morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-16
From: Gorham, NH - Royalty Inn

To: Gorham NH - Royalty Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Yes, I'm taking a day off to rest my sore knees and to relax before entering my last state, Maine. Today I didn't do too much other than eat and rest. Lots of other hikers are here as well, it is the last big town we will come to and it might be the last outfitter we come across too. I took a stroll to the local park and listened to a live band for a while. I'm still chillin.
Date: 2005-08-17
From: Gorham NH - Royalty Inn

To: Gentian Pond Shelter/Campsite
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

I took my time leaving town today, it is hard to overcome the gravitational pull of town sometimes. Dead Animal, Retro and myself all got a ride together. A guy in a pickup truck stopped as we were hitching. Today after getting in the woods I discovered my bearings were all off, probably because the trail was going in so many directions. I pulled into this place at a good time, about 6:30. I was hoping to see a moose all day and thought maybe the pond that is right near here would have some, but no luck. This is the last sheter in NH so tomorrow I will be in Maine, the last state of my adventure. What a difference with this new sleeping pad. It is very hard on those platforms with just foam for a pad, but I'm sure I will get over it.
Date: 2005-08-18
From: Gentian Pond Shelter/Campsite

To: Speck Pond Campsite
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

It got pretty chilly last night, but my 35 degree bag endured it. Hoo Ha! I'm in Maine, the last state which is about 280 miles long. I stopped at the boarder for a photo op. So far Maine is pretty tough. I made it to Full Goose Shelter at about 3:45. I ate a bunch of food and left there about an hour later. I decided to tackle the Mahoosuc Notch which they say is the toughest mile on the A.T. It took me about 1.5 hours to make it through the house sized boulders, of which some you have to climb under and some ya climb over. Very strenuous! I didn't think it was the toughest mile, just a very interesting mile. The Arm, which is a climb right after the notch was tough but I manage to catch part of a sunset from the summit. I have been seeing lots of these birds, kinda like a grouse. They have babies and try to decoy you away from them. It was cool all day which made for some awesome hiking. It is tough to do 14 plus miles through here. I have the condo set up on a tent platform. I pulled in here just before dark and set most of it up in the dark. This is a pay site $8.
Date: 2005-08-19
From: Speck Pond Campsite

To: Andover, ME - Pine Ellis Guest House/B&B
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

I got a very early start after another chilly night. There was some pretty heafty climbs today, but the temperature stayed cool so it made for some comfortable hiking. It is rough up here, it takes all day to do 15 miles. I made it out to the road which comes to this town. Dead Animal was already there. We hung around there for a bit, it is in the middle of nowhere. Soon a guy who gives rides to town showed up and we got a ride to here. There was only 1 private room left so Dead Animal took it. I'll stay in the shared room. This is another hostel where it is in their house/B&B. Hal and Dead Animal joined me for dinner at the local resturant then we stopped at the local store. This town is very small. I'm ending the day with a pint of Ben & Jerry's chunky monkey. Another fine day on the A.T.
Date: 2005-08-20
From: Andover, ME - Pine Ellis Guest House/B&B

To: Andover, ME - Andover Guest House
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

I was up very early this morning for some reason, so I took a walk over to the store for a coffee. I signed up for breakfast at the B&B, good thing because Hal didn't and got his butt chewed out. Four of us got a shuttle ride back to the trail after a quick stop at the P.O. It was calling for rain but it wasn't raining when I started hiking. Within 1.5 hours it was raining cats and dogs! I made it to the first shelter which was loaded with people trying to get out of the rain. Dead Animal mentioned going back into town from the next road What a great idea since I was planning on staying at the road anyway. Upon making it to the road there were 4 of us there. Somebody had called a shuttle from here which came and the 4 of us gladly came back to town. What a good call to come back here. My foot has been bothering me since the Whites and I was soaked and chilled. Today I saw a moose when we were being shuttled back to the trail this morning. I haven't seen one while hiking yet.
Date: 2005-08-21
From: Andover, ME - Andover Guest House

To: Andover, ME - Andover Guest House
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up at about 7 AM to the sound of pouring rain on the metal roof of this building. I made a dicision to take a zero shortly after along with the other 3 guys that are here. We all went to breakfast and sat around trying to justify not hiking. You get so used to hiking that when you don't hike it feels funny or not right for some reason. It stopped raining about 10:30 AM but the damage was already done because it really was too late to start and get any mileage in. It is good for me to rest my sore foot (plantar). I picked up some Aleeve and Advil to help me deel with it. Well it turned out to be a beautiful day today of course because I took a zero. I inspected my shoes real close today and found cracks inside all along the shank or bottom of the shoe. I think this is what is causing me pain. I contacted Jewels and she will send my new ones (#5) to my next town stop. Thanks Jewels! Lots of eating and resting today feels good!
Date: 2005-08-22
From: Andover, ME - Andover Guest House

To: Sabbath Day Pond
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Very early rise this morning. 5 of us went and ate at the diner at 5:30 AM. We had a 6:45 AM shuttle back to the trail. The trail today was very wet. It feels so good to be in Maine on the home stretch. I have been thinking back and would like to say my whole hike up to this point has gone smoothly, never missed a beat even with equipment problems or whatever. I must say Jewels has played a huge part in keeping everything on track. The trail is starting to clump up with hikers now. The rain backed it up even more. I'm set up on a tent platform. I heard loons on the pond I am camped next to. I'm not used to those longer mile days. I'm wiped, time to sleep.
Date: 2005-08-23
From: Sabbath Day Pond

To: Rangeley, ME - Gull Pond Lodge
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I could hear the loons last night, awesome. A couple things about Maine, it is definately cooling off, and there are very few mosquitos so this makes for pleasant hiking. The terrain today was very mild and I made it to the road by noon. It turned out 6 of us ended up at the raod at the same time, so 3 of us got a hitch at a time. I picked up my package at the P.O. before downing a large pizza. There are lots of hikers around, mostly North bound. I'm presently at the Gull Pond Lodge which is over full. I did manage to get a bunk, but some are on the couches. This place is basically the guys house, which he has converted into bunks. 6 of us went out to dinner in town. The owner, Bob, shuttles you in and out of town. It seems as though his two dogs Markus and Gwendy, rule the roost around here. This is just one of those unique places along the trail.
Date: 2005-08-24
From: Rangeley, ME - Gull Pond Lodge

To: Poplar Ridge Leanto
Miles today: 10.7

It turned out to be a full hostel last night with about 12 staying. Most of them left real early this morning, I had to stay and wait until the P.O. opened at 9:30. I called the P.O. my package was in. My 5th pair of shoes. Bob from the hostel gave me a ride to get them and then dropped me off on the trail at about 11 AM. It has been threatening to storm all day but dropped just a few spinkles. I tackled Saddleback today and managed to get a few views in. I'm in the condo tonight, there is a very noisy group of section hikers camped on the other side of the shelter. Most of the clump of thru-hikers have moved ahead now which is good, it might thin out a little. Dead Animal is here and several flip-floppers are in the shelter.
Date: 2005-08-25
From: Poplar Ridge Leanto

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was an awesome hiking day. I had an early start and the temperature was just right for hiking. I find myself taking less and less walks off the trail for senic views, I'm thinking every mile counts now for the finish. Today broke the 200 mile barrier, less than 200 miles to go. This campsite is very nice, there are platforms and ground spots. I'm on a ground spot, it's much more comfortable since I'm using a non-inflatable sleeping pad now. Looks like only 3 of us are here tonight. There is a nice cool breeze blowing so I'm looking forward to good sleeping tonight. Still no moose sightings by me on the trail yet.
Date: 2005-08-26
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Stratton, ME - White Wolf Inn
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

This morning I woke to a phsyco red squrrel. It was running around my tent like crazy then it ran up the side of a tree and jumped on my tent and ran right down it and started making all sorts of noises. Needless to say i got an early start. Very nice day, breezes blowing and sun shining. I'm still loving this job. It's hard to imagine this trip ending and having to fit back into society. I'm glad I have slowed down and I'm savoring the last few weeks. I made it out to the road today and Dead Animal and I hitched into this town. It took a while to get a ride. This isn't a bad place for $25.00 with TV, phone and bathroom. Got the burger and .75 cent drafts. Possible day off tomorrow. I have been planning out the end. Jewels will be joining me for the last 3 to 4 days and will summit with me.
Date: 2005-08-27
From: Stratton, ME - White Wolf Inn

To: Stratton, ME - Stratton Motel/hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It is amazing how ever with a bed and all I still wake up between 5:30 and 6 AM. I hung out at the W.W. Inn until almost 11:30, still no sign of the owners so I moved over to here in the hostel unit. It feels good to take a zero, it gives my aches and pains time to chill. Relaxed all day caught up on email. Dead Animal, 3 cats and myself went to a ham dinner at the community center here. They had a Maine Story Teller (Joe Perham) after dinner. It was excellent! This hostel is full along with all the rooms. The owner of this place also owns the Roadhouse so he is taking some of the hiker there. Enjoying some dark russett cape cod chips with clam dip.
Date: 2005-08-28
From: Stratton, ME - Stratton Motel/hostel

To: Horns Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: light rain

I started today with good intensions but when I was sitting here it started to rain and the wind picked up. That was at 12:30. Well it's 3:30 now and still pouring and blowing but now I'm in my sleeping bag. I threw in the towel. I was only planning on going 3 miles farther to a campsite, but since there are no bugs and a small group here, I'm going to stay in the shelter. The ridge up on the next peak is exposed so why risk it. I got 5 miles in anyway. I haven't slept in a shelter in a while. Thumper, O'Connor, Snowy Man and Free are the others that are here. Since my miles are light for the rest of the trip it gives me some freedom. So I'm going to relax and sit this one out till morning. WOW look at the fog!! Still no moose yet. But I did see a wittle bunny wabbit!
Date: 2005-08-29
From: Horns Pond Lean-to

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

I woke in the middle of the night last night to a sky full of stars. By the time morning came and I got packed up it was raining again but at least the wind had stopped. Pretty much rained all day today, it was a warm rain but still wet. Some heavy duty chaffing going on today, not very pleasant. I pulled into this sight and quickly pitched the condo, still raining. I made up a quick dinner, ate it and climbed into the condo for the night. It will be another wet one tomorrow from the looks of it tonight. I think we are paying for all the nice weather we had earlier in the hike. Another milestone today, I crossed the 2000 mile mark!
Date: 2005-08-30
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to

To: Harrison Sporting Camp
Miles today: 10.4

Rain and that is what it did all last night, poured. I stayed dry but everything is damp. For some reason Maine is producing some water. Very flat and mild terrain all the way to here. This is a sporting camp. I'm sharing a cabin with Dead Animal. It includes breakfast. It is very rustic and would make a great weekend getaway to do some fishing or just relax. I have everything hanging outside. I hope it will dry. I have been trying to invision what it will be like to be done with the hike. This has become a lifestyle out here and will take some major adjustments to come back into society.
Date: 2005-08-31
From: Harrison Sporting Camp

To: Caratunk, ME - Northern Outdoor Lodge
Miles today: 3.6

Rain once again for the 4th day in a row. I heard it let loose in the middle of the night. I was glad to be in a cabin! Started the day off with a awesome breakfast consisting of 12 pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee and juice. Cycle hiker was there too. Made it to the Kennebec River in time to catch the ferry. Once on the other side, Dead Animal and I decided to call it for hiking today. It was still pouring. We went down to the Hostel and resupplied then the hostel owner which is the same guy that runs the ferry sercie gave us a ride to here. Dead Animal and I are sharing a room which has an unusual view of the inside of the lodge. It is really hard to continuously hike in the rain, very slippery and uncomfortable. At some point I will reach the end but I would rather be safe and comfortable doing so. I would really love to revisit the Harrison Camp next Spring or early summer to do some fishing, the place is very pristine. It is one of the places that will stay with me forever.
Date: 2005-09-01
From: Caratunk, ME - Northern Outdoor Lodge

To: Bald Mt. Brook Campsite
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

The sky sure let loose in the middle of the night. I could hear the rain pounding on the skylight. I woke to some clearing and eventually sunshine. A very large group of us hikers got a shuttle ride back to the trail. It was a late start after 10 AM. The sun was out all day but the trail was a mess with water running right down the middle, some very fast moving fords and tons of mud. The last ford was waist deep and very, very fast because of all the rain. There are 7 of us at this campsite which is right near a very fast moving brook (loud) and the privy is on the other side of the brook!
Date: 2005-09-02
From: Bald Mt. Brook Campsite

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

I slept very well last night, with the brook flowing so fast that is all you could hear. Today the trail was again very muddy and wet. I had wet feet all day. There was some tough fords today, one of which was so powerful if you made a wrong step it would have taken the feet right out from under you. After I got across we tied a rope on Dead Animal's pack just in case he went in. D.A. and I stuck around for a bit to see if the next group needed help. It was tough!!! I'm in the condo on a very uneven tent site, very tired from the ford. The terrain is mild but the water makes it rough going.
Date: 2005-09-03
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson, ME - Shaw's lodging
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: few clouds

All those fords yesterday sure made me sleep well last night. I had an early start today with one ford 2 miles into the hike today. The water was down quite a bit so that took some of the worry out of it. Never under estimate the power of Mother Nature!!! I got to the road along with Dead Animal, we started walking and got picked up by an elderly couple. They dropped us off at the P.O. before it closed. I went and checked in a Shaw's. Dead Animal and I are splitting a room. I took a look around in the house and found that they had framed a picture that my son had drawn in 1997 when we hike through there. I took some pics of it. Looks like this place is full tonight. I went to the local BBQ place for both lunch and dinner. Laundry is done and all resupplied.
Date: 2005-09-04
From: Monson, ME - Shaw's lodging

To: Wilson Valley lean-to
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow breakfast was at 6 AM, very cool and very large breakfast if I do say. After breakfast I got my fuel bottle topped off and they shuttled us back to the trail, back in the woods by 7:30 AM. I headed into the 100 mile Wilderness today carrying 6 days of food, very heavy since for the rest of Maine I only carried 3 days. There was more fords today but the water is still down a bit. I reached this place early today. I'm in the condo. Looks like tomorrow I will go under the 100 mile mark. Winding down and keeping the miles down to a dull roar. Cycle Hiker and Dead Animal are here as well. I need to ration my food so I don't run out. Feels a little chilly tonight.
Date: 2005-09-05
From: Wilson Valley lean-to

To: West Chairback Pond Campsite
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

It got a little chilly last night, I was warm but could feel it. I really like Maine, it is so beautiful up here. I can't imagine not finishing in maine. It is the perfect setting to end this long journey. I had several fords today, the second one was a very strong current. The terrain was very jagged, couldn't make any time hiking. Dead Animal came up with this, plan B, to camp here so I joind him at this very nice pond. It seems that every pond in Maine is very nice. Lots of canoes along the edge. People must just leave them in here. Today I heard a moose snorting but I didn't see it. Soon I will see one, I hope!
Date: 2005-09-06
From: West Chairback Pond Campsite

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: few clouds

The camp spot was an awesome place to wake up to, but still no moose, so I headed out. I'm still seeing some SOBO's and every once in a while a speeding NOBO. I planned to walk the Gulf Hagas loop so when I got to it I hid my pack and just kept out what I would need for a few hours. (Just so you know, Gulf Hagas is a Canyon that you walk the rim of. It is supposed to be the Grand Canyon of the East.) Anyway I started out on the loop trail, I was about 3/4 of a mile in and I fell cutting my knee and covering myself with mud. At that instant Gulf Hagas wasn't important so I headed out. It wasn't meant to be. I cleaned up the cut and cleaned off the mud. Needless to say I'm here in my condo. We have been having some great weather these last 4 days, I hope it holds. I don't like the food rationing but I have to do it to make it through here 3 more days until I come to a place with food. I will meet Jewels there.
Date: 2005-09-07
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: East branch Lean-to
Miles today: 10.8

Very relaxed start today. Several peaks to go over right off the get go. When I reached the last peak of the day which was White Cap, I could see it standing there with all its glory. What you ask? KATAHDIN! Yes the Big K anchoring the end to this wonderful adventure. The end now in sight, for so long it has just been a word, but not it is solid standing there proud for all to see. After all the peaks we have dropped down to a very flat area which was very fast and mild. I am in the condo, Dead Animal is pitched near here too. After we ate dinner we could hear a moose bellowing in the distance. We walked down to the water but there was nothing to be seen. There is a very bold red squirrel and a psycho rabbit running around this place. We are deep into the Wilderness, you can just feel it. Very beautiful!!! I must say this will have to go on the list of awesome places, the 100 Mile Wilderness that is.
Date: 2005-09-08
From: East branch Lean-to

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was one of those nights where you fall asleep so early that you are wide awake at 1 AM. Could be because the end is in sight too. The terrain today was very flat and fast moving. When I got to Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to I couldn't resist swimming in the giant pool and waterfall. I arrived here very early, about 3:30 and got everything set up. I climbed in the condo and took a nap, then the wind started whipping and woke me up! I secured everything and just made it into the condo when it let loose with very large hail and rain. I'm still dry. When it stopped, Dead Animal and I cooked dinner, we ate and climbed back into the tents just as round 2 came in. I was glad to reach this place because it leaves a short day tomorrow when I go to where I will meet Jewels. I could hear Loons on the pond earlier.
Date: 2005-09-09
From: Antlers Campsite

To: White House Landing Wilderness Camp
Miles today: 5.9

It turned out last night that there were 2 more waves of thunder and lightening and plenty of rain. I woke this morning to a beautiful sunrise over the lake. Most of the night last night you could hear the Loons even through the wind and the rain. I love rain storms in a tent. When the lightening strikes it lights up the whole tent. I think it is awesome. I got to the dock first this morning and waited for Dead Animal so the guy would have to only make one trip over to pick us up. You blow and airhorn and he comes and gets you in a boat. I got here just in time for lunch, a 1 LB burger with the works, very good! I did my laundry by hand and they have a ringer and clothes line. Just downed a pint of Ben & Jerry's, nothing like a 1000 plus calorie snack. This place is very cool. I love the wilderness setting. This place could be a re-visit at some point. Pizza for dinner, I couldn't finish the whole 14" one so cold pizza later tonight and tomorrow. I also forgot to mention that I briefly knocked myself out when I walked into a blown down earlier today. I immediately got up and brushed myself off and looked to see if anybody saw me.
Date: 2005-09-10
From: White House Landing Wilderness Camp

To: White House Landing Wilderness Camp
Miles today: 0.0

Well this is probably going to be my last zero day and it is a beauty. It was very chilly last night and I had to grab my sleeping bag in the middle of the night. This has been such a wonderful trip, with the exception of the people in my life, I really haven't missed society. I highly recommend this trip for any hearty sole looking to get away from it all for a while. The thing I have learned is you have to be able to handle detaching yourself from society and make this your life out here. Those that can't do this seem to fall off the trail. Once you get in shape after about 6 weeks or so, the mental part of it takes place and you have to be patient and break the trip into smaller sections that you can see the light through. Jewels arrived in the early afternoon and brought tons of food with her. It is so nice to have her with me again. Jewels, myself and Dead Animal had a small horse shoe tournament and Dead Animal won, later we had a game of scabble and Dead Animal won that too! he is tough to beat. In the end we all had lots of fun, it was a beautiful day. For dinner we ate the camps famous 1 LB cheeseburgers, HUGE!!!!!