morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-14
From: Mahoosuc Lodge, Grafton Notch, ME

To: Pine Ellis Hiking Lodge, Andover ME
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

DAY 79.A SLUGFEST. Woke up this morning with slugs everywhere. On my hammock ropes, on my pack. In my shoes. Ugh.THE HIKE. Blue sky and NO RAIN all day! In to Andover. Am so tired. I was able to schedule a massage (called from the mountaintop) with a lady in Andover; it really helped - she did "Ashitzu" (no, wait, that's the dog); she did Ashiatsu, where she held onto rails attached to the ceiling and deep-massaged my back with her feet!THE LANDING. Pizza. Aah. A real bed in a private room . Hot shower. Yes!AMC. I am officially out of the trail maintenance jurisdiction of the AMC (which stands for Appalachian Mountain Club). Their portion of the Appalachian Trail is by far the worst maintained trail of the whole AT. I don't think they spend any energy to keep it up. I thought at first they were just lazy. No. Mavelolent, wanting to maim, destroy, or kill all AT hikers? Probably not. Greedy? Hmm, the trails used by the huts' paying customers (at $90 a piece each night) are well-maintained, while the AT seems to get NO attention. It is as though they just see us as leeches on their system...JIM FOWLER? Check the pics - (a great action series)
Date: 2008-08-15
From: Pine Ellis Hiking Lodge, Andover ME

To: Pine Ellis Hiking Lodge, Andover, ME
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

DAY 80.THE DAY. NO RAIN today for the THIRD DAY IN A ROW! I slackpacked today (dropped off and picked up at two different road crossings, carrying only lunch and snacks and a few lightweight supplies). I'm hoping to rest my back by slackpacking again tomorrow. I started today with an immediate stream crossing. Popeye and Lil Mak (who did this section yesterday) watched, as I hopped 4' to the first rock, and then as I was struggling to jump to the next rock, the one under me shifted and sploosh! in I went up to my knees! Nothing like starting the day with slurpy, sloshy shoes.MY SPEED. I am having trouble making any decent speed in these mountains. I am concerned about whether I will be able to make it to Mt. Katahdin by my deadline or not. I am hoping to be able to do longer days when the trail levels out farther up in Maine. It seems that all the thru-hikers are struggling to get decent mileage now. I had planned to be back up to 16-17 miles a day by now, but after 10-11 I am worn out!
Date: 2008-08-16
From: Pine Ellis Hiking Lodge, Andover, ME

To: Maine Rt. 17
Miles today: 13.3

DAY 81.MOOSE! I saw my first moose of the trip! Woo Hoo! I can now die a happy man! There he was, the largest moose I ever saw. He charged, and I held my ground with my trekking pole aimed at his right eye.....no, wait, that was my bear story.... This moose was there at the forest edge. After taking the picture, I ran straight at him, having to chase him down after a 2-mile run. I leapt upon his back and rode him until he tired. Grabbing his big floppy ears, I turned him toward Andover, and ran him straight into the side of Ilene's Pine Ellis Hiker Hostel. I jumped off at the last second, but he hit the wall with such force that his head drove clear through the wall. Now, his head shows into the living room and we have put a wooden mounting board around it. We simply feed him hay and grass five times a day, and he seems happy. And he makes a very special wall mounting. Plus, the roses outside are getting some really good, fresh fertilizer. And by the way, PETA, he seems happy....THE HIKE. I did hike 13.3 miles today. The weather was predicted to be showers all morning, with thunderstorms this afternoon. Trying to rest my back again, I "slackpacked" today's hike which took me ten hours to complete. It might have been longer, but thunderstorms to the left, right, and behind me chased me over a couple of mountains. I was blessed to have only a light sprinkle. Thank you, Lord!
Date: 2008-08-17
From: Maine Rt. 17

To: Gull Pond Lodge, Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: broken clouds

DAY 81. Blue skies again today! But my wagon was still draggin' all day. I would have stayed in Andover to attend Church and then hike a short several miles, but I am trying to press the mileage. I feel a sense of urgency to finish the Appalachian Trail as soon as possible, so I can visit my parents in Virginia on the way home.BAM. Lots of mud and roots today. I fell hard twice today - a root (early) and a wet rock (late). With the latter, my dry shoes both went into the creek I was about to cross. So I just sat there and washed off the mud streaks from my lower legs - to look presentable at the day's end when I need to hitchhike the 9 miles to town.
Date: 2008-08-18
From: Gull Pond Lodge, Rangeley, ME

To: Gull Pond Lodge, Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

DAY 82.THE HIKE. We slackpacked 16 miles today. We hiked over mountains in the Saddleback range today (4 large peaks). The day started with a stream ford (shoes off and tied around my neck, crocs on my feet). About 2 miles into the trail, as I was headed down a steep slope, I slipped on a stone step, landing on my pack, then bounced down four more rock steps, banging my left elbow pretty hard. I then discovered shortly thereafter that I had NO strength or stamina for ANY uphill climbs at all, which was most unfortunate since today's 16 mile hike had a cumulative total of over 3,000 feet of climbing. THE DIAGNOSIS. Something is badly wrong with my body. Lyme's disease (recurring from an untreated bout over a month ago)? Electrolytes out of whack? I don't know. I just know that all uphills today felt like I had lead in my legs' veins. It was a LONG 10-1/2 hours on the trail.PEOPLE. Popeye and Lil MAK held back and hiked with me all day - they were my trail angels. At one point, Lil MAK said, "Snakebait, you don't look so good." To which Popeye added, "Well, he never looks too good!" We met KAT on top of Saddleback mountain - I thought she was DAYS ahead of us, but it turns out that she and Night Terror took several zero days at another hiker hostel here in Andover! It is always good to see old friends. And SILVER showed up - he was part of our "Over the Hill Gang"!DRUGS. After conversation tonight with two people who have had Lymes Disease, I have started taking Doxycycline, which I have carried over 1,000 miles. It should address the Lymes. I am planning to zero here and let my body rest.
Date: 2008-08-19
From: Gull Pond Lodge, Rangeley, ME

To: Gull Pond Lodge, Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

DAY 83.ZERO. I zeroed today. I am not sure I could have hiked if my life depended on it. I got a massage on my neck and back this morning. And I drank Powerade all day and evening. I am taking Doxacycline for Lymes. I hope to get relief soon, else Mt. Katahdin will be out of reach.
Date: 2008-08-20
From: Gull Pond Lodge, Rangeley, ME

To: Crocker Cirque Campground, ME
Miles today: 8.9

DAY 84.THE HIKE. Able to hike today. Yea. I would have zeroed a second day for my body to recover more if I could have afforded the time. FIRE. We built a fire tonight - all the wood was wet, but it was good for morale. I am hanging in my hammock tonight - it may get pretty cold. Today was sunny and 40's at the start, and got up into the high 60's. I fell three times this morning. ugh.MOOSE RESCUE! This morning, Popeye was hiking in front of us when he encountered a MOOSE walking in the trail toward him! Excitedly, Popeye began fumbling with his camera to get a picture. What he DID NOT see was what was immediately apparent to me as I arrived from hiking the rearguard: the moose was eyeing him with what can only be called HUNGRY RAGE! As the moose prepared to charge, with probable intent to knock Popeye to the ground, tenderize his body tissues with stomping hooves, and then eat Popeye's innards. I gave a Tarzan yell, and the moose turned and fled. Of course, I have been very humble about saving Popeye's life. Popeye has naively been only aggravated about not getting his moose picture. We heroes are often SO misunderstood.... At least that's MY version....
Date: 2008-08-21
From: Crocker Cirque Campground, ME

To: Stratton Motel, Stratton, ME
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

DAY 85.Beautiful weather again. It is frustrating that I have not yet been able to pick up the pace to take advantage of the blue skies. I think I can ascend Kathadin September 4, Lord willing.
Date: 2008-08-22
From: Stratton Motel, Stratton, ME

To: Stratton Motel, Stratton, ME
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

DAY 86.THE HIKE. We hiked the Bigelow Mountains today. Beautiful views. It was really a 12 mile day, since we had to hike in on a side trail to the starting point.THE BODY. I feel like my energy is back up to about 80%, which still seemed pretty slow, but at least I was able to keep going today. We are trying for a longer day tomorrow.
Date: 2008-08-23
From: Stratton Motel, Stratton, ME

To: Pierce Pond Shelter, ME
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

DAY 87.I'm at a lean-to tonight that overlooks a beautiful pond (pic to follow). They call it a "pond"; it sure looks like a lake to me! A most congenial group at the shelter tonight. Today's hike was on real trails, and I felt at about 90% energy and strength levels today.POPEYE GOES DOWN. Popeye got one of the greatest insults possible today: he fell off a log into the muck of the bog, with the black goo going into his shoes. He struggled to get back up, then got back onto the log, only to fall into the bog again OFF THE SAME LOG! It was funny to watch (it looked like a Dick Van Dyke sort of move), but I didn't laugh until I was sure he was ok.DRIVEN BUGGY. Mosquitoes and black flies about here by the lakesite. The evening air is warm, but I am all covered up with clothes, and all my exposed body parts are soaked in Deet... Saw two shooting stars over the pond...
Date: 2008-08-24
From: Pierce Pond Shelter, ME

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 4.0

DAY 88.A REST BEYOND THE BUGS. This is our last real pit stop before the race to Mt. Katahdin. We got a cabin here at the Northern Outdoor Resort, which has a hot tub; I'm going back in for at least another session in it!THE RIVER. We had to get across the Kennebec River, which is swift and wide. Hikers have died crossing it before. Fortunately, the Appalachian Trail folks provide a ferryman in a canoe to carry you safely across!
Date: 2008-08-25
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Stealth Camp, Moxie Pond, ME
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

DAY 89.THE MOOSE. Finally the concluding picture to my moose story....THE HIKE. Today was a 14-mile 12-mile day: we couldn't get a hitch back to the trail, so we had to hike the two road miles back to the trail. It rained during the night and early this morning, so we delayed starting. We were on the trail at 9:15am, and into camp around 5:30pm. THE CAMPSITE. The book says there should be a lot of moose around here, but we haven't seen any yet. This is a beautiful pond; Maine has no shortage of such gorgeous places. I can hear a loon moaning its mournful cry. There is a bat flitting about our camp; that is good. I don't have enough hair for it to get tangled in, and it is munching bugs as fast as it can fly!
Date: 2008-08-26
From: Strealth Camp, Moxie Pond, ME

To: By the Piscataquis River, in Horseshoe Canyon
Miles today: 15.9

DAY 90.THE HIKE. Perfect hiking weather today. Temperature was in the 50's - 60's all day, with mostly blue skies. There were some rocks, mud and roots, but ALSO some really NICE trails! We had two stream fords today: sit down, take off socks and shoes, put on crocs, wade across, sit down, dry feet, put on socks and shoes. Each crossing seems to take about twenty minutes. Aargh. Both crossings were up to my knees. Shelter registers indicate that just a few weeks ago they were much deeper - one of them was chest-deep! Now, that would be scary.THE CAMP. Had venison/beef stew tonight. Delicious. We're into Monson in the morning. Mosquitos are out now that the sun is down and the wind had died down. Gotta run jump into my hammock to escape!
Date: 2008-08-27
From: By the Piscataquis River, in Horseshoe Canyon

To: Shaw's, Monson, ME
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

DAY 91.We're in Monson today. What a neat little town. Every Friday evening, the locals all converge on the General Store with their musical instruments and have a jam session. I would love to come back for that! This is our last bit of civilization before the 100-Mile Wilderness. It will be a dash for me to get to Mt. Katahdin and get home in time. If I run out of days, I will have to settle for just getting there and taking its picture, and then I'll have to come back next year for the one day to climb the thing! I certainly hope I can make it in this next nine days. I think I can, but who knows what will happen. Oh, the drama!THIS MY LAST COMMUNICATION? I expect this to be my last posting before next week's hike end...I will be in the boonies....
Date: 2008-08-28
From: Shaw's, Monson, ME

To: Long Pond Stream
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

DAY 91.THE HIKE. We slackpacked from Long Pond Stream back to Monson (over 15 miles, including access trail). Again, nice weather (60's-70's). Lots of streams (including one ford) and a waterfall (Little Wilson Falls). ANIMALS. I saw a moose hoofprint as big as my hand - that would translate into a VERY large animal. In the afternoon, as I was hiking pretty fast through a wet area of the trail, I crossed a snake who was hiking across it. He went right between my legs in mid-stride (uh, MY mid-stride, not his - for him it would be technically called "mid-slither"). As soon as we passed each other and I had let out the appropriate yell, we both stopped and stared at one another for a minute, and then went on our separate ways. He was but a common water snake. But I still hollered like a little girl when I first saw him.FOOD. Fuel for today's hike was provided at the hiker hostel: 3 eggs, 3 sausages, 3 strips of bacon, and 3 pieces of french toast. Woof! Supper this evening was at a restaurant featuring all-you-can-eat tacos. I ate eight. Big ones! Now I am finishing my ice cream and cookies. I am now sufficently and properly bloated.
Date: 2008-08-29
From: Long Pond Stream

To: West Chairback Pond, ME
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

DAY 92.A WET WOMAN. We had a couple more stream fords today. After putting on her crocs, Lil MAK always just carries her hiking shoes in the same hand she uses to hold her trekking poles. I started to do the same, but went ahead and tied my shoes to the back of my pack as usual. Almost fully across the knee-high stream, Lil MAK's shoes slipped out of her hand into the water - floating then sinking. She retreived the dripping things. Popeye and I did not laugh. At all subsequent fords, I continued to tie my shoes to the pack.CAMP. This pond is really nice, but doesn't have a lot of campsites for ground-dwellers (i.e., non-tree-hangers). I was so tired it took me 1/2 hour to hang my bear bag; that is, I was too weak to throw the rock high enough over the tree limb, and my little rope was so snarled it looked like my fishing line when I am trying to cast to a really good spot in the lake. Grrrr.
Date: 2008-08-30
From: West Chairback Pond, ME

To: Sidney Tappan Camp Site, ME
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

THE TRAIL. A great day today. Possible showers predicted, but no aqua on us; thank You, Lord! We found a MAJOR blueberry patch coming down Chairback Mountain - berries BIG, JUICY, SWEET, and growing in bunches; we gorged ourselves.MAGIC. At the Katahdin Ironworks Road, there was a large bag hanging on a tree full of sodas and whoopie pies. It was noon. Lunch was had! Thanks to "Whispering Pine" and family.REAL MOOSE. I saw a real bull moose just before getting to the Carl A. Newman shelter this afternoon. About fifty feet away from the trail as I passed, it heard me approach and headed into the edge of the nearby bog. I took off my pack and went into stealth mode, blending into the surrounding forest, clad in my bright yellow shirt. I'm sure he took me for a 170-pound canary. He heard me move a couple of times, but I froze before he saw me well. I got several great photos at about 100' distance. Exhilerating!CAMP. We are at a nice site, though the spring is 1/10 mile away, downhill. We have a great campfire. Ahhh. Mt. Katahdin is only 77 miles away!
Date: 2008-08-31
From: Sidney Tappan Camp Site, ME

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: few clouds

NIGHT-STALKER. About 3:00 this morning, Popeye and Lil MAK heard loud snorts outside their tent. Popeye slipped on his crocs and grabbed his flashlight and camera and shot out the tent to get a picture of what he presumed was a moose. He never saw one, but I had to wonder: just what he was thinking? What was he going to do if he did come face to face with a moose in the dark? We have heard multiple stories of moose chasing people around in the woods! Meanwhile, being ever-vigilant, I slept through the entire event in my hammock twenty feet away.LAST MOUNTAIN. Today I crossed my last mountain before Katahdin (Little Boardman Mtn). 17 miles makes for a long day anytime these days, but with the map showing the trail ahead to be much flatter, I expect to be able to speed up. Less than 60 miles to go.SCAT. Lots of bear scat on the trail the last several miles today. Bears always go in the middle of the trail, while moose always go in the edge of it. My two leading theories about the moose scat placement is that (a) they sashay while they walk, and then just stop in mid-wiggle to go; or (b) they are off cavorting in the woods when the urge hits, and then their moose mama's words come back to them: "Go! Run and back up to the long, white-blazed latrine!" Bears, on the other hand, always go in the middle. My four leading theories about that is (a) they are nature's equivalent of a thru-hiker, and just don't care WHERE they go; (b) they intentionally go in the middle of the trail (often placing it on top of a rock there!) as a means of saying, "Hikers, I am marking my territory." (c) they are nature's practical-jokesters, and are just trying to trick us into stepping in it so they can laugh about it later that night around the bear campfire; or (d) they just eat so many berries (the equivalent of forest prunes), there is no time for going anywhere else as they are hiking; they are just walking along, and then, "Woah! that was fast!" Maybe I'm just thinking about this topic WAY too much....THE TREE PUSHED ME FIRST! It pushed me into a muckhole. I had just negotiated my way through and around a deep trail-hole full of watery muck, and had ended up barely balanced on a rock at the far end. Beside that rock was an accursed spruce tree with very stiff limbs that put just enough steady pressure on my side that I had to step backward. Into the muck, of course. How do I know the tree was accursed? Trust me. By the time I left there, it was, uh, cursed.SHELTER. Where are Popeye & Lil MAK? They are supposed to be around this shelter somewhere, per a note they left me earlier at previous shelter. I am sharing the lean-to with "Aboman", and very few bugs. The brook's cascade is providing such beautiful music right outside our front door...
Date: 2008-09-01
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: White House Landing, ME
Miles today: 13.7

DAY 95.NICE! I had to hike an extra mile off the A.T. to get to this place, but it is worth it. That made for about 15 miles total, but I still got here at 2:00pm! (that is fast for me). The first several miles today were smooth and level; ahh, real hiking! Then roots and rocks. But the temperature was in the 60's and low 70's. I am recharging here for the final push to the end; I plan two 20-mile days to be in position for a Thursday summit of Mt. Katahdin. This is the place where you hike to a spot, then by the lake's edge you have to sound an air-horn for the hostel owner to come pick you up by boat!MORE MOOSE. I startled another bull moose today. This one was only about thirty feet from the trail! He ambled away into the trees and then stood watching me. We engaged in a staring contest. I won. I know I won, because I declared myself the winner before I might hurt him by grinning him down in Davy Crockett fashion.GOOD FOOD! I had a ONE-POUND cheeseburger for supper, with cukes, tomatoes, and fresh squash from their garden. It was so much, I didn't even need dessert (um, plus, this afternoon I had already eaten a whole pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream - that is 1,000 calories there!); my new dietary coach (Popeye) was well-pleased.
Date: 2008-09-02
From: White House Landing, ME

To: Rainbow Springs Campground, ME
Miles today: 19.7

HOT-FOOT HIKING. Today was a good 20-miler. We got a late start, after Bill's all-you-can-eat breakfast and boat ride back across the lake; we didn't hit the trail until around 9:15 this morning. I got here around 6:45 (right at sundown); as it got duskier, I was moving faster and faster that last four miles from the last shelter. I was just looking for a spot to hang my hammock, and before I knew it I was here at this campsite! Lots of roots today. CAMP. A campfire built by someone else. NICE. I am headed for The Birches lean-to tomorrow evening (that is the last stop before summitting Katahdin). It will require a 20+ mile day, but I plan to be on the trail by 7:00am, so I shouldn't have to be in quite as much of a hurry as I was today. I hear a loon calling down by the lake; I like their songs, though some find them a bit spooky in the dark. It is a cool night. Should be good sleeping.
Date: 2008-09-03
From: Rainbow Springs Campground, ME

To: The Birches Shelter, ME
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

DAY 97.STUPID LOONS. Loons at the nearby lake serenaded us all night. That is, until about 4:00 this morning when it sounded like a hundred of them were over there practicing their Christmas cantata. What a cacophony of loony tunes! Nobody could sleep. But they quit after about 20 minutes. Harrumph.I'M HERE! A twenty-one mile day today. Beautiful weather again. After the weeks of solid rain we endured this summer, I don't think I'll ever take for granted nice skies.ON THE EDGE. Tomorrow we summit Katahdin. Everyone here hs remarked about how strange it feels for this to be our last night camping out and the end of the trip. We had s'mores around a great fire. mmmm. I went down to the creek and rinsed off in the cold water; refreshing. And did I mention cold? Washing off takes less time than it use to, because there is about 15% less of me to wash (about 30 pounds less than when I started this trip)!
Date: 2008-01-01
To: How it starts
Miles today: 0.0

It all starts a few days before Christmas, after dad has been hiking recreationally for several months. Holiday, family, fun just around the corner and then comes the hiking talk!! "Hey Chad, I have been reading a bunch about hiking the AT and have decided I really want to do it. The more I read the more I want to do it! So I am going to do it and leave in early March. I think this is going to be an awesome adventure and you really should think about quiting your job and joining me." OK so now the thoughts start rolling.... Being a single guy in my early 30's there really is no hold back for me other then my car, house and job. What would I do about these if I decide this is something I want to do? Would I like hiking over 2000 miles for 5-6 months? What would I do when I was finished and came back to reality?Many questions to answer, and not much time to get them answered! Thinking cap on, talk to you soon!