morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2021-08-07
To: Base of Beaver Brook
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Packed and on the trail a little after six. I¢ve got a long day ahead, include Mount Moosilauke. Shortly after I set out, heard the first loons of the trip. Perhaps the most beautiful, haunting thing I had ever heard. I¢ve had dreams filled with loon song.The trail was easy this morning, and I made good time. I know this is a trick the trail plays, lulling you into believing the trail isn¢t so bad, then it slaps you upside the head when you aren¢t paying attention. I knew the slap was coming this afternoon.Around noon, I came to a road where former thru-hikers were feeding hikers that came by. They had burgers, hot dogs, sodas, candy, pie, and so much more. It was awesome.After lunch, the work began. The climb up Mount Moosilauke. First of the White Mountains. First summit above tree line. Biggest single climb of the past 1800 miles, more than 3500 feet of elevation gain.So I climbed. and climbed. As I went up, the flora changed. First deciduous trees, then a mix of deciduous and coniferous. Then entirely coniferous. After that as I climbed, the trees got shorter and shorter. Finally, a zone of short, stunted trees barely four feet high. Then I was above tree line, the only plants growing short bushes and mosses.The air was hazy (stupid wildfires) but the view was still spectacular. I could see much of the Whites, including the Franconia Ridge and the Presidentials (including Mt. Washington) behind them.Reached the summit after three hours of climbing. It was windy and chilly, but warm enough that I could remain in short sleeves. Which is unusual weather for the Whites; it¢s normally much colder. Hopefully this good weather continues.Then a gradual descent along the ridge until I was back below tree line. Then the trail started to descend. Steeply. Once the trail starts following Beaver Brook, it descends 2000 feet in a little over a mile. This may be the most challenging decent I¢ve ever done. It¢s less a trail and more a rock staircase designed by a madman. Every step had to be taken carefully, lest I slip and smash my skull on the rocks below. It took an hour and a half to do that mile, knees protesting with every step.Finally reached the base of the mountain, found a flat spot, set up my tent, and crawled inside.As I write this, a storm has hit. Happy to have made it and that I am warm and dry as the rain falls.Happiness is not falling, hitting your head and spilling what little brains you have all over the trail.
Date: 2021-08-08
From: Base of Beaver Brook

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Started hiking at 6. On a normal day, the 16 miles to Franconia Notch would take 8 hours, meaning I¢d be off trail and walking down a road by 2. I don¢t think this will be a normal day.The trail started climbing steeply out of Kinsman Notch. After half an hour, the trail leveled out, but didn¢t get any easier. There were constant little ups and downs. Rocks to scramble over or around. Mud patches, some so deep I couldn¢t find the bottom with a hiking pole. Sometimes I could barely maintain a mile an hour pace.Stopped for lunch at Eliza Brook shelter. Soaked my feet in the eponymous brook in front of the shelter. Super cold, but it felt nice.Then a 2000 foot climb up South Kinsman Mountain. This ascent was rough, required frequent use of hands to pull myself up steep rocks. My legs were feeling rubbery by the time I reached the top.Then across the summit, down into a saddle and then up to the summit of North Kinsman Mountain. Followed by another ridiculously steep descent. Just like yesterday, although not as long. My knees were sore and were hurting more and more with a step down.Then the trail leveled out and shallowly descended towards Franconia Notch. Had to rock hop across multiple streams (not easy with how bad my legs felt), and then I was finally at the Notch. Nearly 13 hours to hike 16 miles, with only one break for lunch.Walked several miles into town, checked in to my motel, and ate dinner from my food bag. Everything nearby was closed, and nothing that was still open delivered.Happiness is having still functioning knees after three very rough days.
Date: 2021-08-10
From: Lincoln, NH

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My knees were still sore, so I decided to take another day off. Spent the day browsing in gift shops and antique stores. One of the gift shops had an old car museum in back.Moved to a motel that was closer to the trail head, so tomorrow I could get back on trail early. Unfortunately, and bizarrely, all the nearby restaurants were closed today (Tuesday?) so dinner was from an overpriced gas station.Happiness is a comfy bed.
Date: 2021-08-11
From: Lincoln, NH

To: South Twin Mountain
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

Free breakfast at the motel (I miss bagels and cream cheese) and then back on the trail. Before I even reach the trail head it starts raining.Now to start climbing. It¢s about 3000 feet of elevation gain up to Franconia Ridge, and then another 1000 feet up to Mount Lafayette. I believe this is the second biggest climb on the entire Appalachian Trail. The climb isn¢t all that bad, steep but not ridiculously so. The rain slows to a drizzle and then stops, but everything is in a fog.I get above tree line and at first put on my windbreaker, but then find it¢s warm enough that I don¢t need it. On a previous hike across this ridge, it was cold enough to want gloves, but today I¢m fine in short sleeves. Only downside is there are no views up here as it¢s still foggy.As I start to descend off the ridge, I get below the clouds and start to get some decent views. Then a couple hours through rugged forest.Next is Mount Garfield. On my map¢s elevation profile, Garfield looks like a dagger; straight up a thousand feet and then right back down. On the ascent I have to use my hands in places to climb; on the descent it¢s like going down a steep rocky spiral staircase. It makes my knees throb.The day ends with a super steep ascent up South Twin Mountain. I reach the top near sunset and get amazing 360 degree views. About a tenth of a mile past the summit, I find a tiny tent site behind a boulder.Happiness is being out here in these beautiful mountains.
Date: 2021-08-12
From: South Twin Mountain

To: south of Mount Webster
Miles today: 16.75
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up shortly before sunrise. Getting out of the tent, I had difficulty walking as my legs were very stiff from yesterday¢s exertion. Looking around, I realized that the sky was clear and there were no clouds to be seen. I hobbled up to the summit of South Twin Mtn. The views were amazing! I could see in every direction, most of the Whites visible. Franconia Ridge, covered in clouds. Mt. Garfield. To the east, Mt. Guyot and beyond it, the Presidental Range. Amazingly, Mount Washington was cloudless. Also amazing, it¢s 6 in the morning 5000 feet up in the Whites, and it¢s not even chilly.Packed up and headed north. The trail continued to be rough, with lots of boulder hopping and rock scrambling. Every so often the trail would climb another mountain and peek above tree line. Eventually the trail descended steeply and came to Zealand Falls Hut. I refillled my water bag and made use of the facilities.And then something remarkable happened. The trail got easy. Flat, straight, and rock free. This section followed an old railroad bed, and I was able to make good time.Had lunch at Thoreau Falls, an 80 foot high series of cascades. I expected it to be crowded (I had been passing a steady stream of hikers), but there was no one else there. The trail continued to be flat, although it did get a little rockier. The flat terrain was good because it was very hot, and was still sweating profusely.Mid afternoon I descended to Crawford Notch. Took a mile detour up the road there to the Wiley House, where I had pizza, soda, and ice cream. Yum!Then starting climbing the far side of Crawford Notch. This is another 3000 foot climb which ends at the beginning of the Presidential Range. Got about half way up and decided that 12 hours of hiking was enough for today. My feet hurt, my knees hurt, my thighs burned. Ate a giant cookie I had gotten from the Wiley House for dinner and went to bed.Happiness is Barq¢s root beer.
Date: 2021-08-14
From: Osgood Ridge

To: Carter Dome
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Got up this morning feeling very sore. Finished the descent from Mount Madison. Then crossed several streams on fairly easy trail.The race cars were at it again today. I could hear their engines revving for several hours, until the trail crossed the Mt. Washington Auto Road. There were tow trucks and ambulances there, I guess in case one of the racers had an accident. Someone waved me across the road. Thirty or so seconds after I crossed the road, all the racers started coming down the mountain and whizzing past. Scary.At the base of the mountains, I reached the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. Stopped for lunch (and Ben & Jerry¢s!).Then the climb up the Wildcats. Another agonizing climb. Several sections required outright climbing. At one point I had to chimney up between two vertical rock faces. I don¢t know how people with heavy backpacks are expected to do this.Slow going through the Wildcats. Then a super steep descent into Carter Notch, followed by a steep ascent up the other side. Halfway up I decided to stop hiking early and make camp.The weather had changed drastically. A day ago it had been hot and calm. Not it was very windy and chilly, probably in the 50s by mid afternoon. I got into my sleeping bag before the sun even set and went to sleep.Happiness is a warm sleeping bag.
Date: 2021-08-15
From: Carter Dome

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

It was really cold this morning. And windy. Cold enough that I wish I still had gloves. Packed up and finished hiking the Carter mountains.Then headed into the town of Gorham, where I got a motel room for two nights. This would be the last town of decent size along the Appalachian Trail. Last town with a Walmart or Dollar General, so I stocked up on food that¢s hard to find in small general stores.Happiness is surviving the Whites
Date: 2021-08-17
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

Today sucked. When I woke up this morning, my battery bank was only half charged, even though I had been charging it for more than a day. It¢s a seven day hike until I would reach somewhere to charge my electronics, so this wouldn¢t do. I walked to the Walmart (about 5 miles round trip) and bought a new battery bank.Let both batteries charge for an hour so, then packed up to get back on the trail. As I put on my backpack, I managed to rip a seam in the shoulder of my hiking shirt. It wasn¢t that bad, but I¢m sure the rip will get worse as I hike.Hiked four miles along a busy highway to get back to the trail. A couple of the toes on my left foot were really hurting, I thought maybe they were still sore from crossing the Whites. I bandaged them up and continued on.After two hours and four miles on the trail, my toes were still hurting. I realized the problem was probably the shoes and not my feet. I was about to enter deep wilderness and I don¢t think there are any places to buy shoes between here and Katahdin. I reluctantly decided that I needed to go back to Gorham and look for new shoes. One bright spot, the trail arced backed towards town and there is a side trail that would take me right back to town, saving several miles of walking.Got back to town and checked back in to the same motel I had stayed in the night before. The one outfitter in town was closed already, so I¢ll have to visit it tomorrow to get new shoes.Happiness is getting another night in a bed.
Date: 2021-08-19
From: Gorham, NH

To: Maine border
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the motel around 630, got some donuts from the gas station up the street, and got on the Mahoosic Trail, which would take me to where I left off on the AT. The mosquitos were really biting this morning. I would them on me, slap them, and get a smear of blood for my troubles. Yuck.Reached the AT about 2 hours later. This section of the trail was rough, lots of rocks and roots. No giant climbs, just short ups and downs. Also several ponds and bogs.Stopped at a campsite for lunch, figured I¢d make use of the privy and refill my water bag from the spring. Touch my pack off, grabbed my dirty water bag, touch a couple steps on a rock slab, when both of my feet slipped and went into the air. I landed painfully on my back on the rock slab, the breath knocked out of me. Ouch.Nothing seemed to be broken, and I was able to stand back up. I guess I was lucky that the force of the fall was distributed across my entire back, and not in just one spot. Also, that I didn¢t hit my head.After lunch, it started to drizzle. The trail started to get harder again. Lots of walking on slanted rock slabs, which grew slipperier (more slippery? That word doesn¢t look right, but my phone thinks it¢s a word, so, Ok) as the rain got heavier.Reached the open summit of Mt. Success as the rain reached its peak. The summit was muddy and the trail had many deep puddles. My shoes got soaked.It was slow going for the rest of the afternoon. Difficult, wet trail. Rain that came and went. My glasses kept getting covered in droplets which made it difficult to see.Gave up around 630 and set up camp at the first flat, open spot I had seen in an hour. I think I¢m about a quarter mile from the Maine border.Happiness is peanut butter M&Ms.
Date: 2021-08-20
From: Maine border

To: east end of Mahoosic Notch
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Started the day by crossing into Maine. Woohoo! Last. Forking. State.The trail was really rough in the morning. Muddy sections, one where I slipped into knee deep mud. Steep rock faces that required holding on to trees when going uphill, or scooting on my butt when going downhill.And then I got to Mahoosic Notch. This is widely considered to be the most difficult mile of the trail. The notch itself is very steep, and you can see where some of the notch walls have collapsed, covering the bottom of the notch with boulders, some as big as houses. And the trail goes through this. Sometimes over, sometimes under.It took more than 2 hours to traverse the notch. Sometimes I had to take my pack off to wriggle through some hole or to climb down off some boulder. Some times I was completely reliant on my arms to get past some obstacle. I banged up my shins, my knees, my elbows. At one point, my foot got stuck in a crevasse as I slipped off a rock. My whole foot got turned 90 degrees. Amazingly, nothing broke or even strained.I set up camp as soon as I exited the notch, around 5. It took about 10 hours to travel 7.5 miles today. Not great.Happiness is making it through the day without suffering any major injuries.
Date: 2021-08-21
From: east end of Mahoosic Notch

To: Baldpate Mountain
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Starting this morning climbing Mahoosic Arm. 1500 feet of rock scrambling, using tree branches and trunks to haul myself up. Had to take a break at the top, muscles were still weak from yesterday¢s jungle gym.It was sunny and hot today, even 4000 feet above sea level, as I climbed to the summit of Old Speck. There was a fire tower there, with amazing 360 degree views of the area. Then a long descent into Grafton Notch. For a change, this descent was only difficult, not crazy stupid hard like many recent descents had been.Then a long climb up Baldpate Mountain. The final climb up West Peak was steep, but wonder of wonders, there were stone steps the last half mile or so. What a nice change of pace.On West Peak, saw that thick clouds were rolling in. Descended into the saddle between West and East Peaks and stopped when I found a tent site in the pine trees. It was late afternoon, the clouds looked foreboding, and I didn¢t want to traverse the slippery, exposed East Peak in the rain, or worse yet, during a thunderstorm. Happiness is getting past the worst of southern Maine.
Date: 2021-08-22
To: Black Brook
Miles today: 16.75
Weather: few clouds

247 miles to KatahdinI woke up to a steady drizzle. Frack. Packed up and started climbing East Peak. The entire peak is exposed rock, difficult enough when dry. Now everything was soaked, and a heavy wind blew. The climb up was a single rock face, probably a steady 30 degree slope. Luckily, the peak was fogged in, so I couldn¢t see how high and exposed I was.Reached the summit, then started down the other side. At first it wasn¢t bad, but then it got much steeper. Lots of sheer rock with nothing to hold on to. Lots of butt-scooting when things got too precarious. I slipped at one point and landed hard on my wrist. How I haven¢t broken any bones yet I do not know.Walked to the town of Andover around lunch. Not much in town, just one small market. But they had fresh pizza and many baked goods. Spent a couple hours in town, resting my feet, which were chafing due to being wet off and on for the past few days.Stopped hiking that evening at a beautiful campsite by a large brook. Soaked my poor feet in the brook, ate dinner, and went to bed.Happiness is fresh brownies.
Date: 2021-08-23
From: Black Brook

To: Bemis Stream
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

234 miles to Katahdin Today sucked. It drizzled on and off all day. Fog covered everything all day. The trail was difficult, lots of slippery rocks, slippery roots, and mud puddles. My socks keep getting wet, which causes painful chafing on my feet. I treat them as best as I can. The most effective way I¢ve found to dry my socks is to put them under my back while I sleep, which means I have filthy, damp hiking socks a foot away from my nose. Also, I think my phone was damaged the last time I fell. The charging port is temperamental now, and requires much fiddling before the phone will start charging. I hope it lasts for the next two weeks.Happiness is getting enough signal to download the latest Ted Lasso episode.
Date: 2021-08-24
From: Bemis Stream

To: south of Piazza Rock
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up to mostly clear skies. Hopefully the weather will hold and my socks and shoes will dry out today. My feet are pretty chaffed from being wet.The trail in this section was pretty easy (for Maine) and I made decent time. Stopped for lunch at a pond and soaked my feet. Afterwards, I let my feet dry in the sun. I picked off some small pine needles that had gotten on my feet between the pond and where I was sitting. Some of the pine needles were hard to pick off. And red. Leeches. Lots of tiny leeches on my feet. Yuck. I had watched out for leeches while soaking my feet, but hadn¢t realized they could be so small.I stopped hiking early today, as feet were bothering me. The damp socks felt like sandpaper on my feet after several hours.Happiness is soaking my feet in a leech free stream.
Date: 2021-08-25
From: south of Piazza Rock

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My feet still really hurt this morning, so I backtracked to the last road crossing and Wales into the town of Rangeley. Rangeley is a pretty tourist town surrounded by several lakes. Ate lunch at a park on the shore of Rangeley Lake. Then got a motel room, showered, resupplied at a nearby grocery store, and spent the rest of the day eating and watching television.Happiness is clean sheets.
Date: 2021-08-26
From: Rangeley, ME

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

Taking a second day off in Rangeley. Another day should heal up my feet, and then I should be able to make it Katahdin without any more time off.My appetite has increased significantly in the past few months, but my stomach hasn¢t changed size. This has resulted in the weird feeling of being simultaneously full and hungry at the same time. I feel like all I¢ve done is eat today, breaking just long enough between meals to let my stomach stop hurting.Happiness is a cool breeze off a lake on a hot day.
Date: 2021-08-27
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Sluice Brook
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

207 miles to KatahdinGot up around dawn and walked into town to watch the sunrise at the lake. Rangeley is a pretty little town and I will miss it.Back on the trail. My feet are feeling better and I make good time. Most of the early afternoon is spent traversing Saddleback Mountain and it¢s peaks. About two hours is spent above tree line. It is warm and perfectly clear out today and there are fantastic views in all directions. I can see southward all the way to the Whites, including Mount Washington.The wind picks up as I cross The Horn, a minor peak of Saddleback. Sometimes the wind gusts hard enough that I have to brace to avoid being pushed over.I have lodging reservations in Stratton on Sunday, which is only 32 miles away, so there¢s no need to do long miles today. I stop early and am able to set up camp and finish dinner well before sunset.Speaking of sunset, it¢s been happening earlier and earlier each day. Sunrise is much later now. Fall is waiting around the corner. I¢ll be glad to finish the trail and get out of Maine before the cold weather comes.Happiness is finding out there are 12 episodes of Ted Lasso this season, not just ten. Football is life!
Date: 2021-08-28
From: Sluice Brook

To: Stratton Brook
Miles today: 18.75

188 miles to KatahdinCold this morning. Low 40s maybe. Warm enough that I was cozy in bed, but cold enough that I kind of wish I had gloves.Today started with a long climb up to a ridge with several 4000 footers, most of which the trail went around. The trail was easier today and I made good time. Made such good time that I made it to the road to Stratton this afternoon, instead of tomorrow. I had reservations at a motel for tomorrow. I would¢ve gotten a room tonight as well but figured every room would be sold out or really expensive.Walked a couple miles down the trail to the outskirts of the town of Carrabessett Valley. Got some Ben & Jerry¢s at a gas station and ate it in front of a library. Bless their free WiFi. Then walked back to the trail and found a spot to camp for the night.Happiness is free Internet in the middle of nowhere.
Date: 2021-08-29
From: Stratton, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Got up and walked 5 miles into the town of Stratton. The motel checkin was at noon, so I spent several hours wandering around and hanging out at a local pond. The town was very small and depressing. Half of the businesses were closed. The rest looked to be barely hanging on.The motel was a series of rooms above a restaurant. I had stayed here 22 years ago on a previous hike and I don¢t think the motel has been updated since. The TV was the old CRT kind, but I guess most people don¢t come to northern Maine to watch television.Had dinner downstairs in the White Wolf Inn. The hostess was also the waitress and the cook. Good thing the restaurant was almost empty. My burger was delicious.Happiness is clean towels.
Date: 2021-08-30
From: Stratton, ME

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

I don¢t feel well today. Also, there are thunderstorms forecast to reach the Bigelow Range just as I do. So, another day in Stratton, eating junk food.I also lightened my pack weight by sending away things I didn¢t need. I am switching to no-cook meals for the rest of the trail, so I unloaded my stove, pot, and other cooking accessories. I slimmed down my first aid kit and got rid of everything in my repair kit except for duct tape.Happiness is Cheez-its
Date: 2021-08-31
From: Stratton, ME

To: Jerome Brook
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Back on the trail! Today was mostly climbing, traversing, and descending the Bigelow Range.Lunch was at a campsite between two of the highest peaks of the range. Lunch was supposed to be cheese and pepperoni on bagels, but the bagels (which I had bought two days ago) were moldy. I¢ll have to stop at an inn in Caratunk to buy something to replace the bagels.Happiness is a starry campsite.