morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-08-26
From: Crawford Notch Gen.Store & Campground

To: Lakes of the Cloud-hut
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: mist

It's a good morning when the coffee is hot & sweet, & comes with a blueberry muffin- it's a GOOD morning! Still having trouble sleeping though. If it's not one thing, then it's another. The ride to the trailhead was great-General Store owner was nice enough to take us. First order of business: Webster Cliffs. Sharp climb & long but our legs are conditioned now. At the top- spectacular views of the Crawford Notch area. The miles go by quickly. "Up Hill" & "Cosmic Punchline" are just ahead of us. Above treeline & the ridge at Crawford path becomes spectacular. It's Saturday & it seems everyone in NH is here in the Presidential Mts. We got to the Lake in the Clouds hut early-will do "work for a stay"- Later lots of humans show up: Slick B, Mule, Madee T,Ranger Dog,TruckStop. Some sleep in the "Dungeon" (nasty hole), not fit for a hobbit at all! Most sleep in the Dinning Room. After dinner for the 90 paid guests. Lights out @ 9:30. Will try for Mt. Washington tomorrow. Rains(after our job is done)= the price of eating/sleeping! Our job is "turning the compost"
Date: 2006-08-27
From: Lakes of the Cloud-hut

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 7.5

Morning comes early:5:30. The staff starts getting breakfast ready. Pots/pans clanging. Perhaps more than needed. Thru hikers in ther dining room rush to get up=chaos.While the guests eat, the "work for stay" do their assigned chores. Ours is to bag the compost; the 10 minutes is not a bad deal! On to Mt. Washington summit-1.4 miles- rough but doable. The familiar summit is quiet-very few people-still early & bad weather.Only particially clear, but the view is great.After a snack we start down greeted by the wind-gusts push us sideways with our backpack "sails". Followed by the rain (of course). We also get choked by the smoke from the coal-burning cog railway. We follow thw gulfside trail-slowly- to Madison hut & decide to stop. Too dangerous to proceed, as everyone elso finds. 18 stranded hikers + guests. A group from Israel recently in the army. They worked here in the US for the summer;now they are hiking the AT south. To Much spends "much time" advising them. Jon, the hut master, & 2 of the hikers entertain with guitars. Meet people from NH & Maine; get invite to stop in Rangley, ME-quite a night! The weather does not look good, but is "what it is".
Date: 2006-08-28
From: Madison Hut

To: Pinham Notch
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: fog

Rain has stopped, but foggy. Our thru hiker friends are eager to start; we stop for breakfast. The initial hike from the shelter goes directly up to Mt. Madison summit-very slow & rocky. Over the top it gets serious. Descending is slow & dangerous; it's amazing more hikers don't fall & break something. Both of my knees are now sore. The trail gets more steep with roots & rocks after reaching treeline. I did notice the cranberries & blueberries. The flats eventually come & with improvement comes a "rugged reality". Arrive @ Pinkham Notch @ 3pm & check in @ Joe Dodge Lodge. Shower/p.u. boxes & go to dinner. Met 1 thru hiker, Joan, a very nice woman doing a "3 day" to the "Whites". All went to a movie after dinner @ the visitors center. Joan offered us her car to drive to Gorham to do laundry- Boy are we fortunate! NOTE: actual "Trip Miles" are 1853.6 ( due to lapse in "dailies")
Date: 2006-08-30
To: Zeta Pass
Miles today: 8.5

Had breakfast for the last time with Joan, who is doing a "walk-about" for the last few days. She is the type of person that will be a good friend 9lent us her car& laptop). Hope to see her again. Left Pinkhamto climb Wildcat Ridge-tough. Both fell several times on slippery rocks. Mt. Washington is clearing giving great views. An up & down day-met several "south bounders"-late to be in NH! Got to Carter Notch & decided to tent. Water is scarce but Too Much found a small spring. Getting cold & windy; we retire to sleeping bags.
Date: 2006-08-31
From: Zeta Pass

To: Hogan Rd
Miles today: 13.3

Very restful night. Woke to windy & clear AM-still cold. Oatmeal & coffee for breakfast-then off. Many ups & downs. Mt.Washington is cloudless. Both are getting very tired-aching knees mainly. Saw only one familiar face today. Did meet "Paul with bunions". Funny guy with lots of stories-retired 7 kind of lives on the trail.Also a local, Judy (Gert)-a former thru hiker.Walked with us to the trailhead.Found a tent site of the road for the night.
Date: 2006-09-01
From: Hogan Rd

To: Mahoosuc Trail
Miles today: 15.0

"Happy" birthday to Enuff (Hugh0-missing the cake & ice cream! Today & tomorrow are "push" days-more miles than we should to get to Andover, ME on time. Many hills-Mt.Hayes.Cascade Mt. & others. Pass Trident Tent site & Gentian Bend Lean-to-great vue from the front of the shelter. Nearby pond allegedly a swiming hole for 8 moose. Last hill @ Mt Success-knee killer! Endless up, but finally over, having to carry water with us. Get caught up by the lateness of day & cold. Up @ 5 am.
Date: 2006-09-02
From: Mahoosuc Trail

To: North End-Mahoosuc Notch
Miles today: 9.0

The wind p.u.& continued thru the night. Told that Hurricane Ernesto is close. Up @ 5 with Mahoosuc Notch to do.Windy & cloudy, but NO rain. Hills remain long with rough terrain-high bogs with cranberries & blueberries plentiful. Pass Carlo Cal & Full Goose Shelters-brief stop for snacks & section hikers chat. Mahoosuc Notch is narrow valey with twisted trees & huge bolders-over&around&over for a mile! Hard to describe! If you are 20 & like rock climbing, it's great. At 53 & 58 after 1900 miles=torture!!! 2.5 hours & several falls to do the m ile. THATS ENOUGH for today. Set up camp @ the end of the notch with ramien noodles & bed.
Date: 2006-09-03
From: North End-Mahoosuc Notch

To: Bald Pate Lean-To
Miles today: 9.4

Hurricane Ernesto is still with us-sprinkles at first, then wind & driving rain. The infamous Mahoosuc Arm- not as bad as we were told. Some exposed, but brief ridges. Stopped @ Spec Pond-the highest body of water in ME-& snacked.Then down & down to Griffin Notch-met some MA vacationers, Steve & Jean in the parking area. Met "Thumper", a 2005 Thru hiker. Spec Summit next-back to the rainy trail. Got to Bald Pate Shelter, unusually empty of clients-set up inside & start the warmer evening routine. Journal shows most of our friends are ahead.
Date: 2006-09-04
From: Bald Pate Lean-To

To: East B Hill Rd
Miles today: 8.1

Tented alone in the lean-to while it rained-tent dry First time @ a great way to tent! Began early-up to the Bald Pate West Peak & over to the East Peak. Howing wind @ rock falls=slow going & danger! Down below treeline was less severe. Moved thru wet trail & mud. Made East B Hill Rd 1/2 hour early for p.u. to go to the "cabin". Met prior thru hiker-"Sour Ball"-ATC volunteer & friend of "Model T's", who is writing a novel set on the "AT"-interesting. "Bear" p.u. @ 2 pm-off to bed & food.
Date: 2006-09-05
From: East B Hill Rd

To: South Arm Rd
Miles today: 10.0

the "Cabin" was great. "She Bear", "BP", & "Pinyata" are hear-"42 left yesterday. 6am breakfast, family style, with leftovers for snacks.Driving to the trail we passed bear hunters-baiting the bears with "old" doughnuts-might work for thru hikers too! "MOM" & Wind Talker are @ the trail head. Steep initial climb, but make good time. Mud & water pooling on large areas of AT-trying to step around is useless. See "Paul with Bunions" again. Again cotton clothing & heavy pack. Keep moving & get to the p.u. site on time. Also saw "42". At the post office failed to find "bounce box"-could be a problem-Rhonda the clerk was nice but still no box. We borrow "Bears" truck & go to Bethel to an outfitter, needing shoes & "wind" pants. Back for dinner, chores, & bed.
Date: 2006-09-06
From: South Arm Rd

To: ME17
Miles today: 13.0

Another great breakfast with Margie & Earl.After initial hard climb, proceed along the ridge-trails continue to improve.Stop @ Bemis Mtn. Lean-to for lunch with "Mom" & "Windtalker". Still no moose.Some rocky downhills with last uphill to Rt. 17-a quiet day. P.U. on time for dinner.New faces: SLEEPY THE ARAB. Etta James sings during dinner, then to bed.
Date: 2006-09-07
From: ME17

To: ME4
Miles today: 13.0

Nightly organizing kept us late in the AM. 6 am breakfast @ cabin-we are tired! Farewell to Margie & Earl & RAM BUNNY. They create a great homey scene; probaby the best physical layout for hiker hostel. Thanks to JACK for the suggestion to stay. Late on the trail @ 10am-fancy that! Lots of mud;but, if we fall, no real injuries.See evidence of moose, but no sightings.Pass many ponds with available canoes; would be a nice break, but NO! BP is with us some of the time. Stop @ Rt 4 & tent for the night.
Date: 2006-09-08
From: ME4

To: Orbeton Stream
Miles today: 13.4

Finally a good night & some sleep until 6:30. Breakfast with coffee & onwards. Discovered I lost my knife. On to Saddleback Mtn.-3 hard climbs-all above treeline. TOO MUCH is constantly thanking God for the great weather & 360 degree views. Sugar Loaf & the Bigelow Mtns. are visible.The impressive thing is they look imposibly far away;yet we will walk over them in the next few days.Once past the Bigelows-we are told- the walking is easier. Arrived @ camp @ 6:30pm with dinner in the dark. Tenting on the side of a logging road.
Date: 2006-09-09
From: Orbeton Stream

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Routine AM, but we go under 200 miles left @ Big K. Climb, again, & meet a   Southbounder who has just seen a bull moose! Unfortunately, we have not! Trails are better, but tired legs are slowing. A good lunch of summer sausage raises energy abit. Trails are steep to the Carabassett River Notch. He cross the river-the deepest yet without a bridge. 1 mile to the campsite, discovering MODEL T & RANGER DOG set-up + good fire. TOO MUCH compares plans with them. Rain starts & we jump into the tent with some leakage developing.
Date: 2006-09-10
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: ME27
Miles today: 9.0

Rain stopped early last nite-very wet outside-slowly we pack up. After coffee TOO MUCH has her legs & powers up the hills. Crocker Mtns., S. & N., go by quickly. Arrive at Rt. 27 @ 12:15-2 hrs. early for the p.u. Decide to hitch-takes about 30 min.-2 local guys.Short ride to the motel. MOM & WINDTALKER are already here. BURNER & FENG SHUI are also in town. Conversed with SUNDANCE- a few chores-food & sleep.
Date: 2006-09-12
From: ME27

To: East Flagstaff Rd.
Miles today: 16.4

A long "slack day" planned-breakfast & short drive to the trailhead.Along was a Southbound slack packer/former thru hiker, PILOT-3rd yr. med student & former Peace Corp. volunteer-maybe Keelin should talk to! Trail is calm, but gains altitude quickly. Actually envigorates with frost in the AM. Pass the Cranberry Stream Campsite & Horns Pond Lean-to. Over South Horn to West Peak of the Bigelows. Pass Avery Memorial Campsite-a neat looking tent site, but no this time thru. Exceptional 360 degree views-think I can see Big K! Little Bigelow Mtn. has rolling trail, but we think the trail is improving daily-good thing with my swollen right knee. We pass the 2000 mile (from Springer Mtn.) mark & push to day's end & p.u.-a log & hard, but beautiful day. Note: 171 miles to Mt. Katahdin's trail-end.
Date: 2006-09-13
From: East Flagstaff Rd.

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Trying to arrange for post-hike life resumption. Late start-quick breakfast with some computer time-35 min. drive to trailhead. Great hiking day-cool & clear. The flatest day since VA. We are in the lake country-several beautiful ponds. Passed area where Benedict Arnold & troops were bogged down & defeated by Mother Nature in the swamp. Fortunately we have "bog logs" to walk on.Stop briefly with EGG SHELL & later @ a pond to rest with scenery & #2, DIRT DIVA, & COMPASS ROSE. At the shelter are 13 (including us) - most people @ nite for a while- I guess we are back in the bubble! Tomorrow features a pancake breakfast @ the Harrison Camp, followed by a ferry crossing of the Kennebec River.
Date: 2006-09-14
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Baker Stream/Moxie Pond
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained all nite-light but constant. Met Tim Harrison-runs the Harrison Camp. All 13 went for pancakes-warm wood stove+great atmosphere- 13 pancakes with fruit mixed in-GREAT! Hope this camp continues. I think I might return next summer to learn fly fishing. Push on to the Kennebec River-crossing via canoe with Steve Longly-the ferry man-smooth & fun. #2 elects to ford the river-last saw him about 1/2 way accross- hope he did OK. Push on to the hill-Pleasant Pond Mtn.-not bad but the decent & ridge to Moxie Pond seems forever. Stop @ a woods road- just after powerlines & are joined by EGGSHELL,JUKE BOX, & DELICIOUS. TOO MUCH spots our 1st moose!
Date: 2006-09-15
From: Baker Stream/Moxie Pond

To: Horshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

6 month anniversary on the AT!!!! Not too bad for old guys- finish in 10 days (if all is good). Cloudy but no rain-God has been good to us! The moose sighted yesterday does not return-but heard something last nite that sounded like a moose looking for a date. Normal start with the "young" people out 1st. The trails vary from smooth paths to stream beds-lots of ups & downs which varies from the maps.Arrived @ the west branch of the Piscataquis River & our 1st TRUE ford! 50 ft. of raging raids ( or shallpw cold, fast flowing water)-fun & actually helped those sore feet. Another 3 miles of ups & downs to the campsite by the stream. Tomorrow brings the east branch ford& Monson @ Shaws.
Date: 2006-09-16
From: Horshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: ME15 @ Monson
Miles today: 9.0

Last town before the 100 Mile Wilderness (Monson). Just a short 9 mile hike. The expected ford of East Piscatauis turns out to be a "rock hop". Arrive @ ME15 an hour nearly & try a short "hitch" stint. Shaw's shuttle bus rolls by (bringing LUSH back to the trailhead) & get a ride into town & the famous "Shaw's" food/shower/re-supply/food/mail drop/ talk with friends/food. Called family & sleep. 106 miles to go-anticipate reaching Mt.Kahtadin (finish line) on Sunday, Sept. 24.
Date: 2006-09-17
From: ME15 @ Monson

To: Long Pond Stream Campsite
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

At Shaws the morning starts with "Breakfast is Ready!"-being yelled toward the hikers' rooms by the chef, Buddy. All you can eat is an understatement! You choose a #, example 3, & you get 3 of everything: eggs, sausage,bacon french toast, etc. The record is 8. Everyone gets weel fed! After some last minute arrangement for post hiking life-thanks to Brian-we embark on the final stretch-Day One. Encounter lots of rolling hills-many ups & downs-Rocky with lots of roots. Surprised by the overgrowth of the trail-probably the AT wants us to have the full wilderness experience! Many ponds-results from many beavers. Many river crossings-the best being the Big Wilson-our 1st "real" ford-almost to waist level. It is hot so the cool water feels good. Encounter JUKE BOX camped at a stream. Get to the campsite @ 6:30-set up-look-rest. 42, we are finally using your mail drop.
Date: 2006-09-18
From: Long Pond Stream Campsite

To: West Branch Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Day 2 of the 3 hard days we planned-the barren Chairback Range. Initial climb is not to bad-barren ledges & mountain. Up onto the "ridge" we climb & descend 5 more peaks. Rocky & rooty terrain-requires attention to each step. Water is very scarce-1 stream 2 miles south of Chairback Mtn. Encounter BURNER & FENG SHUI @ Chairback Lean-to. BURNER's ankle is sprained & swollen-we may end up on the Big K @ the same time-it would be perfect as FENG SHUI was the 1st Northbound we met @ Springer Mtn.Light fades & find a tent site near the Pleasant River-eating in the dark again-long day- 1 more hard day & we should be OK.
Date: 2006-09-19
From: West Branch Pleasant River

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 16.8

Awaken to fog/mist clouds, but warm weather.This is a 4 "mountain peaks" day-White Cap the highest @ 3654'. The 4 mtns. comrise the White Cap Range. Trails are getting better. Hopefully our last ford-the West Branch was ankle deep but cold. Weather surprised getting windy & clearing completely by days end. Felt good & were alone @ the East Breanch Lean-to-dinner-tent set-up & rest.
Date: 2006-09-20
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: light rain

Hard rain all nite-fortunate to be in the lean-to-high & dry! Rain stopped @ 6 am as we arose. Trazils flat & mileage easy. Apparent problem looms-the weather forcasts for the ascent day on Big K looks bad-we might go a day early-possible summit in the rain. With this in mind I would like to do the "100 miles" again- sunny & dry!!!!
Date: 2006-09-21
From: Potaywadjo Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather is amazing here-wind picked up during the nite-rain occassionally-the quiet. This would repeat again. Still windy in the am-temperature has dropped. Sky is clear one moment & cloudy the next.Leave @ 8 am for White House Landing-miles go quickly. At the dock we sound the airhorn, per insrtuctions. Pleasantly surprise when BURNER & FENG SHUI come down the trail shortly after.Ride over in the boat with Bill to WHL.Hours are limitted, so we wait 1/2 hour. The owner is pleasant & we get the 1lb cheeseburger-great! Re-supplyy & back on the trail by 1pm as a new group needs to come over. Hiking is slow-rocks & roots & bogs. At Nahmakanta Lake we discover a pair of prior "thru hikers, JAVA & JEOPARDY, doing trail magic-hot dogs & marshmallows-spend some time & on to the lean-to. ton ite finds a large group & campfire with a few tunes from WINDTALKER. Tomorrow is long!
Date: 2006-09-22
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Cold last nite-Fall is upon us- nites go by quickly. Long mileage today, but is beautiful. Trails are initally rough/rooty/muddy & rough uphills-not the "garden paths" we imagined! Many ponds & lakes slow the way. Rainbow Lake has a dam with a great view of Katahdin-the campsite looks great. On Rainbow Ledge(a hill) we meet a VIP group from the Nature Conservatory-very nice people. The introduce us to huckleberries-rest & talk. The campsite is not well suited for tenting.
Date: 2006-09-23
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: The Birches Lean-to
Miles today: 13.5

This was the last nitye in a tent-too bad it was on a slope with roots! AM starts with a brief meeting with MARATHON MAN-a southbounder(?). He said his wife is divorcing him, but he had a tent to live in & the Bible in his heart-all that in 20 seconds! Quick dash to Abol Bridge-some food & coffee - then on to the Kiosk at the Baxter. We met Dave the Ridge runner-very helpful & friendly.We sign up for the Birches & set off for the final 10 miles to Katahdin base. We stpped @ Katahdin Stream Campground to register & talk to car full of NOBO's.& headed out to the Birches. We found BURNER & FENG SHUI @ the lean-to. Dried off & talked. Later we were joined by BRUISER, BALDYLOCKS, 42, & SHE BEAR. Dinner & a few laughs & bed. Tomorrow is "The Day"! We expect rain, but o'well. Were on!!!!
Date: 2006-09-24
From: The Birches Lean-to

To: Baxter Peak - Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: moderate rain

Too Much and I slept poorly thinking about the climb to Katahdin. The night was quiet and the air warmed toward morning. We woke about 5AM and went through our usual routine. Most of our gear would be left at the ranger station to lighten the packs. Just after daybreak rain started intermittently. We hiked to the ranger station and briefly talked to him about the conditions for the climb on this our last day, then headed up to the Hunt Spur Trail. We signed in at the trailhead at 7A. The trail was initially flat and smooth but gradually began to climb and became more eroded and rocky. Passing the Katahdin Stream and beautiful falls, then becoming progressively steeper, but initially with stone steps. The rain became more steady and the air cooled as we ascended. higher. At about 2.8 miles from the summit the terrain became ugly. Large boulders replaced the sandy paths and looking up and above us the trail was lost over foggy ridges. We got to treeline(3,600 ft) about 2.4 miles from the summit. We started to feel a wet wind blowing. The climb became more and more difficult with wide areas of exposed rock/boulder to cross. Occasional rebar holds were often difficult to grasp and badly placed. Hunt Spur was the most trecherous part of the climb.The wind would gust suddenly and tried to knock us over and off the rocky outcroppings. The mile to the beginning of Tableland was harder then Mahoosic Notch with wind and vertical climbs. At one point, we stood behind a group of boulders and considered turning back-this ugly truth revealed how frightening this climb was becoming. At the Gateway of Tableland the terrain became abruptly flat and areas of sandy path appeared before us. Fog, rain and wind continued but now it was cold. We were drenched by that time. The last 1.5 miles we followed cairns and blazes through the fog seeming ly forever. The voices of Feng Shui and Burner carried over the wind to our ears and gathered together at the Summit--they had waited 45 minutes until we arrived! Photos together were quickly taken as by now we were freezing and had numb faces and drenched bodies!We started the descent within minutes but by now the wind had increased even more. Often going down is more difficult then ascending so we were very fearful of the next few hours. Tableland went by quickly and we got to the edge of the mile from hell. We went slowly over the house-sized boulders---slick with rain and hail---placing every foot and hand very carefully. We slid down many of these mother boulders on our butts. Hours passed and we slowly moved toward the base. At treeline it wasn't over but as the wind lessened we knew we were home and home. The day had been so intense and we realized we hadn't had anything to eat or drink. We arrived at Katahdin Stream Campground four hours after starting the descent.The other hikers hanging around the campsite had saved us our share of Champagne--provided by Bruiser and her parents---to end this excuriatingly difficult final day!!! Exhusted but exhilarated it was finally over for us.
Date: 2006-09-28
From: Clarks Creek-premature departure

To: Swatara Gap
Miles today: 17.8

The last piece in the AT puzzle. We leave the rented car at the Swatara Gap trailhead and a kind trail angel named Leslie Griffin transports us to our starting point. This creek crossing was flooded and impassable when we were at this place four months ago and now it is a slow trickle. The terrain is rocky but the trail is flat and we are very greatful for this as our knees are hurting more now. The day goes by quickly as we pass two southbounders named Lifesaver and Plugger. By mid afternoon the thunderstorms start and we get very wet as usual. The hikes end finds us wet, cold and with very sore knees but this time we have a dry, warm car waiting for us. Now we are true members of the 2,000 miler club--official AT thru hikers.