morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-08-04
From: Bald Mountain Road

To: Pleasant Pond Mountain
Miles today: 14.4

Goodbye Monson, I enjoyed my stay. My hike today included two pretty good climbs, Moxie Bald Mountain and Pleasant Pond Mountain. Moxie Bald was a quickly ascending and descending climb. Pleasant Pond Mountain, on the other hand, was a meandering climb where the ascent alone was nearly five miles. My plan was to hike to Pleasant Pond Lean-to. I was bushed after two mountains and decided to tent in the forest beside a hiker from Vermont. His trail name was Monkey and he was from Vermont. He was an affable young man. We chatted for a while and both of us hit the bag early. Sayanorra,Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-05
From: Pleasant Pond Mountain

To: Caratunk, Me./
Miles today: 7.0

On my radar screen today is The Sterling Inn in Caratunk. I arrived around noon and stopped in at post office to use their phone to call for a shuttle. Cell service was nonexistent in the area. There was a customer in front of me, the man who called me Johnny Reb. When I asked the lady to use her phone, the man answered before she could saying he would drive me to The Sterling Inn. Upon arriving, the innkeeper, Eric, welcomed me and showed me around. Then, I showered, tended to my trail injuries, scrapes, scratches, blisters, poison ivy, etc. I did my laundry, some journaling and just chilled.Later on, Worn Heel, from Minnesota and Phantom Raspberry Blower from England, arrived for the night. We exchanged trail stories for a few hours and went to Northern Outdoors for dinner. The only restaurant/pub in the tiny town. Eric was an excellent host. Phantom Raspberry Blower had hurt his arm and decided to stay for another day. Worn Heel and I were dropped off at the trailhead by 8:30. We said our goodbyes and he headed north while I went south.Over and out for now.Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-06
From: Caratunk, Me./

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 14.0

There were several minor undulations in the earth's surface during today's hike but, it was a beautiful day and a fairly gentle hike. The best thing about my hike was meeting several old trail friends. First, was Push-up, who I hadn't seen since Virginia. Next we're Snow Frog and Bean. Then came Sampson, Sherpa and Rash. It was really nice seeing them all. We traded stories and reminisced. Later on, I saw Trudger for the first time in months. I also met some hikers I had not met before. There was Phil and Jesse, from Chicago, who were just starting their south bound thru-hike. Then, there was a couple, Herc and Hobbit, who had sold their home and most of their belongings and "moved" to the AT.What a day, I think, as I end my hike at West Carry Pond Lean-to. It was really nice seeing all the folks. I wish I could hike with them. But, I made my choice and I'm sticking to it.Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-08
From: Horns Pond Lean-to

To: Stratton, Me.
Miles today: 5.1

On this pretty, sunny day in Maine, my objective is the town of Stratton and the Stratton Motel. Got checked on, took care of my laundry and took a long shower. Then, I struck out to explore the town. The walking tour took about 20 minutes. The friendliness of the local folks in these small towns and villages has impressed me and Stratton was no exception. A nice little town with nice people.Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-09
From: Stratton, Me.

To: Stratton, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Got up this morning at 6:00, and it was raining. So, I decided to take a zero and went back to bed. Got up again at 8:00, and went across the street to The Diner for breakfast. Ordered eggs, home fries, sausage and two blueberry pancakes. The pancakes were huge, as big as the plate and the plate was huge! It was all good. After finishing most of my breakfast, a guy walked in and he looked familiar. After two more takes, I realized it was my old friend baker. I said, "hey Baker". He looked at me and did several takes and finally said, "Sandman, is that you?" I got up and we shook hands and hugged. Gosh, it was good to see Baker. He had lost a considerable amount of weight, like most hikers, and he had a big beard. He ordered breakfast and we played catchup for an hour or so and Baker headed back to the trail. I wish I could've gone with him. But, it was not to be. Baker was heading north for Katahdin and my journey was taking me south....and, so it goes on the AT.Thank you, Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-10
From: Stratton, Maine

To: Spaulding Mtn. Lean-to
Miles today: 13.5

Goodbye Stratton, hello Crockers. From Stratton to the summit of North Crocker Mountain is 10.2 miles and the elevation goes from 1,450 ft. to 4,228 ft. A long grinding ascent. Then, there is a drop of about 250 ft. and back up a steep incline to the peak of South Crocker Mtn. Then Sugarloaf Mtn. Is next. Not nearly as steep but, this one is a lot of ups and downs followed by Spaulding Mtn. which shoots up nearly 400 ft. to the peak.Well, needless to say, Spaulding Mtn. Lean-to was a welcomed sight to my tired old body. I only hiked 13.5 miles and it felt like 25 miles. Yes. Maine is a tough state on the AT.Today, I met my friend, Lucy Lu Lu, from Charleston, SC, and currently residing in Wilton, Cn. A very experienced long distance hiker, Lucy has completed the Pacific Coast Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and is now on her second AT thru-hike, south bound this time. She is a reservoir of hiking knowledge and I hope to learn a lot from her.Today's hike brought another sweet reunion. My friends, Glover and Atlas, from St Louis. Atlas, with those beautiful Martina McBride eyes, is the lady who found my checkbook I lost on the trail and then, several weeks later, found my wallet on the trail that fell out of my pocket. Yep, Atlas is my hero. It was so nice to see her and hubby, Glover.Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-11
From: Spaulding Mtn. Lean-to

To: Near Piazza Rock Lean-to
Miles today: 14.9

Lucy and I broke camp and were on the trail a little before 6:30. The mountains on our agenda today. Saddleback Junior, The Horn and Saddleback Mtn, weren't as ferocious as yesterday's although the latter two are 4,000+ ft. mountains.The weather was good and we logged nearly 15 miles. A good day on the AT.Ciao for now,Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-12
From: Near Piazza Rock Lean-to

To: Rangely, Maine
Miles today: 3.8

WOOPIE!! We're going to town today. The few good folks who read my journal regularly, have probably figured it out already. In Case you haven't. I DON'T LIKE SLEEPING IN THE WOODS!!There are a multitude of reasons why. I.E, bugs, mice, rain, sleet, snow, getting dirty, hikers close by snoring and/or talking, getting up to take a whiz and tripping over rocks, roots or other hikers in the dark, getting dirty and smelly, getting filthy, etc, etc... A long time ago far, far away, I had to sleep in the woods or in a hole for a long time and I hated every night. The only good thing about it then was waking up alive. But, in order to hike this thing we call the Appalachian Trail, I must sleep in the woods most of the time. You can bet, though, anytime I can get to a town to sleep in a bed, I'm going. 'Nuff said.We hitched the nine miles into town from the trailhead. A nice, local lady/hiker picked us up. We discussed the local aspects of the AT. She was telling us a story and she seemed to have a problem articulating a thought. Then, she finally got it out..."when I was going to take a dump,". She seemed pleased at her panache. So, she said the phrase several more times in other contexts. When she let us out in town, Lucy LuLu commented on her use of the phrase. She and I agreed that it seemed odd. Having been raised at the knee of her grandmother, a proper Southern Lady, Lucy was taken aback somewhat. "A Southern Lady would never say such a thing." Isn't it strange what a fascination we have with common bodily functions and their verbalization.Lucy LuLu and lots of other hikers have told me what a nice, quaint town Rangely is. Of course, ANY TOWN with a bed, ice cream and a few frosty beers is an oasis in the desert to me. My standards are not high. The hikers are right, it is a pretty, little town on huge Rangely Lake, surrounded by majestic mountains and populated by genuinely nice folks. The end of another good day on the AT.Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-13
From: Rangely, Maine

To: Mile Marker: 234.6
Miles today: 14.2

Lucy LuLu and I met in town for breakfast and we soon left the nice, little town of Rangely behind. It was a pretty day for hiking. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and all was well in our world. But, the sunny weather didn't last long. Soon, Lucy and I were donning our rain gear. I put on my poncho and Lucy put on her Mary Poppins outfit, umbrella and all.This stretch of the AT, out of Rangely, was uncharacteristically tame for southern Maine. We hiked a fairly easy 14.6 miles and tented in a campsite across from a stream, north of Bemis Mountain.Sandman 69
Date: 2013-08-14
From: Mile Marker: 234.6

To: Andover, Maine
Miles today: 11.2

The cool day dawned too early for me. I was not ready to get up but...I did. We discussed hiking to Hall Mountain Lean-to which would have been over 16 miles. A hearty goal for this neck of the woods...and mountains. Well, our goal changed after Old Blue Mountain got ahold of us. It was indeed a feisty little mountain. By the time we struggled down the north side of the peak, we'd had enough for today. We were only a short hike from South Arm Road which goes into Andover, Maine, a tiny little town with two hostels. Lucy had stayed at Pine Ellis Lodge on her last thru-hike and she liked it. But, it was nine miles from the trail head and cell reception to call for a shuttle was pretty much nonexistent. There was very little traffic so, hitching was not an option. When we came to the road, Lucy tried her cell phone with no luck. Lucy LuLu said, "Sandman, you try calling. If you get through, we'll go in. If not, we'll keep walking until we find a camping area". My cell service icon showed one bar, a very weak signal. Well, I dialed the number and, voila, it rang and a lady answered. I asked her if she could come and get us. She said someone would pick us up in 20 minutes. Hot Dog, we're going to town, no sleeping in the woods tonight. About 20 minutes later, a man, David, pulled up in a van. He introduced himself and presented us each with the coldest, sweetest glass of lemonade we had ever tasted. We liked David already.When we arrived at Pine Ellis, Lucy introduced me to the owner and she welcomed us with a smile. After showering, I went upstairs to see if there were any hikers in the house I knew. There was only one other hiker tonight and his name was Dano. He was a lawyer from Hawaii and what a nice, laid back dude he was. Lucy invited him to dine with us and the three of walked into town and dined at the General Store. Dano told us he had lost 70 lbs. since starting his hike. He also told me that his feet had grown. He went from a size 10 to a size 12 since his hike began. I know it sounds strange but, growing feet are fairly common on long distance hikers, especially those who are over weight when they begin. I asked Dano if he was going to try and keep the weight off. He said "no, when I get home I'll get my bag of chips and sit down in front of the tv".Another day is done on the AT Sandman 69
Date: 2013-08-16
From: Andover, Maine

To: Frye Notch Lean-to
Miles today: 14.6

David chauffeured Lucy LuLu, Dano and me back to the trailhead. We took pics and wished each other well. Dano headed north and Lucy and I headed south. We got right into a brisk little climb up Moody Mountain. The descent down the south slope of Moody was more challenging than the climb. Then, the terrain mellowed out after summiting Wyman Mountain with a fairly serene descent for over five miles down into Dunn Notch and falls. This was followed by a nearly four mile fairly stiff climb and a quick decline into Frye Notch Lean-to, our home for tonight. There in the lean-to to welcome us was Lush, a nobo, north bound thru-hiker. A gregarious young man with an easy smile and an engaging personality. With Lush, was a nice young man who was a local hiker offering trail magic. He gave each of us a big juicy plum and some kind of maple cake that was so good I could not eat it and sit still. Another one of those selfless trail angels we love so much. By 6:30, I had pitched my tent, crawled in my Big Agnes Lost Ranger bag and was well on my way sand land. A good, hard day on the AT ends sweetly.Over and out for now,Sandman 69
Date: 2013-08-17
From: Frye Notch Lean-to

To: Speck Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We started our day right out of the bag by climbing nearly two miles up Baldpate east peak. This was followed by a quick descent and a sharp little climb up Baldpate west peak. Then, we descinded down more than 2,100 ft into Grafton Notch. Now, it gets exciting. I began a heart pumping, bone jarring climb to the peak of Old Speck Mountain, another member of the 4,000 foot+ club. When I arrived at the summit, there were a half dozen or so hikers sitting around chatting. As I waited for Lucy LuLu to arrive on summit, I conversed with several hikers. Well. 30 minutes later, she still had not arrived. So, I texted her to see if she was ok. After waiting for an hour with no Lucy and no text from her, I started down the north side of Old Speck. Then, I noticed the blue blazes. Blue blazes usually take a hiker away from the white blazed trail to a water source, a privy or something else and back to the white blazed trail. When I got nearly two miles down the other side, Lucy LuLu texted me and asked me where I was. I texted her back and told her I was 1.9 miles south of Old Speck Mountain. I didn't hear back from her so I kept hiking south. When I arrived at Old Sarge's Campsite, three miles from the summit, I knew something was wrong. So, I started backtracking up Old Speck. I was right, something was wrong...and it was ME! About two miles into backtracking up Old Speck, I met a local hiker. I explained to him what I had done and he was very helpful. The AT did not go to the summit of Old Speck. It turned off a few hundred yards north of the summit and...I missed the turn. Lucy made the correct turn and was on the AT, where she was supposed to be.If today was a fish, I'd throw it back in. I got back on the AT after hiking six miles out of my way.By the time I got to Speck Pond Campsite, it was getting dark and I decided to end my miserable day there. Tomorrow has got to be a better day.Sandman69 signing off.
Date: 2013-08-18
From: Speck Pond Shelter 

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 9.5

Today's hike includes two of the toughest passages on the entire AT, The Mahoosuc Arm and The Mahoosuc Notch. I had heard so much about these two that I was very apprehensive.As I approached The Arm, it was about 7:15 and a beautiful day in Maine. The Arm looks like a giant lava flow spilled down the side of the mountain and cooled into a huge, smooth granite runway...all down hill. I decided to choose the side with the most fir trees so I could hold onto their branches, where possible, to negotiate my way down the steep grade. The key factor is patience. There is no way you can hurry down The Arm and avoid injury or worse. Well, I made my way slowly and kept anticipating the difficult parts ahead. The descent was difficult but not nearly as difficult as I expected. The impossible parts never came and I safely matriculated my way down The Arm. Wow. I'm glad it's behind me.Next is The Mahoosuc Notch. The guidebook says "The most difficult or fun mile of the AT. Make your way through a jumbled pit of boulders". IT WAS NOT FUN!! The boulders were the size of cars and houses. I was crawling under, over, around and through these behemoth rocks, hugging anything I could find, mostly other boulders. There were several squeezes, under and between piles of rocks, where I had to remove my pack, throw it ahead and wedge and grunt my way through.About 100 yards from the start, I came to a local hiker who had sprained or broken his ankle. His name was Mike Laroque. He was in pain and could barely move. I asked Mike what I could do to help him. He asked me to call 911. Down in the notch, cell service is nil. We discussed options. Mike was going to move very slowly and try to make it to the campsite at the bottom of the notch. I was going to climb ahead to a higher altitude where I could get cell reception and call for help. I gave Mike half of my ibuprofen, wished him well and resumed climbing. About an hour later, I got a weak signal and called 911. I got an answer. The lady asked me a series of questions and I gave her the answers. Help was on the way for Mike.After another hour of wrestling with the gigantic boulders and a few falls, I emerged from The Mahoosuc Notch battered, bloody and bruised. But, I made it through, never to return again.Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-20
From: White Mountains Hostel

To: The Colonial Inn, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Lucy LuLu was staying at The Colonial Inn, aka, Hiker's Paradise. She had rented a car for running errands on our zero day. So, she came across town, picked me up at White Mountains Hostel and away we went. First stop was Walmart...of course. We bought food for the trail, a few goodies and both of us bought new knee braces. Yep, after injuring my left knee on Mt. Katahdin, I hurt it again in The Mahoosuc Notch. Thank you Lord for knee braces and ibuprofen.Next stop was the outfitter where I bought my third new pair of hiking shoes, Merrell, this time. Also bought a jacket. We have already experienced some cold temps and we expected more in The Whites.By now, it was time for lunch, We stopped at Jay's and had a nice lunch. Then, I went back to the motel and Lucy went to the hospital ER to have an infected area on her leg checked out.My day ended by watching a pre-season football game.Over and out for now,Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-21
From: The Colonial Inn, Gorham, NH

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Our day off was over and it was time to tackle The White Mountains of New Hampshire. The first one on our agenda was Mt. Moriah. It presented us with a gradual 4 1/2 mile climb to the 3,991 ft. summit followed by a fairly sharp descent. While not a real challenging climb, my left knee was not responding as I hoped it would. In fact, the pain level on a 1 to 10, was probably a 5 or 6. It got my attention on each step I took. And, the climbing would get much more difficult as we got farther into The Whites.Our day ended at Imp Campsite.Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-22
From: Imp Campsite

To: Wildcat Mountain, peak D
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today began with a climb right out of camp up North Carter Mountain followed by Middle Carter Mountain, Mount Hight and Carter Dome. All of these were 4,500 ft.+ mountains. Wow, what a way to start a day!After a 1,500 ft. descent, we climbed Wildcat Mountain peak A, at 4,422 ft. Then came Wildcat Mountain peak C, at 4,274 ft. We ended our day with a short climb and descent of Wildcat Mountain, peak D which brought us to the Wildcat Mountain ski gondolas. So, after all this climbing, why not just ride a gondola down the mountain. And, we did. Before anyone accuses us of "yellow blazing", taking credit for miles hiked when they weren't actually hiked, allow me to add that we would ride the gondola back up the mountain the next day to descend it on foot. Lucy LuLu and I had a full a full day with only 10.1 miles. You have probably noticed that the miles are much harder to come by in southern Maine and New Hampshire. All the climbing and descending impede our progress dramatically. Eight and ten mile days in The Whites are the rule for most hikers rather than the exception. Since it was so convenient, Lucy and I decided to go back to town to our rooms instead of sleeping in the forest on the mountains. A hard day of hiking comes to an end on the AT.Ciao for now,Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-23
From: Wildcat Mountain, peak D

To: Hiker's Heaven, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0

During breakfast this am, I decided to take a zero for today. My knee was really talking to me after all the climbing yesterday. Hopefully, a day of rest will help. If it doesn't, I may visit a doc. But, their canned response to hikers with joint problems is to stay off the trail and rest for a week. And, that ain't going to happen. Lucy LuLu is hitting the trail. So, I'm sure I'll see her down the trail sooner or later.
Date: 2013-08-24
From: Hiker's Heaven, Gorham, NH

To: Osgood Campsite
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Today's primary objective is descending Pinkham Notch, a very steep descent. I start off by riding the Wildcat Mountain gondola back up the mountain. Then, the work starts. Ascending really is an aerobic workout which means SWEATING profusely and a heart rate in the 90-100 BPM. My resting heart rate is 55-58 BPM. But, the descending is a workout of a different type. It is very tedious with such a steep descent, picking the right foot placement, making sure the rock or boulder is not loose, wet or dangerous in any way. In fact, on steep slopes, my climb rate is faster than my descent rate. The descent down the mountain into Pinkham Notch is about three miles and it took me almost three hours to accomplish it. Then, it was on up and down the trail to Osgood Campsite for a daily mileage total of 7.7 miles. Sounds a little puny for a full day of hiking. But, that's the way it goes in The Whites of NH. The Whites are spectacularly beautiful. But, we have to pay a high price in "sweat equity" for those views via all the torturous climbing and descending we must do.And that's the way it is on the AT today...Sandman69
Date: 2013-08-25
From: Osgood Campsite

To: Somewhere in The Whites
Miles today: 13.0

Since I started hiking south, I meet one or more of my trail friends hiking north, almost daily, that I previously hiked north with and it's a reunion of sorts on the trail. Well, today, I met Trig, Rome and Trig's faithful dog, Grommet. They were coming down Mt Washington and I was climbing up. It was so nice to see them. I had not seen either for a month or more. We reminisced for a while and took pictures. Grommet always met me with a growl before. But, today, for some reason, he was wagging his tail and licking me. What a surprise that was. Also, I met Boo Boo, from NC. I had not seen him since snow was on the ground down south.Mt Washington was a long, hard climb from the base and I was glad to summit it...finally. On top is an observatory, snack bar, souvenir shop, etc. Obviously, a very popular place with tourists and hikers alike. I had several sodas, no beer available, and some ice cream and that was worth the climb.It was nearly dark and I needed to find a home for the night. After descending Mt Washington for nearly an hour, I came to The Lake of The Clouds Hut. The "huts" are unique to NH. They are quasi hotels in The White Mountains. Tourists or hikers can pay to stay, usually $100 and up. For this, they get a nice dinner and breakfast and a bunk for the night. During the day they can hike on their own. Well, the only problem I had with them was that all of the ones I stopped at didn't have showers. No way I'm going to pay those prices without a shower. Hikers are also given an opportunity to work for stay in most cases. This option did not interest me in the least. I worked all day climbing mountains and I was not going to work into the night washing dishes. So, I, along with five other hikers opted to stay in "The Dungeon". It is indeed very much like I would imagine a dungeon to be. It was actually an emergency shelter under the hut with two stacks of bunks which were wooden and without mattresses, three high, and four cold, bleak concrete walls. There was a metal door with a huge sliding metal door lock and when it was opened or closed, it sounded loud and clamorous like a dungeon door may sound. But, it was our home for the night and it kept us out of the cold for the low, low price of $10 per hiker. What a deal!!Another good day on the AT comes to an end in The Lake of The Clouds Dungeon.Ciao for now, Sandman69