morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-08-29
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

To: Horns Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

Got up at 5:30 and was out at 6. The trail started up right away on Spaulding Mountain, but it wasn¢t too bad. And luckily it was a blue blaze to summit Sugarloaf (because it¢s a private ski resort?). Shortly after was a plaque about the CCC completing this section which was the last when the AT was finalized in the 1930s. It was a tough downhill off the mountain, with big boulders but got good views of the Carrabassett Valley.Next was a ford of the Carrabassett river, but I was able to rock hop and didn¢t fall in. On the other side, I ate the rest of the peanut butter and tortillas even though it was early to reduce weight for the uphill.The Crockers looked really intimidating, but ended up being pretty easy and no scrambling involved. It was a nice gradual downhill to the road. When I got there, Ballflap was just getting back on (like Andover). Shortly after a car pulls up, Ballflap said it was the guy from a hostel so I jumped in. A few minutes in, he mentioned it would be 5 bucks. I was kind of annoyed he didn¢t say that before I got in, but didn¢t want to argue because he was overwhelmed. Well, in hindsight I think always looking to make a quick buck (he was just coming back driving someone to Bangor even though people had been waiting all day to check in).Anyway, I resupplied at a market and went to a restaurant for food and WiFi. I was able to get a hitch out pretty quickly, I think again by someone who wasn¢t even going in that direction. Mainers are so nice!Even though it had been sunny for the three hours I was inside, dark clouds rolled in and lots of thunder booming. I should have stopped at a stealth spot then, but decided to keep pressing on. My goal was an official campsite I thought was 4 flat miles in, and I figured I could hide in the privy until the system passed.Well, I think the worst of the storm went over the mountain, but I still got poured on. I passed an official looking campsite, but it hadn¢t been more than a couple miles in so I kept going. But then the trail started climbing steeply, which wasn¢t supposed to happen. The rain let up a bit, and when I looked in the guide I realized I HAD passed the campsite, I had been looking at the shelter that was halfway up the mountain. At that point it was stupid to turn around, so even though it was late I pushed on and figured I could stop at the next stealth spot.It got dark enough I needed to bust out the headlamp and start night hiking, my first time doing so on the AT. It wasn¢t too bad, more I was just trying to get done and it was tough climbing.I finally got to the shelter about 8:30, it looked empty but it was a mother/son and I had woken them up. Oh well, people have done that to me a lot. Unfortunately it was a huge spread out complex and it took me like half hour to find the privy, so I got to bed pretty late.Oh and I passed the 2,000 mile mark today!
Date: 2018-08-30
From: Horns Pond Lean-to

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a rough night, I kept waking up a lot. I finally got up at 6 and was slow, getting out at 8 to a cold fog.There were four peaks to Mount Bigelow - North Horn, South Horn, West Peak, and Avery Peak. All were tough up and down but at least there were minimal scrambles. But at least I got amazing views. Haha just kidding of course all fogged in.Coming down, I see someone coming towards me that looks familiar. It¢s Headbanger, who I started with and haven¢t seen since Hiawasee! He made it to Front Royal, then had to take time off so he is Flip Flopping back down.I had lunch on Little Bigelow and actually did have a decent view of Flagstaff Lake. It sprinkled a bit, but not too much.The afternoon was easy with a couple hills but mostly flat, and some pretty ponds.The shelter was right near a pond, but unfortunately was blocked by trees and there were no good stealth spots closer. But there were a lot of nice sites further up, and it was a new (handicap accessible) privy. Ballflap had set up in the shelter, so after setting up my tent I cooked dinner with him.
Date: 2018-08-31
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to

To: Moxie Pond Road
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: broken clouds

My plan had been to wake up early at 5am, but I actually was near a hammocker that woke up at 4 and I could hear. So I finally got up at 4:30, but it was cold so I didn¢t get out until after 6.The morning was super easy, and I actually got in 10 (miles) before 10 (am) for the first time in a while. I tried to keep up with Ballflap, but he is too fast.We got to the Kennebec River about 11:15. This crossing is special because it is too dangerous to ford as there is a dam that randomly releases a bunch of water. So the Maine ATC actually set up a ferry to make it safer. Well by ¢ferry¢ I mean canoe with an operator. It even has a blaze on it so purists don¢t feel they have to ford. It fits two extra people, so after signing releases and putting on life jackets, Ballflap and I got in. It was a beautiful day and I even got to paddle and work my upper body! In all only took a few minutes but was a nice change of pace.A half mile after is the ¢town¢ of Caratunk, which is really only a few buildings. One is a B&B known for their sandwiches and milkshakes, so of course we had to check it out! I stayed there a while, would loved to have all day but places to be.The afternoon was generally easy with one big mountain, Pleasant Pond. I was hoping to get some quick miles in but it slowed me down and my feet were killing as my shoes are shot. There was a gravel road by a pond that I figured would have a bunch of stealth spots, but only found one and no view. And there is a house near hear someone is mowing their lawn at 8pm! But I think I¢ll sleep well tonight, another big day tomorrow but was nice to get over 25 again!
Date: 2018-09-01
From: Moxie Pond Road

To: ShawÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up at 5 and it was cold so I didn¢t get out until almost 7. The first few miles were pretty easy, then was Moxie Bald. It was steep but no scrambling and I actually had nice views of a lake on the downhill.The elevation change for the rest of the day was minimal, so I was assuming I could crush it and get to town pretty early. But my shoes were so shot they were rubbing against my ankles, and every root and rock that was not a flat step (so basically every step) was torture. It didn¢t help that there were two river fords that weren¢t deep, but meant I got my shoes and socks (or what¢s left of them) soaked and increased the friction. I didn¢t even stop for lunch and it still took me over nine hours to do 20 flat miles.I finally got to the road and Miss Janet was in the parking lot. I have heard stories about her, she is a trail legend. But she did offer me a Gatorade so all good. I called the hostel and the shuttle came a few minutes later. Shaw¢s has been around for a while and most NOBOs and SOBOs stay here as it is right before/after the Hundred Mile Wilderness.I was lucky I had called to reserve a bed because I got the last one. Unfortunately it is the one that doesn¢t have a table or outlet, but I think it will feel pretty nice tonight! And the bunkroom is only 6 and they are REAL beds, not bunks! The whole place is pretty clean, and except for WiFi going down a great place to stay.By the time I had put my stuff down, the barbecue restaurant in town was closing. Luckily, one of the workers had made coffee cake so I had a couple of pieces of that to hold me over. Would have been nice to eat real food after a day of Cliff bars but breakfast is supposed to be amazing! And hopefully I can hitch to an outfitter to get new shoes.
Date: 2018-09-03
From: Wilson Valley Lean-To

To: Chairback Gap Lean-To
Miles today: 15.6

Slept in until 6 and got out around 7:30. The first few miles weren¢t bad and had a lot of water crossings. Some involved rock hopping so of course my feet fell in.The next ten miles involved a bunch of small mountains, starting with Barren and then Fourth, Third, Three and a Half (not making this up!) and Columbus which are part of the Chairback Range. Except for not having any water, they didn¢t look too difficult.I ate a quick lunch at the top of Barren and seemed to be doing okay on time. But somehow I slowed down a bunch on the next few. I got to a shelter around 6 and considering I didn¢t see anything good for the next few miles set up camp. After less than 16 miles in over 10 hours! Not sure if it was the terrain (still rocky and rooty), ascents/descents, exhaustion catching up to me or what but I had wanted to go at least a few more miles to a nice pond. It wouldn¢t matter, would just be a slow short day but I¢m on a timeline to finish. Hopefully I can make up some miles in the next few days, but tomorrow I know are still some mountains (Chairback, Gulf Hagas, and Whitecap). At least the weather held today, I heard talk of possible storms. In the afternoon dark clouds came and I heard some rumbling in the distance but luckily only got a few sprinkles.
Date: 2018-09-04
From: Chairback Gap Lean-To

To: Crawford Pond
Miles today: 25.8
Weather: overcast clouds

For some reason I kept waking up every half hour even though I was so tired. I finally got up at 5:30, to discover my food bag had fallen in the night and a rodent had chewed a hole in it. Luckily, as far as I could tell it only got a bag of trail mix.I got on the trail at 7 and had to climb the final peak of Chairback. It wasn¢t too bad, but the descent was super steep. There was a section that was basically a rock slide that was similar to coming down Mount Madison in the Whites. I got a little turned around and actually had to bushwhack back to the trail.Then was a ford of the Pleasant River. Although it was annoying taking the time to switch my shoes, the water was only shin deep and felt quite refreshing. The trail after that entered Gulf Hagas, and was super nice and smooth until the AT broke off into it¢s usual roots and rocks. But at least it was a nice gradual incline.After an early lunch on the brook, I took on the last big mountains for a while. First was Gulf Hagas, which didn¢t have too bad of a climb or descent. Then was Whitecap, which actually consisted of West Peak, Hay Mountain, and then Whitecap. The ups and downs weren¢t too bad at first, but after a while were exhausting!The view from Whitecap was really nice, and I think the last time I¢ll be above 1,600 feet until for a while. Just after the summit was actually a view of Katahdin! So exciting. The descent looked intimidating, but there were a lot of nice steps so I could take it pretty quickly (and not fall).After the shelter it got even nicer and I realized I could actually make up some time so started booking it. Even though still lots of roots and rocks, it felt good!There was still Little Boardman Mountain, which is not so ¢little¢ after a long day, but I was able to push it and get to camp before dark.It was a bunch of sites right before a beach on a pond and it was pretty crowded but still spots open. I went down to the beach to cook dinner and another group gave me their leftover Good to Go (fancy awesome dehydrated meal). Saved me time and effort from cooking, worked out really well. I didn¢t think about the fact that everything would get sandy from the beach, so that will be fun to deal with...Hopefully a steady night of sleep!
Date: 2018-09-05
From: Crawford Pond

To: Pollywog Stream
Miles today: 30.1

I kept waking up in the middle of the night again, and finally got up at 5:30 and out at 7.The beginning was super easy, flat and smooth. I think I averaged over 3.5 miles an hour! Even though there weren¢t mountain views, it passed a bunch of lakes and the sun was pretty shining in the forest.I had a nice relaxing lunch on Pemadumcook Lake with an awesome view of Katahdin.The early afternoon was okay, I was definitely getting tired and slowing down but the trail was okay. But after Nahmakanta Lake, there were a bunch of short but steep climbs and descents and I started to feel it. Nesuntabunt was the big mountain and it was bad, but I was expecting it and there were nice stairs. But the little ones going up and down the lake ridges were just really annoying and I was ready to be done!I finally got to a campsite about 7. I was hoping to go a couple miles further to a shelter to catch up to my original plan, but I was done and can just make it up tomorrow. Plus who doesn¢t love the name Pollywog! Unfortunately there was a group at the nice spot along the river, so I had to go a bit in but found something that worked. Trying to eat all my food to reduce pack weight since I won¢t need after Friday!Barely, but I finally made it 30 miles, took until almost the end. And even though mostly gray skies, no rain!
Date: 2018-09-07
From: The Birches at Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak, Mount Katahdin (then Millinocket)
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

Slept until 5:40 and only woke up because I heard someone walk by the tent. It was pretty chilly so I was slow getting ready and even made hot cocoa I had found in a hiker box. I was the last one out around 8.I left most of my stuff in a trash bag at the ranger station. They have daypacks you can borrow, but it felt weird using a different bag after this one for the last 4+ months. And without food bag, tent, etc. it was a dream!The first couple of miles of the trail were a little steep and rocky, but not bad. I was warm enough I could just wear T-shirt and shorts. But then it turned into serious rock climbing scramble. There was a break in the trees with a good view where I caught up to Misty and Prick. We all continued on together including above treeline.Finally we reached The Gateway which leads to Thoreau Spring and the Tablelands. Here the trail flattened out a bit and was regular walking up rocks. We took our time enjoying the views and euphoria.Finally, around 11am, we reached the summit. I thought I would be emotional and want some alone time but I was just happy and feeling good. There were about 15 day hikers there and we were treated like celebrities- everyone asking us questions, giving us food, etc. I stayed up for about an hour. Couldn't have asked for better weather - sunny skies, I thought would be cold and windy at the top but not at all.Since there was no need to go back the Hunt Trail/AT, I heard the Abol trail was easier so took that down. I think ¢easier¢ is relative as it was still some steep scrambling down. I would have taken a photo, but didn¢t even want to look it would hurt my stomach!The trail finally flattened out (which my knees appreciated) and ended at a campground. It was a 2 mile road walk back to the main parking lot where I was meeting my parents. There was a lot of traffic so I figured I could get a hitch especially with all of them hikers/campers but no dice.When I got to the parking lot, my parents weren¢t there and no cell service. Long story short, they had hiked up the Hunt Trail a mile to meet me, not knowing there were other ways down. It was great to see them and be back in civilization!
From: Deep Gap, NC

To: Springer Mountain/Amicalola Falls Visitor Center
Miles today: 0.0

Our first section hike was in October 2013. We parked at Amicalola Falls Visitor Center and had Ron Brown shuttle us up to Deep Gap, NC. We took 12 days to hike south to Springer Mountain and then down to our car. What a fabulous journey! We hiked shelter to shelter and tented near the shelters. 92 miles
From: Deep Gap, NC

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Our second section hike was in October of 2014. We parked at Fontana Dam and Ron Brown shuttled us to Deep Gap, NC. Of the 9 days we were out, we encountered rain on 7 of them. One day we only hiked one mile from A. Rufus Morgan shelter to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Karen had a fall the day before which gave her a black eye when her hiking pole hit her across the cheekbone. We spent a day and night at the NOC. Then hiked on to Fontana and our car. Our last day was gorgeous views and sunshine. 72 miles.
From: Fontana Dam

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0

In May of 2015 we hiked the Smokies! We had to stay in the shelters through the national park. We had cold days and warm days and cool nights. One night was down in the 30's! The views were fantastic and we met some wonderful people. Karen still keeps in touch with a few of them. We hiked the Smokies in 8 days and stayed at Standing Bear Farm just outside GSMNP. Got showers and laundry taken care of and set off for Hot Springs the next day. The highlight of this trip was Max Patch. Its a grass covered bald with a 360 degree view. We could look back to the Smokies and see where we had come from. We were fortunate to spend the night on Max Patch. It was windy but not too cold. We saw a glorious sunset out of one side of the tent and a spectacular sunrise out of the other side. two days later we entered Hot Springs and stayed at Laughing Heart Hostel. Great place! Then we had A Walk in the Woods shuttle us back to Fontana and our car. 113 miles
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Dennis Cove Rd, TN (Black Bear Resort)
Miles today: 0.0

Early October 2015 we drove up to Hampton, TN and parked our car at Black Bear Resort. They shuttled us south to Hot Springs. It was a 65 mile drive and we were about to hike 150 miles through the mountains north to Dennis Cove Rd where Black Bear Resort is located. We stayed at Laughing Heart Hostel again and planned to hike out the next day. Due to hurricane Joaquin passing by, we stayed a day in Hot Springs. So when we started we were a day behind schedule. We arrived in Erwin, TN 7 days later and stopped for laundry, showers, a coke and 22 snickers bars. No...we only ate one each but bought 22 for snacks on the rest of our journey! Randy eats 2 snickers a day, Karen has one. This section has so many gorgeous balds and fabulous views. We met Dee and Rocketman just before Bald Mountain--what a tough hike. They left in Erwin to head back to jobs and life in Asheville, NC. Roan Mountain was a challenge and the night in Roan Mntn shelter was a cold and windy one. There were 10 of us in the shelter that night and we were all in the sleeping bags by 6:30 PM just to get warm. No one stirred til 6:30 the next morning. The next day we started over about 4 balds after Carver's Gap. We had gorgeous weather. It was going over Hump Mountain that we met Hooshr and later his hiking partner Mountain Dew. Hooshr thru hiked this year (2016) and we followed his journey here on trail journals. Mountain Dew has little wooden crosses that he makes and leaves on the trail for people to find. He left two for us. We hiked with them to Dennis Cove Rd where we all headed home for much needed rest! 150 miles
To: Marion, VA (originally Atkins, VA)
Miles today: 0.0

Our 5th section was from Dennis Cove Rd through Laurel Falls Gorge, Watauga Lake and into VA where we crossed the 500 mile mark of the AT. It took us about 5 days to get to the TN/VA border and Damascus where stayed at Woodchuck Hostel for a night. Great place--Woodchuck does a wonderful breakfast for the hikers. Along the way we met an 85 yr old woman section hiking the trail for the second time. She had hiked the first time when she was 60. What an inspiration she was! After Damascus we met a couple our age from PA thru-hiking the trail. We hiked along with them til we left in Marion. Bonnie & David are still on the trail. They hiked from Springer to the halfway point in PA then went home for about a week. They jumped ahead to NH in order to finish the northern section before Baxter State Park closes in October. Then they will go back to do the parts they jumped over. They will soon enter Maine. What an inspiration they are, too. Early in this hike we realized that trying to make it all the way to Atkins was going to be hard. We cut back on our miles and decided to end 11 miles before we planned. We had parked at Rambunny's house in Atkins and she graciously agreed to drive to Marion to pick us up. Great lady--she has hiked the AT 3 times I think. Highlight of this section was the Grayson Highlands and the wild ponies. 113 miles
Date: 2016-09-29
From: chatfield shelter

To: crawfish trail campsite
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

11 miles today! Not bad for a second day. We had a couple of steep climbs but most of the day was nice and level with gradual climbs through pastureland. We stopped in Atkins at a gas station got cokes and sat under a tree tot lunch break. One of the VA trail maintainersstopped and chatted for a while. He gaveus a good run down on water sources-its been very dry. We met Yard Sale Abe Hooch SOBO's both from GA! Yard Sale grew up in Marietta but now lives in Lula where Randy is from! Tomorrow we climb Walker Mntn and reach the quarter way marker of the AT.
Date: 2016-09-30
From: crawfish trail campsite

To: lynn camp creek campsitr
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night we got camp set up just before the rain came. Through the night we had some rip-roarin' thunderstorms. We started climbing first thing today and gotnto the 1/4 way sign. We climbed over many fence stilesnwhich gets really oldnafter a while. At one point we crossed a road and found a cooler with sodas in it! We each had one--well Randyhad two--and we wrote a note to the person. Who left it thanking him for the trailmagic. The climb after went better with all that sugar in us! Camped at a ni e little spot near a creek hoping the tent dries out.
Date: 2016-10-01
From: lynn camp creek campsitr

To: Chestnut knob shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked through fields with great views behind us. Chestnut Knob Shelter is a 4 sides stone structure with a door. Very nice but we prefer our tent. In the night some people came 4 wheeling through the field yelling out at each other.
Date: 2016-10-02
From: Chestnut knob shelter

To: jenkins shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Most of today was hikingalong what's seemed like a geological rockiplift. The huge rock formations werefascinating. When we weren't stepping overlogs andfallen trees we were walking through rock jumbles tryingto figurethebestplacesto putfeettokeep from stumbling.
Date: 2016-10-03
From: jenkins shelter

To: helvey's mill shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today was our longest mileage day yet! The trail was great with some good long flat stretches. It felt great to just walk without climbing or descending. We tented behind the shelter where we met Bionic and Twister. We've been seeing quite a few southbound thru hikers.
Date: 2016-10-05
From: jenny knob shelter

To: dismal creek campsite
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Great day today. We hiked up and over brushy mountain and down to Trent's Grocery. We got showers and did laundry which were very challenging with no soap or towels to dry with! Found a small amount of detergent in a box and used it for the clothes. Showered with a bottle of hand soap we found in one of the bathrooms. Dried off with our washcloths! Not set up for hikers! But the hamburgers and fries were amazingly wonderful! Gobbled those down then headed off for another 6 miles of trail. Camped along a creek in a pretty nice spot. It was so humid though that everything feels wet the next day
Date: 2016-10-06
From: dismal creek campsite

To: doc's knob shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: few clouds

Knew there was rain coming in so we skipped woods hole hostel and went on to docs knob shelter to cover about 3 miles that we wouldn't have to do in the rain tomorrow. Spent the night on n the shelter so we wouldn't have to pack a wet tent. There was a young girl at the shelter when we arrived. She was very nice but lost in so many ways. I talked to her a bit while Randy got water. She was hiking south and wanted to cover 9 more miles which meant night hiking. I'm still hoping she made it safely.