morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-09-16
From: Gorham,NH

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: light snow

I got up this morning and had breakfast at Welsh's then went looking for some refried beans. When I went into a resturant to ask where the health food store was I ran into Glide, A thruhiker from MI I met at Woods Hole Shelter in GA and hadn't seen since. He had just summited 4 days ago. Around 11:30 I stuck out my thumb and had a ride in the back of a pick up within 20 minutes. At Pinkham Notch the AMC guy behind the info desk told me 20 degf winds 54 gusting to 62 with o visability and some icing on the summit when I asked what the conditions were on top of Wildcat Mtn. He told me it should be fine to climb, frankly the conditions he reported had me feeling a little uncomfortable (scared actually) but I figured I could always turn back if conditions were too bad. The summit of Wildcat was actually 35 degf, clear with 20 mph winds gusting to 35 mph. There was a dusting of snow in the spruce and Mt. Washington was white in the distance. I got to the Hut around 6pm and the wind was howling. I was glad to be inside since it was 30 degf out there in the wind. Beth the caretaker was great. I got 2 bowls of soup and crashed on the floor in the dining room with Arrow Maker and Brock. Knee is sore.
Date: 2011-09-17
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 7.2

One of the guests gave me a PB&J sandwhich for answering so many questions last night. I found out Beth is planning a thruhike in spring and will be journaling at seebethhike.com. The trail down off North Carter was super steep and required much downclimbing. All of the rockclimbing of the last 2 days have my right knee very sore. I quit hiking at 5pm today and am camped with Bob the SOBO I met at the Barn and a man and woman who are out for a couple of days. They built a nice camp fire and we hung out and talked till it was way too late (8:30). Sunset is around 7pm now. It's cold here tonight but I'm also at 3300' so it's to be expected. The weather should be warming up in the next few days. I think I'm feeling the cold way more now because of all the weight I've lost and the constant calorie deficit. At least I'm toasty warm in my sleeping bag.
Date: 2011-09-18
From: Imp Campsite

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 9.8

This morning the hiking was beautiful and enjoyable. The terrain eased up as I went along and the weather was cool and calm with mostly sunny skies. By 3pm I was at RT2 and the 3rd truck picked me up and drove me all the way to Walmart. I got my resupply (I was out of snacks)and ate a salad ,a box of cinnamon rolls and a large coffee to wash it all down. After about 15-20 minutes of walking and hitching I was picked up by Bunny, a river guide and hiker who is also planning a 2012 thru, Bunny ran me all the way back to the trail and I was hiking again by 5pm. I'm about a mile from the road at a nice spot under a big spruce. I haven't figured out yet what keeps running past my tent but I'm thinking it must be squirrels. My hands are getting cold and I'm getting tired. I almost forgot, less than 300 miles to Katahdin and I'm out of the Whites.
Date: 2011-09-19
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Genitian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 10.0

This morning was cold! It was above freezing but the woods were in a heavy fog. I didn't get hiking till after 9:30. As soon as I climbed above the fog it warmed right up. Todays trail is easier than it has been but not as easy as the profile in the guide led me to believe, mosstly because of the constant up and down. I got here around 5pm tented up on a platform and cooked dinner. Around 6 I heard people come into the shelter so after dinner I went down to see if it was anyone I know, it is. Torch,Snags,Little Bird and Rolling Stone had just hiked in. I hung out with them until the stars came out on another clear,cold and beautiful night. At 8:30 I headed up to my tent to warm up and journal. Fall is in full swing and days are short.
Date: 2011-09-20
From: Katadhin Summit

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

Todays hiking seemed a lot more difficult than the trail profile suggested. There was a huge amount of rock scrambling and I even had to take my pack off twice today to get down through some cracks. After getting to the top of Mt. Success my right Knee was killing me and I knew I had to stop at the next shelter. I felt like I was just being a big baby until I ran into 2 other NOBO thruhikers who stopped at 5.2 mi yesterday and today both. When I got to the shelter Snags,Torch,Little Bird and Rolling Stone were still there. They had celebrated a little too much at the Maine border 1/2 mile back. I'm finally in Maine! It's cold and damp tonight, I can hardly wait for Indian Summer. In spite of everything I'm finding real beauty in the north woods and having a great time.
Date: 2011-09-21
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Speck Pond Campsite
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Up & out early with the help of an outward bound group, they were making a ton of noise at 6am. Goose Eye Mtn. was beautiful and as always I enjoyed the walk above treeline. I caught up to Snags, Torch, Little Bird & Rolling Stone at Full Goose Campsite and we headed out togeather to Mahoosuc Notch. My knee was killing me coming down Fulling Mill Mtn. but loosened right up when I started climbing in the Notch. Snags being so much smaller was reallyhaving a hard time with the climbing which surprised us all since she is so athletic. It was really great having them all to go through the notch with, everyone helping everyone else. I had always been planning on camping at a site right at the end of the notch but we must have missed it in the dark,we all had dug out our headlamps near the end of the notch. Since I had missed the camp I decided to follow the rest of them up to Speck Pond Campsite in the dark. Climbing Mahoosuc Arm in the dark was painfully slow even with a great team like ours. Typically one person above and one person below would light up any difficult sections so the others could climb. This would give 3 headlamps on the section all from different angles making it almost like daytime climbing. We all stopped at the top on some big rock slabs and turned out our lights and just enjoyed the stars in the clear cold night. My knee was really hurting as I limped down to Spec Pond where we all stopped again in the dark to enjoy the reflection of the Big Dipper in the pond. I tented up with Torch and Snags on the oversized caretakers platform, We managed to get all 3 tents on it. It was around 11pm when we got in to camp and about 12:30 by the time we went to sleep. I think we all called it a 14 or 15 hour hiking day.
Date: 2011-09-22
From: Speck Pond Campsite

To: Bethel,ME
Miles today: 4.5

Every one in our little group,of the last few days, is out of food. We all underestimated how long it would take to get through this section. Now we have no choice but to hitch 17 miles into Bethel,ME to resupply. Just as Torch, Snags and I got to the road it started raining, and to make things worse it was about 5 minutes between cars. Amazingly after only a half an hour we got a ride all the way to a hiker friendly pizza shop in Bethel the driver knew about. After a couple of hours there,the pizza shop, Torch and I decided to find a place to stay in town. We ended up at the hostel at the Chapman Inn, One of the nicest hostels Ive seen. It was a little pricey at almost $40 but it included a very nice breakfast in the dining room of the B&B.
Date: 2011-09-23
From: Bethel,ME

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 8.0

A fellow who wasn't a hiker stayed in the hostel last night with us. This morning I joined him for breakfast and found out he was a Paleo Botanist working on oil platforms in the North Sea. His name is Rick and he was in Bethel for a prep school reunion. After breakfast Rick said he had some time to kill and offered to drive me and Torch back to the trail. After a quick stop for fuel for Torch, Rick dropped us off and we were hiking by 11am. I decided to just hike till 6pm then at 6:01 start working on finding a site to camp. Rain is predicted for overnight. Since I have a bunch of hard boiled eggs and plenty of trail mix I decided to just have that for dinner and skip cooking. Todays climb over Bald Pate was very pretty but lots of slabs made for slow hiking.
Date: 2011-09-24
From: Stealth Campsite

To: South Arm Rd. Campsite
Miles today: 12.5

Just like predicted the rain started about 3am and it was still raining at 6am so I rolled over and waited for it to ease up. By 7:30 it had quit and I started cooking and packing up.Trails today were generally better and that really helped with the mileage. There was a trail relocation over Moody Mtn. that was just crazy. It was some of the worst trail I have ever seen then there would be these beautiful rock steps and a ton of iron in the rock then more horrible trail. It was crazy. The sigh said it was a temporary relo but from all the work some of it must be permanant. I tented up at South Arm Rd next to some locals, Lisa and Dave who are interested in opening a hostel. Near 100% humidity kept me soaked all day.
Date: 2011-09-25
From: Katadhin Summit

To: Bemis Mtn. Lean-To
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

Rain overnight again made for a damp start to the day. Combined with aching legs I was slow getting out of camp this morning, which worked out OK, since I got to talk to Lisa and Dave. It took me till noon to reach the top of Old Blue Mtn. I'm wet again today, this time from all the spruce brenches overhanging the trail. The trail past Old Blue was just a constant series of ups and downs. I think Bemis Mtn.should hold some kind of record for the most false summits. I finally got to the Lean-to around 4:30. After saying Hi, signing the register and getting some water it's almost 5pm so I decide to stay since it's 3.5 mi to the next camp and I don't want to hike in the dark.Conditions were slippery today and every time I got moving a little too fast I slip on something. I'm surprised I only fell once today considering all the timse I slipped. It looks clear tonight and there is a good breeze, maybe it will dry out the woods a little. There's a nice group at the shelter tonight, 3 SOBO's and a local fellow.
Date: 2011-09-26
From: Bemis Mtn. Lean-To

To: Little Swift River Pond Campsite
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was the perfect Indian Summer day, sunny temps in the mid 70's. Wildlife was out all over the trail, I saw 5 grouse, a cow and yearling moose, and 1 or 2 bull moose (I'm not sure if it was the same one or not). The hiking today started out painfully slow, Bemis Mtn was all lichen covered rock slab that was wet making it slick as ice. Once I got away from the wet rock I was able to pick up some speed but the rough terrain was still a limiting factor. The beauty of the day however more than made up for any difficulties. Now I'm down in the pond country, I must have passed 4 or 5 this afternoon and I'm camped at one now. This pond even has a privy nearby and a couple of canoes to paddle on the pond if I feel like it. This evening finished with a brilliant shooting star as I was drinking the last of my cocoa.
Date: 2011-09-27
From: Little Swift River Pond Campsite

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

I awoke this morning to the sound of a moose clomping thru camp on the way down to the pond. He was wading and eating down in the pond for most of my morning in camp and I went down to the shore a couple times for a better look at him. The 5 mile hike out to ME4 was relatively easy and I had my thumb out by 11:20. It took about 20 min to get a ride to the grocery store just outside of Rangely, ME. By 1pm I had finished lunch(a sub, 1lb potato salad,a 8" pie and a pint of Cherry Garcia)and resupply at the grocery. Time to head into town and hit the outfitter for some fuel and the post office to mail journals. I had to walk the mile into downtown Rangely, which by the way is exactly half way between the equator and the north pole (that's 45degN for those of you who are technically inclined). The folks at the Ecopelagicon were great (seriously hiker friendy)! Torch, Meatloaf and Witch Doctor were camped out back. About Torch, he hikes so much faster than me it aint even funny, if it wasn't for him getting stuck in town all the time I would never see him again. I hit the Bank and restocked on cash,took care of mail, got a shower, and had a burger at a nice resturant. I sat outside on the deck looking out over the water,sweating a little in the hot sun, it reminded me of being in the Florida Keys. I started hitching and walking in the direction of the trail after about a mile I got a ride from a guy in a VW buggy that was so small my pack was sitting on top of me half inside, half outside the buggy as we blasted down the road at an incredible 40-45 MPH. One thing is any ride is better than no ride and this one really was a hoot. the hike up to Piazza Rock Lean-to was uneventful and I'm here alone, I think this might happen alot now. At least I know there are at least 3 NOBO's still behind me.
Date: 2011-09-28
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Stealth Tentsite
Miles today: 11.6

This morning looked like another perfect Indian Summer day, until about an hour into my hike when I fell. The thing about all of the falls I've taken is they all happen the same way. First my foot slips and my body is thrown off balance, then as I try to catch myself the momentum of my pack just slowly pulls me over and down I go. The slip is instantanious but the rest seems to happen in slow motion. The thing that was different and scary about my fall this morning, was that sickening hollow thud as my head hit the rock. At first I wasn't sure if I was hurt or not, so I ran thru the standard checklist.The first thing I checked was the rock, no blood there, good the rock is OK. Then I put my hand to my head, no blood there either, surprisingly good news, my head must also be OK. I wiggled out of my pack and sat there for a few minutes thinking about what just happened and the consequences if it had turned out differently, could have been a hike ender or worse. Deciding that I should try to aviod doing this in the future, I decided to just go with the old standard of "no blood no foul" and get back to hiking after some vitamin I for the headache. I had great views from Saddleback Mtn. before the clouds rolled in and blocked the views for the rest of the day. I only saw 1 other person all day, a SOBO section hiker. Skies started to clear a couple of times this evening but showers are in tomorrows forecast. I'm camped in a great spot, along an old logging road 20yds from the head of a waterfall.
Date: 2011-09-29
From: Stealth Tentsite

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

I awoke to a very overcast morning, it looked loke it could rain at any moment. I was packed up and hiking by8am. Light rain and "tree rain"were off and on as I climbed Lone Mtn. There were no Views today just dense clouds. Horizontal rain and 50mph gusts caught me off gaurd as I descended the steep and exposed side of Sugarloaf Mtn. The bad weather and short daylight hours convinced me not to try and tackle the peaks of the Crockers till morning. I have cell service here and the weather is calling for clearing by morning. Only 195 miles to go! When I was a little kid I used to dream about living in the north woods in a tent, now I'm doing it. Later on a big thunderstorm came through and my tent was flooding, I had to get out in the storm and scratch a drainage channel to get the water out from under the tent.
Date: 2011-09-30
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Stratton,ME
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

What a difference a few hours makes. It's sunny and dry with a light wind so I decided to hang everything to dry out while I ate breakfast. I was anticipating an easy climb over the Crockers and quick hike to the road. Boy was I wrong. The trail over the peaks was steep and eroded and the descent to the road was just plain rocky. Definately some of the worst trail I've seen in Maine so far. I got a hitch into stratton only to find no rooms available. Luckily I was able to work out a deal to crash on the floor in Witch Doctor (the woman) and Ice Monkey's room. The fish fry at the White Wolf was good but not special, I was able to fill up though. I talked to Walkin Home and Pat on the phone then called it a night.PS Sue the owner told me that Buffalo Bobby died 20 miles from Katahdin.
Date: 2011-10-01
From: Stratton,ME

To: Horns Pond Lean-tos
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

After breakfast with Ice Monkey at the diner I hit the grocery for resupply. Talking with both walkin Home and Sue convinced me I needed to send a resupply package to Caratunk.So after the grogery I hit the Post Office. It rained hard overnight and it's raining now as I finish my town chores. Sue got back from bird hunting and asked if I was ready for a ride back to the trail, I guess that's my clue to get going. I toss my pack in her SUV and off we go, I find out my suspicions that something strange is going on with Witch Doctor are well founded, aparently she's been in that room since Tropical Storm Irene. It's raining as I hike and the terrain is wicked slick. My trecking poles literally saved my butt, I slipped and almost impaled myself on a small old stump, I was able to stop myself 2" above the stump using my poles. Wet and worried about hypothermia I made it to the shelter and into dry clothes. The wind was blowing directly into the front of shelter making it too drafty and cold so I tented up in hopes it would be warmer. It's a cold and windy night even in the tent. I'm going to hide in my bag and hope it's better in the morning. Thinking about Buffalo Bobby.
Date: 2011-10-02
From: Horns Pond Lean-tos

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

I took my time heading out of camp this morning, hoping for better weather. The winds died down and I letf aruond 10am. This is the first time I've had to wear full raingear the entire hike. As I summited West Peak it was rain and wind gusting to 50mph with temp in the low 40's. Things then calmed down for a bit but picked right back up as I crossed the summit of Avery Peak. Rain or mist has been a constant all day keeping everything slick. Weather forecast calling for over 1" rain total for yesterday, today and tomorrow. I'm actually sleeping in the Lean-to tonight, I got in after dark and have it all to myself. Even though I was careful and hiked slowly I still fell 3 times today. After dinner the rain really picked up, maybe it will finish raining overnight and start clearing tomorrow. One can only hope.
Date: 2011-10-03
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

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

Finally a good mileage day in Maine! There were thunderstorms overnight but no rain today, as a result the trail is a mess. Much of it was underwater, in places the water was as much as foot deep.The rivers and ponds are all quite high forcing me to wade 4 times today. I also had to navigate floating bog bridges in 3 different places. I spent all day soaked from the knees down. Luckily my feet are holding up pretty well. I finally got to the Lean-to at 8pm, almost 1-1/2 hrs after dark.
Date: 2011-10-04
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: moderate rain

Up and out early this morning (not that early about 8am) because I have to get to the Kennebec river 3.4 miles away before 11am to catch the ferry. If I miss it I'll have to wait till tomorrow to cross. It only took 1/10th of a mile before I was knee deep in water again, Fording a breach in the dam I was walking across. The trail to thr river was mostly dry and I was able to make great time. By 9:30 I was hailing the ferry and by 10 I was across. Just as I got across it started raining, so much for getting dried out. My dissapointment was so obvious that Craig the ferryman went to his truck and got out a MATC pin,handed it to me and said "wear this it has magic powers on the trail". He also told me he had just stocked up the hiker box at the Caratunk post office if I need food. I headed up to the Post office in a steady rain, I'm glad I listened and mailed myself a food drop because there really isn't anything here. I took my time repacking, eating and just hanging out hoping the rain would stop but no luck. About 11:30 I headed back to the trail. Trail conditions were horrible,mud a foot deep in places, water running down the trail and everything slippery. After another 3 or 4 fords and numerous near falls I reached the Lean-to around 3pm. It's 9 miles to the next Lean-to and I'm not sure I can find anywhere to camp in between, so even though the last thing I need is a short day, I'm stopping here and going to try to dry out some.
Date: 2011-10-05
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: Moxie Bald Mtn. Lean-to
Miles today: 13.1

I was up early but still not hiking early enough for the kind of miles I need to make and the short days. I got a glimpse of a view from the top of Pleasant Pond Mtn. before the clouds closed in again. Just before fording Moxie Pond I fell landing on one of my poles and snapped it. The ford was knee deep, 40yds acrtoss and had a fair current. When I get to the other side a SOBO idiot who watched me ford asks me "is there a way across without getting wet?" I was so angry I was speachless, does he think I'm so stupid I would ford the pond if I didn't have to? Then he follows up with "aren't you going to dry out your feet and socks?" "What's the (insert numerous explatives)point" I replied and walked past him hoping that his stupidity wasn't contagous. I dont know where he came from but if he was going where I had just been he was in for a surprise. The temps dropped this afternoon and the sun came out off and on but heavy dark snow clouds threatened on the horizion. Moxie Bald is a beauty spot, 360 deg views from a barren alpine summit. Just past the summit I got sleeted on for the first time today, I got hit again harder on the way down. I reached the shelter at 4:20 and would have liked to have hiked farther but no campsites are listed for the next 9mi and I still don't want to night hike if I can help it. At 5pm sleet pounded down here for 10minutes completely covering the ground. I'm using the extra time in camp to try and dry out my gear, it's all still wet. Something just went crashing past the Lean-to, probably a moose. I have the Lean-to to myself again tonight.
Date: 2011-10-06
From: Katadhin Summit

To: Monson,ME 
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Up and moving before dawn, finally. I had to bring my wet clothes into my sleeping bag to warm them up enough to get dressed. Wet socks and boots again and temps in the mid 30's. There was a warning about fording the West Branch of the Piscataquis river. Fortunately my experience fishing the San Juan (wading) Let me find a better ford across the river than most hikers were using. I was able to cross in water only to the top of my knees. The trailis still muddy but it is starting to dry out today. It's windy with a high in the upper 40's. The last 3 miles to the road seemed to take forever. 3rd car picked me up and dropped me right at Shaws. I took a shower then met Dawn and Dick. Went out to the BBQ place for a great dinner, then to the convience store for desert. Torch got to town after me and is staying at Shaws also. Lil Drummer Boy is here too, he's feeling sick been here a few days. Talked to Walkin Home about travel plans and did my laundry. I also ran into Bhuda, Little Bird and Rolling Stone they jumped ahead and had already summited in rough conditions. They were in Monson to pick up a car for Brother of the Wind. It's supposed to dip into the 20's tonight,it's good to be inside. PS Shaws already closed the bunkhouse so they gave us each our own room for bunkhouse prices!