morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-09-16
From: West Carry Pond Lean To

To: Pierce Pond Lean To
Miles today: 10.0

Took my time getting up and out to let those who wanted to push forward to catch the ferry across the Kennebec River. The ferry, a canoe, has a white blaze along the bottom. The Kennebec is deep and wide where the AT crosses it and a dam upriver can create sudden strong currents. Because of this, the ATC has put the ferry system into place. They run from 9-11 and 2-4 daily. Today may have been the easiest miles on the whole AT. It was mostly flat, with not too many rocks, roots and bogs. Still, I am not as strong a hiker as I was in June. It is also unseasonably warm for Maine in September (80s). I hiked about only about 1.7 miles per hours and took several breaks. BonBon is less than a day behind me, as she texted me from the Little Bigelow summit about 2. At one point I crossed a service/logging road and then reentered the trail. There was a sign posted by the MATC about work they were doing over the bogs with new boardwalks. I saw that it was signed by Carey Kish (a friend of my sister-in-law and 2015 thru hiker). Some of these boardwalks went on for about .1 miles and were a single board suspended over large boulders and a As a child, I took gymnastics at the Y for a very short time, due to an amazing lack of talent. I did get a memory come through to walk with your feet at slight angled to be more secure. Whew!!!!!! Glad when that was over. I found just a few wild blueberries in the hundreds of bushes along the trail. I am hoping there were more up in the Bigelows for BB to enjoy. We had hoped that D.No and C.Shell would be hiking with us. I toasted D. No's quick recovery with a few of his fav berries. I got to camp about 4 and then went to get water at a stream and had a sponge bath at the lake. I used some of the chlorine in ace of my Aqua Mira Part A. It was fine after boiling, but a bit like drinking pool water otherwise.   Prayer had walked to a nearby fishing camp, and carried back 4 liters which he said he would share. Thank you!!!!!   I didn't want to boil all my water. Prayer and I had the shelter to ourselves. I ate dinner and we did a crossword as the sun went down. I think I am going to start doing the Times puzzles when I get home to sharpen the old brain. We missed Rosencrantz from the night before, as it seemed between the three of us, that we were able to solve all the words. Just as I was settling in, I heard a HUGE splash in the lake. The moon was a think crescent, so there was very little light. I looked for a bit, but never saw a moose.   Dang!Thank you to my daughter and son in law for the Mophie so I could charge up my phone. "Maine is wonderful. It can be very hard, I mean, if you look at the profile maps it doesn't look it, but somehow when you get out there its really steep and hard." Bill Bryson
Date: 2015-09-17
From: Pierce Pond Lean To

To: Caratunk
Miles today: 3.6

Breakfast this morning by the beautiful lake. What could be better than breakfast, including a steaming not cup of PG tips, with an amazing view? A family of loons swam by and then submerged as soon as they noticed me. They sang to us all night long. As I was packing up electric boats with fishermen glided by. Glad I was dressed! The trail was fairly kind today, but with more small ups and downs than I expected. In a lot of spots I found the white blazes to be more directional indications than a trail. It took me quite a while to find my way from the shelter. I finally followed the dark blue blazes from Harrison's camp and then backtracked. At one other time the trail showed white blazes to my left and right. I checked Guthook and it looks as if I might have gotten onto a short blue-blazed trail. I was without a signal for awhile and apparently my SPOT showed me in water. St James was worried. Even if I did swim, I wouldn't take the spot in with me. It did make for some black humor as we waited on the ferry. BonBon should be here soon and I'm looking forward to a hot shower and a cold beer, but not necessarily in that order. "Walking and talking are two very great pleasure, but it is a mistake to combine them. Our own noise blots out the sounds and silences of the outdoor world." C.S. Lewis
Date: 2015-09-18
From: Carantuk

To: Stealth Camp Near Bald Mountain
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: clear sky

BonBon and I crossed the Kennebec River in a canoe paddles by hillbilly Dave. He was a super nice and interesting guy, posed for pictures and told us a little bit about the river and how hard it was to determine when it might rise suddenly. His ferry service is provided to us by the ATC and which we greatly appreciate.Bonbon and I had reservations to stay at the Sterling Inn in Caratunk. Dave told us that their shuttle would likely be waiting when we walked up to the trailhead on the other side of the river, but it wasn't there. He said we could walk to the post office which was straight ahead, and there was a phone we could use in back to call the Sterling. Unfortunately as we walked looking for the post office there didn't seem to be one nearby, so we turned around and retraced our steps. At this point beer was really really really calling us so every step felt like five. We flag down some folks in the car and they gave us a ride to the Sterling. They actually offered to let us stay for the night at their home which was incredibly kind, but as we had a package waiting for us at the Sterling in we decided to go there.The Sterling is a wonderful place. First of all, they have loaner clothes. This means you can do laundry and run errands in something other than your rain gear. Secondly, the place is clean and bright and has a common room to spread out in. After days of hiking, it's wonderful to be able to sit on the chair. Any chair. We went to dinner at a nearby outfitters and pub that had some great local beer and were joined by a hiker, who is henceforth known as Colonel Sweet Cheeks. This appellation was given due to his appearance in a pair of very short very tight shorts and extremely fit physique for a "man of a certain age." Initially we had planned to hike out fairly early the next day, but as usual town sucked us in and we lingered over breakfast. By the time we left it was probably 11 and we only got in about 8 miles to a stealth camping site near Bald Mountain. It was an incredible place to spend the night I definitely ran out of steam and I was feeling it much more than bonbon. No surprises there as she's been hiking for three months while I've been working out at the gym which is no comparison to actually hiking for three months!We shared a "Katwalk" as BB calls my homemade meals - Ghost Chili! BB has been sharing these meals with C.Shell and D.No ans stretaching them by using them inside a tortilla! Yummmmmm..."...writing is one way of making the world your own and walking is another..." Geoff Nicholson
Date: 2015-09-19
From: Stealth Camp Near Bald Mountain

To: Stealth Camp Near a Stream
Miles today: 11.6

It was a great day to be out hiking. BB and I both woke up early and headed out to the first stream where we could get some water. There was none near our campsite the night before and we made the choice of hiking out without breakfast water vs. hiking down a mountain in the dark. It was the right choice as there were some rocky patches on the way down. My headlamp is ultralight (less than 5 oz), but is better to use just around camp - NOT powerful enough for night hiking.After drinking a couple of liters we hiked out. BB and I start out together and then split up after a bit. We have always hiked this was and it works well It lets us hike at our own pace and still meet up at the end of the day. My usual plan is to hike for a bit just listening to the woods and being alone with my thoughts. After lunch I generally listen to a book or podcast and then switch to music to power me through the last miles.BB came back to meet me near a stream crossing as I had dawdled a bit. I am a slow hiker and there are times that I just lose myself in the woods and meander bit without realizing that I have been looking at something for 5 minutes. Those of you who have hiked long distances know that this can add up to being an hour behind someone very quickly.We (i.e. BB) found a SWEET campsite right past a stream. There was a firepit, so we enjoyed a fire as we ate a Red Lentil Dal with rice for dinner. I think I will make more of these vegetarian meals when I get home - if St. James will let me cook! The wind began to pick up and we were pretty sure the rain would start so we staked our tents out well. I love to hear the rain on my tent at night to help me sleep, but I also hate to pack up in the rain.."The universe is wider than our view of it." Henry David Thoreau
Date: 2015-09-20
From: Stealth Camp Near a Stream

To: Horeshoe Lean-to
Miles today: 6.4

I woke up feeling tired and sluggish despite the soothing rain the night before. We were a bit late in breaking camp as the wind was still brisk and it would give the tent time to dry. I also was moving slowly today...I wake up a lot at night and think I really didn't get much sleep.My pace was also slow, so I was pretty sure I wouldn't make it to Monson before dark. I made a decision to quit hiking at 2:30 and went to the Horseshoe Lean-toI had some quiet time to read and think about my hike. I have always wondered if BB and I had stuck together if I would have made it this far. How much of my foot issues would I have been able to ignore? This trip has really helped me come to resolution about that. The reality is I love the hiking and the incredible views and flora and fauna. I really don't love being cold at night and sleeping in a tent or shelter. I would love to hike from town to town and drink beer/wine and have a great meal and camaraderie in the evening. Being here at the end with BB is a great way to wind up a year of adventure."A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you can control it." John Steinbeck Travels with Charley
Date: 2015-09-21
From: Horeshoe Lean-to

To: Monson
Miles today: 5.6

Last night a section hiker from Connecticut, Made It, joined me at the shelter. He was a hammocker and set up nearby. It got COLD overnight. And I discovered that I had dropped my p-style, which meant I needed to get out of my bag and go outside to pee. I had a quick breakfast about 6 and then hiked out, trying to get to Monson before BonBon left. A very sweet older man (yes, older than me!) gave me a lift from the trailhead. My first hitch. He had lived all over while in the service, but Maine felt like home. He got himself set up with two stoves and a generator so he is all set for evil winter weather. As I got out of his truck at the Lakeshore House, I heard BonBon call my name. She was trying to get on the trail within the next 30 minutes. Also at the Lakeshore were Mooch, Parks, Sputnik, Fair Enough, TK, Soda and Tedzilla. Tedzilla thought my trail name was Runway... Sort of like one type of catwalk.   :-)The owner of Lakeshore, Rebekah Anderson, has amazing charisma. She is kind and warm and that washes over you as soon as you meet. Once BB left for the Trailhead, I did the usual shower and laundry and then went next door to Pete's Place for a fantastic breakfast. Farm fresh eggs, homemade bread and sausage yummmmmmmm. Rebekah had a private party that night and she saved some extra lobsters for us. Lobster,   Corn, potatoes and drawn butter. We had lobster class for those who had never eaten a whole lobster beforeI slept well that night! " I have found a dream of beauty it which one might look all of one's life and sigh. ". Isabella Bird
Date: 2015-09-22
From: Monson

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0

Monson is a great little trail town. It has me really missing living in New England anymore   Today I had a zero at Lakeshore. A shuttle driver will stop by to show me various drop off points in The Wilderness. I plan to get a drop off ahead of BB again and let her do longer days to catch up to me. As I have been so lucky to have this time to think about my adventure, I really don't care about how many miles I do. In fact, there were two women about my age here doing 6 miles of the trail. BB says that the first third of the trail is physical, the second is mental and the third is spiritual. I do believe that is true, and yet I am happy with my hike. Sputnik and the gang went into Greenville to shop and she was kind enough to pick up some Belvita chocolate biscuits for me. I am ADDICTED!!! Turns out that she and Fair Enough are also Belvita addicts. We saw Winston in the pub and I hope her back continues to get better. We drank wine and cider and played a great game of New England Trivia. A lot of the questions were trail connected. Fair Enough looks like a bearded Ashton KutcherOur game was briefly interrupted to be you one of the most incredible sunset ever. Baltimore Jack was here and he came in to tell us to go outside and take a look. It was well worth it.St. James, you would be proud that I knew what US President was born in Massachusetts in the 4th of July!Sputnik and Fair Enough had originally planned to hike out, but decided to stay over. They took the extra bed in my room which saved us all some $. "Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change." Jim Rohin
Date: 2015-09-23
From: Monson

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0

Happy first day of Autumn!!!Rebekah had two private parties this week and her chef has been ill, so she had a bunch of kitchen scut work to get done. I spent much of the morning chopping and dicing assorted veggies to be used in the restaurant later today It gave me a way to say thank you to her for the incredible warmth that she shows to all hikers.I forgot to mention that I ran into Beerman that I last saw on Ron Haven's shuttle in Franklin, NC. However, as we were getting ready to "friend" each other on Facebook, we realized that we already were friends - and that HE is the friend of my sister-in-law's that I mentioned a couple of days back that gives so much back to the trail. It is such a small world. I never knew it was the same guy as I only knew him as Beerman.Today we said goodbye to Soda and later to Fair Enough and Sputnik. They are all having such a great adventure and added so much to our stay here. Sputnik and Fair Enough are 20-something brainiacs from Connecticut and I hope they find the work that will be fulfilling to them when they return. They plan to summit a day later than BB and me - and Fair Enough said he is hoping for one day of rain so we put off our summit to the same day as them. It was a really sweet thing to say.A serendipitous (us that a word?) event happened today, when another hiker told me that someone found a P style and turned it in at the Post Office. Yay!!! It was mine. I think the PO worker was a bit skived out by what it was used for. As far as Katahdin goes...I am not sure. I would like to say I climbed it, but I also don't want to slow up other hikers competling their thru hikes. I am happy to be able to share thier moments with them. We shall see."The seeker embarks on a journey to find what he wants, and discovers, along the way, what he needs."Wally Lamb
Date: 2015-09-24
From: Monson

To: Rainbow Dam Campsite
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I had another great breakfast at Pete's Place in Monson, then met shuttle driver Buddy to drive me into the 100 Mile Wilderness. Buddy has lived in the area for much of his life and knows all the ins and outs. We talked about Maine and bear hunting - Billy H. if you are reading this, Buddy also works at a bear camp. You would have a blast hunting with him. He dropped me off about 60 miles into the Wilderness and I hiked to the Rainbow Dam campsite. It isn't in AWOL, but it is mentioned in Guthook. The site is maintained by The Nature Conservancy.   Sadly, in a low spot in the woods right next to the "leave no trace" sign, someone had dumped an old camp chair and a bunch of other trash down there. Looking at it make me feel is if the spot had been desecrated. How can we be so thoughtless?I have one picture with this post, but several others uploaded as well. The view across Rainbow Lake is beyond stunning. You can feel the power of Katahdin and it is breathtaking and awe inspiring. I set up my tent near the lake and watched the colors in the sky reflected in the lake.   I had the campsite to myself and the solitude that I generally dislike at night was welcome in this place. It was a bit like a cathedral - you want the quiet to appreciate the beauty. "Always do what you are afraid to do." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Date: 2015-09-25
From: Rainbow Dam Campsite

To: Hurd Lean To
Miles today: 9.8

MI had a leisurely morning breaking camp as I had just about 10 miles to do today Snd the terrain looked relatively easy. I took more pictures of the lake it was so calm in the morning, with the mist rising up off the water.The hike was pretty uneventful, and I hardly saw any other hikers. The one place that really was interesting with the rainbow wedges which had views off in multiple directions. I finally got a signal there so spent about an hour talking with bonbon online and texting other family and friends.I managed to get to the herd Brooke shelter just as it was beginning to get dark. It was going to be a cold night and I would've preferred to be in my tent, but I really didn't have time find a good campsite and to get my tent set up.When it was fully dark, I saw that some hikers head hiked up onto a hill and hit set up up there. It was going to be a really cold night. The shelters floor is made out of rounded small logs about the size of baseball bats so it wasn't the most comfortable place to sleep. Someone had left behind a non-inflatable sleeping pad and I use that under my inflatable for extra cushioning an extra warmth. The shelters in New England, called "lean-tos" have an extra wall built in the front of them. This wall is usually about 2 1/2 to 3 feet high, and is designed to inhibit porcupines from coming into the shelters.However, even with legs as long as mine, it is difficult to get up and over. There are large granite boulders all along it which can help sometimes but other times because of their uneven surface makes it difficult to stand on. Not fun in the middle of the night, especially if you need to go outside to "water the trees"! I was so glad that I had found my P style, which makes it really easy to pee into a water bottle. Note to readers: not one I use for drinking.I had a quick dinner and then it was into my bag for warmth. I was alone again tonight and I really don't like being by myself in dreary shelters. "Let's take our hearts for a walk in the woods, and listen to the magic whispers of old trees." Author unknown
Date: 2015-09-26
From: Hurd Lean To

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 4.5

Today was my last day in the trail. I had a short hike to Abol Bridge where I enjoyed a beer and a burger. It was hard to get going in the cold morning, but I made great time once I got going! I caught a shuttle to the Appalachian Trail Lodge, where St. James had reserved a room for BonBon and me to share. I did the usual town chores and hung out waiting for BB. I always feel a bit like a member of the wizarding community that is trying to dress like a Muggle, when I am wearing loaner "town clothes"   We had dinner and met up with Slider and Gray Beard who had just summited. Woot Woot!!!!!BB will do the 10 miles from Abol into BSP tomorrow and summit on Monday. Trail angel Cherri will climb with her and take some photos. My heart is telling me to join them, but my knees and feet are cussing up a storm. Maybe clarity will come by Monday. "I may be going nowhere, but what a ride! " Shaun Hick
Date: 2016-12-19
To: One Trail, Many Paths
Miles today: 0.0

One Trail Many Paths- The Kindle and paperback versions are available now on Amazon. The book is a collection of stories from multiple writers sharing their AT experiences. My favorite is Chapter 9, by 30 Pack "A New Sun Rises Every Day." It is a beautiful tribute to the healing power of the trail. - My girl BonBon has a chapter as well. Oh, and so do I! I can tell you with complete lack of bias (and tongue firmly in cheek) that this is an awesome gift for a prospective thru hiker, former thru hiker or anyone who loves the AT. I have included a link below.Note that I buy through Amazon Smile using a link where Amazon donates a (very) small portion of each sale to the charity of the buyer's choice - in my case it is the AT Conservancy. Good trail karma X 2!
Date: 2015-05-13
To: Dahlgrens Campground
Miles today: 0.0

At Dahlgrens Campground after walking 11 miles today. Passed a retired miner who was struggling worse than me. I felt terrible leaving him. Everyone who met him had been asking about him. There are good people out here. I asked someone how long it would take me to get my trail legs, his look was like: from the looks of you, it probably won't happen. Oh well, until next time, may God Bless You.
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Dahlgrens Campground

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Tuesday I staggered out to alt 40 and stuck my thumb out.   The first car that caked along picked me up. I am sure s he saw me and thought that old fool is gonna fall out into the road.sweet lady carried me to Boonboro just around the conee to Crawfords Guns and Ammo. The nice lady there fixed me a great breakfast. Most everyone back home knows that I am making this bike because I am really missing her.before our short marriage we actually planneed to do this. I was gonna buy her the car that she wanted and she would meet me every couple weeks . I am sure she would have choSen a Subaru Impreza, her favorite car. I also ask her and Jesus to watch over and help me , morning and night. Thrwwfhe nice lady, the first car that came by and carried me to town, was driving a Subaru Impreza. I walked into the restaurant with tears in my eyes. Happy tears. Thank you Jesus and LisA. I know they are with me all the way
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Dahlgrens Campground

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Tuesday I staggered out to alt 40 and stuck my thumb out.   The first car that caked along picked me up. I am sure s he saw me and thought that old fool is gonna fall out into the road.sweet lady carried me to Boonboro just around the conee to Crawfords Guns and Ammo. The nice lady there fixed me a great breakfast. Most everyone back home knows that I am making this bike because I am really missing her.before our short marriage we actually planneed to do this. I was gonna buy her the car that she wanted and she would meet me every couple weeks . I am sure she would have choSen a Subaru Impreza, her favorite car. I also ask her and Jesus to watch over and help me , morning and night. Thrwwfhe nice lady, the first car that came by and carried me to town, was driving a Subaru Impreza. I walked into the restaurant with tears in my eyes. Happy tears. Thank you Jesus and LisA. I know they are with me all the way
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Rocky Mt Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day mileage was 10 miles; trip miles are 56.2 miles. I am thankful for my first Trail Magic. Tuesday, I was near death in Md and there it was, a cold Mt. Dew in a cooler. Next day a Root Beer in a Cold Creek in Pa. Thanks to those who think of hikers.