morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-07
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: East B Hill Road
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Another solid day on the trail. Forecast was for rain in the afternoon so started at 5:45 am. Finished just before the rain, about 3 pm. It has rained the rest of the day but not an issue because I am staying the night in a hostel. Several of my northbound friends are here also, nice to hang and chat on a dry porch. We are packed in like sardines in a tiny back room of a house. I am sure it would not pass code. No complaints, have a dry bed, did laundry, and had a great double burger with guacamole for dinner. Still seeing steady stream of southbounders. Thinking this will create a problem for the next few days at the shelters. The primary thought I have these days as I complete a day of hiking is that I am one day closer to Katahdin. The end is near.
Date: 2016-07-08
From: East B Hill Road

To: Bemis Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: broken clouds

I could tell today was going to be a challenge from the start. I was just not feeling the hiking thing. I tried to keep a positive attitude but it did not work too well. I will try to be more positive now.I could complain that I fell hard three times, but instead I will be happy I did not get hurt, just a few scratches. I could complain that the terrain was very hard, instead I will be happy that the first six miles was enjoyable. I could say I am tired of the constant steep up and down over boulders, or I can appreciate the new twist that the intermittent flat stretches are now rooty bogs. Now that the day is over, I should be happy that I had a few nice views and I now have about 15 hiking days left. Tomorrow should be a better day.
Date: 2016-07-09
From: Bemis Mountain Lean-to

To: ME-4 Rangeley
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice mellow 18 mile hike today. Really surprised I did not see a moose today. Evidence of moose everywhere, and lots of marshy areas for them to feed. By far the best hike in Maine so far. Only unfortunate thing was it rained most of the morning. Stopped raining midday but was chilly. I am very happy to spend the night with friends, Mike and Diane, in Rangeley. Had some great dinner, able to dry out, warm up, and do some laundry. Best news of the day is that my girls dropped Wonder off so we can hopefully finish the hike together. This means slowing down and reassessing the food resupply so we can try to finish what we started together.
Date: 2016-07-11
From: ME-4 Rangeley

To: Poplar Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We went to dinner with our friends Diane and Mike and Northstar. We are at a local spot called the Red Onion. We were so thankful that they invited us to stay an extra night because it rained all day yesterday and last night.We were up this morning and happy with the scrambled eggs, home fries, and bacon. Off to the trail head and I realized that I left my hiking poles in NH! Mike came through and lent me his piles. Thank you Mike! Northstar wished us luck and happy hiking because he was doing an 18 mile day and we were doing 10 miles. We were surprised to see him hiking southbound towards us. Turns out he left some of his food in Mike and Diane's refrigerator. So Santa gave him our cheddar cheese and some beef jerky. He was thankful and hiked on them we saw him again hiking back to us to give Santa 10 dollars to say thank you and get Mountain Dew when he's in town.Our hike today was hard. Steep up over wet rocks and then steep down. The trail was very narrow and there were lots of false summits. The views at the top of Saddleback and Saddleback Junior were amazing. Almost worth the climb!We saw Uncareful and Fence today. They were fishing in one of the ponds we passed. Uncareful caught two trout but they were too small to keep. The funny thing about them was they met our daughter Kristin because she shuttled them when they stayed at the hostel near our home.We got into the shelter early and set up our stuff. Thelma and Louise are here. They hike with wine and skip parts they don't like. Very funny ladies and not pretending to thru hike just enjoying themselves.There is a group of boys here from a summer camp. They got rained on last night and are trying to dry their stuff out before dark. They are also running around trying to put up tents, make dinner and make a fire for us.Going to sleep early because we have another hard day tomorrow.
Date: 2016-07-12
From: Poplar Ridge Shelter

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night the boys from the camp were going to make a fire but by the time they got dinner organized and eaten it was too late. Thelma and Louise get up early so they like to go to bed early. But telling the boys to quiet down at 7 seemed a little extreme.We were up and out at 6:30 this morning. A strenuous climb up Mt Abraham but much easier than yesterday's climb. We could have hiked an extra 1.7 each way to summit but we chose not to. We didn't see anyone all morning until we went to Spaulding Mountain Lean-to for lunch. We met two southbounders. One said the terrain ahead was easy and one said it was hard. The beginning was nice with some short steep ups and downs but also some nice gradual trail.We saw a plaque to commemorate the finishing of the last section of the AT in 1937.We climbed Spaulding Mountain and it was a nice climb with some good views. Then we climbed Sugarloaf (also chose not to do extra miles to summit). The climb up was okay but the climb down was really hard. Lots of "butt scooting". We crossed a river and I slipped on a rock and fell backwards. Thankful to not have fallen in and thankful for not getting hurt.Then a mile climb to the campsite. There is a large group of French Canadians here and it was hard to find a tent site. Santa scouted around and got the tent up while I filtered water. We both drank a lot today so had to filter at lunch and dinner. The water here in Maine is cold and tasty.We have a seven mile hike up South and North Crocker mountains tomorrow. The up looks good but there is a steep down to the road. Excited to go into town tomorrow so that should help the miles go quickly.
Date: 2016-07-13
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

We planned on walking to the pond last night to see if there were any moose but after setting up the tent, filtering water and making dinner we were too tired. Some hikers came in after dark and flashed their headlamps around, talked loudly and goofed around hanging their bear bags. Santa slept through it but I was annoyed. Sometimes you do get in after dark but be respectful to other hikers!Up early and I walked to the pond but no moose. We were packed up and on the trail by 5:45. Today was my last day to take morning antibiotics and I am hoping the morning nausea is over. Hard to hike when your stomach is revolting.Steep climb up South Crocker but it was short. Then straight down and up to North Crocker. We met the couple that tented near us last night. They are peak bagging the Maine 4000 footers. They were also annoyed by the shenanigans last night.Climbing down Crocker we saw Spoon (he carries a large spoon). He started in April and was moving fast. I noticed a watering can attached to his pack and asked about it. He carries it to use for a camp shower. Pretty clever- I wished I had thought of that!The rest of the day was mostly down but gradual and not as rocky.We got a shuttle into town and are staying at the Stratton motel. Clean, large tub, near a laundromat, restaurant and small grocery store. The guy who picked us up was from Alabama and thru hiked in 2010 and liked Maine so much he stayed. Says small town south is very similar to small town north-except the weather.Had lunch, did laundry, went shopping, took a nap, scouted out breakfast options, bought subs to pack out tomorrow, had dinner and bought band aids. Busy town day.
Date: 2016-07-14
From: Stratton, ME

To: Safford Notch Campsite
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: thunderstorm

I was up at 5:30 and got dressed so I could walk down to the gas station convenience store for breakfast sandwiches and juice. Santa was up and we ate, packed up and shuttled to the trailhead.Today was going to be a challenging day with three peaks to go up and down and a lot above treeline. The forecast was for possible thunderstorms, high winds and hail so I was quite anxious. Prayed for peace last night and most of today.We saw two groups of camp kids out for 3-4 day hikes, two southbounders and a section hiking couple but that was it. The Bigelows were beautiful with lots of pine and poplar trees. And moss- lots of green spongy moss. Unfortunately there were also lots of boulders to climb up, down and around. My feet, ankles and knees are sore from all the hiking today. We had a view from the first peak and could see forests, lakes and rivers. It was amazing. The second two peaks were shrouded in clouds so we didn't see anything. It's been awhile since I walked in a cloud and it was helpful today because it helped cool us off. It was a hot one today. Santa set a record. He rung out his shirt 4 times, his bandana 3 times and his shorts once! He's kinda gross when it's this hot and humid.When we got to the camping area the first tent platform was broken so we had to hike farther in to find another one. Santa set up the tent while I filtered 5 liters of water. We both drank a lot today. We are happy that the tent is up and water is fetched before the rain starts. The clouds are gray and it's really windy. Hoping it blows past us but if it doesn't we'll be dry in our tent.Going into town tomorrow night for a resupply and shower. Soon we will not be able to make all these town stops so we are making them while we can.
Date: 2016-07-15
From: Safford Notch Campsite

To: Long Falls Dam Road
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

We were safely in our tent last night and had finished dinner before the thunderstorm started. Santa did a great job staking out the rain fly which can be tricky on a tent platform so we stayed dry. It was a little scary but better than when we were on a ridge during a thunderstorm.Our morning began with a climb of Little Bigelow. We had beautiful views from the summit until the clouds started to move in. The clouds helped keep our body temps down on this hot day.We hiked faster than we thought we would and got to the road crossing two hours earlier than we thought we would. The woman who owns Mountain Village Farm B&B came and picked us up. She spearheaded a movement to get Kingfield, Maine recognized as an AT trail town. Her B&B was full (it's Kingfield Days) but she steered us to Winter Hill Inn and we are really pleased with our accommodations.Had a shower, lunch and took a nap (Santa did laundry) and then we sorted out our food boxes and went to the food store to finish out our resupply. We did not need candy because the Marcotte Family sent us a box of candy to see us through to the end!We went to the same restaurant for dinner and enjoyed our meals immensely. I worked really hard to make our dinners but at this point we are both tired of them and it's a struggle to eat. But it's important to keep eating lots of calories to finish this hike.We have planned out the last 13 days of this hike. It looks like our very good friends Donna and Paul can summit with us. And then we are going to try to get the section from Moosilauke to Rangeley, Maine that I missed finished.
Date: 2016-07-16
From: Long Falls Dam Road

To: Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: few clouds

We slept well last night except the air conditioner bothered Santa so he turned it off at 3am. But I was tired enough to go back to sleep.We were up early and packed up and walked into town for breakfast. I had a bagel breakfast sandwich and Santa had a breakfast burrito. Then we went to the post office to mail home our stove (not going to cook anymore) and Santa's down jacket. They were closing the street and setting up booths for Kingsfield Days. Since our shuttle driver wouldn't be able to drive down to get us we walked over to her house. We got a late start today and didn't start hiking until 9.We only had one climb today and it was first thing. The weather is still hot and humid so the showers and laundry that we did in town were negated by our sweat within 10 minutes. After the initial climb the trail was all rocks, roots and bogs with some sweet smelling pine needle trail thrown in. We walked along West Carry Pond and stopped to eat lunch at the beach. It was a pretty 10 foot section of sand and not too buggy. Right after we sat down and opened up our subs (packed them out of town for lunch) it started to rain. We put down our lunch and put our pack covers on the backpacks and then sat down to eat in a light shower. When we were done we packed up and started hiking and it started to rain. It was nice for the most part- cooled things off and washed away our sweat. But after awhile we were done with the rain and it made the rocks and roots more slippery.We got to the West Carry Pond lean-to and thought about staying because it's near the water and we could go swimming. It was a really beautiful site. But the earlier rain and now the sun brought out the bugs. We walked to Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps and got a rustic cabin for the night. The price includes the cabin, a shower (with soap, shampoo and towel) and breakfast. The breakfast is 12 pancakes with blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, juice, milk and eggs. I am really excited for breakfast!Tomorrow we cross the Kennebec River. The river is too dangerous to ford so the ATC contracts with a guide who will ferry us across. That's three miles from where we are staying tonight and the service doesn't start until 9 so we can have a leisurely breakfast and walk to the river.
Date: 2016-07-17
From: Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

We had a great chat with a couple staying at Harrison's. They wanted to know all about our hike and how we prepared. They live in Vermont but used to live in Collegeville, PA where our oldest daughter went to school.I slept well but Santa had a mouse encounter so he didn't sleep as well.We sat with Snap, a northbounder, and two southbounders at breakfast. Tim made each hiker 12 pancakes (raspberry, apple and blueberry), eggs, sausage and a drink. We couldn't finish the pancakes so packed them out for lunch.The start of our hike was flat but rocky and rooty. We walked 3 miles to the Kennebec River where a ferryman took us across in a canoe. It's a wide crossing and the water level changes quickly and without notice when the hydroelectric companies up river release water.After the river crossing we started a gradual climb up Pleasant Pond Mountain. The last bit was steep and we could hear thunder so we tried to walk quickly. The summit was above treeline and a rocky ridge- we walked as fast as we could on the wet rocks. We had gotten off the ridge and into tree cover when the thunder really got close and loud. I asked Santa if we should stop and put up our tent and said we could if I found a spot. So I said, "how about there?" We set a record for putting up our tent! Just as the rain started and we were climbing in, I saw a southbounder going by and invited her to wait out the storm with us. She's from Italy and her trail name (for now) is Italia. She's a religion teacher in a public school. Italia came to the US on a car trip and stayed at a hostel in Manchester, Vermont and met some thru hikers. So she's going to hike from Katadhin to Vermont on her school break. We sat in the tent and chatted for about an hour until the storm blew by then packed up the tent and started hiking. We had about 10 miles to go and the beginning was down which hurt my knee. We both slipped and slid down the wet rocks. The last three miles were past bogs and beaver bogs and the trail was wet and muddy. Both of us have wet, disgustingly stinky feet, socks and shoes.Santa set up our tent to dry while I filtered water. We met a southbounder, Otter, from Canada at the lean-to. We hung out at the lean-to and ate dinner and chatted with him. Happy to be in my tent on this cool buggy night. Short 13 mile day tomorrow with only one climb. Hoping we can dry our shoes out in the afternoon and air out our feet.
Date: 2016-07-18
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Stealth Site
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We chatted with Otter, a southbounder that stayed at the shelter last night then went to our tent and had a great sleep. We woke up at 5:30 but since we only had 13 miles to do today went back to sleep.Our hike started out great. We had a nice climb to Moxie Bald Mountain. The clouds hadn't burned off yet but the summit was clear and we could look out and see other summits rising above the clouds. There were two southbounders there so we talked with them a bit while we had a snack and some water. We also texted our girls and my sister to let them know we were doing okay- cell service has been spotty and sometimes they worry if they don't hear from us.We walked down the mountain and then had a nice hike along the river. We saw a man who was training for a 100 mile trail run. Today he was running 38 miles on the AT. We talked a bit about shoes and how slippery the rocks and roots are when they are wet.We came to a gravel road and took off our shoes and socks to see if they would dry out a bit. Walking along muddy boggy trail our shoes and socks get soaked. And wet feet lead to blisters. We were excited because we were 5 miles from our destination and we wanted to hang our clothes and tent on the line to dry out a bit.We moved on to our first river fording. We sat down and took off our trail shoes and socks and put on our crocks and waded in. It was an easy crossing and the water felt nice on our feet. As we were changing our shoes we heard thunder and started hiking fast because we had 3 miles to the lean-to. After a mile and a half it was clear we weren't going to beat the storm so we started looking around and I found a great stealth site. So once again we quickly put up our tent and climbed in to wait out a thunderstorm. It was a doozy! I read a little bit then we both took a short nap. When we woke up the storm was over so we packed up and started hiking. A mile into the hike it downpoured. We were soaked and just wanted to get to the lean-to. When we got there it was full of southbound hikers. They had hiked the 9 miles in from town, saw the weather and decided to stay. The tentsites were lousy so we decided to keep hiking. We kept a look out for another stealth site and about 2 miles later found one and got our tent set up. We wiped it down with the pack towel and got our stuff set up. So the day didn't play out like we had wished but we are safe, dry and ready to hike some more tomorrow.Looking forward to going to town tomorrow to dry out our shoes and wash our clothes. We smell like swamp monsters!
Date: 2016-07-19
From: Stealth Site

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: scattered clouds

We had a sweet spot for our tent last night and our tent was surprisingly dry considering that we sheltered in it during the first thunderstorm yesterday. Had a great sleep and was ready to be awake at 5:30 so we could get into town early.Up and out and had a good hike with only two small climbs. We were to the trailhead and calling for a ride by 10:00.Into town and to Shaws where we have our own room and got cleaned up and walked into town for lunch. Back to Shaws to check out our resupply boxes and see what we need to pick up in town. We sent our stove home so gave away our dehydrated meals- some happy hikers at the hostel.Planning out our last ten days and have a summit date of the 28th. Very excited and a wee bit anxious. Katahdin looks scary!
Date: 2016-07-20
From: Monson, ME

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Great sleep at Shaws last night. We had an amazing breakfast- 3 eggs, bacon, tasty home fries and all the blueberry pancakes you can eat. I ate 3; Santa ate 4. Then off to the trail for a late start of 9am.The trail wasn't difficult today, it just seemed to take forever to get anywhere. We had another ford and this one came up to my knees. The bottom was slippery with algae covered rocks but thankfully neither of us fell in. I did fall twice on other rocks on the trail though. It makes me so mad at myself. The second fall I had to unstrap and wiggle out of my pack.We crossed a beautiful stream with some swimming holes at the end of our day but because we started late it was getting chilly and time for dinner so we passed by and continued to the shelter.We are sheltering with 8:30. He's a retired national park employee who started in Harpers Ferry and will return there and walk home to Georgia. He was telling us the hardest part of the hike was how much he misses his wife. The second hardest part was those "damn White Mountains- they tried to kill me".It's late and we are tired so off to bed.
Date: 2016-07-21
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Stealth Site
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

I forgot to mention yesterday that we have less than 100 miles to go.I did not sleep well last night. Had a hard time getting to sleep and Santa and 8:30 snored plus I kept hearing a mouse. It could be a long day.We started with a climb up Barren Mountain- great views and a broken down tower. Then we went up and down Fourth Mountain then up and down Mountain Three and a Half (not kidding-that's the name) then up and down Third Mountain then up and down Columbus Mountain then up and down Chairback Mountain. That one almost killed me! The down was a boulder field and near the bottom was a sign that said AT North and pointed to yet another boulder field to the side. It was a long slow day but we made it. We found a great stealth spot in the pine forest next to a brook. Water sources have been sparse and sketchy so this was a good find. 8:30 came in about 45 minutes after us and set up his tent next to ours. He's a funny guy with a very dry sense of humor.We are all hoping that tomorrow is easier than today. We have one big climb but it looks like it's gradual. Fingers crossed that it is.Passed 2100 miles.
Date: 2016-07-22
From: Stealth Site

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a nice spot to camp last night next to the brook and good company, 8:30, and then we had a super night's sleep. Up around 6 and packed up quickly because it was starting to sprinkle. It rained on us a bit this morning but not hard and it didn't last very long. We started with a ford and no one fell it so it was a successful beginning. Then we did more of what we did yesterday- climb to a ridge, back down into the saddle and up to the next ridge. We did that for Gulf Hagas Mountain, West Peak, Hay Mountain, and White Cap Mountain. Then it was sweet trail into the lean-to. We got rained on again and there was thunder but we were so sweaty that it felt good. Happy to be rinsed off and in the shelter before the storm.We are a little stressed because we planned a leisurely walk to Katahdin but because we need to be back in Massachusetts for a meeting on the 29th we are hiking more miles faster than we had wanted.Two southbound flip-floppers just came in. They seem to be a bit fussy so it should be an interesting evening. We were just going to hang our food on the mouse hangers but they are really nervous so we are bear bagging.Hope to get up early to get some big miles in.