morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-08-20
From: Kinsman Notch Stealth Camping

To: North Woodstock
Miles today: 0.5

Zero day in North Woodstock with Kutsa and Montreal, Cornbread and G-man. It rained last night and part of today, glad to be in town. We all had the hungryman's special at Peg's and then went to Truant's for dinner. Cheap motel and slept like a rock.
Date: 2006-08-21
From: North Woodstock

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Longest 7.5 of my life! Rock hopping, sliding, etc over mud and puddles in slight rain and mist. Pretty chilly and tired so stopped early at Eliza Brook. I got there first and it was eerily quiet and dead in the creepy weather, but soon we were crammed in when Kutsa, Montreal, 42, Dan, Wyoming and some section and weekend hikers showed up. What a crowd!
Date: 2006-08-23
From: Liberty Spring Campsite

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

I can't believe they call these trails! Some go straight up or down and you scramble if not hand over hand climb them. No wonder the ppl used to doing 20 slow to 8 or 10 here! 4 mile ridge walk on Franconia Ridge this morning, absolutely gorgeous! First it was clear and sunny, then the clouds rolled over and it was whiteout conditions with 40 mph winds or so (trust me on the 40). Then the sun came out again as I descended. Really great scenery today! Did work for stay with Dan. We sat like a couple of beggars during dinner and then descended upon dinner like a pack of wolves. The croo was awesome!
Date: 2006-08-24
From: Galehead Hut

To: Ethan Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

Easiest miles so far. Stayed at Galehead last night. Eight people were REALLY late for dinner because the hike from Greenleaf Hut was so tough (over Garfield) 7 miles in about 14 hours for them, some of which was in the dark. Today, smooth sailing for me, mostly downhill, some completely flat, made it Ethan Pond by 4pm! Had 2 bowls of tomato soup and 8 pieces of applesauce cake at Zealand Falls Hut for $3. I really pigged out! Yum! Beautiful pond at shelter and so much time to kill. Sat by the water for quite a while. Fell asleep on tent platform watching stars with Princess Dan.
Date: 2006-08-25
From: Ethan Pond Shelter

To: Lake O' the Crowds
Miles today: 14.1

Made awesome time to Mizpah Hut, so planned on stealthing halfway to LOTC, but after first hill, I saw it was all above treeline to the hut, so went all the way. Fantastic views! Princess Dan and the Lad bag decided to enjoy the views outside all night, but I am warm and dry inside the hut. Met up with Cohiba and Otter again, and got to meet Lightweight. This place is huge! Shout out to Croo member Zack!
Date: 2006-08-26
From: Lake O' the Crowds

To: Osgood Campsite
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: mist

The views from Mt Washington were fantasic today because of clear skies and 7 mph winds. I beat the first cog railway to the top and pretty much had the place to myself. It gets pretty crazy up there when the tourists are in full swing. Considered mooning the cog railway on my way down, but one butt was insufficient for maximum impact. And I didn't want to be legally responsible for the damage to their retinas from my "fair complexion". The way down was basically giant "exfoliating" boulder hopping, very unpleasant. Just when I was channeling She-Bear (even though I hadn't met her yet), two guys JOGGED by on those rocks. JOGGED!!! My ankles were barking something fierce. The pain spread to my knees when the trail reached about a 60 degree down grade to the campsite. Good thing Princess Dan and the Lad Bag took a zero for his knees about a mile from the summit of Mt Washington. Ran into Eric and Patrick again at the campsite.
Date: 2006-08-27
From: Osgood Campsite

To: Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkcham Notch
Miles today: 4.8

Short day. Otter scored a huge pile of leftover breakfast so he, Cohiba, Lightweight and I chowed at about 11am. I decided to stay at the lodge just as it started to rain. Everyone else went on. Bought a communist (AMC) L/S shirt since I have spent every evening and night cold. Should really get leggings too, but they don't sell them here. REALLY looking foward to a real bed with real linens. After showering, I noticed my ankles were totally swollen. Now I am worried about holding up for the rest of the trip.
Date: 2006-08-28
From: Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkcham Notch

To: Gorham Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Took a zero day in Gorham because of my swollen ankles and made copies of pictures onto a CD to send home. Picked up my new trekking pole tips and maildrop from P.O. Ate....a lot. Met up with Princess Dan who was zeroing too.
Date: 2006-08-29
From: Gorham Hiker Hostel

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: mist

Caught the bus back to Pinkham Notch and hiked to Carter Notch Hut since my ankle swelling has gone down a bit. Taking it easy today. Met V and Hawk (SOBOs) and hung out with Chris (croo). Due to his knees, Dan gave up the ghost and went to Boston to get his car and drive home to Indiana. Poor kid.
Date: 2006-08-30
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Gorham Hotel
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Hell of a hitch into town. My left knee is killing me from walking on pavement! I am falling apart. Stayed at the nicest hotel in town and spread my gear all over the room. Sorted, cleaned and repacked everything after a HUGE assorted broiled seafood platter dinner with Caesar salad at the restaurant next door. I am so clean and refreshed. Hope my knee lets me hike tomorrow.
Date: 2006-08-31
From: Gorham Hotel

To: Gentian Pond
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

Slept like a baby and picked up my maildrop, bought extra snacks after throwing away the stale airplane peanuts and trail mix that tasted like paint. Got more dark chocolate macadamia nuts at Rite Aid. They look exactly like fresh moose poo. Makes them fun to eat! George gave me a ride to the trail when he wasn't shuttling the thru-hiker who broke his ankle by Mizpah Hut around. Thanks! My knee is still killing me, but I can't take another zero already! Loaded up on advil and hoped for the best. The trail was so tight with pine trees in some places, I had to feel around with my foot for a place with no tree, which was the only way to find the trail. I have pine needles in some weird places! Lots of bramble elsewhere. Ate a blackberry. The bogs were crazy, log hopping, etc, barely made it without a dunk. Stayed with 42 and met Jersey and She-Bear. I can tell we are going to get along already!
Date: 2006-09-01
From: Gentian Pond

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

Hard won miles today. Crossed into Maine and can hardly believe it! We got a taste of Mahoosuc Notch today with some big rock scrambles. I had to take my pack off at one point and toss it down, where it promptly bounced further into the woods of course. The trail terrain theme of this whole trip has been "Are you kidding me?" They keep figuring out how to up the ante, just as you get used to "up, smooth, steep and angled to one side", they throw in "wet" and "cliff". Good times.
Date: 2006-09-02
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Did Maine's toughest 2.7 miles through Mahoosuc Notch (see pic) and up Mahoosuc Arm. The notch was actually fun, 42 and I had a good time. She thinks it would be a great location for a fight/chase scene in a movie. We got Capri Sun trail magic in the stream in the notch. Model T and Ranger Dawg were about 15 min in front of us. They are hardcore dudes! The arm was REALLY hard for me. Straight up, smooth and totally danegrous. I was glad my mom had no idea was I was doing! Then we did Maine's 5 easiest miles after Speck Mountain down to ME 26. We got trail magic from Old Faht: sandwich, cheese doodles, swiss roll, PB rool, and 1.5 root beers. So much for carrying 8 days of food! I have chowed on my snacks and now I have to resupply in Andover tomorrow. My appetite has really grown to thru-hiker size.
Date: 2006-09-03
From: Baldpate Lean-to

To: "The Cabin" East B Hill Road
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

42, SheBear and I spent the night at the shelter with a poor weekender (he had no idea what he was in for). Laughed myself into a coma. These two girls are goning to be the death of me! 50 to 60 mph winds over Baldpate Mountain. The weekender and I went over together to make sure neither of us blew off. I almost waited so I could hear SheBear's entertaining commentary, but near the top I was holding on to the rocks for dear life. Weekender and I parted ways at the top and once on the other side I was amazed to see my rain cover was in one piece. I could hear it flapping like a sail in a hurricane. I felt like the guy on the weather channel..."Everyone has been evacuated but me!" Once past the next shelter, we got a hitch into town from a man in a pickup who immediately offered us beer (but not the watermelon). Ate a huge wonderful lunch at the diner/gas station/convenience store in the enormous (note the sarcasm) metropolis that is Andover. Ran into Cornbread (yay!) Staying at the cabin and we were welcomed with a huge crowd of creatively dressed thru-hikers I hadn't met yet. Bruiser, Mule, Slick B, Feng Shui, Burner and others. I especially liked Slick Bs Golden Girls jacket and Mule's pink pants.
Date: 2006-09-06
To: Gull Pond Lodge Rangeley
Miles today: 13.1

Looked flat on the map, but Holy Mud!!!! Had a stellar slide-out when my right foot stayed in place and my left foot slid 2 feet, then over a root, then 2 more feet, resulting in knee plant but no injury. Not even a wet shoe! SheBear is jealous of my ability to fall without getting dirty or hurt. Saw first moose, it was huge! Got great hitch into town, but the AT Companion was wrong about the P.O. times, so spending the night. Must resist the pull of the zero.
Date: 2006-09-07
From: Gull Pond Lodge Rangeley

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: broken clouds

Had to wait until 9:30am for the the P.O. to open then got snacks at the IGA. Saddleback was pretty strenuous and camp was crowded, but enjoyed meeting Lichen and Carbomb. Brownie and Souleman showed up too.
Date: 2006-09-09
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Stratton Maine 27
Miles today: 7.3

Well, I had enough food to skip town. I was planning on skipping town. I got to the road and had my lunch so I could skip town. Then serendipity showed up in the form of a weekender named Sean. My will to go on was easily bent by both the promise of an easy hitch and the impending rainstorm. I treated Sean to a burger at the White Wolf Inn and enjoyed visiting with the steady stream of hikers passing through for grub. SheBear, 42, Lightweight, Jersey, G-man, Brownie and Souleman are already here. Lichen, Carbomb, Burner and Feng Shui showed up at dinnertime. The girls watched the Van-Damme-athon on USA, where we really focused on the master acting skills, and ate ice cream and beer. Consumed mass quantities gathered around the giant table of hikers, then the boys watched the game. Split an entire snickers cake with Lightweight and slept like a rock.
Date: 2006-09-10
From: Stratton Maine 27

To: Little Bigelow Leanto
Miles today: 15.3

Got on the trail at about 9am after awesome diner breakfast and 3 cups of coffee. Thanks to G-man for some strawberry pancakes. Gorgeous clear day, took lots of pics. Made it to the shelter just after dark after wanting to stop early. First night hiking on this trip. Lightweight, F-Bomb and G-man went on to the trail magic at the road, reported by the 2 SOBOs. I had just left town and was very tired, so I stayed at the shelter and hung out with Slip-n-Slide. Where are you 42 and SheBear? The moon rose so orange and huge through the trees, I thought it was the trail magic bonfire a mile away for a minute.
Date: 2006-09-11
From: Little Bigelow Leanto

To: Pierce Pond Leanto
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

Slept very cold last night. I need pants!!! I'm gonna try wearing my fleece like pants tonight to keep my legs warm. At the first road after the shelter, there was the most amazing trail magic ever. I have never witnessed this magnitude of hiker feed, put on by Potatoman, Wayne "Fig" Newton, Walkin Home, and Janice Gove. Breakfast sandwiches, COFFEE, snacks, hiker box, fruit, sodas and a whole dinner feast I missed the night before. Huge crowd of thruhikers stayed the night there and soaked up the ambiance of the bonfire and hot chocolate. I probably should have joined them! Once I tore myself away from the feeding frenzy, I walked the flattest section so far. Ridiculously smooth! Skinny dipped at West Carry Pond (very briefly, it was rather bracing), and then had a looooong lunch at the sand beach at East Carry Pond. Made it to Pierce Pond by 5:30 and had great dinner conversation with Lightweight, Bruiser, Mule, Slick B, Bofus, Lebowski, G-man and Slip N Slide.
Date: 2006-09-12
From: Pierce Pond Leanto

To: Bald Mountain Leanto
Miles today: 18.7

Rising Sun appeared magically at dawn and almost everybody from camp went to have the BEST mixed fruit pancakes at Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps. I finished every last bite! 3 cups of coffee and then hiked 3 miles to the Kennebec River ferry. I resisted the call of town (Caratunk) and made good miles to the leanto. Thanks to Wendy for the trail magic and thanks to Otter for eating most of it before I got there (roast beef sandwiches). I did get some homemade PB hershey kiss cookies and a big glass of milk. Yum! Then there was MORE magic at the shelter with a big bottle of coke, tiny homegrown carrots and do it yourself hamburgers (I declined on the patty making antics since there was no where to wash my hands, I am such a priss). Also saw another moose on the way to the shelter, it darted across the trail before I had a chance to take a pic so I just enjoyed the random encounter.
Date: 2006-09-13
From: Bald Mountain Leanto

To: Horseshoe Canyon Leanto
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Gorgeous weather and first ford! Finally got those heavy chacos wet. I definitely need a zero though, 13 easy miles wore me out! Looking foward to everyone catching up in Monson. We had the cutest kangaroo mouse at the shelter, it kept making runs for Sumo and Lush's dinners while they built the largest fire in the history of the leanto. When I went to bed I had to cover my eyes because the light was so bright all the way over in the shelter.
Date: 2006-09-14
From: Horseshoe Canyon Leanto

To: ME 15 Monson Maine
Miles today: 9.0

Pretty flat day with just a small hill after the blue blaze to town. Barely had my thumb extended when our hitch pulled over (me and Otter). There are a few benefits to being a girl on the trail, hitching is wicked easy. I got a super plush private room at the Lakeshore House and had the best shower of the trail. I'll be zeroing here tomorrow for sure. Celebrated with enormous lunch of foot long roast beef sub, large onion rings, two sodas and a 590 calorie ice cream sandwich cookie, the "Chewie Louie" (insert Homer's drooling noises). Met Kentucky and Ben (or V'ger to his close friends) and watched Star Trek:The Movie. Too bad they are heading out tomorrow, they are a riot.
Date: 2006-09-15
From: ME 15 Monson Maine

To: ME 15 Monson Maine
Miles today: 0.0

A hard earned zero day. Slept in until 7 (instead of 6:15 like I have been doing on the trail) and ate Rebekah's Cranberry Crunch Cereal samples at an alarming pace. Took the shuttle to Greenville and bought groceries, thermal leggings and Aqua Mira at the Grocery/Outfitter/Shoe Emporium. Hung out at Shaw's with SheBear, Bruiser, 42, Lightweight, Jersey and Mule drinking Jim Beam and colas (conveniently prepackaged in cans, our drink of choice) and watched SheBear dye all the girls hair pink (but mine, unfortunately). Live music by the locals at the general store, too bad Slick B ditched us all for Greenville. He carries a mandolin and apparently left the whole town of Stratton bereft when he departed, on account of his karaoke genius. I plan on doing 15 out of town tomorrow, I'm on the "Otter Plan" to get to Katahdin for a Sept 23rd summit (summit party!)
Date: 2006-09-16
From: ME 15 Monson Maine

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

Pretty day out of town. No big climbs, but the 15 lb food bag (7.5 days) killed! Tried to eat the heavy stuff first all day. It's that 1 lb bag of PB M&Ms, so I'm working on that first! Cool campsite for lunch that had a slate couch and armchair. Big ford up to hip high across Big Wilson Stream. 99.4 miles to Katahdin summit! Yay!
Date: 2006-09-17
From: Long Pond Stream Leanto

To: West Branch of Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Hard trail today, but not according to the map! Beautiful weather, but it still kicked my butt. 42, Otter and I left great cartoons in the journal at last shelter. Otter was enticing Cohiba to keep going down to the river. 42 and I did self portraits. She Bear was a total trooper and rolled into camp about an hour after dark.
Date: 2006-09-19
From: East Branch Leanto

To: Potaywadjo Spring Leanto
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Crazy flatness today after small Little Boardman Mountain. I was so lost in thought that the 3 SOBOs really startled me. Neat trail magic at Jo Mary Road (my first trash pickup trail magic). Antlers Campsite was gorgeous on Jo Mary Lake, had a swim in my clothes. Nice last 3.5 miles to Leanto. Cohiba made it on the Otter plan one more day!
Date: 2006-09-20
From: Potaywadjo Spring Leanto

To: Rainbow Stream Leanto
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

Another very flat day but lots of rocks, roots and mud (thanks to last night's rain). At least it cooled off a bit, the bugs were starting to annoy me. Views of Katahdin from the small climb and Rainbow Stream had awesome falls, slides and impressive noisy bits. It would be great to slide down or kayak. I am getting close to the end! Ice cream tomorrow at Abol Bridge!
Date: 2006-09-21
From: Rainbow Stream Leanto

To: Abol Pines Pay Leanto
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Rocks, roots and mud, hard flat trail to Rainbow Spring Campsite. Rainbow Lake was beautiful ith float plane landing and taking off. Rainbow Ledges (they really need a better imagaination in naming things around here) alternated between sunny sky and ominous cold clouds. Cold front is here. Made record time to Hurd Brook and saw Ball Pahk (o2) SOBOing to shelter to leave trail magic chocolate for Lightweight. Then saw Poptart (02) as the ridge runner at the campground store. Waited with Cohiba and Otter who plan to summit tommorow because the weather's supposed to be nice. I am staying at a new (pay) shelter across from campground. Egg muffin and coffee tomorrow morning. Woohoo!
Date: 2006-09-22
From: Abol Pines Pay Leanto

To: Katahdin Stream campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked a very flat and fast day with my summit team (42, SheBear, Lightweight, Bruiser, Baldylocks, Jersey and G-Man) after Bruiser's parents gave us very thoughtful trail magic. We listened to Banjoman's playings and enjoyed the last downtime in the daytime. When we got to Daicey Pond the ranger told us someone's dad was calling around to let their hiker know he had made it up, turns out it was my Dad! Yay! Hung out with River Weasel, Cohiba and Otter, they all summited today, and enjoyed more Bruiser magic. Great bonfire at camp with my summit team and turned in early. I am looking foward to tomorrow!!!
Date: 2006-09-23
From: Katahdin Stream campground

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Here I am. A LOT of miles between here and Springer. A LOT of history too. This 5 and a half weeks has been amazing and healing and hard and fun. I know I enjoyed the last two states more now than if I had forced myself to go on in 2002, even though it was hard to accept not finishing in one year or with Pickle. I guess I hiked my own hike finally. The hike up to the summit was exactly as I remembered from 2002, but the mist and cold rolled in near the ridgeclimb, and by the top it was pea soup and frosty. I took my pics with the group quickly and started back down and got wetter and wetter. I knew if I stopped it would be very uncomfortable, so I decended without a break and practically ran to the parking lot, where I knew my Dad was waiting. I love that mountain, the climb was just strenuous enough but still fun, with some big boulders and creative footing. I would climb it every day if I could live close to it.It is so surreal to think about being done. After 4 years I have no miles left to finish. When everyone got to the parking lot, we made plans to meet up for drinks that night and I went to the hotel for the last best shower of my life (for now) and real clothes, which immediately made me miss my trail clothes. Then my trail peeps. At least they had a suitably fruity beverage for me to nurse at the very cool Blue Ox in Millinocket.
Date: 2006-03-28
To: Gainesville, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

My journy begins with a red-eye train from my home in Fredericksburg, Virginia to Gainesville, Georgia.In Gainesville, the Hiker Hostel offered a "Thru-hikers Special Package" which I decided to use. This included picking me up at the train station, a one night stay in their Hostel, hot breakfast, and a ride to Springer Mountain, where my hike will begin.During my stay, they took the time to go through my backpack and made recommended changes to decrease the weight of my pack. In a matter of minutes, they removed 7 pounds and brought down the weight of my pack to 38 pounds (including food and water) They also made further recommendations of changes I could make at Neels Gap Outfitter.The Hiker Hostel owners, Joshua and Leigh Saint, are great, great people. The hostel is new...I highly recommend this place. Visit their web site at: www.hikerhostel.com
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I got an early start before most of the other hikers today. It was foggy and cool...prefect weather to hike up Sassafras Mtn.I decided that I would keep my mileage low the first month or so to 8 miles a day. Many hikers drop out early because of knee injuries. They push too many miles too quickly. The majority of the hikers I met so far are novice backpackers, much less long distance hikers, just as I am. We all are learning as we go.My next stop would be at Gooch Mountain Shelter.
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A hikers midnight is 8:00. In my previous life, I would sleep 4-6 hours a night. Out on the trail, it's turned into 10 hours. When the sun goes down so do the hikers.I've been sleeping in my tent rather than in the shelters....more for privacy than anything else. I plan to sleep in the shelters only occasionly because I'm a light sleeper and don't think I'd get much rest with all the snoring.The hikers I've met so far are nice and ready to help. Everyone has a different reason for being out here. Personaly, I believe it's important to challenge ourselves and do things that make us uncomfortable or we are afraid to do. It's amazing what we can do once we work through that fear or uncomfortable feeling of pushing ourselves.I made it to Woody Gap today.The Hiker Hostel picks up hikers at 5:00 everyday if you want to return to town or slack packing. My pack was bothering me. It didn't fit right and so I decided to take a zero day to get stuff straigtened out at the Outfitter and get my pack weight down.
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Woody Gap

To: ***Zero Day!
Miles today: 0.0

Today, I took a break from hiking to get my gear in order some more.I went to Neels Gap outfitter and got a new pack and head set. I ended up with the ugliest pack in the store but the most comfortable...bright yellow and red. My weight is now down to less then 30 pounds fully loaded with food and water. I ran into Mike from Pennsylvania again. I asked him to sign the register at the Shelters so I would know if he decided to try and complete the whole trail.I went back to the hostel...talk is still generated around weight, food, and pains. To listen to everybody, you'd swear we'd been out on the trail for months already...