morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-19
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: haze

August 19, 2004 ¢ Full Goose to Grafton Notch ¢ 9.7 milesUp with the sun and the chattering of red squirrels this morning. It didn¢t rain last night so my tent was dry to pack up. I hit the south/west end of Mahoosic Notch about 7:30. The notch is exactly as they describe it: a jumble of rocks and house-sized boulders. I had to take my pack off twice to squeeze through spots. In some places you went under the boulders! I tried strapping my poles to my pack but they kept getting caught on things so I hung them from one wrist or threw them up ahead. Once I bumped them crawling up over a boulder and they slid down and clanged and dropped. I was sure I¢d lost them for good. When I found a spot to take my pack off I crawled down after them. I should have taken my head lamp. It was cold and dark and damp. I had to feel around for them a bit, but I found them. I wish there was someone with a camera when I crawled back up the trail. It took me just over two hours to go the one mile through the notch. Then it was a steep tough climb up Mahoosic Arm. I had lunch at Speck Pond Campsite. When I was nearing the site I thought I was looking off the side of the mountain into the fog as I had been most of the day. It turned out to be the pond! A neat optical illusion. I didn¢t get any views on Old Speck. When I got to the Eyebrow Trail junction at 2:20, Dad was waiting for me. I had some water and a snack and we hiked down together. I¢d broken a tip on one of my hiking poles in the last few days. So we drove to Bethel and found a great little outfitter, True North Adventureware. I got the tips on both poles replaced for free. I also got a replacement Leatherman Micra. I lost mine somewhere around Vernon, New Jersey. Got a new pair of socks and a strap for my thermarest too. Had a Klondike bar and a root beer this afternoon and a bunch more snacks when we got to the house (Cole Camp, Andover). I showered and organized gear. We had meat loaf, potatoes, green beans and salad. I¢m looking forward to a good night¢s sleep and hopefully an easier day tomorrow.
Date: 2004-08-20
From: Route 17

To: Black Brook Notch (South Arm Road)
Miles today: 13.3

August 20, 2004 ¢ Route 17 to Black Brook Notch (South Arm Road) ¢ 13.3 miles        Got up early, had blueberry cake for breakfast. Took the back way out to Route 17 around the backside of Ellis Pond on dirt roads. We had a great view from the ¢Height of Land¢. Hiked up the 4 peaks of Bemis Mountain, picked some blueberries along the way. Didn¢t get too distracted!   There is supposed to be some virgin red spruce on Elephant Mountain but I didn¢t see anything that looked right. There was a view from Old Blue Mountain, but it was still cloudy and hazy.   Met dad about a quarter mile from the trailhead and hiked out. Showered and read some this afternoon. Hobbes called from Andover about 5:30 and when dad got back from doing trail magic we picked him up at the general store in Andover. Gale brought up lobsters for dinner and we had bread and salad to round it out. Got my boxes packed up for the rest of the trip and they¢ll go out in the mail tomorrow morning. Time for some dessert and bed.
Date: 2004-08-21
From: East B Hill Road

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.1

August 21, 2004 ¢ East B Hill Road to South Arm Road ¢ 10.1 miles        We had pancakes and sausage for breakfast, got organized and went to the post office. I mailed out the boxes for my next 4 stops/resupplies. That should get me all the way to Katahdin. Hobbes picked up his mail drop and sent some things out. We stopped and got ice for the cooler and drove up to the trailhead. Dad left the cooler and trail magic a few yards up the trail and Hobbes and I headed off into the mist and drizzle. The rain got steadily worse and by the time we hit the Hall Mountain Lean-to we were wet and starved. We put on fleece and hats and gloves to keep from getting chilled and ate our leftover meat loaf sandwiches and other snacks. It looked like it was brightening up and we were hoping the rain would let up, so we hung around at the shelter for almost an hour. The rain did let up and we set off for the last 4 miles of the hike. Dad was waiting for us at the trailhead. By then it had stopped raining. We showered. Hobbes and Dad went into Andover to run errands and do laundry. Gale and I sat and chatted and I soaked my feet. We had pork chops, rice, salad, corn-on-the-cob, bread, dessert pizza, etc. Some cousins of dad¢s came by for an impromptu visit. Hobbes got his gear together and it was time for bed.
Date: 2004-08-22
From: Grafton Notch

To: East B Hill Road
Miles today: 10.3

August 22, 2004 ¢ Grafton Notch to East B Hill Road ¢ 10.3 miles        We got an early start this morning. Dad had a fire going in the stove to take the chill off at 5:30. We had eggs, bacon, home fries and english muffins for breakfast. We took a bunch of pictures in front of the camp. I got one of me and Hobbes. Gale drove Hobbes over to Black Brook Notch (South Arm Road) to head north and Dad took me over to Grafton Notch to pick up the 10 mile stretch I¢d skipped over the previous 2 days. The weather was gorgeous today. Cool., but a clear blue sky and a bit of a breeze. I had views from all of the Baldpates before heading back below the tree line. I had lunch at the Frye Notch Lean-to. Another meat loaf sandwich. Dad met me at Dunn Notch where the West branch of the Ellis River crosses the AT and we hiked the mile back to the trailhead together. Back at the camp in Andover I sorted through my gear in a sunny patch on the back lawn. We had an early dinner of leftovers and Gale headed back home. I had a shower, packed up my gear, had some dessert and am soaking my feet again. Tomorrow I head north from Route 17 with 233 miles to go.
Date: 2004-08-23
From: Maine Route 17

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

August 23, 2004 ¢ Maine Route 17 to Piazza Rock Lean-to ¢ 14.9 miles        I tried to sleep late this morning but didn¢t even make it to 6. Had leftovers for breakfast: eggs, bacon, home fries and pancakes. A good start to the day. Took a root beer in the car on the way to the trailhead. It was sunny most of the day ¢ clouded up late this afternoon. Had heard there might be rain and T-boomers so I stopped at the shelter. I would have liked to do a few more miles, but I like to be dry more. And I would have had to find a tent site about 2 miles farther and it would have taken me longer to break camp in the morning. Am I rationalizing this well enough? Had a longer day than the other 3 hikers here: Lint, Reauchambeaux and Red. Lint saw Hobbes in Rangley. He was bragging about his lobster dinner ?. It was hard to get going this morning. My pack felt really heavy and I felt sluggish. I did the first 3.7 miles in 1 hour 45 minutes, so I guess I found my stride pretty quickly. I think I heard a moose today.   I heard a crashing up ahead of me in the bushes and whatever it was heard me and took off through the woods. It was big and dark colored and moved the trees and brush as it went by, but I didn¢t see it. I guess it could have been a bear, but I suspect it was a moose. Lots of red squirrels today, toads and two snakes. Had a view of Saddleback from the trail leading down to Route 4. It¢s raining now ¢ I¢m justified! I¢m not a lazy bum! I have good judgement ?. The privy is a two seater and has a cribbage board! There is a group from the Maine Conservation Corps camped here. They¢re working on the trail up Saddleback. We have two games of cribbage going now, a game of 4 and a game of 2. I played a few hands with a guy who grew up in Presque Isle and Fort Kent and did Nordic and Alpine skiing and some biathlon. Red is playing a game with him now. Reauchambeaux is teaching 3 others to play hearts. A fun way to spend a rainy evening.
Date: 2004-08-24
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 16.9

August 24, 2004 ¢ Piazza Rock to Spaulding Mountain Lean-to ¢ 16.9 miles        We had some late arrivals at the shelter last night that broke up the card game. It was fine with me since it was bed time anyway. One of them was a champion snorer. Thank goodness for ear plugs. I got up about 6. It had cooled off a lot overnight since it had cleared. I hiked in long pants and long sleeves for the first time since somewhere in southern Virginia. The sky was crystal clear today and it was quite windy. On the hike up Saddleback I had to lean into the wind to stay upright. Had to fight it for quite a while. There were amazing views from the summit. If you knew where to look you could see Katahdin, and Washington was obvious. You could even see the plume of smoke from the cog go up and down the mountain. It was too cold and windy on Saddleback for a long break. On Saddleback Junior there was less wind and the sun had more time to warm things up. I spend an hour and a half there having lunch and just enjoying the views. Also got to pick blueberries today on the Horn and Saddleback Jr. Sat at the Poplar Ridge Shelter for a break and read the trivia book put there by the area maintainer. Funny and informative. Had one good view later in the day ¢ Mt. Abraham from Lone Mountain. The AT doesn¢t go over Abraham but it¢s very prominent in the area. Got to the shelter about 6:30 with just time enough for chores and dinner before bed. Clear skies so it will be another cold one. I¢ll have to try out the bag liner and wear my hat and gloves to bed.
Date: 2004-08-25
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

To: Stratton, Maine Route 27
Miles today: 13.5

August 25, 2004 ¢ Spaulding Mountain to Stratton, Maine Route 27 ¢ 13.5 miles        Another tiring day. Either I¢m wimping out of these hills are rugged. Maybe a little of both. Stayed at the shelter last night with two guys working on their 4000 footers. I was up and gone before they got out of their sleeping bags. Hiked past a bronze plaque that commemorates the completion of the AT, near this site in the late 1930s. Had good views into Caribou Valley coming down off Sugarloaf (the AT doesn¢t go to the summit). Crocker Mountain was steep and unrewarding, except maybe for all the white birch trees. I probably should have taken the time to seek out some of the overlooks, but I was worried about getting to the post office before it closed and was pushing it a bit this afternoon. I would have had a little more time if my water bladder hadn¢t decided to spring a leak today. My pack and butt got wet. Everything else was ok, but I had to improvise a bit on water since I¢m just left with a Nalgene. I think I got a bit dehydrated today because of that. That and cold dry should explain a bloody nose. Had trouble getting a hitch into town. Two day hikers from August, Debbie and Chris, who I¢d met on top of North Crocker came to my rescue and dropped me at the post office. In the trailhead parking lot there was a guy doing a visibility/impact study on plans for a windmill farm in the area. He asked me a bunch of questions and had me comment on pictures of views with and without the windmills. I¢m staying at the Diamond Corner B&B in Stratton. It¢s in my guide book but was also recommended by a colleague of my sister¢s. I¢ll have breakfast in the morning and a ride back to the trail. I¢m clean and am working on laundry. I¢m planning to sink into that feather bed very early.
Date: 2004-08-26
From: Stratton, Maine Route 27

To: Safford Notch Campsite
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

August 26, 2004 ¢ Stratton to Safford Notch Campsite (tenting) ¢ 10.4 miles        Woke up in a feather bed, warm and comfy. If I hadn¢t told Elly I¢d have breakfast at 7 am, I would have stayed in bed. Had fruit, bananas, grapes and melon, orange juice, cinnamon & spice tea, pumpkin bread, chocolate chip zucchini bread, a fried egg, sausage and an english muffin. Elly drove me to the trailhead and I was hiking by 8. Had a long, slow day ¢ partly by design and partly because the terrain was tough. Hazy today so the views weren¢t stellar, but they were nice. Went over the Horns and Bigelow. Saving Little Bigelow for tomorrow. Thought I might be alone tonight but I am now in very good company. Wizard, Ranger Jim, and Chasqui hiked in! Even thought to get a picture.         Had a close encounter with a snake today. Reached out to scramble up the rock in front of me and a snake slithered down my hiking pole. Startled me. Not sure what kind of snake it was. Not a typical garter snake ¢ too light colored. Did I mention I switched to my leather hiking boots when I left Andover? My feet have been dry ever since, and I think the boots grip the rocks better, but my feet do hurt more. It¢s a trade-off I think I can live with for 177 more miles.
Date: 2004-08-27
From: Safford Notch Campsite

To: East Carry Pond 
Miles today: 16.3

August 27, 2004 ¢ Safford Notch to East Carry Pond (tenting) ¢ 16.3 miles        Headed out early this morning, just before 7, and climbed Little Bigelow. There were blueberries along the way. At the peak I found a great patch and that¢s where Wizard, Ranger Jim and Chasqui caught me. By the time we left there I think I¢d eaten about 2 cups of berries. I hiked with the threesome from there until Flagstaff Lake. We had lunch there ¢ very pretty. The next 9 miles were easier hiking and I made decent time despite very sore feet. After today, I¢ve decided wet feet are better than painful feet. I hope to get my trail runners back in Monson. That means 45 more miles in my boots and then 115 with potentially wet feet. Passed the 2000 mile mark today just after starting down off Little Bigelow. That¢s a big milestone. I¢m camped in the sight of East Carry Pond and got to wade in and rinse off a little this evening. The three musketeers were going to try for another 6 miles so they could have breakfast at Harrison Camps and get the morning ferry across the Kennebec. Even hopes of a big breakfast couldn¢t entice me further today. Saw lots of toads today, a few snakes, red squirrels, chipmunks and some ducks on Flagstaff Lake ¢ mersangers I think. Lots of signs of moose but no moose. I wish I knew my plants better, but without flowers I¢m at a loss. There are a few things with very interesting berries. Bright blue seed pods on a stalk about 8¢ high with leaves that look like a lily. Then there are short plants with 4 leaves shaped a little like a dogwood flower with a short stalk of bright red seed pods. One other I think Dad and I had identified as wintergreen.
Date: 2004-08-28
From: East Carry Pond 

To: Caratunk
Miles today: 9.9

August 28, 2004 ¢ East Carry Pond to Caratunk ¢ 9.9 miles        Just me and the squirrels and the loons last night. Tossed and turned a bit but did manage to sleep a little late. I was packed up by about 8:00, just in time for a little rain shower. Hiked in my camp shoes/sandals all day. Terrain was pretty mild. Went by some more ponds and got to follow the Otter Pond Stream quite a way. It was a warm day, still is, and sunny. Stopped by the Pierce Pond Lean-to to check the register and the view. Great little spot. Looks like Wizard, Ranger Jim and Chasqui had some company last night. I got to the Kennebec River a little after 1 o¢clock and sat down for lunch. I found a nice spot on a rock so I could put my feet in the water. Not 5 minutes later I noticed the water was rising and had to move. By 1:30 my ¢seat¢ was a foot under water! When they say the water can come up quickly and without warning, they mean it. The Ferryman arrived on the other bank shortly before 2.   He paddled over standing up! I signed a release, put on my life jacket and climbed in. We took the slightly scenic route and I got to help paddle. Before we got to the other side I had my picture taken with a Polaroid just like they do on rafting trips. But this picture was no strings attached. The ¢Ferryman¢ is Steve Longley, late Maine Governor Longley¢s son. He used to run a rafting company and now runs a hostel and store in Caratunk. He¢s been ferrying hikers for almost 20 years now! His Old Town canoe is the official AT across the Kennebec. Steve¢s friend ¢Jim Two Dogs¢ was the one with the Polaroid camera. He gave me a ride over to the hostel one mile up the road. I got a soda from a trail magic cooler by the road provided by Whiteblaze.com. At the hostel I¢m in Cabin #3. I had a shower, rinsed out clothes, washed my water bottles and spork and rooted through my food bag. When Steve got back from ferrying hikers and opened the store I got some more soda, a juice for tomorrow morning and a pint of Ben & Jerry¢s Vanilla. I had a bean and rice burrito and potato sticks for dinner, checked in with mom and dad and ate my ice cream. Right now I¢m really glad Gale and Sarah bought me that Lactaid back in Jackson and I thought to bring it with me. Steve came by to say my stay is on the house ¢ for the American Lung Association! He¢d checked out my web site while he was manning the store. Really nice! He also let me check e-mail.
Date: 2004-08-29
From: Caratunk

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.7

August 29, 2004 ¢ Caratunk to Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to (tenting) ¢ 14.7 miles        Woke up hungry in the middle of the night and had a Snicker bar. Shouldn¢t have been hungry after than pint of ice cream. Just glad I was somewhere that I could get to my food bag. I met Steve about 7 and he drove me back to the trailhead. It was a bit rainy and overcast this morning. Sat out one shower at the Pleasant Pond Lean-to. Didn¢t have great views from Pleasant Pond Mountain, but I could see Moxie Pond and Moxie Bald Mountain which I¢ll hike tomorrow. Found some more blueberries. Wizard, Ranger Jim and Chasqui caught me about 2 o¢clock. They¢d left Caratunk House Hostel about 9 this morning. We¢re all camped near the shelter tonight. Reauchambeaux and a section hiker are in the lean-to. Heart it might rain tonight but I¢m settled in my tent, warm and protected from the bugs. Lint and Austin hiked past this afternoon. Lint said Hobbes is a day behind, that he should be in Caratunk tonight. I¢m going to take my time from here on. Just want to summit Katahdin before the 11th. I hope Hobbes can catch up. I¢d like to summit with him. I at least need someone there to take my picture. We¢ve been talking about what to take up Katahdin to celebrate with (e.g. a toast). Ranger Jim is a beer connoisseur. Chasqui is undecided. Wizard is thinking Bailey¢s. That sounds like a great idea. Maybe I can find an airplane bottle size. Champagne would be great, but I don¢t want to lug a whole bottle and you¢d have to find the cork after you popped it. Carry in, carry out. Do they make miniature bottles of champagne? Feet still hurt today but not as bad as the last two days. Need to enjoy my last two days with dry feet and try not to think about the pain. About 12 days and 136.5 miles to go.
Date: 2004-08-30
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

August 30, 2004 ¢ Bald Mtn Brook to Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to (tenting) ¢ 13.2 miles        Rained last night. I slept through most of it dry and cozy. Did have to pack up a wet fly this morning. Got a bit of a late start. Wasn¢t moving until after 8. Caught Reauchambeaux, Wizard, Ranger Jim and Chasqui on top of Moxie Bald. We found some great blueberries and grazed for a while.   After I¢d eaten my fill I filled a quart size ziploc for later ?. Hiked down off Moxie Bald and had a decent view to the west. Stopped for lunch at the Moxie Bald Lean-to, fed the chipmunks and chased a huge frog. From there the trail was fairly easy but very muddy. Had to ford Bald Mountain Stream and then the West Branch of the Piscataquis River. It takes some time to change shoes, fine a good way across and change back. Finally got to use my camp shoes for their intended purpose. Water wasn¢t that cold or that deep at either site. Got rained on a bit this afternoon and it¢s been thundering and raining off and on now for a couple hours. I hope it will clear by morning. Reauchambeaux is in the shelter with 3 section hikers. The rest of us are tented. My feet are killing me and I¢m very tired. I hope I sleep better tonight. I¢m looking forward to a town stop tomorrow.
Date: 2004-08-31
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson Route 15
Miles today: 8.8

August 31, 2004 ¢ Horseshoe Canyon to Monson Route 15 ¢ 8.8 miles        Boy did it rain last night! Got some dirt, leaves, water splashed up on my tent from under the fly but stayed dry on the inside. I guess that¢s more than the rest of last night¢s tenters can say. Headed out about 7. We were all a bit worried about the ford at the East Branch of the Piscataquis River but when I got there it didn¢t look that bad. I found a spot about 50 yards downstream that looked a bit shallower than straight across. I got wet to above my knees and had to hike my shorts up a bit but did fine. The current was strong and I¢m really glad for my hiking poles. No way I could have done it without them. Pretty easy hiking today. Just one short climb. For a change I averaged better than 2 miles/hour even with the ford and breaks. Took me about 10 minutes to hitch a ride into town. Joe, a Registered Maine Guide, offered me a ride. We had a nice chat on the ride to Monson. I¢m staying at ¢Shaw¢s Lodging¢, a hiker hostel and longtime trail icon. I have a room in the barn with a double bed. I¢ve showered and am working on laundry. I¢ll have dinner and breakfast here and will have a ride back to the trailhead in the morning. I want to check out a few things in town this afternoon, the Post Office and library and then will just relax. I¢m hoping before the T-boomers roll in this evening as predicted my tent and poncho will be dry. Brownies mom sent are half gone. Still working on the blueberries I picked on Moxie Bald. Got a few extra goodies from Dad and Gale. Reading letters from Allen and one from my friend Anne. Have my trail shoes back, boots are going home. Pack will be really heavy with 5+ days of food. Next stop is Whitehouse Landing ¢ 70 miles north. Then it will be 3 more days to the big K. Won¢t have mail or laundry again until Millinocket. 114.5 miles to goGot a root beer and a pint of Ben & Jerry¢s on the way back from the P.O. Made a great afternoon snack. There were 14 hikers for dinner. We had meat loaf, baked potatoes, peas, corn & bread. Whole milk and water on the table and there was coffee and peanut butter cookies after. I watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and headed for bed.