morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Gorham, NH

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: few clouds

Log entry: 120Start hike: 1015End hike: 1840Morning weather: Sunny, windy, coolAfternoon weather: Mostly sunny, windy, and about 55 degEvening weather: Chilly and clear, 42 degBreakfast: Waffles, pancakes, home friesLunch: Grandma Sternberg's chex mix, Mom's brownies, and some granola barsDinner: Potato soup with hamTrail description: A long climb up out of US2 to Mt Hayes. All the summits had great views today. The trail hasn't been maintained for the spring yet after Mt Hayes all the way to Gentian Pond shelter. Blowdowns are frequent, white blazes rare, and the undergrowth has covered the trail and needs to be trimmed back. The blowdowns couldn't be walked around either due to the thick brush surrounding the trail. The notches between peaks are getting more and more gnarly and fun. They are tough, but fun. Maine is going to be awesome.People: Bessie Grace and Aaron, "The Croation Sensation", then on the AT Sara and another couple who were out taking picturesAnimals: A couple little snakes, some very fresh moose prints (I think I scared it but never saw nor heard it)Money spent: NoneComplaints: The first couple miles were mentally tough as it is Sunday again and I had just said goodbye to Besser. But the trail being in such rough shape took my mind off it.Thoughts: Pretty much all I wanted to do this morning was sleep until I was tired of laying down. But I was up at 0800, showered, then journaled some while Bess showered after returning from her run.We ate breakfast at the restaurant in the hotel, The Birches. We pretty much got ripped for the buffet. A lot of good "all-you-can-eat" does when there ain't food to eat. We had an emotional goodbye at around 1015. What held me together was the factthat I would be home in 3 weeks. It still hurt to say goodbye.I moved slow most of the day. Not feeling much like "workin the mountains". I ran into Sara coming down Mt Hayes. There is some photo project going on today where they are trying to get a day on the AT. So up and down the AT today there was a volunteer assigned to a small section snapping photos. Eventually a book will be compiled. Sara snapped some of me and we chatted a bit and then I moved on.Moving was slow. The trail was overgrown and without blazes. Blowdowns hindered progress and many required you to remove your pack.I ran into the other couple out snapping photos around Moss Pond. We talked for a good bit too. They volunteered to call home for me but I advised my parents were on vacation and I had just seen my sister but thanked them anyways.I got to Gentian Pond shelter at 1540 and was pretty whooped. I was very closeto staying there but I figured the downtime would make me miss home. Sunday'sare best for me when I do a big day and am moving moving moving. When I am idle I think of what is going on back home.The next 5.2 miles were rugged and beautiful. I crossed into Maine, the finalstate. 280.9 miles to go. And then I have earned the right to go home.
Date: 2004-06-03
From: South Arm Road (Andover,ME)

To: ME17 (The Cabin, Andover, ME)
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Log entry 124Start Time-0720End Time- 1220Weather- Morning clouds and cool. Clouds thinned and saw some sun, but the main thing is that it was dry. Some big puffy clouds now but no rain still.Breakfast-poptartsLunch-various Little Debbie snackie cakes and some GORPDinner- leftovers Trail Description- A nice steep climb up Blue Mtn but from then on gentle climbs until the uphill to ME17. The walking was messy and muddy and lots of roots. The one stream ford, Bemis Stream, just got my boots wet. (more wet).People- Neely and Jamie and BarebackAnimals-Just Sheeba the yellow labMoney-Biggest complaint- Turns out that ABC switched the usual Sun-Wed-Fri NBA finals schedule with a Sun-Tues-Thurs so I will most likely only see Game 1 this Sunday. And that is the low point of today.Narrative- I rolled out of bed at 0615 and backed what little things I had to up then moved downstairs and wolfed down some poptarts as I updated my journal. Sandra needed me out of the house by 0700 so that¢s when we left the house and she dropped me off at South Arm rd at around 0720. I made the 2.9 mile climb up Old Blue in an hour, which pleased me. But after that I slowed down due to sloppy trail conditions. There isn¢t much to say about my hike today. Views were limited as clouds were still above 3000 feet and everything below was thick trees. The best view was off from ME17 which overlooked a big lake. I got to the road crossing at 1220 and Neely and Jaime rolled in about an hour later. A wrong turn on ME17 sent them 20 miles in the wrong direction. We had a good laugh and I didn¢t mind since the weather was nice and the views great.The route back to The Cabin took us through some undeveloped roads and thick forests. Reminded me very much of when Mike and I run the Jeeps through the Allegan Woods. Jamie navigated the Toyota through the mud and ruts without incident. Back at the Cabin I showered and did some laundry and have spent the afternoon more or less chatting with Neely and Jamie and looking at Neely¢s photo album from her hike last year.Bareback just rolled in and advised me that Smiley is in Gorham today. Bareback hiked with Smiley through Virginia last year and is tagging some 4000 footers this weekend. I am hoping that Smiley will catch up soon, looks like he may since I was in Gorham a week ago but have had a very lax week since then. And the future looks even laxer. (More lax?)I spent a good chunk of the afternoon talking with Bareback and looking at his 2003 thru-hike photo album. We hast great dinner of leftovers from last nights feast and then settled in the family room and watched ¢Far and Away¢. An all right movie but made better with good popcorn and great company.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: ME17 (The Cabin, Andover, ME)

To: ME4 (The Cabin)
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: few clouds

Log entry 125Start Time-0900End Time- 1250Weather-Cool and cloudy in the AM but sunny and mild later in the day.Breakfast-blueberry pancakes and baconLunch- chocolate covered peanuts and potato saladDinner- homemade pizza (pepperoni, bacon bits, cheese, Canadian bacon) At least the tomato sauce was low in sodium.Trail description- An easy day, the easiest walking in Maine so far. Small climbs and the down hills were mild. Past some great lakes. No real vistas as the forest was too thick.Animals- 3 moose!! One on the way to the trailhead and then a cow and calf running through the woods. Moose are beautiful when they are standing still but once they get running there isn¢t much to look at. All knees and elbows.People-Neely, Jamie, and BarebackMoney-Biggest complaint- Ate too much but that¢s about it.Narrative- I slept great, the bunk was soooooooo comfortable and even though I didn¢t go to bed until midnight, 0630 was enough for me. Upstairs I ate with Neely and Jamie and then got my pack together as Bareback ate.The ride out to Maine state highway 17 was nice and that¢s where Bareback spotted the moose on a logging road. That was super. By 0900 I was northbound on the AT headed for Maine state highway 4. Bareback who is out bagging all the 4000 footers was headed out that way to climb one and the would then pick me up when he was finished.I walked as casually as possible and busted the first 3.8 miles to Sabbath Day pond lean-to in an hour. I chilled there for a bit and pressed on. There wasn¢t much else out there. I did start noticing fresh moose prints and shortly thereafter I heard crashing through the brush and saw a cow and calf moose. That was cool. Shortly after that I think I saw a bear print in some mud. I got a picture but near as I can tell it is a bear. But I didn¢t see any all day.I got to the parking lot on ME4 around 1250. Bareback got there about an hour later, I spent the time soaking in the sun and making a list for my sister of things to remember before she comes out to hike with me from Monson to Katahdin. Just a week away now!!Once back at the ranch Neely and I ate some of Jaime¢s potato salad and chatted for most of the afternoon. I also called and talked briefly with my oldest sister, Gina, who was just getting dinner ready and our conversation was serenaded with a crying 17 month old so I cut it short.Dinner was great and after that we all looked through Bareback¢s photo album and Neely and him talked about people they had met. It made me think about all the cool people I missed because I went so early. But for everything you have missed you have gained something else. I guess.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Caribou Valley Rd

To: ME27
Miles today: 7.3

Log entry: 127Start time: 1515End time: 1745Weather: Cloudy but gave way to sunBreakfast: PancakesLunch: Grilled cheeseDinner: Bear Creek creamy wild rice (not very good)Trail description: A rather quick climb (I thought) and a long downhill to the road. Good views on the way up the Crockers. The summits were wooded.People: The gang, Sobo Bob and his buddy, Just JimAnimals: NoneMoney spent: $57 to the Cabin, $33 for gas, $24 for hotel room.Complaints: I'm kinda tired, need a nap. Physically I feel great.Thoughts: After a good night of sleep I settle in for a relaxing morning hanging with the gang at the cabin.Neely made pancakes for Smiley and me and they were wonderful. Then later on we had grilled cheese. But after lunch, it was time to head out.Bareback, Smiley, and I then headed for the Stratton area and an hour and a halflater we were bumping down Caribou valley road. I said goodbye to the boys andstarted up Crocker Mt.Not far up the hill I met Bob and Just Jim. We didn't talk long, I think mainlybecause we both had quite a ways to go.Up and over the Crockers I went and then the long long downhill to ME27.Traffic was light and I immediately started walking downhill towards Stratton.About 15 minutes into the walk, about a mile I presume, an older gent headed outon a date picked me up and dropped me off infront of the White Wolf Inn. There I had a box of food and a room with a TV waiting for me. As I sorted my food Iwatched some specials on D-Day but at 20:30 came around it became all businessin room #9.Pistons versus Lakers. Bad Boys vs Showtime. I'll let you know how it turnsout...Pistons win!!! I spent the final 2 minutes of the game on the phone with my Dad.How sweet it is. I hope I can catch game 2 at the Harrison Camp on Tuesday.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: ME15 (Shaw's in Monson)
Miles today: 17.9

Log entry:   131Start time: 0740End time: 1400Weather: Much cooler today and a slight breeze. Pleasent walking weather.Breakfast: Star Crunch and CIB.Lunch: My Color-A-Cookie which I got from Aunt Lou at Pokagon State Park this Christmas, it was good.Dinner: Baked chicken, baked poatoes, corn and peas, all very good stuff. Cherry cobbler for dessert.Trail description: Not as flat and easy as the profile map indicates, but overall an easy 18 miles. The 2 fords, the east and west branches of the Picataquis rivers, were about mid-shin and not too hairy.People: I didn't catch all the names of the SOBOs here at Shaws, but I met Stu and Ross at the Mobil mart here in Monson.Animals: I mistook a rock in one of the lakes for a beaver. But it was just a rock-like beaver that as the waves hit it it took on beaver-like attributes.Money spent: Like $4 for snacks at the general storeComplaints: NoneThoughts: I got a little chilled in my hammock overnight but it was easier to deal with than bugs and heat.I hit the trail at 0740 and didn't blink nor break until I took a short bugfilled lunch at Horse shoe canyon lean-to. It was only 1030 but I was hungry.The trail had a little more character from here to ME15 but the 2 climbs weremild.By 1400 I was at the road crossing and not there but 2 minutes before the firstvehicle that passed, stopped.I didn't get the name but he is the director of trails for the AMC. The AMC just bought a whole mess of land in the Wilderness and he was out scouting. Hedropped me off at Shaws where I met the SOBOs hanging out.I dropped pack and showered then headed over to the Mobil Mart to use the phone.There, from a distance I saw a familiar face.Stu, Bloody Cactus, was there with Ross, Cheers. They had done a section of the100-mile wilderness and were awaiting pickup.I made a couple long phone calls to Mom and then sister Gina who was ready toroll.I then moved into the lawn and spent a good long time in the lawn talking wihRoss and Stu and a couple southbounders. This is my first real trail experiencewhere I have had other hikers since the Solemates.After discussion I got my munch on back at Shaws. Very good dinner.I spent the evening getting fired up for the Pistons and Lakers game, no cornrows or face paint this time but I did eat a bag of Lays potato chips and a boxof Lucky Charms.The game itself was a joy to watch. For those that care the Pistons won and nowlead the series 2-1. I won't get to see any more games unless they go to 7games. Game 7 would be Sunday June 20, my summit day. But I'll take achampionship for Detroit whenever it comes.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Shaws Boarding House

To: Shaws Boarding House
Miles today: 0.0

Log entry: 131Ahhh, a good day today.Breakfast was awesome. I had number 4. Which, quite simply, is 4 of everything. Bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes, fried potatoes, eggs. Man, it was great.After breakfast I watched 2 and a half editions of Sportscenter then watchedJust Married on HBO. I think watching that movie made me dumber.I then headed over to send some journals home and made contact with Gina who was in Albany, NY at 1 oclock.After that I went to the library and spent most of the afternoon reading SportsIllustrated as opposed to my primary goal which was to check email. There wassomething with the server that I couldn't send or open emails. So I browsedaround on Trailjournals and forums.Then back to Shaws where I met Seiko who was moving south. He didn't recognizeme from our conversation in Damascus, but it was cool talking with the Legend.Dinner was awesome. Ham, beef, cooked carrots, and more. After dinnerconversation moved to Bill Bryson, The LA Lakers/Pistons, Jon Krakaur (There isan "e" in there somewhere I think, Into the Wild, Into Thin Air, Eiger Dreams),and Reagan. Good times.About ten oclockish my sister Gina and her inlaws, Cal and Ardale rolled intoShaws. It was great seeing them all. We moved them in upstairs and Gina and I then walked over to use the payphone.The funny thing is that I told her it wasn't far but apparently my perception of walking distance is a little tainted. We called Mike, Gina's husband, and things were so far so good, more or less, back home.Then we chatted for a bit and called it a night back at Shaws.*************************************This will be my last entry for a while. Most likely my sister and I won't bestopping at Whitehouse Landing, halfway through the wilderness. The next youhear from me I will, Lord willing, have summited special K and will be back athome.Thanks in advance to all those who sent an email or signed my guestbook withsome piece of advice about an upcoming segment. I will reply to everyone whosent/sends something, just haven't had adequate time at a computer to sit andreturn.Once again, my oldest sister and I will be doing the last 114 miles together,reaching Baxter State Park on Saturday, June 19th. Then my father, Mike(brother-in-law), and hopefully my mom will meet us at the campsite at Katahdin Stream Falls Campground. Fathers day, June 20, all those able to as weather allows will be climbing Katahdin.Thanks again to all, and say a prayer or a dozen for safety for all those on the road, traveling hither and yon to help me see this through.Well, I guess there's only one thing left to do.....
Date: 2004-06-13
From: James Brook (Stealth Camp)

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Log entry 1341. Start time: 09102. End time: 19453. Weather: Warm and sunny all day. A nice breeze always seemed to come along at the right time. 4. Food        Breakfast-OCP and vanilla CIB        Lunch- Chex mix and natures valley bars        Dinner- potato soup with ham and croutons5. Trail description: All kinds of good stuff. Bogs open slate, steep rocky climbs, roots, fords, and Pennsylvania scree fields.6. People: a handful of SOBOs7. Animals: toad, dragonflies, spiders8. Money: none9. Biggest complaint: Worrying about Gina, I am sure she¢s fine.10- Narrative: I slept great on the bed of soft pine needles and we slept in a bit but packing up went very smoothly and we headed off. The destination for tonight was as far as we could get, hopefully Cloud Pond. The only thing was that our first real climb would be up Barren Mtn which is just before the shelter. So we set a steady pace and took time to enjoy the simple things, like the waterfalls and stream crossings. Big Wilson stream was marvelous. We were both overheated and the knee deep water felt great. We then took a long lunch at Wilson Valley lean-to and headed off to Long Pond Stream lean-to, the next way-point, four miles up the trail. This stretch was a little rougher. Some of the boulders and rocks made for tough walking and the short night of rest, high heat, and some of the euphoria of the hike had maybe faded a little in Gina May. But she pulled through like a trooper and wanted to push past Long Pond stream to Cloud Pond, which included the long climb up Barren Mtn. We didn¢t push it too hard up but Gina did maintain a great pace and we shared in the joy of reaching the top. We could have easily stayed the night at Long Pond Stream lean-to and saved the 4 miles for tomorrow but Gina shares the same mindset as me, ¢Don¢t put off until tomorrow what can be done today¢. We were richly rewarded with a great view from Barren. The Next 1.1 miles to the shelter trail were rough and slow, just too long of a day. The subsequent .3 walk to the shelter seemed to take forever. But once we found the tentsites on the glacial pond, we were both glad to be 4 miles ahead.We both ate hearty dinners and went to sleep as soon as dishes were done.
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Log entry 135Start Time-0800End Time-1920Weather-Strange morning weather. First sun then fog blew in but was only around for a matter of minutes. Mostly sunny until noon when it sprinkled a bit. Cloudy afternoon but a sunny evening. Temps in the 60s.Breakfast-OCP and strawberry CIBLunch- chex mix Dinner- Benny's jerky stroganoffTrail Description- A much easier day than we thought, elevation gain wise. The four mountains we climbed (Fourth, Third, Columbus, and Chairback) were not worth the worry. A very long but gentle climb out of the Pleasant river up to the shelter. 1200 vertical feet over 5 miles. It wasn't that it was steep, just very boring.People- some SOBOsAnimals- 2 snakes, misc. birdsMoney Spent-noneBiggest complaint- Sleepy tired. While my miles have been down due to hiking with my sister, I am more tired than before as more of the day is spent walking. Still would not trade her for a weeks worth of naps.Narrative- Gina May was a little nervous about the climbs today and I could tell it weighed heavy on her mind. But in reality, she laid the hurt down the Barren Range. The drop to the west branch of the Pleasant River was long and easy on the knees. We had read in the previous shelter entries about how cold and deep the water was. It was a little chilly but only about shin deep. The worst part by far was the mosquitoes which ate you as you sat to change footwear. They did not lessen until we layered up with Ultrathon, a bug dope. The next 5.5 miles seemed to take forever. The walking was easy but the day seemed to just be dragging on and on. Once we passed the Gulf Hagas cut off trail we had 3.5 more miles to go but no points of reference from the guides or maps. So you have no idea whether you have gone 2 miles or 3 miles. That was disheartening. But we soon saw the tent sites, crossed a stream, and then climbed up to the shelter. It was empty, much to our surprise. We bounced the idea around of setting the tent up in the shelter due to bugs as we hiked today, but figured the shelter would have at least one SOBO in it. We waited until 2130, when we were done eating and ready for bed, to set up the tent, just in case someone else showed up.
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Mahar Tote Rd (White House Landing)

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Log entry 138Start time- 0915End time- 1820Weather- Heat and humidity right away in the morning. Followed immediately by mosquito showers. Some brief periods of rain in the early evening, not enough to cool stuff off but keep things sticky. Still uncomfortably warm at 2115.Breakfast- bacon, home fries, English muffins, scrambled eggs and a hearty stack of blueberry pancakes.Lunch- nutty bars and pop tartsDinner- stuffing with chicken and gravyTrail description- Good, flat trail except for the brief climb up Nesuntabunt Mountain. Great views from there. A mild downhill and the trail followed Rainbow stream up to the shelter, which had many waterfalls and small canyon sections.People- Bill and Linda @ Whitehouse, Pete and Sam, Bjorn and 2 other SOBOs.Animals- frogs, snakes, grouse, trout, bluegill, squirrels and chipmunks, oh yeah and a bear cub.Money spent- $85 total at Whitehouse for the 2 of us.Biggest complaint- heat and mosquitos. Black flies are trumped by the skeeters.Narrative- The breakfast was wonderful, we tried not to stuff ourselves but failed miserably. Bill dropped Gina and I off .2 from the AT and we were on our way. The stomach full of food wasn¢t as bad as the thirst that it created. It was easy enough to deal with, but still made for some uncomfortable miles.Not long into the morning I saw my first bear. It was a cub running very fast up, in front, and away from us. There was no chance for a picture and I only got a fleeting glimpse. It did cause Gina and I to talk in exceedingly loud voices for a long time in an attempt to scare off Mama too, but we never saw her. I¢m not sure why we both felt so tired by the end of the day, there wasn¢t much to the trail. By the time we reached Rainbow Stream Lean-to, we were ready to stop for the day. We planned on pushing a little farther to make tomorrow even easier but decided to stay and enjoy the company of the SOBOs I the shelter. We set up the tent up on the hill overlooking the stream, which was a great spot. After that I chatted with Bjorn, a southbounder, and filled him in on the places I liked and what towns had what. This was my last night ¢on the AT¢. The next 2 would be at campgrounds on the AT but it just isn¢t the same. All good things must come to an end.