morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Katahdin

To: Katahdin Stream
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we did the out and back to Baxter Peak. It was an intimidating climb at times, but the packs were light and it was a Class I day. It took us about 4 hours either direction. The views were incredible. Touching the Katahdin sign after years of looking at it in pictures was quite a moment. Tonight we are back in the AT Lodge (the owners, Ole Man and Navigator are just wonderful). We will say goodbye to my sister, Lynn, in the morning and begin our quest in earnest.BTW... Lynn saw a moose and loons while hiking on the lower trails; we saw black flies! :-)
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Katahdin Stream

To: Hurd Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Got some last minute pointers from Ole Man and Navigator at the AT Lodge before heading out to the trailhead. Saw a moose in Baxter from the car! Said goodbye to my sister, Lynn, who, along with her husband, David, will be our ground crew. The trail was pretty easy today, which was good because summitting Katahdin left us with some pretty sore muscles. I spent today trying to shed all of the baggage/stress of my so-called "real life". This may take more than a day--luckily, I have months.
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Hurd Brook Lean-To

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

Duke's feet are really torn up--the joy of new boots--so we cut it a little short today. That suited me, as I'm still a bit sore myself. So far, we didn't bring tea, Duke lost his knife and our filter is busted (but Duke did a McGyver on it). So much for planning!This was our first real opportunity to meet other hikers. Lots of folks are having issues. It seems to me that the primary issue is carrying too much weight. I'm sure everyone will sort themselves out as we gain experience.
Date: 2010-06-14
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Nahmakant Stream Campsite
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Tonight we are camping by ourselves. We started the day with a moose sighting. She was chomping in a pond. Very calm but alert to the fact that we were watching her. What a treat!Walking through these woods is so very different than my North Georgia mountains. They feel so unfamiliar. That's not a bad thing, just notable...
Date: 2010-06-15
From: Nahmakant Stream Campsite

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

Running into some interesting folks... One guy is reading Hemingway and carrying this awesome (but heavy) journal. Another fellow is doing a section hike that will complete the AT for him. Everyone is talking about a psycho hawk who is dive bombing hikers. We did not have the pleasure of an encounter! There's apparently also an attack grouse out here somewhere. We're working hard to be mindful and to stay in the NOW and just soak up the experiences.
Date: 2010-06-16
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To

To: Sidney Tappon Campsite
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: overcast clouds

What started out as an easy day really turned into a whooper. We made our destination shelter before 3 PM. It seemed early to quit so, with some encouragement from a NOBO, we went up and down White Cap (gorgeous vistas!) and didn't get to camp until 7 PM. The rain held off until we had set up the tent and eaten. That was a nice gift.
Date: 2010-06-17
From: Sidney Tappon Campsite

To: Chairback Gap Lean-To
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

The moral of today is to never assume that a day will be easy! This was supposed to be our reward for yesterday's long miles, but we found the terrain very challenging. Ole Man said that they didn't do switch backs up here--he wasn't kidding. And to add insult to injury (or tired feet), you have to climb up (not walk steeply) to the lean-to. Then when you get there, you find out that the only water is the boggy stream at the bottom where you just came from! It's all good though. Once you get your boots off and eat a bit of supper, the world rights itself and you can't believe your good fortune that you are here in the Hundred Mile Wildness on a great adventure.
Date: 2010-06-18
From: Chairback Gap Lean-To

To: Wilson Valley Lean-To
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: few clouds

We're tenting tonight because the shelter is full. We didn't get in until 7:15. Started at 6:15 this morning. We knew that we were gonna try to push this far, but it was a challenge. Let's see: heard a loon, saw amazing vistas, someone--the nicest two guys who were camping/fishing for the weekend--gave us beers, and now it's 9:30 and I can barely keep my eyes open. My feet are sore! I can't believe that I've had my first trail magic--a beer in the middle of the Hundred Mile Wilderness! What a hoot.
Date: 2010-06-19
From: Wilson Valley Lean-To

To: Monson (Shaw's)
Miles today: 10.0

Got picked up around 2 PM by Dana from Shaw's. I cannot begin the describe how awesome it felt to get into a hot shower. After cleaning up, we did a load of laundry and took a walk through town. Had an ice cream cone and then a beer at the Lakeshore Pub. The folks at Shaw's are wonderful. We're going to take a zero tomorrow to let Duke's feet get a chance to heal. I'm dying to watch some World Cup Soccer matches. Just heard that the US totally got ripped off by the referee. Oh well... All they have to do is win the next one and they'll be fine.
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Monson (Shaw's)

To: Monson (Shaw's)
Miles today: 0.0

Got to experience the famous Shaw's breakfast! I just had a two and couldn't really do it justice: two eggs, two potatoes, two french toast--being a veg, I bypassed the two bacon and two sausage. Dawn says that the NOBO's can do eights... 8 eggs, 8 bacons, etc. Unbelievable!Went to the outfitters to replace the filter, knife and my hiking poles. Then grabbed some shrimp, eggplant and asparagus for our contribution to the potluck dinner Dawn was having for some local buddies. It was great meeting more of the folks from this town.I am so impressed with how generous and open the Shaw's folks are. Listening to them talk about Monson's prospects was pretty sad though. The town has lost its main industries and is shrinking--basically the same story we heard in Millinnocket. The folks we met tonight have known each other since their school days. They are educated, well travelled and could live anywhere. They choose to come back home. They have to drive 60 miles to a movie theatre and the kids all go to private school because there is no public school, but it's worth it because they have community and a strong sense of belonging. I was especially grateful to spend the evening getting to see a tiny slice of their life.Tomorrow, it's back on the trail!
Date: 2010-06-22
From: West Branch of Piscatquis River

To: Bald Mtn Branch Lean-To
Miles today: 9.9

Got here early, but didn't want to take on another climb and get in late. So we're enjoying a leisuely late afternoon. We have the shelter to ourselves. A couple of NOBOs stopped in for a quick snack. They are soooooo ready to be done. They've been flying--will be done in just under 4 months.
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Bald Mtn Branch Lean-To

To: Northern Outdoors hostel
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: light rain

We did that thing again where we got to our goal destination early, so decided to add a bit... The shelter we were going to stay at is 6 miles from the river. You have to be at the river no later than 1030 to catch the ferry. So we thought we'd get closer. Couldn'd find a good campsite (no camping by the riverY so walked the two miles to Northern Outdoors. (We gotta get used to hitchhiking!)
Date: 2010-06-24
From: Northern Outdoors hostel

To: West Cary Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 14.0

Started the day with the famous canoe ferry across the Kennebec River. There really is an AT blaze in the bottom of the canoe!Started the day with the famous canoe ride across the Kennebec River. There really is an AT blaze in the bottom of the canoe. Hillbilly Dave was a gracious ferrier and full of great information. The walk
Date: 2010-06-25
From: West Cary Pond Lean-To

To: Avery Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Sleeping on a platform for the first time. Bigelow Mtn and Avery Peak are beyond words. The pictures we're taking cannot do justice the what we are experiencing. My gramma used to ask me why I was always going to Europe instead of seeing the US. She was dead on! So I got some more trail magic today. We met some gals at a summit and were chatting as we admired the view. One was local and was able to point out our path over the next several days (intimidating). As they were leaving, they gave us a Hershy bar and some gorp. I protested, but they assurred me that they had a cooler of beer waiting at the bottom of the mtn. Man, was that one tasty candy bar. More importantly, it just made my heart sing and my feet hurt a little kess to have encountered yet another kindness.
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Avery Memorial Campsite

To: just south of Stratton
Miles today: 10.1

Stopped around 3 PM today. Our legs were struggling and we figured wekd be hard pressed to make it over Croker before dusk. We had a nice chat at Horns Pond with the caretaker\ridge runner, Jeff. He asked if we had seen moose because one often frequents where we had camped. Of course, the answer was no. Lots of moose dungN but no moose!!! Also saw some folks out doing trail maintenance. Wish that I could have given them some trail magic--they are my hereos, for sure
Date: 2010-06-27
From: just south of Stratton

To: Spaulding Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Another great day! The early finish yesterday really paid off, as our legs were much better. However, Sugarloaf was about a mile of rock scramble! It was fun AND I'm glad to be at the shelter. We're rereading Eckart Tolle's Power of Now. Something to ponder: "How you handle yourself when things go wrong is the best indicator of your state of consciousness."
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Spaulding Mtn Lean-to

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This was0a0 really short day. It started raining about 1 am and kept at it most of the day. That was all the excuse we needed to go shelter to shelter. So we were here by 1:15. Another hiker joined us later. He's doing a flip-flop and started in Harper's Ferry. He was having "stomach issues" because he had eaten an entire rotisserie chicken and cake from the IGA in Rangley. Will we ever get that crazy hiker appetite? Probably! Forgot to mention: there was an awesome book of "trivia about Poplar Mtn" left by the fellow who has maintained the area since the 50's. What a treat it was to read. Thanks Mr. Fields!Forgoto mention: the
Date: 2010-06-30
From: Little Swift River Pond Campsite

To: Bemis Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Nice day with some easy miles and then ended with a climb that gave us a chance to make a couple of calls. So far we have the place to ourselves. Got some trail magic. There was a cooler by rhe trailwith a note for SOBO/NOBO's to enjoy. SilverSprings and I split the last can--a Natural Light. It was great!
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Bemis Mtn Shelter

To: Hall Mtn Lean-to
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Tough day! Didn't sleep well last night cuz I just Couldn't get warm. Then it rained all morning and, when it looked like it had cleared and I took my rainpants off, it rained some more. My feet were soaked. Bottom line: still got a long way to go to incorpoate surrender. We stayed crabby and resentful of the difficult terrain made worse by the rain. But tomorrow is Andover and a chance to dry out and adjust the attitude!
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Hall Mtn Lean-to

To: Pine Ellis Lodge
Miles today: 6.0

Got picked up at East B Hill at 11 AM after an easy 6 mile walk. Dave gave us a glass of lemonade as soon as we got in the van. Yum! Pine Ellis is run by Dave and his ex mom-in-law, Eileen, who has had the place for about 20 years. Washing clothes, ride to and from the trail and a private room were less than $70. What a deal! Andover is a great little towm. They have one restaraunt that closes at 2 PM and a general store that serves food from 4:30 AM until 9 PM. Folks are friendly and the homes are well kept, mostly big older houses. So... We showered, watched World Cup games, ate lunch, ate ice cream, ate dinner and went to sleep. I'm gonna be the only person to hike the Trail w/out losing weight!
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Pine Ellis Lodge

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Dave dropped us off at 8:30 and we were here by 2:30. That was after some long chats and a leisurely lunch on Baldpate Mtn. Totally shouuld have zt)ed for the World Cup game before heading out! Oh well, at least we beat the herd of Canadian girls who have now arrived at the shelter. So, Lynn & Dave put a ton of goodies in our maildrop. It was a treat. Heavy so we ate a ton of it yesterday. Yum!
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Baldpate Lean-to

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Today we did the Mahoosuc Notch. It was indeed "fun". I was scared of it, but it was fine. You just had to go slowly, put your poles up and start climbing, hopping, etc. I took my pack off once. It took us about 1:45. The key is being blessed with a clear day, which we had. It was such a hoot to take pictures of ice on the Fourth of July! Also saw moose bones down there. Creepy. So, SilverSprings is sick. Not sure what is up. We'll see if we have to spend the day here or if he's up to moving ahead. Other than worrying about SS, it was a fantastic day. There is such satisfaction in having done the Notch. The mileage was tough, but the views were stunning. Tonight in the shelter we have three couples. They are section hikers--really nice folks to chat with this evening. Did meet our 1st rude NOBOs tonight. The shelter journals have had little snippets between SOBOs and NOBOs, but everyone has been nice to us. Today, however, this NOBO couple came up to the shelter so full of themselves and with "attitude". Th
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: clear sky

SilverSprings is sick--perhaps heat exaustion due to a lack of salt. Met a couple of section hikers who discussed it with him. One of them gave SS a couple of electrolyte tablets. That helped. At any rate, we started walking at 11 AM and got here at 4 PM. Very frustrating and worrisome, but I'm sure it will work out. So... Funny story... There's a bear box here and SS went rummaging thru it, assuming that it was a "hiker box". He scarfs up a can of sardines. Turns out, the people came back. We're hoping they won't notice the missing sardines. Ackward... I finished reading "American Shaman" and started "War & Peace". A NOBO from Germany has joined us in the shelter. He is very popsitive, but exausted. Unlike most NOBOs, his pack weighs like 50 pounds. Wow!
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Trident Col Shelter
Miles today: 10.1

SilverSprings is a bit better today so we made up a little distance. It was slow going--started at 6:30 and got here at 4 PM. However, we took a nice, long lunch at Gentian Pond Shelter. Passed several groups who told us about seeing moose. Alas, we were too late in the day. Anyway, had a nice chat with the AMC ridgerunner, Beau, as we ate lunch. Now weKre set up in out tent for the night. It's actually pretty dang pleasant to be tenting again. SS and I had more chat time. He swears that if he were by himself, he would have quit by now. Hopefully, that's just talk because he's still not back yet. Oh yes: WE'RE OUT OF MAINE. Woohoo. One state down.
Date: 2010-07-07
From: Trident Col Shelter

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Another tough day. SilverSprings started alright, but then got painfully slow as the day progressed. We started at 6:45 and got here about 6 PM. Did get some trail magic... A NOBO was being picked up by a friend at the trailhead and they gave us ride to the Burger King in Gorham and then took us back to the trail. In the shelter tonight we have Lil Bear and Hoze, SOBOs whose journal entries we've enjoyed reading. There's also Pine, a young NOBO, who is really mellow, and a great young couple out for some days who are experienced hikers. And we've just found out from the caretaker that we are going to be joined by 8 teenage boys from a camp who are hiking in late. This will be interesting...
Date: 2010-07-21
From: Sunset Motel

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Hanover after breakfast of blueberry pancakes at Lou's. Yum, but paid like $9 for just them--Hanover is an expensive town. Did road walk into Vermont and through Norwich, a beautiful bedroom community for Dartmouth. Walked by Short 'n Sweet and Greybeard's house, so left them a quick note. We had egg salad sandwiches for this little store we went by for lunch. The terrain was nice, but it was getting stormy so we happily called it a day at 3 PM or so. ABear and three NOBOs are also at the shelter tonight. We all happily watched the bottom fall out of the sky at dusk for about an hour--heard later that lots of folks got caught in some serious hail. Definitely learning to love the shelters!
Date: 2010-07-22
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: The Lookout
Miles today: 14.0

We were hoping to put in a twenty miler today but ran out of steam. Some NOBOs we met at Wintturi Shelter where we were having a late lunch suggested that we fill up our water and hike up here. Great suggestion! This is a privately owned cabin whose owner allows hikers to use it when available as long as we are respectful. It is very simplistic, but the roof doesn't leak and there's an observation deck on the roof that gives you a 360 degree view of Vermont. Sitting up there is very cool--even for a kid like me who doesn't love heights.
Date: 2010-07-23
From: The Lookout

To: Gifford State Pack (lean-to)
Miles today: 14.3

Today was one of those days where everything went right. Had a nice sunrise at The Lookout. Made it to Kent Pond by 2 PM--that was really a quick 13+ miles for us--and hit the post office with our bounce box by 3:30. Got an OJ and Ben & Jerry's (Cherry Garcia!) on the way back from the P.O. The place where we had our mail drop, Mountain Meadows was awesome. However, they had no vacancies (we already knew that)so we just chatted with the owner for a bit and moved on. So here we are in the state park with a lean-to ($25, but it was raining)to ourselves and a box of wine that Lynn and David included in the mail drop package. Living life large for sure. ;-)
Date: 2010-07-24
From: Gifford State Pack (lean-to)

To: Governor Clement Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Got started at 6:30 and were here by 2:30 or so. Got talking to some NOBO slackpackers until 3:30. Then decided that going the 5.8 miles wouldn't really buy us anything in terms of getting to Manchester Center on Tuesday. So we happily called it a day.Had some great conversations in the morning with SilverSprings. That seems to be turning into our style: we read at night and the chat in the mornings as we walk. Then by afternoon, we both more in our own worlds (just out of topics to noodle together?) and tend to walk more separately.So, tonight in the shelter we have Bishop, a SOBO who we haven't seen since Pine Ellis, and two Long Trail hikers. His hiking buddy, Abraham, left the trail around Gorham, which is a bummer. Sounds like he had the same thing that SilverSprings did--what we are assuming was heat exhaustion. Bishop saw Hoze and Lil Bear a day or so ago, so we're hoping that they catch up soon.
Date: 2010-07-25
From: Governor Clement Shelter

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Four of us in the shelter tonight: Bishop, SilverSprings, a Long Trail hiker and me. Had a nice day of chatting, walking and making decent time. Got a Pepsi and homemade cookies a the "500 mile marker" for trail magic. Very nice! Met some Long Trail folks who were doing a leg of the trail with (and I may have this wrong) Prickles the Porcupine, who is the LT mascot. Apparently folks are hiking Prickles through the LT to celebrate the LT 100th Anniversary. Alot of folks are doing the LT thru hike this year in honor of the special anniversary.
Date: 2010-07-26
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

In tonight with Bishop and SilverSprings. There's also a father and his young (10?) son who are out for several days using this kinda as a base camp for day hikes. There's a great lake just a half mile away, so this is pretty ideal. Tomorrow we're into Manchester Center and will stay at the Green Mountain House, which we've heard so much about from the NOBOs. Tonight we planned out our next leg so we'd know how much resupply to buy. We had a pretty good walk today, averaging about 2 MPH. I found myself getting a bit exasperated with all the bogs that were slowing us down. That was an interesting experience: watching my getting aggravated, being aware of it, but not really having the tools to overcome the emotions. So silly to let things get under your skin out here when there is, essentially, no stress or deadlines other that those that are self imposed.
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Gateway Motel

To: "The Jailhouse"
Miles today: 20.5

We ended up making up the miles that we lost yesterday because we couldn't find water and had to walk into Palmerton rather than stealthing. This added two more non-AT miles to the day--but it's a great town and we had heard alot about The Jailhouse, which is actually a the Bourough. It has a gym, a shooting range and gov't offices. The police let us in and then pretty much leave us on our own--no supervision at all. Pretty amazing and free to boot! The local dinner, Bert's, was so good that we went for both dinner and breakfast.So... today we walked over the Palmerton EPA Superfund site. It was pretty wild: really devastated land that they've been trying to revegetate for almost 30 years. Silver 'bout stepped on a rattlesnake. I walked by it and got it good and agitated (I didn't see it) before he had to go by. We had a really challenging rock scramble. Silver broke one of his poles, but was able to "McGyver" it.Tough terrain for the end of a 20 mile day!Silver's shin and ankle are still a major concern, but he's hanging tough.
Date: 2010-08-21
To: New Tripoli Campsite
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Just couldn't get it going today and fell short of our goal of making it to the next shelter. We didn't actually get to the trail until after 9 (had to hike out of Palmerton) and the rocks and lack of water sources just seem to make the day drag. On a bright note, we started the day with blueberry pancakes at Berts! And stopping by 4PM will, hopefully, give us a chance to relax and catch up on some much needed sleep. We're both just a little bit beat right now...
Date: 2010-08-22
From: New Tripoli Campsite

To: stealthing near the Pinnacle
Miles today: 17.4

Today was entertaining. It rained last night, but stopped long enough for us to pack up. Got caught in a thunder storm for a coulple of hours. First time that's happened since NH. No big deal when it's warm weather ;-). Thought that we might call it a day after 13 miles because we were at a shelter, but the sum came out so we decided to put in a couple more hours. Nice site and the sky is blue!