morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-26
From: Carrabasset River

To: Orbeton Stream
Miles today: 10.3

It was cold this morning, 34 degrees in the tent and 32 on the trail. I had stayed warm in my bag though and I am not even wearing my raingear while sleeping, everything else though. I got up a little before 5 and was on the trail a little before 6:30. Any earlier would be walking in the dark. I need all the early start I can get on these trails. Today started off with a 1,000 ft climb in half a mile. That is really steep and did include a little bouldering. I was not fast. Good thing I started early. It is a blue sky and sunny day. Coming around the north side of the hill up high over a ravine the plants were frosty - all along the ridge line too - glistening in the sunlight. Pretty. It was a day for clothing adjustments too. I started out with 2 shirts, a fleece top and my down jacket. Just before lunch I was down to one shirt. It got up to 60 in the afternoon. The best thing was: I SAW A MOOSE! A lot of hikers go all the way through Maine without seeing one. Some hikers see many. I am glad at least I saw one. He was not in the lowlands but up on the ridge. I heard one crackle of a branch broken and then saw him through the trees. He moved amazingly quietly for a large animal. I had one good view through the trees and he was gone. No time for a picture. Nice bull moose with rack. I saw a moose. Pretty cool. I passed the trail to the top of Sugarloaf, the second highest mountain in Maine. It would have been cool to go to the top but it was .6 steep miles up another 750 ft, another .6 back of course. I did not think I had it in me to do and also make my campsite before dark. Good choice for me but too bad not to see the outstandin views. Instead, I stayed on task all day through woods without much in views. Unfortunately, tomorrow When I am supposed to go over other view-ful mountains it is supposed to rain. In fact, if it looks bad I may have to hole up at the next shelter for a day. That would throw my schedule off and I would be a little short on food but I want to be safe. I hope it doesn't really rain. Not long after the trail to Sugarloaf I met Spirit Fingers and later on Chinese Tourist. Jim and Nelson, 2 section hikers passed me going north too. Chocolate Cake and Inbetween Cheeseburgers were at the Spaulding Mountain Leanto where I stopped to have lunch. After lunch I met Speedstick who got my gloves for me out of a pack pocket when I was too lazy to take the pack off to get them. By the way, when it is really cold I use my one good glove on my left hand and the two glove liners on my right. Seems to work pretty well. Mr Fidgity, David, and Lemonhead all passed me in the late afternoon along with a dayhiker. I did reach my campsite before dark with enough time to set up the tent and move in and also pump my water. This is the first night, I think, that I am camping alone. I am by a pretty stream on an old railroad bed. It makes a nice camp spot. And now it is hiker midnight. (8:00) and time for me to be asleep and life is good.
Date: 2009-09-28
From: Poplar Ridge Leanto

To: Highway 4
Miles today: 10.7

It poured buckets last night, a real gully washer of a rain storm. I was very glad to be in the shelter. I got up at 5 as I wanted to be on the trail as soon as there was light. I was on the trail by 6:30 with just enough light to navigate the trail. I had told Night Train that I wished I hiked as fast as he did so that we would be coming down Saddleback together. The map description and Stromboli both had us worried about slick rocks in wet weather. Night Train was up early too and said he would be along later. I actually had a pretty good day hiking. I climbed 3 mountains today, Saddleback Junior, The Horn and Saddleback. The streams were running everywhere, including in the trail. I laughed. I had been saying how I enjoy the streams with cheerful waterfalls. So today I had the opportunity to walk in the streams and step over the waterfalls. And one place there were nice stepping stones to keep your feet dry on the trail but they were all about 2 inches under water. Pretyy funny. Yes, my feet got wet. Night Train caught up with me as I started up Saddleback. I think he delayed his start to go over Saddleback with me. Nice guy. The first two mountains were in the cloud and had strong winds trying to pluck us off the mountain. The wind was cold but the temperature of the day was really pretty warm, at least the high 50s. We got to the top of Saddleback and it was still in the cloud and still blowing strongly. But as we started down the clouds actually lifted. So we did not have a 360 degree view but we did get some view out over Rangely lake and other valleys and mountains. Nice. Funny thing was neither Night Train nor I thought the rock slabs were that bad. The slopes were generally not too steep and it was nice bumpy granite that isn't too slick to walk on. We got down to the road and started trying to hitch with no positive results. Bob fron Gull Pond was supposed to pick me up at 6:30 but 6:30 came and went and no Bob. I started waving my white mapdana and 2 young women actually turned around and stoped to see if we needed help. They took us in to Rangely. Thank you, Thank you! I called Bob and he picked us up after we had dinner. I got my shower. clothes were washed and plans made for tomorrow. We got to bed very late but I thik everything will work for tomorrow. And now to sleep and life is good. Memaw, 10x10
Date: 2009-09-29
From: Highway 4

To: Highway 17 (done NOBO)
Miles today: 13.1

I got up at 5:30, had breakfast and Bob took me to Highway 17 from which I would walk back to Highway 4. The day started well. The sun came out and it was a lovely day for a hike. I hiked well for the first couple hours. Then my right heel started to hurt. That really cut down my speed, even when slack packing. And there were still roots and rocks and lots of bogs. I just didn't seem to move as fast as I thought I would. It took a long time to cover the miles. Jason, Robin and Brandon passed me headed SOBO. They are planing to skip New Hampshire and continue hiking south. I met Night Train going north when I had only covered 6 miles. My heel kept hurting. Not good. Later in the day Grizzilda passed me, a thru hiker NOBO. I finally got to moving well again but it was just too late to make up the time. I did call Bob and suggested I might be down by 6. But then the trail had some really steep, rocky, rooty parts and it also started to rain, at first lightly and then hard. It also seemed to be getting dark in the forest even before 6. Pegasus passed me near the end. I finally got down about 6:20. I was really disappointed with my time today. Today was supposed to be the easy 13 miles and tomorrow the more difficult 13 miles. I am really concerned about completing before dark but I am going to try for it. If I cannot do it slackpacking I surely cannot do it with full pack, I will try to start another half hour earier. Tonight we stopped at IGA and I got soup for dinner. Now I will organize a few things and fall into bed. I am worried but ready to go again tomorrow and life is still good.
Date: 2009-10-01
From: South Arm Road

To: Andover and Gorham
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I have decided to get off the trail in Maine and am headed to New York to see my family and hike down there. I was tired of climbing these big mountains only to see raindrops, mist and sleet. I was thankful for geting down the mountain alive last night and don't want to push my luck. The weather report is for more cold and rain but back to the 70s by Monday. I don't want to wait around and I don't want to hike in unsafe conditions. Night Train was also at Andover and feeling the same way. David drove us to Grafton Notch to pick up my last food drop and then drove us to Gorham, New Hampshire where we can get a bus to Boston. On the way there we could see the base and partway up Baldpate, one of my next 2 climbs. And we could see a snow line, consderably below the cloud shrouded top. That confirmed stopping was a good decision. When we got to Gorham we found Bookworm at the hostel. He had a rather terrifying experience on Baldpate yesterday. There was black ice and he slid and fell 50 ft. He was very lucky not to have been injured. That was a double confirmation that stopping now was a good decision. I will add the last of Maine to my hike in 2011. I should have a new knee then. That may help. Night Train and I bought our bus tickets and went to a Chinese Buffet. It was just lovely to sit at leisure and consume 3 plates of food. I kept thinking of the contrast with hiking yesterday not taking the time to stop for food. So I am now well fed and ready for bed at my last hiking hostel for a while. It is still early, a quarter to seven, but I am tired and life is good.
Date: 2009-10-02
From: Gorham

To: On Buses & a train to West Point
Miles today: 0.0

Hostels, like AT shelters are interesting places to try to get some sleep. There is always someone staying up late and someone getting up early. At a shelter I am usually the one getting up early. But today I woke up at the first person who got a shower (next to my room) at 5:00 AM. I guess that is payback for the times I wake others in the shelters. Night Train and I got up and went over to the convenience store that is also the bus stop and got some breakfast and waited for the bus. Night Train was an and we chatted for most of the trip to Boston. We could see Mount Washinton and other mountains in the Whites and they were indeed white with new snow. Going south was a good decision. The fall colors were pretty to drive through. Maybe when I tire of hiking or the body won't hold up anymore I will get a travel van and drive through New England. I would like to see the Maine Coast. Anyway, the bus went to Boston, from which I got on another bus to New York from which I was to get another bus to West Point. I said goodby to Night Train who had been good enough to stay with me until I went to my bus. He is taking a bus to Vermont to hike northward to New Hampshire. I am tired of riding buses. My feet and knee feel better but my tail hurts. Then I get to NYC Port Authority, which is a zoo, and find the Short Line Bus place and they tell me there are no more buses today, go take the train, It goes to West Point. Number 1, I already know there is no train that goes to West Point. The train only goes to Garrison. Number 2, I have no clue how to get to the train. Most of the information boothes were closed and the one open one had a very unfriendly lady who said the train was the subway and looked at me like I was a country bumpkin. Pretty close to the truth. So, I had a minor melt down and I called Sara and Andrew and they directed me to take a taxi to Grand Central Station and get a ticket to Garrison. Which I did. A very nice man in a yellow vest personally escorted me to the correct train and a nice guy on the train helped heave my pack onto the overhead bin. I liked the train station a whole lot better than the bus station. I should have taken the train from Boston. Live and learn. Even when you are 68. I got off the train in Garrison and after a few minutes, Andrew picked me up and took me home with him. I had a delicious dinner of their leftovers and crashed in bed. And life is good.
Date: 2009-10-03
From: Seven Lakes Drive

To: Highways 9 and 403
Miles today: 11.0

I am not fully recovered from my Maine adventures but I have this urge to be on the trail. So we got up early to get me on the trail. Sara has three little boys under 4 years of age who get up very early most of the time anyway. So 3 little boys and I were bundled into the van and Sara drove me to Seven Lakes Drive on Bear Mountain where we found the AT crossing. After they left me they saw 4 deer and a flock of more than a dozen turkeys so their trip was exciting. Later in the day I saw 2 Eastern Coyotes and three black bear (in the zoo.) But I was glad to be on the trail. After being off for a while my first steps are accompanied by inner and outer grins as I move up the trail. Bear Mountain is a rather lovely area and I enjoyed climbing up trails that were actually usually trails. That was a pleasant change from Maine. On top of Bear Mountain was a tower which I climbed to see the view. I enjoyed the picture display of the history too. There was a photographer in the tower and another person came up while I was there. Otherwise it was a quiet morning. I descended and came out near Bear Mountain Inn and a nice lake with playground and picnic tables and a nice restroom which I used. Then there came the zoo through which the trail meandered. Out of the zoo and under a tunnel and up to the Bear Mountain bridge which I walked over. Shortly down the road the trail goes up the hill, eventually coming to a side trail of 1/2 mile to Anthony's Nose. Going up to Anthony's Nose I met Tramper, a fellow section hiker, and we chatted a bit. And wonder of wonders, he may solve a transportation problem for my next section of New York. He gave me his phone number and I will call to confirm. He contnued down and I continued up and had my lunch on Anthony's Nose along with a large contingent of Koreans on a field trip. The view was outstanding! Anthony's Nose is a hunk of rock 300 or so feet above the Bear Mountain Bridge and the Hudson River. I ate lunch soaking in the view and watching 2 eagles and three turkey vultures soar above and below me. Neat! The Koreans were interesting too. A couple of the older guys looked like they were experienced climbers decked out with knickers and boots. After lunch I knew I should move a bit faster and did so. It was a nice afternoon but fairly uneventful. Just before going down to the road I was promised a view by the book but the trees must have grown since the book was written so all I saw was trees. Sara met me just after I arrived at the little convenience store called the Appalachian Market. And we drove home. My knee ached and my heel hurt and I was very tired but my psyche was restored. I do love the trail. And life is good.
Date: 2009-10-12
From: RPH Shelter

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

I woke early but was slow to move from my nice warm bag. It was quite cold, 38. And it seemed even colder. There had been no problems during the night. I probably had just scared myself but I felt better with my baricade contraption. And no one entered. I finally got up and got on my way. It was a cold, crisp fall morning. I walked through crunchy, crackling or swishy leaves. The last two dry days have dried them out. I had my trail bars at a very nice overlook of the Hudson Highlands and even the Catskills. Nice but still cold and I had to move fast after my stop to warm up again. I saw no one for a long time and then, just before lunch, I saw a rock with just the right slant to sit on and have my pack supported so I sat on it. Jeremy and Jennifer, two New Yorkers who are doing an overnight came by. They took the train out to the trail and they are going to where they can catch a train back. They were fun to talk to. I had lunch under a giant Maple tree. Nice. In the afternoon I ran into Jabberwalkie, her dog and her dad, Chile Man. I had met Jabberwalkie in Maine on Little Bigelow. Her Dad is doing some of the trail with her now. He had done the PCT several years ago. So we stood on the trail talking trail talk for at least 15 minutes. Fun. They are from Wisconsin and told me about the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin. Too many trails and not enough life. I got to the shelter by 4:00. Today was a bit rocky in places but I still did pretty well. My knee and feet held up well for the most part. I filtered my water and bathed and a bit later I got company. Trampoline arrived, a young thru hiker. He has only 3 more days and he will end his hike having completed the whole trail. He got his trail name from a trampoline accident which left him with chronic neck pain. Amazingly, his neck does not hurt when he is backpacking so the trail was "therapy." We chatted a lot. It is nice to have good hiker company. We are both in our bags as it is rather cold, already only 45 and it feels colder. Tomorrow it will be rainy in the morning but clear in the afternoon. But it was a lovely day and a nice night in the shelter and life is good.
Date: 2009-10-19
From: Seven Lakes Drive

To: Tiorati Lake
Miles today: 9.2

Today was a delightful slackpacking day. The weather forcast was for clear skies and cold. It actually warmed up to the 60s before the day was over. Sara and I bundled the boys into the car at 6:30 and we drove off to drop Grandma on the trail and they returned home for their day. I was expecting cold weather like I saw a few days ago and I had way too many layers on. I immediately shed a couple layers and proceeded up West Mountain. There was a little frost on top but not much and not thick. The views were lovely looking back at Bear Mountain and down the Hudson. The sun was not too long up but very bright. The next mountain was Black Mountain and again there were nice views. Before going up Black Mountain I crossed the Palisades Parkway to New York City and the sign said it was 34 miles away. On top I could look south and see the NYC skyline. Amazing to me to be so close but on a nice mountain that is light years away in feel. There was also a lovely view down to Silver Mine Lake surrounded by colorful leaves of fall. There was a Turkey Vulture that sat 10 to 15 feet off the trail on a rock. He was so placid I wondered, as I took his picture, if he was sick. He never did fly away while I could see him. I met three couples out day hiking. two of them stopped to chat. There were also 8-10 school age kids and their adult leaders I saw from above the last shelter but they were gone by the time I picked my way down the rocks. The rest of the day was just a nice walk in the fall woods over fallen leaves of many colors. There were no more views and I really wondered why the trail went such a long way around to bypass Tiorati Lake. Probably to avoid the crowds of people who would be there in the summer. The facilities at the lake were all closed, even the restrooms. One funny thing: The last shelter, some 4 miles back, had no privy but the book suggests you should go to Tiorati Circle to find a restroom. Even by the shorter trail that would be a mile away. And when I got to Tiorati Circle the restroom was closed and a sign directed one to Silver Mine Lake, another 2 miles away. For those on foot it is to laugh. No hiker is going to walk that far for a restroom. Fortunately I did not have to. Although when Sara and the boys picked me up I did stop at Silver Mine Lake to use the facilities. The building looked very run down and an Asian lady coiming out was shaking her head and turning up her nose. I thought it palatial and rather nice inside. It was clean, there were flush toilets, running water and soap and it was even heated. Sure beats squatting over a hole in the ground. I guess it all depends on your point of view. It was nice to take a walk in the woods. The weather was perfect for a nice fall hike. I only have 17 miles to complete New York. And life is good.
Date: 2009-11-09
To: photo upload complete
Miles today: 0.0

I have finished putting in the best pictures of my trip. I hope my readers enjoy them. I also added a photo on September 14th entry which was sent to me by hiker, Jeff. Thank you Jeff for sending it.I am now back in Washington, this year's long hikes complete. I am working at ridding my garden and yard of weeds grown in the last few months, preaching the next two Sundays, seeing friends and enjoying my own home once again.One of the best parts of section hiking the long trails is that, not only do I celebrate completing this year's hikes, I also can look forward to next year's hikes. I plan on doing Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts this next spring, a 100+ mile section of Oregon in July, and Northern California in late August and September. So, until those times are closer, my journalling is done. In the meantime, I will enjoy planning the hikes for 2010. And life is and will be good.
Date: 2018-10-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello to my peeps on trailjournals. On September 8, 2017 I completed the Triple Crown (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail) as a long section hiker and aging adult at 76. The winter of 2017-2018 I wrote a book about the journey, Old Lady on the Trail. It is available on Amazon in Kindle or paperback. I hope you enjoy the read. I also now have a website: maryedavison.com
Date: 2009-07-20
From: Millinocket

To: Baxter State Park
Miles today: 0.0

Words of Wisdom from Paul, at the Appalachian Trail Lodge:Your body is a machine, just like a car. If you don't give it fuel and change the fluids, it will shut down, wear down, and eventually stop running. You wouldn't drive your car on no gas, so don't hike like a dumbass: eat enough, hydrate enough, and rest!I'm at the AT lodge feeling bright eyed and bushy tailed, but also a little bit like tucking my tail between my legs and running. I arrived here this afternoon, and was surprised to find out that I don't need maps! Apparently the Appalachian Trail is ONE LONG ASS trail that goes from Maine to Georgia! I bought a book called the "Appalachian Pages Southbound 2009," and it's got a whole helluvalot of information on this trail. I have to figure out how to read it, though, it looks totally ridiculous, like someone spent a LOT of time writing it. Shit, man. Well, now that I know I don't need to spend an ass of money buying maps and I can hike some of the AT with this $15 book, I'm golden. I was wondering why the maps were so expensive...BECAUSE IT'S A LONG ASS TRAIL! Damn. I thought my dad said it went to North Carolina?? Well, they call people like me "Southbounders," or I guess "Sobo" for short. So SOBO I am. We'll see how far into Maine I get. There's a guy here at the hostel that just quit, he said he hiked like a few days or something. Is this trail hard? I have NO IDEA what to expect, but I'm guessing from the looks of all the hardcore, gung-ho people around me that I'm underprepared. Paul definately thinks I'm ridiculous...I have a bear barrel. I should lose that soon. Well it's time to read this trail guide book thing. I'm hiking Mount Katahdin tomorrow (that's where the trail starts).
Date: 2009-07-21
From: Baxter State Park

To: Katahdin Streams Campground
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Oh man! That was fun! Well, there are 2 guys, Tic and The Never Ending Traveler (TNT), that are also hiking on the AT. Tic already hiked half of it, and TNT is planning to hike the entire thing. Well, we got to Baxter State Park together this morning, around 8 am. We left our big backpacks in the ranger station, and packed day packs with snacks, water, camera, etc. The rangers provided the day packs. We started hiking early, and shit man, it was straight uphill! I mean it took us 9 hours to go up and down the thing. It was a total of 10.4 miles, so I guess that's a long walk. Well, it royally kicked my ass. I mean, I was sweating like nobody's business, and panting like a dehydrated dog...I probably should have incorporated physical activity into my life prior to coming out here. This Mount Katahdin was BIG. Phew, I'm going to be sore tomorrow.We're sleeping at Katahdin Streams Campground tonight, and since I didn't know shit about this trail and didn't make a reservation for a shelter, I'm tenting in Tic's reserved shelter site. It was nice of him to let me tag on, I really gotta start reading this guidebook. It's so complicated, though! I have no idea what these symbols mean!I met two "flip-flops" today, I forget their names...but they are hiking South as well. They seem much more in-shape than I am, I will most likely never see them again.Oh, we had to register with the ranger, and they ask what type of hiker you are...I wrote "Thru hiker"...so I guess I have to go all the way...