morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Mt Katahdin

To: Hurd Brook Lean To
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Now I must say thanks Mom for making me bring a sleeping bag cause it was freezing! And the bugs! The bugs are awful. So once again Mom your right, I also need some bug stuff. I don't know if I slept or not. It doesn't feel like it, but I woke up with energy. Did you know that the sun comes up at 4:30 a.m.? I didn't believe my neighbor when he told me.To my surprise, there was a gift on my picnic table, wrapped in the funny pages. My neighbors are so sweet they gave me a parting gift. Love that trail magic!I started out at 8:00 a.m. for Hurd Brook-only 13 miles away. Most of the hike was flat. The departing view from Katahdin was unbelievable. As I came to Abol Bridge, about 9.5 miles from my camp, I saw a tiny shop. The sign read "Schlitz, What Made Milwaukee Famous". This was the campground store, everything inside was really expensive.I eyed a turkey sandwich for what seem like hours. $2.99, a dollar for every inch. I could have finished it in 2 bites. I HAD to have it, and a Reeses, and a Mt Dew. Stop already I thought. I made it last. I took about 10 bites - It had about 1/2 lb of turkey, 1/2 package of cheese, 1/2 jar of mayo(which I hate), Lettuce and pepper, and it was all crammed into a 3 inch bun. Best sandwich I ever had!This was now the entrance to the 100 mile wilderness. Better grab another Reeses...No civilization for 100 miles.A couple of girls were walking out of The Wilderness as I approached the entrance. They had hiked the 100 miles and were happy to be done. Next a guy came out. He was going to through hike but had to turn around cause he twisted his knee. It's like the day hikers on Katahdin said when I asked if they were thru-hikers..."No, but we are through hiking!"Seeing someone battered and quitting already was scary. I found out how scary it was in the first few miles. As if the caution sign doesn¢t scare you enough. I just took a picture of it. I don't want to know how bad it really was. The giant bear prints down the path are enough! Not to mention the tiny cat prints too!The 100 mile is very dense too. VERY dense. It¢s hard to see the trail in many places. The blazes also seem to disappear. You are also constantly forced to walk through streams. In some areas the foot path is just a board taking you over marshes, other areas have long natural boulder steps that stretch for thousands of feet.I saw my first bear rather quickly after entering. I walked right by him, within 10 feet. He didn't mind me, and I didn't bother him. I did take a hundred steps in 5 seconds. I Thought I may have to clean my shorts, but I was okay. Should I take a picture? I thought I could hear my Mother screaming in my conscious "Keep going" and she was right! Why hang around and become dinner, he gave me my Get out of jail card all ready!
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 3 in the 100 mile wilderness.At camp I met a guy named Matt. Matt was from Rochester, New York. He had a lot to say. Matt threw all of his paper and whatever extra weight he had straight into the fire. Smoke poured out billowing for hours into the two section hikers tents next door. Matt was crazy...But he was good company!When we woke in the morning Matt was one giant bug bite. "Bugs just like me" he said. "I thought it was a sign of having good blood" Okay? Matt decided to get a start on me while I packed. We were going to kind of try to stick together for the 100 mile. He came back 1/2 hour later and decided to take a zero day. Not cool when you are in the middle of nowhere with limited food. Supposedly his knee hurt. My whole body hurt but I walked anyway. I tried to knock some sense into him, but it didn't work and he said he would be okay.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 4 -in the 100 mile wildernessToday I decided to listen to the radio as I walked. The terrain was supposed to be relatively flat and easy. I walked on to Cooper Brook Falls. The last 2 miles almost killed me. I felt like I was walking into a brick wall. At the shelter I met a guy named David.Dave was an interesting fellow. He had a southern accent and I think he was from South Carolina. It seemed like Dave missed his family and didn't want to be alone out here, most people come out here to be alone. David had some pretty cool gear, he had flown to Phoenix to take sewing lessons for Ray Jardine (an expert ultra light backpacker)...So I named David "Seamster" for his ability to sew.We stayed up and chatted until 1:30 a.m. Seamster really was fun to hang out with, but I had already started my downhill spiral- I can't stay up all night, at least not yet because I had a 3,000 foot climb tomorrow. I also can't make friends because that means socializing in towns and spending money.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Logan Brook

To: Newhall
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 6 - 100 mile wildernessOtto and I hung out for a while and headed straight up White Cap Mountain. Seamster was a bit slow getting out of bed. I grabbed him water before my departure because he was light headed. Otto and I were on our way to meet the legendary Seiko, first however we would spend the night at Carl A. Newhall lean-to. 7.2 miles wasn't so bad- you feel a lot better at the end of the day!Otto tried to teach me the ethics of enjoying the trail; he would walk 2 miles until tired, eat so snacks, have a cigarette and let Raven relax. His method was serene and enjoyable; however it did make for some long days. Otto ALWAYS quit by 5 p.m. and never later - many times he may quit early (like 10 a.m.) that's just Otto...Gotta love him because he gave me some good advise.Seamster made the stretch and stayed with us however, he didn't look so good in fact when he heard Seiko would be at the Hermitage Crossing his eyes lit up. Seiko is going to give me more food and David asked for some too. Seamster finally decide you can't live off Ramen Noodles and do this high energy work out- even if you are trying to lose weight(he lost 20 pounds in less than 2 weeks)Otto and I stayed up late and chatted. He ran out of Camels and had an insatiable craving for a cigarette. The next morning would be interesting without nicotine for this guy. He was afraid he would quit breathing if he didn't have a cigarette before hiking!
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Newhall

To: Monument Cliff
Miles today: 0.0

Day 7- 100 mile wildernessIt was 6 miles to the Hermitage and supposedly Seiko had cigarettes for Otto, Otto mainly ran the first six miles without a break...Rare for this man!Seiko was there with a welcome smile, he screwed with Otto saying he hadn't had time to go buy cigarettes. He was only kidding and reached in the glove box and pulled out a box of camels. Otto was relieved."Did Otto give you any good advice" asked Seiko. "Of course¢ I said. "Good cause you need to forget it all- I've know him for 5 years and he just learned how to walk right yesterday" said Seiko. "I'm Seiko" ... "I'm Tape Worm" I replied. He looked at me funny and said "Okay!" "Otto gave me the name" I said. "Interesting" replied Otto.Seiko offered toasted bagels with cream cheese and also orange juice. Otto tossed me extra snacks and 2 meals all of which lasted 1/2 day for my appetite is overwhelming.Seiko also showed me the data book trick. I could name any shelter on the A. T. and he could tell me where it was and how many miles it was to the next. He had completed 13 through-hikes. He was a story tell and a damn good one at that! He was 61 years old and moved around constantly as if he was only 18...smoked like a chimney but was never out of breath. Ever since retiring as a Major General in the military he has walked at least 1,200 miles per year. Seiko told me stories about the Deli Challenge after I asked about the four state challenge. He said "Don't get involved in speed hiking-enjoy the trail" and then chalenged me to the Deli Challenge...Beginning in Kent, NY you can hit 14 Deli's for 60 miles not having to carry any food with each Deli no more than 1/2 mile off the trail.   Campsites are also close by.My favorite quote from Seiko "Don't let the hiking get in the way of the trail experience" He was right too! There is so much to see out here. He also said that most injuries happen in the first two weeks and that most South-bounders quit in Monson.Seiko took Seamster into town and after a long break and a good time; Otto, Raven and I decided to move onward to Monument Cliff for cowboy campground. Elevation 1,920 feet...Not to shabby. The view was gorgeous, but the wind speed sucked. The temp with wind chill was about 32 degrees. Otto freaked out when I stood on the edge of the cliff. "It's windy Worm" he said. "It's not safe....PLEASE...For me. You can have some of my candy bar!" I moved back for him, but then Raven tried it and Otto freaked out again. I told him it was a good photo op. He took it then made Raven come back. We cooked, ate and then laid in some natural crevices directly on the A.T. to block the wind. It was great and the stars were unbelievable!Before Otto went to sleep he gave me some good advice... "You should stop taking so many picture of the scenery and start taking pictures of the people you meet and the experiences you have" Thanks Otto!
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Monument Cliff

To: Wilson Valley
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: broken clouds

Day 8 - 100 mile wildernessToday Otto and I walked down to the Long Pond Stream, where he was to meet Seiko at the road. Thankfully I was there to help him out with Raven over Barren Mountain. It was straight up mountain climbing. It was great, but dangerous for a dog.At Long Pond Road we met Seiko and I was able to meet Chris. She is 37 and from Michigan. Very friendly. She gave me a pack of Salmon and also some breakfast bars. Seiko said I couldn't eat everything he was about to give me by the time I got to Monson. I did! He gave me... 5 bagels, squeeze butter, coleslaw, apples, orange, sausage(4 links) and a meal, oh and one of Otto's candy bars. I did eat it all. The day before he gave me oatmeal and gorp. UNBELIEVABLE! Thanks Seiko and Otto!I left the clan and traveled on to Wilson Valley Lean-to. So on the way to Wilson Valley Otto yells "Are you sure you're going the right way?" The guy has the nerve to give me crap after he just took a half hour to ford a little river. I told him not to take off his shoes... But No! It took me 30 seconds.Well I WASN'T going the right way. First off I walked 1/2 mile down the wrong trail. Then came back to the road and found the real blaze, then to my surprise, one mile in the trail forked with no blaze to the right, the trail to the left had an engraved blaze so I choose to follow it even though it looked a little different than what I'm used to. Within 5 minutes the trail was overgrown. The blazes were still there, they were white but weird looking. I knew this had been the trail at one time but no longer. It had to take me close to the new trail sometime so I continued to follow it. It was too late to turn back now anyway. I'd get lost if I did that. I walked 5-6 miles bush whacking trough the weeds and trees for hours to finally stumble upon the back of a privy. This was a good sign. A very good sign. There had to be shelter about 100 yards away...another 50 yards from there was the real trail. Thank you Lord!!! I prayed more times those 5 hours than in the past month....talk about growing in spirituality! This was the Wilson Lean-to. My first shelter alone. There was a bag of food hanging from the rafters and tools everywhere. There was also a sleeping pad. What a concept! Comfort! I built a fire and ate all of the food Seiko gave me. What a beautiful night. I fell asleep after the fire started to die down. Tomorrow, Monson, Maine, my first taste of civilization in 118 miles.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Wilson Valley

To: Monson
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Day 9- 100 Mile wildernessI woke up and toasted a couple of bagels. I combed my hair and put on some deodorant. I had no clue what I looked like! A very weird feeling!I had only 10 mile to Monson and the walk was simple. When I arrived at the road and was greeted by Seiko driving into the lot at the exact moment I arrived. "Need a ride?' I was so scared to hitch-hike. This made it so easy. "Thanks Seiko"Seiko took me to the first gas station to pick up some Ben & Jerry's Phish Phood (my favorite ice cream) they even gave me a spoon! "It may be a little hard for you with a spoon like that...You'll have to wait!" Then right away I opened it and ate it in no time. 1 pint down in 4 minutes!Seiko threw my bag in the back of a big green truck. It was Little Shaw, Keith Shaw... I wished Seiko a good day and hopped in. I guess I was staying with the Shaws. At least they had all you can eat food! I showered then ate dinner. One full plate of roast beef, one plate full of ham, tons of vegetables, 1/2 loaf of bread, three glasses of milk and three glasses of water, two cups of coffee and four homemade cookies. Mr. Shaw passed gas non stop while Mrs. Shaw just smacked him.The Maine accent is so strange. It's a mixture of Italian, Bronx and Minnesota. Kind of like Bobby's World on the Godfather or something.I realized I had eaten way too much too fast. I started getting light headed and dizzy. Kind of like the first time you get drunk. I talked to the Shows for a couple hours then ran upstairs and lay in bed for another hour. Next I went to the Monson General Store for more trail food and Guinness. I arrived at closing time but they allowed me to come in and shop anyway since I was a hiker. What a place. They had everything including penny candy! I counted out 80 pieces....What a jerk huh? They were trying to close but I had to have 80 pieces of candy anyway.I returned to the Shaws and made some of Otto¢s "Special Sauce". It consisted of chocolate, peanut butter and butter. You melt it down...It tastes great!
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Monson

To: Moxie Bald
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I had the All You Can Eat Breakfast. Three around! Three servings of toast, eggs, bacon and potatoes (3 potatoes), coffee and juice. Wow! I was ready now. Kevin dropped me off at the road. Right off the bat I started down a snow mobile trail. Now Maine has interstates for snowmobiles. I walked down this thing for 2 or 3 miles and realized I had to back track. So about 2 miles later I run into Gnome Sherpa. "Where's the trail?" I asked. "Right here" he replied. Thank God I thought I was lost again. We decide to walk together to Moxie Bald Lean-to. I could tell right away we would get along well.Gnome Sherpa had stolen a lawn Gnome on a drunken night in Florida. After this night he decided to take the Gnome (Nigel the Gnome) to 10 different countries. He would take pictures of the Gnome and send them back to the women who originally owned it. Now the Gnome was walking the trail via Kevin's pack, Hence the name Gnome Sherpa.We chatted the day away and became instant friends. That night Sherpa pulled out a Guiness Pint and some smores...What a night!
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Moxie Bald

To: Pleasant Pond
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

It's rather unfortunate I've just been so busy socializing! I have so many new friends. The terrain was much like something you would see in a movie: the Princess Bride or maybe even the Never Ending Story. Four bridges carry you across marsh lands and the trees roll on forever.If anyone ever asks, "Do the trees make noise?" I can now happily say "why yes they do!" Creaking noises appear to be everywhere. When a tree falls it sounds like boards being dropped. The wilderness is alive; you just can't let it get to you.Today we walked to Pleasant Pond Lean-to where we ran into Charlie Tuna and Mac. Tuna and Mac were the retired guys from South Carolina. It was Mac's dream to attempt a thru-hike but Charlie decides to join in for the fun or torture. However you want to think of it. Both had packs heavier than mine. 55 lbs to be exact and these guys were in their 60's. Chris also stayed with us. It's nice to have a female in the group. Tomorrow morning we will be off to Caratunk, Maine. Sherpa and I heard there was a brewery there. This came to be true. We picked up our packages at the Post Office. Thank you so much Mom and Dad for the support. The food was awesome! I was in heaven. I grabbed a vanilla cone from the machine outside and relaxed a bit..Seiko drove up and said Hi. The man who lived next to the Post Office offered to give us a ride to The Northern Outdoors, the brewery. This place was amazing. For 11 dollars I get a tent site and a six pack of micro-brew, free showers with a towel, laundry and use of the hot tub. Charlie, Mac and Chris were also there.Sherpa and I had a few drinks and came to the conclusion that we could easily get drunk off three beers a piece....Scary!Later a high school group crashed the lodge. They had an all you can eat hamburger dinner with pasta salad and brownies. Now think about this...Hamburgers at the lodge cost $8.95...So we talked to some of teachers in the hot tub earlier so we figured it couldn't hurt to ask for leftovers. One teacher said "It's wrong to give out the kid's food" "But we're hungry sir¢ said Sherpa.   The female teacher piped in "I think it's a great idea, go for it boys!" Sherpa waved me over and told me the good news. We went through the line while everyone stared at us. I took one burger then saw Sherpa had two. I asked the cook, "Can I have two?" Yes was his reply. These burgers were massive. Every topping was there from cheese to pickles. We loaded up on potato salad and brownies and went to town! All the high school kids looked at us funny as we inhaled it. Forget them I thought to myself..the teacher said we could!After eating I took an hour long shower and crashed.
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Pleasant Pond

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

Today the Lodge shuttles us to the trail where we met the Meyers Family and Craig, later known as Flare. Flare joined us in our journey towards Pierce Pond Lean-to. First we had to cross the Kin???(can't read his writing)River by boat. Our driver was Steve Longly...A very nice man.We sat in a beautiful waterfall. In fact we even jumped into a rushing pool right under the falls. It was unbelievable!When we arrived I met Bob, Sharon, Hemingway and Will. I made the whole crew burritos. To loosen everyone up and make good friends. Flare added some curried lentils and rice. The burritos were superb!Earlier Bob had caught a trout and offered us a chunk. It was good. We all swam and had a great time.All seven of us went to the Harrison's Cabin and made breakfast reservations. 12 pancakes, bacon, eggs, juice, coffee for $7.35. These people were so kind!
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

Today we awoke and made it to the Harrison's promptly at 7:30 a.m. The pancakes were patriotic cakes. They have been making them for 17 years. They have apple, cranberries and blueberries in them. It only took me 20 minutes to put them all down. I plan on doing around 17 miles today to the Little Bigalow Lean-to. The day was good. I took a couple of dips in the lakes we passed and you couldn't have asked for a better day...Until I turned my ankle - Now today sucks!Everyone stayed at this shelter. The Meyers Family, Bob and Sharon, 2 kids, a dog, some other section hikers with a fierce snoring problem, Sherpa, Flare and myself.
Date: 2004-06-18
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Horns Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today it is on to Horns Pond Lean-to. This place has two structures and camp sites galore. Tomorrow is Sherpa's birthday so I have to get as close to Sugarloaf as possible. Horns Pond was perfect.Here we met Shooting Star. She started her thru-hike in 1986. This year is her last section. She was a sweetheart.Sherpa let me try his hammock out for my foot...It was easier to elevate that way. It hurts bad, I twisted it good. The hammock was nice. Flare also gave me a wrap which should help me walk tomorrow.(Mom's note...This is the last entry I have to enter for a while. Will start again after Trevor mails another section.)
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Saco River
Miles today: 0.0

The Hut wake up really sucks! Flare and I are chosen to set the tables. I was still laying on them when I found out. It was like 5:30 a.m. and I only got about 2 hours of sleep. All the guests look at you funny when they see you lying on their picnic tables! In fact it disgusts them. They stared at us last night too. I said good bye to Sherpa, Flare and Tami from Australia. Goose, Def Balance and I were on our way to the Saco River to camp, on a cold rainy day. The weather sucked! We were soaked and the winds were no help. At one point sleet pelted the side of my face. We decided to pull into Mizpah for a pit stop. Here I had all you can eat Mushroom soup. DELICIOUS! Also I indulged in about 12 cups of hot chocolate. Def Balance beat me at a game of chess.
Date: 2004-07-21
From: Saco River

To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Manchester Center(536 miles), boring Yuppieville-Doesn't cater to hikers. This town is all Outlet Stores, from Gucci to Armani. There is a McDonald's though along with a Ben & Jerry¢s. There was beer in the creek (trail magic)so that helped ease the weird stares we got from the locals.I stayed the night with Slips, Fitz and Bonfire, some Kats going north-Really good company.I saw Tinkerbell, what a cutie. She is such a strong women.-
Date: 2004-07-22
From: Manchester Center

To: Spruce Peak
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Breakfast a t McDonald's, goodbye to the Northbounders and Jeremy. Stayed at the first shelter with some people from PA and Tinkerbell. The shelter was Spruck Peak. It was a nice cabin with a wood burning stove and an actual sliding door! And it worked!Some section hikers hooked Tink and I up with some jerky. I was so happy to see Tinkerbell, she's such a sweetheart!
Date: 2004-07-23
From: Story Spring

To: Harmon Hill
Miles today: 0.0

Tinkerbell and I decided to hike together for the day. I¢m so happy to finally get to hike with Tink.We met a guy named Voyager who had just found out he may have Lyme Disease. I'm so worried about the possibility of having something like that. I think it would take me off the trail if I had it. Tink and I swam with a guy named Bandanna in Stratton Pond. After our swim it began to pour- Tink and I summited our first mountain together in the pouring rain- Stratton Mnt....It was so nice to have company for this rainy day. ThanksTinkerbell! We went on to stay at Story Spring. Tinkerbell and I decided to hop into Bennington, Vermont. We ate breakfast at some little French joint. After that we ate some ice cream from the St(?) Shop. At the hardware store we got free fuel then went to find a store called boxes and cans. No one in town knew where it was, but they tried to help anyway.When we finally found boxes and cans we were amazed at what we saw. This place is heaven. We had about $60 worth of groceries for only $10.We sat and talked to Michael and Nancy Jordan, the owners, for some time. They kept hooking us up with everything! Vermont is cool!We were on our way to the grocery when all of a sudden we hear a voice. ¢Need a ride?¢ Vince was his name, he was a true trail angel. He drove us all over town and even back to the trailhead. Thanks Vince!Tink and I bought some asparagus and salmon, along with dessert and wine. After 2 miles of uphill we ended up camping on Harmon Hill. It was the best view in Vermont yet. We had to stay!So for dinner¢¦ Salmon, Asparagus with cheese, squash, zucchini, snow peas and cheese, split pea pilaf, no-bake cheesecake with wild raspberries and Shiraz wine. This had to be one of the most beautiful nights yet.