morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-05
From: Mt. Carlo

To: Mahoosuc Notch Bull Branch Campsite
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all last night and this morning. We didn't get out of camp until 11am. I hate packing up a wet tent into my backpack. Most of the time, I will just attach it outside my pack so it doesn't get anything else wet and may have a chance to dry. Today is the Mahoosuc Notch and we are anxious for what is in store for us. It is a mile that took us two hours and 15 minutes. It was so much fun. Dorothy, Clover and Fresh Step went ahead of us. Then Bluegrass, Twix, Bella and me started. It was so much fun. You really had to do some pulling up on boulders and sometimes just crawling on your stomach, hands and/or knees. There were caverns to explore and very small places you had to climb through. I took my back pack off four times in order to fit through some holes. A couple of times, you had to jump over to the next boulder and that was a little scary because you were jumping over a crevice that might have been 20-30 feet deep. There were several hikers I saw the next couple of days/weeks and saw that they had cuts, scapes, etc. I asked how or where they got them from and they all would say...the Mahoosuc Notch. I can't describe the difficulty (and it was) but the fun certainly outweighed the dangerous part of it. We got done hiking around 6:30pm and we all found a pretty nice campsite just north of the notch near some water falls. It was an end to a great day.Salsa
Date: 2013-09-06
From: Mahoosuc Notch Bull Branch Campsite

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 7.0

It was 35 degrees last night. Twix air mattress has been inflating every night and this night just made it colder for her. We are trying so hard to make double digit miles, but we have not been very successful. There is a lot of climbing and with it being cold and sometimes wet, it is very slow moving. We climbed Mt. Speck today and it was a great climb. The downhill climb was especially beautiful. Maine is a very pretty state and the woods seem to be very different. There are a lot of very large spruces with pine needles all over. The smell is woody, musty and piney (if that is a word). There are plenty of lakes and ponds nestled high in the mountains and everything is very remote (love it). Today, it is especially cold and windy on the mountains but the views, once again, warm you up very quickly.We have not seen any southbounders lately. It is kind of funny, but in talking with a southbounder about 2-3 weeks ago, he commented on how horrible us northbounders look. He said that we look really tired and tattered. I guess I never saw that but now looking at us all, our clothes have holes that have been torn, ripped or burnt. We don't look especially fresh and perky. We are really tired and no longer care that much about doing laundry or showers (well some of us). We are getting so close and for me, I am extremely cautious of every step because who wants to end their hike when we only have 200 plus miles to go? New Hampshire and Maine does feel the most difficult terrain and you don't want anything to go wrong at this point.We decided to hitch into Bethel, ME for resupply and forgo Andover, ME as we heard that there is not much in the next town. Frest Step, Dorothy and Clover got their ride in the first car. Twix and I were waiting for Bluegrass to come down from Mt. Speck so we could hitch. Fortunately, we found a ride from a Florida couple who are section hikers. Bethel was about 11 miles and we eventually met the rest at a local Pub. We then went to grocery store to resupply and met Pete who was buying a big box of chicken wings. He asked if we were thru-hiking and then invited us to stay in the back of his house for the night. At the same time, Dorothy met Laurie who offered to take us to anywhere we needed to go...so off we all went to Pete's house.Sandra and Pete have a really nice, old log cabin. In the back, he has a clearing for tents and a fire pit which also included music and huge adironback chairs that he built. It was a very fun and comfortable night. The next day we hitched a few more miles back to the trail.Salsa
Date: 2013-09-07
From: Grafton Notch

To: Dunn Notch Falls
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Just before we started hiking and in the trailhead parking lot, we saw Starfell's dad, brother and Goldilocks. Her arm was in a sling but seemed to be optimistic of starting back on the trail after Rangley, ME. Glad to see that she is doing better.Today was another great day of hiking. It seems that the trails are calming down i.e. less and less rocks to climb and step over. We first had a 2500 foot climb another beautiful 360 degree view of all the mountains in the area. Dorothy, Clover, Bluegrass and I were on top trying to soak up the sun when low and behold, Aquaman, Lone Wolf and Homebrew appeared. We had not seen them since Gorham, NH. I guess Aquaman got bit by a spider and was held up in Bethel for two days. It was nice to see them all again. We really tried to make double digits today and just couldn't make it. The hiking terrain has been making our hikes very slow. Salsa
Date: 2013-09-10
From: Beamis Stream

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 14.0

I thought I would post a picture of Red Tail and Gray Wolf. They are father and son. We have been seeing them on the trail for several months now. If you recall, Gray Wolf and Red Tail helped out Shrek when he had his epileptic seizure.So today, we got good miles in and my leg is feeling it. The hamstring and knee just isn't as strong as I wish it would be. Just will have to take it slow and see how it goes. Twix's feet are doing better since she got her new pair of Keen Gypsym boots.Today we were suppose to "ford" our first river. We have been going over thousands streams and rivers ever since Georgia but they all have rocks, boulders, footbridges, etc to cross it. I heard that there are a total of about nine rivers to ford i.e. take your pack off and get wet! Fortunately today, the river was low enough that we still were able to rock hop.We stayed at a ladies house called the "White House" in her backyard. She had a shower outside that we could use. It was amazing but we had to put back dirty, smelly clothes. Today was suppose to have rain and hailed but only sprinked in the afternoon...we were lucky again.Salsa
Date: 2013-09-13
From: Poplar Ridge Lean To

To: Poplar Ridge
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Huge thunderstorms and lightning throughout the night and it has not quit as of this morning. We decided that we are not going anywhere. It becomes a safety issue when we are that close lightning. There ended up to be nine hikers in a shelter made for six. Some slept with their knees up and where not able to lay down flat. All who was in the shelter decided to stay for the day as it rained all day. A bunch of hikers came in around 4:30pm. They couldn't believe that they left the last shelter and all said they shouldn't have hiked. This group included Predator, RV, Tutu, Pro Tip and a few others. All had to set up their tents in the rain. Bella snuggled up to Twix all day and she really enjoyed the day off. We only had one more day of food for her so we knew that the next day would have to mean going crazy amount of miles. No Rush showed up at 1:30pm. He didn't realize it but he made camp just 10 minutes from the lean to. He was soaked including his sleeping bag. We immediately began to help him get some dry clothes on and start drying his bag. For some reason, Houdini had an extra sleeping bag so he was able to use that one. For about four weeks now, we learned that there has been a Tennessee hiker that has been missing. Her name is Inchworm and she is 66 years old and an experienced hiker. She was last seen at this shelter and should have met with her husband on US 27 at Stratton, ME just 17 miles from here. She never showed up when she was suppose to. There is no trace of her or her backpack too. It is a very strange that the search parties were not able to find her or any of her belongings. There are warning signs that tell you to stay on the trail because there are rocks and deep crevices where one could easily fall into since her disappearance. Salsa
Date: 2013-09-17
From: West Cary Pond Shelter

To: Pierce Pond Lean To
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We slept in this morning since our long day yesterday. We started to hike at 9:30am and it was really cold this morning. Today was a great day of hiking because we finally had some good terrain. There were very short times of the trail being only pine needles. It was so, so nice. There is a canoe that takes us across the Kennebec River and the hours are from 9-11am and 2-4pm. We got to Pierce Pond Shelter at 2:30pm so we knew that we would not get to canoe in time so we decided to make camp early. We went an extra .3 miles up to an old "sports camp" which is a bunch of old cabins that was built in the early 1900's. There we met with Tim who is known to making "patriot" pancakes. He makes 12 pancakes and they have apple, blueberries and raspberries in them. We signed up for breakfast and had a chance to talk about the area. Lots of interesting history. This is also the place where Parkside, a 2012 hiker drowned. He was 20. There is a small memorial near the shelter for him. Very sad situation where he had hiked 18 miles that day and decided to go swimming. His legs cramped up and he could not swim. There is a picture of him in various hostels and this sports camp. Salsa
Date: 2013-09-18
From: Pierce Pond Lean To

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Rise and shine, it was time for the Patriot pancake breakfast. The serving size was more then generous and each bite was bursting with flavors of blueberries, raspberries, and apples. They were by far the best pancakes we have ever had. We ended up staying there later than we hoped because Tim was wonderful to speak to. We needed to hurry and catch the ferry across the Kennebec River just before Dave's shift ended which was 11am. The next time he was available was 2pm till 4pm and we didn't want to wait on the side of the river for three hours. It was time for a resupply. The Sterling Inn offered a free shuttle to their place for a resupply. The resupply exceeded our expectations. The owner of the Inn said he has taken polls and tried to listen to hikers on what they eat. Afterwards, we took the next free shuttle to the Northern Outdoors which was basically a lodge, bar and restaurant. We had a filling lunch and was able to sit in a hot tub! One thing was strange...typically when Bluegrass is here, he would tie Bella outside and would be fine. We had a nice picnic table and grass for her to stay near, so during our lunch we tied her there. We could here Bella barking the whole time. I was thankful hardly any customers were there. I would visit her and she would get so excited and do her happy feet dance. I would leave and she would start crying again.   She must have been feeling anxiety of Bluegrass and us leaving her.A group of several thru hikers decided to stay there for the night like Pro Tip, Clover, Fresh Step, Side Show, Predator, RV, Persistance and Arrow. Mom wanted to but they were going to charge us extra for Bella so we decided to go to the next Lean-to which was $16. After we all were going to get a cabin, it would have only cost us $12 per person. Doesn't make sense that they would charge for a dog at all or even at least more than a person. So we hiked out six miles to Pleasant Pond Lean To. It was the first shelter we had completely to ourself. It was really nice to have the shelter to ourselves.Twix
Date: 2013-09-19
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-To

To: Moxie Bald Lean-To
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

All night, Bella kept getting out of my sleeping bag and walking around the shelter. She had to sleep with her head looking outside the shelter where usually she sleeps in my sleeping bag all snuggled in especially when there were other other hikers in the shelter. She is very protective of us. All day, we didn't see any other hikers. The trail was extremely nice terrain with rolling hills and one large mountain towards the end of the day. We hiked over Moxie Bald Mountain which was really beautiful and with the sun coming down in the horizon. The rock formations were beautiful with the view of all the trees. They now are taking on Halloween colors of red, black, orange and white at the top, it was beautiful. We got another shelter, Moxie Bald Lean To, to ourselves again. It's nice to get to camp and be able to go straight to bed. It's the second night we've gone to bed before 8pm. Twix
Date: 2013-09-21
From: Monson, Me

To: Otter Pond 
Miles today: 15.3

Today was the first day of starting the 100 Mile Wilderness. We heard mixed reviews on this section. First it was remote with lots of roots, rocks and mud. Some have said that they liked it and others did not. We were excited to get started to see for ourselves. We slacked packed 15 miles going back southbound to Monson. It was very hard and challenging. It was a never ending day of going up then back down. We forded three rivers as well. We enjoy the fords, it give our legs a chance to get soaked in freezing water and actually made them feel better. Some fords were up to our shorts, where others, we were still able to rock hop across. The currents seemed much faster than previous streams that we have crossed in the past. Even though the trail seemed hard it continued to be amazing. The woods seemed very remote as the 100 Mile Wilderness should. Towards the end, it felt dark and mysterious. Lots of old moss over boulders and trees and the views were wonderful. There were ponds where the trail took us over beaver dams. Did I mention there were lots of ups and downs and we were getting really tired. We finished right at dark with using our headlamps for the last 30 minutes. We got to the road that goes back into Monson by 7pm. I tried calling our ride and they wouldn't pick up. It was too dangerous to hitch hike at night and town was another couple of miles but that look liked our only option at this point. At that moment, Miss Janet's van pulled right beside us. She told us to jump in and she would take us to Monson. Thank God for that angel. We couldn't wait to get back to the hostel and get something to eat. We had only taken two breaks that day and were exhausted. When we got back to the tavern, we saw Trouble, Zen Master and Canadian Bacon as they had just arrived. Bella was a little trooper today. She didn't have her packs on either so she was free to chase all the red squirrels to her hearts desire. She was exhausted too and was anxious to get back and eat as well.The night before, we were in the attic with three other hikers; Predator, RV, TuTu. Tonight we moved into the bunks with five others; Dorothy, Side Show, Arrow and a couple of others who all took a zero today. Today was a nice day and was glad to get some miles done as we heard that tomorrow may be raining. Twix
Date: 2013-09-22
From: Otter Pond Parking

To: Monson, Me
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We took a zero due to a storm passing through. It was a perfect day to take a zero. Other hikers that took a zero yesterday decided to slack pack. We are glad that we are not hiking in the rain...it is getting really old and just as soon not hike in the rain anymore. We caught a ride in a van from Shaw's Hostel with Heart Walker, Two Stents and Out Back to Greenville, ME. It was our last resupply day ever which seems weird. We were going back into the 100 Mile Wilderness and expected that it could take us another 6-7 days. We also stopped in an outfitters store. We were also able to get moms air pad patched at an outfitters and find out the mine is the valve that's leaking so it's long gone but Big Agnes should replace it under there warranty. I got a ThermaRest ZLite pad for the rest of my trip. We moved again into a private room just so Mom could watch football games. We didn't see all the games and found us cat napping throughout the day instead.Twix
Date: 2013-09-24
From: AMC Hut

To: AMC Gorham Mountain Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was freezing and raining when we woke up this morning. However, luckily we were in a warm cabin. They told us to be at the lodge by 8:30am (after all the customers were done with their breakfast) however Brad knocked on our door and asked us to come to breakfast earlier. We had pancakes, eggs, sausage, fruit, cereal, yogurt and granola and juice. We helped with some more work and they gave us a wonderful breakfast and lunch. It was hard to leave especially with the weather, the work and the people. I think both of us could have stayed to help them out till the end of October or longer! Well, we might as well stay one more day. So we kept asking for more chores to do. We might as well keep busy and help them out as much as possible. We made the most out of the day, helping the crew with chores such as stripping beds, making beds, winterizing three vegetable beds, unloading groceries, stocking groceries, more sweeping, dishwashing and then later going into the sauna, and then finally taking a nice, warm shower. I loved this hut and loved the crew. We also had a little time to explore and work in the other cabins. There was one old cabin that they recently restored. It was built I believe in mid-1800's. It was octagon and made with short logs. All these cabins were well kept. For the most part, most of them were built just 3 1/2 years ago with the exception of a couple of the old cabins.One of the things that we like to do when we work in these huts is talking to the customers. If you recall, we worked in several other huts in the Whites. We met some really wonderful people there too. The people here were also very interested in our thru-hike and asked a lot of neat questions. We also met a couple from Bangor, ME who the husband thru-hiked a few years back with his son. They offered to help us out after our summit. They gave us their phone number and invited us to their house and they would take us to the rental car, airport or whatever. I think we could have stayed here for another few days but knew we needed to get going tomorrow. Clover decided to leave today late in the afternoon so he could catch up with some friends. He felt the same way and was having a hard time leaving in the rain. Overall, we had a very productive day. Oh by the way, our lunch was homemade quiche. The dinner was prime rib, baked yams, vegetables, rolls and dessert...yum. The chef, David, was back and his meals were outstanding.Twix
Date: 2013-09-26
From: Logan Brook Lean To

To: Jo Mary Campsite
Miles today: 15.4

We said our ¢last¢ goodbye and gave our ¢last¢ hugs to Crowd Control. They were hiking southbound in the 100 Mile Wilderness and were expecting to come back to summit Katahdin by October 11. It was great knowing them and hiking with them. We left the Lean-to and the trail seemed to be completely silent. I couldn't hear any birds, squirrels, wind or water but rather I could only hear my feet walking. I am not sure why but that how it was. It seemed lonely. We stopped for several lunches throughout the day and I'm not sure if it's because this is the last time we can eat like this or we really are this hungry. We were excited this morning because within the first four miles, we had a bucket drop off that was filled with food. Instead of filling our backpacks with seven days of food, we set up with the hostel to drop off a bucket full of food that we purchased before we left city of Monson. I got to the road and could not find the bucket. I didn't have phone service so I couldn't call the hostel, so I sat there in hopes my mom knows where to find it. She showed up and knew exactly where to get the bucket. Along with our bucket, there were about ten others hidden very well. It was extremely heavy and full of food for our last 3-4 days! We gave Bella some more dog food and the three of us had a feast to lighten our load. Oh, I forgot to mention that we heard from Bluegrass yesterday. The wedding went very well and he was back in Millenocket, ME. We told him that Aquaman, Lone Wolf and Home Brew should be 2-3 days ahead of us and if he wanted to, he could probably find them and summit with them. He said that he has been camping around Abol Bridge and was hoping to see us soon. We told him that we were about 70 miles away and that we should be there in about 3-4 days.The trail is beautiful and flat but our feet were still hurting. We had lots of roots, rocks and bogs to maneuver through but it seemed to be getting better. The terrain was much flatter with very little hills. In the morning there were several ponds that we passed by and towards the afternoon, the trail followed a beautiful, large river with lots of waterfalls and water chutes. The trail was littered with bright orange, yellow, pink and red leaves indicating fall is here. The weather was perfect with the day temperatures in the 60¢s and the sun shining through the woods canopies. However, the trail still seemed silent. We hiked most of the day by ourselves. We camped right by the river in a really nice, large camp site near the trail. Strangely enough, we were the only ones there and went to bed early. We really have not seen hardly anyone in the 100 Mile Wilderness section. By now, we can fairly assess that the 100 Mile Wilderness is the most awesome part of the trail. We love it with all it's diversity and splendid beauty.Twix
Date: 2014-11-13
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It has been several months since Mom and I completed the Trail. The past months have had it's ups and downs. Mostly ups because I am now living in Hawaii with my boyfriend, Cody (who I met 4 days prior to starting the Appalachian Trail). I miss my hiking partner, Salsa, dearly but I will be moving back to the mainland closer to my mom next year. The downs have to do with missing the trail. I felt crushed after leaving the Appalachian Trail and my trail friends. I had a broken heart that I could not heal. The Appalachian Trail has become a best friend in ways that has brought me closer to my mom, giving me amazing memories and will always be there for me. There were times after the trail when I would cry because I missed the seclusion, the true beauty of the outdoors and the hiker trash community. I have never felt so spiritual and blessed as I was out there. My longing for the trail has subsided some since I now have my sights set on a few trails; the Arizona Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail then the Continental Divide, which my Mom and I hope to complete together. Another issue we had when we got back was my oldest cat, Merlin, became diabetic when we were on the trail. Ever since we got back we have been trying to get his diabetes under control. It has been a long road but I am glad to report he is doing very well. My goal is to hike the AZT is in 2015 and the PCT in 2016, I told my mom if Merlin isn't off his insulin by then, then I will pack him up and take him with us. We will see how this goes.Anyways, I figured I would update our journal to give additional details after the trail. Every experience I had rushes through my head on a daily basis. I can still remember the first day as well as I can remember the last. It's an experience I will never forget. I look at pictures and remember the moments we captured and then think about the moments right after we took the picture as a slow silent film in my mind such as beginning to hike out after this picture, filling our water, setting up camp, ir cracking jokes. Whatever happened after the pictures, it was a joy. I sometimes think how to top an adventure after the AT. I don't even think the PCT nor CDT will measure up. The people, the towns, shelters, trail angels, every moment will never repeat itself. All I know is that I made lasting friendships and memories that I will cherish for years to come.Twix