morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Wadleigh streem lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Streem Lean-to
Miles today: 10.1

Good nights sleep awoke and up about 7:00. Breakfast of creem of wheet, oat meal, slim jim and coffee. As always, I looked at Kelly's picture while geeting out my nootbook and I sure miss seeing and being with her. She is the love of my life and my best friend. Got to go 10.1 miles today to Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to. Not raining now, God is good it will feel good walking w/o rain. 7:40 packing up to move out. Left shealter 9:30 had a little climb first thing stoped at overlook and took picture across lake Nahmakanta beautifull sight hope picture turns out good. God made so many beautifull things. Met a North bound section hiker, (Karl) he warrned of some stream crossing which had to be forded. Karl said that Walabi (met Walabi on Kathadin) may quit in Monson he hurt his foot or leg? Met two girl section hikers going north they reported also that Walabi may call his parrents to pick him up in Monson. Morer bogs, rots and rocks one difficult streem crossing very difficult over small slick logs. Stoped at Pemadomcook lake and took picture of Katahdin (we were on top of it 4 days ago). Continued on to Potaywadjo spring lean-to. Very tired reached lean-to at 4:15 strung cloths line hung wet cloths up to dry, put on dry cloths (feels sooo good). Filtered water, built fire. Apostile Paul got here @ 5:30. Supper of Ramon Noodles, w/tuna, hot coco & snicker. Very good day, God is good. I miss Kelly, 7:45 goint to bed.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Potaywadjo Streem Lean-to

To: Cooper brook falls lean-to
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

up at 5:30 must get early start to meet Charlie's wife and sister in law at Jo-Mary rd. to pick up food drop. Didn't sleep as good last night? Good to get up and put on dry cloths (dirty and stinky) but dry. Breakfast of slim jim, oat meal, coffie and fruit. Got started walking @ 8:00 easy walk with a few bog walks and streem crossings which we could cross by steping from rock to rock. Beautifull scenery, Lily of the valley along the trail. We see moose tracks along but no moose since Monday. Got to Jo-Mary rd. where we will meet Mary Ann & Barbara it is 12:00 noon. They were to meet us here at 2:00 that was as close as we could estimate 5 days ago. Only 2 hours off isn't bad. Hoping for privy at road crossing but no such luck, had to use cat hole digger (small spade), worked fine. Waiting now for Mary Ann it's good to just rest. The day has been good weather fair when we started off, partly cloudy now about 65deg. w/wind. After sweating for 4 hours and stoping, the wind chills. Put on wind jacket and am confortable. God is so good to give us this beautifull day and so many beautifull things to see and enjoy. treated boots with waterproofing while waiting for Mary Ann. Here they come wow what a car full of food (real food) subs, cola, cake, chips, vegies w/dip, fresh fruit, water mellow, etc. what a feast. True trail angles (trail magic) Apostle Paul came by while they were here and they resupplyed him with some stapples, even some insect spray. Andy from Ga. passed us he is another South bounder left after us but he is young and makes more miles a day. He just missed us at Jo-Mary rd. where he could have jouned us for some treats if he had been a few minutes early. 3.7 hard miles into Cooper brook falls shelter. We are here with Andy and Apostle Paul. Beautifull falls w/large pool at base. Good swimming if it was 40deg warmer and the water was about 86deg but it isn't and i aint swimming today! Hung out cloths to dry, filtered water for supper tonight and supply for tomorrow. Still full from trail magic at Jo-Mary rd. Good day God is good and Yes, I still miss Kelly.
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Cooper brook falls lean-to

To: Logan brook lean-to
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Cooper brook shelter 8:30 Apostle Paul and Andy already gone. Made good time, many good views. Had lunch by Crawford pond saw moose on far side as it went from in pond into woods. Got off trail for a short destance, missed trail turn. Was able to rock hop across east branch of pleasant river, we wer expecting to have a chest deep ford of river based on report from Karl (he must have been refering to another crossing) when we talked to him along the trail earler this week. Stoped and took a break at east branch lean-to. Signed into shelter register hoping Apostle Paul would check it and know how far ahead we wer. Left east Branch Lean-to at 1:45 hoping to get to Logan brook lean-to by 5:00. Steep climb toward white cap mt. really hurting and out of water about half way between east branch and logan brook. Just as I ran out, we spoted a piped spring coming out of side of hill. A white piece of pice from hill was carring clean cold water. I filled up two liter bottles. Good we found that water, it was another hour to shelter. Arrived at Logan Brook at 4:15/4:30. Andy was there waiting. He arrived about 1 hour earlier. After a cold bath in brook and washing cloths in brook we took care of our feet kept waiting for Apostle Plau and worried that he may not make it. After supper, we cleaned up pots. Sitting if front of shelter while Andy tryed to start a fire, Apostle Paul came huffing and puffing in after 7:30. Good to see Paul. Good day hard day but no injuries, God is truelly good. I miss you Kelly
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Logan brook lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhall Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: few clouds

Short mile day but long hard day. Starting out at 9:00 with ascend from logan brook (2,350') to White Cap Mt. (3,654") what a climb and then the decend rough on feet and knees. Then another climb to Hay Mtn. and to West Peak Mtn. and to Gulf Hages mtn. 4 mountains up and 4 mountains down all steep. We met Magic NoBo (north bound) from Ga. started back in Jan. only about 5 days from compleating the trail. were passed by Mark and Jorday south bound. Arrived ar Carl A. Newhall Lean-to. Mark and Jorday tenting at tent sites near here. We arrived at 4:30, filtered water washed w/baby wipes powdered vital parts, pampered feet fixed and ate supper after hanging up wet cloths. Black flyes worse today in areas, still itching from bites on Monday. Tired knees and legs aching fromups and downs. No falls to thanks be to God. He is so good to me. Really missing Kelly.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Carl A. Newhall Shelter

To: Chairback gap lean-to
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained all night last night hard. Wet and cold this morning. Up at 6:45 reading to head out. Breakfast of Grits, pop-tarts and coffee. Washed pot and spoon, brushed iverys, visited the big brown bear (toilet), packed up and moving south about 9:30. We were concerned about crossing the west branch of the pleasant river. The walk to the river was pleasant. It was cool, damp and cloudy. Few rocks and roots. saw a moose pounce out of the brush and across the trail in front of us. Crossed pleasant river at 1:30 about knee deep water was very cold. After river trail started a gradual ascend then it crossed kathadin iron works rd. Then the trail started a steep ascend from750' to 2,200'. A very steep and at times treatorus climb w/trail crossing rock fields. At what I thought was the peak, we tryed out cell phones. I called Kelly and was very glad to hear her voice. She was doing well and said she, Lori, Jimmy and Tray wer able to climb Mt. Washington last week (took 11 hrs). Also called Mom and Dad good to hear from them. Continued to peak of Chairback Mtn. (boulder climb) reached lean-to about 6:30 very tired. Apostle Paul arrived about 8:15 good night. I love you Kelly.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Chairback gap lean-to

To: Long pond Streem lean-to
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early (6:00) and left Chariback Gap lean-to for a long day expecting to arive at long pond streem lean-to about 5:00. What a misjudgement that was with a 1,000' steep up to start with and 6 more peaks very steep peaks and matching decends on rock piles more like rock climbing than hiking. We reached the peak of Forth Mtn. and I dicided to try and call Kelly. I was able to get her and wow how good it was to here her. After 6+ more miles we arrived at Long Pond Treeem Lean-to at 7:45. A quick trip to streem to filter water and cool feet. Charlie and myself are both beat. We call our wifes and ready for bed. Apostle Plus didn't come in tonight..He must have decided to stay at Cloud pond lean-to good day, no injurys. God is good, good night Kelly
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Long pond Streem lean-to

To: Leeman lean-to
Miles today: 12.1

Up at 6:00 looking through food bag running low on all food items and at least 2 more breakfast and one more supper to go before we arrive at Monson. I have i pack grits, 1 pack of oat meal and one Ramon noodles left. For Breakfast today, I decided on the Trits. I cut up small pices of beef jerky and mixed with grits. Saving oat meal for last breakfast before Monson (celebration breakfast end of 100 mile wilderness). Planned food supply a little too close. Readying to pull out hoping for a 12.1 mile day today. Joints are acheing from the rough walk/rock climb yesterday. Pulled out 8:30 had to ford long pond streem first thing a little over knee deep. Another streem crossing later was succesfull with only one slip with not much water in boot. Next streem crossing Wilbour brook should have been easy but as I walked down first sloped rock into creek, fixing to step onto rock out into creek, both feet slipped and I went down hard into the creek up to my waist in water trying to keep pack out of water. Another crossing at Wilson streem had to ford that above knees w/rock bottom very slick. Mamy steep ups and downs again. Charlie and myself are both exausted but must go on we are both about out of food. Not making much time we are so tired of rock climbs and decends so dangerous. Stoped ata Wilson falls for pictures about 6:30. We knew we would be late geeting to next shelter 3.6 miles left. Had to stop often for rest walked by head lamps untill 10:15 when we reached shealter. What a day tired tired. Ate quick supper and in bed.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Leeman lean-to

To: hwy 15 and Monson
Miles today: 3.0

Up about 9:00 after geeting in late last night. We shaired last single serving pack of oat meal I had mixed w/some frut Charlie had. This w/coffee and jerky was breakfast. Food is gone. 3 miles to hwy 15 and end of 100 mile wilderness. Then 4 mile to Monson. Arrived at hwy 2:15 after leaving lean-to at 12:15. Caught ride to Monson and Shaw's bording house. Andy is here and doing well. Got registered washed cloths, showered, had a great meal at Mikes BBQ Talked to Kelly for 30-40 min talked to Tony (my brother) and then to bed. Good day, God is truelly good to me.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: hwy 15 and Monson

To: rest
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Resting from hard 10 days and resupplying for next section. Enjoying just eating (breakfast at Shaws I hade 2 of everthing (2-eggs, 2 baccons, 2 sausage, 2 hams, 2 pan-cakes, 2 toast, with hash browns, coffee, orang juice. Good day, God is good.
Date: 2004-06-12
From: hwy 15 and Monson

To: Horse canyon lean-to
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

Up at 6:30 readingfor another great breakfast (2 of everything) at Shaws before leaving for the trail. There will be 4 or us leaving together heading South. Myself, Charlie and Dave and Chris. Dave and Chris both skipped several (20-30) miles of the 100 mile wilderness and came into Monson to nurse injures. Both are still hoping some. Must go on trail by 9:00. Takeing advantage of real flushing tolet for the last time for a while. Beautifull day sunny, warm good for hiking. Got started about 9:15 at hwy 15 where we stoped 2 days ago. Made good time, got a couple miles in and Charlie realized he had forgotten his thru-hikers companion back in Monson. He called Mr. Shaw hoping that he could find it and meet us at a road crossing about 3 miles down the trail. At the road, Mr Shaw came by and carried Charlie back to town to find the Thru-Hikers Companion (a bood full of info we need for the trail). After Charlie returned, we continued on to Horseshoe canyon lean-to, arriving at 4:15. Had to walk back about 1/10 of a mile to filter water. 2 more south-bound hikers camed along and stayed at lean-to. A total of 6 hikers (crowded). Easy day hiking beside river no photos today. Was blessed with a safe walk today. While waiting for Charlie to return, I talked to another thru-hiker (Dave, a trial lawyer from Greenville, SC.) about how much I missed my Wife, I do miss Kelly.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Horse canyon lean-to

To: Bald mtn. brook lean-to
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at 7:00 dressed ate breakfast and did my dovotion. Thinking about Kelly she would be geeting ready for Church now 7:55. I miss being in Church with Kelly. Should be easy day today unless we decide to go over Moxie Bauld Mtn. before we stop. Geeting ready to pull out. Should be on trail by 9:15 easy walk by river with 2 river crossings by foot.l Arrived at Moxie Bauld lean-to (note: you can view most lean-tos on a wed site "whiteblaze.net"). At 2:30 took picture across bauld mountain pond. Decided to cont. on overf Moxie Bauld Mtn. reached peak about 5:00 called Kelly on cell phone. It was sure good to hear her voice. I sure love and miss her. Before talking to Kelly, I was kind of down, but just hearing her voice and seeing her in my mind perked me up. I can't wait to see her at the n.h./ver. border. Took picture on Moxie Bauld Mtn. Then cont. down to Bauld Mountain Brook lean-to. Arrived here at lean-to at 7:10. Dave built a fire (he is a fire building may). Charlie and myself filtered water. I bathed in creek Brrrrr cold water. Hung out cloths to dry, fixed supper, ate and now going to bed. God blessed again today with safety and beautifull views. Good night.
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Bald mtn. brook lean-to

To: Pleasant pond lean-to
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept late this morning, 7:30 long day yesterday w/13 miles and Moxie Bauld Mtn.. Today should be a short day w/about 9 miles and one mountain Pleasant pond Mtn. Fair, warm. God has blessed me indeed with the chance to enjoy the beauty of these mountains and with good weather.l I guess Dave (who has been walking with us for 3 days) will walk on with us to Stratton Me. Today started out with usual breakfast and then packing up everything we have ready to carry it to the next stop. Leaving at 10:15 late start, will be climbing Pleasant pond Mountain. elev. 2,500 long gradual climb 5 miles to top. Was able to call and talk to Kelly. It just perks me up hearing her voice. I love and miss her so much. After talking to Kelly, we start what we thought was out tripo down the mtn. only to find out that we had another 1/2 mile and 200 more feet of elev. gain to reach the peak wow. The peak had good views all around. The decend of Pleasant pond Mtn. was very very steep and dangeraous a rock climb down at times. Thhis with a 50+ lb. pack pushing you makes it hard. We reached Pleasant Pond lean-to at 4:00. After bathing vigtal parts as best I could w/baby wipes, dusting good w/baby powder, puting on dry cloths, pampering feet, rubbing aching joints and muscles w/Robbie Carrol's magic/special formular, hanging up cloths and mending stuff sack I settled down to make this journal entry. Charlie built a fire trying to smoke the mosquitos out of the lean-to. Chris (no trail name) came w/Tape Worm and Noam shuffer. 4 in lean-to tonight crowded w/one tenting. But thats trail life. Ate supper and turning in for night.
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Pleasant pond lean-to

To: Caratunk
Miles today: 5.7

Up at 6:05 need to get early start. Breakfast of oat meal, pot-tart, slim-jim and coffee. Sprinkling rain allready. Easy walk, arrived at us route 201 (Caratunk caught ride to ferry man's. He doesn't have anywhere to stay carried us to P.O. to pick up mail drops (I got my new trecking poles Kelly sent me I sent my damaged ones back to her so she can get REI to replace them (or maybe Leki) and then to Nothern outdoors resort where we could get us a room for the night. We saw Dave, he had a room with 4 beds he offered for us to stay in with him. We'll pay our share. Done laundry, showered, put on clean cloths and making this entry on Dave's laptop. Life is good, God is very very good and I still Miss Kelly.Stay in touch, Tony and Lucille I need your e-mail address(
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Caratunk

To: West Carry Pond Lean To
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

13.7 miles Up at 06:00 and ready for a long mileage day. We had breakfast in a restaurant. They fixed a breakfast buffet for two bus loads of kids on a rafting trip. the restaurant manager saw that we were thru hikers and let us eat from the buffet with the kids for $4.95 plus tax. All you could eat- they really fed us well. After breakfast we went back to the room and finished packing up for the move south across the Kennebec river and up the mountains again. Dave is staying here another day waiting for a mail drop and nursing sore feet and legs. A beautiful day- not a cloud in the sky at 06:30- warm. God has blessed us with another great day. I have been getting many messages from friends, family, and church/Sunday school class members thru my journal page. I can't answer all of them, but thanks to all for prayers and encouragement, stay in touch. We caught a ride back to the AT about 08:30 and hiked down to the Kennebec river. The ferryman ferried us across about 09:00 and we headed south. The trail followed Pierce Pond streamfor the first couple of miles with good views of several small waterfalls. Very good hiking today with just small ups and downs and creek crossings. We passed up Pierce Pond lean to, wanting to get more miles in today. Stopped for a break and heard brush breaking as a large deer was spooked by something and bolted through the woods. Charlie saw itas he was closer to where the deer ran to. Walked by East Carry Pond for awhile and then back into the thick forest. So many wild flowers of many different kind growing along the trail, just as if they were planted there. Then I realized that they were planted there by the Master Gardner, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with no help from us, God just makes them flourish. God is so good allowing me the chance to see and enjoy His creation. Thought of Kell all day as usual and missed her. I worried about her today. She sounded down when I talked to her last night. I can't call today, don't have a cell phone signal. Arrived at West Carry Pond and walked by the shore of it for a while and arrived at the West Carry Pond lean to at 5:15pm. 13.7 miles in 8 hours- not bad. Tried to call Kelly again but no luck. Maybe tomorrow on the mountain top (Little Bigelow). Cleaned up, pampered feet, filtered water, hung clothes to dry, and fixed supper 7:00pm- tired tonight- will be in sleeping bag before dark.
Date: 2004-06-17
From: West Carry Pond Lean To

To: Safford Notch camp site
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Up at 6:45am- didn't sleep good last night- mosquitoes and black flies were bad and I itched all night from bites received from yesterday. Breakfast of oatmeal and coffee and instant milk. Beautiful day, sunny and warm. Left camp at 9:15am with easy walk with mild ups and downs. Crossed Long Falls Dam road. In the center of the road was written 2000miles. We now had less than 2000miles to go once we crossed that line. Wow, only 1993 miles left as I make this entry. (called and ordered flowers for Kelly) Met a NOBO thru hiker (Heat Stroke)-he left GA in March-he has walked 2000miles. He was about to cross the 2000mile line. Continued on and took a break at Little Bigelow lean to. Filtered more water and then began the steady and sometimes steep climb up Little Bigelow mountain. We wanted to make Safford Notch campsite before stopping for today. When we reached the top of the mountain I called Kelly. It was wonderful to hear her voice-she had gotten her flowers. After talking to Kelly we continued on down Little Bigelow mountain and had a hard fall coming down. God protected me as usual, only a couple of bruises. Arrived at Safford Notch campsite at 7:15pm. Set up tent, cleaned up with baby wipes, put on dry clothes and filtered water. I am tired tonight, long day. Fixed and ate supper about 9:15pm. Going to bed now. Another day God blessed us with. And I was able to talk to my wonderful wife. Good night.
Date: 2004-06-18
From: Safford Notch camp site

To: Cranberry Stream Campsite
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: light rain

Awake at 7:15am-slept good last night except for fighting gravity. My tent was not on level surface so I kept sliding down hill off of my sleeping pad. Chest hurts from falling yesterday. I landed with my fist under my chest. Got a big mountain to climb today(Bigelow). I hope I am up for it-only 5.3miles, but tough miles. It is 07:48am now and I am still in my tent getting my journal up to date. Ate breakfast of oatmeal, pop-tart and coffee. Broke camp late, tired form long mileage yesterday. Filtered water and left heading south at 11:00. Passed a family of SOBO hikers-father, son and daughter. Mother and other son had to leave the trail because of son's sickness. They are hoping to rejoin the rest of the family and finish hike to GA. Made it to Avery Peak about 1:30pm. While taking a break and enjoying the views, Tape Worm came up to the peak. Noam Shuffer showed up later. We took pictures of everyone with each others' cameras. Charlie and I moved on towards West Peak(called Kelly). Tape Worm and Noam Shuffer passed us later. Charlie and I decided to continue on down the mountaintoward SR27 wanting to tent campat Cranbery Stream campsite. Made ti to campsite at 7:30pm. Put up tents, filtered water, cleaned up with baby wipes, dusted with baby powder pampered feet ate supper, hung food bags and went to bed.
Date: 2004-06-19
From: Cranberry Stream Campsite

To: Stratton
Miles today: 1.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained all night last night. Still raining and must get out and take down tent and make 2 miles into Stratton. Charlie has mail at PO he must pick up before 12:00 noon- I'll be walking in the rain today. Started at 08:45 and arrived at highway 27 at about 09:45. Raining and cool, started hitchhiking to Stratton. Small sports car heading in the opposite direction turned around and came back. He said he could only carry one at a time with pack, but that he would come back and get the other. I told Charlie to go on because he needed to get to the PO. About a minute after they left a car which had passed earlier and did not stop came back to pick us up. It had started raining harder by then. After getting to the White Wolf Inn I carried clothes to the laundromat (there I saw two more SOBOs Bob and Sharon). Returning to the Inn I took a shower, put on clean clothes-ohhhh felt soooo good, Charlie and I went down to restaurant and got a big burger w/ff. Went to market (they sell everything from paint to fresh meat). Very small store but good variety. Returned to room and split up food, continued to dry out sleeping bag and tent. While at the market met two NOBOs (the soul mates). They left GA Feb 1st. While getting things ready for tomorrow Charlie came in with 1/2 gallon of ice cream about 1/2 full. The soul mates couldn't eat it all so they gave the rest to us. Called Kelly on the cell phone- will wait for her to call tonight on the pay phone downstairs. Benn a restful day-only 1.9 miles. Big climb tomorrow and 9+ miles to campground. Ate supper received phone call from Kelly. I sure do miss her. If I had known how hard it would be being away from her, I would never have done this AT hike. I knew it would be hard but not this hard. Anyway, we'll make it because our love and relationship is strong and we have help from God. Packed up and ready to move on south tomorrow. Good night.