morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-12
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Carter Notch
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: fog

FINALLY Hiking5.6 mile neroAnne and I stayed last night at the White Mountain Hostel. We were up early this morning so went to breakfast at 5:30. Kyle made scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh muffins, oat meal and coffee. It was a great way to start a hikeAnne dropped me off at Pinkham Notch at 7:30 and I headed up Wildcat Mountain. In a bit more than an hour I was back where I left off last year. It was a bit strange looking at the rock that caused me so much grief. After a couple of photos I was off to new trail. I stopped for a minute at the gondola ride and met another section hiker, named "Passing Thru". We compared a bit, he is on the 10 year plan and I am on the 12 year plan to complete the trail. He also hopes to finish this year. We both headed on and bumped into each other more than once. Stopped at a great view of Carter Notch and hut for lunch. There is an 1100 foot drop from the view into Carter Notch. When I got there Passing Thru was there and planning on spending the night. We sat and talked with the Croo for a bit and rested. I planned on heading on to Imp campsite but work for stay was brought up and offered to me, so I am staying here tonight. Not a lot of miles done but it is a pretty spot and I may not get back here again. Not sure what I will have to do but I will get leftovers for doing it so that is good. Now I have to carry extra weight until I eat it. But I think this is the last hut in the Whites. Possible rain tomorrow so I may regret it.
Date: 2012-06-13
From: Carter Notch

To: near US 2
Miles today: 14.6

14.6 milesIt rained hard most all night, and is still raining now. I was happy to be under a roof. Breakfast was at 7am. Passing Thru did not feel well this morning and has the chills. I suspect not enough calories yesterday. He is going to stay another night. I ate all of the leftover waffles, bacon, and a big bowl of oatmeal before heading out at 8:30. As always there is a big climb right away, but I went slow as to not over heat in the rain gear. Around MT Hight I made a wrong turn and after about 30 minutes was back at an intersection I had passes earlier. All total added about an extra 2 miles to the day. The rocks are wet and slick and I am pretty slow going. The ups are not much of a problem but the downs are, some places there does not look to be any toe holds on a smooth slick rock slab, but with enough looking at it there is always something there, sometimes pretty small though. I met a SOBO, Miles, I believe, after passing Imp shelter, the only person I have seen today. I stopped near the top of Mt Moriah and sat a bit and enjoyed the view. There are a lot of boardwalk in this section and being wet are like walking on ice. Finally the trail started to level out and I was able to pick up a bit of speed as darkness started to set in. I did the 2 river crossings without issue but it was just a bit to dark for me to do the third. So I set up the hammock less than a half mile from the road for the night.
Date: 2012-06-15
From: US 2 White Mt Hostel

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

11.8 milesI had a great break at the hostel, napping, eating, and just resting. This morning Geri made a big omelet and toast, oat meal, juice, and coffee. She even made me a PB&J to have for lunch. I headed off and was soon headed up again. Taking my time and enjoying the morning. The trail is good and not nearly as rocky as further south. Before noon I met another section NOBO who is also trying to finish the trail this year. CK is a bit older than me and is a PE teacher in FL. He started on the south side of the Whites. We chatted as we hiked and compared notes on sections further south. Took a few short breaks today near some nice views. Rolled into Gentian pond shelter at 3:30. I stood on the shore and had 2 nosy beavers come right up within 15 feet of me to have a look. They would just circle in the pond and then come back again. Water and dinner done and now I am hanging in the hammock in the shelter, looking out at the great view.
Date: 2012-06-16
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose shelter 
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: broken clouds

Sorry I can't post photos9.6 milesQuite a few rough but short climbs today. The decents were rough in spots but not as bad as some. Places before. The longest climb was to the top of Mt Success. I took a break on top and as I was leaving there was a spruce grouse nearly as big as a chicken walking down the trail. It just walked off into the bush. I am finally out of NH and in Maine. Stopped and took the necessary photos for proof, then continued on. Since it was before noon we went down to Carlo Cal shelter and got water and had lunch. There is a real quick decent on the AT right near the shelter trail. Going up to the top of the Goose Eye Mountain was a good climb with metal assists mounted in the rocks. I stayed a bit on the top of one enjoying the 360 degree view then headed on. There was quite a long decent into Full Goose Shelter where we stopped for the night. Cleaned up and did all of the camp chores and now thinking of the Mahoosuc Notch for tomorrow
Date: 2012-06-17
From: Full Goose shelter 

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

9.6A pretty restful night. On the trail by 6Am. It took about an hour to get to the south end of the Mahogany Notch. It was quite a scramble in the notch. There was still snow in the bottom. It was very good to have CK in there at the same time. There were spots where passing your pack was a necessity. I think a lot of places on the trail can rate with this one as far as challenging and fun. I took us less than 2 hours to complete the notch. The climb up the arm to Speck Pond Shelter was a grind long and rocky. We ate there and got water before heading up and over Old Spec Mt. Ahead now is a 4 mile downhill, not real bad just long. On the way down I passed day hikers and stopped to chat. One couple, Casey and Amber, followed me for over an hour and we talked most of that time. They offered a ride to town and I accepted. They dropped me at the Chapman Inn in Bethel. This place has a big bunk room and is a pretty neat spot We went to dinner at a pizza spot. I had. Big calazone 2 beers and 2 scoops of ice cream. Just enough. Tomorrow I will shop for 1 days food and hopefully make Andover on the 19th.
Date: 2012-06-18
From: Grafton Notch

To: Frye Notch
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: scattered clouds

5.1Had a good breakfast at the hostel this morning, cooked by Fred. We talked about the history of the inn a bit. It was built in 1865 by a retired sea captain and once had a large carriage house on the end which was converted to the bunkhouse. Fred says winter is high season due to the skiing in the area. I believe they can sleep about 50 total. After breakfast we went to the market to get a few items. We have decided to only try to get to Fry Notch Lean to today as a stop at the outfitter is also needed. After the market stop we stopped at the post office to pick up a mail box, in the lobby I got us a ride to the outfitter, but did not get his name. It is only about a mile out of town but road miles don't count for anything. The outfitter did not have a zrest that CK was looking for so we did not need the box. A lady, Margie Findley, came in to drop off a key and we got a ride with her back to the post office. CK mailed a few items home, and Margie   offered to take us out part way to 26, we accepted. We were dropped near a small rest area and got a second ride from there with a 78 year old fellow, but I did not catch his name. He dropped us at the turn of 26. We went into the small store and got a Gatoraid. I went across the road and stuck out my thumb and the second car stopped. Pete also runs shuttles for the AMC. He is care taking a camp and stopped there to show us around. It is a pretty nice place. I wish I had my camera to get a picture of the cute little "wanagin" as he called it. Basically a low tree house long enough to 2 to lay and tall enough to sit up in, insulated with windows and a small hanging enclosed candle heater. He also showed us what Indian Cucumber was along the way. In all 4 rides this morning. It really was an adventure. We finally arrived at the trail and got started just after noon. We headed off hiking separately and met at Baldpate shelter after a nice trail uphill. After a snack we took off again. There are a lot of rock stairs up to near the top which made it very nice. The clouds were across the top of Baldpate Mt so no views until over the second peak and down a bit. As I started down I saw another Spruce Grouse which was only a trekking pole length away and stayed there while I took a photo and even as I passed on by. Another long downhill to Frye Notch Lean to but good trail. Got here around 5Pm. During the day I have met 2 southbound hikers but do not remember their names. At the shelter tonight are a mother and daughter from PA who are also finishing their last section, I did not get their names yet. Another pair of hikers, Little Debbie and Mountain Goat, both AMC members are doing a section also. Dinner was chicken and granola bars and now it is 8Pm and I'm in the hammock
Date: 2012-06-19
From: Frye Notch

To: East B Hill rd Andover
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: broken clouds

Out early today, hope to meet Anne this afternoon at Pine Ellis Hostel. We did the short up hill and the longer downhill in good time, arriving at East B Hill rd at 8Am. We had poor cell reception at the road but were able to call Dave at Pine Ellis. He arrived in about 20 minutes. The hostel is pretty nice. We got the tour and room assignments then went into town. We ate breakfast at The Little Red Hen. Great food and also met a couple of other SOBO hikers there also. After that we toured the town and sat outside the diner and Anne drove by. We walked around town and then went to the hostel. Showered and now are sitting on the porch just chilling out. We have a nice room all to ourselves tonight
Date: 2012-06-20
From: East B Hill rd Andover

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 9.8

9.8 milesUp early again. Had a great breakfast at the general store/diner. Anne drove us back to East B Hill rd trail head. We started just after 7Am. I was at the shelter before 9 am. I met 5 SOBO hikers in the section. I ended up completing the section and all the way out to South Arm road by just after noon. Not a very tough section, and not a lot of views. Anne picked us up and took us back to the hostel. We had a beer and a shower and then went to lunch at the general store. In the afternoon CK and I shared a laundry, and we just sat around the front yard talking with the southbounders that I saw on the trail.
Date: 2012-06-21
From: South Arm Road

To: Sabbath Pond Lean To
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

6/20 addsI should have covered who was at the hostel yesterday but forgot so her goes, at least as I remember it. There was Matt, who has been slack packing and peak bagging most all week from Maine. 2Go is a southbounder who hikes barefoot quite a bit and hopes to do more as he gets further south. Passing Thru, who I met at Pinkham Notch and stayed with at the hut has caught up. CK, who I found out stands for Cobweb Killer. There are also 4 other NOBO hikers I do not have name for and F6 other S0BO hikers hanging out in the yard waiting for a ride back to the trail. I probably missed some also but it was pretty busy around here6/2117.1 milesAte another early breakfast at the diner. Anne then dropped us off back at South Arm road at 6Am. I covered the 2.6 mile 1500 foot uphill to the top of Old Blue Mt in 3 hours. The temp today is near 90 degrees so I stopped a couple of times to ring out my clothes. I stopped for lunch at Bemis Mountain Lean to and after that the trail just went up and down as needed it a good tread way with a pretty big up to get to highway 17. When I got there I took another break and had dinner enjoying the great view. More good trail all of the way to Sabbath Day Pond lean to. Water and hammock up. It was a pretty long day in the heat. At the shelter tonight are CK, myself and a SOBO named Gilli originally from Brazil but now living in GA
Date: 2012-06-22
From: Sabbath Pond Lean To

To: Piazza Rock Lean To
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

11.2Gilli had built a small fire last night and I think it helped some with the bugs. The flames were out when I went to bed around 9:30 but I woke near 3 Am to a small blaze. It was kind of neat watching the shadows in the trees from the blaze. On the trail at 6 again, it gets light so early here. There was a nice covered spring at Little Swift River Pond camp site, where I got water and took a break. I got to ME 4 by 11:30 and hitched a ride into the IGA for a small amount of food and some lunch. 3 chicken strips, 3 chobani yogurt, a pint of ice cream, and a gatoraid. CK hitched in after me and stopped at the clinic for them to look at a bite he got last night. They said not to be concerned, just keep it clean. He arrived at the IGA as I was getting ready to leave for the trail again. I put my pack on to go and a fellow asked if I needed a lift, of course I said yes. Dan, who works with MATC dropped me right at the trail head. It is only 1.8 M to Piazza rock lean to so I took my time and arrived at about 3:30. There are about 16, well behaved Boy Scouts here. They have gathered wood for a fire tonight. 2 SOBO hikers arrived Avocado and Chef, they were living in Las Vegas before their hike and are enjoying the trip.
Date: 2012-06-23
From: Piazza Rock Lean To

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean To
Miles today: 16.9

Another early morning. One of the scouts came up as we were doing breakfast but left soon because we were busy and did not really talk much with him. The climb up Saddleback mt was pretty long but the grade was not to bad and before we knew it we were on the top. The horn was next and it was not very difficult either. We stopped at Poplar Ridge Lean To for lunch and stayed about an hour as the thunder had started on the way in. Only small drops to I hit the trail again, I met a bunch of SOBO hikers today, probably over 14. Only a few I can remember., CHU CHU, Oracle, and I met Zen after the river ford and during the hard rain that started around 3 Pm. I had put on my rain coat but not pants as I was warm enough. The trail has a lot of dirt path so I decided to head on to the shelter. I arrived at about 6Pm. In the shelter are 3 more SOBO hikers, but I cannot remember their names. CK arrived about 40 minutes later. We ate and set up in the shelter. Now 8:30 and in the hammock.
Date: 2012-06-24
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean To

To: ME 27 Stratton
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

13.4Had a very nice tread way for most all of the day. There was a pretty good 3 mile uphill at the start, hit over 4000 feet 2 times from a start of 2160 and ended at about 1400. At the top of the second peak I met 4 SOBO hikers, I can remember the names of only 2, Sherpa and Starfish. Later I met 2 more and only remember Booterman due to the story she told of how she saved another hikers boot from floating down the river at a ford. I also met Loren and Softwalker near the bottom of the 5 mile downhill to the road.I got a hitch in to Stratton with Tom, he dropped me at the Stratton Hotel. I met Peter, CarpPei, Easy wind, Middleberry, Swagman, and a bunch of others there that I can't remember. I went to dinner and had a big steak, then a vanilla malt and after that a quart of orange juice. CK arrived and met us in the restaurant. Now we are planning food for the next days. CK has changed his trail name back to a previous one, Crunch.
Date: 2012-06-25
From: ME 27 Monson

To: Hornes Pond Lean To
Miles today: 5.2

5.2 milesSlept well last night, good exercise will do that to me. It rained thru the night and is now just a sprinkle. Went to the diner across the street and had a big breakfast then next door to the grocery to get more snack and breakfast foods. Added about 5 lbs to the load by the time I was done. I got a shuttle back to the trail at about 8:30 with 2 others, Swagman heading North, and Easy Wind heading South. CK is going out a bit later. The trail again is good with quite a bit of soil between the roots and rocks. On the walk I met 5 more SOBO hikers, Handyman, Deadwood, BangBang, Chitti Chitti, and one other I can't remember. There is around a 900 foot gain from the low point to Hornes Pond Lean to, which I arrived at around 1:30. I chatted with the caretaker and then went to the shelter area. I thought of just doing lunch and then heading on to Avery Memorial camp site but it started to rain so I will stay here. In the shelter eating lunch were Q and Slowride, they left after the rain let up to camp near Stratton. I set up my hammock and had a bit to eat. As I was eating 3 SOBO hikers stopped for lunch, Littlefoot, Listen, Nexttime, Shadow, and Void arrived soon after. The rain started again and they all decided to stay. Shadow and Void. Both have Hennesy Hammocks. We talked a lot about gear.
Date: 2012-06-26
From: Hornes Pond Lean To

To: West Carry Pond Lean To
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Horns Pond Lean To - West Carry Pond Lean To 17.5Steady to heavy rain today all day long. As I was leaving Horns Pond Lean To I saw my first Moose in Maine. It was shortly after I started the climb to the Horn, part of the Bigelow Mt area. It just kept eating twigs as I got out the camera and took a few pictures. I topped 2, 4000 foot peaks today as I progressed across the mountains. I was at Little Bigelow Lean To at 2:30 and it had 5 in it all ready and what may have been a bit of an unfriendly dog, so I decided to head on to West Carry Pond Lean To. During the day I finally got the names of the father and daughter that are NOBO, she is Sassafras and he is Caboose. I also met a bunch more SOBO hikers, CC and Tent Commander, Loren, kicker, Rocket man, Peg Leg, and 4 more I did not get names for. After the Little Bigelow shelter there were only 2 small hills but more bogs, one of which the log bridge was floating and when stepped on it sank about 6 inches. Wet feet were the norm today as the water was running right down the trail, about 2 inches deep in some spots. I finally arrived at West Carry Pond Lean To at 6:30. And I have the place to myself. Not a bad day for miles, considering the terrain. Water and dinner done and now listening to the rain on the tin roof and a Loon on the pond.
Date: 2012-06-27
From: West Carry Pond Lean To

To: Harrison's Pierce Pond Camp
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

West Carry Pond Lean To - Harrison' Pierce Pond Camp 10.0 MilesIt rained most all night long and so hard on the metal roof I had to use ear plugs. I could not hear my alarm but woke up at 4:50 anyway. It had stopped raining but was still heavy blowing off the trees. I had a slow breakfast and finally hit the trail just after 6Am. The trail is still really wet and in some places the pinchun? bridges are moved quite a ways from the intended placement. Many times you just walk in the water as it is so deep you can't go around it. At one ford the water was quite fast and knee deep, but it was only about 15 feet wide. The other 2 fords were not as deep but no way to rock hop across. A lot of trail is now just a stream as the water bars just can't take this much water. In some spots I just slogged right down the middle of the stream/trail. It is a good thing there was not a lot of elevation gain as that would have been a real bummer. I met 5 northbound hikers today, one was Matt, no names for the rest. On the way into the camp I found a set of Oakley sunglasses floating in a case on the trail. if someone reads this and lost them, email me and describe them. I was at Pierce Pond Lean To at about 1:30. I had a snack and talked to the hikers a bit then continued the short distance to Harrison's camp. At camp I was met by Tim, who has been in operation 26 years I think he said. The camp was originally built in 1934 if I remember it all correctly. Quite an interesting history behind the Maine Sporting Camps. We chatted for quite a while and I looked all around the place. There are 5 cabins for rent and guest meals are served in the lodge. Hiker rate is $35.00 for a cabin and breakfast, no linen, but hot shower with towel is included. There has been a 12 pancake hiker breakfast on my mind for some time which fits nicely with the 3 mile walk to the ferry in the morning. Hoping Crunch shows up tonight, as he did the 10 m yesterday and the 17 m today. Time now for a bit of dinner I walked back up to the falls and looked around a bit and went back to the shelter and collected some trash to carry out and visit a bit. Crunch came in at about 6:30. He is going to stay in the shelter as he sleeps on the floors anyways. He said he was in to the shelter before the 2 sobos and kind of pushed his way in. The last 2 in tented. Hope to see him for breakfast.I went back and sat on the porch with the guests and was offered a beer and accepted. Watched the sun set over the hillside and falls and then headed to bed.
Date: 2012-06-28
From: Harrison's Pierce Pond Camp

To: Caratunk
Miles today: 3.1

Harrison's Pierce Pond Camp to Caratunk 3.1 mileFell asleep last night to the noise of the waterfall and the river, very pleasant. Tim made a great hikers breakfast and served at 7Am this morning. Crunch, Boulder, You Again, Brillo, and Bread and Butter joined me. 12 patriot pancakes with blueberries, apples, and raspberries, 2 eggs, and 3 sausage, coffee, milk, and Juice, the perfect way to start a hikers day. With only a about 3 miles to the ferry I just ambled along and got there at around 9:30. 2 of the 4 faster hikers were already on their way across a very swollen and fast river with Dave, the ferry man. The second 2 were also soon across. Dave and I chatted as we waited for Crunch to get there, he had tried to contact his wife to send a pair of crocks as he lost a flip flop in a river crossing. He arrived and we set off after signing the waiver forms. The river was very swift and we had to paddle hard to get upstream far enough to make a good line to the other side. We landed safely and enjoyed the crossing, even though it was more upper body work than I have done in a week or 2. After a short walk we were at 201 and Anne was waiting for us. She was passing out Gatoraid to the 4 hikers before us. We went to the post office and then to Great Northern Outfitters and dropped off Crunch and looked around at their brewery operation. We headed back to the campground where Anne is staying to move her setup from one site to another, due to the holiday week coming up the previous site was reserved. It did not take very long and we were done. We had chicken dinner and pastries from the bakery. I dried and re packed my gear and food and will be back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2012-06-29
From: Caratunk

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean To
Miles today: 14.9

Caratunk to Bald Mountain Brook Lean To 14.9We left the camper around 6Am and headed back to Caratunk. We were at the Great Northern Outfitters when they opened for their $8.00 breakfast buffet. They gave us a 9 inch plate that I piled over 4 inches tall with food. With coffee and juice, fruit and yogurt. We finished and were back at the trail by 8:30. Anne dropped us off and then was heading north for a tour around and back to camp. There is one uphill to the top of Pleasant Pond Mt then a long downhill and a flat into Bald Mountain Brook Lean To. On the trail today there was a lower front leg from a moose. It had some fur left on it and teeth marks on the bone. I guess something had moose for dinner this winter. I arrived at the shelter by about 5Pm. I decided to stay because it had started to thunder. There are 4 sobo hikers Swamp Ass, Mike, Keegan, Duckit. and 4 nobo hikers, NorEaster, Echo, Crunch and me. I also met another nobo Salty. Dinner and water done, 5 on the shelter floor 2 in hammocks and Crunch in his tent, we had room in the shelter but he preferred the tent.