morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-08-07
From: Stormville then flip to Katadhin

To: Millinocket, Me
Miles today: 0.0

What an experience this flip trip was. The rail to Grand Central Station had one train swap at Southeast station (a boarding strip between the tracks in the woods). Then into Grand Central with many quicky stops along the way. Then at Grand Central I was going to kill time before going on by subway to Penn Station where I would catch the Amtrak to Maine. I ate at GC and killed about two hours but when I found out that the shuttle half of the trip to Penn Station stopped at midnight I caught one around 11:30. It had two changes before Penn Station. When I was getting off at Penn Station who is waiting to get on but Beacon from the trail magic a couple of days ago. Of all the millions of people there what are those odds. I went into to Penn Station to wait for my 2:40 am Amtrak to Maine. This train took me to Portland Me., where I boarded a bus to Bangor Me there I swapped to another bus that took me to Medway Me. On the first bus going to Bangor we got trapped on the interstate with a accident somewhere miles in front of us. The driver worked his way across traffic and exited and had his dispatch work him a route through the country roads to get us to Bangor. This route took us right through Augusta and in front of the State Capitol...a little bonus. We just made our connection to our final bus. When the last bus got us to Medway the lodge shuttle was there to pick us up. It was now 7:30 pm and I had boarded my first transport at 6:30 pm the day before and been up since 6am that morning, 37 hours with just a few cat naps, I was tired. Well when we got in the shuttle which was a large Suburban it made it out of the lot and the transmission died. It had just come out the shop earlier that after noon and leaked all the fluid. We had to push it into a parking space and call for backup. It only took about 15 minutes for it to arrive. I got checked into my room fast because the restaurants that were within walking distance closed at nine. Me and Pony Boy walked down to Pelletiers and had supper and a couple drinks. Back to the lodge and off to bed finally.
Date: 2013-08-08
From: Millinocket, Me

To: Millinocket, Me.
Miles today: 0.0

I am in the library trying to catch up and clean up some of the journal. It is raining out and I am taking a zero today and tomorrow. It is supposed to clean up here for me to summit on Saturday. I guess I will climb the 5.2 miles up Katahdin on that day rain or shine. The Appalachian Lodge is a very great place for thru hikers. I have private room and will be trying to get organized for my southbound journey thru the 100 mile wilderness. Have to psyche myself up to forde the rivers in Baxter State Park. I was told by a thru hiker who did them just a few days ago and said most are calf high but he had one that was high thigh high. That was prior to todays rain and tomorrows forecast of rain. Of course it is part of the experience and I am sure will give me many memories (all good I hope). It is only 3:30 pm so I may add to this later, if not bye for now.
Date: 2013-08-09
From: Millinocket, Me.

To: Millinocket, Me
Miles today: 0.0

This is second day that it has rained all day. I am supposed to summit in the morning early. I have decided that I am not going up tomorrow but will wait until Sunday morning now because a day of sun will make the ascent easier and safer and will allow the rivers that I have to ford to go down some. It is as good an excuse as any to wimp out one more day. I just did town stuff today with making sure my resupply was enough to get me through the hundred mile wilderness. My food bag will not hold that much food so I am taking advantage of a service the lodge offers which is they will do a food drop for you along the trail. How this works is you put the food in a large sealable container and they drop it off up the trail and give you a map on how to find it. There are three locations to choose any or all of. The one I chose is about 54 miles in and I figure by the time I get there in a few days I will have eaten enough to get this food in my bag and make it to Monson on the other end of the hundred mile wilderness. After all that was finished I ate, chatted with hikers and went to bed, looking forward to Sunday.
Date: 2013-08-10
From: Millinocket, Me.

To: Millinocket, Me.
Miles today: 0.0

If you have not seen the journal lately, I have caught up quite a bit of it as I sit here waiting to summit in the sun. Today is basically just a waiting day as all the prep has been done. I may add more later today, if not it will be awhile in the wilderness that I just take notes and pictures. Till then!!!
Date: 2013-08-11
From: Millinocket, Me.

To: Katahdin, Summit
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

Well today is the day. We left Millinocket at 6:30 am after a large breakfast. This would be the last town food for 10 days. Got to the ranger station in Baxter State Park and signed in, left my pack on their porch and took a loaner slack pack. Signed the trail head register and started up at 7:42. The ranger said to allow 8 to 10 hours for the 10.4 mile round trip. Then the fun began. The first mile was regular trail, then it started up steeply until it reached the tree line. At this point it became steeeeeep. A rock scramble that was more than 2 miles to the sign at the top. A lot of find the right crevice to grip or toe hold, can't express the feeling of this ascent. At one short level before it started up again you crane your neck way back to look up and see little bitty people way up there. After the short hike over the tablelands portion and by Thoreau Springs (water seeping up through the surface, no discernible start point), you go up the last mile actually on your feet. At the summit were approximate 20 people spread around the famous Katahdin summit sign. A hiker turned to me and asked "Fifteen?". I answered yes, it was Hiccup and she was with Forge, I had met them way back in NC or Tn. This meant they had out hiked me by over 600 miles. Hiccup gave me a cupcake to celebrate with, I had carried a coke up and had them together. I would rather have had Champagne...oh well I will do that in NY when I finish the entire trail. Going down was both easier and harder. Easier on the thighs, harder on the knees and butt. In one section it was very windy and I had a spot that I had to drop my trekking poles down in front of me, as soon as I let go of them the wind took them ten yards off course. Much fun climbing down to retrieve them. I got down and signed the register at 5:52. Just over 10 hours including the time spent on the top. Pitched my tent in the campground and got ready for tomorrow to start the 100 mile wilderness. Headed south to NY.
Date: 2013-08-12
From: Katahdin, Summit

To: Hurd Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 13.4

The trail guide showed this as one of the most level sections of trail yet. Well the first little bit was. Then the rocks and roots hit, they are incredible and hard to describe. There were two fords marked on the map. One I was able to rock hop and not have to take my shoes off. The next had no close rocks and I had to put on the Crocs and carry the boots, no problem just a hassle and the 15's weight a ton (no wonder I walk so slow). The section that runs along side of the Penobscot river was flat and root free with pine needles, oh wonder of wonders. Unfortunately it was about half mile. Then came to Abol Bridge where there is a store before entering the 100 mile wilderness. Had two large hot dogs and a bag or chips and litre of Birch beer soda. Then came the Wilderness beginning and the fun began with the true root, rock, bog boards till I got to Hurd Brook Shelter. At the shelter there were probably 20 people in and around it. All but two others were Nobo's finishing up their thru hike. These two (a couple) were Sobo's that had just started and not flip floppers that had down a major portion. His platypus was filled with bourbon, I had one swallow. After talking with them for a few minutes I found out they had zero's in the shelter the entire day drying out their gear. Personally I think they should turn around, don't appear to be either equipped or prepared for what is to come. Pitched my tent and went to sleep. I am not usually one of the first out of shelter/campsite in the morning but left before they had even started packing up. I told them "see you when you pass me, everyone passes me}. This entry is being input in Monson, 9 days down the trail and I never saw them again. Hope they are OK!
Date: 2013-08-13
From: Hurd Brook Lean-To

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 11.5

Wow did this day start off with an eye opener. This was rock hopping from boulder to boulder with a root to trip over in between and all this embedded in bog/muck. Fun times on the AT. Then the short ups began, on the guide this section looks as if it is flat as a flitter, only if you pound it down with Atlas's hammer. It had some of the best steps put in by maintainers anywhere on the entire trail in many spots. The flat line should have had a disclaimer (as many sections actually do) in the guide. Most of the house size boulders were so covered in moss that treesgrew right on top of them. This is truly deep woods. I also found out where the Off repellent got the idea for Deep Woods Off, the mosquitos are ferocious and I bathed in the repellent, the 98.11 strength, it works. Came to some great view of Katahdin behind me now. Not as good as the one from Abol bridge which I forgot to mention earlier. Great pictures today, many beaver chew downs some of very large trees, birch mainly. When I got to the shelter it was across the stream that had two logs side by side to cross the stream. Oh, I forget to mention it had been raining for the last 3 or 4 hours and I stopped to take a video of the shelter and log crossing in front of me and said into the video this is probably where I will fall into the drink. Luckily I made it to the other side, very slowly and deliberately. I was the only one there and decided to use the shelter so I wouldn't have to set up the tent in the rain or take down a wet tent. I little while later 3 men from Augusta Me., came in for the night, they were out doing the 100 mile wilderness, and appeared to be happy they were nearing the end and thrilled when I answered their question about the store at Abol Bridge having beer in the store and a commercial campsite. Really nice bunch of guys in their forties I would guess. Later two more came in and pitched their tents behind the shelter on the ridge above us. Went to sleep after my Mtn. House supper.
Date: 2013-08-14
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite
Miles today: 13.9

The hikers from Augusta left just before me and I watched to see that they made it across the double log bridge. They had no problems, and off they went headed to Abol bridge and beer. About 2 1/2 miles into my hike I came to a logging road and the trail actually crossed a real bridge. The trail came out to a 'pond' (these are actually large lakes anywhere else). From the shore I could see back to Katahdin and the top was enshrouded in clouds. Still a beautiful sight. I stopped for lunch at the Wadleigh Stream Lean-to, there were two other hikers there already, one a thru hiker about to finish in a couple of days, the other a young guy just out of high school wanting to do a challenging thing by hiking the 100 mile wilderness. He surely chose the right thing. My plan was for 10 days to cover the hundred miles (120 actual going up K and back and out of the park to the entrance to the wilderness beginning). The young guy left before me going south also, he had planned on 16 days and said he was carrying that much food. I am carrying 5 days and paid the lodge in Millinocket for a food drop half way through. I can not imagine carrying that much. He also said his plan was for 6 miles a day. Shortly after leaving the lean-to I spotted my first Moose, a cow standing in a slow spot of the stream and she was peeing big time. Always treat the water from a stream. Shortly after I came to a sign that said "Sandy Beach 150 feet", I was passing it by when the young guy came out and said "I was going to come back looking for you, did you see me leave anything at the shelter after lunch?" I said no, he then explained he had lost his phone and it was either there or at the hostel on the other side of the lake he had stayed at last night. I walked with him back to the beach and tried my phone. I had service and got them on the phone and sure enough he had left it on their porch. So he started hiking backward. I went on to the campsite and set up camp, off to bed.
Date: 2013-08-15
From: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

Today had a lot of miles for the wilderness area, at least for me. After only a few miles many of the Nobo's started passing me headed to Katahdin. One of them recognized me from walking together or staying at a shelter together months earlier in the south. His trail name is Spoon. Today's trail had fewer rocks and roots than was typical for the wilderness. It was still around 7pm when I got to the shelter. There were two northbounders there already. Mack said aren't you Rambling Rex. Man that goes way back to my first couple of weeks on the trail. It turns out he was in the the low gap shelter in the pouring rain when our original five were still together. He recalled the day and so did I. Also there was Z...?, he also knew one of our original five, Bearcat. I am running into hikers I knew from earlier almost daily now.Off to sleep.
Date: 2013-08-16
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7

Today had Little Boardman Mountain. It is now my opinion you should never put the word Little in front of any mountain, especially if it is one that has a trail on it you are expected walk up and over on, and this one did. Not a lot to say about today but more rocks, roots, sludge ending at a shelter. There were two people at the shelter when I got there but they were going to tent. I went ahead and claimed a corner spot in the shelter, not too long after four young hikers, 2 guys and 2 girls arrived, they are were also finishing there thru hike, headed to Katahdin. Nickelodean, Sheppard, Pattycake, and Cricket the last two were sisters. Nice bunch of young people. Off to sleep, tomorrow promises to be a tough day.
Date: 2013-08-17
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: West Branch Pleasant River 
Miles today: 12.8

Started the day with the final 1200 ft climb of White Cap Mtn. Long tough uphill but the views from the top were phenomenal, hard to describe some of these summit views in Maine. I am usually huffing and puffing and ooh and aweing at the same time. I was able to get a cell signal at the summit and called home to talk with wife and son. Another of the landmarks of today was I passed the 1500 mile mark hiked of the trail. I did the mark in the mud and sent a picture home with the phone. Today had basically 4 summits in the first 5 miles and then the rest of the day was gradually downhill. I reached the river that I had to ford and took off the shoes because there were no rocks to hop on and it was probably 40 yards across. When I got to the other side as I was coming out there was a guy getting ready to ford going in the other direction. He said 'are you a thru hiker' I said yes, he said 'would you like a peach'. Yes I would very much. Man what a great addition to my Mtn. House supper that was. I found a level spot for the tent right next to a stream that furnished my tea colored water, ate and went to bed.
Date: 2013-08-18
From: West Branch Pleasant River 

To: Stealth camp beyond fourth mtn.
Miles today: 10.3

Today started out at 718 ft 2325 early on. Went from the river to Chairback mtn and then on to Columbus mtn. There was a rock scramble the last part of Chairback that was 50 yards or so of boulders piled on each other right up the mountain side. This mountain was another one of those with so many false summits it drives you crazy, when I came to the one that I 'knew' was it, I looked to my right and saw a whole other mountain which turned out to be where I was going. My response, "you've got to be kidding'. Again phenomenal views. A lot of nobo's pass each day now heading to their finish in Katadin. From Chairback they only have 88 miles to go. This was a long and strenguous day and it was getting dark and I was still miles away from my goal of the next shelter. The guide showed no campsites and no water until the shelter. I found a very small spring with a flat spot off trail large enough to pitch the tent so I stopped. Totally drop dead exhausted. Pitched the tent ate and went to bed. Tomorrow will be another day in the woods and mountains.
Date: 2013-08-19
From: Stealth camp beyond fourth mtn.

To: Little Wilson Stream Campsite
Miles today: 13.2

I finished the up of 600 plus feet that I just could not do the day before and went up to the top of Barren Mountain. Large rock slab at the crest with unobstructed views of the valleys and ponds/lakes below with the many mountains in the distance that I will be crossing in the days to come. I stopped in for lunch at the next lean to and met a couple of hikers that were just out doing the hundred mile wilderness. One had thru hiked in 05 and had an interesting hiker tattoo on his leg. I made a picture of it. I will be 67 in October and have never had a tattoo, but am considering something AT related when I finish. Got to my destination around 6 today, pitched my tent, did the nightly chores and went to bed.
Date: 2013-08-20
From: Little Wilson Stream Campsite

To: Monson Maine
Miles today: 6.8

Got up this morning elated because I knew I would finish the 100 mile wilderness early in the day. My plan was to stay at Shaw's tonight and do a zero the next day to rest up. On the guide the trail looked like a low level sawtooth and that is exactly what it proved to be. You no sooner reached a top that it dropped you down the other side about the same distance so you could do it all over again. A term often used is "puds", which stands for pointless ups and downs, however, even if these were pointless it was the only way to get there. I got to the highway into Monson about 1:30 and called the hostel, she answered with I will be right there to pick you up. I was in heaven. Got to the hostel and took my first shower in 10 days, washed my clothes and relaxed for a while before going to the local pub which happen to be the only place to buy food on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as this is the time that the other place closes during the week. That turned out to be all right. Happy hour, half price for long island iced tea, I was happy to stay there and eat pot roast with vegetables and sip my 'tea'. Looking forward to a very restful day tomorrow. Went back to my room, made phone calls home and watched TV for a couple of NCIS episodes, then off to sleep.
Date: 2013-08-22
From: Monson Maine

To: West Branch of Piscataquis River
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Left Monson this morning after another big breakfast. Nice hiking today, relatively level and reputedly the beginning of the easiest section of Maine. It is however Maine. Not a lot exciting today. At the end of the day to get to the campsite I had to ford a river. This on had a tricky crossing and I tried to do i without swapping to the crocs. Big mistake and I slipped off a wet rock and went in with both boots up to the knee. Big bummer since I will be walking in wet boots all day tomorrow. Once on the south side of he river I found a good campsite and pitched the tent. The creek water was again tea colored from the tanic acid in it so I had to treat it. No other hikers in the area, just me for the night. Cooked, ate, tried the cell, no service so went to bed.
Date: 2013-08-23
From: West Branch of Piscataquis River

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 10.0

Got up this morning and hung my tent over a line in an attempt to dry it out a little before packing up. Only limited success, no success with the boots so I will have hot toes before the day is over. Started hiking about 8:30 and got to Moxie Bald Mountain Lean-To with Bald Mountain pond right in front of the shelter. I ate my lunch and chatted with a couple of hikers that were headed North. One of them said he was doing 30 mile days, hard to imagine. He appeared to be a true ultralighter, that included his exceptionally skinny body. After he left and before I was finished eating another hiker came in. We recognized each other from back in North Carolina. His trail name is Funnybone. We talked for over and hour. He had been an Olympian back in the 80's on our bicycle team. He currently is an 'elite athlete' coach. He had done the PCT trail thru hike twice in the past. He said that after the first week on the AT he was in was in for and experience and said that the AT was much more difficult to do physically. Logistically the PCT is more difficult, but the constant ups and downs of the AT make it the more difficult by far. I left him and started the ascent up to Moxie Bald Mountain summit, a 1400 climb and can attest to his opinion as being correct. It is tough. I took some absolutely incredible pictures on he way up and more from the summit. I could see far to the south the 'Bigelows'. The angle that I was looking at them from perfectly matched the profile on my guide. My thoughts were, "I gotta go over those?' Of course I know the answer. While at the top I had a cell signal so I called my wife and chatted for a bit. A bunch of Nobo's came up the other side while I was resting before starting down. One of the group looked like he had fallen off a moving motorcycle he had such rash on his legs. He said 'I fall a lot'. These rocks will eat you alive. Came down the other side of the mountain and stopped at the Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to for the night.