morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-21
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

It rained hard all night last night and was still raining in the morning when we got up, but luckily we (Shadow and I) had planned a short day today, so I had a nice leisurely breakfast and several cups of tea. By 10 it was clearing and by 10:30 we were on the trail. Except for all the water on the trail, which slowed us down and gave me very wet feet, the trail was pretty easy today, and the weather got sunny and warm. We walked through Maine woods smelling of pine and past pretty little ponds. Lunch was at Little Swift River Pond, where there is a campsite. The pond had yellow waterlillies and a nice spring for water.We made such good time that we were at the shelter by around five, with lots of time to hang up wet gear, chat with the shelter caretaker, eat dinner, and find the privy before dark. The last was very important as last night noone did that and it was impossible to find in the dark and rain. Bummer!I'm inching closer to Katahdin, and it feels so slow and frustrating sometimes. On the other hand I am enjoying walking slowly through Maine and I am finding the rooty rocky trail surfaces a real challenge, so I am glad not to be feeling pressured to move fast.Everything seems to be getting a little worn. My pack has duct tape patches and the buckle for the hip belt is showing troubling signs of slipping. My shoes are beginning to separate in several places, and my body is showing similar wear, particularly in the knees and left hip, so I hope all my various pieces hold together long enough to summit Katahdin. I am beginning to dream of long hot showers, lobster dinners and sleeping until noon. Only a couple of weeks and I will be done! Amazingly it sometimes feels like I just started, and sometimes it feels like I've been on the trail forever.
Date: 2005-08-22
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Stealth Camp, Woods road above Orbeton Stream
Miles today: 11.7

Another exhausting day in Maine! The caretaker at the shelter last night, Sara, said she thought this section was the most difficult next to the Mahoosucs, and my body would certainly agree. It wasn't just the elevation changes, which were substantial, but the fact that the trail was rocky, rooty and steep in alot of places. The climb up Saddleback was actually not too bad. The steep parts had steps and above the tree line the exposed rock was easy to walk on. The weather was good and the views from above the treeline amazing. We met a man up there who had thru-hiked 25 years before and climbed Saddleback every year around this time and hung out to talk to thru-hikers. We were also passed by a bunch of younger hikers planning to do the miles to the next shelter (5 more) and then go into Stratton tomorrow. It's frustrating to be passed like that, but I am also glad that I am not so pressured for time that I can't slow down when I need it. The trail got much more difficult after the summit of Saddleback. We still had the Horn and Saddle back Junior to climb and then a long steep downhill. By the time I got to the stream at aound 5 I was more than ready to quit, so we walked up the hill to an old logging road and set up camp on the edges of the road right near the trail. It's actually a pretty good campsite, although the sun has gone down behind the mountain so early that I may be asleep by 8.The mountains were beautiful today. It was the kind of day that you think, "Now, this is why I'm doing this." I had blueberries with my lunch on the top of Saddleback Junior while looking at a view of the mountains to come, Spaulding and Sugarloaf. I'm starting to get little glimmers of excitment about finishing. I have only 6 pages left in Wingfoot, and only two more towns after Stratton. Katahdin here I come!
Date: 2005-08-23
From: Stealth Camp, Woods road above Orbeton Stream

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Today was surprisingly easy (for Maine). The trail only summited one mountain and passed by on the slope of several others including Sugarloaf. The sun was in and out of the clouds all day. Sometimes it was cold and ominous looking and sometimes sunny and warm. The views were few, but satisfying and the day ended early at a campsite below the circular head wall of the Crockers. I was happy to end early as once again my knees and back began to hurt on the rocky trails. I'm a little worried about my plan to increase mileage after Stratton, but it's necessary if I want to finish on time. It may be that I won't have much fun doing it though, which would be too bad. I have much enjoyed these relaxed days and especially the last two days of camping with Shadow. Tonight after dinner I had time to walk up to the pond below the cirque and watch the sunset behind the headwall. Tomorrow I have less than 8 miles to do over the Crockers to the road to Stratton. If all goes well I should be there in time for lunch! I'm getting tired of trail food and ready for high calorie delicious fat-laden town food again. Mmmm. Bacon cheeseburger. French fries. Sald with Russian dressing. I better stop now or I'm going to start drooling into my journal!
Date: 2005-08-24
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: The Roadhouse, Stratton, Me
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

A short and easy day, but plenty for me because my hip, knees and back are still hurting. Shadow and I were headed down about 15 minutes from the trailhead much earlier than we had anticipated expecting to have to solve the problem of the ride into town because his wife was not expected until much later, when, lo and behold, there she was walking up to meet us! We were in town before 1 and I had all afternoon to do chores and eat! Shadow and Donna were kind enough to drive me where I needed to go and to take me with them to dinner. This should be the end of my hiking time with Shadow as he is moving on a slower shedule than I am, assuming that I can begin to move a little faster now. I decided today to start taking ibuprofen to reduce the pain and inflammation. I hope it helps.I am staying tonight at the Roadhouse which is run by Don at the Stratton Motel. It's really nice and very hiker friendly, including early morning shuttle service.
Date: 2005-08-25
From: The Roadhouse, Stratton, Me

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Wooo Hooo! Over 2000 miles and the end of the last big mountains before Katahdin! Fifteen miles doesn't sound like much, but according to the MATC it included almost 6000 ft of cummulative elevation gain. Hard work! It was a great day for hiking, cool and breezy, with puffy white clouds, and the views from the summits were spectacular. The shelter has only one other NOBO, Choo choo, who went through Mahoosuc Notch with me so its nice and quiet, with good company. There is a note in the shelter journal from Warren that the 215 roughest toughest miles of trail ends here. Hallelujah! I'm looking forward to faster days, bigger miles and not so sore legs and feet. Tommorow I plan to get to the shelter right before the ferry crossing for the Kennebec. If I get going early and get there before 4 I can cross tomorrow and spend the night in Caratunk. Who knows! Anything is possible when you are not trying to do 6000 ft of elevation over rocks and roots.
Date: 2005-08-26
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

What a gorgeous day! Beautiful weather, and a mostly easy trail through pretty woods and past lovely lakes. I had second breakfast by one pond, lunch on a sand beach by another and tonight I am camped on the shore of the third and most beautiful. I've been hearing loons call all day, and saw one on the pond here. The view out of my tent is of the sun setting over the hills beyond the pond, and in the background I can hear the water running over the dam at the outlet to the pond. This is the best of Maine so far. I'm so happy that I am fortunate enough (and determined enough) to be here. I am also happy that the tough miles are over with, and I can relax and enjoy this part.Not that I am not still working pretty hard. Today I got pretty tired and sore by the end, I hope partly because I am still tired from yesterday, because I'm planning to do almost 19 tomorrow, with a 1100 ft climb in the early part of the day, and 22 the day after. Then a day off in Monson, the last trail town for me!
Date: 2005-08-27
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

Yup! Back to bigger miles and I'm sure feeling it. Everything ached for the last few miles, but I made it in a decent amount of time, with time for dinner and chores.The day started with a quick 3 miles along the outlet of Pierce Pond, with a series of waterfalls leading down to the Kennebec River, a large fast-moving river which has a dam upstream that sometimes releases water unexpectedly. A hiker drowned there 20 years ago and ever since there has been a canoe to ferry hikers across. I got there just after the ferryman, Steve Longley started work and got to sit in the bow and paddle on the way across. There was only one mountain today, but a seven mile climb up to it from the river. The views were pretty good for such a puny mountain, and then it was 5 miles down. That's when things began to hurt! But I'm here and that much closer to Katahdin (and to Monson, where I will start my zero tommorrow night.) The weather is still great and Maine as beautiful as ever.
Date: 2005-08-28
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Shaw's, Rte 15, Monson
Miles today: 22.0

Today I walked 22 miles, climbed a mountain in heavy, blowing mist, and forded two rivers, one in a rainstorm. Just call me Indiana Jones! Life is going to be very dull when I get home again. I don't know what I will do for amusement. Maybe eat and sleep. Both are in short supply when you are doing all that other stuff.The trail today went over Moxie Bald which has a view of Katahdin, which I unfortunately could not see because of the aforementioned mist, and then spent most of the day following one river or another, which was great, plenty to look at and lots of lovely water noises. Except for an annoying tendency to go up and down and the ubiquitous rocks and roots ( which were definitely few today), the trail was pretty good with a few long level smooth stretches that allowed for fast hiking. I had lunch along the trail near Horseshoe Canyon, very pretty, before it started to rain, too! I saw a hawk of some sort fly across the trail very close to me and then sit on a branch nearby and glare, and lots of toads and frogs.Today were my first real, take your shoes off and wade river fords, the kind Maine is famous for. The river fords were fun. The water wasn't so deep or fast that it was scary, and my feet enjoyed the cooling water.The last 3 miles or so in the rain were kind of tough (I was tired and hurting), but I got a burst of endorphins and started singing to myself, which got me through. Now I am at Shaw's Boarding House, which is a trail town classic, and enjoying the luxury of a private room. Tomorrow is a zero, so lots of time to rest before the last stretch, the Hundred Mile Wilderness.
Date: 2005-08-29
From: Shaw's, Rte 15, Monson

To: Rte 15 Monson
Miles today: 0.0

Last zero day and last trail town!I've spent the day walking back and forth from Shaw's to town to use the phone and buy meals, and reading a sci-fi novel. I can feel my motivation to hike seeping away. The weather reports, which are for rain for the next two or three days, are not helping. A glance at my new maps shows some considerable elevation gains over the next 40 miles as well. And everyone said once you get to Monson it's all easy! I'm tired and ready to be done, but I'm still over 100 miles away. But I'll get there! The same way I've done the rest of it, one step at a time. The closer I get the more energized and excited I'll be, I know. It will also help to see Katahdin. So far the weather hasn't cooperated, and my next chance is about 40 miles away. Let's hope it clears before then.It was hard to stay here this morning when other hikers left for the trail, but I know the rest will do me good. Tomorrow I enter a section called the 100 mile wilderness, which is essentially a section without resupply or road access. This is less true now than when it was named, but I still have to carry lots of food out of here and will only have one limited resupply opportunity about 4 days out. It's not really much more remote than the Smokies, though, and a nice way to end, back in the wilderness that is part of the reason I came. Next phone access will be at Abol Bridge 10 miles from Katahdin, so I will update one last time before I summit. Only 8 days away if all goes well!
Date: 2005-08-30
From: Rte 15 Monson

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day! It's been raining for a few days and this section of trail has a lot of river fords. I was so anxious about the water levels that I had trouble sleeping. The early ones weren't too bad, but they got progressively deeper and faster. I successfully forded the one that was supposed to be most difficult. It was up to my hips and so fast moving that my poles were humming from the pressure of the water. I was delighted to have finished, however, and thought my challenges were over for the day. Then I came to a little stream which had turned into a raging torrent, barely fordable, and then after another few tenths of a mile to a ford just above a waterfall that was so fast and so deep that I could not do it and had to backtrack to the shore. A look at the map told me that a short walk down a logging road should take me to an intersection with a road that would cross the AT just past the ford. On my way back to the road I met a group of college students from the College of the Atlantic, who were headed north. When I told them about the problem I had they agreed to try to locate the road crossing with me and join me in crossing one last river to the shelter. We did find the road intersection and thanks to one noble soul (also tall and strong as well), we all managed to cross without disaster, and make our way to the shelter before dark. We are all still drying out and our packs are decidedly damp, but we are all safely over the last big ford,and full of dinner.This is a good thing because the tail end of the hurricane is supposedly coming tomorrow and the fords will be even deeper and faster. I should be done with the worst, though. I am not sure what I will do tomorrow as the next section is a series of mountains, which might not be too great in a storm. If I sit tight I will lose a day, though, and I don't think I can make up the mileage. I'll see what it looks like when I wake up.
Date: 2005-08-31
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Where to begin? This is the first time I have written my journal entry a day late. It was the most difficult day I've had on the trail yet, and, I hope, ever. I walked 11 miles today over a series of mountains in the remnants of a hurricane. The trail was up to 18 inches deep in water, and in many places was a waterfall, or flowing brook. On some sections there were beautiful rock stairs up or down. Without fail they were covered with cascading water. I was headed for a shelter down the trail that I hoped would have more room than the next one (with a capacity of 6) which was the destination of the 8 college students I shared the shelter with last night. I was exhausted, wet and cold when I arrived only to find 8 hikers already there, people who left Monson before me, but had been waiting out the storm. When it seemed there was no room, I went out to look for a campsite, and sat on a rock in the rain and just cried, for the first time since I've been on the trail. A total meltdown from fatigue, hunger and the stress of the last few days.Although the people in the shelter were not aware that I was losing it they had already decided to make room for one more in an already overcrowded shelter, for which I am eternally grateful. I'm not sure that I would have been able to continue the trail, either emotionally or physically, without their generosity. I was warmed both physically and emotionally by their presence in the shelter with me. It turns out that all nine of us are planning to summit on the same day, so I will see them again over the next few days. Thank you all of you, you know who you are. You made my thru-hike possible again.
Date: 2005-09-01
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Sidney Tappan Campsite
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today we all left at different times but all ended up together at the West Branch of the Pleasant River looking at an unfordable stream. Our alternative were either Hay Brook, which were told might also be unfordable, or the Gulf Hagas trail with a ford of the Gulf Hagas stream. We got a ride to the trail head and walked the three miles from there. The stream had one deep spot and was fast moving, but was otherwise easy and we were back on the trail. Three of us got a ride around the other way and managed to ford Hay Brook as well. Unfortunately the route I took means I missed 2 miles of the trail, but I hope to come back with Allen before I leave Maine and do them then. It took about three hours to get around Pleasant River so the mileage was short again today, and I'm still not quite done with the moutains. Tomorrow morning I will do the three last peaks and then the trail is supposed to get easy and fast. I can't wait! If I am still going to summit on Tues I have some miles to make up, so it means at least one long day. The weather is supposed to be good though, and the trail is already starting to dry out. Things are going to get better! Five days to do 76 miles, definitely doable! I just hope there are no more serious obstacles. The last few days have been frustrating as well as miserable.
Date: 2005-09-02
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Not a bad day today. The weather was good, and the water is starting to clear off of the trail. Today I finished the last three big mountains until Katahdin. On the way down the last one, White Cap, I finally saw Katahdin, looming over the surrounding woods. It sure is big!I also finished, I hope, the last of the big river fords today, the East Branch of The Pleasant River, which was fordable although a little deep and fast in one spot. I forded with Spartacus and Rainbow and Spartacus helped me over the deep spot. I've sort of lost my nerve after so many scary fords, so it helped a lot to have company. There is one more ford tomorrow, but the water is going down steadily now and I don't think it will be a problem. I hope not!The last five miles of the trail today were smooth and fast, and I understand it continues that way for at least 30 miles, until Nesabunt Mountain, so I'm hoping to do more than 20 miles tomorrow and the same the next day to get to Abol Bridge on schedule. By then I will be low on food and will need the campstore as well as the phone. It will be the Sunday of Labor Day weekend so I hope there will be campsites available. Then, if I can get a spot Mon night at the Birches I'll be all set to finish on Tues! Only 3 more days until Katahdin. I can't believe it! The last few days it looked like I was never going to make it.I have some hard work the next two days though, so I'm early to bed and up at the crack of dawn. Its 8:30. Bedtime!
Date: 2005-09-03
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

A long day, but a pretty walk along rivers and ponds and I'm halfway to Abol Bridge! (almost) Today I made my last ford (easy) and tomorrow morning I will climb the last little mountain before Katahdin.Just off the trail this morning was a sign pointing to the shore of a lake, which said, View of Katahdin. When I walked down to the shore at first I couldn't see anything. Then I stepped out onto the rocks and looked left, and there it was, still 40 miles away and huge, looming up over the lake. Cool!Tomorrow I am hoping to do 23 miles into Abol Bridge where there is a campstore (real food!) and a telephone to call my family. From there it is just 10 to the campsite at the base of Katahdin. I'm really almost done! Just one more tough push tomorrow, and then an easy day, and then the big climb! I'm more than ready.
Date: 2005-09-04
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Pines Camping Area, Abol Bridge
Miles today: 23.1

Up at 5 and on the trail by shortly after 6, I walked steadily, with only two short breaks, until 5, but I got here in time to buy dinner at the campstore (and chocolate milk, my first purchase when I get to civilization), shower and call my parents and Allen. Dinner was hotdogs and chips cooked on a campfire with a group of hikers planning to summit on Tues also, with a marshmellow roast for dessert. Just like car camping!We are camped next to the West branch of the Penobscot River (which, thankfully, we didn't have to ford), a very beautiful spot for only 5 dollars a night. Everything is set with my father for picking me up on Tues after I summit, and it looks like there will be no trouble getting a space tomorrow at the Birches, a campsite with 12 sites set aside near Katahdin Stream for thru-hikers, as there are less than 12 of us.So tomorrow we are getting breakfast at the store when it opens at 7 and then heading out to Sign in for the Birches and hike the 10 miles there. The afternoon should be spent resting and eating (of course). Sounds great!I have such mixed feelings about ending. I am relieved to be done with the 100 mile wilderness, as it was so difficult with the storm, and then the last two long days trying to make up for lost time, but I also thought it was very beautiful and would like to come back and hike here again. I'm a little nervous about Katahdin, even though I've climbed it before. I saw it today again from Rainbow Ledges, and it is incredibly big and steep. I plan to take it slow, though, and I will be well rested.
Date: 2005-09-05
From: Abol Pines Camping Area, Abol Bridge

To: The Birches Campsite near Katahdin Stream
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Here I am at last! 5.2 miles to go (all up), at the foot of the mountain I've walked over 2100 miles to climb. I am in a campsite set aside for thru-hikers with eight other thru and section hikers all summitting tomorrow. The ranger said it is going to be a Class I day (the best) so the views should be great and the walking as smooth as it can be going straight uphill for over 4000 ft.It was great to spend this last afternoon and evening hanging out with a group of other thru-hikers. A former thru-hiker and some friends who are currently hiking a section of the trail brought some trail magic, and Blue Light's family took her and Boots into Millinocket and came back with lots more so we are well fed and ready to go in the morning. I am not going to start too early because I am still tired from the last few days and would like to give my body as much rest as possible, but I hope to be at the summit by noon at the latest and down by three or four. My Dad is meeting me at the bottom of the mountain (I am coming down a different trail, the Abol Trail, because I think the AT is scary to come down), and driving me and whoever else is there back to pick up our packs, and then to Deer Isle for me for R&R. The ranger station lets you borrow day packs and leave your big pack on their porch, so you don't have to carry everything up, thank goodness.I wonder how different it will be to climb it this time. I'm much stronger than I was two years ago, but its still a tough climb and I'm not exactly fresh and rested. Still the excitment of finishing should give me an added push at least up to the top. Down may be a real let down. I can't believe I am almost done. I don't know how I feel yet. It may take awhile to figure it out.