morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-19
From: Caratunk Me

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 11.7

From: Caratunk, METo: Stealth CampsiteToday's Mileage: 11.7Total Mileage: 2036.7It rained most of the night but had stopped during the early morning so we got up and packed our packs. Down Easter and Barefodder came over for coffee and tea and then we all went up to Northern Outdoors for breakfast and Ben joined us. Mary Anne then drove us all to the trailhead and we started walking around 10:15.After all the rain the trail was really muddy and we finally arrived at the Pleasant Pond Lean-to around 1:00. I keep promising Recon short days and we keep pushing the mileage and today was no different. Down Easter told us there was a 70% chance of rain on Monday so we decided to push on up and over Mt. Pleasant today and that way we could do Moxie Bald tomorrow and not have to do any mountains in the rain. So off we went up Mt. Pleasant that the south bounders call Mt. Unpleasant. It did have a pretty good rock climb up it but again it was not too bad. We met yet another group of French Canadian campers coming down the very steep part and they had a hard time believing we were going up the climb, but I much prefer going up to coming down. We walked along the top of rocks for awhile and took a few breaks to rest our legs. There was one spot where there was a pretty good jump across about a 10 foot hole that I knew I was going to have trouble but I found a way around it. The trail got better and we moved along at a quicker pace.We finally hit a stream and filled all our water containers as we knew we were going to stealth camp somewhere and just walked until we came to a tenting spot. I was beginning to worry as it was close to 7:00 PM, but just on the other side of the power lines on an old woods road we found a perfect spot. We set up camp and went to bed. This is our first stealth camping experience on this trip but I sure it will not be the last.
Date: 2008-07-20
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Moxie Bald Lean -to
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

From: Stealth CampsiteTo: Moxie Bald LeanToday's Mileage: 7.1Total Mileage: 2041.6 We were up early today and on the trial by 7:00. It rained a little in the night but we stayed pretty dry. I got up one time to use the privy and the stars were out so I thought that was a good sign.   Soon after we started we had to take our boots off and ford Baker Stream. Again it was an easy one to do but just takes time.We stopped in at Bald Mtn Shelter but didn't stay long and left to climb Moxie Bald Mtn. This mountain has a bypass for bad weather, but it was only overcast and not raining so we went up the white blaze. It had some interesting rocks that we had to climb around, over, and under on the way up but had to be very mindful of the white blazes to stay on the correct path. We stopped and sat on a few rocks to rest and enjoy the view. At the top it is a true bald mountain with just rock walking for a long way. When we got to the summit sign we could not find the trail and had to back track as it actually did not go to the top. Recon found a sheltered spot and we took a long break. Moxie Bald has great views and I think I could see Katahdin, but I was not sure because of the fog. On the way down, we found a spring and stopped to get all our water as the books said the water was from the pond in front of the shelter and we did not want to get water from that source. Recon and I arrived around 1:00 at Moxie Bald Lean-to. Again that is very early for me but we had walked until late the night before and needed some rest. It had a great campsite right on the pond with its own picnic table. That is a first in Maine for me as I have not seen a shelter with a table at it. It does make life so much easier when you do not have to put everything on the ground.We had lunch at the pond, washed our cloths, and our bodies (see why we did not want to get water from the pond) and relaxed for the afternoon. Recon made a fire, hot tea, and hot chocolate and we sat around trying not to get eaten by the bugs. Later four or five south bounders came in and stayed in the shelter and also Ben who we have been hiking with some and Momma Bear who we met in Caratunk.It started to rain hard around 6:30 and we crawled into our tents for the night. I have decided that Maine is the MORE state: more rock climbs, more straight ups and downs, more rocks under your feet, more different kinds of mushrooms, more roots and mud bogs, more rain, and bugs (my body is covered with red bumps), more flat walking, more ponds and streams and more beautiful views. It is like they have taken something from every state and put it all in one to finish off your hike.We went to sleep tonight listening to the pouring rain; something new and different for this hike (not).
Date: 2008-07-21
From: Moxie Bald Lean to

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

From: Moxie Bald Lean-toTo: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-toToday's Mileage: 8.9Total Mileage: 2050.5 It was one long night for me as it started to rain around 6:30 PM the night before and rained hard until 4:00 AM. Now I have a Black Diamond single wall tent which I love, but now, might need to reconsider. Last year when I hiked we just did not have the rain I have had this year. Around 1:30 AM I started to feel drips falling on me so I got up packed all me stuff away in my bag except my big Agnes sleeping pad put my rain gear on and lay back down and tried to go to sleep. It did not happen, so the night was long. But I made it through and except for my tent things were dry. We left camp around 8:00 and the people in the shelter were still in their sleeping bags. The rain made the trail very interesting today. There was one part that for about 2 or 3 hundred yards it was about 4 inches deep of just running water around rocks. It really did look like a river.    Most of the rest of the trial was boggy and muddy until we hit a gravel road and like magic the trial turned fairly dry for the rest of the day.We were supposed to have one ford today, the West Branch of the Piscataquis River, but we had only gone two miles when we came across a dam with rope hanging over it to cross with. Recon got about half way walking in her crocs when I decided I could not do that and just waded into the water. The water was up to the bottom of my shorts so it was the deepest ford I have had so far. Later in the day we came to two more streams that we could not cross without taking our boots off. When we got to the river I decided to take my shorts off and cross in my underware as it was only Recon and me. The current was very strong and made our poles shake when they were in the water. We just went very slowly and went across safely. You just have to make sure every foot placement is secure before you slide the next one forward. The trail then follows the Piscataquis River for miles or at least until we arrived at the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to. About a two miles before the shelter I pulled a muscle somehow in my thigh and by the time we got to the shelter I was having a hard time walking.   We found tent sites and set up a line to dry out all of our gear.Two section hikers arrived, middle and high school math teachers, Roadrunner and Just Ken. Then another southbound couple, a northbound section hiker, Duck, and a northbound thru hiker. We all settled in for a night hoping for no more rain.
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-toTo: Monson, METoday's Mileage: 9.0Total Mileage: 2059.5We had some rain again in the night but not enough to cause any damage, so I slept fairly well. Recon and I were up and on the trail by 7:15 AM and we knew we were being picked up and taking a zero day tomorrow so we were all excited.Some how, yesterday, I pulled a muscle in my thigh and could barely walk by the end of the day, but this morning it seemed fine until about 2 miles out and it started again, so it is perfect timing for a day off. Today we had the usual rocky and muddy trail and we must have crossed 10 streams or so flowing well with all the rain. We did have some nice trail and no huge climbs but the bugs were certainly active all day.We followed the Piscataquis River again for a while until we went up and to the left and then came to the East Branch of the same river. If you are hiking up in this area there are a lot of nice places to stealth camp along the West Branch and right before and after the East Branch.The ford for the East Branch was easy compared to the West branch as we (or I) was only up to my knees. Recon is a lot taller than I am. On the other side of the river Strider (05 I think) had left Trail Magic. It is the first we have seen that has had anything left in it by the time we got there. It was fully stocked with sodas and fruit so we sat and ate an apple and enjoyed watching another hiker couple wade through the water.Now we have seen many varieties of mushrooms on this trek and a lot of them have pieces eaten out of them and then today we saw one with slug sitting on it eating away. I had never seen that before but we do see a multitude of slugs in this boggy area especially with all the rain.We stopped for a lunch break on the top of Buck Hill and then walked (well, I limped) down to meet Mary Anne at ME 15. She had chocolate milk, sandwiches, and fudge for us so we had a second lunch and had no problem with getting it all down. We are staying in Moosehead Campground that is close to Moosehead Lake, the biggest lake that lies within one state. The ice during the winter gets to be four feet thick. We went to this wonderful store called Indian Hill that had just about everything in it you could possibly want or need.We came back to camp and Mary Anne cooked us a super steak dinner and we had smores and went to bed in the big dry tent.
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

From: Monson, METo: Monson, METoday's Mileage: 0Total Mileage: 2059.5Miles to Go: 114.5A day off from hiking is a wonderful thing. I love hiking and every hiker appreciates being in the woods, but to not have to walk all day is like a gift for a day.We got up around 6:00 AM (hard to sleep-in even when you can) and had an egg and pancake breakfast. Recon made apple, raisin, cinnamon pancakes. We then went into the town of Greenville to do laundry and while the cloths were washing and drying we spread all our food out on the laundry tables and re-supplied for our hike through the 100 Mile Wilderness. Mary Anne is going to meet us halfway so we do not have to carry so much food and also bring us a change of cloths. We went on a different adventure today and took a 3-hour boat (ferry) ride up into Moosehead Lake. The ferry is called Katahdin so I thought that was a sign. The day was cloudy and cool but the crew supplied blankets and we were cozy up on the bow of the ship. The captain, Maynard, was great and explained all the mountains and islands that we went cruising by. Many of the islands were small but most still had a small cabin on them with docks to get to their place. The captain told one story about a man who had homesteaded on an island because of a broken heart and went to town walking across the ice with his dog, but on the way home fell through the ice and died of hypothermia. His feet were on the ground but his pack was so heavy he could not get out and they found him with his dog still setting next to him. He also said about 4 or 5 times a year snowmobiles will hit a soft spot or ledge and go into the water. We had some tasty corn and clam chowder on the ferry for lunch and then we turned around and headed pack to port. It was a fun day to get the feel of the land and learn the history of a place you might never come back to visit again.We got back to camp, packed our packs, and went to bed ready to hit the trail tomorrow even though the weather forecast is for 70% chance of rain.
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

From: Monson, METo: Monson, METoday's Mileage: 0Total Mileage: 2059.5We woke up this morning to the sound of pouring rain on the tent. It had been coming down hard all night. I looked at Recon and Mary Anne and we all decided it would be a good day for another zero. It was the best decision we have made the whole trip as it continued to storm on and off all day until we went to bed at 9:00 PM. I called my son, Rich, and he said there had been a tropical storm that had gone up the coast. All day we kept talking about hikers on the trail and hoping they were safe. I got an email from Certain (who is also on Trail Journals) and she said she was hiking through the Whites with Auntie Mame and V-8. I am glad as it was not much fun for me to do them alone last year. So I hope they stayed dry yesterday, also.It was a true zero day as we went to Greenville and had pizza but then came back and just rested all day. It stopped raining for a few minutes and we built a fire to cook dinner on but ended up cooking in the rain. Mary Anne and Recon cooked a pork tenderloin over the fire and it was wonderful. We went to bed hoping that at some point during the night the rain would stop! I am really tired of having wet boot
Date: 2008-07-25
From: Monson, ME

To: Big Wilson Stream
Miles today: 9.2

From: Monson, METo: Stealth Camp: Big Wilson StreamToday's Mileage: 9.2Total Mileage: 2068.7When we got up there was actually blue sky so we hit the trail around 8:00. We had not walked .1 miles before we had to take our boots off and ford Goodell Brook. Recon got across on a log but I needed to ford, as I just could not get across. It is a real disadvantage to have short legs in Maine and to be somewhat older than 90% of the people out here. Again the stream before Leeman Brook Lean-to was rushing so hard we could not get across. Recon took her pack off and threw it across the stream and then she could jump. Then, with her help, threw mine and then got in the water and went across, again without my shorts on as it was up to my thighs. When we got to the shelter Ben arrived. It was nice to see him, as we didn't think we would again but he is going to try and summit in 7 days and we will be a few days behind that. So again we said good-bye. Also at the shelter, were two young guys from Georgia who just started in Monson and are going all the way to Katahdin. The trail today was very muddy from the rain but really not any worse than other days. We walked through a lot of pine forest and climbed a lot of rocks but it was a pretty easy day until we came to Little Wilson Stream. Now these streams are like raging rivers. You could not wade across this, as the current would have knocked you down. There was this log across the stream and so Recon walked across and I had to sit on it and scoot along. I came to a point where there was a stick coming out of the trunk and I could not go forward or back. Recon came to my rescue as she came back out and took my pack and then I could finish scooting. It was a panicky feeling there for a few minutes. The two young section hikers came along and one of them had to get across the same way I did, so I did not feel too bad about being chicken to walk across it!Now we still had Big Wilson Stream to cross and south bounders we met said it was up to there waist so when we go to the stream we decided (we also heard there are 10 teenage boys at the Wilson Valley Lean-to) to camp next to the stream (more like a river) for the night and hope it goes down some by the morning. So Recon and I set up camp and had a unique rock to sit on and watch the water rushing by us as we ate. We set up a small cairn to see how much the water drops during the night. We are also next to Thompson Brook that is not suppose to be a ford but has definitely turned into one. So tonight as I write this in my tent, I should be lulled to sleep by the sound of rushing water.
Date: 2008-07-26
From: Big Wilson Stream

To: Stealth: After Cloud Pond
Miles today: 11.5

From: Stealth Camp: Thompson BrookTo: Stealth Camp: After Cloud Pond Lean-toToday's Mileage: 11.5Total Mileage: 2080.1We did not even put our boots on as we were fording Thompson Brook in 30 yards from our campsite. It was a good way to wake up, as it was pretty chilly at 7:00 AM. Then in half a mile we had to ford Big Wilson. We were glad we camped overnight as the water had gone down about one foot and on my short body a foot is a big difference. They have put a rope up and it did help some but it was a long ford and again I took my shorts off as the water was up to the bottom of my shirt. We made it safely across and went on to Wilson Valley Lean-to for a break. We had three more fords for today: Wilbur Brook, Vaughn Stream, and Long Pond Stream. There was only one that actually said ford in the Handbook but I guess with all the rain the water is really up. I enjoyed the fording at first as it was a break and you got to cool your feet off but I am over them now as some are scary and it takes so long to take boots off, ford, and put everything back on. We met Sweet Sixteen, a women about my age hiking south to Andover and she said she had a terrible time crossing Long Pond Stream, but I think they put the rope in the worst place so Recon and I moved upstream some and it was much better.The climb up Barren Mt was hard and it seemed to take forever but we took a break on the Barren Ledges and had our lunch. We finally made it to the fire tower. We were going to stay at Cloud Pond Lean-to but there is this group of loud teenage boys going about our speed and the shelter is .4 miles off the trail, so we hiked and on found a stream and a campsite and called it a day around 6:00 PM. A very long day because of the fording.This is our second day in the 100 Mile Wilderness and the trail continues to be boggy but no worse than before so we will see how tomorrow goes.We crossed under the 100 miles to go mark today!!!
Date: 2008-07-27
From: Stealth: After Could Pond

To: Pleasant River
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: overcast clouds

From: Stealth Camp passed Cloud Pond Lean-toTo: Stealth Camp at Pleasant RiverToday's Mileage: 9.8Total Mileage: 2089.9We were up and out by 7:00 AM this morning first thing we went through a huge bog but there were some boards to help us get over it without any trouble. Recon started to sing "On the Boardwalk" and we talked about where was the amusement park and later we thought we smelled cotton candy so that was strange. We then started up Fourth Mountain and it was a hard climb and even a harder decent. About half way up it started to rain hard and so out came the pack covers and rain jackets and we thought it was going to be an all day affair, but within the hour it stopped and the sun came out. It was just enough rain to make all the rocks and roots very slippery. It took us a long time to go over Fourth but Third Mountain (we talked about giving them better names and came up with a few choice ones of our own) was much better and you were rewarded at the top with some ledges to sit on and look out over the vast Maine landscape with its many mountains and ponds. We have been seeing hundreds of small toads but today we saw a huge lime green frog sitting in the middle of the trail. It even sat there for a picture before it leaped away.We went up and over Columbus Mt and again walked along ledges at the top and then down to Chairback Gap Lean-to for second lunch and a boots off break.Going up Chairback was really easy and we thought we had it made as we were only going four more miles but we came to a screeching halt going down. It was a jumble of large rocks that you had to pick your way down. Maine continues to be hard and even though we walk all day we only seem to be able to do 10 miles or so a day! It is somewhat discouraging but I guess we can only do what our bodies will allow.At the end of the long climb down Chairback we met four southbounders and realized these guys have only been on the trail a week! We also met Yo-Yo Brian who this year has hiked from Georgia to Maine and is now going back to Georgia. His pack looked like a daypack and he was flying along but I don't think my feet would make it.We finally got to the Pleasant River where we planned to ford and camp on the other side but were met by a ridge runner who told us we could not camp there so we walked back a few hundred yards to stay on this side and ford in the morning. Five more minutes and he might have been gone and we would have just done it but now we know so here we are stealth camping again along a riverbank. The bugs are really bad here tonight so we ate and were inside our tents early.
Date: 2008-07-29
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7

From: Logan Brook Lean-toTo: Cooper Brook Lean-toToday's Mileage: 11.7Total Mileage: 214.5During the night there was the worst lightening and thunderstorm that shook the whole shelter and put on a light show for everyone. The kids below us started screaming. The rain pored down and Recon and I looked at each other, glad we were in a shelter for the night.We were up early and walking, as we knew we had to cover 8 miles by noon to meet Mary Anne to be re-supplied.We walked downhill a few miles and saw the kids from the night before in their tents but only one was up and about. We passed East Branch Lean-to but there was another group of kids there so we kept going. We climbed Little Boardman Mt that gave out legs a workout. At the top there were big flat rocks and we stopped to take a break and dry out our rain jackets and pack cover and also to eat the blue berries that are becoming more plentiful everyday. As we were sitting there enjoying the sunshine for once, we looked out and saw black clouds moving quickly towards us. So much for drying out. We quickly put pack covers back on and put our rain jackets away (to keep them dry) and started down the mountain. We wanted to get low before it hit and we did but again we were walking in the rain. It didn't last too long and had stopped by the time we arrived at Kokadjo-B Pond Road. We were expecting Mary Anne but she was not there. Two women, Cracker and Little Shady, flip floppers at Damascus were standing there. One was not feeling well and they were trying to decide if they wanted to go on or not. We talked awhile and I gave them all my Imodium and pepto stuff and all my wipes and off they went.Mary Anne arrived and brought us lots of goodies. We washed up, put clean cloths on and re-supplied for the next few days. About a day or two into the Wilderness I heard this sort of bong sound like a spring popping. I could not tell what it so ignored it. But about the same time my back started to hurt. I had to stop every half hour or so just to relieve the pain in my back and I did not put the two together until today. The frame of my pack actually broke in two on the left side. I am glad to know what is causing the back problem, but also it has somewhat ruined my last miles of my journey because I am in constant pain. I am overdosing on Advil but I have to keep going. Mary Anne took a prong from a grill and tried to fix it and it is somewhat better. I am going to let Osprey know about this as it happened as I was walking on flat trail.With our once again heavy packs we said good-bye to Mary Anne thanked her for the wonderful lunch and goodies and headed off to the shelter. When we got to Cooper Brook there was another group of boys from some camp and they were having a good time swimming. I think this is one of the best shelters so far. It is at a wonderful location and has a great privy. We dried our stuff ate dinner and went to sleep, still alone for the first time in a lean-to.