morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-28
From: Firewarden's Cabin

To: NH25
Miles today: 10.0

Well the greatest of yesterday has turned into the the dampness of today. We were on the trail at 8:30 and my good friend Victor will be leaving me today. I have enjoyed his company and I could have only wished that today was like yesterday weather wise. Not to be,we awoke to fog and a low sky and then drizzle and then a steady rain most of the day. The slippery miles of today were just enough. I can remember back to the early days of Springer Mtn in GA and how hard it was to get trail tough. So the 34 miles for me was great and I am sure that the 34 miles for Victor was also just enough. It was good rehab for the CHUBSTER. It always a learning process out here on the trail. I have been hiking in these boots since Caledonia State Park in PA (1070 mile) so I have roughly 700 miles on these boots and they are starting to lose their grip (kind of like tires) on the slippery rocks. Time for a new pair, you can remember that I had 6 pair prior to these. I will go home today for probably the last time before finishing this adventure. It is time to get the warm weather things, such as sleeping bag, gloves, hat, and long pants for the WHITES. Today is day 173 and at 1767 miles with 408 mile to go to the Big K. It is funny that at the start of hiking the AT, it look like such great destination. Now it looks like it is really posible.Thank you for your great support the CHUBSTER.
Date: 2005-08-30
From: NH25

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Here it is Tuesday around noon. I got a late start today, because of my equipement changes and just resupplying. I am now in my 8th pair of shoes. Like I said I was starting to have slippage with my 700 mile boots( they were great boots and are responsible for me being still out here). The last thing that you want in the Whites are shoes with no tread on slippery rocks. I have a pair of low cut North Face's and they with my orthotics feel great. They are lighter and will dry faster, we are expecting the remants of Katrina the hurricane that devasted the Gulf area. I can tell you all that I have gain 5 lbs and have regained my enthusiasm to finish this endeavor. I feel at home in New Hampshire. If you can recall in one of my previous journals I have climbed 40 of the 48 4000'footers in the state of New Hampshire. The first one in the Whites will be Mt Moosilauke, which of all things I climbed in Winter time. I found it fairly easy, because you have to know that the snow covers all of the roots and rocks. When I hiked I did it with crampons used for winter hiking.I lucked out today it had rained real hard, but by the time I started the sun was trying to peek thru. The hike was about 11 miles, but what a differnce when you have renew strength. I got into the shelter at about 5:30 and it was just enough. OK everyone stay tuned for the adventure of the CHUBSTER in the Whites on day 175 and at 1777, with under 400 miles to go at 397 to the Big K.
Date: 2005-08-31
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

To: Gordon Pond Stealth
Miles today: 11.8

The MOOSE I mean Mt Moosilauke (4802). What a day, I can remember the days back in the the Smokies when I had to stay in a shelter for 2 days. Well today matches that expierence in a much different way. Katrina the hurricane came to New Hampshire with all her anger. The winds were blowing at about 45 mph and there was a driving rain. It was a freezing rain like in winter. I walked in a river of mud on the trail. On top of the mountain I was happy that it was a flat open area or I would have been in trouble. I had all to do to stand up, and the climb was not nearly as hard as the descent. I made it to Gordon Pond and I stealth camped. I am generally good at placing my tent, but when on the side of Mtn it is very difficult to find a flat spot. About 2 in the morning the rains came again and my tent was starting to fill with water. So much so that I had to make a small hole to let the water out. I will have to get it patched up when I get to an outfitter. Most likely in Lincoln or North Woodstock. I will tell you that the terrain is difficult and at this exact moment I am covered in MUD. I predict the milages will be short and that is good for the CHUBSTER. Today is day 176 and I am at 1789 miles. They say the weather is going to be perfect for the next week or so. I hope they are correct. Take care all and my appetite is great. I'm starting to eat the bark off the trees, only kidding.
Date: 2005-09-01
From: Gordon Pond Stealth

To: Kinsman Pond Campsite
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

Short miles today only about 8 miles. Yesterday was a difficult day with the weather and the mud. I have been hiking close to a group of ladies called the POD, Scholar, who is not feeling well Poet,Free and Serenity. They are a lot of fun and are here tonight at the campsite. Scholar has been ill and missed all of Vermont,but has rejoined the group and had a helluva of a time on the Moose. She has recurring headaches and will be heading into town. I will say that the campsite is really one if not the most beautiful spot I have been at. I am off to sleep, and I have just another short hike tomorrow and will be heading into town for resupply and rest. CHUBSTER. Day 177 at 1797 miles, getting there!!!!. Average has come down to 10.15 per day. With 377 miles to go averaging 10 miles a day I should finish in about 37 days.
Date: 2005-09-02
From: Kinsman Pond Campsite

To: North Woodstock NH
Miles today: 5.0

I have had a nero day it a long time. Being in New England I have been taking advantage of home. I only had a short hike into Franconia Notch and I stopped at the visitor center and arranged for a shuttle into North Woodstock where I was able to resupply get a patch for my tent and clean up. There was a laundromat across the street from where I was staying at the Carriage House. I went down to the Woodstock Inn and had steak and only one beer. The weather is absolutely wonderful. Day time temps in the low 80's no humidity and the evenings are starting to get cool. Kind reminds you of a gourgeous autumn in New England. I hope to get up early tomorrow and to get to Mt Garfield it is only about 11 miles,but you are in the Whites. I went over 1800 miles yesterday, another milestone. That leaves me 372 miles to go to Katahdin. Take care all the CHUBSTER.P.S. I watched TV last night and I was not aware of the situation in the Gulf area. My prayers go out to all those people.
Date: 2005-09-03
From: North Woodstock NH

To: The White Mountains
Miles today: 0.0

Just a brief update. The Chubster called this morning,poor cell and phone service, he was on the top of Mt Washington. He said that he would spend a couple of hours there because it was beautiful 59 degrees and visibility as far as you could see. Also said that is very rare, ranger told him they have cloud cover approximately 300 days a year, and that the "Whites" have been terrific. He said that he would update with detailed journals later in the week.
Date: 2005-09-04
From: The White Mountains

To: Garfield-ZealandFalls
Miles today: 20.0

Hello everyone long time no journals from the Chubster. I have been doing the WHITES and more of the WHITES. The ability to communicate was some what limited because of where you are and just the time that one has to spend paying attention to hiking. The Whites are everything they said they would be. I have been the luckiest of all thru hikers I have had 8 perfect days of weather. This journal will be 2 in 1, because of the short journal that I entered on 9/3. I started out of North Woodstock on Saturday the 3rd of Sept and the first day of a Labor Day weekend. With great weather and many hikers in the Whites I hiked up the Liberty trail I went over Lincoln and Lafayette (5082) and spend the night at the Garfield Campsite Shelter. The day was rugged hiking and beautiful views. Please don't let the 20 miles say that the Chubster has gone crazy, it was 10 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday.On Sunday morning I set out from Garfield and I hiked to Zealand Fall again the hiking was rugged, but not as tough as yesterday. It is an interesting to realize that when you come down into a gap or a notch you essentially have to climb back up to get to a top of a mountain. When you are on the top of the mountain you pretty much have to follow the ridge line to the top of the next mountain. I hope I have made some sense here. No matter how you hike it is still real diffcult here in New Hampshire. I spent the night stealth camping here by Zealand Falls and the sound of the water lulled me to sleep. Day 179 and 180 on the AT.
Date: 2005-09-05
From: Garfield-ZealandFalls

To: Mt Jackson
Miles today: 12.4

Well everyone it is Labor Day the unofficial end of summer. I was sitting here on a rock doing some thinking about where I have been and where I am going. That's as far as the trail goes. I started on March 9th and it was Winter, and then Spring came along on March 21st. Then I hiked thru that season until Summer arrived on June 21, and pretty soon I will hike in to Autumn on Sep 21 and you know what? I will have hike for almost 7 months and have been in every season of the year.( Forrest Gump) hey. You know just another little milestone out here on the AT.Oh well enough about the seasons of the year. Today on Labor Day I was up early and I headed through Crawford Notch and up Mt Webster not a real easy climb, but not as hard as out of Franconia Notch. I headed over Mt Jackson and waited until it got dark. I was caught in a half way situation, not far enough, yet too far. So I decided to do something real bad I stealth camped illegally on the top of Mt Jackson. Please I hope none of you folks will tell the Mtn authorities.( Grama Sue!!!) See you are not supposed to camp above tree line in the WHITES. It was a great night I was byself and and night was bright and clear and you guessed it SHOOTING STARS. At least that's what we called them when I was a kid. Come to think about it don't they still called them that? Today was a pretty good milage day I did 12.4, but that will soon come to a grinding halt. For I have the Northern Presdentials, the big guys like Adams and Washington. I think that all of you know they name the mountains up here are named after the Presidents of these United States. Signing off from Mt Jackson CHUBSTER on Day 182
Date: 2005-09-06
From: Mt Jackson

To: Lake of Clouds Hut
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: few clouds

Labor Day has come and gone and so have the crowds. Back to school and work, and I am back at work on my no pay job. The weather remains just terrific and I can't believe that old saying no rain,no pain,no Maine. At this moment in time with no rain it makes for just great views and wonderful hiking. Today I will do the south peak of Mt Clinton and Mt Eisenhower and finally Mt Franklin and then end up at Lake of the Clouds Hut just before Mt Washington. I have been running into a couple of guys that are from Northanpton MA named Dave & Ben and they are doing loop trails around some of the mountains here in the Whites. They are really nice guys and were very interested in my thru hike. I stayed at the Lake of the Clouds Hut one of the 8 huts they have here in New Hampshire, and you can work for your stay. They give you dinner and breakfast after the paying people have finished eating. I washed dishes and did general clean up. The huts are great if you have bad weather, but the Chubster prefers his tent. The milage was mimimal today for the trail was rugged and rocky. Tommorow I will summit Mt Washington (6250) until then be good on day 182.
Date: 2005-09-07
From: Lake of Clouds Hut

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 6.5

This will be a brief journal. I hate to repeat my self and I entered info on my hike over Mt Washington on previous journal. I would say that I spent about 3 hours on the mountain for it was such a beautiful day. I ran in to MATEO and EAGLEFOOT. You can recall I said that the AT is like a giant accordion and that you don't see people and then they pop up. I first met these guys in TN and VA, small world. Tonight I stayed at another hut called Madison Hut and again worked for stay. The sleeping conditions are not the greatest, but the food is okay and your pack is lighter with less food to carry. Chubster on day 183.
Date: 2005-09-08
From: Madison Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Yes three days of short milage and I will head into Pinkham Notch where I will meet my day for another nero-zero day. It will be good timming because the weather is getting chilly and I am ready for my heavier sleeping bag. The weather is still wonderful and I left the hut this morning after doing my work for stay and head down Mt Washington. The first 4 miles were challenging, but after that the trail flatten out and the hiking was very comfortable. I met my Dad about 3:30 and we gave MATEO a ride into Gorham about 11 miles. My dad and I went back to North Conway. This is a just a beautiful area of New Hampshire. We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, so tommorow my Dad will do brain surgery, and I will be much smarter. ( refering to their adds). We had dinner and the next morning I will resupplied and head back to the AT. On day 184 Chubster.
Date: 2005-09-09
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Carter Notch
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: fog

Another short day I started around 11:00 just poked along the weather again is a ditto, terrific. The wild cats are not easy, but I know that they are the end of the Whites. I did this section last year about 20 miles to Gorham and it was very enjoyable. I can tell that many of you are wondering is the Chubster ever going to get out of New Hampshire? Yes I will tomorrow I will head into Gorham and resupply, because I only bought 2 days of food in North Conway. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed this part of my hike the most. I feel that the weather and the people that I have met are the reasons for this feeling. I would venture to say that out of 10 times hiking in this part of New Hampshire you would only have conditions such as this maybe twice !!!!. Chubster on day 185. I have been now hiking the AT for 6 months.
Date: 2005-09-10
From: Carter Notch

To: Gorham
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Hey hey I cranked up the hiking machine today and made into Gorham NH. It is funny out here on the AT. Some days you have it and some days you don't. Today was again beautiful and the trail conditions were a little easier, but the truth of the matter is I had a good stride and I just moved along. I have about another 15 miles before I hit the NH/ME state line and then about 280 miles until I arrived at Katahdin. Ok time for a little more math. I have averaged in 186 days over 1877 miles 10.09 miles per day. They say the weather is going remain the same, even get a bit hotter. I will be below tree line, so the conditions should be ideal. Thank you all for your support Chubster.
Date: 2005-09-11
From: Gorham

To: Trident Col Campsite
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

My mind and and my body are crying for the soft trail of Virginia. Although I am thru the Whites the terrain still remains tough. "I think I can" said the little engine that could "I think I can". Out here you have psychological highs and lows. I think that the mental game is much more difficult than the physical aspect of a thru hike. I have stayed in so many towns like Gorham New Hampshire and they are all great , but like I said in a previous journal I have been there and done that. Maybe just maybe I am ready for this adventure to be over. I was by myself all day and even at the campsite by myself. In the tradition of the Chubster I didn't go very far only 7 miles on day 187. I feel that I am in a bubble there is a group of people in front of me and I know a number ahead of me. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Date: 2005-09-12
From: Trident Col Campsite

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: haze

Here I am again feeling better and the spirits are looking up. When you don't do big miles and can't keep a good pace. It wares on you, the weather is terrific very pleasant and warm with a hint of Autumn in the air. For you folks that have never been in New England in the Fall, you are missing a true treasure in life. To walk in the clean crisp air of a September morning and watch the trees turn their magical show on is just the very best. They say that it is a late Autumn here in Northern New England. The foliage is still pretty green and there are just a few trees starting to turn colors. Today I am by self again, but with this warm weather, it certainly beats the idea of snow and ice that some time comes early to this part of the country. If you have a chance take a looked at a map you can see I am getting up here in the north country. The days are starting to get shorter and there are fewer people out here in this part of the world. Chubster on day 188.
Date: 2005-09-13
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Bull Branch
Miles today: 7.0

A really big day not so much on the milage thing, but where I am, and what I am doing. Now that I am in Maine and I did that yesterday at mile 1893.5 to be exact. I have gone through 13 states and Maine will be number 14 and the second longest. The longest state was Virginia, and the third longest was Pennsylvania. So here I am in Maine the land of lakes and Moose. Yesterday I also went past the 1900 mile mark, and at about the same time I went thru the toughest mile on the trail. It is called the Mahoosuc Notch a area where the mountains tops fell down into a valley and left these giant boulders all on top of each other. It took me about an hour and half to go thru the area, it wasn't all that difficult,but timely. I was again by myself even though they recommend you go thru this area with someone just in case you get stuck between rocks. I going to stealth camp tonight just north of the notch at a place called Bull Branch. Chubster day 189.
Date: 2005-09-14
From: Bull Branch

To: BaldPlate Lean-to
Miles today: 9.0

The terrain is still pretty rugged, but I am enjoying this part of the hike. Maine is beautiful, wide open spaces and a number of big lakes. I am hiking with MATEO today and that is his real name and also his trail name. We have hiked on off together in Virginia and the Whites. So I don't have to talk to myself today. I would like to reflect on my hike so far. I have come a very long way and I have a relatively short way to go about, 250 miles. If I were to look back at the beginning of this adventure, I would be just coming into Hot Springs NC. Way back then about 5 months ago I though wow. I have done 250 miles and made it thru the Smokies. Once I heard from a wise man who said one step at a time and you will eventually get there. Bald Pate Mtn reminds me of some of the mountains in TN. The AT is amazing place you think that you will never seen a certain type of land form again and bang it reappears. I also realize that very soon this adventure will end. I am lucky so lucky to have had this opportunity to live my dream. My Dad told me on the ATC site that only 95 thru hikers have summited Katahdin as of Sept 13th. Hopefully I will add to that number in a few short days. Chubster on day 190.
Date: 2005-09-15
From: BaldPlate Lean-to

To: Andover ME
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Good morning Western Maine!!!!!!!! it is not just a walk in the woods. It is rugged but your friend the Chubster is getting there and I thank you all for your support. Thanks Matt, Ali and Jan and I hope all is well in NC. As I get further and further away from what you folks call civilation the creature comforts will be some what limited. I use my cell phone to up date these journals thru my Dad. Here in Maine the Moose don't use cell phones so there is no need for cell towers and that is a good thing. Please God don't let man ruin this beautiful part of our world. I am headed to Andover this afternoon and do a resupply and I will stay at the Andover Guest House for a comfortable bed and good meal I hope at Snow Valley Restaurant formerly Addie's place. I again hiked with MATEO and when we arrived here in Andover ran in to Low Jack. Ok world this is the Chubster signing off at about 7:30 In Andover Maine on day 191, at 1918 miles, with 256 to go.
Date: 2005-09-16
From: Andover ME

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.0

I would like to thank some really kind people. Again thanks Ali I have never heard of that film done by PBS, but I will look it up when I finish. Also Tiffany, Hiker Dude, Mr Boland thanks for your kind messages. And to a young group of students in Allenwood PA, and their librarian Dianne. I am pleased that you have been following my journey up the AT. I have not seen a MOOSE, here Maine as of yet I did seen one in NH, but when I do see one I will name it Allenwood. Just one more thought that if any of you kids ever think about hiking the AT just remember start slow. Do a short hike, then an overnight hike. Then when you are older do a week at a time hike. That way hiking will become part of you.How about hiking !!! that is what this is all about. I had to do another night in Andover for I ordered some more __________ you guessed it SHOES. Some of the people in my family are starting to call me Almeda Marcos. They will arrive to tomorow. Today I hiked a little over 10 miles to South Arm Road and got a ride back to Andover. The hiking is still pretty rugged and I can honestly say that I am enjoying Maine and the people, its all about the people. Ok CHUBSTER is getting tired and on day 192 at 1928 miles, my sleeping bag is calling.
Date: 2005-09-17
From: South Arm Road

To: ME17
Miles today: 13.0

Whoa!!!! I just started to notice what is happening all around me. The trees are turning every glorious color you can image. How great is it to climb a mountain in the middle of nowhere and for miles and miles see nothing, but beauty? The hills and valleys of Maine are on fire with just the greatest vistas that nature can put forth. It is funny out here you hike day in and out and you notice nothing. Many times you are thinking about how you feel. How hungry you are, how thirsty and many time how tired you are. Well (deep subject) today I realized the greatness that was going on around me. So I said CHUBSTER, oh that is another thing that we thru hikers do out here. We talk to ourself's a great deal, like all the time. I said take your time you are almost near the end of of your dream and don't you want it to go on and on?In all reality I am looking forward to the big mountain at the end of this trail, but I will never ever forget this time in my life. Nor this time in Maine. I am into day 193 have passed 8/9 ths of the trail at 1942 mile. Here's thinking of you my friends and my dear family.
Date: 2005-09-18
From: ME17

To: ME 4 & Rangeley
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I guess when you are in a hurry you can make a few typos. I did that in my last journal, but the quick eye of my editor will go back and correct those mistakes (right Dad). Today has a bit of an overcast and a number of the Mtn tops are shrouded in clouds. That means I don't have to take many photos. The other wonderful thing about Western Maine is the number of lakes that they have here. They call them ponds, but they are much bigger than what I would call a pond. So I call them lakes. It is my journal so I guess I can call them what I want. I know that many of you read this journal and the other journals on this site. All the journals are different and they bring forth various aspects of hiking the AT. This is great because everyone of us see this hike in a different way. The purpose of journal writing is, it gives us a record of where we have been and what we did.The Chubster is going to do just my usual 10 mile hike and I plan to go into Rangeley ME. I've heard it is the typical small town that you will find in a America. At one time it was listed as one of the 50 most desired vacation places in the USA, we will see. They were correct it is a nice quaint New England town that is known for it fishing. On day 194 this is our Friend the Chubster at 1954 miles with most 220 to go to Katahdin.