morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-20
From: South Arm Road

To: Bemis Mountain Lean-To
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: few clouds

We all woke up fairly late, with the fire still smoldering, beer cans scattered about, and cold pizza on the picnic table (which made a great breakfast.) I finally got back to the trail around 10:30.The first part of the trail was tough. A 2,200 foot climb up Old Blue Mountain, and I had no energy. I was moving slow, but wasn't the only one. Crocket and Rootdown and I passed each other several times during the day. The weather was great, in the mid-60's. Finally on Old Blue, the trail wasn't bad, though still long downs and ups. When it was relatively even, it was muddy, and the tree roots constantly threatened to catch your feet. I was dragging all day, moving slow. I've been congested the last few days. I hope I'm not coming down with a cold. ARound 6pm, I came to Bemis Mtn lean-to, less than 10 miles from where I started and 5 miles short of where I wanted to be. But I wasn't going any further. Team Ninja had the same idea. So here we all are, hanging out and enjoying a fire for a second night, and listening to some tunes, thanks to an iPod and some speakers.I've been having some issues with my boots over the last few days. I picked up new kicks in southern New Hampshire - New Balance trailrunners. After less than 100 miles, the rubber toe guard has started to seperate. I managed to glue the left foot guard in Lincoln. I didn't get to the right foot, and it's in bad, bad shape. I was hoping to work on it tonight, but think I left the boot glue in Andover. With luck they should make it to Katahdin, 237 miles away. We'll see.
Date: 2007-09-22
From: ME4 - Rangeley

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-To
Miles today: 18.7

A long but good day. I had a pretty early start, hiking at 7:40 am. Carrying too much - including five 16 oz. beers, I still made good time - at least for the first two miles. That's when I came upon Team Ninja, just getting up and nursing hangovers. I didn't stick around long as I wanted to get 21+ miles in - to the warming hut on Sugarloaf Mountain. First, though, I had to get over Saddleback Mtn, The Horns and Saddleback Jr. The hike up Saddleback was long but not too bad. The next two were tougher. Long descents, followed by long ascents. Nursing a bit of a cold, I wasn't moving as fast as I'd like. One by one, Ninja passed me. Damn they can move! I kept going, finishing the first 10 miles around 2pm. I was a bit disappointed, as you can see Mt. Katahdin - the end of the trail - from Saddleback. It was socked in with fog, preventing a view of anything. After a gourmet lunch (hummus, cheese, onion, red pepper on a pita), I started out again. The weather was perfect, the trail nice, with soft dirt covered by conifer needles and fall leaves, and the air was filled with the smells of fall. Heading down a 1,500 foot hill, I took a good tumble. I call it my horizontal double-axle. I'm not sure how it happened, but one second I'm hiking, and the next I'm literally rolling down the trail. Not to worry - some trees off the trail halted my fall, with nothing more than a few scratches and lots of new dirt.One other interesting happening: I've seen lots of moose tracks, as wellas moose droppings. Now I can say I've also heard a moose. It was too deep in the woods and the fog was too thick to see it, but it was there. Dog Man mentioned that he saw a huge moose on the trail just minutes after passing me, but I've yet to spot one. I kept moving, eventually needing my headlamp for the final mile before the shelter. I didn't make it to Sugarloaf Mountain - another 3 1/2 miles distant - but an 18-mile day ain't bad at all. Ninja is all here, except for Moss who is MIA. The rain is just starting. I kept my rain cover on my pack all day, guaranteeing that it would stay dry until now. Ironic, I know, but it never fails.It's a bit after 9pm, and time to pass out. I want an early start tomorrow so I can get to the hostle in Stratton and watch the Bills - Patriots game. That's 13 miles away, and kickoff is at 1pm, so I'd better get my rest.
Date: 2007-09-23
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-To

To: ME27 - Stratton
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Over the last few days, I've realized that I can't hike as fast as Team Ninja. They fly!!! I've been feeling old, watching them run by me on the trail. So this morning, I was up before dawn and hiking before 7am (just as they were waking up) in order to put some miles in before they blew by me. The goal was to get into Stratton in time for football. That's 13+ miles by 1pm. The start of the day was pretty easy, but a 1,500 foot descent, as steep as I've seen in awhile, slowed me down. So did the 2,000 foot climb to Crocker Mountain (1,000 feet in 1/2 mile.) Between this climb, big days yesterday and the day before, and the start of a cold, all energy left me. Even though it was an easy 5 miles from here into town, I took it slowly. I had nothing left.By this time, all of Ninja had passed me. Finally at the road leading into Stratton around 2pm, I stuck out my thumb and the first car that passed picked me up. At the Stratton Motel, football was already on (unfortunately the Bills got crushed), beer flowing, and pizza boxes piling up. We're aiming at finishing 12 pizzas before the end of the night. We've gone through 8 so far. Why 12? I have no idea. Ask Joker. Time to grab a slice...Oh, another big milestone. Less than 200 miles to Mt. Katahdin. Less than two weeks!!! It will all be over way too soon, yet not soon enough.
Date: 2007-09-24
From: ME27 - Stratton

To: Averey Peak
Miles today: 8.2

Today ranks as one of the best days on the trail yet. After a lazy morning at the hostel, Moss and I finally got a ride to the trail head and were hiking by 1pm. I was a bit apprehensive about the climb ahead, with 2,500 foot elevation gains. The Bigelo's are the last real mountains before Katahdin. Not to worry. It was a great climb, and with the exception of a break at Horns Pond, we kept moving. Over North Horn, Bigelow Mountain and arriving on Averey Peak just at sundown.Planning to cowboy camp at the top, the wind was fierce and the temperature dropping. As complete luck would have it, there was an old fire warden cabin on top. With a bit of climbing, we managed to get inside an open window (7 feet up.) Sunset was spectacular, and the full moon just as good. Getting Moss' dog Stella up into the shelter was...interesting...but successful.Inside, warm and protected from the 50 mph wind, we chilled, listened to music and made a great dinner (my own creation: instant potatoes, 1 packet of tomato cup of soup, 1 packet of sloppy joe spices, some fresh tomato and summer sausage) and passed out. Tomorrow we're looking at a huge day - 24 miles to Pierce Pond lean-to, and only 4 miles from there to Caratunk.
Date: 2007-09-25
From: Averey Peak

To: Pierce Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I need to coin a new term for exhausted - it's just not severe enough for what I'm feeling now. A huge, huge day, one of the best on the trail.Moss and I started out on top of Averey peak watching one of the most amazing sunrises I've ever experienced. That, topped with some hot mocha, and it was time to be on our way. The wind was wicked (a Maine term), steadily blowing at 50 mph. It took lots of effort not to be blown off the top of the mountain. Oh, before I forget - an interesting tidbit from yesterday. Cooking dinner, Moss realized he left his cook pot and spoon at the last hostel. What to do? A credit card for a spoon, and a frisbee (also used as a dog food bowl) for a bowl. Pretty amusing. Down Averey, then back up Little Bigelow, followed by Little Roundtop Mountain. While nothing like Averey, they still took plenty of effort to get up. After that, it was time for relatively flat trail with lots of lakes and ponds. (What is the difference between a lake and a pond? I've seen ponds larger than lakes, and lakes smaller than ponds...) At Flagstaff Lake, Moss and I came across a small boat, with a sign of "trail magic" underneath. Even though we had lots of miles to go, we had to take it out for a spin. It was a great lunch break. Moving on, we enjoyed the trail, mile after mile after mile after mile. Eventually, the headlamps came out, but we kept it moving, finally arriving at Pierce Pond Lean-To, overlooking a very large pond. Too tired to do much of anything, we ate a cold dinner and went to bed. Tomorrow we have 1/2 mile to a private camp that serves an all-you-can-eat breakfast, and another 3 1/2 miles to Northern Outdoors in Catarunk, a needed break. Time to pass out.
Date: 2007-09-26
From: Pierce Pond Lean-To

To: US201-Caratunk
Miles today: 4.2

I don't know what's wrong with us. With the alarm set for 6:30 am, both Moss and I were wide awake by 5:30, just as it was starting to get light. Once again, the pond was beautiful to wake up to. At 7:00 we started hiking. We had reservations...Yes, reservations - for breakfast. I'd called ahead the evening before to Harrison Campground, just 1/2 from the shelter. They serve an all-you-can-eat breakfast, but only if you call ahead. With an incredibly easy trail, we arrived in 10 minutes after taking our time. We had the place to ourselves. Usually a rustic bed and breakfast, they are closed this year but continue to help out thru-hikers. That includes a great breakfast of coffee, eggs, sausage and pancakes, all eaten while overlooking a beautiful stream. Perfect.Continuing on, we soon hit the Kennebec River. Years ago hikers had to ford the river. A dam upriver that automatically releases larger amounts of water when energy demands grow (quickly swelling the river and strengthening the current) was responsible for a woman drowning in 1985. Since then, a ferry service was installed as the official AT route. Moss, Stella and I climbed into the canoe for the quick ride to the other side, and before we knew it were at the road into Caratunk. (On a side note, some members of Team Ninja, arriving at the same spot yesterday, decided to ford the river when the current was the strongest. They made it across, but apparently had quite the adventure. I'd consider fording, but not when the river is running high and fast.)At the road, we quickly caught a ride to Northern Outdoors, a lodge, brew pub and hq for area rafting. Ninja had gotten a cabin, and I spent the day there doing as little as possible. Ok, I may have sampled a few of their brews (I recommend their Northern Logger.) We pushed hard the day before in order to enjoy the day here, and that's exactly what's happening.
Date: 2007-09-27
From: US201-Caratunk

To: US201-Caratunk
Miles today: 0.0

With rain in the forcast, it wasn't hard to convince ourselves to take a zero day here. There's been some personnell changes with Team Ninja. Crocket has rejoined the group after trailing behind since Gorham. Rootdown has left the trail. And Dogman has been driven to Manchester, NH by Moss to catch a flight to attend a wedding. He'll be back in a few days, pulling huge miles to catch up with everyone else in the 100-mile wilderness.It was a very productive day for me. Let's see...I consumed two breakfasts and a pot of coffee, read a book (the entire book), worked on "repairing" my boots (glue and duct tape - they should last another 10 or so days), resupplied, and ate and drank throughout it all. In the evening, thunderstorms rolled in and the rain continues. There's a wedding here tomorrow, so the rest of Ninja is waiting for the guests to arrive in order to mingle, yogi free beer, and flirt. I, of course, would never bow to such temptations, for I am a perfect gentleman and pure of heart. Sorry, I have to go to get another beer, having choked on the one I was just drinking while typing that...
Date: 2007-09-28
From: US201-Caratunk

To: Moxie Bald Lean-To
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I forgot about something important when I decided to zero yesterday, and I'm paying for it now.It was a very slow morning. Everyone was hung over. But we still had things to do. Clean up the cabin, pack, eat breakfast, etc... We finally started hiking around 1pm.The first six miles to a shelter occurred in a daze. Yet was an easy hike, and we made it in two hours. Feeling the effects of last night, this was as far as Team Ninja was going. Plus, they decided to ditch their tents, so they needed to stay at a shelter. It was still early and the weather was great, so I decided to push on the 9 miles to the next shelter, or somewhere before if I ran out of steam.Within a few miles I came to the realization that I'd be arriving in Monson on Saturday evening, with plans to start the 100 mile wilderness on Sunday, and summit Mt. Katahdin the following Saturday (10/6). Having just zeroed, I wanted to be on the trail and moving towards the goal I've been working towards for the past 5 1/2 months. A big problem suddenly came to mind - I have a final mail drop in Monson, and the post office won't be open again until Monday. So, I could: 1) take my time and arrive in Monson on Sunday; 2) continue with my current pace, arrive Saturday evening, and hang out until Monday; or 3) hike an additional 30 miles by 11am tomorrow and get to the post office before it closes. This, all because I took a zero yesterday. Oops.Well, I was feeling good, the trail was easy, so I decided to go for it. I kept a decent pace, hiking over Pleasant Mountain with ease despite a 1,500 foot elevation gain, and arriving at the shelter a bit after dark. Fifteen miles since Caratunk, twenty to go.After eating and chatting wiht two southbounders, I pushed off again over the final mountain between me and Monson - Moxie Bald. I'd heard it was a nice, gentle climb with great views on top. Well, that may be true on a beautiful day, but at night, with slick rocks and roots, a headlamp that's fading and an extremely thick fog, it was a completely different experience. The climbing wasn't bad, but it was slow, carefully placing each foot so I wouldn't slip, trip and fall. The path quickly became open rock, and I had to double back numerous times in search of the trail. It was just too dark and foggy to see anything - maybe 10 feet ahead of me if I was lucky. Finally on top, my pace slowed even further as I tried to keep on the trail and not slip on wet slate rocks (very, very slippery.) Ultimately I made it to the next shelter, needing three hours to hike just four miles. I was exhausted. I am exhausted. I figure I'll sleep a few hours, start hiking at 4am, and still make it to Monson in time. Have to eat dinner now and grab some sleep.
Date: 2007-09-29
From: Moxie Bald Lean-To

To: ME15 - Monson
Miles today: 17.9

I slept through the alarm on my watch. Figures. Didn't get hiking until 6am. Of course, I was able to admire the beauty of the pond the lean-to was near in the pre-dawn light, but not for long. If I really push it, I might still make it. Eighteen miles to go.Cruising on a great, easy trail with perfect fall weather, I realized that there was no way I was going to make it. So I slowed down and began enjoying the day. The trail is flat (more or less) and runs along streams and rivers. I took several breaks before reaching a shelter 9 miles away, trying to burn the views into my memory so I can recall them when I'm stressed out back at work, contemplating a computer screen and a phone ringing off the hook. I won't have many more chances to do this...There were several streams to ford, but with such a dry year, I never had to take my boots off, and only got my feet wet once. I was able to jump from rock to rock. In past years, I'm told hikers had to wade through these streams with water up to their waist or chest. Not for me. I finally arrived in Monson around 3pm and headed to Shaw's Lodging. There I relaxed in front of the tv, took a shower, did laundry, drank some beers and passed out early. Looks like another zero day tomorrow.
Date: 2007-09-30
From: ME15 - Monson

To: ME15 - Monson
Miles today: 0.0

Yes, a zero day. One I have no choice but to take. Breakfast at Shaw's was great. Give them a number (4, in my case), and you get 4 eggs, 4 sausages, 4 bacon strips, 4 pancakes and homefries. I spent the morning watching a movie (Knocked Up), and eventually Team Ninja started wandering in. Yellow Snowman and others also started arriving in town. At 5pm, I decided to hit the local pub to grab some food and drink. On Sundays they close at 8pm, so I wouldn't be there too long. Or so I thought. Hanging out with the regulars, I was having a great time. At 8pm, the pub closed, but there were still 7 or 8 of us inside (I was the only hiker), and we continued drinking and having a good time, despite the "closed" sign that was put on the door. It was now a private party. All I have to say is Monson has some of the nicest, funniest people I've come across. Around 1am, I finally stumbled back to the hostel. It's going to be a rough morning. For those that are interested, I will be finishing up this journey on Sunday, October 7th. After climbing Mt. Katahdin, Ally and I will be going to the only town in the area (Millinocket, ME), spending the night, and then heading over to the coast of Maine for a few days at Talker Man's place. Lobster, hot tub, hammocks, and relaxation with lots of fellow thru-hikers. Then back home to New York for a week or so, getting my car back on the road, and then a trip to North Carolina/Tennessee for a week or so to finish up the section of the Smokey Mountains I skipped due to a busted toe. From there, who knows...
Date: 2007-10-01
From: ME15 - Monson

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

Per standard operating procedure, we all got back on the trail around noon. Almost all of us, that is Moss & Dogman, back from the wedding pulled in late last night - even later than me. Moss is taking Dogman back to Caratunk where he plans to hike 4 - 30 miles days and catch up with us so we can all summit on the 7th. After dropping him off, Moss will drive into the 100 mile wilderness, leave his car at a road crossing (filled with beer) and meet us somewhere between here and Katahdin.Speaking of beer, it was a rough morning for us and I wasn't particularly hiking fast. Luckily the trail was relatively flat although there were plenty of rocks and roots to deal with. Also, lots of pines and streams along the way. I finally had to take my shoes off to ford the stream, with water coming up to mid thigh. Piece of cake...Other than that, pretty uneventful. We're all looking forward to Big K and starting to think about what we'll be doing when we get back and how we've changed.6 more hiking days and less than 100 miles to go...
Date: 2007-10-02
From: Long Pond Stream Lean To

To: South of Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was just a day for miles, and little else. I knew it would be a tough one, but it kicked my rear. The first part of the 100-mile wilderness was ups and downs, mountains, etc¢¦ The second half is smooth sailing. Well, this was the first half. Up 2,000 feet over a mountain, down 1,000 feet, up another 1,200 feet, down, up ¢ there were just no flat spots today. Twenty miles of this, with more of the same tomorrow. Everyone was feeling it. Yet despite getting up and out early, Team Ninja still passed me. Hearing that the lean-to was going to be packed with other thru-hikers we¢ve caught up with, and not wanting to hike at night, I spotted a small area just right for a tent near a stream about one mile short of the shelter. That¢s my home for the night. Probably the last time I¢ll be camping alone on the trail.One interesting thing did happen today. I saw my first moose: a big (huge) bull moose and a cow. Typical guy, the bull moose took off running into the woods as soon as it saw me, leaving the cow moose just standing there. So much for chivalry. The other wildlife ¢ this area I¢m tenting in is filled with fearless, aggressive mice. As I was eating my dinner (cranberry rice with chicken tonight), three mice approached. They didn¢t seem to care that I was sitting right there until I started moving around and began throwing rocks at them. Even when I was hanging my food bag they were circling. Grrr¢¦I planned on sewing up my clothes bag (which is tearing along a seam) and close some holes in my backpack (showing serious signs of wear), but I must have left my thread (dental floss, that is) someplace else. Hopefully they will hold for another few days ¢ my boots, too, which are in really rough shape.It¢s 8:30 pm and time for bed. Just 79 miles to go.
Date: 2007-10-03
From: South of Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Crawford Pond
Miles today: 17.4

Up early, I was hiking soon after there was enough light to see. The first few miles to the shelter Team Ninja was at were easy, arriving just as the last of Ninja were heading on to the trail. Then it got fun.Four mountains in seven miles. I now know the true meaning of the word perseverance. I wasn¢t having much fun, but it was over in a few hours. At the next shelter I hooked back up with Ninja before moving on. Only 8 12 miles to a road crossing where Moss was meeting us, loaded up with beer. Yep, beer halfway through the 100-mile wilderness. Not a bad way to roll.After heading over the last mountain before Katahdin, I flew down the trail to the road. There was no car, but there was a 30 of Natural Ice beer. Not having picked up enough, Moss and Joker went for more booze. Rather than head to the next shelter 3 miles away, we went down to a beautiful pond, set up our shelters and got a fire going on the beach. Soon enough the beer arrived, along with chips, cookies, hotdogs and fixings, and breakfast food. It was a great party night, but by 9:30 it was time for bed. I don¢t think tomorrow will be a particularly early day.
Date: 2007-10-04
From: Crawford Pond

To: North of Nahmakanta Stream campsite
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

I was right. It wasn¢t an early day. The first one up, I walked over to the beach on the pond and got the fire going again. Slowly the rest of the gang joined me. Out came the breakfast food. We toasted English muffins on sticks, added turkey and cheese, and chased it down with some beer we never got to last night. Now personally, I wasn¢t drinking the beer for the alcohol. Oh, no. For me, it was the calories I was after. Really.I finally hit the trail around 11 am ¢ the first one out. There were no climbs to speak of, and the trail was relatively smooth, allowing me to punch out a 4 mph pace for awhile. I eased up after a bit, but kept moving throughout the day. My thoughts moved from what it would be like to summit Katahdin, to what I¢ll be doing after I finish, to excitement about being just 4 days to the end. With perfect weather, and following streams and ponds, the day flew by. I took a nice, long break on the shore of one lake with a magnificent view of Katahdin ¢ my first good look. I can now say the end is literally in sight. Spartan and Crocket went flying by at this point. They didn¢t leave camp until 1:30, and made a bet with Joker that they could reach the tentsite tonight before dark ¢ 22 miles away.I finally moved on. I took a 12 mile detour (accidentally taking an ¢alternate¢ high-water route), and stopping at a campsite soon after dark. Before long DogMan and Wreckless showed up. That¢s right, DogMan had caught up, hiking roughly 30 miles a day for the last few days after returning from a wedding. They decided to stop as well. We made a fire, and while I peeled off my socks with no padding left and several holes, I realized I would never be wearing them again. So into the fire they went. Very, very liberating. We chatted about the end of the hike, and went to sleep. Just 44 miles to go!!!