morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-23
From:  Stratton Pond

To: Rt. 11, 30, Manchester Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

I had a great final night on the trail. The weather was great and the location couldn't have been better. If I only had a fishing pole! Many thru hikers form what are called trail families. They travel as a group and act as a family. One such group this year numbers 10, and has been around us most of the way. They are an interesting group. They arrived at the lake around 7:00 last night and began a "family" discussion about various things. This went on until finally the littlest lady in the group raised her voice and told them how it was going to be. I had a good night's sleep, hearing only an owl and loon. I left at 5:15, for the 10 mile trip to the road where Papaw was waiting to pick me up. I made it by 9:15. We went to the motel for a shower, then headed to the laundromat. After that, we went to a restaurant to catch up on some calories. One of the funniest things I've seen out here involves a pigeon. Every time Papaw parks his truck at the hotel, this pigeon lands on his truck cap and becomes very territorial. I go out to get a video of this and he (the pigeon) attacked me. Check out this and many other pictures in the photo section. Papaw had two days to look around the area (Bennington, Vt), and asked me what I'd like to see. I thought it would be interesting to see Robert Frost's gravesite, so we did. We will head back to Virginia tomorrow. Hopefully I will get to spend some time with aunt Linda, who shuttled me around Virginia last year. Sunday I board Amtrak for the trip back to Ohio. This has been a very productive trip. We covered 250 miles in 2 weeks. I have now covered the entire trail up to Rt 17 in Maine, leaving me 230 to complete the trail. I'm not sure yet how the last section will be done, but have some ideas. I'd like to thank all of my readers. I hope you enjoy reading my posts as much as I enjoy writing them. Thanks to my wife and dad for keeping the farm going; thanks to my sister for her work posting my journal. I turned it all over to her this time. I just wrote it and sent it to her. Most importantly, thanks to Papaw for going the extra mile to help me finish this dream. This would be a whole lot harder without all his amazing help. I'll let you know when section # 13 is going to happen. Until next time ...
Date: 2017-08-04
To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: thunderstorm

Section hike #13 is underway! If all goes according to plan, this will be my last and my section hike will be complete. As usual, the most difficult part of section hiking is transportation to and from the trail. I made contact with a man (Brett) that was driving to Maine to hike the 100 Mile Wilderness with another group. I asked if he could drop me off at Rt 17 on his way. He said would, and would enjoy the company. So, yesterday, my parents drove me up to northern Ohio to meet up with him, then he drove through the night (900 miles) and I was able to start hiking (though quite tired) at 11:00 am. Now, the getting home part. My hiking partner,  Papaw, couldn't make it this time, but asked if he could drive up, summit Katahdan with me, then drive me back to Virginia where I could catch the train home. Heck yea! Then my sister tells me that some of our family wants to visit my aunt in Virginia and they could maybe work it out to drive me home from Virginia. So there ya go, nothing to it. Really, I appreciate all the help I've gotten over the last five years of this hike. Now, about today's hike. Took off at 11:00 hoping to make 15 miles, so I had to get after it. The rain, which was a sure thing two days ago, was pretty much called off, so I was happy about that. So, naturally it did rain during the hike, and is currently pouring as I type this in my tent. The trail was pretty good though. Much better than Vermont was five weeks ago. There were some tough ups and downs, but nothing too long. I didn't have any northbounders (nobos) pass me, but met several southbounders (sobos). I passed two ponds that had boats and canoes available, but I didn't have time for a ride. I stopped at the Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to for lunch and talked with a sobo named "Canvass." He got a late start but feels like he's ready to pick up the miles now. I was able to make the 15 miles, but my legs were protesting. It usually takes 3-4 days before they start feeling better. I'm at the Piazza Rock Lean-to. It is a couple miles up Saddleback Mountain, which I will continue up another 4 miles in the morning. It goes above treeline which is always neat to see. I did see one moose track on the trail today, but no moose to go with it. I don't have service here tonight, but hopefully I can send this from atop Saddleback in the morning. Until next time.
Date: 2017-08-05
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Orbeton Stream
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Slept great last night. Now I know if I want a good night's sleep, all I have to do is drive 1100 miles through the night, hike 15 miles in the Maine mountains, then sleep in a tent. I only woke up once, which was to water the lillies, then woke up to daylight. Can't remember the last time that happened. I packed my wet tent and was on the trail at 6:15. I had four miles and 2000 ft to the top of Saddleback Mountain. Saddleback and The Horn, which followed, were over 4000 foot and above treeline. I enjoy being above tree line. Today there were no views. I was in the clouds with a lot of wind. The last mountain of the day was Saddleback Junior. Junior was smaller, but a lot harder to climb. Today's climbs were tough, with a lot of technical climbing. I only saw one other hiker all day. I stopped at the Poplar Ridge Lean-to for a break. I met a lady who is a fellow retired 8th grade science teacher, and a sobo who is packing a camping chair and taking pictures of all the nobos he meets, sitting in it. I was glad to ablige while eating a snack. In 2013, when I started this adventure, a lady named Geraldine Largay went missing on the trail and wasn't discovered for two years. The Poplar Ridge Shelter is the last place anyone saw her alive. A fellow hiker had taken her picture, and that picture is hanging inside the shelter. There is a big storm moving in and most hikers are holed up in shelters and hostels waiting it out. I stopped early so I would be prepared when it hits. So far nothing has happened and it's almost 5:00. There have been several hikers pass me since I stopped. Tomorrow is another tough day, with 3 more mountains above 4000 ft. The weather is supposed to be good. Hopefully I get another good night's sleep. Until next time.
Date: 2017-08-06
From: Orbeton Stream

To: Stealth camp at Spring@1993.6
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, the rains finally did come, and hard! It is so nice to be in the tent instead of trying to set it up in the rain. My hopes for a good night's sleep didn't go so well. I woke up ready to go, and it was only 1:00. Naturally my gear was soaked when I packed up, but I was ready and headed out by 6:30. The stream I camped by is the first I've come to that required fording. When I got there last night, there were boulders all the way across which allowed for a dry crossing. With the rain coming I wanted to camp on the north side in case the water rose. There was only one spot that would work, and in was on the south side. Well, you probably know what's next. When I headed down to cross this morning, you couldn't even see the boulders. And to make matters worse, while I was getting everything ready for a ford, one of my water bottles fell into the water. I grabbed for it, and touched it, then watched it float down the stream. I don't think I need three of them anyway. The first place I tried to ford got too deep, so I tried another. This spot worked fine. Water did get half way up my shorts, but I had no trouble walking. The trail for the first 2-3 hrs was great and I made some good miles. After that I encountered some steep climbs and descents, and technical climbing. I went over Lone, Spaulding, South Crocker, and North Crocker Mountains. I passed and talked to several Day hikers, nobos (passing me), and sobos. By the time I got over the last mountain I was shot. Part way down the mountain I found a spring with a flat spot big enough for my tent and made it home. It is rather chilly this far up. It's probably in the 40s. No bugs though! I want to wish my Mom and Dad a happy 62 anniversary! Until next time.
Date: 2017-08-07
From: Stealth camp at Spring@1993.6

To: Safford Notch Campsite
Miles today: 14.5

Chilly night last night! That's what I get for camping at a higher elevation. Finally talked myself out of the sleeping bag and hit the trail at 6:30. I knew right away that my legs were dead, and today wasn't a good day for that. I had a lot of elevation gain through the Bigelow Mountains to deal with. The sign warning people to take it seriously said there would be a total gain of 6000 ft. I think it was at least that! The big reward is Avery Peak, but there were 3 climbs before you get there. I did manage to get there, and WOW, was it worth it. It was the most incredible view I've had in 2000 miles! Oh yea, I crossed the 2000 mile mark today! The distance of the trail actually changes every year due to relocations here and there. There were actually two different 2000 mile markers, so I'm good. Or .... does it mean I've done 4000 miles? Sometimes it feels like it. There were a lot of people on the trail today. Avery Peak is a popular destination for hikers. The most interesting people I met was a young sobo couple that had a Beagle and a coonhound. I commented to the man that he was ready to hunt anything. He replied "we don't go hungry!" After I reached Avery Peak, I suddenly felt great and decided to come all the way down. It's funny how the body can change like that. I'm in a campground full of teenagers. They are having a good time doing what teenagers do. The trail gets a bit easier tomorrow. First up is Little Bigelow Mountain, but it's nothing like its big brothers. Until next time.
Date: 2017-08-08
From: Safford Notch Campsite

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: broken clouds

Rain started around 6:00pm last night. It sent the teenagers scurrying for their tents early. Other than a few tent-to-tent conversations, things quieted down very early which led to a good night's sleep. When I woke up this morning it was still raining. As soon as I packed up what I could inside my tent, as if on queue, it stopped. It never did rain again and we had a beautiful sunny day. My first task was climbing over Little Bigelow Mountain. There was some rock climbing, but it wasn't too bad, and only 4 miles. I did take a tumble on a wet boulder slab and left a bit of skin up there, but everything still works. After I got to the bottom, the trail leveled off for most of the rest of the day. It was a nice break after climbing for several days. It also allowed for a big mileage day. I met several hikers today, the most interesting of which, was a family of four with two young children that are hiking the entire trail southbound. They plan to finish by December. They were a very nice family and the kids seemed really excited about the trip. Since we were at a lower elevation today, I did see a couple snakes. There were a few mosquitos too, but they really weren't too bad. Tonight I'm at the Pierce Pond Lean-to. This shelter also has a sad history. A few years ago a young hiker arrived at this shelter and went for a swim and drowned. I remember it well because I had been following the journal of one of the hikers that was with the group. I remember that the group left for the funeral then returned to complete their hikes. It is a very nice setting with the pond right in front of the lean-to. It made for a nice sunset this evening. Tomorrow, first thing, I get to go for a canoe ride! Four miles in I will come to the Kennebec River. It is too dangerous to ford, since an upriver dam lets out water without notice. Because of this, a ferry service is provided. It runs from 9:00am to 2:00pm. I should be there in line when it starts. I'm told that there is a white blaze painted on the bottom of the canoe to make it official. Had a nice conversation with the group at the shelter tonight. A few of them are from Ohio. Until next time.
Date: 2017-08-09
To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: clear sky

Great night's sleep in a great location last night. There was a guy who owns a camping business of some sort close to where we were last night. If you go tell him you want breakfast the next morning, he will fix pancakes. A couple guys went down and put in their reservation for 7:00. I got to thinking later that I'd join them and hopefully he'd include me. This morning I wake up and it's daylight already. I panic, thinking I'm missing breakfast. I broke camp in record time and headed toward the camp. Only then did I think to look at my watch. 6:00. I walked around the place and didn't see any movement so I headed toward the canoe pickup point. It was a nice trail following a series of waterfalls for awhile. I was the first one there, with about an hour to go before he started. I was the first across along with a young lady that was at our lean-to last night. She rowed in front, the canoe guy in the back, and I took pictures. I asked canoe guy if there was anyplace in town to get breakfast. He suggested I try the Bed and Breakfast/Hiker Hostel. I walk in the hostel and asked the owner if he served breakfast. He says "I have pulled pork and milkshakes." I said "that'll work!" Boy was it good. I was also able to get a few resupply items. I left the small town of Caratunk and headed over Pleasant Pond Mountain. It isn't a really tall mountain, but is spread out. It took me the rest of the day to get over it. I'm tenting at a campsite by a stream tonight. So far I'm the only one here. Tomorrow Moxie Bald Mountain. It's a big one. Until next time.
Date: 2017-08-10
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: ME 15, Monson, ME (Shaw's0
Miles today: 22.0

Very peaceful night last night. Nobody else ever came in. I was, again, on the trail at 6:00. The climb up Moxie Bald Mountain wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated. Once on the top the view was great. It was fairly warm, and I had phone reception, so I caught up on some correspondence. On the way down, I got sidetracked once again by blueberries. They are abundant on exposed areas of the mountains, and I've taken full advantage. I was up and down the mountain in 2.5 hrs. The rest of the day was relatively flat Trail, so once again I had a twenty mile day. I did have an interesting interaction with a couple squirrels today. They weren't terribly afraid of me and seemed to want to follow along as I hiked. One posed for me to take closeups several times. They are about half the size of the squirrels back home. I decided to push on into Monson and stay at Shaw's Hostel. I will also be taking a zero (day off) here tomorrow to get ready for the Hundred Mile Wilderness which starts here. This is one of, if not the best hostel on the trail. Very organized and clean. Tonight a group of us enjoyed an evening at a local pub. Tomorrow I will do laundry, organize food, buy a couple things, and rest. Until next time.
Date: 2017-08-11
From: ME 15, Monson, ME (Shaw's0

To: ME 15, Monson, Shaw's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A day off is just what I needed. I'm feeling better and ready to get after it again in the morning. Can't leave, though, without another Shaw's breakfast. You don't leave hungry. Had a good time today talking to the other hikers. I met a lady who retired as a Colonel in the army. She was a military judge. Also determined that she was an MP lieutenant at Ft Knox while I was there in basic training. She also knows the officer from my home county that is prosecuting the Bergdahl case. Another hiker has worked in Alaska with sled dogs, and has a dog with him (Koda), that was given to him by his employer as a pup. He has no problem handling the trail. He hikes early and quits early to avoid the heat. I walked through some antique shops and visited the newly opened Appalachian Trail Visitors Center. The worker there had some great advice on what to do as I approach Mt Katahdan. There are several rules that must be followed to gain permission to climb it. I'm loaded down with food again to make the 6-7 day trip through the Wilderness. Until next time.
Date: 2017-08-12
From: ME 15, Monson, Shaw's

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

After a final good night's sleep and a huge breakfast at Shaw's, I was ready to get back in the woods. Our shuttle driver dropped us off at the trailhead at 8:45. I took off first and haven't seen any of them since. I made it 15 miles into the 100 mile wilderness without too much trouble. The next two days will be the toughest, then it's supposed to get easy again. I had three stream fords today. I was able to rock hop two of them, but had to get wet on the third. The trail up here goes past and around a lot of ponds. It's always fun to look for those elusive moose when going by them. I passed a place where some people do trail magic out here. You have to walk an eighth mile down an old road to get there. I did, but there were no people or vehicles around. I'll donate that quarter mile to the ATC. I'm tenting at the Long Pond Stream Lean-to. As of 7:12 I am here by myself. I think I've found a gap in the bubble of hikers. Now, for my most interesting encounter of the day. Those of you who have followed my journal in years past, might remember last year, when I talked a couple times with a young hiker from the Czech Republic. I learned a lot during our conversations once I was able to understand him. Well, today I ran into another, older man from the Czech Republic. I stopped at a shelter to have some lunch and he was there by himself cooking something over a blazing fire. We talked about several things, then he mentioned the trail magic place I would pass about 3 miles further. He told me that he had had blueberry pancakes there this morning, then added (in my best Czech accent) "you know we put the blueberries on top of pancake, I think they put them in dough (batter)." I told him that I, also, had had blueberry pancakes this morning at Shaw's Hostel. He says "Do they put the blue berries in the dough?" I told him "Yes." He smiles and says "America is a wonderful country!" Now, folks, we have problems with several countries around the world right now. I think it's time that we make sure they are all aware that we put the blueberries in our pancake dough! Until next time.
Date: 2017-08-13
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Katahdan Ironworks RD (gravel) stealth site
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

Was alone at the shelter last night. Thought about moving my tent inside the shelter but didn't. Wish I had. Around midnight the rains came. I like being in a tent in the rain, but I hate packing up and carrying a wet tent. Was on the trail before 6:00. The terrain was the same all day. Up and down small mountains with numerous technical climbs and decents. The rain last night made things worse. I have one more day of technical climbing then things are supposed to level off. I enjoy technical climbing, but not for 10 hours. I find myself taking too many chances when I get tired, so I start looking for a tent spot. Two of the hikers in the group that started with me yesterday passed me today. They are the only nobos I've seen. There were several sobos. Around noon the thunder started. I decided I was going to do all I could to keep my shoes dry. I have this rain gear called a Packa. It's basically a pack cover and rain jacket in one. I got it on and when the rain started I took my shoes and socks off and held them under the Packa while sitting on the side of the trail. I must have been quite an interesting site sitting there because sure enough two lady weekend hikers walked up on me with looks of concern. They started quizzing me about what I was doing, and finally asked "do you have enough food?" I said "yes, I have too much, do you want some?" They said they didn't, and moved on. I'm camped by myself again tonight in an established campsite beside a very nice stream. Tomorrow starts with a ford of a river. I don't know if I can rock hop across or have to get wet. Immediately after that, I start up the last big mountain before that big one at the end. I have established the 21st as summit day (the end). Papaw will be here and we will climb that last big mountain together. Until next time.
Date: 2017-08-14
From: Katahdan Ironworks RD (gravel) stealth site

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 16.9

It must be this Maine mountain air. I keep having great sleep. It was also nice to listen to water running down the stream beside my tent. I was up and ready to go before 6:00 and feeling good. I knew, from what sobos have been saying, that once I got over White Cap Mountain, it was easy trail all the way to Mt Katahdan. I was ready to get it over with. It started with a "wet" forge of West Branch Pleasant River. That is a good way to wake your feet up at 6:00 am. After that there was about 6 miles of easy hiking, then the mountains started. There were three to climb before getting to White Cap. There was a lot of climbing, but very little technical. Once atop White Cap, the view was great! It was a blue sky, sunny day. Heading down The north side of White Cap was almost completely rock stairs. I've seen a lot of rock stairs on this adventure, but never that many in one location. It is amazing what the trail builders can do. Another highlight of the trip down was coming to a place where Mt Katahdan can be seen for the first time. I always wondered how I'd be able to tell which one it is. Once I got to the spot and looked, there was no problem picking it out. It is enormous, even from 72 miles away. The rest of the day's hike was as advertised, very nice. I was racking up the miles. When I stopped for a break, and checked my mileage, I was almost to 17. I decided that I would shut it down early (2:30) since I'm already ahead of schedule. After two nights of camping alone, there are several hikers here tonight. We had a campfire and some great conversation. A couple guys here from Georgia are summiting the same day we are. They have a cabin reserved at Abol Bridge Saturday. They have invited me to join them. Supposed to be great weather again tomorrow and easy trail. Sounds like big miles! Until next time.