morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-09-11
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: ME 15, Monson ME
Miles today: 22.0

Red, MacGuyver and I knew today would be another 20 plus mile day if we wanted to make Monson on schedule. Everyone was up early having breakfast and packing up gear. I was particularly concerned about making the distance with my knee. It was still swollen and caused me moderate pain. The good thing was I could walk on it.The first hour of hiking I took really slow going up Moxie Bald Mountain. One, because I was now not confident in my foot placement for fear of falling again. And, second to test the leg. The knee was warming up and the longer I hiked the better it felt. After Moxie Bald the trail leveled off and to my surprise had a smooth tread going through beautiful forests.Today, we had three fords over rivers. The first ford was a small but deep. Red tried to make it without taking off her boots. The small log she was trying to crossover on gave way and she landed in the water up to her knees. MacGuyver and I took off our boots and waded across. Another ford across the West Branch of Piscataquis River was a little bit more tricky because of the slippery rock bottom. The one thing in our favor was even though it had been raining, the rainfall amounts were not heavy which meant low water. I crossed first and the water came up to mid calf. Normal depth is knee high. In 04 it was thigh high. Everyone made it across safely. The second ford, across the East Branch of Piscataquis River was over a rock and timber dam with a cooler of trail magic waiting on the other side.The last rays of daylight were disappearing when we walked into Monson and headed for the Lake Shore House Pub & Laundromat. The pub has great food and a great selection of beers. Checked into the hostel and after several 20 plus mile days of hiking completed I rested my tired feet.
Date: 2010-09-12
From: ME 15, Monson ME

To: Long Pond Stream
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Since Red, MacGuyver and I came in late to Monson we had to re-supply before going back out on the trail. We needed to get six days of food for the last stretch of trail called the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Re-supply was completed after making stops at the General Store and a Mobile gas station.We got to the trailhead alittle after 12 with Thunder Cat, Salty and Tiny Dancer. The trail crossed the Little and Big Wilson streams as a ford. The water was fortunately low so the fording involved leap frogging over river rocks above water. By the time we reached the West Fork of the Pleasant River the six of us were night hiking, again.I love night hiking but the resent rains have made the trail slippery and every step has to be carefully planted. Boots are covered in mud and water from the big and small mud bogs. Shadows at night play games with my eyesight and every now and then I would get an unexpected slip, and sometimes fall, from stepping on an exposed wet root. Also, the footing going over boulder fields and down rock face slows me down at night. I am just overly cautious about where I place my feet. I think my problem is that I do not trust my balance especially after so many falls. At least I am still hiking towards Katahdin with minor bumps, cuts and bruises.if not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-09-13
From: Long Pond Stream

To: Chairback Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

The rain started just after 9:00 and didn't stop. It was mostly a light rain mixed in with heavy showers. The rain was light enough not to create streams of water cascading down the trail and into my boots.The expected views of Barren Mountain, Fourth and Third Mountain were blanketed by sheets of swirling white. It took Red, MacGuyver and I longer than expected to reach the shelter. It was another night hike in the misting rain. Cold and wet we found the shelter with TC and a ridgerunner. Thunder Cat ended up behind us and made the shelter at the same time. I was shaking from being so cold, changed into dry clothes and jumped into my sleeping bag. Thunder Cat sang his Fart Song and had the shelter in stitches. Then he proceeded in farting some of the smelliest farts on the trail. I don't know if it was the song or the farts but I was quickly asleep in my cocoon.if not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-09-14
From: Chairback Lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up to the sound of rain hitting the tin roof of the shelter. I poked my head out of the sleeping bag and felt the damp cold. I didn't like what I saw and heard so I slipped back into the sleeping bag and went off to sleep. I woke up at 9:30, the latest I slept in a shelter/tent. By the time I ate and had the courage to put on wet clothes and boots it was 12 noon. The ridgerunner staying at the shelter said the hike down Chairback Mountain was rocky and steep. After Chairback the trail would be fairly easy with a slow ascent up White Top Mountain. The ridgerunner was right. Going down Chairback was a steep, slip and slide show down rock face and boulders with all the rain from the last several days. And, don,t forget the knarly, slippery roots.Red, MacGuyver and I forded the West Branch of the Pleasant River. The water was low and only came up to my calfs. The water was cold and my feet were numb by the time I reached the other shore.The three of us decided to hike a part of the Gulf Hagas Trial to see some of the waterfalls in the gorge. It is said the Gulf Hagas Gorge is the Grand Canyon of the east. The combination of weather, late start and hiking an additional 3 miles to do the Gulf Hagas Loop, we decided to go to only 2 falls and return back to the AT. The Aruger Screw Falls were incredibly wild. Volumes of water flowing out of big rocks and landing into deep pools. The colors of the gorge's stoned walls were in the black and grey tones.A steady climb up to White Cap Mountain brought us to the shelter just before going over the last mountains before Katahdin. This will gives us an early ride over the four different peaks in what I hope will be clear weather. The rain stopped in the afternoon and the sun poked out every now and then. I don't have the wet cold feeling I had last night. Tonite I sleep in cool air and I will remember these last two days of cold when I am back in the civilized world in the heat of Florida.if not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-09-15
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9

During the night the mice tried to take over the shelter. I woke up to hear one mice rummaging through my food bag. I stood up with my head lamp on and a Croc shoe in hand for defense. The little rascal started to run out of the hole he chewed to get in as I landed a swift hit with the shoe. By now the girls are waking up to the noise. The mouse jumped from the food bag onto my back and down the back of my pants. I start jumping around the front of the shelter making more noise and feeling this creature move around inside my pants. Red sees the commotion, looks up just in time to see the animal exit my waist band, and starts laughing. MacGuyver missed the episode and can't believe Red's story. All is calm, lights out and the mice attack begin attacking Red's food bag for a second battle. Lights out and again we hear the mice go for another food bag, MacGuyver's. The mice noise can no longer be heard because of the heavy rain hitting the tin roof. The rest of the night and into the morning it pours and the temperature drops.We woke up to the grayish rain clouds of morning. Everybody took a survey of their food bags and noticed damage. MacGuyver had the most food spoiled by the hungry rodents. I lost a small bag of MM's and a bag of Romen Noddles.Today was going to be our last day climbing any type of elevation before Katahdin. Rain or shine we knew we had to climb Gulf Hagas Mountain, West Peak, Hay Mountain and White Cap Mountain. Most of the climbing and descending was over wet, slippery rocks and roots. Trail builders did an excellent job of building stone staircases going up White Cap and down the other side. The views were the typical whiteouts we have been seeing the last couple of days. Just as I leave the top of White Cap the clouds lifted revealing beautiful Maine mountain valleys.The afternoon heated up and I had a pleasant hike through spruce tree forest and tall pines. The terrain leveled out and the trail went around ponds with rounded mountain as a backdrop. The day dried out and so did most of my gear except my boots. They have been soaked inside and out. A little after dark I made it to the shelter to eat a hot meal and jump into my sleeping bag. Only 59.7 miles until Katahdin.if not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-09-16
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Red, MacGuyver and I got up early knowing we had a 20 plus mile day. The morning started with blue skies with patches of sun. Not bad for a beginning considering the last couple of mornings we had a concerto of raindrops hitting the tin roof of the shelter.The day's hike took us through flat terrain past several ponds. You would think flat terrain one could make good time. Nope, when hiking in Maine around ponds it means roots, rocks, mud bogs and gullies. Mary Jo Lake and Nahmakanta Lake had sand beaches. The weather was to chilly and no sun to go swimming. It seems every time I get to the good pond beaches the weather plays a part for me not to go swimming.I was passing a section of the Nahmakanta Stream that resembled a pond. I glanced over to look at the pond and saw what I thought was a dark color boulder in the water. I looked again because all the other boulders were gray. Sure enough the boulder moved. To my delight I see a moose. The animal's head comes out of the water and it's a cow. I start taking pictures in the trees and get daring by walking to the water's edge for better shots. Suddenly, I hear a deep bark come from my right and I turned. There sanding at the water's edge 50 yards from me was a huge bull moose staring at me and warning me with another bark to back off. The bull was magnificent. Deep dark brown with light brown color on his hump and face. He had a prized rack of antlers sitting on top of his head. I knew this fellow had been around for a while and was protecting the cow as she was eating. I slowly backed off as the bull watched me on each step. Back in the safety of the woods I watched for at least 30 minutes, the cow having dinner with the pond's bottom grass, and the mighty bull standing guard. The girls came up and also saw the pair. Right after the moose encounter I recorded fall number 30 in front of MacGuyver. This one was face first over slick roots. Skinned up, with bruises I am sure to follow,, I picked myself up and slowly started hiking north again.I reached the shelter at dark thirty just as the rain started. Another serenade of a rhythmic drumming on the tin roof. The three of us for the last several nights have had the shelters to ourselves. If this continues we will be in a small bubble of hikers going up Katahdin. Three more days and the stop sign of Katahdin will appear signifying the end of another adventure.if not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe
Date: 2010-09-17
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: light rain

Red, MacGuyver and I were the only hikers that spent the night at Wadleigh.The rain continued throughout the night with some pretty heavy showers. By morning light the rain slowed down to a drizzle. Rain or shine, the three of us decided today's hike would take us into Abol Bridge for a 23 mile hike mostly because of the flat terrain and the reports of how good the trail was from sobos. This also kept us on track for Team Alpha to summit Sept. 19th. Everybody was up and out of the shelter early. We planned to meet for lunch at Rainbow Stream Lean-to. By mid morning the rain stopped and the sun came out. The wind was blowing 15 - 20 mph creating a cool, pleasant hike. The trail followed a beautiful stream with small waterfalls and cascades that I kept stopping to admire. I got to the shelter around 11:30 and Red was eating her lunch. Red and I looked at the mileage to Abol Bridge and we still had 14 plus miles to go. I thought if the tread was as good as the sobos were saying I could make the General Store by closing time, 7:00pm. Red had the same idea because she ate quickly and said she was off to make the store by closing, and off she went. I followed 20 minutes behind her.The trail followed around several ponds. The wind was blowing over Rainbow Pond and whitecaps dotted the water surface. The trail seemed to never end going along Rainbow's shore. It just went on and on for most of the early afternoon. I finally reached the east end where I could hear waves crashing on the pond's shore. The trail finally left Rainbow Pond.The next terrain change was the hike up to Rainbow Ledges. The trail here was not that high in elevation but I found the path to have a little bit of everything Maine offered to hikers, roots, rock face, boulders and rock tablelands. I was making good time and still enjoying my day's hike. I made it to Hurd Brook Lean-to just past 5:15pm. No sign of Red so I figured she pushed on. Hurd was to be our next meeting place if time became a factor. I had heard reports of the mice problem at this shelter from sobos so I knew I wasn't staying here. I stopped long enough for a drink of water and a Snickers bar,then was off to Abol Bridge.Just as the sun was setting I came out to the Golden Road. A few more minutes of hiking down the rock road and I was crossing Abol Bridge and walking into the general store at 6:30. Red was 15 minutes ahead of me and was already downing a coke and snacks. I grabbed a drink and some snacks and headed back to the middle of the bridge to get a longer look at Katahdin. This location when Katahdin is not shrouded in clouds is the best scenic view of the complete mountain that I know. Red and I looked at the watch and knew MacGuyver was not going to make the store before closing. We did not want to leave MacGuyver out so Red and I bought her a coke and snacks.Some hikers were staying at the Abol Bridge campground. We decided because it was such a nice day to stay in the shelter across from the store. Tomorrow would be only 10 miles which meant we could sleep in if we wanted to.
Date: 2010-09-18
From: Abol Bridge

To: The Birches Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0

Sept 18starting: abol bridgeending: the birchesmiles: 10shelterToday was going to be the last day on the trail. Tomorrow I would climb Katahdin to end my 2010 AT adventure. I had a hard time sleeping last night going over in my head different aspects of this year's hike. It was hard to believe that I was on trail for 5 months. It seemed like yesterday I was on Springer Mountain saying, ¢I wanted to go for a walk¢, and here I am, ending in Maine. Then, I think of a early part of the hike and it seems so long ago I met my first hiking family and hiking partner, Truth. Time has a funny way of distorting itself, I thought.I was up early with the sun and left the shelter to the sleeping girls. I walked over to the Abol Bridge General Store for coffee and donuts. I walked out to the middle of the bridge to watch Mt. Katahdin glow in the golden rays of the morning light. The weather forecast for the next several days was to be a copy of yesterday and today, a bright sunny day. I had earlier mentioned to the girls about the possibility of starting a night hike up Katahdin at 2:00am to be at the summit for a morning sunrise. The weather reports were good so I was going to push for an early start. Red, MacGuyver and I left Abol Bridge under sunny skies. Everyone was excited to finish today's hike and begin the last leg of AT tomorrow. We registered at the kiosk near the trailhead for our night stay at the Birches. The trail followed alongside Katahdin Stream and then Foss and Knowlton Brook. At one point we had the most difficult ford so far on the Nesowadnehunk Stream. The three of us spent at least 45 minutes finding a way across the stream. I finally found the best spot possible, took my boots off and slowly made my way across. Red and then followed a different way and with my help they too were across. We then spent some time resting and admiring a large waterfall called, Big Niagara Falls.We followed the trail around Daicey Pond and made it to the Ranger station at Katahdin Stream Campground to get our permits for the Birches. Baxter State Park has designated tHE Birches as a campground and shelter for long distance hikers. I also talked to the ranger about a night hike on Katahdin for the sunrise. Permission was granted as long as we stayed off the mountain until after 2:00 am. The stage is set for tomorrow. Up early, a night hike and a sunrise on the first mountain the sun hits in the United States.
Date: 2009-08-22
To: 38 weeks until we start on 5/16/10
Miles today: 0.0

What do you do when your 24 year old daughter says she is going to hike the Appalachian trail? You say fine, your Dad and I are going to do it with you. That is not exactly how things transpired, but you get the gest of it. She is going to leave her husband of 3 years and her 3 dogs to take a 4-5 month hike. Since we are going to retire in 2010, we volunteered to be her partners in this adventure. What better way to celebrate your retirement by leaving all your worldly processions behind and going for a very long walk. My feet hurt already.For the last two weeks I have been buying everything we need to go on this trip. Backpacks - check, sleeping bags-check, tent for 3 people-check, plus all the silly misc stuff that you need. Powder for chaffing, waterproof matches, Coghlans bug pants and jacket. Thats right. I have been reading the journals about the swarming black flies and mosquitos. So I bought the bug jacket and pants for protection. It weighs pretty much nothing, so we will see who is laughing at the end of the trail.Martial and I are both 47 and in pretty good shape. We ride bikes and run in the Jacksonville River Run. Kristine and Ashley are training for the 150 mile bike ride for charity, they leave St. Augustine and ride to Daytona Beach and back the next day. So on the weekends we help them train by biking with them, we have been doing 35 mile rides, but we are going to up it to 40. After her ride in October we are going to start training for the AT. We will be taking long hikes with our packs, to get ready for May 16, 2010
Date: 2009-08-30
To: 37 weeks until we start on 5/16/10
Miles today: 0.0

Martial and I keep reading books that women only average a weight loss of 10 pounds on the AT, which is a bummer since Kristine and I would both like to lose around 20 pounds. See how desperate we are to lose weight, we are willing to hike 2100 miles to shed a few pounds. TIP on how to lose weight- No brainer, eat less then you burn. If I walk 1 mile every 30 minutes, for 10 hours (what else am I going to do) I will sweat off 1600 calories. If I add a 25lb backpack then I can double that number. If I burn off 3000 calories hiking, plus the normal 1500 (at rest mode), I need to consume less then 4500 calories a day in order to lose weight. Which is good, since I can¢t carry that much food for each day that I'm on the trail. That is why people stuff themselves when they go to town. They will eat 3-4 times what they normally would, but they rarely tell you that they puked later that night, or had the runs the next day, etc.Got my Keen¢s Venice sandals yesterday. These will be great for fording streams and walking on level ground. They'll also be good for town trips and walking around camp. They are very supportive with toe coverage. I used them on my 40 mile bike ride today and loved them. My feet are wide, but these sandals only come in one width-medium. But their medium fits my fat feet. Also, I usually wear 7.5 but had to get an 8 in these, so they run small in length.Only 37 more weeks until we leave - can't wait!
Date: 2009-09-07
To: 36 weeks until we start on 5/16/10
Miles today: 0.0

Haven¢t you ever just wanted to run away. Get away from your job, your boring day to day drudgery. I have and do. I dream about leaving everything behind me and just running away ¢ ok walking away and I will be with Martial and Kristine. I just want to drop out of society for 5 months. No worries about work, because we will be retired. No worries about money, because we will have a fix income starting in 2010. No worries about anything.We will get away from traffic, from technology, from stupid commercials, boring TV programs. People ask us, won¢t you get bored of walking on the trail. NO. Because we will be seeing America, the wilderness, the mountains and valleys, the wildlife (hopefully not too close). No annoying cell phones, no car alarms, no crazy people talking to themselves (or the stupid Bluetooth attached to their ear).Life is so short. When it is over and done with and I look at my regrets, I don¢t want mine to be that I spent to much time dreaming and not enough living. I want to do things, go to new places, try new activities, and taste new foods. Live, Love, Laugh!
Date: 2009-09-13
To: 35 weeks until we start on 5/16/10
Miles today: 0.0

What to take and what to leave that is the question. I just returned my Mountainsmith backpack to Dick¢s Sporting goods. I got my back measured and found out that I have a 16 inch torso not 18 inches. So I just ordered a women¢s Deuter ACT 45 plus 10 SL backpack. I am giving up 400 cu inches of packing space, but it is 1.5 pounds lighter. This will restrict what I can take. I want to carry no more than 25 pounds. So after my backpack, sleeping bag, 10 pounds of food, 4 pounds of water, I have 5 pounds left for my clothes and misc items. I have a lot of miscellaneous items, like my camera, notebook, sunscreen, toothbrush, soap, etc). That misc stuff really adds up. I am thinking about bringing a mountain goat to carry my pack. I won¢t have to feed it since it will just graze on the AT. They say dogs aren¢t allowed on many of the National Parks, but I haven¢t read anything about mountain goats. 35 weeks to go and counting.
Date: 2009-09-21
To: 34 weeks until we start on 5/16/10
Miles today: 0.0

To plan or not to plan this is what is driving me crazy. I must admit I am a control freak. I plan my vacations 2 years in advance and when we go on a vacation I have a spreadsheet that I take so I can plan every hour of our vacation, so I won¢t miss an activity. I have a 5 year planned budget. Each month I enter what I have made, saved and spent, so I can track how my actual spending is matching my planned budget.Am I spontaneous, rarely. Do I like surprises, sometimes. Should I just take one day at a time and enjoy the trail. I would like to do that, but we have time constraints.We are starting late ¢ mid May. And we have to be finished before Baxter Park closes on October 15th. So I must plan, plan, plan. I have plotted out our trip 3 different ways going various speeds, but I won¢t know which one we can do until I know how far we can walk. And each day will be different based on the landscape. I really won¢t know what to expect until I start the hike. How far can I really walk each day? How many zero days will I take? How will my equipment hold up? These questions are agonizing to a planner. This is driving me crazy. I know, it was a short drive! Only 34 more weeks to go.