. It is my mentor, teaching me about life and about myself. We finally came to the road we had been hearing for the last mile, the sound of civilization. I have thoughts of a clean shower, clean clothes, real food, and a soft bed. Bluebird greeted us at the road. She plans to hike on to the next shelter then go into town at the next road which leads to Andover. We say goodbye to her, not sure if we will see her again. She has been with us through some of the roughest part of the trail and given us encouragement to keep going. We hope we have the chance to hike with her again up the trail. She has more miles to do since she skipped from Harpers Ferry to Hanover. She will do them after she climbs Katahdin. We only have 266.8 to go. It would be a shame to give it up now. We are lucky to get a hitch from a young man and his two friends from Oregon. They take us all the way from the trail head to Bethel, ME. 18 miles and drop us at a little motel in the heart of town, the Bethal Spa. The room is everything two tired hikers could desire, two soft cushy chairs, refrigerator, soft beds with 3 huge pillows, hot shower, grocery store next door, laundry down the street, outfitter next to the laundry, and restaurants.I cleaned up while Gary went for food at the grocery. He came back with the yummy things. Ah! Sigh. We watched TV and finally feel at 10:00 well fed and clean. I never appreciated the simple pleasures of civilization until I hiked the trail. I will never take them for granted again, one of the gifts the trail has given me.
Date: 2004-08-18
From: Grafton Notch

To: Bethel ME
Miles today: 0.0

Today is a zero day, a chance to rest, resupply and plan the rest of our trip. I am at the laundry. After I get this done, we will get breakfast, go to the outfitter, grocery and post office. Then we will rest eat and pack the rest of the day. Bethel is a really nice town and the prices are reasonable for lodging and food. Everything is easily available for someone who is walking. We made a good decision to stop here.
Date: 2004-08-19
From: Bethel ME

To: Bethel, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Last night we had a nice dinner with a fellow northbounder named Chasqui. We ate at the Victorian Inn down the street from our hotel and the food was excellent. The atmosphere of the Inn was also great, quaint and elegant, just like one might expect in a small New England town. This morning we went to the B&B where Cahsqui was staying and got breakfast. Once again, a big old Victorian house. Chasqui is a very interesting guy. He is about our age, and has been all over the world as part of the U.S Foreign Service. He and his wife are now involved with trying to start cottage industries among the poor in Peru. They are helping them market their products here. It was really nice to have his company while we were in Bethel. He hurt his shin on Mahoosuc Arm and had to have 6 stitches. He still hiked out today after breakfast, but plans to stop in Andover and maybe slack pack to give his leg a chance to heal.        We decided after breakfast to stay an extra day because rain was predicted, our boots weren¢t dry, and we were still tired.        I walked to the chamber of commerce where I could use the computer to send and receive e-mail, a real treat. Later we ate pizza and watched the Olympics. It was a nice and restful day. Tomorrow we have to hike. It only rained for a short time tonight, so the trail should be dry.
Date: 2004-08-20
From: Bethel, ME

To: Frye Notch lean-to
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We ate breakfast then went off to the road to hitch. We didn¢t have much luck at first, but then a nice couple who had walked past us earlier came by in their car and gave us a ride all the way to the trail. He had hiked the Long Trail and both of them were into biking. We were very grateful for the ride!The hike was easy at first, then got a bit harder as we made our way up to the summit of Baldpate Mountain. It was a climb up steep rock face, but our boots gripped the dry rock well, and there were ladders at some of the steepest parts. The view from the top of the bald is fantastic! A 360 degree view of a huge mountain and deep valleys, wild and wonderful. There is no sign of civilization at some points, save the trail and a dirt road winding its way through the valley below. The wind was pretty strong on top. Tonight we got to camp about 4:30, put up the tent and made dinner. We also chatted with some other hikers going on to Andover. One of them was a Scottish fellow who said to give this message to my neice, Erica, Who had done a semester¢s internship there while in College. ¢do you know Robin Harper? If so, I¢m a friend of his.¢ He said he is also interested in Political Science. There is also a hiker from Ohio named Pete who is staying at the shelter tonight along with a south bound section hiker.
Date: 2004-08-21
From: Frye Notch lean-to

To: East B Hill Rd.
Miles today: 4.5

About 3a.m. the rain began. When we woke at 6 it was still raining. Finally, about 9:30 it let up a little and we ventured to the shelter to make breakfast and decide what to do in light of the wet trail and relentless drizzle. Crytalus was in the shelter, so we made our oatmeal and chatted with her. She encouraged us not to give up our hike. We decided to pack up and try to go into Andover and find a place out of the rain for the night. The trail was sloppy wet and muddy, but the section we were doing didn¢t have too many steep ups and downs. I slipped in the mud a few times, though. We passed a great waterfall toward the end of the journey and the water was really running swiftly. When I got to the road, I spotted 4 cheerful hikers getting into a truck, Hammock Hanger, Bear Bag Hanger, LWOP, Wicomico. They were staying at the cabin in Andoverand Bear had left his truck for them to come back from their slack pack. They offered to take us with them back to Andover. This was true magic of the trail because we could have been waiting all night for a hitch into town. We went with them back to the cabin and Bear found space for us to stay. Then we had a great family style meal with all the people staying here. The company is great and the food was WONDERFUL! Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, vegetables, chocolate cake, ice cream, corn bread, all in large quantities. We got showers and clean clothes. What a great place. We may stay a couple of days and slack pack. We need to have some good day where we pick up some miles before we end up giving up our hike.
Date: 2004-08-22
From: East B Hill Rd.

To: South Arm Rd
Miles today: 10.0

The day started with a giant breakfast. Eggs, fried potatoes, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, cantaloupe, orange juice and coffee. Then we took all the heary stuff out of our packs and just took lunch, rain clothes, and water. Pete, Bear Bag Hanger, Trail boss, Lwop, Wicomico, and the two of us were dropped by bear at the trail head and hiked 10 miles. Hammock Hanger was not feeling well, so she stayed back. When we came back cars were there for us to come back to the cabin. The hike was fun and there were some nice views. Going up Moody Mountain was a little steep, but there were metal bars and ladders to help. We finished this 10 mile hike about 3:30 and went back to the cabin for another great supper and lots of trail talk.
Date: 2004-08-23
From: South Arm Rd

To: South Arm Rd.
Miles today: 10.0

Another great hiking day. Honey dropped, Hammock Hanger, Bear Bag Hanger, Wicomico, Lwop, Amoeba and us off on Rt. 17 to hike south 13 miles. This will take us over some steep mountains, especially Old Blue. The day is great. From the start we can see a beautiful lake which grows smaller as we get higher. We meet Pete and another hiker from Fairlawn, Oh, Sojuourner. Pete had camped instead of coming back to the cabin last night. There are some dark clouds forming as we eat our slack at a view point.The climb up and down Old Blue is hard, but once again there are ladders and metal bars for foot holds. The plan today is that the first hikers down would take Amoeba¢s car back to the cabin, then one of them will come back to get the rest of us, or if we aren¢t all down yet, leave a car. When we get down, the others have gone and it begins to rain, but soon they come back for us. Honey has dinner waiting for us when we get there. What a great way to get 13 miles out of the way. Especially with some steep ups and downs.
Date: 2004-08-24
From: South Arm Rd.

To: Little swift river pond campsite
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: clear sky

We packed up to leave the cabin and to start hiking with our packs again. Once again we enjoyed a super breakfast then said goodbye to the 4 hikers who brought us here and Honey and Bear. Today we are taking Amoeba¢s car to Rt. 17 where we will leave it for her to pick up at the end of her south bound hike today. We will hike North with our packs and tent out. The day is just beautiful! Cool but not cold, sunny but not humid.Early on we met Sojourner and Pete. They are camped where we are tonight. As I was fixing supper, I head a noise in the bushes a short way from our tent It was a big bull moose! He didn¢t stick around to have his picture taken, but I did get a good glance at him as he charged off toward the pond. 224.8 miles left.
Date: 2004-08-25
From: Little swift river pond campsite

To: Eddy pond
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

What a beautiful day! Not a cloud in the sky, a little cool in the morning, but perfect for hiking all day. The trail was very easy, just little ups and downs. We made really great time and even with several stops. We got to this campsite at 2p.m. One of the stops was at the road where a lot of the other hikers went into town for re-supply. There was a man there doing a survey. He had chairs and free bottled water, so I answered his questions. He wanted to know what hikers thought about putting wind turbines on the mountains. I have mixed feelings about it! We need renewable energy, but it really spoils the view. Especially if they put them here in Maine, one of the few places left where it looks natural, wild, and free of too much human intervention. Besides, if there is a profit in it they will soon dominate the landscape.The campsite we are at tonight was just too pretty to pass up. It is a little pond beside the mountain. This afternoon I sat in the sun there and played my flute. It made a cool echo. Amoeba came by hiking south doing another slack pack. Then another hiker named Austin came by. The three of us enjoyed an evening cooking and eating by a small camp fire. He was interesting to talk with. I felt almost guilty about not hiking more miles on such a good day, but enjoying the Maine woods is what this is all about anyway, and I REALLY enjoyed it today.
Date: 2004-08-26
From: Eddy pond

To: Orbeton Stream
Miles today: 9.3

Another Beautiful day. We started by going up Saddleback Mt. This was a great climb first thing in the morning because we were fresh and able to enjoy it. We were soon above the treeline looking down at eddy pond and the little mountain behind it. On a good day they say you can see Mt. Washington in New Hampshire and Katahdin, our destination, but it was hazy today. We could still see quite a distance. As we hiked along the trail between Saddle Back and the Horn, we could see the trail coming down the mountain. I took some pictures of Gary hiking across the area that should be pretty good if they turn out. We met several people hiking and had lunch with Maineac, a long section hiker from Maine. After the high areas we came down some steep trail to Poplar Ridge lean-to. The topic of discussion in the registry was two naked hikers on the trail today. We had seen them on Saddleback. When Ugot to the summitthe one sitting up there asked me if he needed to put on his shorts. Of course I said, ¢yes¢ and he sis.        Sojourner soon joined us and we all took a little break. Then Pete came by. They were heading a little further on then we were to camp. We were also passed by the Mad Hatter. Tonight we are camped on an access road just after the stream. It took fording the stream and a steep up hill to get here. We can hear the stream going down a waterfall. It¢s a nice sound to hear while going to sleep.
Date: 2004-08-27
From: Orbeton Stream

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite 
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Again, we had good weather and a nice trail. There was a pretty steep section near the end, but for the most part the trail was easy. We stopped at Spaulding Leon too and saw Dumb and Sundhine, two section hikers. Later Amoeba came. She shared her roast beef sandwich with us which was much appreciated since we are almost out of food and have been rationing it for the last two days. Coming out of the shelter, Relentless went one way and I went the other. Neither of us knew if the other one was before or after us. He waited on me, but I had come on the trail ahead of him. This caused a little confusion. When I finally realized by asking other south bound hikers if they passed him, that he was behind me I sent word back to him that I was up the trail. This worked great. He said everyone asked him if he was Relentless and gave him my message. When I got to Caribou Valley Road there was a man there with a big red truck, Big Bee. He had traiol magic, soda and a peach. That was really appreciated because my camelback had just run out of water and of course I was hungry. He gave Relentless a sandwich , a soda and a banana when he came by. Tonight we are camped with Maineac again. He built a fire and we had another nice evening chatting with him. There are also some students here having Freshman orientation from a local university. We are now down to less than 200 miles to go. We may really get to Ketahdin.
Date: 2004-08-28
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite 

To: ME17 Stratton, ME 
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a nice day though overcast. We got going early because we were headed for town and food. Mainea and the two of us left at the same time. The trail was up at first, pretty steep but then we had a 5 mile down. When we got to the bottom, there was Maineac waiting for a shuttle that he had called on his cell phone. There was also a wind mill survey guy giving away bottled water. We drank water and waited for the shuttle to town. When we got to town most of the motels and B and B were full, so we ended up staying about a mile out of town at the Spillover motel. It was a nice place and there was a good restaurant across the road. It rained after we were in for the night. I was glad to be in town, good food, clean clothes, showered and watching TV.
Date: 2004-08-29
From: ME17 Stratton, ME 

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We moved to the White Wolf Inn right in town. It is a lot cheaper and still a decent place to stay. There are a lot of hikers here today. We saw Wicomico who is here because he broke his hand while slack packing yesterday over Avery Peak. C¢est la vie is also here. We met him at the Cabin when we were there. We spent the day eating, sleeping, watching TV and planning for tomorrow. We are getting a shuttle past the Bigelows then hiking over them south bound back to town. This is so we don¢t have to carry everything over the mountain. We will still have our tent and spent the night on the mountain, but will be back here in two days to pick up the rest of our things, spend another night at the White Wolf and get another good meal. Then the shuttle will take us north to where we left off. I forgot to mention that we ran into Easy 1 again. He is the 81 year old who is doing his 5th hike of the AT. He was hiking south bound after climbing Katahdin.