morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Kinsman Notch--NH Route 12

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

A smart packing day as we elected to stay with Chet another night and do the section between Kinsman and Franconia Notch. The town we are in, Lincoln, NH, has convenient service and is a reasonable shuttle fee or hitch to either notch. The hike was fun but challenging as we hiked again in the rain today. It pretty much has rained every day thus far in NH and the trail is muddy and boggy plus the Whites are very steep and rocky, not a great combination with wet and mossy rocks! Nonetheless, it was a full day as we got back to Lincoln about 5:00 pm (in the rain again) and to our chagrin found that *no one* had hiked out! Additionally, a bunch of new hikers showed up. Most of the NOBOs here had completed the section we did today, yesterday and decided to wait out the rain today. Unfortunately, the forecast looks worse for tomorrow with heavy rain and strong winds being called for. I did the math and there are 18 NOBOs here tonight. 18! I have never been anywhere with so many NOBOs at the same time. This could make the trail pretty crowded. So, the General and I went to dinner and made a plan: if the group mostly hiked out tomorrow, we stay and take the day off. If the group largely zeros again, we leave despite the weather. We told the Gimp and she knows that she probably has to hike out regardless as she is on a much tighter time schedule. We hate to break up the group, but everyone has got to hike their own hike. JUKEBOX------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Franconia Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Well, most folks packed up and left today so we stayed behind hoping to put a little space between us. It is too bad because they are a great group of people, but sometimes it is tough getting services and camp sites if there are too many hikers bunched together. It turned out to be a good decision as it absolutely poured all day. A front blew through with damaging winds and tornado activity. I am glad I was not on the ridge. I did get a text from Forest Gimp advising that she made the shelter safely, so that was cool. Our day was spent doing some clean up and maintenance at Chet's. I also made a big pot of gumbo for everyone so all in all, it was a pretty relaxing zero. The weather forecast is better so I am hoping for sun tomorrow. JUKEBOX------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in!
Date: 2008-07-25
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

It was an absolutely spectacular day as we climbed Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette with picture perfect weather. Superb visibility, low winds and warm temps made for a great climb and ridgeline walk. It also made for a busy ridgeline as many day hikers and weekenders were out and about. The 10 miles we did today were as tiring as any 20 milers we have done and we got to the shelter about 5:00 pm completely wiped. It was a memorable day but I am tired and going to sleep. I know it is only 7:30pm and I don't care. zzzzzzzz. JUKEBOX------------------------------Have a spare PocketMail laying around, sell it back to us and help those in need.
Date: 2008-07-26
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

The shelter system in the Whites is operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and most tent sites and shelters charge a fee for overnight stay (typically $8). While not unique to the Whites (some shelters in Vermont were fee based) it chafes many thru hikers to have to pay for shelter space. While I understand that concern, I also like having well maintained facilities and clean privies. The fee based shelters have a resident caretaker responsible for the general maintenance of the site and they are all in excellent condition. I understand the need for charging fees as the areas are of such high use in the summer that they would be a mess in short order without frequent attention. There are also "huts" in the Whites and they are certainly unique. Sheltering between 40 and 90 people, they are more like rustic hotels that people hike short distances to for a "wilderness" experience. Staffed by a "crew" of collegians, guest are fed breakfast and dinner and given a dorm style bunk for the low, low price of $90 a night. I know you are thinking that is crazy but people seem to love it and space sells out months in advance. Sometimes, thru hikers can do work in exchange for leftovers and table to sleep on. The problem is the work usually involves helping clean up after breakfast which means you don't get on the trail until after 9:00 am. I don't plan on taking advantage but I certainly understand the appeal. Rather than pay $8 for a tent space, we opted for the bunkhouse at the Crawford Notch General Store. It turned out to be great place and we are splitting the bunk room with Chef, Mouth and Peg Leg. JUKEBOX ------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-07-27
From: Crawford Notch

To: Mizpah Spring Hut--Tenting Area
Miles today: 6.4

After a long day yesterday, the General and I had a planned a shorter day to get us back up on the ridgeline and to position us to do the Presidentials in a single day. It worked out well because a little too much revelry with Mouth, Chef and Peg Leg left us a bit groggy this morning; exactly how you want to be feeling before doing 3,000 feet of vertical climb. We have been seeing Chef, Mouth and Peg Leg on and off since Vermont and really enjoy hanging out with them. They are 15+ years younger than me and they take off and seemingly get a few days ahead of the General and I and then bam, there we are, right back with them. It has actually become a running joke with us and we have a huge laugh every time we catch them. The truth is we are a bit more persistent and have to hike longer days but we like catching them; it feels like we have accomplished something. Anyway, they are headed to the Lake of the Clouds Hut at the base of Mt Washington today, about 4 miles ahead of us, So I doubt we will see them again, but you never know. The General and I made our campsite about 2:00 pm(it was a bear of a climb but spectacular views of Crawford Notch) and enjoyed the afternoon chatting with the site maintainer and relaxing. We were pretty beat from the last couple of days so we hit the hay early hoping to get an o'dark thirty start tomorrow. Mt Washington and the Prezzies await. JUKEBOX
Date: 2008-07-29
From: Stealth Site near Peabody River

To: Pinkham Notch--Gorham, NH
Miles today: 3.4
Weather: fog

The General and I broke camp early and headed to Pinkham Notch in search of a clean bathroom (a compelling, driving force, trust me) and the AYCE breakfast at the Pinkham Notch Visitors Center. We were disappointed by neither. It was our intent to hike to Imp Campsite and then nearo to Gorham tomorrow but as we sat at breakfast, we assessed our situation. We had almost no food, I had one functional trekking pole and the General had a dodgy knee that was a bit swollen after yesterday's rock hopping. We are nothing if not flexible so we decided to go Gorham today and hike the next piece as a smart pack tomorrow. Brilliant! We got a hitch the 11 miles into town and picked up our food drop. I got new poles (can't wait for parts this time) and we switched out our White Mountains gear. We went to dinner this evening and ran into...Mouth, Chef and Peg Leg. We follow those poor guys like a bad nickel. We had a few beers and joked around a bit. They are heading north tomorrow while we will go back to finish the previous section so we won't likely see them again. Don't count us out though, we are nothing if not persistent. JUKEBOX------------------------------
Date: 2008-07-30
From: Pinkham Notch--Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: broken clouds

It was pretty much an uneventful day today going over the last of the White Mountains and down to Gorham, NH. I got to thinking about the weird relationship between Northbound through hikers and Southbound through hikers. My hiking buddy Thorny started his hike southbound in 2007 and finished his hike northbound this year. When I was hiking with Thorny during the first part of my hike, he commented several times that he felt ignored or brushed off by NOBOs while he was hiking southbound. It was significant enough that I felt that he was pretty anti NOBO when he started his hike. I always thought he exaggerated this "rivalry" and knew that I wouldn't treat hikers differently because of something as stupid as what direction they were hiking. Well, I am here to tell you that there are legitimate gripes to be aired and most NOBOs and SOBOs don't particularly care for the other group. SOBOs think that NOBOs are elitist because of where they are in the hike, are grumpy because they have been out here for 5 months and are generally dismissive of SOBOs. NOBOs are pretty much just tired of hearing SOBOs talk about how, since they have finished Maine and the Whites, that 80% of their hike is finished and that they will coast 1800 miles to Georgia. They are also pretty convinced that Maine will likely kill several NOBOs. I have talked to many SOBOs and I think there are legitimate gripes on both sides. It seems to me that there is this whole kubler-ross dynamic wherein each group is just in a different stage of their hike and communication can be difficult. Hopefully, things will get a bit smoother going forward; it would certainly make for a more cheerful campsite! JUKEBOX
Date: 2008-07-31
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

We tried to get an early start today but the showers and rain that began yesterday afternoon bloomed into heavy rain and lightning by 7:00 am. We sat around the coffee shop waiting for the rain to ease up, chatting with Rabbit, a NOBO who came into Gorham yesterday afternoon. By 10:00 am, the lightning had stopped and we hit the road in the rain. We had been hiking for a few hours and were just crossing a ridgeline when bam! A thunderstorm opened up right on top of us. We were totally in the open and took off into the tree line and huddled by a rock ledge trying not to get fried when Stripe, another NOBO came running up. We ended up hiking with Stripe most of the rest of the day, hiking being a euphemism for slopping along in the mud. The heavy rain saturated the trail and filled up already boggy, low lying areas. We dragged our soggy selves to the shelter and ended up hanging out with a very cool Sobo named Calamity Jane. Hearts ended up the shelter later in the evening and we all managed to get some rest in the pouring rain. JUKEBOX------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in!
Date: 2008-08-01
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

It was a very foggy morning which gave way to rain again by midmorning. Much of the trail is on open rock made very slick by rain and the hiking was slow and arduous. We got to the shelter about 3:00 pm and decided to call it a day as the next stretch of trail includes the Mahoosuc Notch, a notoriously difficult section. The cool thing for the day was that we left NH and crossed into Maine, our last state! I also ran into a SOBO calling herself Jukebox. She is the second SOBO I have met using the same handle as me. Four months and it is just me, now you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Jukebox! Seriously, she was much cuter than me and very nice so she pretty much can call herself whatever she wants. The shelter area was pretty packed with a small scout group and large outdoors type group filling out most of the tent pads. My experience has been that there are very few impolite kids in the woods, just bad leaders. Tonight was no exception. Unfortunately, we didn't get to sleep until much later than we had intended.The Real JUKEBOX------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in!
Date: 2008-08-02
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Grafton Notch, Maine--Bethel, Maine
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: light rain

More heavy rain during the night but the morning was clear as we hit the trail at 5:45am. We needed to do 11 miles to meet the TSC at Grafton Notch and this stretch of trail is generally regarded as one of the most difficult on the AT. The first challenge of the day was the Mahoosuc Notch, a narrow, deep gorge filled with a tumble of car and house sized boulders. It is so deep and narrow that there was still ice under rocks when we went through. It wasn't so much as hiking as climbing but it was a lot of fun. Shortly after we left the notch we got another cool surprise, a moose! It was a young bull moose with a big rack of antlers and he was standing smack in the middle of the trail. He was in no hurry so we took a few pictures and hung out with Bullwinkle for a while. Stripe has been hiking with us for a few days and we managed to hook up with TSC about 4:00 pm and made a bee line for Bethel, Maine for a hot shower and laundry. Of course it started raining again as soon as we got to town and the forecast calls for more. We'll try to dry out, but it looks like we are in for a wet couple of days. JUKEBOX------------------------------Have a spare PocketMail laying around, sell it back to us and help those in need.
Date: 2008-08-03
From: Grafton Notch, Maine--Bethel, Maine

To: East B Hill Road
Miles today: 10.3

After heavy rain last night, a little smart packing today as the General and I tried to get in some miles before the rain hit again. No luck. We had just started up Baldpate Mountain when the precipitation started again. As its name indicates, Baldpate is above tree line and is largely a granite rock scramble made precarious by the weather. The heavy rain has completely bogged down the trail and our boots and gear have been pretty much soaked since we left Gorham. We were hiking with Stripe again today and we ended up catching up with Loafy and were in turn caught by Hearts and Spock, also doing a slack. The 6 of us ended up running to the road crossing just as another lightning storm opened up on us. Ugh. I am sure Maine is beautiful, but we haven't seen much of it dry! TSC dropped off Stripes and Loafy at the hostels in Andover and the General, TSC and I headed back into Bethel in the rain. JUKEBOX ------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-08-12
From: Rangeley, Maine

To: Monson, Miane
Miles today: 99.2
Weather: broken clouds

>   The gap in journal updates has partially been the result of poor connectivity opportunities in Maine and partially (or mostly) the result of weather induced alternating angst and depression. One of the wettest > Augusts on record has left Maine a quagmire. It has rained every day, > save one, since I have left Hanover, NH. NOBOs have dealt with the weather >differently as some have skipped big chunks of trail, some have taken time off, some, like the General and I have slugged on in the muck. Two weeks of wet boots, mud and slop have left everyone grumpy and dispirited. I finally > gave myself a serious attitude adjustment about halfway up the Bigelows the other day. I was just determined not to be in a miserable mood all the time. One of the unique features of the trail in Maine is the lack of bridges at most river crossings. So, with lots of rain you get water swollen rivers that must be crossed, this has led to some very dicey river crossings and, in some cases, going around rivers That> are flooded or too dangerous to cross. After climbing a cold and windy > Saddleback Mountain, we passed Loafy heading southbound. He advised that Oberton stream was dangerously high and not fordable. So we had to turn around and > hike back 7 miles to where we started from that day. Lots of miles, no results. Fortunately, TSC (my Dad) has been up here helping us slack pack some chunks of the trail and to get us dry socks and clothes at the end of the day. It has been a huge advantage and has really allowed us to keep moving forward despite the weather Loafy has been with us since Andover and the three of us have been making good miles. We will head into the 100 mile > wilderness tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be better so we are > hoping for good hiking weather and a finish on Katahdin by August 20.>JUKEBOX>>> ------------------------------> Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make > some extra pocket money.>
Date: 2008-08-13
From: Shirley-Blanchard Road, Monson, Maine

To: Wilson Valley Lean To
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

Apologies for lack of entries. Internet and phone access is extremely limited at our locations over the past 10 days. Jukebox, the General and Loafy left Monson, Maine this morning and entered the 100 mile wilderness. The expected summit of Katahdin and finish is August 20. The past 10 days have been rain, rain, rain and more rain. Trail has been wet and sloppy. Hikers have not had dry boots since Pinkham Notch, NH. Several rivers/streams have been impassable due to extremely high water making for very long days and detours. Jukebox will try to provide some summary updates when he nears the finish. This entry is being put in TSC via a stolen wi-fi signal sitting on the side of the road near a motel. Hikers are in good health and good spirits. More later. TSC
Date: 2008-08-15
From: Katahdin-Iron Road Campsite

To: Logan Brook Lean To
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

Journal entries to follow later. Jukebox, the General and Loafy have been joined by Memphis Tim. They left Katahdin-Iron Road this morning at 7:30 a.m. still on track for a summit of Katahdin on August 20. Jukebox has provided a journal entry dated August 12 summarizing last weeks hike. TSC
Date: 2008-08-19
From: Logan Brook Lean To

To: Birches Campsite
Miles today: 66.2

The weather improved dramatically during the past 4 days with good amounts of sun and little rain. The trail conditions and our spirits also improved dramatically and I think all of us, myself, the General, Loafy and Memphis Tim, have really enjoyed all that Maine has to offer. The views and scenery in general have been tremendous and as a bonus, the heavy rains have filled all the springs and rivers making the waterfalls impressive. The only thing that has been a bit disappointing is the behavior of some of our fellow hikers. The 100 mile wilderness is a very popular section with lots of hikers but I have honestly not seen another section of trail as littered with discarded gear and junk as the last section of Maine. Clothing, equipment and trash are pretty much everywhere as people apparently just drop in shelters or on the trail whatever they don't feel like carrying. We packed a good deal out but the whole scenario was disappointing. Pack it in, pack it out! We have had a bonus plan, however, in having the TSC up here as he was able to score beautiful, isolated campsites a mile or two off the trail most nights; really awesome spots that got us away from the crowded shelters. The 4 of us did 20 mile days into Abol campground where we hooked up with Mouth of all people. I know, we caught him again! He was hanging out waiting for a ride to Bangor and we were able to catch up around the campfire at Abol Bridge Campsite. Finally, we did an easy 10 mile nearo inro Katahdin Stream Campground and took the afternoon off in anticipation of summiting on the 20th. The weather forecast is good, not great, but we are hopeful. Bunz and Roses showed up later as did BeerShakes and a few sectioners. We are staying at the Birches, the long distance hiker annex of the campground. The General believes we have our own site because we are stinky hiker trash that will scare away the decent campers. For one last night, i can continue to live that counter-culture fantasy.
Date: 2008-08-20
From: Birches Campsite

To: Baxter Peak, Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

Summit Day! It was like Christmas morning when you are 8; everything was good. Everyone had their own agendas and had departed camp before the general and I who left at 7am. Katahdin is a single ascent of over 4,000 ft so it is no joke under ideal conditions. Conditions when we left camp were breezy and cool with some low level clouds. By the time we neared treeline, the winds had picked up considerably and we broke through the treeline to 35mph winds with 45mph+ gusts. The treeline is about 3,300 ft so we still had about 2,000ft of climb in open ridgeline conditions. The climb up is serious with a good deal of hand over hand climbing up a precarious ridgeline. I would love to tell you that it was no big deal, but I was pretty much scared s***less most of the way up as I do not have a love of heights particularly when combined with high winds. But heck, I figured if the old ladies can climb this peak (not intended as a sexist or agist remark) so could I. The General and I made the summit a little after 10am to find a shivering Loafy and Bunz and Roses already on the top. We had a great, albeit brief, Champagne toast and celebration and took some pictures. It was a really great feeling to finish and I felt great about the accomplishment, but I really don't think it has sunk in yet. I think it will take a few days for that. We made it back down to the campground (suprisingly, easier than the climb up) and went into Millinocket for much needed showers. The General, the TSC and I celebrated with Loafy and his folks over a great dinner and a few drinks that evening and we had a great time swapping trail stories. Tomorrow, we head for home, a day I have been looking forward to for a long time. After, I have a chance to settle in and digest some of the feelings about my trip, I will provide a postscript for the journal. Until then, thanks for following along and for all your support.
Date: 2008-01-04
To: Here we go again!
Miles today: 0.0

I figured it was time to start my 2008 Journal. I'm fairly recovered from the heart surgery and raring to go! I had originally planned on starting out from Trail Days on the 18th of May, but my son finishes his Masters Degree on the 17th and Commencement is that day, in California, so I will probably get back on the trail somewhere around the 20th. Oh, if you wish to look at last years journal and photos etc., just click on the button on the left that says something like "2007 AT" and it will take you to it.At this point there has not been much preparation, but as the weather starts to warm, the instinct to get ready will take over. I have been working on the ham radio situation and it looks very promising. An un-named friend has loaned me a VERY small radio to use in place of the 3 Lb one that I built and I am really excited about that. It is designed by Steve Weber, trail name "Slo-Go'en", another ham, and weighs way under a pound and has far more capability than the one I built. It should prove to be fun, and give me more room for carrying food.More later, just wanted to get the ball rolling with this year's journal. Happy New Year to All.UPDATE: I'm writing this on 23 February, 2010 to let you know that I now have a book about the entire hike: THREE HUNDRED ZEROES. It's a humorous and yet, informative, look at my adventure on the trail. See the THREE HUNDRED ZEROES website for more details and ordering infomation. Dennis, K1ypp