morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-08
From: Mahoosuc Notch Campsite

To: Frye Notch Campsite
Miles today: 12.9

Fall FoliageWe woke up to an overcast morning, packed up camp and started the tough climb up the mahoosuc arm. The wind was kicking at the top so we continued on to speck pond, the highest pond in Maine. All of the birches around the pond were well on their way to turning yellow and stood out like flames among the spruce and fir. It was a beautiful sight. I continued on to the shelter and talked with the caretaker before climbing up old speck mtn. The climb was basically on a flat slab of exposed granite. I ducked behind some trees to block the wind and took in the views of the mountains we had just climbed over.I made my way down the mountain and had lunch on a cliff overlooking grafton notch. After lunch I finished the downhill and took a break at the parking lot to wait for game on. Some local day hikers hooked me up with a few beers while I was waiting. When Game on showed up we hiked up toward baldpate lean-to. We decided to hike 3.5m to the next shelter to get us closer to andover. We wanted to watch some football since tomorrow is sunday.The climb up Baldpate was amazingly steep and I was damn near dead by the top of the west peak. Once I saw the view of the sunset I was recharged and ready to go on. The trail dipped down into a flat rocky alpine area then up to the east peak. I sat up there above treeline and watched the sunset. All the haze in the valley was glowing orange. It brought a smile to my face! I continued on over the smooth rocky top and started down into frye notch. On the trail I came upon a spruce grouse eating the mountain cranberry's. It didn't seem to mind that I was there and I was able to get within 5ft of it. I sat and watched it eat for 10 min and felt at one with the Maine wilderness. The sunset was almost completly down when I got back into the treeline. I headlighted my way for another mile to the shelter. When I got there game on was already there. I got water and cooked a dinner. I set up my hammock and tarp since there was a threat of rain. I fell asleep around 10. Another day in beautiful Maine. The steep ups and downs are worth it for the beautiful alpine mountain tops, though I am so exhausted at the end of the day.Today's StatsStarting Point:Mahoosuc Notch CampsiteEnding Point:Frye Notch Lean-toMileage:12.9Elevation Gain:5650ft!Elevation Loss:5590ft!Hiking Time:11:07Weather:Overcast, hot, humidPain Factor:3
Date: 2007-09-09
From: Frye Notch Campsite

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

KenWe were up and out of camp by 9 and made our way up surplus mtn. At the top we called The Cabin in Andover and arranged a ride from the trail head. I got a message from kens girlfriend and could tell all was not well. The trail went smoothly down to the road and I was thinking about ken the entire way. About a half mile from th road it started pouring rain. The tree canopy kept us relatively dry. At the road we had to wait half an hour for our ride, but managed to stay somewhat dry. Bear picked us up and brought us to his hostel. He showed us around then fed us lunch until we could barley stand up. After lunch I took a shower and did laundry then sat watching some football. A lot of other hikers showed up and joined in our football watching party. At 6 we had a huge family size dinner. It was probably the best dinner I've had on the trail.I don't really know how to put the following into words, but here goes. After dinner I called ken's girlfriend and could immediately tell from her tone of voice that Ken was not well. I forget how much detail I've gone into about Ken's health, but he has been dealing with non Hodgkin's Lymphoma for about two years now. When I went home from Rutland, that "other place" I brought him to was a hospice. He told me to go back and hike for him and so I did. His girlfriend told me that ken was close to the end. I spoke with his father and he told me how much of an inspiration I have been to them and Ken and that he himself would hike the trail one day. I had them tell Ken I love him and that he is with me every step of the way. About an hour later, I got the call that he had passed. Ken is at peace now. I'm sorry for anyone who knows him that is hearing this for the first time through my journal. The family wants to be together now and plans on having a memorial service for him in November. His father told me I have to finish this hike for Ken and so I shall. I am doing this not only for Ken now, but for his entire family. I know ken is hiking next to me now for the rest of this journey and will be standing on Katahdin waiting for me to summit with him.Today's StatsStarting Point:Frye Notch Lean-ToEnding Point:Andover, MEMileage:4.5Elevation Gain:1000ftElevation Loss:1820ftHiking Time:2:24Weather:Overcast morning, Rain afternoonPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-09-11
From: Sawyer Notch Campsite

To: Sawyer Notch Campsite
Miles today: 0.0

ZeroIt started raining around midnight. My tarp was hung so I rolled over and went back to sleep. I woke up at 9 and decided to sleep in. At noon I woke up again and had a pb and honey sandwich. I started getting ready to walk when it started to pour rain again. I decided to take a zero in the woods to rest and collect myself. I pretty much laid in my hammock all day listening to the rain hit my tarp. I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time. I spent the day writing in my journal, reading Thoreau, writing emails, and napping. Game on showed up around 3 and camped there with me. The rain stopped around 6 so hopefully we will wake up to sunshine tomorrow. I didn't plan on this zero so I had minimal food today. Two pb and honey sandwiches, a snickers bar, a small bag of combos, two chewy granola bars, and a caribou coffee bar. Maybe 1300 calories? I am going to eat a house when I get to Rangley in a few days!Today's StatsStarting Point:Sawyer Notch CampsiteEnding Point:Sawyer Notch CampsiteMileage:0.0Elevation Gain:0ftElevation Loss:0ftHiking Time:0:00Weather:Rain, wind, coolPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-09-12
From: Sawyer Notch Campsite

To: Bemis Stream Campsite
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Mud and WaterI woke up at 8 as the sun was trying to peak through the clouds. I packed up camp and was ready to roll before Game On stuck his head out of the tent. I told him where I was aiming for that evening and went on my way by 9. I walked down to sawyer brook and forded it. That was the first ford (crossing a river without a bridge) on this trip. The Maine ATC has something against bridges, which I think is pretty cool. I walked across the knee deep water in my crocs and put on my shoes on the other side.The trail went straight up Moody mtn and I chatted with spaceman on the way up. I also ran into fuzzy monkey, forest, and mattlanta. I took a break at a sunny viewpoint on top and checked my messages. I had 8 from friends wanting to talk about Ken. I made a few phone calls and went on my way. The trail went down to black brook which I also had to ford. I took off my boots and walked across the knee deep water. I love fording! We'll see if I say that when it gets super cold out. I took a short break and started the 2200ft climb up old blue mtn. Most of the trail on the way up had a stream running down it. I was able to rock hop to keep my shoes dry.When I got to the top, the wind was blowing so hard it stole all my body heat. I paused to take in the views and had to keep walking. The next section of trail went through an old growth stand of spruce and fir. Supposedly there were 400 year old spruces that I walked past. I didn't notice any particularly huge ones, but did notice how the forest seemed old and unspoiled. It grew densely with thick moss covering all the trees. I stopped for lunch in this enchanted forest and had 2 pb and honey sandwiches. After lunch I climbed Bemis mtn west peak, east peak, and third peak before coming to the shelter. The peaks weren't totally open, but still gave good views of some huge lakes in the valley. The entire trail over the bemis range seemed to be under water. If it wasn't water, it was thick mud. My boots eventually soaked through and I just trudged through the sloppy mess. At the shelter I said hello to all the guys I saw during the day plus unicycle pirate, bug shoe, and shuffles. I felt like walking some more so I continued on.The trail went over Bemis second peak which was the nicest of them all. It was mostly open on top of flat granite. I pushed on over the first peak then made my way down to Bemis Stream. I grabbed water and set up camp near the stream. The temps dropped quickly when the sun went down so I put on all my warm gear to cook dinner. After dinner I jumped into my hammock and wrote in my journal before falling asleep. Game on never showed up, hopefully he will catch up tomorrow. It felt good to crank out some miles today!Today's StatsStarting Point:Sawyer Notch CampsiteEnding Point:Bemis Stream CampsiteMileage:15.2Elevation Gain:5710ftElevation Loss:5280ftHiking Time:9:26Weather:Windy cool partly sunnyPain Factor:3
Date: 2007-09-13
From: Bemis Stream Campsite

To: Little Swift River Pond Campsite
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Ponds and BogsIt got down to 45* last night, but I was plenty warm in my hammock. I got up around 8:15 and went through my normal routine. I was walking by 930 and crossed the stream on some rocks. I climbed up to ME17 which is one of the only roads with and awesome view of a huge lake with mountains all around. I took a break there and had a snack.The trail went up some more then leveled off a bit. I went through some beautiful boreal bogs and passed Moxie Pond. When I got to Long Pond I stopped for lunch at the sand beach. As I walked through the small opening in the tree line a hawk coming in the other direction almost flew into my face. It came about 5ft away before pulling up. I didn't even have time to react it happened so fast. It was a bit windy on the beach, but the sun kept me warm. I decided to be brave and go for a swim. Here I am in the water with spaceman and forest wearing hats and jackets on the shore. They thought I was crazy. I felt great until I got out and the wind got me. I dried off and put on my jacket and was fine. After lunch I passed another pond then hiked through more bogs. I saw so much moose poop that I was walking in it half the day. Still didn't see any moose though.The rest of the day was enjoyable and I decided to stop at little swift river pond since there were 3 canoes there. Game on and unicycle pirate caught up and the three of us found stealth spots on the opposite side of the official campsite, which was overrun by teenagers. I went and grabbed one of the canoes and parked it by our site. We set up camp then went on a sunset cruise. We spotted a great blue heron that caught a huge fish. We paddled toward it and got 50ft away before it flew off with the fish dangling from its mouth. We kinda wanted it to drop the fish so we could cook it up. I had my fishing line out, but didn't get a bite. Those fake worms just don't cut it. We got cold when the sun went down and went back to shore to cook dinner. I had mac and cheese with honey and put it on my extra bread. My hammock was hung near the water so I had a good view of the bright stars. Maybe tomorrow I will wake up to see a moose!Today's StatsStarting Point:Bemis Stream CampsiteEnding Point:Little Swift River Pond CampsiteMileage:9.1Elevation Gain:2860ftElevation Loss:1980ftHiking Time:5:49Weather:Cool Sunny fall dayPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-09-14
From: Little Swift River Pond Campsite

To: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

RangeleyUnicycle pirate and I were up before sunrise and took the canoe out on the pond. We paddled out to the middle and just sat there with fog rising off the still water all around us. The sun rose in a perfect circular bright orange ball and lit up the pond. We then paddled around the perimeter before returning the canoe to its spot. Back at our stealth spot we packed up camp and got walking by 8.The trail was pretty easy down to the road. We stopped once at a viewpoint of saddleback, which was clouded in. At the road the three of us started hitching. No passerbys picked us up but an older guy from the local hostel brought us into Rangeley. He was dropping off birdlegs and birdman. I hadn't seen her since vt. In town we immediately went to the local pub and got lunch. I had two carrabassett pale ales, french onion soup, potato skins, and fish and chips. I was really close to ordering another round of food, but I resisted. After lunch I made a few phone calls then went to the library to use the internet. I checked email, updated my journal, and checked the weather. I'm glad I did since a tropical storm was heading our way. Game on and I were thinking of cowboying on Saddleback too! Next we walked .7 up the road to the grocery store where I got a 3 day resupply.We had a tough hitch back to the trail. There were 5 of us trying to get a ride at once. Spaceman, forest, fuzzy monkey, game on, and I got a ride 3 of the 9 miles in the back of a pickup. Then got a ride the rest of the way in a Subaru wagon. I laid in the rear hatch with 3 packs on top of me.Back on the trail we hiked the 1.8 to the shelter and I actually set up in there to escape the storm. Forest packed in a 5 liter of box wine and we all had our own hard liquor stash. We made a campfire and had a little party in the woods.Today's StatsStarting Point:Little Swift River Pond CampsiteEnding Point:Piazza Rock Lean-toMileage:6.6Elevation Gain:1050ftElevation Loss:1380ftHiking Time:3:22Weather:Cool sunnyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-09-16
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Sugarloaf Mtn Summit House
Miles today: 10.9

SugarloafTemps were near freezing overnight, but I stayed warm. I slept until 730 and laid around in my sleeping bag until 9. I got everything ready to be packed up while still in my bag. When I was ready, I got out of my bag and quickly packed up. Then I put on my cold wet socks and boots and started down the trail to warm up. It went down to orbeton stream which was supposed to be a ford. I was surprised to be able to rock hop over it, even after all that rain! I took a short break near the sluice brook waterfall then headed uphill. I cruised on the gradual grade up to lone mtn where I had lunch.After lunch I cruised again to the lean-to which I passed by. I climbed spaulding mtn and then back down again where I passed the "less than 200 mark". The miles seemed to go easy today and I pushed on to the side trail for Sugarloaf mtn, the second highest peak in Maine. I hiked the .6 uphill to the summit where I got my first view of Katahdin! It took a while to register that the big mtn in the distance was actually the end of this journey. Kind of hard to believe! On the other side I could see Mt Washington, where I was a few weeks ago. The views were among the best on the trail and I got to sleep up there in the ski slope summit house they keep open for thru hikers. Inside they had electricity with and hot plate for cooking and a radio. I got there around 4:30 and met Nameless there. We chilled taking in the views from the huge windows around 3/4 of the hexagonal hut. Game on showed up later and the three of us watched an amazing sunset and then cooked dinner listening to the radio. After dinner we went outside for a bit to take in the stars. They were some of the clearest I've ever seen. The Milky Way extended down to the horizon! We couldn't stay out long since it was below freezing. Temps were forecast to be in the low 20's. Another amazing campsite on the AT.Today's StatsStarting Point:Poplar Ridge Lean-toEnding Point:Sugarloaf Mtn Summit HouseMileage:10.9Elevation Gain:4820ftElevation Loss:3050ftHiking Time:6:52Weather:Cold Clear SunnyPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-09-17
From: Sugarloaf Mtn Summit House

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: few clouds

Mystery PackageNameless and I braved the freezing temps and went to the peak of sugarloaf to see the sunrise. I brought my sleeping bag out there with me to stay warm. There was a light undercast in the valley to our left over stratton. Katahdin was glowing purple in the distance. The sun came up and lit the peak we were on before and others close by. We could see Cadallic Mtn of Acadia national park off in the distance. It was a truly awesome experience! After the sun got too bright to stare at we went back to the summit house for breakfast. I ate half of my pop tarts before remembering there was a toaster oven there. I had warm pop tarts for the first time on the trail. After drinking some tea, game on and I got walking.We climbed down into the Carrabassett valley and crossed the river on some rocks. The trail then went right back up to the crockers. We got an excellent view of the Bigelows halfway up, but the summit was treed in. We stopped for lunch after south crocker then trucked the 4 miles downhill into town. It took us 40min to get a ride into town which was unusual. We got dropped off in the quaint little town of Stratton and scoped the place out. We ran into Nice whom I hadn't seen since Erwin. His dad paid for a room for him so Game on and I jumped in with him for free. Starvin Marvin and Pearls asked me if I saw the note and package on the trail for me. I was surprised that I didn't, but later found out from Nameless that he found it ravaged by squirrels. The note and all the food left for me was torn to shreds and he picked up all the pieces. Whoever that was, thanks anyway!We got beer at the general store and dinner at the white wolf inn. I ate an entire pizza! After dinner we watched the eagles play the redskins. Game on and I bet for the bed. If the Eagles won I got to sleep in it, but they lost so I was on the floor.Today's StatsStarting Point:Sugarloaf Summit HouseEnding Point:Stratton, MEMileage:10.6Elevation Gain:2770ftElevation Loss:5560ftHiking Time:7:36Weather:Cool clearPain Factor:3
Date: 2007-09-18
From: Stratton, ME

To: Avery Peak
Miles today: 8.4

Mountaintop CowboyWe all slept in a bit then went for breakfast at the diner across the street. I got a waffle, 2 eggs, toast, bacon, and corned beef hash. After breakfast I got an excellent resupply at Fodders grocery store and went back to the room to pack up. We were hitching back to the trail around noon. Aristotle, a hiker this year that stopped in mass, was driving by and stopped to give us a ride. We chilled in the parking lot for a bit when Mala showed up. He was looking for me for a few days and finally found me. It was good to see him and Tucker Dog! I drank 3 of his beers and gave him some of my food. He would meet us the next day so I didn't have to carry it all through the Bigelows. We made plans for meeting up and I went on my way around 2.I hauled my butt up to Horns Pond without stopping. I even listened to music for the first time in a while. I was rocking out to some Zappa. I stopped at a view of the pond with the horns peaks behind it. Down at the pond I took a break with Nice to wait for Game on to stroll up. We regrouped and got ready for our super secret stealth plan, camping on Avery. We climbed up South horn and took in the view briefly before dropping down, then up, to West Peak. When I got up there the sun was about to set and the sky was glowing orange, purple, and pink. Sugarloaf and the stratton valley were on the left and flagstaff lake was on the right of the narrow ridge. We watched the sunset then night hiked down to Bigelow Col. We silently walked past the caretaker site, though I don't think anyone was there, and hiked .2 to an excellent box spring. We tanked up on water then walked another tough .2 to Avery Peak at 4088ft.There was an old run down lookout cabin up there, but the inside was filled with broken glass and all but one window was boarded up. We found a flat spot on a ledge that the three of us could cowboy camp on. Avery peak has a very narrow ridgeline and is above treeline, so the views are unreal. Luckily there was virtually no wind and not a cloud in the sky. An absolutely perfect night to cowboy on a mountain top. We set up on the ledge with an amazing view toward the east. We wouldn't even have to move to see the sunrise. We could see flagstaff lake on our left and the valley below us lit up by the moonlight. This spot was possibly the best stealth spot on the entire trail. I think it was even more amazing than mt garfield! The three of us sat up drinking some beer and wine that we packed out. We just sat up staring out into the seemingly endless night horizon. We laid down when the moon set and were treated to an amazing stargazing session. Life couldn't be much better!Today's StatsStarting Point:Stratton, MEEnding Point:Avery PeakMileage:8.4Elevation Gain:4400ftElevation Loss:1730ftHiking Time:6:15Weather:Warm clear beautifulPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-09-19
From: Avery Peak

To: East Flagstaff Road
Miles today: 10.7

Milestone DayThe three of us were up at dawns early light and were awed by the amazing site we were blessed with. It was a very fitting place to wake up on my 6 month anniversary of being on the trail. There was an undercast in all of the valleys, even the plain going out to the ocean. Only the mountain tops were visible. We laid in our bags and watched the dim dawn colors get brighter and brighter until the sun finally popped over the horizon. I stayed up there for about an hour after the sun came up just taking in the views and watching the undercast blow away. I got walking at 7:15 and stopped an hour later at the old mans head vista for breakfast. I sat there and listened to coyotes barking in the valley then hiked down to Safford notch. I took a short break there then hiked up to Little Bigelow ridge and sat at another viewpoint. Looking back at Avery from that angle made our camp spot seem that much cooler! The maples on the south side of the peak changed to a deep red, giving an!excellent fall touch to the landscape. I hiked the ridge and took another break at the last view before dropping down. I fell asleep on a rock for about an hour before pushing on. Two tenths of a mile after that view, I officially crossed the 2000 mile mark! I can't believe I've walked that far!I hiked downhill to east flagstaff road where I heard Grateful Dead music. I knew Mala was nearby. I followed the trail along the road and found his camp all setup waiting for us. He cooked me some chili dogs and I drank some beers waiting for Game on and Nice to show up. They came down about 2hrs after me and Nice and I decided to slackpack another 2.4m. All we packed were 2 beers each and a camera. Mala drove us to Long Falls Dam Road where the old 2000 mile mark was. Someone painted "2000 miles" on the yellow lines on the pavement so we posed for pics with it. Nice and I drank and hiked to flagstaff lake where we found a boat and paddle. We paddled out and around an island in the lake then back to shore. We showed up at Malas camp to a raging campfire and more food. We continued the party and threw the light up Frisbee around. The three of us just cowboyed on the grass near the truck.Today's StatsStarting Point:Avery PeakEnding Point:East Flagstaff RoadMileage:10.7Elevation Gain:1780ftElevation Loss:4790ftHiking Time:8:02Weather:Warm clear beautifulPain Factor:3