morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-09-12
From: Franconia Notch / Liberty Springs Trailhead

To: Stealth Spot
Miles today: 14.2

Franconia Notch mile 1816 to stealth spot mile 1830.2 for 14.2 milesHighlights today. Vigorous climb from 1432' to 4800' Little Haystack Mtn in 4 miles time. Then Mt Lincoln at 5089' and 5263' Mt Lafayette. Then down to Garfield Pond at 3880' up to Mt Garfield 4458', down to 3418' and then back up to South Twin Mountain 4902'Shortly after summiting South Twin Mountain at 4902' they were just too pooped to continue. Stealth camped at 1830.2 and not the Guyot Shelter at 1831.8. Big Cypress got some amazing video footage. Precarious ridges, wow!! Hiked to 6 pm. No hot meal was eaten today, only snacking all day.They saw several hikers, one they remember is Sasquatch. Critter Report: Blue Jays and other larger birds of same size as jay.
Date: 2016-09-13
From: Stealth Spot

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: clear sky

Start @ Mile 1830.2. To pitstop for lunch with Moonbeam at Crawford Notch US302 mile 1843.7 then continue on to Mizpah Hut at Mile 1850.1 for 19.1 total miles.WishBone and I walked up the trail (south) to the RR tracks and sat trying to get phone signal, not happening. I did get a text, somehow, at 8:12 this morning telling me that they aren't making headway they thought and we'd probably not make it to Gorham until Friday. I met GI Joe from Lancaster PA, while I was sitting on a step near the RR tracks. Thru hiking started April 16. He was going to go 3 miles West to charge cell phone & bite to eat. I offered coffee & phone charge. He accepted & visited a while. Then we visit with Boobytrap from NY and Gandolph from TN. It's now 10:38am, weather is sunny & cool, not a cloud insight. Rain is predicted for tomorrow after 3, 60% chance. With Mt Washington looming for tomorrow, it's advised to avoid in such weather for thru hikers. Weather up there is very volatile & can change in an instant. From rain to snow with crazy winds!! So unpredictable that our AWOL guide has a section dedicated to NWS Wind Chill Chart. It's the most extreme weather in the world. Wind speeds well over 200 mph recorded and below freezing temps in summer.Previously to Big Cypress text this morning, tonights sleep plan was Mizpah Spring Hut at 3800' elevation. 6 miles from Mt Washington summit. This hut is also the last sleep spot below the tree line. Next 12.7 miles will be Above Tree line in the 4k to 6288 (Mt Washington) thousand feet. Mt Washington is also the 2nd highest peak on the AT, Smokies Clingman's Dome being highest. Lacking the crazy weather/winds though. I was planning on taking the Mt Wash. Auto Road....it costs $29 to drive, since it's a privately owned road. I really want to do the drive with Big Cypress, but also want to be up there when they summit. I will play it by ear! Especially with bad weather in forecast. Although they will close the road due to weather, so...Chatted a moment with SOBO FlipFlopper Halftime. She shared that she fell after a good decent and lost consciousness for few minutes. Man...O Man! Glad she didn't suffer any side effects or anything worse! Also, met two couples traveling together from Grand Rapids. They live near Calvin College.
Date: 2016-09-15
From: Mt Washington Summit

To: Gorham NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Zero in GorhamAnimal at White Mountains Hostel, with the AT hiker experience!! Since he hadn't stayed at a hostel yet. Animal said he did nothing but lay around and rest!!I did two loads of laundry & cleaned the truck bed area. Went to Walmart for snacks & water proof spray. Big Cypress & I had lunch dinner combo with Jason. We then did a pack repack & prep for departure in the morning. Rest & foot soaking off & on all day!!Met Sprinter & Sourpatch
Date: 2016-09-16
From: Mt Washington Summit

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

Start Mt Washington Summit @ mile 1856.2 and a much improved & SUNNY day!! to Pinkham Notch Visitor Center mile 1869.7 for 13.5 miles.We arrived at the Mt Washington Auto Road shuttle area building at 8:15 am. Looked around the gift shop, used to potty, paid the 26 pp (military rate)for one way shuttle back to the top! The weather at 9 am, was temp of 41° with windchill at 34°. Winds at 10 mph. Like a night & day difference from last summit, 2 days ago.Turtle was at the visitor center when I arrived at 10. We visited for few hours. I sat at a table and chatted with 3 thru hikers, Highfive from New Orleans,Johnny B from Lebanon TN, and Two Soles from Hattiesburg MS. Sharon & Robert Greenfield Park Quebec talked with Oliver and I for over an hour. Then about 5pm, I met Ladybug from LA & Phoenix, he saw Big & Animal not long ago and then Carrot from Wisconsin, confirmed the same. They both leapfrogged them. So...at 5:50 I see my husbands smiling face!! Yippy...hurray!! Animal is bringing up the rear. They would have been in sooner, but Big fell a few times. One being very precarious....lower half of his body hanging off a twenty foot drop off. He is a little banged up, but not too bad. Hurt his wrist pretty good, but not broken. Plus, Big said they would have been sooner not only did they both fall today, they got off on the wrong trail for about half n hour!! Oops!!The hike today was ok they said. Mt Washington was a little cloudy. The ride up was clear blue skies. Big said the driver pulled 6 inches from the cliff edge to show them the glacial lake. Big said "it went straight down" & was creepy!! He said, "you would have crapped my pants!" It was very sketchy, as there was no "side of the road, it just was the road & then right down!" I'm so glad we opted for the shuttle up for them!! Big took some video up top, but not a lot for the day. He spoke about the shuttle trip a lot and falling. We are all so happy that the big looming W is done!!We went 3.1 miles to a car pull off spot near the Mt Wash. auto road, Animal stealth camped & we slept in the back of the truck. In our sleeping position by 7:15pm. Our dinner was various sandwich meats, fruit and PB Brownie. Animal had fruit, a trail meal of ramen, chicken & saurkraut and a brownie.
Date: 2016-09-17
From: Pinkham Notch

To: US 2 Gorham NH
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Pinkham Notch Visitor Center/Rt 16 mile 1869.7 to US 2 mile 1890.8 for 21.1 milesWe woke to 43° temperature. Clear skies! The leaves have kicked it up a notch and the reds are really starting to change more. We are pretty excited!!The original plan for today was to AMC's Imp Campsite .2 off the trail & 10 dollars per person. Animal asked to slack instead of full gear and shorter miles. So...he said he'd much rather go more miles with less to carry. This also is a very popular spot to slack pack, so...its doable & not out of the ordinary. Hike highlights: the notch start at 2050' elevation then 3 mile climb to Wildcat Mountain peak E at 4066'. Then peak C at 4278', then peak A 4422' and an additional 2 miles from peak E to C. Later its Carter Dome at 4832' the highest point of the day, then Mt Hight at 4653'. Then bouncing ups & downs and then down down down to 780' for road crossing & sleep. Saw Carrot at about 4 pm, she was on her way to White Mtn Hostel. Visited with Chupacabra from San Diego and Wildfire from Knoxville TN.My hikers arrived @ 7pm. Animal came in yelling, "I beat the old man, I beat the old mam." Big was close behind. Food was hot and ready. I had a slight heads up from other hikers & figured they'd be starving! Big had tortellini with left over rotisserie chicken. Animal had Chicken Veggie Ramen.I forgot to mention we heard a crazy loud animal call last night. Yep....a moose! Crazy loud & crazy weird sound!! Praying that I get to see one of those behemoths!! Today, Big & Animal saw huge moose tracks in the mud! Big went on & on about how big they were, he just couldn't believe it!! Oh man....I can't wait!!The Struggle is real!! Wildcat Mountain was a doisey!! It really took all they had!! Hard hiking day. No foot bath tonight, just sleep!!I believe tomorrow we will be arriving Maine!!
Date: 2016-09-21
From: East B Hill Rd

To: South Arm 
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

POSTED A SLEW OF PICTURES TODAY! Check out the pictures link to the left of this page.Start at East B Hill Rd 1932.2 to South Arm Rd. mile 1942.3 for 10.1 milesHighlights today: Wyman Mtn 2920' down to Sawyer Notch at 1095' and Moody Mtn at 2440' then South Arm Rd. None of slept very well,not sure why. We tented in backyard of Little Red Hen. Church bells were our alarm clock this morning. Breakfast at 630, both my guys had the hiker breakfast, neither could eat it all! Wildfire had the same & also couldn't finish it. We did some internet things, like Banking & ordering Big new pants for delivery in Stratton. He had the seam give out in the butt, praying the sewing holds.Conversation at breakfast...Big had a bit of a friction issue yesterday, he had to hike with his hand as a sport cup for the last two miles. He didn't see anyone, so he was relieved he didn't have to explain!! I felt bad, but laughed at the picture he painted!!I drove them the 8 miles back to the trail head and came back to the diner. Showered & laundry going while I update our journal. I gave Cowboy from SE Michigan,with Hoot from GR & now Tucson and Slowbo from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. They are all hiking south and needed a ride to South Arm Rd trail head.Big arrived at 1:15 and Animal a hour and half later. We ate local zucchini & chicken sausage & mac n cheese. Animal tented by the water with the SOBO group.
Date: 2016-09-22
From: South Arm 

To: ME 17
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: scattered clouds

South Arm Rd 1942.3 to ME 17 Oquossoc ME 1955.5 for 13.2 miles.       HAPPY FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN!! Last of our trail family summitted today!! Congrats to Rabbit, Leopard and Crash of the original Near Miss Group.Highlights today: Elevation 1410' at S Arm Rd, Old Blue Mtn. 3600', Bemis Mtn 3550', Bemis Mtn Second Peak 2905', Bemis Stream 1501' to Height of the Land view & bench.My guys headed out about 8 am. After eggs on tortillas for breakfast. I head to Andover & Little Red Hen. Meeting up again with High 5 and Johnny B I joined them for chatting. I had a English muffin.Safetypin & Whitenoise at Height of the Land Parking lot. I saw Barbara & Gordon again today. First meeting them at Grafton Notch SP. They took my picture and wanted to hear my leg story. They love America & are visiting from Sussex England.Wildfire showed up, hitched a ride to Rangeley. My peeps arrived at 3 pm. Yippy hurray!!
Date: 2016-09-24
From: Redington Campsite

To: Caribou Valley Rd/Caribou Pond Rd
Miles today: 15.9

Redington Campsite mile 1976.7 to Caribou Valley Rd/Caribou Pond Rd mile 1992.6 for 15.9 miles, arrived at 7:45 pm.Highlights: Saddleback Mtn Junior 3655', Orbeton Stream 1550', Sluice Brook 2088', Barnjam Rd, Perham Stream 2300', Lone Mountain 3260', Mt Abraham 3247', Spaulding Mtn 3894', Bronze plaque for the Completion of the last section of the AT from GA-ME, and finally Sugarloaf Mountain 3645', finally fording the Carrabassett River to reach me after .5 off the trail to the road. WishBone & I woke at about 7 am. Slept great in the chilly temps. The road noise was minimal and not getting up to tinkle in the middle of the night was great. Big Cypress & Animal were frozen during the night.Liz went back to Stratton to have coffee with JoAnn. I head to the next meeting spot. Not much parking area, and it's the weekend, equals lots of day hikers. WishBone & I arrived at 9 am. 5 cars already there! Right behind me, 3 more cars now 10:51 am and we are sitting in the truck to stay warm and about 8 more cars have arrived! Now parking on the sides of this dirt road.Liz arrived today, she called me while i was walking back from the .5 road walk to trail head. I left some signs & arrows on the trail. Big Cypress & Animal arrived at 5. I heard a story, right off the bat, of Animal going for water last night. Big set up the tent, which was a task due to gusty winds & the cold temps. Normally it takes about an hour to get water and Animal started calling out "dad, I can't find the trail" and its pitch dark outside. Big & fellow hiker NoName both called to Animal and then NoName said he would go get him, since he wasn't dressed for bed yet. Animal said he got confused & worried because their voices seemed to come from other directions. But, he took some deep breathes and focused and was ok.I chatted at about 430 pm, with some of the local day hikers. A couple of their dogs got in a scuffle, directly to my right....yes, I tried to get away as to not get bit, but they kept getting closer as I moved away. They pushed into, my still healing leg that did Not feel so good! I had to sit down and rest it, it really hurt! Sunny blue skies with passing clouds throughout the day. Wind started to pick up later today and some bigger gusts while eating various sandwiches for dinner. Big Cypress had turkey, I had PB & J and Animal had a hot meal followed by 2 PB&J's and various snacks.
Date: 2016-09-25
From: Caribou Valley Rd/Caribou Pond Rd

To: ME 27
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: fog

Caribou Valley Rd 1992.6 to ME 27 at 2000.9 for 8.3 milesHighlights of todays hike:BREAK THE LESS THAN 200 MILES TO KATAHDIN The Crocker Cirque campsite & stream at 2730', then up to South Crocker Mountain at 4040' and mile 1994.7 & up to North Crocker Mtn. 4228' in one mile. A high spring for water at 3358' then Moonbeam & WishBone road crossing!! With a well deserved Nero & Zero at the Stratton Motel. Sunny, 38° chilly & very windy. The autumn leaves are changing with vigor. Almost so fast, that it seems if you sat still long enough you could actually see them changing!! WishBone and I watched the falling leaves blow around, sometimes flying and swirling up and around!!My hikers arrived at 11:50 am. They had a great hike, leaving at about 730 this morning. We headed to Stratton Motel and made quick work of showers and headed for food!! Steak place in Eustis was amazing!! In bed by 7 pm. After laundry duty by Moonbeam for roughly from 3 to 4:30 pm.
Date: 2016-09-26
From: ME 27

To: ME 27
Miles today: 0.0

Great night sleep and Breakfast at The Looney Moose....big hiker meal & chocolate chip pancakes....delicious!! Trail planning and TV binge watching, Criminal Minds on ION channel.Big Cypress wanted steak tonight, so he and Animal went to the store and got what they craved, now they are using the motel kitchen to cook it up!
Date: 2016-09-27
From: ME 27

To: East Flagstaff Rd
Miles today: 16.7

ME 27 mile 2000.9 to East Flagstaff Rd 2017.6 for 16.7 milesHighlights of todays hike: Stratton Brook Pond, South Horn 3831', Bigelow Mtn. 4145', Avery Peak 4090', Little Bigelow   Mtn 3010' to East Flagstaff Rd at 1200'Arrived at tonights sleep spot at East Flagstaff Rd about 9 am. Liz was snug in her tent, Jay & Katie had hit the trail already. She heard WishBones necklace and yelled out. We chatted, had coffee and walked down the side trail down to the lake. Flagstaff Lake is right here and beautiful!! Then, we sat in Liz's van & talked roads & areas we will be meeting our hikers. Met Sublime 2007 thru hiker, doing trail magic at East Flagstaff Rd. At about noon. He finally got his first hikers at about 3, sodas for Chasing Freedom & Hipbelt. They stopped & talked with me. Ruth wasn't sure she could get down this road so meeting at a paved road 3 miles away.I set up Animals tent on a grassy spot in the cul-de-sac type parking area here. It was wet from Sunday's rain. This morning was again rainy, but now at 3:29pm, its blue skies, breezy & delightful! My hikers arrived at about 4 pm. We had dinner, and a walk down to Flagstaff Lake and WishBone enjoyed the walk with us. After a foot soaking, we got into our beds at about 5:30-ish.
Date: 2016-09-28
From: East Flagstaff Rd

To: Otter Pond Rd
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: fog

East Flagstaff Rd mile 2017.6 to Otter Pond Rd 2034.5 for 16.9 Highlights for today: West Carry Pond & Lean To, East Carry Pond, Scott Rd., Carrying Place Stream, Pierce Pond (all in the 1k foot elevation range, finally Otter Pond Rd. - - - "Carry" ponds are so named because they were used for portage.Met, Provider, goes by Prov she ut coffee in her Gatorade bottle, heading out to catch the canoe ferry service. Pirate & Wildflower- prior was the newlyweds from Michigan stopped for hot chocolate. My guys arrived early at about 230-3 pm. We had trail meals and soaked feet. Hit the hay about 5 pm. Critter Report:Fox crossed the road in front of the truck and Several Grouse
Date: 2016-09-29
From: Otter Pond Rd

To: Moxie Pond/Troutdale Rd
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Otter Pond Rd 2034.5 to Kennebec River 3 miles then to Moxie Pond/Troutdale Rd mile 2049.8 for 15.3 milesHighlights: Canoe across the Kennebec River. Pleasant Pond Mtn at 2470' and nice hiking day!!This morning we splurged and had patriotic pancakes at Harrison's Camp, made by Tim! They had bites of apple, blueberries & raspberries made into them and boy were they amazing!! Later, I picked up Maverick from New Port Ritchie and his brother, Ford (as he Ford the Kennebec & was told not to by bro, but did it anyway) they are hiking with,Chopsticks MN, Goose from FL, Pineapple Express from TN, And Skibo. The two brothers needed a ride to the store up the road and it was on my way, so I was happy to give them a lift. The drive was a little precarious, as the water is only inches from the roadside and not wide enough in most places for two vehicles to get passed each other. But....we made it without incident!! My hikers arrived at about 330, in good spirits and both wanting a foot bath tonight. We had a small campfire and dinner of chicken sausage with red onion & green pepper, Velveeta Shells & cheese and Animal added a dehydrated trail meal after his first dinner.Walking before bed to snap a couple pics we met, Bear Keeper & her lil Bear (Yorky dog, thru hiking mostly by puppy pack). We also saw NoName at 443pm, he's the hiker that helped save Animal the other night, when he got lost getting water.Critter Report:Loon and lots of little birds I couldn't see well enough to ID.
Date: 2016-09-30
From: Moxie Pond/Troutdale Rd

To: Lake Hebron parking spot
Miles today: 21.5

Moxie Pond 2049.8 to Lake Hebron parking area 2071.3 for 21.5 miles today.Highlights: Moxie Bald Mountain at 2629' and several stream & the East Branch of the Piscatiquis River. Supposed to ford this river, but all hikers have said it's a rock hop, as water levels are crazy low. (Not enough snow melt & rain, drought conditions out here)32 degrees this morning! Nuff said! We did enjoy eggs with onion & green pepper left-over from last night. Bacon we've been carrying since VT & The Edge Farm stand. I also took a hand from the this neck of the woods playbook, toast....grilled or toasted?! Since we now have butter and no toaster, grilled toast it was. Delicious!!Big & Animal were on trail by 7 am. I was on my side of the trail via gravel chatter bump roads. Well.....even the paved roads are pretty bumpy, due to the freezing and thawing that helps that process happen. I took some cool fog pictures this morning, I bet Big did too! Pit stop at Kingsbury Lake, 4 Loon were swimming in the morning light & fog drifting on the lake top. Gorgeous!! Stopped in Monson at the Irving gas station, I fill up every town stop, as I'm clueless as to how far towns are with an open gas station. Most are the old handle flip style & they don't make you pay first - they actually trust you to come in and pay after you pump. (Oh the good ol' days). Then to Shaws Hostel for road talk. They know the 100 Mile Wilderness area, which starts here and the ins & outs of road conditions & accessibility. We will be going onto private roads that have gates with a toll shack. Looks as though it'll cost an average of $20 a road. We have 4 planned stops in the 100 MW. After using the WiFi to update our journal, WishBone & I ran the 2 miles to our sleep spot. Then, I realized I forgot to check the weather report, so back to Shaws. Friendly Nate & Delicious needed a ride to the ME 15 trail head. So...weather checked & hikers loaded & dropped. Delicious is a fellow Michigander....from Petoskey, currently living in Ann Arbor area. 3:35 pm, at our sleep spot & birds are tweeting, every so often a Loon will call. I love that call! WishBone on the other hand does NOT! Barks every time!! Goodness sake!! Greeted by Kerri & Carol, they stopped n chatted. I walked with them to the trail head. They were sprucing up an AT sign and a few minutes later....there's my guys!! 4 pm just as I suspected!! They would've arrived sooner, but saw Turtle Tracks again and received trail magic of cheeseburgers & soda. (Saw him right by Height of Land). He needs prayers, as he will be having brain tumor surgery on Oct 11. He's told its non cancerous and we will definitely pray that's the case. Critter ReportGroup of Turkey Loon swimming in Kingsbury Pond, Kingsbury Plantation MEBig Cypress reports lots of the "mini"Squirrels (size of Chipmunks), they are active getting nuts & moss. They are red, on the side of being maroon in color. Big also spotted a big toad today & grass snake, along with Ducks & Loons.
Date: 2016-10-02
From: Otter Pond 

To: Katahdin Ironworks Rd
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Picture sent this morning. Journal to come later.Otter Pond 2089.9 to Katahdin Ironworks Rd (aka K I road) 2104.4 for 14.5 miles.Highlights for today: Barren Ledges 2017', Barren Mtn. 2660', Fourth Mtn. 2380', Mt Three and a Half ( I'm not making up these names ) at 1958', Third Mtn. 2097', Columbus Mtn. 2325', and Chairback Mtn. 2180'Rain off and on last night. More like sprinkles, but any case wetness coming down. It wasn't rainy when we got up at 6. So, we had toast of the french. Big Cypress had 6, Animal 4 and I had 2 and the tiny end. Quick like bunnies, they were off at a few minutes after 7. Coffee "trailmagic" for Sunshine from TN and Fremont from near Seattle WA. Animal arrived at 2:15, I had only been there 30 minutes, rough gravel roads of many more miles than they hiked today. Plus, the roads are privately owned, in this area, so you must stop at the office & the Caretaker asks you the pertinent questions, fills out your permission form, which you carry with you & return upon exiting, and pay your fee. Our fee was $12 for me & the truck. For today only. Leave & return, you pay again! Craziness!! The gentleman for my first gate experience was super nice, like a grandpa, that sounded like Sean Connery-the actor. He was also very chatty & I was anxious....didn't want them to arrive before me. Big Cypress arrived about 30 minutes later. Animal was "tailgating" him & in a trip incident Big Cypress went backwards to try & catch himself, but was snafood by the closeness & down he went, Big...not Animal. So....Animal went on ahead of daddy, to prevent further incidents! The usual PB&J's were had, along with various snacks & such. We all had our dehydrated trail meal, we aren't fond of (good, but Big & I have grown tired of them). Animal had Chicken Couscous, I had Tuna Casserole Ramen & Big Cypress had clam chowder. We were going to have tacos, but full tummies after dinner #1...we rested and then too tired to get ourselves up to eat again, so....taco day tomorrow!! Something to look forward to!! Animal got our water from the brook tonight & found his tent spot there too. Right next to the AT on the right, nice flat spot, his tent not the first to claim the real estate. Critter Report: 7:33am, 1 doe in a field near our sleep spot last night. 2 more Doe on the side of Elliotsville Rd. A Northern Flicker and one female grouse. Turkey Mama & babies. Great blue heron. A big fluffy, deep red, Fox. It's tail looked as though it was dipped in paint! It crossed the road in front of the truck, very close, but too quick for a picture!! Just a snapshot in my minds eye!