morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-08-27
From: Stratton, at the White Wolf Inn

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

In Pierce Pond Lean-to, 17.3 milesA really good day. No hills. Lots of Lakes. It did rain today but only a sprinkle for about a half hour. This is a beautiful Lean-to on the shore of a lake with a wonderful facing west and the sunset. I walked a bit farther to Tim at Harrison Camps to make arrangements for breakfast tomorrow morning. When I returned by a slightly different trail I found a group of Colby Freshmen/women who were enjoying their orientation. They were set up less than 50 meters from us and we didn't even know they were there.Sharing the shelter with us were the same group as last night.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-08-28
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Moxie Pond
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Tenting at Moxie Pond, 15.9 milesWell the day started too early as Itchy-Foot and Mr E are early noisy starters and they just had to get on the trail for the short one and a half hour hike tothe Kennebec Ferry by 6:10 so that they could sit on the side of the river and wait for an hour and a half for the first ferry.But the breakfast at Harrison's Camp more than made up for their lack of trail ettiquette. It was a 12 stack of pancakes, apple and blueberry filled, with icing sugar on top and sausages and eggs and juice and coffee and maple syrup. We passed the early risers at Caratunk and decided to go to the next shelter, but they showed up within half an hour. When I mentioned their noisy wake up habits to them they laughed at me, so we hiked on for 6 more miles and are tenting beside a nice pond where we saw our first Maine Moose munching on water lilies. Anyway we ahead of them now and should stay that way. When we crossed the Kennebec River, Carrot-Slayer was waiting on the other side for Walkabout. We told him she was probably only a half day behind us and wouldbe catching the afternoon ferry.We should probably explain here that this "ferry" is free for thru-hikers and operates from 9 to 11 in the morning and from 3 to 5 in the afternoon. The Kennebec River is a controlled river in that a computer releases water above when they require power and it happens with little or no warning and the 70 yard wide river will increase in water level quickly anddramatically. A hiker who tried to get across a few years ago died in the attempt and since then a"ferry", actually an Old Town canoe, is used to move hikers safely across.The only hill today was a 2500 footer that had great views all around. Again we saw more Colby kids, this time just out for a day hike.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-08-29
From: Moxie Pond

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

In Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to, 15.8 milesThis was a pleasant day to hike, not too hot. We lunched by a Bald Mtn Stream and just lay in the sun.We saw 2 more groups of Colby kids. We had to change out of our running shoes as we actually had to wade across the Piscataquis River, before followinmg it downstrean for about 3 miles.Because it is in a bit of a canyon there were a few hundred foot ups and downs before we finally got to the shelter. We knew we were getting close as we couldhear voices and came around a bend of the river albeit 150 feet above the river to see more Colby kids playing in the water.This was their last night out and they were shedding food so as any thru-hiker will tell you "never refuse food", we did our bit to help them. We ate a whole bag of beef jerky, added a huge bag of cheese to our mishmash of mashed potatoes/pasta supper and still had pepperoni and cheese for the next couple of days.There were two leaders (Anna and someone else) and eight students (one from Peru and another from Taiwan) learning about Maine and meeting other frosh. After 4 days out there, you have made a few new good friends so that when you did get back to school you had someone to talk to.They were good kids and a treat to be around. They all tented and just left their packs in the shelter.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-08-30
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Shaw's Hostel in Monson
Miles today: 9.0

At Shaw's Hostel in Monson, 9.0 milesWe were up and gone before all but one of the Colby students had stirred.Today we waded two more rivers but they weren't tough and not very wide. We just didn't want to get wet shoes, so switched to our Tevas. We arrived in townjust after noon and there was an AYCE BarBQ going on all day. All you could eat, all day or until the food ran out for $10. My that was good timing. After at least a dozen pieces of chicken and more than that of ribs, we were ready for supper at Shaw's. Now this is the most famous of all the hostels that have grown up around the trail. They have been in business since 1977, and have served more than 37,000hikers since then. Of course, their supper was an AYCE one, so I just balanced the day off with vegetables and potatoes and juice and dessert. The meals are served at a huge dining room table or two depending on how many sign upfor supper. This family can't do enough for you. They drove us into town (about 15 miles away) for groceries and meds. They can put up as many as 34 hikers at one time, and I am sure there were 20 or more of us there that night.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-08-31
From: Shaw's Hostel in Monson

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

In Long Pond Stream Lean-to, 15.1 milesWell we have to start with breakfast at Shaws. at 0600. "What do you want? A one, two, three, or four, or whatever? How do you want your eggs? With cheese orwithout?"Now if you order a three you get three eggs, three sausages, three orders of french toast (Or is that freedom toast?) three bacon, three homefries, and abottomless glass of orange juice and a bottomless cup of coffee. Of course if you don't finish and clean off your plate you get to wash dishes. Before we leftShaws we met Walkabout and Carot Slayer who arrived at midnight.Part of the deal at Shaws is they take you back out to the trail and we were hiking by 7:25. We made Wilson Valley Lean-to by 1:15, so decided to continue on to this shelter. In the shelter with us tonight is Typhoon, We last saw him in early May as he sped by us doing 20's. He has a few problems since then with a abdly lacerated upper arm, Lyme disease, a hernia, and the day before we ate at Harrison's they had taken him into the hospital to get about 16 stitches in and about 25 around his eye where he had fallen into a rock or log or something. Riels, a section hiker from Mass, who is doing Maine this year, was also there. A SoBo section hiker, who showed up late, camped out.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-09-01
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Tenting at Pleasant River, 15.3 milesWe breakfasted at the top of Barren Mtn. and had a great view from The Ledges.It was a tough day with lots of ups and downs but the trail magic as we came out to a road just before the Pleasant River lifted our spirits. There was a bag (it appears we had missed a BarBQ put on by Whispering Pine at her cottage just down the road) that had sodas and Moon Pies as well donuts. Such a wonderful treat after two days in the wilderness.Tenting with us tonight is RielsThe Graayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-09-02
From: Pleasant River

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 16.3

In East Branch Lean-to, 16.3 milesIt rained off and on most of the night but had stopped by dawn.We did White Cap Mtn today, which was about 8 miles of ups and downs before we finally summitted the last one.Today we went over 2100 miles with about 70 to go. As we got to the shelter, we looked in to see an old familiar back. We had finally caught up to Two Fiddy.Another hiker we had not seen since May. Also staying in a tent were Rustling Leaves and Cloud Watcher. We hadn't seem them since New York State.There were 8 students from the College/School of the Atlantic in Bar Harbour. They were great. One slept in a hammock, two slept in the shelter, and the others slept out under the stars.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-09-03
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: broken clouds

In Potaywadjo Lean-to, 19.5 milesWow, what a great day. One small mountain then mostly gentle downhill. Nothing like the old horses getting close to the barn. We met another familiar face today as Tom on the Mountain passed by us heading south. He had gotten as far as Hanover then went up to Katahdin and was now hiking back to Hanover. This is known as flip flopping and very common as Katahdin closes in the middle of October so if there is a chance that you won't make it, you jump ahead and hike back to where you left the trail. He remembered us from the first snowstorm back in the first couple of weeks. It appears that we are flying through this "100 mile wilderness" and will be finished two days earlier than we thought. We passed a nice woman from Mass doing a day hike and she volunteered to call home for us and alert our friends that are coming down to meet us.We told her to tell them we would be two days earlier than expected - finishing on Sunday Sept 7th. Two Fiddy has hiked on to White House Landing while Rustling Leaves and Cloud Watcher and their son stayed at Antlers Campsite so we have this shelter to ourselves tonight.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-09-04
From: Potaywadjo Lean-to

To: Rainbow Springs Lean-to
Miles today: 18.2

In Rainbow Springs Lean-to, 18.2 milesIt rained most of the night and was still raining when we left camp. It is nice not to have to pack up a wet tent. It continued to rain for most of the morning but wasn't really all that bad in the woods, with the cover of leaves and evergreens.We made Wadleigh stream by 1:00 and met Drew and Des who got in late the night before and were just getting underway, having slept in tents as the shelter wasfull. They were heading for Hurd Brook Lean-to, about 18 miles away and going to do some night hiking to make that.Today as we crested a hill and look across the lake we noticed for the first time that all the leaves have started to change. There are now bits of yellow and gold and even the occasional red.With the overnight rain, the roots and rocks and even the ground in general is very slippery. With us in the shelter tonight is S-man from Dallas who is just starting a south bound trip.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-09-05
From: Rainbow Springs Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge, in a motel in Millinocket
Miles today: 15.0

Abol Bridge, in a motel in Millinocket, 15.0 milesToday was a beautiful easy day and we were out by 3:30 We passed the same woman from Mass who told she had passed our message along. We passed a SoBo, Crazy Train and "Ranger" Dave who was working for The Maine Appalachian Trail Club and knew all the ins and outs when you are so close to finishing.We hitched a ride to the Pamola Lodge Motel and lay in their hot tub for a few minutes. It is a nice feeling to know you are so close and the worst isbehind you. We had been talking about the hot tub and Pu-Pu Platter for the last week so we then headed for the Chinese restaurant and had the platter. It was kind of nice knowing that there would be no more trail suppers and no more tents and no moreshelters but at the same time knowing that we would not be seeing some of these great new friends for a while.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-09-06
From: Abol Bridge, in a motel in Millinocket

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Katahdin Stream Campground, back in the motel, 9.9 MilesWe breakfasted at the Terrace AYCE and caught a taxi back to Abol Bridge at 6:30. This was a nice second last day as we did it without a back and made it by11:15.We checked all who had hiked up that day and found Mighty Mouse was one of them. We had a lunch of bagels and peanut butter and grape jelly and didn't wait too long before Jerome and Bruce showed up from Halifax to take us back to the motel.They had a hard time getting through the gate to the park as it was full, but the ranger remembered that there were "a couple of old guys" waiting for someoneto pick them up so they were admitted.When we got back to Millinocket and were shopping for the next day's lunches who should show up but an old running friend Larry,now living in Fredericton who had come down to share our achievement.We left a messaage on Mighty Mouse's parents' door to wake us whatever time they were back from the Mountain. It was after nine when there was a tap onthe door and we finally saw Mighty Mouse for the first time since Trail Days. What a great way to finish. She had summitted that day in 4 hours in perfectconditions. It was going to be our turn tomorrow.The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-09-07
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.2

Baxter Peak, Katahdin 5.2 milesWe started hiking at 6:30. We were Jerome, Bruce D, Larry and his daughter Emma, Scrounger and myself Gimp. There is more than a 4000 foot climb involved so it just might be the toughest day although at this stage our feet hardly touched the ground. We determined that we would let Bruce or Jerome leadbecause we could see no point in racing this and then not having your friends there to share it. We had our 5 minute rests at every hour as we headed up. It started sunny and quite nice but as we moved above treeline and across the Tableland, the winds and clouds moved in (or we climbed into them). It was very wet from the water in the wind so one side of your face was wet and one of the two lenses of your glasses fogged up. It was 11:30 and as we neared the sign we slowed, I think we didn't want it to end on one hand and on the other we were thankful that it was completed. We huddled in the rocks and just lay back to feel the sense of accomplishment and be able to share it with some friends from home. I didn't feel cold or wet butafter lunch and talking to some of the other dayhikers up there we could see some were starting to shiver so we headed back down.We moved as quick as we could safely across the now wet rocks and took as long getting down as up. Once below treeline the weather seemed to get much better. We were on the road by 3:30 and arrived home safely by midnight.It will take some time for this to sink in so I am sure we will add something in the coming weeks. Thanks to all who helped Those who gave trail magicThose who gave us a driveThose who just asked about our trip and showedinterestThose who ran the many hostels who just seem to knowwhat it is a hungry tired hiker wantsIt is those things and people we will remember. It is not our (Gimp and Scrounger) accomplishment as much as our (all of us) I can't begin to start listing or I will forget someone. You know who you are and "THANKS"The Grayhounds - Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-10-08
To: Trail Magic
Miles today: 0.0

Well before we finished the trail we had all butdecided that we would return this fall and do a little"trail magic" of our own.We were up early at 0400 on Monday morning andScrounger and my son Jeff accompanied me to the 100mile wilderness. We arrived at the spot where theJoMary Rd crosses the AT at Crawford Pond at aboutnoon. We had no idea who or how many to expect so weput on 3 hamburgers to get started. It took an hourbefore the first hiker came through. It was Blaze fromGeorgia. He practically inhaled the 3 hamburgers andtook some fuel and cookies and donuts and apples andbananas with him.We left at 4:30 and wound our way to Shaw's in Monson,for the night.We were back at a little after 9 on Tuesday and itwasn't long before Widget and Backdraft showed up.Then came Iron Chef, Moo and 42, Thirsty, Aftershock,Jason and Tuff and Ruff (Ruff was the dog).The looks on their faces when offered hamburgers andsoda and beer and apples and bananas and cookies andcake and chocolate bars was well worth it. Heck weeven had trail magic for Ruff who was running low onfood. Everybody filled up with fuel and we took a fullbag of garbage out with us. We could bring them thescores of the baseball "But Oakland had a 2 games tonill lead" "the Cubs won!" and were even accused ofmaking it up. We didn't know the weather but hadn'treally paid attention to it but now realize that atthis time of year it has much more importance.Next year we will have veggie burgers. You think youthink of everything but only after trying it do yourealize that you haven't.It was sure a fun 2 days as we arrived home before9:00 on Tuesday night nad well worth it just to seethe faces of thru-hikers 3 or 4 days into the 100 milewilderness actually being offered fresh fruit andhamburgers. Two of them even remembered us from backin March in Georgia.Gimp
Date: 2003-03-25
From: Amicalola State Park

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Wow! Incredible! Could not have asked for better weather to let the Trail draw me up Springer Mt. Eighty degrees. Not a cloud in the sky. I never want to go home! Met several people today. Most thruhikers. Joe from VA; John from New Zealand; Clete from FL; Jennifer from Mass (recently out of the Navy); Aaron or "Booble"- recently laid off from an aviation job in Ohio. Mike & Kevin "The Lizards"- Something to do with the music group "Phish". They're from MD and Illinois. (I ran into several guys from Auburn U, Henry. They wanted to know who won the Wake Forest game.) Kai from NY. Most of these guys have 50-60 lb. packs. Don't I feel proud coming in @ 35lbs! And that's with food/water. It was uphill most of the way but not the toughest I've ever done. Boots are great. No blisters. (Carlos and Julie-I'll Have you know I'm writing with my Strattera pen. Free Publicity!) The first guys I met are section hikers - from Lake Wales FL. Grasshopper (60's) - retired highway patrol & currently with Verizon for 30 years. And his son Gopher - 30. Grasshopper is the Ray Jardine of the Group. Whole pack is 20 lbs. Full of info. Lots of experience. When I signed in the trail register, I saw that Jennifer Drinkwater left on 3/16. (To Steve, Will, Alex & Henry. Do you remember Lizzie? She's hit the Trail again. Started on the 15th.) It's funny how you come across people you know. You'll see pictures of the weighing of my pack with my dad, the first flowers of spring, the group at the trailhead on Springer. And everyone cooking supper at Springer Mt Shelter. A group of Boy Scouts who started at the bottom last night didn't make it to Springer Tonight. Stayed one shelter back, Thank Goodness! The kids didn't hang their food, and a bear ripped into one of the kid's packs. The views are incredible with the the trees stripped of all leaves. Water in plentiful supply. The War is far away. We've got a campfire going and some of the guys are going to risk sleeping in the shelter with the mice.
Date: 2003-03-26
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

3/26/03 Hawk Mt Shelter - Cooler today with sprinkles. No Blisters! Did well with good pace. The Boy Scouts never made it to Springer. They turned around. Took a bath and soaked my feet in Stover Creek (see picture). Ate lunch at Long Creek Falls (see picture). Walked with John "Kiwi" for a few hours and talked. There's probably 20 people at this shelter - only 4 are women. Met Morgan - a 20 something y.o. guy from Williamsburg VA. He manages an outdoor gear store. I promptly dubbed him "Gear Guy" He's here for only a few days seeing "Captain Jack" off on his thruhike. Lots of good storytellers. Enjoyable to listen to. I was first up this morning at 7:15 A.M. Listened to Katie and Matt on the Today Show over my radio. Good reception. I'm going to try to sleep in later tomorrow. Several guys have hammocks to sleep in. Basically a hanging tent. One man uses a truck size window sun shield for his sleeping pad. Only 2165 miles to go. 7 miles planned for tomorrow. Good night.
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Old Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

3/27/03 Spending the night at Old Gooch Gap Shelter. I stopped at the newly built Gooch Shelter but it was too early to stop for the night so I hiked another 2 miles. There's four of us here. Two guys from Ohio, Alex ("Toonces") and Brian ("Truckin") and a 17 y.o. from N.H., Miranda ("Runaway"). All thruhikers. Miranda and Alex both graduated early from high school and plan to return home in June for commencement ceremonies. More wild flowers popping out of the leaf litter. Bloodroot, violets. Even saw a lone flowering pink dogwood. I hiked by myself today. I was the last one up and out of camp. Most thruhikers are moving faster than me. One of the guys here tonight (Brian) has spent every night at the same place as I. A few people I have left behind. Still feeling good. No blisters. Lots of water sources along the way. You could hear target practice at Camp Merrill less than 5 miles away. It's where the Army Rangers train. I passed "Captain Bob" - a 60 y.o. man who's attempting this for the 3rd year straight. He's had 2 heart bypass surgeries and he's struggling again but hasn't given up. I'm listening to the BBC news on my radio. We're supposed to have a 50% chance of rain Saturday. Been real lucky so far. Hasn't dropped to freezing yet. I've got a long day tomorrow, 11 miles(long for me). I'll start out with a pop tart breakfast and half a bagel so I can get on the trail.
Date: 2003-03-28
From: Old Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Blood Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

3/28/03Had a great night at Old Gooch Gap Shelter. Up until midnight with the campfire and conversation. Awoke to fog which persisted throughout the day. Spending tonight at Blood Mt. shelter. Brian, Miranda and I, plus the Lizards and Booble who I caught up with again. (Eric, the picture on top of Springer Mountain includes Booble, the Lizards, Kiwi, Joe, and myself. Also this AM, picture of Alex, Brian, and Miranda getting ready to leave Gooch Gap.) Went a total of 12 miles today from 7:30 to 6:00. Definitely improving my aerobic ability. I could run up and down the 6 floors of stairs at the hospital now! We've been joking about the "PUDS" - Pointless ups and downs" of the trail. Always over the mountain, never around it. This is a dry shelter, no water available. So Brian and I ate dinner at the last water source before climbing this mountain. Pushed the miles today as it's supposed to start raining after midnight and last all day Saturday. Now I'll only have a 2 1/2 mi. hike downhill tomorrow to Walasi Yi Center (a hostel). Looking forward to clean clothes, shower and food. I've eaten everything I had brought except for 2 packets of oatmeal and a granola bar- plus I've lost weight as my waist belt is tightened as much as it will go. I need to pick up on my fat and calorie intake. My food will be all gone with breakfast. Met "Big Stick" the Ridge Runner, yesterday. An older gentleman, he was very helpful with info. The trail is really in good condition here in GA. You can see where the water bars and trail have been rehabilitated in the past year or two.