morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-09-03
From: East B Hill Road

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.1

Having the bunkroom packed with women made for a peaceful, nearly snorefree night. Most of the men were exiled to a teepee outside.This morning Up and Down got back on the Trail and headed north. We other six women slacked the ten mile stretch from South Branch Road to back south to East B Road but with a twist: We all wore our dresses from the night before! We were accompanied by Neon in a florescent violet fright wig.The basic plan was based on the fact going south put most of the ups and downs early on, followed by a long gentle descent. We kept a very fast pace and I was huffing up the first mountain and had a sore hamstring by the end of the day. Still I managed to grab some raspberries on the run.Everytime we encountered other hikers they stared with disbelief. A college orientation group did not know what to make of us. Northbound thruhikers laughed and got out their cameras. We lined up again and again for pictures and I bet we were the most photographed sight of the Trail today. It was the silliest and most fun thing I've done the whole hike.My dress was nice and warm in the chilly morning but I don't recommend flannel for hiking in warm weather. I ended up very sweaty but it was worth it for the fun we were having. Another woman had the best outfit, a frilly polyester party dress that was nice and cool.At the road a car stopped and a couple got out. They were Mama Finch and Finch, who had thruhiked in 2003, there to set out Trail Magic. At first they did not think we were thruhikers, then Finch guessed. He asked "Are you with Bear?" Apparently this is not the first time Bear had sent odd looking hikers out from the Cabin. We lined up yet again for pictures before riding back to Andover and the Cabin. Tonight the cast started changing with new arrivals. Crispy Critter and his wife came, who I last had seen just before they went to Trail Days.246 Miles to go!
Date: 2004-09-04
From: South Branch Road

To: Hwy. 17
Miles today: 13.3

The Hobbit sisters and I decided to slack south from Hwy 17 to South Branch Rd, this time more appropriately attired for hiking. A new couple, Scarecrow and Ineedahug, went along planning to hike the full 23 miles back to East B Hill Rd.Beginning on a height with a nice veiw of the rather oddly named Lake Mooselookmeguntic, we had a short somewhat steep descent from the road which left me far behind. Then came what according to the guidebook was a stream fording, but it was shallow enough to get across on stepping stones. Then across a dirt road and up Bemis Mountain with its four widely spaced peaks.By the first peaks I was running into blueberries. Did I remember to mention how much I love alpine blueberries? Mmmmmmm..... With thirteen miles and the need to meet a 430 pickup time there was not enough time to really gorge, but I could not resist grabbing a handfull whenever I could. Despite delays for berries I found myself passing the others when they stopped for a break. We leapfrogged for the rest of the day because I was slow but took fewer breaks. Scarecrow and Ineedahug rather wisely decided to give up on their 23 mile idea and stop at 13 miles like the rest of us.At Bemis Shelter I ran into the Twins and we stopped for lunch. I was in a silly mood and wrote in the register new words to "We Three Kings""We three twins a' slacking are,With light packs to travel so far,Bemis, Elephant, Old Blue Mountain,Hiking south to the car..."There were some good views and overlooks and nice weather. Elephant Mountain was not too hard and there was a long level spot after that with lengths of bog bridging. But Old Blue was steep and so was the descent, forcing me to slow down because my right hamstring was extremely sore from the fast pace of the past two days. It had been injured two years ago wnen I had been hit by a car at a stopsign while training for the New York City Marathon but it had not bothered me on the Trail up to now. I was the last one out to the road. Along the way were several wooden ladders including the first I had seen on the Trail made of a single log with foot notches cut in it. I have been told there will be more further north.Back at the Cabin, after my shower I snagged the polyester dress, freshly laundered after Party Girl had gone hiking in it. I love how un-thruhiker it makes me look, a fun break from the Trail.I decided to take tomorrow off. It has been more than a week since my last break in Gorham and I had better let my bad hamstring rest. The last thing I want is to have an injury force me off the Trail after getting this far.233 Miles left!
Date: 2004-09-05
From: Hwy. 17

To: Cabin Hostel, East Andover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

With a higher portion of men, the bunkroom snore volume was higher last night. I finally gave up trying to go back to sleep about 430am and got up to read.At breakfast I found myself drafted as Empress of the Cabin. That is sort of like Staff Duty Officer in the Army, except you don't get to carry a loaded .45 pistol. I spent the day minding the phone, picking up after breakfast, emptying the dishwasher, cooking the evening desert and delegating pre-supper tasks. Not QUITE the lazy day of napping I had planned, but that is how things are. Besides, it was a lot of fun helping out.
Date: 2004-09-06
From: Cabin Hostel, East Andover

To: Rangley, ME
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Seven of us left the Cabin and set out from Hwy 17 today but due to other shuttles we did not get to the trail until 1030am.The going was much much easier than past days and I made as good time with a full pack as I had made slackpacking. The ground are fairly level with just a few hills and some mud. There were a fair number of blueberries, scattered raspberries and even a blackberry. Some of the blueberries are getting a bit shriveled and past their prime as they turn overripe and then dry in the sun. I suspect the first frost will finish them altogether. I had planned to go straight through to Stratton. But with the remains of Hurricane Francis looming and heavy rain predicted on the day I'd be crossing a river I decided to go into Rangley. That would allow me to get the morning weather forecast and would let me start this leg with an extra day of food in case I have to wait next to a river for the water to go down enough to ford safely.At the road a couple who had finished a backpacking trip from the north generously give five of us a ride to town. We ate at a pub called Sarge's and then found a motel for the night.Tomorrow back into the mountains for what could end as a wet leg to Stratton.220 Miles to go!
Date: 2004-09-07
From: Rangley, ME

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-To
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

I was lucky this morning as when walking to where I meant to hitch a ride I was offered one by a young man in an SUV. He had sectioned north from here, had just summited Katahdin yesterday and was on his way home.The weather was good with a cobalt blue sky with only the far edges marred by cloud. From the top of Saddleback Mountain one is supposed to be able to see both Mt Washington and Mt Katahdin. I was not sure which distant peaks were them, but took pictures in the appropriate directions for posterity.On the way down my hamstring was aching more emphatically. Either the Ibuprofin I had dosed myself with had worn off or my hip was starting to bother me more. The first tiny dwarf alpine blueberries had appeared going up, some so ripe they burst when I picked them. Now on the sheltered east face they were big and sweet and irresistable. Several times I sat next to a patch to rest my sore hip and picked all within reach. Berries are my cure-all for any problems of spirit or body; they are so good they make any difficulty seem more managable.Next came The Horn and Little Saddleback. Going up the latter I ran into and passed a orientation group from Harvard and pulled ahead steadily despite my hip.At the Lean-to I decided to stop as I had planned. Had I been fit I would have went on several miles, then tomorrow press on to ford the South Branch Carrabassett River before the rain hits. But my hamstring has been bothering me for several days and it seems unwise to push too hard, especially with the Bigelow Mountains coming up right after Stratton. So I will stick to an easy pace and take a rain day if needed.I had settled into reading a mystery novel when first the freshmen arrived then a thruhiker who anounced six more are behind him. So much for my solitude! On the upside, the other Pilot and Vapertrail are coming, so there are familiar women.209 Miles left!
Date: 2004-09-08
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-To

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-To
Miles today: 8.0

The rain started during the night, moderately heavy then stopped by morning. But sprinkles started as soon as I put my pack on and there were showers off and on through the morning. Rather sillyly I brought along a thick heavy mystery novel I had started and could not put down.I went up and over Poplar Ridge and on the reverse slope the blueberriesstarted. Lower down at a logging road I found some nice late raspberries too. But on the way I slipped and fell on a mud slope, bending a pole. Bleah! I am not sure I can get a new section out here. It is usable but crooked and I would not trust my full weight on it anymore.Aside from that I made good time and my hamstring was not bothering me too much when I reached the shelter at noon. I dosed myself with ibuprofin and used my water bladder as a cold pack on my hamstring in hopes of soothing away the damage. Then I spent the afternoon cocooned in my sleeping bag reading the novel. It rained within an hour and went on and off all afternoon becoming more steady into the evening, so I was just as happy to be under a roof. The others from the last shelter filtered through. They hoped to reach Crocker Cirque Tentsite or even Stratton today. As soon as they left a bold red squirrel was right up in the sleeping platform five feet from me to gobble up the crumbs.I was joined by two other thruhikers who chose to tent outside as well as the group from Harvard who set up their usual tarps in an open spot behind the shelter. It took just until 10pm before the freshmen had had enough of the rain and as many as would fit packed into the shelter.201 Miles left!
Date: 2004-09-09
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-To

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-To (Day 2)
Miles today: 0.0

The next day the two thruhikers were gone by 7 and by 9 the freshmen had gotten packed and left as well. Outside it looked remarkably like the remnants of a hurricane passing through with lots of rain and strong gusty winds. I guess that was not too strong since what was left of Frances was forecast to hit today. I stayed in my sleeping bag with a copy of Jules Verne's "Journey to the center of the Earth."Strangely, I did not feel hungry at all until around 1pm when I had one small packet of Cheese Combos. At the Cabin on my last zero day I had felt the stirrings of hunger not long after my huge breakfast and had been ravenous by noon. I was just as glad to save some food in case I had to wait for the river to fall.About then thruhikers began arriving from Poplar Ridge. About four passed through, including HeatMiser whom I had not seen in months and Bluebell who had found my hat for me in Massachusetts. They each stopped for a quick lunch under shelter and then went on to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain 3.5 miles away. It is .6 miles off the Trail and up a steep climb but apparently there is an enclosed cabin there where they planned to spend the night.Around 4 Sweaty Pig arrived and decided to stay here instead of pushing on to the cabin. By then there were occasional lulls in the rain broken by renewed pouring. The gusts almost never stopped.I hope this blows over tonight. I could stay another day before food became a problem but would prefer to get moving. Particularly since I have run out of new books to read.STILL 201 miles.
Date: 2004-09-11
From: Crocker Cirque Tent Site

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

It was a chilly 45 degrees when I woke up. With the mornings getting colder I have been getting up later to let the sun warm things up a bit, so it was 7 when I got on the Trail.It was a crystal clear perfect day. Too bad I was here going up Crocker Mountain, which only has limited views, instead of Sugarloaf with its panoramic vista. At the same time, I was miles of rough terrain ahead of where Sugarloaf was. You can't have everything. At least there were blueberries! What is more, the five miles from the top down to the road to town was an easy gentle descent.The second car to go by picked me up and dropped me off at the White Wolf Inn in Stratton. During lunch I discovered Little Bit, whom I had last seen worrying about Lyme Disease in Dalton Mass. She had gone the whole 3 week course of antibiotics but was waiting until she finished to get tested. She advised me to get tested as well, just in case I had a case that skipped the initial symptoms. Speaking of symptoms, she also told me about Freedom, who had been diagnosed with shingles when we were at Dalton. Well, three weeks later her shingles developed a ring and SHE was treated for Lyme disease! Little Bit, who is a nurse, guessed that Freedom had both shingles and Lyme disease.For lunch I put away a half-pound cheeseburger, sweet-potato fries, a Maine delicacy of fried ferns called fiddleheads, topped off with peanutbutter pie. It was the biggest meal I had had in ages.Next I bought food and did laundry, then went off to my room to relax.Just 15 more miles of the Bigelow Mountains before things flatten out until Monson. Woohoo! Maybe I can finally start speeding up.187 Miles to go!
Date: 2004-09-12
From: Stratton, ME

To: Safford Notch Tent Site
Miles today: 10.4

When I finished hiking yesterday I felt all right but by evening my entire right hip and left knee were hurting like crazy. I fed myself Ibuprofin every 4 hours and by morning they felt better. I also noticed a very small leak near the mouth of my Platypus, so I switched it for the one my twin had brought me at Wind Gap PA. Since the leak is so small I kept it as a spare. I also went and forgot to try to have a new Leki pole section sent to Monson so I will probably have to use the bent one for the rest of my hike.After breakfast at the Mainely Yours Diner I left my room and hitched a ride to the Trail. An older couple who were trying to climb all 100 or so peaks in New England above 4000 feet picked me up. Odd since a couple on a similar quest had taken me to the Trail at Rangely! I was hiking by 9am and started the long ascent to Horns Pond. At the tenetsite there I fell into a conversation with a group of caretakers when I stopped to purify water. They had made a bet between themselves whether I was a thruhiker or sectionhiker. The losers gave me some Oreos and while I ate I complemented them on how much nicer the Trail layout and maintenance was since I went from AMC land to MATC land. That made them all beam with pride and they wished me well on the rest of my hike.Next I climbed up West Peak and Avery Peak of Bigelow Mountain. Much was above timberline and the view was splendid. Using my compass I oriented my map and picked out what might be Mount Katahdin off on the horizon between two nearer peaks. It was hard to be sure without knowing what its silhouette should be at that angle. The real Katahdin might have still been hidden by haze. Going down I enjoyed those yummy alpine blueberries for what might be the last time of the hike. I think the Bigelows are the last 4000 foot peaks until Katahdin and I will probably get there too late for blueberries. So I bid them a sentimental farewell, saying "Goodbye, Alpine Blueberries." It was an emotional parting, but I managed to avoid tears.Then came a seemingly endless string of switchbacks winding down the very steep east face of Avery Peak into Stafford Notch, dodging in and out of house-sized boulders that had tumbled off the peak over the centuries. It seemed to go on forever. Even when I reached the sidetrail it even went UNDER one of those huge boulders through a sort of cave before I finally got to the tentsite at 530. It was alive with mosquitoes, the first I had been bothered by since Vermont, so I hastily set up my tent on a platform, got water, cooked supper and put it under my hat to set, hung my food bag and took refuge inside the tent.To save weight I am having ramen noodles with peanutbutter for protein instead of meat. All the store had was canned meat and fish, which seemed too heavy. So I will have sort of fake Thai food for now. 177 Miles to go!
Date: 2004-09-17
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-To

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: haze

This morning there were stirrings before 530 and it became clear there would be a general stampede toward town and its comforts. I was on the Trail by 6, my earliest start in some time. I scanned the bushes and finally found two raspberries and a blueberry. But at the first road a friend of Tennessee Jack's was waiting with Trail Magic for all who passed. A soda and two candy bars later I was flying happily through the woods. Trail Angels are the greatest!At Highway 15 everyone was waiting on the last few when a pickup pulled up and the driver asked if anyone wanted a ride to town. He turned out to be shuttling for Shaws Boarding House, so that is where I decided to stay. I got a nice private room with a comfortable bed with sheets and even a tv set.By noon I was showered, had picked up my mail drop and had a good cheeseburger at the Monson General Store. Then I sorted everything out, mailed home film and a few odds and ends I would not need the last weeks, and bought food for the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Shaw's has its own stock of hiker needs as complete as many outfitters. I was finally able to replace my Spenco Insoles which I had had since Kent Connecticut and were old and falling apart. I also replaced a bandana I had accidently left at a shelter two days ago.I also got a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, a quart of chocolate milk and a half gallon of whole milk as well as some peaches and bananas to devour while I am here.Then came Shaws' rather legendary AYCE dinner with mountains of ham, potatoes, garden fresh tomatoes, corn and all the trimmings. Yummm!!!!! They were warm hosts, eager to make us feel at home and well cared for.Wow, I have finally reached Monson. Just the Hundred Mile Wilderness and Katahdin left. The end is really coming up! Now when passersby tell me I am almost finished it really feals true, whereas in the difficult early part of Maine that comment had felt bitterly ironic.114 Miles to go!
Date: 2004-09-18
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME (2nd day)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

I had planned on slack packing 14 miles today. But the rain from a cold front and the remains of Hurricane Ivan came unexpectedly far north so I took off my THIRD hurricane day instead. Mr Shaw drove me and two others into Guilford to an ATM and then to Dover for groceries and a stop at McDonalds to buy lunch. Then I spent the afternoon napping.The rain lasted into the afternoon but it is supposed to clear overnight and stay good for at least a week.I will give up the slackpacking idea and hike out tomorrow with five night's food. That will give me 6 days to cover the 73 miles to White House Landing where I sent a food drop.
Date: 2004-09-19
From: Monson, ME (2nd day)

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

A good start into the Wilderness. The weather was cool and overcast but dry with scattered blueberries.Breakfast at Shaws starts at 6am and to simplify things it goes by how many of everything you want. "Two by" mean two each of eggs, bacon sausage, ham and pancakes plus potatoes. I had that yesterday and barely got it all down. "One and a Half by" would be ideal but that was not an option so I had a "One by" and filled the remaining empty spaces with donuts.After that Mr Shaw drove me and another hiker who was ready to the Trail at 7am, a record early start from a hostel. Most hostels are just starting breakfast then. He thanked us for staying with them, shook the other hiker's hand and gave me a hug and peck on my cheek. The trail had ups and downs and I made the 1.5 miles per hour I usually did on rough terrain before New Hampshire. Interestingly the bedrock was slate instead of granite. Things got interesting when I reached Big Wilson Creek. It looked innocently smooth as I prepared to ford. But the current was swift and before I knew it I was in up to my waist. With even deeper holes between the rocks on the bottom it was hard to find footing. I fell forward into the rushing water and had to let my poles dangle and grab the top of a boulder to keep my face above water. Hanging onto it I inched nervously through a fast sluice of water pouring between it and the next boulder. Finally I got to calmer water and made my way to shore. It may not have been seriously dangerous but it was certainly difficult! If that boulder had not been there and I had pitched face first into waist deep water weighted down by my pack and with the current trying to pump me full of water I might have been in real trouble though! I was relieved to be on dry land again. My pack stayed dry but my shorts and the front of my t-shirt were drenched.Then came Long Pond Stream. It was not so wide but I surveyed it and found that while I could get most of the way across on rocks in several places, there was always a gap too wide to jump. So I had to ford it as well. It turned out to be only knee deep, much to my relief and I got across without trouble.Then I finally got to the shelter. I was first there but two others arrived by dark.99 Miles to go!
Date: 2004-09-20
From: Long Pond Steam Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-To
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was cool with mostly clear skies and continued scattered blueberries. It also marked my sixth month on the Appalachian Trail.I went over four of the five peaks of the Barren-Chairback Range making for a strenuous day. I started with the 1700 foot climb up Barren Mountain. Then from Fourth Mountain I got my first unquestionable look at Mount Katahdin. No mistaking it peeping up above the horizon in between two nearer mountains.With all the ups and downs I thought I was on Third Mountain three times before I actually got there. By the time I got to Columbus Mountain I was getting tired and sore-footed. Then to my surprise I burst upon the shelter almost before I realized it.Finding the privy and water was a bit of an adventure as both were well hidden. By then one of my companions from last night got in. Then at about 6 a whole herd started arriving from Wilson Creek shelter. Another full house and more tenting.88 Miles to go!