morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-22
From: Elena's Falls Church

To: Mathew's Arm Campground SNP
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Had hoped to introduce Elena to back packing by going to the Dutch Haus and doing the 20 miles over the Priest back to DH. But heavy rains forcast so I went by myself to first catch missing section from Elkwallow to Front Royal Hostel. So I drove up to Mathew's Arm at dinner time.   And called EE. had nice long visit but started pouring real VA hard before I hung up or set up tent.   Drove around and around looking for a place to set up without wading in standing water. Tried to get comfortable in Van seat gave up and set tent in driving rain. Contrail is definitely about the easiest tent there is to set up in rain while keeping insides dry. Found a cute little salamander wiggling in tent when blowing up mattress. He matched the black floor. see photo Slept well with rain sound on the tent.
Date: 2012-05-23
From: Elk Wallow Wayside, mile 941.9

To: Paul Wolfe Shelter, mile 849
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: light rain

A long ambitious complicated plan for today. 15.4 trail miles NB to Terrapin Station Front Royal Hostel, then get a ride back to the Van at Elkwallow and drive to Rockfish Gap and start SB to the Dutch haus for the section I skipped a couple of weeks ago. Up at 5 and on the trail at 5:30 along with a young man I found sleeping next to the coke machine. It was foggy but not raining though heavy thunderstorms forecast.   He took off running but I caught up when a mother Bear blocked the trail and would not stand down.   He had been told not to be afraid of black bears just chase them away which was not working. I convinced him to back off when she started to woof and make more aggressive postures. But he wouldn't back up enough to convince her until waiting another 5 minutes while I tried to get photos with wet lens in low light. Finally convinced him she won't ever back off he moved back another 75 feet and she calmed completely and just walked away calmly. I really got going fast on easy most down terrain. Fastest day ever averaged 3.5 mph. Got back to the car by 1 then 2 hamburgers and pies etc. Started raining big thunder storms as I started drive S on Skyland.   Stopped at both Big Meadows and Loft for additional sandwiches. Got going again around 6:30 and did easy 5 to Paul Wolfe just at dark. Stopped for quite a while at spring practicing calling back and forth with real Barred Owl. Real owl call infinitely more beautiful then my leaden imitation. A really nice spot with swimming hole and falls. Lots of cool thru hikers NB. One guy did some smooth country style blues on BB while I played harp. Double decker shelter full. I an only tenter down by river with nice white noise.
Date: 2012-05-24
From: Paul Wolfe Shelter, mile 849

To: Reed's Gap, mile 834.9
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

Aunt Fannie has died. Will get off at Reed's gap and get ride from Lois and Earl back to Rockfish gap then drive back to Falls Church. Will leave with Rick and Elena to drive to NJ tomorrow morning.Endless switchback up to Humpback Mt. had to hustle to meet Lois for ride at 1:30. Quite a few nice vista and just a littler drizzle. Just enough time to get a drink then ride back. Arrived too late to join Elena and Mims for dinner so I cooked camp food. It has been a couple of long days with driving added to walking.
Date: 2012-07-06
From: Lewis Mt. Cabins, mile 907.0

To: Skyland, mile 923.8
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather clears up. Get out early and hit Big Meadows Wayside for double second breakfast around ten. AZ joins me but gets out ahead as he skips the couple of mile loop around the campground. Stop and talk to a couple about my age with a retro looking "LEAF" Teardrop trailer, but big enough for him to stand up in 6' 4". Like EE she is a painter and they use the trailer as movable hotel and studio.Henry is waiting with his Sprinter Motor Home at Skyland. We take showers at AZ's place then go out to celebrate his Birthday. Nice dinner but a little slow as we go in right after a couple of tour buses.We take the camper to nearby Mathew's Arm Campground. Very comfy night. I dream of going on painting safaris with EE in OUR new imaginary camper.
Date: 2012-10-03
From: The AT Lodge, Millinocket, ME

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up early around 5 to go for breakfast at the Cafe before Paul shuttled us to Ranger Station. Did not get much sleep too excited and forgot to bring ear plugs for hostels and shelters. Left some gear at the the ranger station didn't get started till around 9:30. Clear and sunny. Didn't realize how much scrambling there is with most of the elevation gain in 2 miles. Lot's of people were starting even later. Passed quite a few thru hikers lounging in the sun drying their feet and celebrating after 2200miles and rain and mud every day the last week. Downpour yesterday. Made pretty good time considering my knee injury which should of caused me to cancel, but don't often get to spend 9 or 10 days with bro Henry so went anyway. Not bad going up hill.Hit the top around 12:30 lots of day hikers and thru hikers finishing. Beautiful sun and clouds hung out for maybe 2 hours.   I brought my little guitar but had hard time tuning in the sun played a little but hard to get in spirit when l am not finishing thru or even section hike. Just getting started again but late with very sore knee.Near the bottom of the scramble around 3:30 we met a redheaded women just started up. She said hello then disappeared off a 10 foot vertical rock face and landed with hollow wack of head on rock.   Jdog went down to help and got her to be still until checked out. She had some pretty nasty knots and abrasions, but checked out clear for signs of concusion. We suggested she join us heading down since no way she could get down in light even if healthy and fast. No way to truly rule out concusion after an impact like that, you really have to assume one and see what happens. She continued any way wanting to keep going since this is her first day of SB thru hike. We could not make her come down so we hoped for the best.Rest of the hike was pretty slow as knee stiffened up and it was slippery. Got to the ranger station around 5 and it was totally dark by the time we got our gear and some water from the stream. We had paid for a private shelter kind of weird concept.
Date: 2012-10-04
From: Birches Lean to

To: Hurd Brook Lean To
Miles today: 13.5

Had hot oatmeal and coffee. Started out with heavy packs loaded with 8 days of food. Pretty easy going our first taste of maine tippy bog rails and foot deep wet leaves concealing roots and rocks trying to trip up old guys. Streams and waterfalls streams and waterfalls. took it easy and visited many falls. Still trying to step on rocks roots etc and keep socks dry. Our first ford we did in crocs. Looked easier than it was only 25 or 30 feet knee deep but strong current and a sucker hole got Hen's ankle wedged in. Thank heaven for poles he was able to extract limbs from the crack in rocks on the bottom. Pretty darn close to peak fall colors on the red maples scattered in the pines.   Left Baxter Park and obediently signed out. Abol bridge and the golden road. Henry drove out this last year. There was a little grill with hiker packs out front and burger smell for 1/2 mile but pushed on eager to enter 100 mile wilderness and camp before forecast rain started. Started light rain just as we pulled up to Hurd Brook. Shelter to ourselves a couple our age tenting waiting for their NB thru hiker daughter,( named? Help me Henry) to arrive. Dad was besides himself with excitement, love and pride for his daughter. Started pouring and poured most of the night stopping around 7am. Played guitar for a while but got sore thumb trying to play loud enough to hear over downpour on tin roof. Good for sleeping except baseball bat floor a little rough for Henry's foam pad.
Date: 2012-10-05
From: Hurd Brook Lean To

To: Rainbow Stream Lean to
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Camped a little earlier beautiful site with shelter over looking stream in gorge with falls just up. Our knees ankles and feet sore from starting climb up K 2 days ago. So soaked joints in stream to ice up. Lots of NB thru s started showing up right at dark. We had hard time staying upright in wet leaves mud hidden roots etc but all the NBs wanted to keep hiking trying to make 25 or 30 miles a day to get up K before closed out with snow. Days are short up in Maine in Oct around 5 its pretty dark usually overcast as well. total dark by 6.
Date: 2012-10-06
From: Rainbow Stream Lean to

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Left before sunrise because a big storm forcast for the day. Want to make White House Landing in time for dinner and dry out. Lots of hikers didn't like the owner and complained about prices. But we figured he has right to try and make a living and pretty tough to do in Maine Woods besides we know for sure we are hiking too slow and eating to much to get to Monson without a little resupply. Ran into some fish camps and cabins on a lake which made it feel like we are almost there at noon. But sky darkened and at 1:30 it seemed like 6 pm very ominous but just light drizzle. Quite a ways off AT to the landing not much of a trail but lots of blue spray paint. Rain picked up a little lots of warnings not to blow the air horn more than once. We had heard lots of stories about how Bill acts pissed to have to come get you. If you get impatient and blow it twice he really makes you wait. After about 10 minutes the boat zipped out and got us. We tried to be friendly and complimentary about how much we appreciated his efforts, but he did not much want to talk. Took our whole visit before he warmed up. Darn nice to get out of the rain for 1 lb burgers. And visit w hikers.Linda was a sweetheart and Bill warmed up when everyone treated him with respect. Rained all night cleared in morning. All the North bounders decided to take the road short cut to Abol Bridge. Just as we were ready to boat ride to trail, Tiny Dancer told his whole story about being held and threatened at gunpoint back at Beauty Spot near Erwin TN. Quite a story more of a legend on trail by now.
Date: 2012-10-07
From: White House Landing

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean to
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

After hearing Tiny Dancer's story, we got going. Fairly level day made it easier on my knee, but wet mud leaves we have given up even trying to keep shoes socks dry while walking, just save dry socks for night, and slog through. Just step on logs and rocks to keep from sinking in to mid ankle and waste energy.Arrived around 4:30 at another pretty spot right on stream and falls with "swimming hole" in front of lean to. Swimming: not so much at twighlight in Maine October.
Date: 2012-10-08
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean to

To: Sidney Tappan Campsite
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Knees were sore now taking multiple drugs to be able to sleep w knee pain, maxed out on Ibuprofen all day then loritab and ambien at night. Relying pretty heavily on go juice: mixture of instant coffee with protein powder coca powder, and sometimes gatoraid or instant oatmeal to add sugar. Caffeine just about double effectiveness of vitamin I.My gravity water filter is kind of clogged from glacial silt in the Wind River Range last month, but we are sharing so Hen goes ahead while I fill bottles. Finally figure out that my platypus is leaking down my back and into the pack....I dropped it twice from 7 ft a few nights ago hanging it from a loose nail. From Cooper Brook to the top of Little Boardman,easy uphill starts together with maximum strength go juice makes my knee ease up. I have been having to step up and down only using my good leg and dragging right leg with knee locked like a wooden leg, which keeps catching on roots hidden in leaves or mud. But go up Boardman in normal gait almost running to catch up. From the view point see all the mountains are snow covered above about 2,000 ft. Wonder how everyone is doing trying to go up Katahdin. See that White Cap ahead for us is living up to its name. Even though I am really moving Henry is going fast too. Finally catch up at East Branch. We don't stop. A grey beard NB thru hiker tells us there are around 2 ft of snow on White Cap and suggests we continue in the sunny afternoon to avoid refrozen ice next morning. We regroup at Logan Brook and filter water. My knee has gotten really sore on the level and down so I am ready to stop. But very clear and sunny now North Bounders tell us the climb is pretty easy due to steps cut in and view spectacular right Now.So up we go. Snow covered pine limbs hanging low over the trail catch on the guitar sticking up and dump snow down my neck, but climbing hard and sweating in tee shirt. Clear crisp light good views all the way to big K. The sun has melted a lot of the snow on the trail so easy footing. Stiff breeze and temp droppingwe don't linger since we must cover 2 more mountains to get to tenting area and water. Pull into tent area 15 min before dark. Temperature drops by the time we finish dinner water bags are freezing. Maybe near 20 deg. At about 7 we are too cold to stay out of tents and sleeping bags...along comes a young couple NB wearing tank tops and shorts. They have done maybe 27 miles today but look really fresh. They continue on with head lamps. We are amazed at how the NB thrus are so used to hiking in the dark. We fall down a few times a day in daylight...being careful. But young legs and balance are awesome!
Date: 2012-10-09
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite

To: Chairback Gap Lean to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Sleep good in tent warm enough. Glad filter and gatorade bottle of water are in sleeping bag as everything else solid. I pack up faster and opt to go ahead to wait at next shelter a mile and half ahead. Too cold to sit around. My knee is really sore after long day with lots of climbing and downs. The gradual downhill should be easy but can barely walk. It takes over an hour to get to shelter but not raining, starts to warm up. Hot coffee, oatmeal, more pain pills and stretching. I start to worry about making it to Monson and figuring out points to call for help and get out. After and an hour + start to get chill in the shade of shelter. Also worry about Henry almost 3 hrs since I saw him so head back towards the tent area. The slight uphill makes my knee ease up. Hen took a long time to pack ice covered tent then left glove and had to double back. I think he was chilled and did not get too much sleep. Both out of sorts I was starting to get mad at him for dawdling but was so relieved he was safe that we both started to feel better.Stopped at around 1 at Ironworks Road to decide if I should continue or bail. Finally starting to feel better so on we go. Uphill to chair back warmed up. Short rugged scramble up N side of Chairback on clean granite...enjoyed using hands and whole body. At bottom the trail had been rerouted to protect the bog but white blazes had not been changed. Followed pink ribbons where bog rails had been removed. found sign pointing 300ft to shelter but couldn't see..Oh look straight up 300ft horizontal 400ft vertical.Again had shelter to our selves until NBders start showing up after dark. Most went on but a few stayed.Again amazed at how fast young guy went down to the bog and back like a giant spider. a breeze for him what we struggled up.
Date: 2012-10-10
From: Chairback Gap Lean to

To: Long Pond Stream Lean to
Miles today: 10.9

Left right at first light planning a long day to get out in 2days. Lots of mountains to go over today rugged profile. Felt better most of the day and enjoyed the various mountains and bogs. Weather held off too but got foggy. Henry was anxious to be away from business and wanted to take a long stop at top of Barren Mt where we heard there is good cell service. Made pretty good time over Columbus, Third mt, Fourth Mt and up Barren. Once again the heavy storm forecast held off. We did get cell at Barren and Henry tried to do business several calls phoned home. Temp dropped and whiteout fog so moved on. Barren drops in two 1000 ft steps on the S side. Slow but not too bad first 1000. We are a little short on food even with stuff from White house. We had planned to go another 5 miles, but we sort of bonked on the second half of descent. Lots of slippery wet moss covered rocks mud and leaves. We chose caution over falls and injuries so lots of turning around using hands. We call the end of the day "the longest mile" about an hour and 45minutes compared to our average of 2 miles/hr. Started raining hard just as we arrived only our usual half hour before dark. There were puddles and standing water under the shelter floor which made it feel colder. We were both so stiff and sore it was hilarious how hard it was to get in and out of the shelter trying to avoid puddles. So much for a short day. Tho running low on food we could ration for one or two more nights. had freeze dried ice cream and blue berry cobbler treat.   Henry has been getting cold at night so I planned on lending him my down coat but I was too cold to give it up even though it only got down to ~32F. Woke up at 12:30 and realized no snoring from Hen. I've gotten used to it. I am ok but not overly warm. But feel guilty with by down jacket with him shivering himself awake. I boil a quart of water with alcohol found and put it my gatorade bottle. Doesn't seem to melt or leak so give it too him as hot water bottle...which actually warmed him enough to get 4 or 5 hour sleep :lovely.   We have only about 15 miles to Monson with no big mts so confident of getting out tomorrow though we have heard some of the fords are challenging enough that NBders have had to camp out waiting for rivers to go down. It rained hard all night.
Date: 2012-10-11
From: Long Pond Stream Lean to

To: Leeman Brook Lean to
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Mercifully the rain stops around 7am just as we start out. At these lower elevations there are more maples and the trail is covered in so many leaves it's hard to find in places. We know we are in for a day of fords and tippy log crossings starting with Long Pond Stream just below the shelter.We make it across logs until Wilber Brook which is pretty damn wide for a "brooke" All the main fords have ropes in place which I'm sure has saved some lives. With so many fords we opt for going in hiking boots to optimize safety over dry feet with crocs. Our feet are soaked anyway from mud and very wet leaves. We really enjoy the adventure and scenery of the fords.   Even with ropes you have to go slow and careful to keep footing very swift usually with falls or rapids just below. Hard to be patient as your legs get numb some spots up to bottom of pack which creates a sudden drag to throw you off. Would have downright scary without ropes, but uneventful with them. Little Wilson Falls was amazing but impossible to photograph because it is so high and you are so close. Passed last pair of NBders near Bear ledge pond. Asked how long to next shelter and they said it took them 39 minutes. So we still have chance for hot food and warm bed tonight.   (They are 30ish age doing 30+ miles /day. We hear them discussing 3miles per hour even with the fords)   We plan 2 miles per hour but are only making 1 1/2. Even when pushing ahead we stop at views and points of interest trip is almost over. Get to Leeman Brooke shelter at 4:30 borderline to go on to Monson 2.9 more miles. But it will get dark on the way. Even though terrain looks easy, our biggest worry is losing the trail in the leaves. So we play it safe and stay the night. Just because the thru hikers routinely hike all night we admit our limitations.   We ration our food. A pack of mashed potatoes and that's it for me. Henry gives me a spoonful of ramen to help out.
Date: 2012-10-12
From: Leeman Brook Lean to

To: ME 15 Monson, ME drive to Massachusetts
Miles today: 3.0

Weather holds and trail turns out to be easy. We would have been fine going on last night. We make diluted go juice with just coffee and instant oatmeal mmmm.   Henry is the hero of the morning for saving a whole snickers bar. We share hitting the parking lot with 1/3 snickers bar and one swallow water with cold oatmeal and no more food. Henry has been talking about the bakery in Monson the last three days. Jimdog has been talking about good pies taste and wanting to eat a couple as soon as possible. We have hired Shaw's to pick us up and drive to Millinocket to get the truck. Disappointment sets in when she tells us Henry is mistaken : there is no bakery in Monson!   She is playing us though the bakery is in the next town.   We buy about 4 pies on the way to Millinocket. Beautiful drive quaint towns open water still some pretty fall leaves. Warm dry clean. We find Paul (Ole Man) and thank him. Decide to have late lunch at his cafe before long drive to Henry's house.
Date: 2012-10-16
From: Dalton, MA, Cumberland Farms

To: Cheshire, MA St Mary's
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

After the 100mile wilderness took several days to recuperate at Henry's. My right knee was really sore after 8 hr drive. Whole lower leg and ankle swelled up big. Seems to be the usual whenever I start hiking for a couple weeks. But ice elevate rest helped. Today not limping much on level and can go up and down stairs on both legs again. After really wet and cold forecast is for clear next few days so Henry ran me out to the nearest trail town to his house. Started around noon, but got off the trail. It was impossible to see trail on the ground due to about a foot deep of leaves. The trees have a lot of light splotches. The bright sunlight casts shadows and bright spots which look like white blazes. Some one decided it would be good to put big white signs saying " APPALCHIAN TRAIL" on every logging road and trail in the area...which show up when the real white blazes are camouflaged. Also found lots of faded white blazes where the trail has been moved. I mistakenly followed the big AT sign after all other places have used things besides white blazes.   After a couple of hours, I realized that all the trails have these signs they are probably put up to discourage the off road motorcycles and atvs . Tried my trail map and GPS on the iPhone which worked great and showed I have been diverging from the real trail.   Tried to cut over but had two drainages between so back tracked to traiIhead at the parking lot and started over. Found where I got off 100 yards from the road at fork. From the fork the real trail and blazes were hidden but other fork with signs obvious. Once on the right fork it was easy to see the blazes which were very close together and brand new.   With sun two hours later no longer hidden by bright spots. In these areas with trail hidden by leaves, actually found it easier to follow at night with headlamp making the blazes stand out vivid in the surrounding darkness. Fast hiking now with recovered legs. At Cheshire the priest at St Mary's invited me in a gave me a small room with sunday school stuff for small children.   Also special Rosary meeting tonight with music and food. Headed to pizza place and liquor store with "Housebroken" and Joe?   Southbounders from Nashville, planning on hiking till Christmas then finish early spring... Joe? was darn good on the guitar.   Our rooms opened on the big meeting hall met parishioners who where mostly older and very nice. They tried their best to get us to share the 3 kinds of cakes with cookies and coffee mmm.