morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-13
From: Carriage Motel, North Woodstock, NH

To: Stealth Camped near side trail to Reel Brook
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

I got up early but carefully watched the weather. Dark clouds were moving in, so I decided to delay my start. I also was not looking forward to hitch hiking. The thought of heading out along the road and getting soaked by a storm was not at all appealing. I also could not imagine anyone wanting to give a ride to a stinky soaking wet hiker. (Although I showered - several times, and washed my clothes, my pack is starting to look rough and it smells.) So I waited. I cleared out of my room and waited on a covered porch with my gear.It looked like the storm clouds were going to pass over, so I headed out. I had to walk through N. Woodstock, past all the shops I had visited and past all the starring tourists, feasting on ice cream, to get to the road leading out of town. Yes, I was no longer one of them, now it was clear I was a stinky thru hiker.Then I started the dreadful hitch hiking. As kids our parents tell us NEVER hitch hike. But it was either take the risk and hitch hike or walk 6 to 7 miles along the road and risk getting hit, plus none of the miles are AT miles. I put my thumb out.After a few cars passed a nice middle aged woman stopped. She said she picks up female hikers. She also told me she frequently hikes in the forest, and she takes a machete. (OMG!!)   Thankfully she explained that she uses the machete to cut her own trails because she does not like to use established trails (not because she likes to chop up defenseless female hikers). She claimed she cuts trails through the raspberry bushes for the animals to use too. Being a LNT instructor, I was not happy she goes out and bushwacks in our national forest, but I kept my mouth shut. I did not want her to pull over and throw me out of the car, and I certainly did not want her to pull out the machete.When she dropped me off at the trailhead parking area she tried to give me some religious reading material. Thankfully I had the excuse that I cannot carry anything else, my pack is already too heavy. But I thanked her many times for the ride. As I entered the woods, I found a trail magic cooler with 2 soft drinks left. I just left town, so I left the drinks for other thru hikers, but I appreciated whoever left them.I was in for a steady rocky climb and mud. The rain storm I avoided 2 days ago by going into town really made a mess of the trail. My pants became a muddy mess and the rocks were still wet and slick. Rather than risk falling, I take my time and carefully pick through the rocks. Up and over the rocks I went. I made it over Mt. Wolf, but the down side was very steep, wet, and muddy. It is a lot more dangerous and more difficult to climb down wet rocks than to climb up them. It was also starting to get dark. Rather than risk getting hurt I stealth camped along the trail. There was no place to hang a bear bag. I did not want to risk creating food odors which could attract bears, so I skipped making dinner.The AT is calling. I am REALLY beginning to hate steep climbs and wet rocks. Please make the wet rocks go away!
Date: 2015-08-14
From: Stealth Camped near side trail to Reel Brook

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

I got an early start. Thankfully because of the heavy tree cover my rain fly was not wet and heavy with dew. Unfortunately the trail down off Mt. Wolf was treacherously steep. My left knee started to act up. I am wearing braces on both knees, but apparently the trail was just too much for my left knee despite the brace (and regular doses of Tylenol throughout the day).I stopped for an early lunch break and to collect water at the Eliza Brook Shelter, which is where I had hoped to end up last night. It is a beautiful new shelter. I hope the hikers take care of it. As I was having my lunch a very bold chipmunk came looking for scraps. He got nothing from me, but he found a few crumbs left by other hikers.After the brief rest my left knee seemed to be better. Good thing because it was time to climb South Kinsman Mountain. Fortunately the rocks seemed to be drier. Up and up I went, from 2408 feet to 4358 feet in about 2.5 miles. It was crazy dangerous with jumbles of boulders and lots of gaps. Animals had to be living in all those holes. I tried not to look into the holes as I climbed higher and higher. I did not want to see a pair of eyes - and perhaps teeth, starring back at me.At one point I was reaching up to try to grasp anything to help pull myself up and over the rock when I thought I smelled a skunk. Great, all I need is to get messed up with a skunk. Then I realized my nose was near my arm pit. There was no skunk, it was just my stinky hiker smell! What a relief!I did see a couple of red squirrels on the way up. And I enjoyed the view at the top. But the climb up scared the hell out of me. At times I had to jump from rock to rock, knowing that if I missed, it was a long fall, with guaranteed broken bones, and a very long wait for help, assuming I survived the fall. There were also many times that I had nothing but roots, rocks, and trees to try to pull myself and my heavy pack up and over the rocks. And of course there was my constant fear of heights to deal with, all day long.I climbed both South and North Kinsman Mountain and then started the descent, which thankfully was not quite as steep. Mid way down I stopped at Kinsman Pond Shelter for the night. It was my first AMC shelter where I had to pay $8 to stay on a wooden tent platform, and have use of a privy and bear box. The caretaker, Joe, was very nice and we had a good chat. He told me many hikers resent having to pay to use a shelter. As an AMC member I know the money goes to help maintain the trails. I was happy to pay the nominal fee. Thankfully I had the tent pad to myself. It would be the last good night sleep I would have for a while.The AT is calling. I hope I survive the Whites. I think they are trying to kill me - seriously!
Date: 2015-08-20
From: AMC Highlands Center, Crawford Notch

To: AMC Highlands Center, Crawford Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I slept very well, and I felt so much better when I woke up. I had a huge breakfast then started to work on my trail journal entries.I was told there was no space for me tonight at the Highland Center. So every hour I checked to see if there were any cancellations. Eventually a space in the bunkhouse opened up. I took the space but kept checking for a private room in the main lodge. Nothing ever became available.I was surprised to see how much weight I have lost. Although I was not hungry, I made sure I ate lunch as I continued to work on my trail journal entries. Then I had a big dinner. All day I watched the weather. The wind was terrible. Dark clouds rolled over the mountains, but it never rained. Still, I was glad I was not up on some high rocky ridge, or trying to climb over some slippery rocks with the wind blowing me sideways.I checked one last time for a cancellation in the main lodge before heading for bed in the bunk room.The AT is calling. Tomorrow I head back out on the trail, into the Presidential Range and over the infamous Mt. Washington. I sure hope the weather gets a whole lot better!
Date: 2015-08-21
From: AMC Highlands Center, Crawford Notch

To: AMC Highlands Center, Crawford Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The weather forecast posted was not good. I also checked the weather on my smart phone. 90% chance of rain, and the radar looked terrible. The dark clouds were rolling in, the wind was picking up, and the temperature was dropping. This was not the kind of weather I wanted to start into the Presidential Range. The thru hikers were also pouring into the Highland Center to get out of the mountains and take refuge from the storm. The lobby looked like a homeless shelter with all the bearded dirty stinky hikers.I checked to see if a room was available. There had just been a cancellation for a private room in the lodge. I snapped it up.I spent the morning working on my written journal. I spent the afternoon napping. And in between I ate and watched the weather. I was very glad I was not trying to climb over wet rocks or hiking along an exposed ridge above tree line.I am concerned about how much weight I have lost. I still have a long way to go to complete my hike. So I have tried to eat as much as possible while at the Highland Center to try to put some weight on. I feel like I am force feeding myself.   Now I know how the turkeys feel when they are being fattened up before Thanksgiving.The weather tomorrow and most of the next day should be good. So I am planning to head out in the morning. The AT is calling. I again took the safe approach and took shelter from the weather. I am looking forward to getting through the Presidential Range and finishing the White Mountains in the next few days. Then it will be on to Maine!
Date: 2015-08-26
From: AMC Joe Dodge Lodge, Pinkham Lodge

To: White Mountain Lodge and Hostel, Gorham
Miles today: 0.0

I slept in until 8, then gorged on the breakfast buffet. I opened a window and ran the fan while I was gone. It did not help with the smell.I packed up and called the White Mountain Lodge and Hostel for a ride. I had resupply boxes waiting for me there, and I needed to take a zero after what I went through yesterday. I was still exhausted and sore all over, but I do not think I have any serious injuries. The hostel is a house that is stacked with beds in every available room upstairs. The stay includes a bed, shower, laundry, and breakfast. I have been doing my own laundry since I was 12. I have to admit I had a problem with their laundry system. They washed and dried everyone's clothes together, dumped them into a basket, and you picked out what is yours.At my age, how am I supposed to remember every piece of clothing I put into the laundry? And I never dry my clothes, I wash them in cold water and hang them to dry. Fortunately the owner let me wash my clothes separately and hang them on hangers in the laundry room to dry, including my granny panties and ugly sports bras.I was embarrassed as she helped me with my wash. I was taking my filthy wet stinky clothes out of the dry bag I had temporarily put them in and stuffing them into her beautiful state of the art washer, and I could smell that terrible stench I smelled earlier at the Joe Dodge Lodge. She was standing right next to me. She had to have smelled it too. Later we were talking about how stinky hikers get and I apologized for the way my clothes smelled. She said she could not smell it. Maybe she has just gotten used to the smell. I do not think I ever will.I spent a great deal of time sorting through my resupply boxes and getting ready for the next 3 to 4 days. I am hiking 21 miles over some very rough terrain, and will end up right back at the hostel. So I am leaving most of my resupply here until I come back. The rest of the time I worked on my trail journal entries. The AT is calling. I hope the Whites do not kill me. But with places called Wildcat Mountain coming up, I am not so sure I will survive. I will be keeping my fingers crossed.
Date: 2015-08-30
From: White Mountain Lodge and Hostel, Gorham

To: White Mountain Lodge and Hostel, Gorham
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept in so those who were leaving could get ready. But I joined everyone for breakfast at 7 a.m. We had OJ, 2 small sausage links, a breakfast buritto, and a blueberry muffin. As before, some hikers were going north, some south, some slack packing, and some taking a zero. I worked on my trail journal entries, got my pack organized, a package ready to mail home, and worked on getting the tips of my hiking poles replaced. It was nice to have a quiet day.The AT is calling. I will be back out on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2015-09-04
From: Bull Branch Campsite

To: Grafton Notch, ME 26
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

I slept very well for almost 12 hours. I was exhausted and needed to sleep. I woke to find a beautiful day for hikibg, but I was sore in places I have not been sore before while on the AT. The Notch and the day before really gave me a work out.I started the steady climb up the Mahoosuc Arm, which really was not as bad as I expected. There were no treacherous climbs. It was just a steady steep upwards climb over rocks with some switchbacks.The views today were spectacular. Maine is densely forested and the AT goes through some very remote areas. That point becomes abundantly clear from the mountain tops. Maine is beautiful, wild, and, to some extent, intimidating.I stopped briefly at Speck Pond Shelter & Campsite for an early lunch, then continued on to Old Speck, which was more challenging because of the open exposed slick rock sections.The descent into Grafton Notch was relatively easy. Just before reaching the trailhead I spotted a bit of trail magic - an unopened cold can of Orange Crush at the base of a tree next to the trail.I made arrangements to stay and slack pack a few days with Pine Ellis Hostel in Andover. I thought it would give my back a break from carrying the pack while I keep hiking and making miles. Pine Ellis is located in a big old farmhouse, and is run by 3 elderly ladies and a man. They have a system for keeping track of the rooms and the shuttles, and it seems to work well.I had a single bed in a room with 4 other single beds. It still seems strange to sleep in a room or shelter with men I barely know. (The majority of the folks still on the trail are men.) I am frequently asked how my husband feels about my sleeping with all these men. Recently someone went so far as to ask when I last saw my husband and whether he has had any congigal visits. The AT is calling. I am looking forward to seeing my husband in early October, after I conquer Katahdin (for the 2nd time).
Date: 2015-09-05
From: Grafton Notch, ME 26

To: East B Hill Road, Andover, ME
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

I got up early to get ready and have breakfast before all the other hikers got up and wanted in the single bathroom available to the hikers staying at the hostel.While being driven back to the trail I saw a moose on the road up ahead. I was thrilled to finally see a moose, but I still want to see one in the woods.The day started with a steady climb out of Grafton Notch. I went from about 1500 feet to over 3600 feet in about 3 miles. It was steep but not treacherous. I was fine until I reached treeline and hit the baldpates. They are rock slabs that from a distance look a little like off set stacked pancakes. It was a great day for hiking, and the views were beautiful. I found some really nice blueberries along the trail above treeline. I thought I was doing fine, but I realized I could not seem to catch my breath and my heart was racing. It was all connected to my fear of heights. I was stopping to take pictures as I climbed the baldpates. Once I stopped taking pictures and focused on just getting up and over the mountain things got much better.I did, however, notice something going on in my left lung. I did not want to get overly concerned. I wanted to see how I felt tomorrow.I was above treeline for over a mile and then started the long descent. Because of the lack of reliable cell coverage I had to call from a mountain top and estimate when I would arrive at the pick up point without knowing for certain what kind of terrain I was facing. This was not an easy task. Then I had to hussle to make sure I made it to the pick up point on time.As I passed Dunn Notch and Falls I wanted to stop and check out the falls, but I did not think I had time. I arrived at the pick up point 15 minutes early. The AT is calling. I hope the terrain continues to improve.
Date: 2015-09-06
From: East B Hill Road, Andover, ME

To: South Arm Road, Andover, ME
Miles today: 10.1

Once again I got up extra early to get ready to leave by 7 a.m.The day started with a long steady climb. Now I was noticing something going on in both lungs. I still did not want to get overly concerned. I had no problem breathing, and I was hiking at a good pace. But I decided that I may need to take a zero and at least get my lungs checked while I had access to medical care. The 100 mile wilderness was coming up and I did not want to repeat what happened in the Smokies.The climb was pretty steady for about 6 miles to the Hall Mountain shelter. Then there was a steep descent followed by a steep climb. Fortunately neither were treacherous. The last descent to the road was relatively easy.The AT is calling. Maybe Maine is not all that bad afterall.
Date: 2015-09-07
From: South Arm Road, Andover, ME

To: ME 17, Oquossoc, ME
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up and on the road to the trailhead again by 7 a.m. Now, in addition to the weird feeling in both lungs, I was feeling tired. I made arrangements to take a zero tomorrow and for a shuttle to a town with a medical facility with an xray machine.I had a long tough climb up Old Blue Mountain all morning. The descent down Old Blue was also tough. And there was very little good water. A portion of the AT was apparently re-routed but was not yet white blazed. I hiked today and yesterday with Tiger Mike. It was nice to meet up with someone at views or shelters for breaks throughout the day.Bemis Mountain shelter had a brand new privy, but the water source was bone dry. The trail after Old Blue was not too bad until we started the descent to Bemis stream. The trail down to the stream and then the climb to the road were both pretty steep. It was the end of the day, and I was pretty beat. Fortunately the water level was low and we did not have to ford the stream.The AT is calling. But first I need to get my lungs checked and perhaps get another prescription for antibiotics.
Date: 2015-09-08
From: Pine Ellis Hostel, Andover, ME

To: Pine Ellis Hostel, Andover, ME 
Miles today: 0.0

I had a big breakfast, washed my clothes, and then took a shuttle to a hospital in a nearby town. The only medical facility available was the hospital ER. In addition to the weird feelings in my lungs, fatigue, and lack of appetite (I was not hungry last night after hiking over 13 miles), I now had a cough.Per the chest xray and the doctor, my lungs were clear, but I had a slight fever. Given my history of pnuemonia and what I was doing, the doctor did not hesitate to give me a prescription for antibiotics. I walked to a grocery store to fill the prescription, then called for a shuttle back to the hostel. The rest of the day I rested and got boxes ready to mail, then went to the post office. I also got my pack ready to go. In the morning I would be leaving the hostel and moving on.The AT is calling. I sure hope the antibiotics work.
Date: 2015-09-09
From: ME 17, Oquossoc, ME

To: ME 4, Rangely ME
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

I was shuttled out to the trail, and my pack was taken to Rangely, to the Farmhouse Hostel. The initial climb from the road was steep but manageable. Otherwise the rest of the day was relatively easy with only spotty rocky places. I felt sluggish in the morning, but perked up in the afternoon. Perhaps the antibiotics were kicking in. I was able to maintain a good pace. I saw 2 non-venomous snakes along the edge of the trail and lots of moose poop, but still no moose. I was at the road by mid afternoon. I felt good and I was starving. Hopefully the antibiotics are working.I had a private room with a shared bath, along with my pack, waiting for me at the Farmhouse Hostel. The AT is calling. I am going to slack pack at least a few more days to give my back a break and to give the antibiotics a chance to work.The AT is calling. I am still making miles while the Blue Beast and I take a break from one another.
Date: 2015-09-11
From: Perham Stream/logging road

To: Caribou Valley Road 
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: few clouds

It rained like crazy last night and into the morning, but I was safe, warm, and dry in my little private room at the hostel. I had breakfast at the hostel - waffles, bacon, and grapes while waiting for the rain to stop. Then I got shuttled back out to the trail while my pack was forwarded to the Stratton Motel.I was so glad I pushed myself to complete all 15.3 miles yesterday while the trail and rocks were all dry. Today everything was soaked and slippery.Because I got a later start waiting out the rain I set my sights on completing just 8.6 miles, plus the mile from the parking area to the AT.Last night I was really pleased with how quickly I hiked the mile on the logging road after hiking over 15 miles. Today, in the daylight, I realized that the hike was so easy because it was all downhill. I also saw the notice posted about the missing woman asking anyone who may find evidence related to her disappearance to immediately contact authorities.The weather was cool and cloudy, but more rain was not expected. The climb was steady but only steep occassionally. I reached Spaulding Mtn. shelter by early afternoon. I ran into a few thru hikers who were trying to dry out wet gear or were huddled near the campfire trying to get warm.The anniversary of 9/11 was on my mind all day, and I mentioned my thoughts when I signed the trail journal at the shelter. It is easy to lose track of time, dates, and other things while hiking in the woods day after day. Usually I have to check the calendar on my phone to determine the day of the week and day of the month. The clouds hung low and covered the mountain tops. There were no beautiful views today. But the trail, except for the last mile, was easy. The last mile was a steep, treacherous, slippery, descent. I was so concerned about being careful and taking my time over the wet rocks that I called and changed my pick up time. The trail exited the trees on the side of a mountain and followed several boulder debris fields. Even when the trail went back into the trees the descent involved crawling down steep rocks. Falling would have resulted in serious injury or worse. There were no steps, ladders, or rebar holds. But there should have been.Once at Caribou Valley Road I had to hike 1/2 mile to the pick up location. Again I saw a notice posted about the missing woman. Shane took me to the Stratton Motel, where my pack and a private room and a hot shower were waiting.The AT is calling. Thanks to slack packing, I am glad I am able to make some miles while giving my back and knees a break from the Blue Beast.