morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-23
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Garlfield Ridge Shelter?
Miles today: 12.0

July 24 BK- Got a message from Kurtis and LB around noon. They had camped at NH Hwy 112 near North Woodstock and were going to climb North and South Kinsman Mountains. They hoped to make Kinsman Pond Shelter for the night. On Wednesday they will cross I-93 at Franconia Notch. There is a killer climb of 3200¢ up Mount Lafayette to over 5,000¢. Not sure where they will end up. Maybe Garlfield Ridge Shelter?Kurtis said the weather was horrible with rain and fog when they climbed Mount Moosilauke. The trail was slippery and treacherous but the views were awesome.
Date: 2012-07-24
From: Lincoln NH

To: ?
Miles today: 0.0

July 25 BK- The kids crossed Mount Kinsman yesterday. They put in about 8 miles. It was very very cold with temps in the lower 40¢s and winds over 25 mph. Check out their red noses in the picture. They stopped in Lincoln NH to get a room at the motel and resupply. Problems with their MSR stove forced an overnight stay. Hopefully they will have it fixed while they were in a town with a store that sells parts. They will climb Mount Lafayette today.
Date: 2012-07-25
From: Garlfield Shelter

To: Guyot Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

July 26 BK- Got a call from the kids about 6:30pm that they were camped near the Garfield Ridge Shelter. They made about 11 miles on some tough ground. The trail is above tree line over Mount Lincoln and Lafayette. They said that there is quite a bit of scrambling over the slippery rocks. The views were obscured by fog and rain. Stove was up and running for a supper of Pasta Sides.Carrying six days of food hasn¢t been easy. But there are few road crossings to take you to a town for re-supply. Also, finding campsites and places to stay can be tough. There are many rules concerning camping in un-specified places called ¢Stealth Camps¢. Fines can be tough. The huts spaced out along the trail are expensive and fill up quick. $80.00 per night per person can be expensive for folks on a thru hiker¢s budget. You can work for your stay there if you get in early enough and they need you. In the end its always the question of will you have a place to stay that bugs you all day.
Date: 2012-07-26
From: Guyot Shelter

To: Nauman Tent Site
Miles today: 0.0

July 27 BK- I never got a call or text yesterday. But I did get some good pictures of Tuesday¢s climb over Mt. Moosalauke from LB¢s email account.I¢m guessing that they will be in the Crawford Notch area near Bartlett NH. The camping spaces are widely spaced so if they pass one its long walk to the others. There¢s no way I can predict where they will spend the night. They are approaching the Mount Washington area. The views are spectacular and the trails are tough. As always I can visualize them smiling through it all.
Date: 2012-07-28
From: Crawford Notch

To: Miszpah Spring Hut 
Miles today: 17.0

July 29 BK- Got a message at the house as the kids passed through Crawford Notch. They were drying their clothes out after days of wet weather. There has been fog and rain most of the time. They sounded good. Today they will climb Mount Washington.They made less daily mileage as I posted. I had to use a couple of days worth at once. Nobody that is carrying a pack is making big mileage in this part of the White Mountains. 340 Miles to Kahtadin and 1,350 to go.
Date: 2012-07-29
From: Miszpah Spring Hut 

To: ?
Miles today: 0.0

July 30 BK ¢ Didn¢t hear anything from the kids Monday. Kurtis¢s message on Sunday said they should have passed Mount Washington but after looking over the maps I think this might have been a little ambitious. Only about 50 miles of NH to go before Maine. I hope we get a message today as they pass the tourist busy visitor center on Mount Washington.There are some great pictures of the guys coming out of Crawfords Notch. It was about a 3,000¢ climb pretty much straight up to get out.
Date: 2012-07-30
From: Stealth camp near Thunderstorm Junction

To: Pinkam Notch
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

July 31 BK ¢ I got a call about 10:00 am Tuesday. They indeed climbed Mount Washington on Monday. They took the time to take some funny pictures with Achy take in the summit. The climb has been tricky and tough over rocks. The word technical comes up when using hands to climb up a trail. This was a technical climb.They skipped the AMC Huts. They were offered supper for cleaning dishes. The kids decided to make further miles rather than wait for dinner. They stealth camped near Thunderstorm Junction on Monday night. They planned on camping near Pinkam Notch on Tuesday night. It was their plan to make it to Gorham on Wednesday.Actual mileage was about 10 miles. I had to add two days to make up the days missed. Check out the new pictures.
Date: 2012-07-31
From: Pinkam Notch

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

August 1 BK- Didn¢t hear from the kids Wed. I expect them to make Gorham today. They will have passed Wildcat Mountain to get there. Gorham is the last larger town they will pass for awhile. There will be less than 12 miles of NH left and then on to the last of the northern 280 miles in Maine.
Date: 2012-08-01
From: Gorham, NH

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

August 2 BK- Lots to talk about today. Kurtis and LB called around 10:00 am on Thursday. On Tuesday they had come into Pinkam Notch, hitched a ride into Gorham on Hwy 16 and got a room at a hostel there. They took a zero day on Wednesday in Gorham doing laundry and buying 7 days worth of food. The call I got on Thursday was from atop Wildcat Mountain on the tail end of the White Mountains. It was a tough climb up the mountain. They were ducking out a thunderstorm in an old shelter when he called. Kurtis said they couldn¢t wait to get out of the Whites and back under the tree line. The days in the Whites were hard. Much of the time they had to stow their hiking poles and climb hand over hand up the trail. Stealth camping in undesignated spots was tough with no flat place to set up. Kurtis¢s sleeping bag had been wet for three days after rain each day. They can¢t wait for Maine and easier, but more remote, trails. There is still 25 miles to Maine and 308 miles to Katahdin. Kurtis said the plan was to hike to Katahdin by September 1st so they can get their German buddy out by the end of his visa period. It¢s hard to believe that when they reach Katahdin they will be only half done with their journey.
Date: 2012-08-02
From: ?

To: Rattle River Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

August 3rd BK- Got a text from the kids around 8:00pm. They were at the Rattle River Shelter/Campsite. They are just outside of Gorham and are 19 miles from the Maine border. They have hiked around Gorham for three days. Guess they didn¢t make it as far as they thought on Thursday. Communication is tough right now. It may be a while before we get any idea how they are doing.
Date: 2012-08-05
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Bald Plate Lean-to?
Miles today: 27.0

August 5, 2012 BK- Sunday morning we got a call from the kids about 10:00. Much to my surprise they were still in New Hampshire. The problem with setting goals the day before is that you don¢t always make them. This is what has happened during the last two days.The trail has been punishing to say the least. I think that neither of them expected the last of NH to be so tough. The Wildcat Mountains and now the Moohusic Mountains have been unforgiving and knocked them off any good mileage for days. They thought the Whites were just going to come to an end. But no, there¢s been more and more climbing. The kids are getting sick of it. On Friday they made a stealth camp near Rattle River Shelter just short of Gorham. They camped at Trident Col Shelter Saturday and hoped to make Full Goose Shelter in Maine on Sunday night. They can¢t wait for the mossy trails of Maine. The rocks have been tough. They are putting up their poles and climbing hand over hand in some places. Constant thunderstorms have made the trail slippery as well. Kurtis¢s boots, that he exchanged in Manchester, are already blowing out. The tent is starting to leak with each night¢s thunderstorm. Kurtis fell on his pole and bruised himself while bending his pole again. Things are beginning to wear out. There is also a stomach bug that is preying on the thru-hikers as they go down the trail. Kurtis and LB have gone to great measures to wash hands with sanitizers and avoid busy latrines in order to miss this 36 hour affliction. When Kurtis asked if I had read anything about a few of the other hikers in the Journal that he hadn¢t seen on the trail lately I had to tell him that most are down with the bugNext town is Andover ME. There are far and few towns and road crossings after this. We discussed a re-supply at Monson before they cross the ¢100 Mile Wilderness¢. This section of trail has one camp after hiking about 68 miles in. You have to blow a horn across the lake if you want somebody to come across and pick you up for a limited re-supply and shower. Sounds like it will be interesting. Either way that will be the only place you can get anything if you run out. The signs going in warn you to bring 10 days of food.IF they make Full Goose Shelter they will be 277 miles from Katahdin and still 1260 miles from their final destination. As they have been told in the beginning, ¢The first third of the trail is physical, (Will the body hold up?) the second is mental, (Can I really do this?) and the third is spiritual, (This is great and everything is so beautiful! I don¢t want it to end!). Well, they are in the second stage but they have no intention of giving up.
Date: 2012-08-07
From: Bethel ME

To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.0

August 7, 2012- We got lucky and heard from the kids twice. They were coming down into Grafton Notch to hitch a ride into the town of Bethel. Kurtis wanted me to let the family of Ralph Sturkey know his sympathies. Kurtis knew Mr. Sturkey when he was a waiter at Trinity Oaks as a high school kid. Mr. Sturkey shared many stories of his days as a marine on Iwo Jima. We will all miss Mr. Sturkey. Kurtis¢s description of the trail was ¢climbing and clawing our way for ten miles each day and waking up every morning to see Mt Washington anyway¢. It seemed like they would never leave the Whites and then it felt like the Whites were just following them. There are lots of firs covering the trail making the trail hard to distinguish. I borrowed a picture off of Whiteblaze to show how tough this part of the trail is.They also felt very much alone. None of the people they had been hiking with had been seen for days. They met one ¢Yo Yo¢. A ¢Yo Yo¢ is somebody who liked the trail so much that when they finished they just turned around to do it again. They also met a few SOBO¢s (South bounders) who left Baxter in early July. They hope to make GA by December.Later we heard from the kids in Bethel, ME. Many of their fellow hikers were there taking a zero day or shopping. Kurtis and LB spent time getting provisions, fixing the stove again and searching for clothing. All of their stuff is wearing out. He¢s got a hole in his rain pants at the crotch, the seams on the tent are unraveling, the boots are delaminating, and other things are just rotting from being wet constantly. Re-supply from home is tough because of the fewer number of Post Offices in ME.The trail had gotten easier however they said. They are expecting smoother walking and better mileage in the near future. The last moose they saw was in Vermont. They look forward to seeing some more. The goal is Katahdin by September 1. They made 900 miles as of today. 267 miles are left to the northern terminus at Katahdin and 1280 miles total more to go to complete the whole trail.
Date: 2012-08-09
From: Rangely ME

To: ?
Miles today: 37.0

August 12 BK- Sorry for the lapse in the Journals. Deb and I took a few days at the beach. We heard from the kids on Thursday and Sunday. They are presently in the town of Rangely ME for the night. The daily miles logged in are from the past 4 days.They have been dealing with rain and slippery trails. The trail has continued to be difficult. Kurtis took a 12¢ fall to his back and luckily walked away unscathed. They had hoped for more mileage but still managed 12 miles on Sunday. They are focused on making Katahdin by September 1st to get Achy out in time for his visa. But they have come to realize that they may have to cut him loose for him to make it out on time.LB¢s camera on her phone is not working right now so there are no pictures. Achy has a camera and will send his pictures on. I have sent on a package with Kurtis¢s repaired summer sleeping bag, some food, a canister stove, tent seam sealer, food and my old rain pants to go to Stratton ME. Kurtis¢s boots have blown out again. They were going to try to get some new ones in Rangely. 220 Miles to Katahdin, 947 miles completed, 1233 miles to go total. We probably won¢t hear from them for a few days.
Date: 2012-08-10
From: Rangely ME

To: Poplar Ridge Lean to
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

August 13 Bk- Got this text from LB last night.Hey BK! We made it to Poplar Ridge Lean-to. 50 more miles thru hard stuff then smooth sailing. Tomorrow we¢re trying to ge as close to Stratton as possible before rain hits on Wednesday. Love Y¢all.
Date: 2012-08-14
From: Poplar Ridge Lean to

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

August 14 BK Didn¢t hear from the kids today. They should have crossed Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Resort. There is a possibility that they could have seen the first view of Katahdin if the weather allowed it even though there is still 198 miles of trail ahead. They will pick up a resupply box with a lighter sleeping bag and some food.Deb and I packed food for the ¢100 Mile Wilderness¢ section of their hike last night. We were a little overwhelmed with the task to say the least. You are supposed to pack 10 days worth of food on this 98 mile section without roads. The longest I¢ve ever gone without resupply was 4 days. Total weight for this long section was 15 pounds per person. I¢ll be shipping the 30 pound package to Monson today.
Date: 2012-08-15
From: Stratton Maine

To: ?
Miles today: 22.0

August 15 BK- Heard from the kids twice Wednesday as they came into Stratton ME. They have scrambled over rocks for almost a month now and are looking forward to better trails. All that is separating them from the better trails now is the Bigelow Range. After a day or two they should be through those too.When they got into the little town of Stratton they were greeted by a crowd of fellow hikers. They are amazed how many Southbounders (SOBOs) they met that have gotten off to a late start. These folks won¢t reach GA until December or January. Kurtis said they are still cautious of the Novo virus that is hitting the trail communities hard but still opted for a night in a motel to dry out after being wet for days.They are hiking with another German, Julia, and have joined into a cluster that still wants to hit Katahdin the first week of September. Achy is still with them. He gets up later, passes Kurtis and LB, then waits for them in camp. Lifelong friends are being made.A large package of 28 pounds will leave today for Monson with all the food for the 100 Mile Wilderness. The kids got their other package today. Kurtis exchanged his sleeping bag again and sent back his heavy winter bag. His MSR stove was working good again so he waved off the lighter canister version I sent. As always there were two new bandanas which always get worn out.The kids are feeling good. A few bumps and bruises but all the major pains are gone. The gravity of Katahdin is pulling them north. They have 188 miles to go to get there. On Tuesday they could see Katahdin from Saddleback Mountain for the first time. After that it has rained every other day.LB said they had a really good visit by a moose. It was in a pond eating the vegetation on the bottom. It paid no attention to our hikers.
Date: 2012-08-16
From: Stratton Maine

To: Bigelow Mountains
Miles today: 0.0

August 16 BK- The kids awoke to another rainy day and chose to go back to bed. They watched the diehards and those on a schedules leave the motel unhappy in the downpour.Kurtis and LB stayed at the motel one more day seam sealing their tent, doing laundry and watching TV. Sometimes you just have to kick back and watch ¢Last of the Mohicans¢ for the 5th time. Good weather is ahead and better trails. They will get an early start in the morning. The motel where they are staying, the White Wolf Inn, has a shuttle back to the trail
Date: 2012-08-17
From: Bigelow Mountains

To: Kennebec River
Miles today: 0.0

August 17 BK- No word today. I¢m sure they will have no signal to send out their status for a few days. I would expect them to cross Mount Bigelow and then on to Little Bigelow Mountain and the Horn. These will be the last of the bigger mountains until Katahdin. They will then have to take the canoe ferry over the Kennebec River to reach US 201 at Caratunk ME on Sunday maybe?
Date: 2012-08-18
From: West Carry Pond

To: Caritunk Maine
Miles today: 23.0

August 18 BK- I got an unexpected call around 4:00pm from the kids. They had finally climbed off the last mountain to the flatlands of central Maine. The hiking was getting better with every step. The weather was cooperating as well. They hoped to make West Carry Pond.On Sunday they will cross the Kennebec River. In 1985 a hiker drowned there trying to cross so the ATC has provided a staff member to act as a ferryman with a canoe. Most of the folks who cross on foot get their gear wet so our guys are using the boat. The sad news is that Achy had to move on. He had a plane and train to catch and our guys just couldn¢t keep up with him. After all the miles he¢s done since Georgia he can average almost 20 miles a day. They enjoyed each other¢s company. Hiking 500 miles with someone can bring you close. The good news is that another German, Julia, has joined them.Kurtis¢s tent is about done. The seam sealer I sent is not helping. The floor is letting the water in. His boots are giving out too. There¢s no outfitters to replace them until Millinocket and by then the northern route is over. Finally he broke one of his hiking poles. That can be a tough thing to go without when you get used to them. LB is holding up great. Still smiling the whole way. 165 miles to Katahdin. Hard to believe they made 1,000 miles as of yesterday. Only 1182 miles to go.
Date: 2012-08-19
From: Caritunk Maine

To: Moxie Bald Lean to?
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

August 19 BK- Talked with the kids about 2:00pm. They were in the village of Caratunk after making a quick 14 miles on the trail. They did take the canoe across the Kennebec River only to find Achy waiting for them on the other side. Seems like Achy is either slowing down or our guys are speeding up. Either way our kids were glad to see him again and hope to see more of him. The trail was better with few climbs and no rocks. What they did run across was small bridges across bogs. LB took a fall from one and landed on her back. When she came up she was covered with mud. Both kids came in with muddy boots. Tonight they are spending the night at the Northern Outdoors Resort campground. There are micro-brews and a hot tub there. Not a bad deal. They were looking forward to both. Monson is 35 miles away and the start of the 100 Mile Wilderness section. They have 150 miles hike to Katahdin. Yesterday I found a picture that another hiker, Five Pair, had put on her journals site of the kids back in Vermont. I had to put it up.
Date: 2012-08-20
From: Moxie Bald Lean to?

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean to?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

August 20 BK- I didn¢t hear from the kids today. They walked through an area with a lot of ponds and bogs. There are a few hills over 800¢ in elevation gain but little to slow them down.I expect them to cross the West and East Branches of Piscataquis River on Tuesday. These river fords are usually knee deep but can be tough in high water. With water levels high from recent rains, Kurtis¢s stream crossing skills from Alaska will be tested. Ropes are strung across the rivers to provide stability. Hope they stay dry.If they don't have to wait for the river levels to drop so they can cross, they should make Monson by Wednesday.
Date: 2012-08-21
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean to?

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

August 22 9:30 am.Got a call that the kids were just coming into Monson. Will stay at one of the lodges while there and pick up food. August 21 BK- Haven¢t heard from the kids. They should make Monson today. I attached a file picture of the East Branch of Piscataquis River crossing which they should cross today.
Date: 2012-08-22
From: Monson

To: View Entry
Miles today: 35.0

August 23 BK- Today the kids enter the 100 Mile Wilderness. We will not hear from them for at least one week. There is only one place where they will be able to get any emergency resupply and that will be 60 miles in. The good news is that they found that the Lodge where they are staying has a service where they will haul one 5 gallon bucket of food 30 miles up the trail and hang it in a tree so the critters can¢t get it. This allows them to reduce the load for the trip for the first third of the trail. Deb and I packed 15 pounds apiece for the trip across this section.Achy has made arrangements to stay with the kids and summit with them and Julia. He has found a shuttle to take him to Millinocket as soon as they climb Katahdin and still make his flights. They have to make Baxter State Park by September 1st. This means they will have to make a minimum of 12 miles per day. They have 115 miles to go.The kids are ready to go. As I said we probably won¢t hear from them for a week.
Date: 2012-08-24
From: Monson

To: 100 Mile Wilderness
Miles today: 0.0

August 25 BK- Day 3 in the 100 Mile Wilderness. Today is a big day. There will only be the few that are hiking with them today that will celebrate Kurtis and Laura Beth¢s official halfway point on the Trail celebration. As they cross the 77 miles from Katahdin Mtn. mark they will officially be halfway done with their journey (1090 of 2180 miles). Wish we all could be there to cheer them on!Unlike most NOBOs and SOBOs they will not have a ¢Half Gallon Challenge¢ moment when they reach the half way point. The "Half Gallon Challenge" is when hikers half way done with the trail challenge each other to eat a half gallon of ice cream at one setting. They only have the trail food Deb and I packed.One of the beautiful parts of the way they have chosen to make their trek is they basically get to feel the finish twice, once with the NOBO hikers from Georgia, and again with the SOBO hikers coming from Katahdin. The picture that I will put with today¢s journal is of the official halfway point in PA and not what they will see. But today will be a big day. It¢s half done.