morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-08-15
From: Rangely sick day

To: Spaulding mtn lean to
Miles today: 18.7

Feeling so much better today.Slept really great and am ready to go.A really seeer old lady gave us a ride back to the trail.  At the trail said Hi to Rambo Juice.Also met Jesus.He started in mid May and is super fast.Cool kid.He knows Pebbles and reminds me of Pebbles.  Really nice day again today.Started the long climb up Saddleback mtn.Its over 2000 feet to the summit.Pretty steep in spots.Was really bummed the last 200 feet or so were clouded in.I have been here before and know how beautiful it is.Was surprised to see huge moose tracks on top.Didnt know they walked around on top.Was really cool to be in the clouds.They were blowing by so fast. The Horn is the next big mtn ..On the way over the clouds just all separated and lifted revealing one of my favorite views in Maine.Its kind of like Franconia ridge in NH but just on a smaller scale.  At the top of Saddleback jr ,which was the next big climb,I heard Greenland say¢how did I get ahead of you,come on over and sit¢.I explained about my sick day.Blonde ET was there and said it was a great day to be sick because it rained pretty much all day.Santa ,Jesus,and 47 were also there.We all ate lunch together and had some laughs .We watched some thunder storms way off in the distance forming and roll by.Its so cool to see this from up so high and far away.Lots of Crazy lightning was going on inside them.  Long hike down from that wonderful ridge line hike.So happy it cleared up.Many clear streams on the way down.Them another good steep climb up to Lone mtn..No view but a really pretty wooded summit.Decided to stay at Spaulding mtn lean to to find a tent spot.Many hikers here tonight.Mostly day and southbounders.Found a nice quiet spot way out back.Just tired,want to eat like a pig and jump into my sleeping bag and relax.Usually love to talk with everyone,tonight just need to space out.Like Not think about a thing
Date: 2018-08-16
From: Spaulding mtn lean to

To: Stratton Maine
Miles today: 13.9

Slept great ,but finding it¢s really,really hard to get up out of my warm and puffy sleeping bag in the morning now.Getting a little lazy or maybe just exhausted.  Nice morning.Started up right away to the side of Spaulding mtn..Great views over to Sugarloaf and the ski trails.Everything is so vividly green out here.Nasty and boulder strewn climb down.Wet and slick too.Really if you take one wrong step you could break a leg or ankle easily.Too much thinking for me!Nice view over to the Crocker mtns. straight ahead.Clouds are hovering just above the. summit.Ran into On step,really cool thru hiker from Florida I met somewhere way back.Just one of those people that you like to be around because they are so happy. More steep climbing up to the Crockers.Met a very sweet old lady from Georgia who was almost done section hiking the whole trail.Full of that southern kindness I love so much.I let her know that the south is where it¢s at in my opinion.Was nice talking with her also because I really miss those southern accents.Not much for views on the Crocker¢s,but beautiful trail.  Started the long down climb and hit 2000 miles today.Really happy about it.Not really about how many miles ,but all the memories made so far.Its been truly a great experience. We decided to go into Stratton for the night to resupply food and hang out.At the road ET and Jesus were there.They were hiking on.Was good to see them again. Didn¢t take long at all to get a hitch into town.A really nice lady who hiked the AT years back picked us up and was so happy to help.Decided to stay at White wolf Inn.Santa,47,and Greenland showed up.Greenland was staying so we split a room with him for the night.Such a nice guy.I also had the best burger of my life here.It was so flavorful.Hot and wet,juicy.Sucked all the juices right out of it,couldn¢t get enough of how good it tasted on my lips and tongue.Put my face right in it and went to town.  Really beautiful night .Just out sitting in the breeze.Kind of night you don¢t want to end
Date: 2018-08-17
From: Stratton Maine

To: By Flagstaff lake
Miles today: 18.5

Caught a ride back to the trail first thing.Didnt evenhave to hitch.A dayhiker that was staying here gave us a ride.He does the same thing as me for a living in real life.We both agree we love our jobs but hate the way management treats us and would be such a better place and run smoother if there was no bosses at all. Back at the trailhead we knew we were in for a punishing right away.Lots of climbing today.First big climb was up to North Horn.Towards the top is a lookout looking straight down to Horns pond with Horns mtn surrounding it.This was one of the most stunning views on the trail so far.Hard to explain,just felt like you were hovering right above it all because of the steep cliffs you are standing on.Once up Horn mtn Bigelow west peak comes into sight.Just massive and in your face.Really great views back to the Horn and Avery ahead.Avery is very impressive to look at.Looking at it its hard to figure where the trail could possibly go because it¢s so rocky and steep.On the way up is all open rock with incredible views.Flagstaff lake is so beautiful from above.Avery peak I have done before and was so happy to revisit today.So wife open and 360 views of Maine¢s beauty.Took a nice long lunch by an old foundation on top.Looking ahead from here you can see the long ridge line the trail follows.Its long and narrow for miles,really cool and different from anything I have seen in this trail so far.More very steep descending.Safford notch was a really cool section where you walk in between boulders the size of buses covered in neon green moss.Felt like I was a Hobbit. The long ridge line came next over to little Bogelow.Some really great views along the way.One view showed doom coming in the form of more rain and storms floating our way.Nice climb down the ridge line with some great swimming holes and open rock faces with views towards Flagstaff lake.  Flagstaff lake is such a sweet spot once you get there.Really calm lake with beaches.There are tent sites here but we¢re all taken by dayhikers so we had to find a spot quick before the downpour.Took a couple of miles to find anything close to flat.Set up quick and ate even quicker.Was like an animal I was so hungry today. A little worried right now.Have some major back pain going on right where I had a surgery on my spine and vertebrae last fall.Really hope it¢s gone when I wake up.Its pouring out now and I am going to see if some special meds will help.Besides all of that,the rain sounds so nice hitting my tent.I think I will be out in minutes
Date: 2018-08-18
From: By Flagstaff lake

To: Caratunk Maine
Miles today: 20.1

Lots of pain in my back still.I just need to try and walk through it because if I don¢t finish this trail after all this I will hate myself.It is really bad pain for sure though. Packed up in the wet mist.Supposed to rain lightly most of the day today. I am gonna keep this journal short.Very wet and muddy all day.Some beautiful  swimming holes and cascades.Mostly flat all day.We knew we had to reach the Kennebec river before 2 if we wanted a ride across.The river is unpredictable because a dam upstream releases its waters during the day at different times.People have died trying to get across.We had to do 20 miles to get there and just made it with 5 minutes to spare.Was so happy because the last 5 miles we were really flying and my back was killing and it was tough.The ferryman was a really nice guy and helpful.  Caratunk is a really cool old town we decided to stay in.Really old early 1900 s houses are all that¢s there.Like walking back in time,loved it.Went to the post office where there is a phone you can use.Decided to stay at the Sterling Inn and it was a great choice.Really old place,like an old farmhouse with great style.Super nice owner was so great.Brought us to Kennebec brewery where they have some great beers.Magic hole was my choice.And bacon wrapped meatloaf was the best thing that¢s been in my mouth since White wolfs burgers.Had to leave before I ate anything else that looked so good.  Back at the Sterling Inn for the night where I met some older gentleman that made some amazing liquor.We had a great time drinking a bottle with some great conversation.Really cool guys.Offered us a ride back to the trail in the morning. Seeing double a little so I hope this all makes sense.Good night!!!
Date: 2018-08-19
From: Caratunk Maine

To: Moxie Bald summit
Miles today: 16.7

Really love this old place.Love waking up in old houses.Owner makes a delicious breakfast and I took full advantage of it.Best blueberry muffins I¢ve ever had in my life.Cool guy with the liquor from last night went out of his way to track us down and give us a ride back to the trail.  Really beautiful clear day today.Nice open woods walk up to Pleasant pond mtn..On the way up heard something very large walking through the woods .Went in a ways to find it but nothing.Really hoping to see a moose soon.Pleasant pond mtn has great views and is covered in blueberries.Cant get enough of them.I must look like an animal I am trying to eat them so fast.  Really nice and not so strenuous hiking today over beautiful streams and brooks. Very quiet out here.Lots of southbound hikers today.  Decided to make it a somewhat short day today and stay up on the summit of Moxie bald and cowboy camp.Pretty steep climb up by some cool caves on the way.Moxies summit is all open because of a fire that happened a long time ago.Really breathtaking views down to a lake and all the mountains we have come over on the past few days.I slept in the open on the very top on a great rock slab.Saw one of the best sunsets of the whole trail and really soaked it in while thinking about life.Was a really nice moment. Was such a great night for stargazing.So. clear and so many.A really strange thing happened to me tonight while gazing.Was really tired and heard and felt footsteps behind me.Thought maybe a bear or something big.Next I felt something warm all along my back ,kind of like someone hugging me.It was a truly content and comforting feeling.I turned and looked behind me and there was nothing there at all.And the nice feeling was gone immediately.Whoever reads this will probably think I am insane but that¢s okay.I had a great friend explain some things to me and it all makes sense.Thank you friend!!  Off to a very happy and peaceful sleep under the stars.
Date: 2018-08-20
From: Moxie Bald summit

To: Monson Maine@Shaws hostel
Miles today: 20.0

Had to get up a few times during the night .Glad I did,moon and stars were really brilliant.Like little diamond chips sparkling.Woke up to another sunny morning too!The sunrise today was my favorite of the whole trip.On the way down Moxie the view is to a beautiful lake and all the mountains I will be climbing soon.The valleys were all clouded in with more clouds hovering just above the lake.Sun rose a deep red color and turned all the clouds pink.It was breathtaking to me.  Today was a pretty easy day compared to how hard it¢s been for sooo long now.Trail crosses many streams and takes you on some old woods roads.2 streams you have to ford.They were only a little above knee high. Shortly after lunch a good sized cow moose ran across the trail in front of us.She went in thick woods about 20 yards and stopped and watched us for a long time.They blend into their surroundings so easily.Was hard to get a good picture.Was so happy to finally see one on this trip! Made it to rte 15 where we called the owner of Shaw¢s hostel to come pick us up.Hippie Chic picked us up.Very nice lady who thru hiked a few years back.Shaws was one of the places on my list I really had to go to.Really nice old house with lots of character.ET,Sally Forth and so many others were there.Made some new friends that I haven¢t met before.It was a full house.Seemed like everyone was giving away food.I took most of it.Great pizza and other stuff.Couldnt eat enough.We had a nice fire and had lots of laughs and some beers.My kind of night!  Gotta try and get some sleep.Excited about the breakfast here tomorrow.Everyone says it¢s the best on the trail
Date: 2018-08-21
From: Monson Maine@Shaws hostel

To: Barren slide
Miles today: 16.3

Was really nice waking up in a really old house again.Something about them,really love them.Went downstairs to get ready for breakfast and inside was crowded.Decided to eat outside.Another really nice day!Ate with Sally Forth and a really nice nurse I haven¢t met before.She was telling me about how she works in a burn unit and some of the things she has seen .Really interesting stuff .The breakfast came and it was amazing!Eggs,bacon,sausage and all you can eat blueberry pancakes.All local farm fresh.Soooo good!I ate so many pancakes I could barely move after.  Poet is Hippie Chics husband.He also thru hiked.He shuttled us all back to the trail.Super nice guy who reminded us there wasn¢t very far to go on this trip so we need to enjoy every minute now.  Entered the 100 mile wilderness immediately.It was kind of cool because everything did look kind of different and more untouched as soon as you enter.Passed many beautiful streams and waterfalls.Not much climbing ,a lot of the little ups and downs that are tiring to me lately though.The ponds and streams are so crystal clear here.To me it¢s like looking through one of those wavey glass windows in really old houses,totally clear with just a hint of a little movement.Really beautiful to look at I think.  We were kind of shot from long miles yesterday.I found a spot on Barren slide a little off the trail.Really cool !!?It is the very top of a slide with giant slabs jutting out in different directions looking way down to a lake and tall mountains surrounding it .Saw a great sunset and watched the moon rise right in front of me .Another night of super shining stars too.Sat out on top of some huge rock slabs for quite a while and really loved it all,the moment,where I was,and all the memories of this trail so far.Just really peaceful and happy!
Date: 2018-08-22
From: Barren slide

To: Carl A Newhall lean to
Miles today: 19.6

Got quite windy during the night.Decided to pack up early today because of the threat of rain.Just missed the start of it.  Lots of steep climbing today up and down.Cant really tell you what any of the views were because it is super socked in.On third mountain something very cool happened.Hit 2100 miles!!It hit me hard in a good and bad way.Good because I am proud to make it this far and all the great memories.Bad because I made it this far and it¢s almost over.Sally Forth and Sheepdog showed up shortly after and felt the same.Its so weird how incredibly hard this trail can be,but I don¢t ever want to leave it.  Had lunch at Chairback lean to with Numb,Sally Forth,Sheepdod And Onstep.It was raining pretty good all day So was nice to be dry for a few.Really great people,had some laughs.Onstep decided to stay there all day to avoid the cold rain.I don¢t blame him a bit!We decided to get some more miles.I have a hard time sitting for so long.  The trail down Chairback was extremely steep on sharp pointy boulders.Wet and slippery too.It was nerve racking and the rain was pouring.Was a really good feeling at the bottom to have made it unscathed.After all of that the trail eased up and was kind of nice.One thing I notice for sure now is that it¢s hard to stay warm.I probably have little fat left on my body so when it rains cold,I really feel it.Stopped to filter water and I was shivering big time.There were some gigantic blackberries there that I devoured and made me feel a bit happier though  Decided to tent at Carl A Newhall lean to.Still raining.Found a nice spot away from the shelter.Moose poop all over the place.Gonna get out of these soaked clothes ,climb in my bag,take a few puffs,and try to get warm.Hoping this rain ends before morning
Date: 2018-08-23
From: Carl A Newhall lean to

To: Stealth spot by stream
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I must¢ve been really tired last night.Woke u with my food bag in my tent with me.I always hang it and don¢t even remember falling asleep.It had to be early.It stopped raining!!Everything is really wet but it¢s so great to not have to pack up in the rain. Set off kind of early today just to get warm.Steep climbing right away took care of that.West peak,Hay mtn,then up to White cap mtn.We hiked with Sally Forth for some of this.Really nice lady from Tennessee.When she gets to Katahdin she will go back to Va and go south to finish her thru hike.Told her I was kind of jealous because my trip is almost over.White cap is the only tall mtn until Katahdin now.It had great views of Katahdin.Looks so far away but was great to finally actually see it!Hiking down White cap was rally rocky,steep and challenging.Met some day hikers who were congratulating me on getting so far and almost being done.I want people to stop telling me I am almost done!Trying to block that out of my mind.  Trail became much easier the rest of the day.So many streams,ponds and lakes here in Maine.We decided to go until we found a great stealth spot.Did 22.2 today!Nice And and breezy and sunny now so we were able to dry them just about everything by hanging it all from tree branches.In an area surrounded by really tall pines and nothing else.Really quiet and peaceful.  Looking forward to having a short day tomorrow and staying at White House Landing.A really great hostel everyone has been telling me I should go to.Watching the moon rise between the tall pines from my tent.Thinking about all the great people I have met along this trail.Not sure what I did to ever deserve such a great 5 months of my life.
Date: 2018-08-24
From: Stealth spot by stream

To: White House Landing camps
Miles today: 10.7

Some really great stargazing for a while last night.And to be nice and dry compared to the night before was a great thing!Really nice out this morning  Walked about half a mile and hit Jo-Mary road.There was a trail magic table and coolers set up with a sign that said take whatever and how much of anything you want to carry.Lots of great snack foods .....and then I open the huge cooler.Filled with ice cold beers!!!I drank 2 there and carried out 7 more because I knew it was going to be a short mile day.Filled my pockets with snack foods too. Saw an awesome hazy red sunrise through the trees.A huge red sun with all grey skies around.Never saw the sun look like this.Was really cool.Passed over a couple of boggy areas hoping to see a moose.Antlers campsite was a beautiful spot on Jo-Mary lake.Was nice to call Bethie from there because I hadn¢t had cell service for almost 2 days.Was hard to leave this wonderful place.  Crossed a few roads before coming to Mahar tote road.This is where we had to take a side trail to get picked up and go to White House Landing.The owner picks you up in his boat and brings you across a really beautiful lake to his cabins.I can¢t say how much I liked this place.Owners are so cool and the cabins are spotless and right on the lake.One of the nicest settings on the whole trail I think.They make an excellent dinner and breakfast too.Made me a pizza that was in the to 5 I have ever had.Pot is legal in Maine so they give you a joint for staying with them.I am not saying I smoked it,but if I did it was probably some of the best I¢ve ever smoked!  We shared a cabin with Sidequest.Really liked and connected with this guy.He is going southbound unfortunately though so I won¢t see him again.Had a really great and memorable conversation with him.He is really into picking mushrooms and gave me some of his best ones.Made for a really fun time.Popeye,another southbound flip flop  visited us for a while too.Another great guy.  In my room now watching a huge orange moon rise in front of me.Looks like I could just reach out and grab it,irs so big.Ths is a really great place to be,wish you all could be here
Date: 2018-08-25
From: White House Landing camps

To: Rainbow stream lean to
Miles today: 15.6

Woke up around 3am to go out to the bathroom.This whole place is off grid so there is a separate building with privies and showers.The huge moon above the misty lake was just stunning.Had to watch for a few minutes.This is such a great spot to be at.  Lake was just as beautiful in the morning.Loons were out all night and watched them this morning.Forgot to mention we saw a bald eagle yesterday diving down for fish in the lake.Breakfast was so delicious.More blueberry pancakes!!The owners gave us all the history of the place and how the trail used to be through this area.Also showed us some really old things they have found in the lake.Old lanterns,logging tools,a gun.They also showed us some driftwood art they make.Super talented people.  Was so hard to leave this place.They brought the 4 of us back to the trail on the boat.Really sunny day again!!Said goodbye to Sidequest and Popeye and started off.Crossed many streams early.Saw Savage and said hi.Came to Nahmakanta lake and saw ET.Told her all about White House Landing.She was getting ready to swim.Really nice lake .Follow Its shore for quite a while.  Nesuntabunt mtn is a small one ,but really steep.It really wiped me out today.There is a great view on top of Katahdin though.Katahdin is only 16 miles from here if you were to walk in a straight line to it.The trail takes you many more miles to reach it..Finished off my pizza there from the night before and talked with some nice south bounders.Trail down was just as steep as up.Took some time for such a short distance.  At Crescent pond I saw Rambo Juice and Stretch.Havent seen them in a little while.They plan on finishing a day before we do with Savage and a few others we know.Ee could finish with them,but want to slow down and enjoy these last days.  Followed a gorgeous stream with cascades and waterfalls for quite a while.Really deep and clear swimming holes too.Ended up renting a little ways away from Rainbow stream lean to.Place was mobbed with dayhikers and some thru hikers.Saw ET at the shelter and said goodbye to her and congratulations.She is really fast and will be finishing 1 or 2 days before me.One of the nicest people I met on the trail.  In another really sweet tent spot.One of those nights where I really kind of want to be alone and think and drift off