morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-18
From: Farmhouse Inn and Hostel

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 10.2

Andy, Don, and I got up at the Farmhouse Inn about 5 am. Breakfast. Packing. Settled up the bill with Stacy. Loaded up in the shuttle with 4 others, all through hikers. These were north-bounders in their 20's, probably just out of college. Trail names: Tree Climber, Guac, Pacer, and ______. At the trail, just as we were arriving, another hiker was coming up from the south.  This was the hiker with trail name "Basket Case" -- who we had heard about yesterday from Bluegrass, the AMC ridge runner.  He had gotten to the top of the mountain and realized he forgot his cell phone, so he walked off the trail into the fragile alpine vegetation to hide his backpack before going back to the bottom to get his phone. When he got back up, he could not locate his backpack, and in the process of searching trampled even more of the fragile alpine. When he asked Bluegrass for help in the search, he was met with a warning to stay out of the fragile alpine, but as you may guess, he ended up walking over more of it still.  Today when we saw him he agreed that yesterday he had, indeed been a basket case. We hiked over Lone Mountain and stopped for lunch at the Spaulding Mountain Lean To. There we ran into hiker Dr John again.  We had very briefly crossed paths with him yesterday, going opposite directions. After lunch, he hiked with us for several hours. We all talked about all sorts of subjects.  The trail took us over the side of Sugarloaf Mountain and down the steep side of a glacial valley while threatening storm clouds blew in. We kept hiking and talking and the time passed quickly. Once we stopped for water at a river at the bottom of the valley we then noticed that the weather front appeared to have blown through without dumping rain or lightning on us.  Dr John chose to camp near that river, but the rest of us continued to climb about another mile and camped at the Crocker Cirque Campsite. There were already several hikers there. (The trail has started to get busier, now that college is out and we are running into southbound hikers who started at Katahdin.) We made camp, ate dinner and went to bed. This was the first time I have needed to use my new bug net under my tarp. I'll report on how well that goes - tomorrow.
Date: 2017-06-19
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: broken clouds

Up at 4:30am. Quietly started breaking camp while waiting for others to wake. Breakfast of oatmeal, coffee, and carnation instant breakfast mixed together. On the trail about 6:30 a.m. Hiked over South and North Crocker Mountain and down to Route 27, south of Stratton where Tree Hugger came out and shuttled us to the Stratton Motel and Hostel.  On the way down, we came across several southbound thru hikers. (Hot Mess Express, Scrunchie, and a couple others). The weather held out for us; though it was threatening to thunderstorm, it remained only hot and humid. At the Stratton Motel about 1 pm. Rest, relaxation. At the Motel we met more southbound hikers, a dozen or maybe more. I remember the trail names Beast (who got his name by carrying another's backpack in addition to his own, Poofy (who got the name for what her hair does when she removes her hair band), Squeaky (who got his name because of the sound his knee brace makes)... At 5 pm, Andy drove us back to Rangeley, because there are no restaurants open in Stratton on Mondays. We ate again at a restaurant we had visited a couple days ago -- the Park and Main or something like that. We then drove back to Stratton where Andy dropped Don and me off at the motel and then he left to go home.
Date: 2017-06-21
From: Stratton, ME

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Bigelows. Great views. Lots of sobos. At lunch, when we stopped at the _____ Lean-to we were able to avoid most of the mid day rain shower that started just before we reached the Lean-to. There was a southbound hiker already there when we arrived. I asked him his name and he responded "Lightning Rod" to which I said. "That's a little scary" considering that it was raining and the sky was very dark.It took us a little longer than we'd hoped to walk a just over 15 miles to get to the Little Bigelow Mountain Lean-to. But once we arrived at the shelter, we were glad to be able to get under cover. It looked like it would rain and sure enough about 10 minutes later it began to. At the shelter we met southbound hiker Hawkeye. He was a mild mannered, redheaded 20 something year old from South Carolina. He seems also to be a relatively strong hiker, as he hiked over 20 miles on several days during his trip through Maine's "100 Mile Wilderness." We exchanged information about the trails ahead of each of us. Then we prepared dinner and once again, before we knew it, t was past hiker midnight. I think it was about 9 p.m. when I fell asleep.
Date: 2017-06-22
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Last night it rained on and off and I was glad to be in a shelter at the Little Bigelow Mountain Lean-to.Woke with a dehydration headache about 3am. Drank water. Today's hike was an easy enough part of the trail - little elevation gain/loss, muddy near ponds, lots of roots and rocks. But it was more like the trail I remember from before NH. Saw several sobo hikers.Hit 1000 miles at some point before lunch, at mile 2023.4.  I stopped at mile 2024.6, at the West Carry Pond Lean-to for lunch. 6 southbound hikers were already there. Ate lunch. Chatted. Continued hiking.Lots of sobos again. Around 1 pm, we came to a sandy beach. Met hikers Dazed (a 20-something guy), Confused (a dog), Birdie (another 20-something guy), and Toad (a 20-something woman) at the small beach. Here we decided to take an unscheduled break, so we swam and hung out about 15 min. Then continued hiking. 3:30 ish, stopped to fill water (only available source was a puddle which may have been fed by a small spring)Noticed that over the last 4 or 5 days there has been an increasing number of toads and frogs on the trail in and around the muddy areas.
Date: 2017-06-23
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Exhausted, I fell asleep by 8 p.m. last night. However, I awoke around 10 p.m. to the sound of what was probably the second loudest snoring I have ever heard. It was coming from Rick, one of the two other guys sleeping in the lean-to. I moved my sleeping bag out of the shelter and under the stars. (Well, under the branches of the tall pine trees around the lean-to.) Heard a loon or two on and off throughout the night.  Got up about 4 am, with the sunlight and the birds.  It slowly began to drizzle about 4:30 am. Saw a nice red sunrise. On the west side of Pierce Pond, the sun shone on trees and reflected back an orange/red, and above there was a half rainbow (photo).  I may have missed this if not for the snoring.  Thanks, Rick! Beautiful. On the trail about 5:30 am. Short walk along the waterfalls in the stream draining the pond into the Kennebec River. At the river, waited for and then took the "ferry" (a canoe ride) to the other side of the river.   Walked to the Caratunk B&B Hiker Hostel. Got a shower, supplies,... relaxation
Date: 2017-06-24
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

Got up at 5:30 at the Caratunk B&B Hostel and it felt like sleeping in. Had a huge breakfast prepared by Paul, the owner of the B&B. This included hash browns eggs sausage French toast as well as muffins orange. (photo) We waited for rain to end as predicted around 9:30 and then we (Jag Happy, Dr John and I) hiked out to the trail and headed north. The trail was relatively easy for the first 6 miles and we stopped at the Pleasant Find Lean-to for lunch. Then we hiked over the 2400 ft Pleasant Pond Mountain and to the base of Moxie Bald Mountain. We stopped at just under 15 miles for the day at the Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to. Other hikers were already in the shelter, so with the weather forecast for this evening being very nice, we all decided to camp out. So I set up my tarp, and for a second time used my bug net. (photo)
Date: 2017-06-25
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Up at 5ish. Packed. Breakfast. Got to chat Some more with 4 sobo hikers. BFG (big _____ german, 20-something guy), Fern ( 20-something, girl), and 2 20-something guys w/o trail names. Hiked over Moxie Bald Mountain - gorgeous views (pictures). Stopped at Bald Mountain Pond Lean-to for a snack. Fords. The first was about knee deep, and only about 20ft wide. The second was deeper, wider, and the current was stronger. It was almost inseam - deep where I crossed, about 50 ft across, and swift enough that someone had installed a rope to tie off to (though we didn't need it).We got to the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to about 3 pm. Met another group of kids camping (Kieve). They hiked on. We stayed. I set up, including with my bug net - the first time I used it in a shelter. (Picture)Initially, after the Kieve campers left, we had the shelter just for ourselves. However, around 5 pm, we were joined by sobo hiker Pepper, a 20-something red-haired girl. Dinner was curried apples with couscous and a Knorr pasta side. Later, bed time but very early and nowhere near dark.
Date: 2017-06-26
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Shaw's Hiker Hostel, Monson, ME
Miles today: 9.0

Up around 4:45 a.m. at the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to. Very loud birds. Tall trees obscured the sunrise to the east. It was chilly this morning, so I wore my puffy jacket while having coffee and breakfast and then changed into my long sleeve shirt. We had not been able to get a weather update since we left Caratunk, so we were uncertain what the weather would do today. The sun was shining in the East, but the sky overhead was grey and cloudy and I could hear droplets of rain on the leaves.On we hiked. We had to ford another river, but it was easy. We also easily finished the nine miles to route 15 and Monson by noon. "Ishbah" picked us up at the trailhead and took us back to Shaw's Hiker Hostel, where he works. We got checked in and relaxed for the afternoon. I made use of the hostel provided fashionable loaner clothes while doing my laundry! (photo)
Date: 2017-06-27
From: Monson, ME

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

Zero day.  Rest, relaxation, resupply at this fully equipped Hostel. I got mail drop today  We'll hike north from Monson in the morning. Probably no cell service in 100 mile wilderness. Tentatively expect to arrive at Katahdin on the 4th and summit on the 5th (all plus or minus 2 days). Will be joined by Opie again to climb Katahdin.Also at Shaw's Hiker Hostel:Poet and Hippie ChickAJ, Ishbah
Date: 2017-06-28
From: Monson, ME

To: Long pond lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

15.1Monson MaineLong Pond lean toOur first day in the 100 mile wilderness included 5 or 6 rivers four or five of which we had to Ford, meaning we had a choice between taking off our boots and socks and putting on water shoes, or in my case Crocs, or just crossing the river with your boots and socks on and dealing with wet feet the rest of the day. For the first three of these I did the former and dried my feet and put socks back on afterwards. However the trail itself was very wet from the rain we had on and off all day long and it was muddy. This caused me to eventually end up with completely wet boots and socks anyway. Therefore, at the end of the day, I simply left them on and waded through the last two crossings we had to do. the last of these was the most difficult of the day. It had the Swiftest current and with the recent rain the little River was swollen to about thigh deep. To make matters worse the rope someone had installed to help hikers cross was in the worst possible place, where the river was both deepest and had its fastest currents. That rope was also very frayed, and it would have been too easy for a hiker to get tangled up in pieces dangling off of it.During the hike we crossed a few peaks and ledges from which I took a couple of pictures; the views were not that spectacular the interesting things in the scenery from my perspective was the combination of sunshine and threatening storm clouds which cycled back and forth for us all day long. At about 7 o'clock I got to the lean-to called Long Pond though the closest landmark was not in fact a pond, it was a beautiful waterfall through a slotted Canyon. At the lean to, I met at a group of hikers from a camp I can't remember the name of. The two leadrs were Laura and Collin. Laura was a 5' 4" 20 something young woman with a nice smile and Colin was a 20 something 6 foot redhead male with apparent good leadership skills. I got to watch him give his campers a class on how to hang a bear bag. Dr John did not stop at the shelter with us but rather at in earlier can spot near the final River Crossing. He dislikes staying in shelters and with crowds. Jag happy and I met again hiker norm who we had seen on the trail earlier in the day and at Shaws hiker hostile in Monson the day before. In fact the three of us ate breakfast with norm that morning. Norm has a house in western New York but does not live there he was certified as a New York state park ranger and member the national Ski Patrol had some earlier point in his life. He also has done an extensive amount of long distance hiking including time on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide trail. He said he got distracted for a while over the last couple of years and became addicted to white water rafting and was a guide for a white water rafting company for a couple years out west.
Date: 2017-06-29
From: Long pond lean-to

To: Chairback gap lean-to
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

10.9Long Pond stream lean toChair back gap lean to (tenting)Today jag happy and I said farewell to norm when he continued hiking North about 6 a.m. We then had breakfast and Dr John joined us about 6:30. Together we continued North about 6:50 and said farewell to Laura on the way out of the area around lean-to. She was the only one of the camp members up at that time. We hiked up Barren Mountain and found the trail to be relatively Pleasant compared to yesterdays wet slog and previous more difficult climbs we had had to do.At several points, I stopped and took pictures of some panoramic scenery.  when we got to the top of Barren Mountain, i climbed and old firetower, and I took some more pictures of the surrounding to terrain from there. I stopped for lunch around 11:30 a.m. when everyone caught up we discussed the remainder of the day and said our sites on the chair back gap lean to as our destination.The trail over the chair back mountains, which entailed up and down sections over 5 peaks, was rather difficult. It was relatively steep. it was also wet and slippery. Consequently we only had two total of 10 miles for the day. However when we got to the chair back gap lean too it was already full of southbound hikers. So we can't. I set up my tarp not far from the lean-to. It started raining as soon as I had my tarp set up. I was able to stay dry underneath it. I also modified it so that I could run a clothesline inside it. I hung my wet socks and sweaty long sleeve shirt up on that clothesline to dry.
Date: 2017-06-30
From: Chairback gap lean-to

To: Sidney Tappan campsite
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

11.7Chair back gap lean-to (tenting)Sidney Tappan campsiteIt rained pretty much all night last night at chair back gap lean to, but my tarp performed well, and I remained dry. I got up around 5 a.m. Pack up. Breakfast. Chatted with 10 to 12 sobos who had also State there. This included Zeke and tooly. Tooly is but commercial diver who works in New Orleans for the oil companies who operate in the Gulf of Mexico. He works with a commercial diving Bell and suit to depths around 825 feet.We left the chair back gap area and hiked North starting around 7:25 a.m. The trail was wet and muddy and because of all the rain last night the bushes and trees were full of water that dropped on me as I brushed against them at the side of the trail. The rocks were also slippery and I took a couple minor Falls during the day. We completed the climb over a chair back mountain. We had to Ford another River this was wider than the other rivers we had crossed so far but it was shallow and the current wasn't too bad so it was relatively easy. We continue taking and had a brief stuff for lunch at the Carl Newhall lean to. It was only 2 p.m. when we were there but the shelter was already starting to fill up with sobos who were claiming spots foot the night. We continued hiking and passed another half dozen sobos headed for that lean-to. We hiked over Gulf Hagas mountain amd down to the Sidney Tappan campsite. There we stopped for the day.
Date: 2017-07-01
From: Sidney Tappan campsite

To: Kokadjo-B pond road
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

14.1Sidney Tappan campsite Kokadjo-B pond roadRained all night. Tarp worked, but some splash put moisture inside with me. Up at 5 a.m.; packed. breakfast in the rain. The trail was extremely wet, and water falling off the branches Along With continuing rain, Ensured i was soaked. We Hiked over white cap mountain, past logan brook lean-to and the east branch lean-to.   Had a snack at the former, amd had lunch at the latter. Continued hiking over little Boardman mountain and past the Kokadjo-B pond road and camped.
Date: 2017-07-02
From: Kokadjo-B pond road

To: White house landing
Miles today: 17.0

17.0Kokadjo-B pond roadWhite house landingPouring rain all night. Tarp did well, but i got a little dirty splashing in the open end. With all the humidity and mud and water on the trail, most of my stuff was now wet/damp - tarp and ground sheet in particular. Up at 5. watched sunrise over kokadjo pond. Packed. Hiked. Relatively easier trail. Still muddy, rocks, roots. Made excellent time for first and second 3 mile legs. Texted to send update at jo Mary road. Three more miles, then lunch at another Pond spot. At some point, on the edge of a lake, we had our first real view of Katahdin mountain. Huge and way off in the distance. Hiked around the lake and off the trail about 0.2 miles to the boat dock for the white house landing hostel. The screw came loose in my glasses and I used Dr John pocket knife to tighten at the little bit what we waited 4 hour ride. Srmall boat ride from Bill to get to the hostel on the other side of the lake. Washed clothes, hung them and tarp to dry. Showered. Burger for dinner. Ice cream brownie Sunday for dessert. Asleep about 8:30p.m.
Date: 2017-07-03
From: White house landing

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

0White House LandingWhite House Landing Jag happy was sick of this morning with some sort of stomach or intestinal problem. He could not walk. So Dr John and I were forced to decide whether to proceed without him or stay. We decided to stay. It was a beautiful sunny morning but it became partly cloudy in the afternoon and its sprinkled a couple of times in the late afternoon toward evening. I did not get much done but I did manage to use my own small pocket knife to do a better job tightening the loose screw on my glasses and I used some crazy glue to bond the screw in place a little better. I also took a nap on the lawn in the warm Sun for a couple hours. The hostile served lunch and I had another large cheese burger like I had to head for dinner the night before. And then when dinner time arrived I had yet another large cheese burger and another chocolate brownie sundae as I had had the evening prior.
Date: 2017-07-04
From: White House Landing

To: Rainbow stream lean-to
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

16.0White House Landing Rainbow stream lean-toDr John, jag happy, and i left the white house landing hostel after breakfast. It was relatively nice day weather wise. However it was overcast and its sprinkled a couple of times during the day. On the one small Mountain we had to climb there was a place where a few of Catan was possible and I took a picture. However the top of Katahdin itself was covered by clouds. We hiked 16 miles, over a very small mountain, and we stopped at the rainbow stream lean-to. Dr John and jag set up their tents, but i stayed in the shelter, since no one else was staying there. There was also a group of hikers from a girls camp in Sweden, ME. They cooked marshmallows.
Date: 2017-07-06
From: Abol Bridge campsite 

To: The birches campsite 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

hiked the relatively flat 10 miles from Abol Bridge campsite to the ranger station in Baxter park, and then 1/4 mile to the birches campsite, which ous Penn only to through' hikers, about 12/ day, first come first served.  Prepared for following day summit trip.  It trained from about 3pm to about 6pm. Linked up with Andy.
Date: 2017-07-07
From: Katahdin Stream

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Below Teresa has added texts the family received from GI Joe while he was in limited cellular coverage area in Maine, some of it 100 miles of wilderness:Wednesday, 28 Jun 8:50 amBreakfast at 7 am and checked out at 8:50. Will be headed out on shuttle soon. I'll be checking periodically, but don't expect to have cell reception until after finishing.  I think for planning purposes, it looks like we'll summit Katahdin between the 5th and the 7th.  I'm told that, worst case, I'll be able to call from the Abol Bridge campsite,  10 miles south of Baxter Park, using their land line.Sunday, 2 Jul 9:00 amBelated Happy Birthday, Dad! (He's 83)I am just south of Jo Mary Road in the wilderness. I plan to stop for the night at White's Landing. That is 31 miles from Baxter State Park or 40 miles from The Birches Campground, which is where the Katahdin climb begins.Sunny at the moment, after nearly three days of almost continuous rain.  Fun!¢Should get easier now, and we've been hiking pretty quickly today. Looks right now like we'll arrive at the Birches Campsite on the 5th. That will give us an opportunity to summit on the 6th.  (+/- a day -- should be able to refine the estimate tonight and then finalize the plan when we get to Abol Bridge (start of Baxter Park). Will go to airplane mode for most of the day, as my phone is at 16% power.Sunday, 2 Jul 8:40 pm Sent photo texts: sunrise from this morning and the a preview of Mount Katahdin, from about 40 miles away.Monday, 3 Jul 6:20 amI looked at a map this morning.  Katahdin is only about 25 miles (straight line distance), but it is 40 miles of trail away.Jag Happy is sick with some kind of stomach bug. Looks like we will have to stay here at White House Landing one more day. Dr John and I will probably paddle a canoe and relax while JH recovers. This pushes our timeline back a day probably. I called and talked to Opie and coordinated to meet him for summit hike on the 7th. Wednesday, 5 Jul 11:48 amI am currently on a little piece of high ground about 8 miles south of Abol Bridge. Planning to stop there tonight and proceed to Katahdin stream and base tomorrow. Summit on Friday, 7th12:24 Photo ¢ ¢Getting Closer¢ Son Joey's response to this photo was "It's like Bilbo and the dwarves seeing the [Lonely] Mountain by the lake off in the distance." To which GI Joe responded, " :) Haha. Precisely!"6:29 pm At Abol Bridge campsite. No cell service. Had to pay $2 for one hour of internet. Planning to make the short trip to Katahdin Stream tomorrow.  Also planning to depart the ranger station around 5 am Friday, en route to summit. It's a 4 hour climb and about 3 hours back downThursday, 6 Jul Photo ¢ ¢Even Closer¢Today, 7 July 9:37 amDeparted Ranger Station at 5 am. After 4+ hours of climbing we reached summit of Katahdin about 9:30 am!Photo:  GI Joe, Dr John, Jag Happy (completing his through hike!) and Opie summit Katahdin! Woohoo!3 hours back down hill and I will stay a few days with longtime friends in Sedwick, ME