morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-09-13
From: Stratton, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I passed the 2,000-mile mark yesterday. I felt nothing but disappointment. I pushed the feeling to the back of my head and tried to let it go. I skipped 70+ miles because of my ankle and my friends having a set end date. I did it because I was reassured that they didn't want to skip anything else. My group was so hungover today that they all skipped ahead 16 miles. It took a whole three days for them to want to yellow blaze again. This is a game I can't play with them. I love them but I'm burnt out. We all have senioritis. We are so close to the end that we want to graduate without doing any of the work. I miss my family at home. I stood on the corner and tried to hitch back to Rangeley to make up the section but had no luck after half an hour. I went back to the hostel to throw away some trash and told Rainbow and Fiddlehead I wanted to go home. They were sweet and said I could hike with them but I'm tired of hiking with a group. I had a good talk with BonBon and cried a little more. I got a room again and talked to my husband for an hour and a half. Everyone today said everything they were supposed to say but it was a stranger that really changed my mind. I talked to a woman in the parking lot about my hike. She was so excited asking me questions that I didn't have the heart to tell her that I had just decided to go home. I took a bubble bath and have decided to try to get back to Rangeley again in the morning. I'll hike southbound to Gorham to avoid groups and then come back to Stratton and head north again without those missing miles to weigh down my conscience. I'm exhausted and my ankle isn't really getting any better, but I will do this one day at a time and without anyone else's opinion on how many miles to do today. I hope The Octopus has an amazing summit even if it's without me!
Date: 2015-09-14
From: US 2

To: Campsite
Miles today: 1.1

I woke up early and headed to the road to hitch to Rangeley. I got a ride with a section hiker from a sweet older woman that works for a museum in Rangeley. She dropped us off at the post office and we hitched from there with an awesome guy to the trailhead. Ran into Beer Man in the parking lot and chatted for a minute. Turns out his ride was Stacy, from the Farmhouse Hostel, and she happened to be going to Gorham. It wasn't my plan but I couldn't pass up a free shuttle that far. Now when I get back to Rangeley I only have to hitch to Stratton to pick up where I left off. We went to the hostel and I caught up with Balto. When her husband showed up I was surprised to see Artful Dodger in the truck getting a ride as well. We talked about a lot of fun stuff on the way to Gorham. We talked about ALDHA and diversity on the trail, amongst other things. He suggested I do a presentation at this year's Gathering and I just might. I've got a lot on my plate right now but maybe I can make it happen. We stopped at the post office in Gorham and saw Miss Janet's van driving down the street. I called her and she met me at Subway and took me the rest of the way to the trailhead. I don't believe in a lot of things but I swear this trail puts you places you need to be. I needed more than ever to be in the comfort of her van while she told me everything was going to be okay. I am camped with Blackout and Dora now, hiding from the rain. I texted in my tent with Brother Ty and was again reminded of how far I've come and how little I've got left. I'm going to wake up early tomorrow and crush this trail.
Date: 2015-09-15
From: Campsite

To: NH-ME Border
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

I forgot that my sleeping pad got a hole in it last time I cowboy camped. I tried to patch it last night but it didn't hold. The smart thing would've been to go back to Gorham and take care of it but I couldn't bring myself to go there for the fifth time. I was afraid if I went back to town I would be tempted to go home again. I've also got a broken buckle on my electronics dry bag, two holes in the mesh of my tent, and a huge hole in my shirt. I need everything to hold out just a little bit longer. So I hiked and I'm glad I did because I got to see Raindrop again. I haven't seen her since the Shennies. She is one of my favorite people out here. I played leap frog with her most of the morning. There were several nice views and a lot of ponds. I had my fingers crossed for Moose but didn't have any luck. On my way down Mt Success, I took a pretty big tumble down a wet rock face and hit my head on a tree hard enough to make me see stars. I'm lucky it wasn't worse. I got to the Maine border and pretty much gave up. I'm camped behind the sign by myself and it feels awful. I wanted to be by myself and now that I've got what I want I don't want it. I miss my friends. I still know that I made the right choice but that doesn't stop me from wishing they were here. I'm oddly enough not really sad... just lonely. On the brightside, I'm excited for Mahoosuc tomorrow. I've waited a long time for this!
Date: 2015-09-16
From: NH-ME Border

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm writing this entry for the 16th on the 26th. I am 10 days behind on this journal and two weeks behind on my WordPress blog. I'm sorry for the long delay especially after some emotional cliffhanger entries. Haha, it wasn't my intention to leave anyone in suspense. Sorry! Things happened fast and there wasn't a lot of time to process. Plus, my phone was dead for a few days. Thanks for the encouragement and kind words. I'm still hiking, mostly healthy, and happy.Okay, back to our regularly scheduled program...Today was a conflicting day for me. I thought things would be a certain way and they weren't. Part of succeeding on the trail for me is being able to adapt and roll with the punches. I failed at this today. I took my time through bogs and got my feet wet and muddy anyway. I met a handful of SOBOs and chatted with each of them for a bit and I didn't mind stopping for a break. I thought Mahoosuc Notch would be hard. It wasn't. It was easy. It was fun. I climbed up some boulders off to the side and watched a couple hikers down below struggle through the notch while I ate lunch. I planned to go 14 miles today but didn't. I underestimated the ascent up Mahoosuc Arm. Everyone talks about the notch but not the arm. It was still wet with water flowing down from previous rain and it's roughly a 1500 ft climb in just a mile. There's a reason I wanted to skip this part with my ankle in bad shape and it was foolish of me to come back so soon to try to do it. I hobbled into Speck Pond Shelter upset that I wasn't going to make it in time to see Miss Janet that night. I thought all day long about what the trail has meant to me. There have been huge chunks of this time that I have spent alone and I've cherished every one of them. Not anymore. A day like today would have been a million times better with someone to share the excitement of feeling the notch get drastically colder the second you approach it because there are parts that never see the sun. A day like today would have been a million times better with someone to share the misery of how much the arm sucked ass going up. My ankle needs easier terrain and each member of my trail family is one in a million so that's where I need to be. I know the trail is supposed to be challenging but if it's not fun too then what's the point? Tomorrow, I head back to them in Monson and into the 100-mile Wilderness.
Date: 2015-09-17
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Old Stage Rd
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

I took forever coming down to Grafton Notch. It was a steep descent that felt like it lasted forever. I missed Miss Janet by about 15 minutes according to a hiker that called her Swiss Janet. I got a great chuckle out of that. She told him to tell me that my friends were picking me up in a few hours. I tried to get a hitch to the outfitter in town while I waited but didn't have any luck. Sleeping on a pad with a hole in it for three nights wasn't that bad until it got cold. I need something to insulate me from the ground. Bubblegum and Pathfinder picked me up and we made the 3 hour drive to Monson with the help of Grandma Bubblegum. I can't thank them enough for making that happen. We only stopped long enough to get lunch and resupply. I questioned my choices the entire time. Why I left the first time and why I was going back. I've been convinced I've made the right decision and also that I've made the wrong ones. Sticking with Pathfinder until the end feels right. I don't make friends with women very easily and I can't imagine my life without her anymore. The five of us were supposed to be in Monson for trail magic from Picasso's family and the four of us met up at Lake Shore House but nobody knew where Picasso was. The guys wouldn't talk about it so we hiked in a mile and cowboyed with the hopes that he was right behind us. With everyone (almost) back together at night, it felt like coming home.
Date: 2015-09-18
From: Old Stage Rd

To: Big Wilson Stream
Miles today: 8.8

Flame patched my pad last night and it held. I don't need people to do things for me but the way our family looks out for each other reminded me why I came back. We finally got a text from Picasso saying that the trail magic was happening so I ran ahead to catch the guys before they got too far. Running with a hurt ankle maybe wasn't such a great idea. There were several ponds and some falls and I hated passing up all that water without enjoying it but I was on a mission! I caught up with them and collapsed on a ledge. I laughed until I cried and then did the math. They were still upset about him leaving without telling anyone where he was going and by the time we would've done the 8 miles back to town it would've been too late. We stopped the day early so that he wouldn't have far to catch up the next day. We are in the 100-mile Wilderness with only six days of food and we've only gone nine miles in two days. This is going to be rough but between all of us we'll be alright.
Date: 2015-09-19
From: Big Wilson Stream

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

We woke up late and forded a stream first thing. I was ahead of everyone and went swimming by myself and laid out on a sunny rock to dry while I waited for them. It was our first real crossing where we had to take our shoes off and everything. It was annoying and fun at the same time. A little bit of a climb up to Barren Mnt for lunch. Tiny ups and downs all day and then a little night hiking to the shelter. We lost Pathfinder and I hope she keeps up. No sign of Picasso either. He's upset we didn't turn around but I have a feeling when the guys finally talk they'll be alright. Guys just have a hard time being the first to do the talking. Today was a beautiful day and the three of us played word games while we hiked. I hope everyone catches up tomorrow.
Date: 2015-09-20
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We met some cool guys doing a section hike at the shelter this morning over breakfast. This will complete their New England part of the trail for them so congratulations! Another ford this morning through West Branch Pleasant River. Wide but not deep so it wasn't too bad. We were silly all day which made the uphills easier. We watched a gorgeous sunset on White Cap Mnt. It was the second best of the entire trail for me. It was bitingly cold at the top but we stayed as long as we could. We saw Katahdin for the first time and howled into the wind. We are running low on food and are worried about Pathfinder. I just wish we knew how far behind us she is. She's magic though and she'll be okay. I'm going to continue to hike with the guys because I don't have the food to wait for her but I'll hang out in Millinocket until she gets there. We night hiked to the shelter and had it all to ourselves. It's just too bad we're missing two of our group. Katahdin is in sight and it feels absolutely amazin
Date: 2015-09-21
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Flame left before us today and we didn't see him all day. Low Branch rolled his ankle and we took our time. The second half of the day was relatively flat and we made good time. Picasso caught up with us and we chatted for a minute. We grumped through roots and rocks and mud and ended the day early at a campsite. We thought Flame would be upset that we didn't make it to the shelter but he was at the campsite too! He and Picasso still aren't talking but I think it just needs time. We ran into Dirty Peanut who told us Pathfinder was having headaches and was pretty far back. She'll be okay but I'm going to try and find a way out for her if she needs it when I get to Millinocket. We fell asleep to the sound of loons across the water. Another beautiful day in the 100-mile Wilderness.
Date: 2015-09-22
From: Antlers Campsite

To: Rainbow Lake Campsite
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Another flat day. We played more word games to make the time fly. I really don't remember most of the day. I just put one foot in front of the other. Flame at one point told us we looked like hot dogs. We talked about food for hours. The struggle is real out here. My battery in my phone died and I missed a picture of an amazing sunset over a pond but I'll never forget it. The colors were so rich and the pond was so still the reflection of the sky on the water was perfect. We got to Rainbow Stream Lean-to and saw Pathfinder's Christmas lights on her hammock. I told you that girl was magic. She got a ride to the shelter from a road crossing because a guy felt sorry for her when she said she wasn't feeling well. She shared her trail magic chocolate with us and we convinced her to pack up her stuff and do the rest of the night with us. We night hiked to the campsite and I cried the last few miles. My knee straps don't fit anymore because I've lost so much weight and I've been using Low Branch's bandana tied around my knee. I just sat there exhausted at camp staring into the dark while Pathfinder set up my stuff. Tomorrow we'll be at Abol Bridge and then on to Katahdin. Now we just need Picasso back and our family will summit the way we've been talking about for the last month. This feels like a dream.
Date: 2015-09-23
From: Rainbow Lake Campsite

To: Millinocket, ME
Miles today: 11.2

We woke up early, split up the rest of Pathfinder's food, and the boys took off. I decided to play a Day in the Life. We used to play it in VT and NH when we wanted to spend time with someone who hikes slower. You just do whatever they do all day. If they stop for water, you stop. If they eat lunch, you eat lunch. I followed Pathfinder which really was awesome since I was going about the same pace anyway with all my everything hurting. She skinny dipped in a pond but it was too cold for me... and I had flashbacks of leeches so I passed. After that we saw the guys at the shelter and weren't too far behind them the rest of the way to Abol Bridge. We got a note at the trailhead from Picasso inviting us all to lunch with him. I was all smiles. We hitched into town in a tiny car with a hilarious guy but the Chinese buffet was closed so we went to McDonald's. We met up with Picasso and spent our last night together in a hotel. The fam is back together just in time. Katahdin here we come!
Date: 2015-09-24
From: Rainbow Lake Campsite

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.9
Weather: clear sky

We went to the grocery store and bought supplies to make tin foil hobo dinners to make over the fire tonight. We hitched back to Abol Bridge later than I wanted to and not surprisingly found out that there were only three spots left at The Birches. I lost a round of Nose Goes and had to run back to the campstore to use the sattelite phone to call and reserve a campsite for the five of us. When I got back it was already late in the afternoon and we still had 10 miles to go. As we were standing around the kiosk I noticed the sign for a side trail to KSC that was only 4.6 miles and suggested we do that instead. For the first time in my entire hike I voluntarily skipped miles. It was only nine and I'm justifying it by substituting my approach trail miles for it. It was my parting gift to my yellow blazing addicted family. The look of surprise and excitement on their faces was totally worth it. We lazily hiked for a while until Pathfinder noticed some cascades in the distance. We got off the trail and walked down to them. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, and it was the perfect way to kill time. I skinny dipped and we took Pathfinder's Tyvek and used it to slide down the slick rocks in the cascades. The contrast of the freezing water and the hot sun felt fantastic. We never would've found this place if we hadn't taken the blue blaze so it made me glad we did it. We went slow the rest of the day and got to the campsite to find Low Branch's mom with all sorts of goodies for us. Delicious food and a chair with a back to it! We stayed up late around the fire and had our last cowboy camp as The Octopus.
Date: 2015-09-25
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2

We woke up early and were anxious to start the day. Pathfinder and I threw our stuff in Mama Low Branch's trunk to slack the day. We met Picasso's family who were hiking up with us and headed out. The climb up was incredible. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be but that may have been partially due to adrenaline. We were so excited! I thought I would feel regretful like I did when I hit the 2000 mile mark that wasn't actually 2000 miles for me, but that didn't happen. I have dreamed of this end for so long and this isn't the end of my hike like it's supposed to be. It didn't bother me one bit. It was the end of my hike with this group and what an end it was. We walked up together. Nobody went ahead. Nobody got left behind. Nobody threw hissy fits and stormed off. Just like any family, we were together when it counted. We took our summit photos and moved to the side to let others have a turn. We lingered as long as we could before Picasso and Pathfinder went back the way we came and Flame, Low Branch, and I tackled Knife's Edge together. It was slow going but my favorite part of trail so far. I love rocks! Lots of scrambles. We picked up a stray on the way down and gave Detox a ride back to Millinocket. We met Pathfinder's parents and I wanted to thank them for raising one of the most beautiful souls I've met in my life but thought it was a weird thing to say to someone I just met. After picking up another stray, Mantis, at the hostel, we ate great food and had great conversations. We retired to the hotel, I got a room for myself because I didn't want to impose on anyone's family time, and of course ended up with Flame, Low Branch, and Pathfinder accidentally falling asleep in my room. Even when we aren't trying, we end up together. We were so exhausted we just passed out. I didn't shower and fell asleep in my hiking clothes. We were like little kids who'd just had a big day and that isn't far from the truth.
Date: 2015-09-26
From: Millinocket, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.9
Weather: light rain

I said my goodbyes after breakfast and had planned to just find a ride after zeroing the weekend away. I cried big ugly sobby tears when Pathfinder left. Low Branch and his mom offered to take me to Monson because he had a package there that he never picked up so I ended up leaving with them. They stayed for lunch after taking me to the Lakeshore House. The food was so good. We said our goodbyes again and I went around the corner to cry. Naturally, I left stuff in the car so Flame and Low Branch came back and we had to say goodbye all over again. It was a little ridiculous. After they left, I talked with a few hikers I knew but just didn't have it in me to be that social. I'm glad TMI is here but I really wanted to be by myself. I got my own room at the hostel upstairs. There is a painting with a mountain sunset reflecting off the water that reads:"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." - T. RooseveltI texted that to the group and hid inside my room. We texted all night and it was comforting. I miss them already."Goodnight you princes of Maine, you kings of New England." - John Irving
Date: 2015-09-27
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept in this morning. It was nice. I fixed gear and ate food all day. I made a plan with Boot Scoot to drive home. He should be done around the same time as me and he lives in Houston too. I may go to the Gathering instead. I haven't made up my mind. I got caught up on my journal. I walked over to the fire station and got my collapsed trekking pole unstuck. Watched the bloodmoon lunar eclipse on the pier with TMI, Boot Scoot, and Spaceman. My body needed this time to heal but I'm ready to put in some miles tomorrow. It's time to go home.
Date: 2015-09-28
From: Monson, ME

To: W Branch Piscataquis River
Miles today: 12.0

I got a late start out of the hostel but planned a short day anyway so it was okay. Today was full of goodbyes. I cried big fat baby tears all weekend long saying goodbye to my group. Today was different. I chose to southbound for exactly this reason and I was rewarded immediately the first day. Said bye to TMI this morning and got a ride to the trail. I passed Binjali and P-Funk and wished them well. They looked excited for what's to come and they won't be disappointed. I got to say bye to my Waldo, too! We sat on the trail and talked for a long time. He is one of my favorite people and it was just the distraction I needed to not be too sad my first day back without my group. I saw Luigi at a shelter and ate dinner with him. I thanked him again for his kind words of compassion when I sprained my ankle. The chocolate didn't hurt either. I wanted to make use of the light I had left so I moved on. It was a roller coaster kinda day with tiny ups and downs but nothing big. I listened to music and didn't think too much. Forded the west branch of the Piscataquis River and called it a day. I considered night hiking but it isn't nearly as much fun without the guys. It turned out to be a good thing because it's raining outside my tent right now. Camped by myself and it's quiet except for the drops on my rainfly and the river close by. I'm going to have to learn to sleep without the sound of laughter and snoring again. Come on, nature, do your thing.
Date: 2015-09-29
From: W Branch Piscataquis River

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: moderate rain

Before we summitted Katahdin, everyone talked about what great weather we've had and how Maine can do whatever it wants after Katahdin. Jerks. It drizzled all day long today. I missed every view in the fog. On the brightside, I didn't care when I fell in a stream because I was already soaking wet. Today's goodbyes and well wishes were given to Butcher, Scout and Tumbles, Raindrop and Flynn, Wind and Lorax, and Bluto. Tomorrow, I cross the Kennebec and continue on my way in the rain. I really can't complain. I had perfect weather in the Whites, including Mt Washington, the 100-mile Wilderness, and Katahdin. I knew it couldn't last forever. I just hope it doesn't slow me down too much.