morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-08-07
From: Gorham NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Goodbye New HampshireWe started our day with the AYCE (all you can eat) breakfast buffet at Welch's Restaurant in Gorham. I might have had a little too much to eat--at least it felt that way as I started up the trail.It was a cloudy, misty day with intermittent showers. In addition to getting wet from the rain, the trail was overgrown in many places and walking through meant constant brushing against wet leaves and grasses.After about a mile of road walking, the trail went into the woods and starting climbing up to Mt. Hayes. I don't know if it was the steep trail or the big breakfast, but I found the climb to be unexpectedly tiring.Once at the top, we spent the rest of the day going up and down both named and unnamed lumps and bumps, passing several beaver ponds along the way. The mist and clouds obscured all the views, but it was still so beautiful in that eerie, other-worldly way.Today is our last full day in New Hampshire. I have had such a wonderful time in this state, from our delightful stroll and eat in Dartmouth to the rigors and grandeur of the Whites. The weather has been mostly fantastic--and the visits by loved ones have been so special and connecting.Although I live in Massachusetts, I feel a special connection to New Hampshire, having had a second home in the White Mountains for twelve years. I wanted a lot from my time in the state--and I was not disappointed.
Date: 2011-08-08
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

Maine!!It was gray and cloudy again this morning when we woke up. We were soon climbing up Mt. Success--the last mountain in New Hampshire. It was a long slow climb, with many opportunities to scrabble and pull ourselves up rocky slabs, followed by a long slow descent, with many opportunities to slide down rocky slabs on our butts. Late in the morning, we finally came to the sign--the New Hampshire/Maine state line. This was it. We have finally reached our last state. We have walked over 1900 miles and have less than 280 to go. It is almost impossible to believe. Friends and people we meet on the trail say to us--you're almost done. That is true in one way--but not in another. The end is close enough that I can now really imagine being home again. But we still have some significant miles ahead of us. It is said (by some former thruhikers) that all of the 1900 miles before Maine are just to get you prepares to hike Maine. That might be a bit overstated, but after one day in Maine, I can definitely say that there is some tough hiking here. It isn't that we are seeing anything new. We have gone up and down steep trails and we have slid and scrambled and pulled many times before. However today, we did all of those things--continually and in a very compressed time period. And it looks like more of the same, at least for the next number of days. So the hiking is hard, but also quite wonderful. I am using my thruhiker muscles and my thruhiker confidence. Maybe those former thruhikers are right after all. Those thirteen states I have walked through have prepared me for this one last challenge.
Date: 2011-08-09
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Grafton Notch/Bethel
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

Mighty Mahoosic NotchWe got up especially early today and were on the trail shortly after 6:30. We had 9.6 Maine miles to hike to get to Bethel and our room in the Chapman Inn. The miles included what has been described as the hardest mile on the AT--the Mahoosic Notch. We knew of hikers who had done the Notch in an hour and who had done the Notch in five hours--and everything in between. We didn't know what to expect, but wanted to have as much time as possible for this day. We started with a short climb over a small mountain, and then we got to the Notch. I'm not quite sure how to describe it. It is a jumble of large boulders and rock slabs tilted in all different directions. There are gaps and deep, dark crevasses between the rocks. Our job is to go over, under and in between these rocks to get through the Notch. Poles are useless. We needed our hands to grab rock edges to pull ourselves up. Regularly, we would come to a place and think--they can't possibly expect us to do that!! But we always found a way, stretching our legs further than we thought possible to find footing on a tiny dent in the rock and pulling ourselves up with the slimmest of handholds. Twice in my 20's I had plans to hike the Notch, but they fellthrough both times. So I have been waiting for years to do this. It would have been easier in my 20's, but it was still so much fun to be challenged in this way and see what my body could do. We were through the Notch in two hours and fifteen minutes. Then we started to climb the steep 1600 feet up Mahoosic arm. The trail included a lot of ledge walking as well as boulder scrabbling. It was a great climb--except my legs seemed to feel that going through the Notch was enough and they were not happy at having to do more. We came down from Mahoosic--and immediately started up Old Speck mountain, another steep but thankfully short climb. Finally it was time to descend--to Grafton Notch and a hitch into town for resupply (we are trying to resupply often and carry as little food as we can as we do these hard miles) and a night in an inn. It was a tough yet exhilarating day. And I am more convinced than ever that, at least when it comes to hiking, we can do anything.
Date: 2011-08-10
From: Grafton Notch/Bethel

To: East B Hill Road/Andover Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Mountain StaircaseWe had one mountain to climb today with two peaks--Baldplate West and East. The first two miles were just what we expected from looking at our contour map--a regular, not too steep climb. Then it got much steeper--a thousand feet in .7 miles. But at some point in the past, the trail gods and goddesses did some amazing work. For most of the steep part, there were stone steps laid into the trail, allowing us to walk up the mountain in an amazingly civilized and non-stressful manner. The trails descends a bit from the west peak and then starts up the east peak on a series of large, open ledges. There would have been amazing views--if it hadn't been cloudy and rainy and completely misty. The rain made for slippery footing, but we were going up hill, so it wasn't too bad. When we got to the top of the east peak, we were feeling pretty proud--perhaps even a bit smug. We had just climbed another one of Maine's rugged mountains, with work and effort but completely manageably. Then came the descent. The first mile went down steep, incredibly slippery ledges and slabs. In many cases, there was nothing to do but sit down and slide. It took us an hour to do that one mile. We stopped feeling smug. But then the terrain eased up and we had a pleasant, if wet and muddy, descent to the road. We had done the ten miles we had planned. And the best place to stay was a hostel down the road. So here we are, in a warm, dry bed again, feeling especially satisfied by the pint of Ben & Jerry's we just finished. It's a good life.
Date: 2011-08-11
From: East B Hill Road/Andover Hostel

To: South Arm Road/Andover Hostel
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Living in LuxurySBG--Sustained but Gentle. Those are the kind of climbs we used to have a lot down south, but have not seen for weeks--until today. We started with a long, easy five mile climb up Wyman Mountain. Then some steep downhill, followed by a steep uphill climb to the top of Moody Mountain and then down to South Arm Road. Although steep, they weren't especially difficult--we never had to sit down and slide. As another thruhiker said to us--this is like regular hiking. We only planned on a ten mile day--which brought us to another road crossing north of Andover, where we stayed last night. We called the hostel for a ride and got picked up to spend our second night in a row at the Pine Ellis Hostel. So now we have slept in a real bed, showered and eaten town food three days in a row. It feels so luxurious and so good. As we near the end of this journey, we have decided it is ok to treat ourselves even more than we have to date. It's the beginning of our transition to indoor life!
Date: 2011-08-12
From: South Arm Road/Andover Hostel

To: Campsite by Stream
Miles today: 12.3

UnpredictableI was very excited when I woke up. After mostly cloudy days with some rain, it was supposed to be clear and sunny today. We were climbing a couple of mountains and I was looking forward both to the views and to lingering on top in the sun. However, that was not the weather we got. It was cool, cloudy and threatening rain. Our climb up Old Blue was pretty straightforward, especially with the aid of some well-placed rebar steps and rails, but we were in the clouds at the top. It was four pretty easy miles to the next mountain (Bemis), but again no view. I thought that was it for view possibilities, but the trail so often offers the unexpected. Coming down from Bemis, we found ourselves going down long expanses of open ledges. Although it was still cloudy, we were below the mist and, for the first time today, we could look out and see the mountains and valleys surrounding us. The sun started to shine through, it was suddenly warmer and we decided to stop for lunch. Sadly, the sun made only a brief appearance, and soon we were putting our wind breakers back on and hurrying through lunch so we could start moving again. From the contour map, we were anticipating a relatively gentle descent to the stream we were planning to camp at. Once more we were surprised when we found ourselves again sliding down steep rock slabs on our butts as the trail took us down a precipitous drop. Now we are back in our tents and sleeping bags. I know what the weather forecast is for tomorrow and I know what the contour map of the trail looks like. But as for what to expect for tomorrow--I don't know that at all.
Date: 2011-08-13
From: Campsite by Stream

To: Rangeley
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

The Present--and BeyondI remember times, much earlier in the hike, when one of us would say something about getting to Katahdin, and then immediately say--I'm getting ahead of myself, too early to think about that. After a while, I found that I stopped thinking about Katahdin and the end of the hike--the present was just too compelling. Until now. Now I am thinking--and letting myself think--about the end of this hike. I'm thinking about details--what clothes will I need for the top and do I want Denise to bring me anything from home--and I'm thinking about finishing and being back home again. As of today, we have been hiking for five months and we have about two and a half weeks left. I'm enjoying my hikes, but the woods aren't quite as compelling as they were before. I can tell I am already beginning my transition back. It will be good to be home.
Date: 2011-08-14
From: Rangeley

To: Poplar Range Lean To
Miles today: 11.8

Ridge Walking in MaineYesterday's hike, although full of ups and downs, never went above 2800 feet. Today was a different story. We started with a spectacular climb up to Saddleback Mountain, over 4000 feet in elevation. The first part was pretty gentle, with several ponds along the way. Then the trail got steeper, but steeper in a good and fun way. When we got up to the ridge and above treelike, it was close to a mile to the actual summit. We were walking on large, open ledges--very gentle uphill--with amazing views to the south. And once on the summit, we had views all around. This section of Maine is filled with mountains. Leaving Saddleback, we stayed up on the ridge as we descended into the col and started back up to the summit of the Horn, another 4000 footer. Our great views included a view of the sky and the gathering storm clouds. We got to the top as the sky darkened and the wind picked up. We did not linger, but started the steep descent immediately. As we got down to another col, the sky lightened and there was even a little sun. We decided we could stop for a quick lunch. As we were getting ready to leave, it started to look more ominous. We were 3.3 miles and one more summit away from the next shelter. As we started off, we heard the first thunder clap in the distance. We were both concerned. Clutch hates being on an exposed ridge in lightening more than anything, and I hate a steep descent on slippery rocks. Soon the rain started. The thunder remained distant and we made it up the mountain--Saddleback Junior--without seeing any lightening. Clutch's worst fear was alleviated, while mine was just started. Fortunately, the steep, slippery, rocky section was relatively short, and soon we were going down regular trail. We are now in the shelter with our wet stuff hanging on various nails. The mist is gathering and it is supposed to rain again tomorrow. We may not like it, but we are thruhikers and we will do what we do--go hiking tomorrow whatever the weather might be.
Date: 2011-08-16
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

To: Stratton
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

Slipping, Sliding and SquishingIt would have been a beautiful hike. We went over four mountains (Spaulding, Sugarloaf, South Crocker and North Crocker) and walked along the side of a mountain. We could tell we would have had some great views--if it hadn't been cloudy and rainy and all white as we looked out at what would have been the view. We are used to seeing some great views and missing others because of the weather. I can easily take that in stride. The bigger problem with the rain--in addition to wet, cold feet--is how slippery everything becomes. Climbing four mountains means going down four mountains. Fortunately, there were only a couple of places where the only safe way down was to sit and slide. However, there were many opportunities to slip--either on the mud or the slick rocks. And I did slip, ending up on the ground several times. After all the rain yesterday, we started the day with wet boots. It didn't take long for my dry socks to become wet--both from my shoes and from the trail, which was muddy, mucky and full of puddles and pools of water. Every step had a squish to it. Although I continued to try to avoid the water and muck by hopping on stones and branches, it was a half-hearted and relatively unsuccessful effort. We are quickly realizing how lucky we have been to have had relatively little rain the last five months. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice, but more rain is on the way.  We would rather have sunshine but, whatever the weather, we are hiking on to Katahdin.
Date: 2011-08-17
From: Stratton

To: Little Bigelow Lean-To
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Sun WorshipI think I understand why, over time, the sun has so often been seen as a god or an object of worship. Living outside, it makes all the difference in the world. It was sunny today and life was good and it felt as if nothing bad could happen.It was a great day to have sunshine and views. We hiked over the last of the trail's big mountains until we get to Katahdin. We started the day with a nice, long uphill, followed by a short, very steep climb to the top of North Horn.Then it was some steep downhill, some flat and some steep up to Bigelow Mountain. It was spectacular and we could look across a Maine lake to the mountains of Canada. More down and up to Avery Peak, and then a longish downhill to the campsite where we had originally planned to stay. But it was such a beautiful day and we wanted to take maximum advantage of it, so we decided to go 5 more miles, over Little Bigelow Mountain, to the next shelter.It was a long five miles. The terrain wasn't bad--fairly easy up and down--we were just tired. We got to the shelter shortly after 6 pm--late for us.But we did get so much from this beautiful, sunshine-filled day. We are going ever deeper into the Maine wilderness, and we could see it all around us. Being in the wilderness feels like the exact right place for these last weeks of our AT adventure.
Date: 2011-08-18
From: Little Bigelow Lean-To

To: Trail Campsite
Miles today: 13.8

WaterWe are in the lowlands. We still have a number of small--and a few mid-sized--mountains to climb, but mostly we are, and will be, in low country. Today was another beautiful day--two in a row. We are feeling very lucky. The trail had a couple of small ridges to go over, but mostly the terrain was flat. However, flat does not necessarily mean completely easy in Maine. The need to navigate around and through the mud, muck, roots and rocks requires concentration and takes more time then a stroll down a smooth, woodsy path. Still, today was a welcome change from the steep climbing we have been doing. And instead of the magnificent mountain top views we had yesterday, today was all about the water. We went by one lake and two ponds, which allowed us to hear the call of the loons as we walked by. We stopped to wade into one and wash the mud from our legs. But mostly, we just appreciated the beauty of today's Maine scenery.
Date: 2011-08-19
From: Trail Campsite

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Ferry Cross the KennebecThe Kennebec is a dam-release river. There are several power plants up the river and they release water on a schedule that can change from day to day and hour to hour, dramatically raising the water level in minutes. To discourage thruhikers from what would be a dangerous ford across the river, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy says very clearly that the official route of the AT is to cross the Kennebec by ferry.  Clutch and I were happy to take the official route. Of course, their use of the word ferry creates a different image than what is actually at the Kennebec crossing. From 9-11am and 2-4 pm, Dave paddles his canoe back and forth across the river,  taking two hikers at a time.  If he doesn't see you, there is a tattered red flag you can wave as a signal. He has been doing this five years, having gotten the job when the former ferry paddler retired after twenty years. He's a nice guy--and an expert paddler. We were across the river before 11 am and had only 6 more miles to the next shelter. We crossed a road a half mile from the ferry and there was a restaurant two miles down the road. There was no doubt about it--we were hitching to the restaurant. We knew we had made the right decision when we saw that today's special dessert was a hot fudge brownie sundae!This shelter, like so many in this section of Maine, is right near a pond. We ended our hiking day by sitting on the dock in the pond, hanging our legs over the side and wondering when we will see a moose in Maine.
Date: 2011-08-20
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: Trail Campsite
Miles today: 15.1

Trailside CampingWhen on the trail, Clutch and I have almost always stayed at shelters--either sleeping in the shelter or in our tents near the shelter. We like the shelter amenities--flat tenting spots, water, privy, thruhiker companionship. Occasionally we have tented at sites that are noted in our guide book when that is better for the miles we want to hike.  We plan our days based on shelter location or identified tent sites. What we have not done is hike a particular distance that works for that day and then look for a place to tent--that is until two nights ago. The shelter spacing just wasn't right--we would have had to hike further than we wanted if we hadn't stopped when we did. We found a flat spot not far from a stream where people had clearly camped before. Today we had a slightly different issue. If we stayed at the shelter, we would have stopped too soon--and had a longer day tomorrow into town. So we decided to be bold and hike on to the next stream a couple of miles down the trail and trust we would find a place to tent. We did find a place--barely.  It is not a spot where hikers have tented before. It's in an area of dead, broken branches and lots of moose poop. Neither of our sites are exactly flat, but they are workable. And we are right by a stream, where we cooked and ate dinner on the rocks. Now I'm listening to the sound of the water and hoping the moose find a different privy place tonight.
Date: 2011-08-21
From: Trail Campsite

To: Trail Campsite
Miles today: 16.0

Fording FunAfter breakfast on the rocks by the stream, the first order of business was to ford it. There are many streams and rivers in Maine that cannot be rock-hopped and have to be forded. We crossed three of them today. Depending on the speed of the current and the water level, fording can be fun or terrifying. Today it was all fun. The water was cool and refreshing, and we didn't have to walk in anything deeper than our knees. When we weren't fording streams, we were walking through woods on delightful paths that, for Maine, had relatively few rocks and roots. We were especially motivated because we were walking to town--to Monson, the last trail town we will go through. For only the second time this trip, we had food mailed to us. It was quite good that we did, as there is very little food to buy in Monson. We were able to get what we hadn't put in our food package--candy bars and Hershey's chocolate. Tomorrow we start the last phase of our hike--the hundred mile wilderness. That will take us to Baxter State Park and the last mountain we have to climb--the mighty Mt. Katahdin. (I don't know if I will have cell service again until the end of the hike. I will be checking at the tops of the smaller mountains we still have to climb. However, don't be alarmed if there is nothing new posted until next week.)
Date: 2011-08-22
From: Trail Campsite

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

More Maine WaterIt turns out that the streams we forded yesterday were just practice for what we encountered today. Yesterday it was easy walking through the water--not so today. We had to ford some seriously rushing water--and it was so much fun. We forded seven streams today. Three were pretty easy.  On two others, there was a rope spanning the stream that you could hold while crossing. In spots the water was mid-thigh high, with a strong current rushing downstream. Being able to hold on to the rope while looking for footing on the slippery, rocky river bottom was enormously helpful. Another stream had a log across it. There, the technique was to sit on the log and slowly, inch by inch, work your way to the other side. The most challenging ford had no assists. Using our poles for balance, we had to slowly find our way--without getting knocked over by the force of the water tumbling down. Getting across is, of course, extremely satisfying. Besides the streams, we went by more of the sweet, beautiful ponds found throughout this area. We passed a spectacular waterfall. We even had some views as the trail went over a section of high, open ledges. All in all, our first day in the 100 mile wilderness was very satisfying. And as we approached the shelter, we passed another milestone--we have less than 100 miles left of this incredible journey.