morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-10-05
From: stealth beyond W Branch Pleasant River

To: Logan Brook Lean to
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The whole day was going to be spent getting to the top of Whitecap Mountain. I got up early packed up and was on the trail by 7:45am. I figured Swift would be up early to try to catch up with us. When I got back to the trail I looked for signs of Swift but saw none. As I was walking the trail I did see footprints. Swift maybe. About an hour later I caught up with the mystery prints, it was Swift. I was glad to have caught up with him and know he was alright. Today was a perfect day clear skies, warmer temps. The picture perfect day for seeing Katahdin for the first time. But first we have a few mountains to climb - Gulf Hagas mountain, West Peak, Hay mountain, and finally Whitecap mountain. All of these mountains were tough but not huge. The view from Whitecap was gorgeous. The trail continued around the summit of Whitecap to the north side, that is where you get your first postcard view of Katahdin. The northern terminus for the AT. The great mountain of Maine to end my journey, now within my view/grasp. I have made it - it does exist. We only had 1.5 mile to go to the lean to, made it in 1.5 hrs. I turned in early - I was tired.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-06
From: Logan Brook Lean to

To: Cooper Brook Falls lean to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I was a little pissy and I think it showed. I hiked out at 7:30am, we had one ford and one small mountain then after that it was flast until we reach Katahdin.I booked I made it 3.6 miles to the next lean to in 1.5 hrs, left a note for Swift in the register - then forded the next river which was a rock hop for most but I'm a chicken, so I took off the boots and walked it. Then headed up something that had no name but it deserved one. Then as I approached Boardman mountain the AT was relocated so on the new route I go. I'm not sure if it is longer or not but it definitely was a pain in the butt. No one had caught up with me yet and I wanted to wait for Swift. I got down to a logging road and I waited. 8.5 miles in 4.5 hrs nice!! Shortly Llano showed up we ate something and drank something warm, about an hour later Colonel and Mintyfresh came by said Swift was not to far behind. Swift showed up about 5 minutes later said his foot was really hurting him. We walked .2 miles to a pond where he soaked his foot. Krazyfox showed up and we all took a lunch break there. It was suppose to rain tonite so we decided to hold up at the next lean to. We got there right as it began to rain. I got my hammock and tarp up just in time.It was early, we started a fire, sat around, ate dinner and I turned in about 7pm. It is raining pretty hard now - will make for nice sleeping. I hope it doesn't make tomorrows ford hard. Well getting chilly time to turk myself into my bag.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-07
From: Cooper Brook Falls lean to

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 13.8

Well it rained all last nite and the majority of today. The trail was pretty nice today, flat that is, but very wet.We had rock hops over several streams but no fording. Yippie I don't like fording. We had one climb but even that climb didn't take us over 1000'. We didn't go over 1000' all day - that might be a first on here.We were originally only going to go to the next shelter but we made good time and we were wet and cold. So we decided to go the extra 3.3 miles to White House Landing. You have to walk 1.2 miles off the AT to a dock where you blow an air horn ONCE and Bill (the owner) comes and picks you up and takes you across the lake. It has no electricity, gas lights, wood burning stove in the bunkroom but it was quaint. We ate a 1# burger, pizza, chips, and a pint of Ben Jerry's ice cream for dinner. Yep and I finished it all. I don't know if we are hiking out tomorrow or if we will take it easy. My stress inuries finally began to bother me - I hope my foot holds up.Now I'm sitting in front of the wood burning stove, warm and toasty with out any effort on my part other than watching the men stoke the stove, nice!! Well it's getting close to bedtime - I will curl up with my book and fall asleep.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-08
From: White House Landing

To: stealth by Crescent Pond
Miles today: 12.0

This morning we all got up and went to the main building for breakfast: eggs, bacon pieces, english muffins, and blueberry pancakes - then Bill took us back across the lake to the trail. Before breakfast though I got up early and went down to the shoreline for the sunrise and got some beautiful pictures. Some of our little group have time constraints so they jumped out in front of us and did a 16 mile day, they needed to summit on the 10th. So they went to the 2nd shelter and we were going to stealth short of that shelter. The trail was good we had one climb after the first shelter. It was up a ravine with a lush moss growing everywhere. It did rain on us about 4pm - so we were wet and cold when we had to set up camp. Swift and Llano got under my tarp and we cooked dinner and went to bed. Tomorrow we have to do 15+ miles to the shelter. Up early so we have enough day light.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-09
From: stealth by Crescent Pond

To: Hurd Brook lean to
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and out by 7:18am not bad. The trail was flat enough but there is always a trade off. We were following water all day so there were many exposed roots on the trail, much to roll ankles and trip over. Swift's feet were still bother him but we still hiked well and made it to the shelter by 5pm.Oh by the way, I became a 2000 miler today - I've hiked over 2000 miles how crazy is that. I've seen two moose (both crossing the road), seen and heard a Loon, this hike is great. My whole body hurts and feels great at the same time.We set up camp, ate, talked with other hikers that came in after us. I will summit Katahdin the day after tomorrow! WOW Then have Andover, ME to Monson, ME (142 miles) to do and I will be a thru hiker. Bitter sweet - I love this hike, not looking forward to the end. I have met so many good people out here.Tomorrow 13 miles to the base of Katahdin - but before that - sleep.
Date: 2010-10-10
From: Hurd Brook lean to

To: Millinocket, ME/The Appalachian Trail Lodge
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Today was another early day. Hiking by 7:10am - 3.5 miles to Abol Bridge Store for breakfast and fizzy drinks. Then 10 more miles to the birches (the campground in Baxter Park for thru hikers).I left the store and entered Baxter State Park, shortly I came to a pond that had a great view of Katahdin mountain, very impressive mountain. The trail was flat, covered by beautiful colored leaves, winding through an awesome forest. We followed the river - came to a ford that we couldn't do - so we had to take the hi water trail. Nice alternative till I stepped knee-deep into a bog with both feet - so much for dry feet. I wrung out my very nasty socks and it wasn't to bad the rest of the day.At that point we had only had about 3.5 miles to go and I got the bug - I started cruising. I ran into many day hikers out for the long weekend, many asked if I was a thru hiker and when I said yes they congratulated me for making it. I realized at that point that I did make it - I've done it, I have hiked from GA to ME (Baxter Park). Tomorrow I will zero and rest my body and summit the next day (my 7 month anniversary). Ran into many friends that summitted today: Trinket, Qtip (brothers), Hopper, Troll, Colonel, Mintyfresh, Krazyfoz, Big R, DeeCee, all people I consider my family and many if not all I will never see again. These people have carried me here and it is hard to know they will be gone from my life as fast as they became a part of it. Ending such a journey is bitter sweet - but it will always be our journey.Well much rest is needed, so off to bed I go. Swift is still visiting with Qtip and Trinket, and Tom Thumb, he was very excited to see them again. GoodniteTigerlily
Date: 2010-10-11
From: Millinocket, ME/The Appalachian Trail Lodge

To: Millinocket, ME/The Appalachian Trail Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today we all agreed that we needed a zero before summitting tomorrow. Spent the day talki8ng with hikers that had already climbed Katahdin. It was fun to join in on their accomplishment. We double and triple checked the weather - still looks good for our summit day!!Well early to bed for the big day, I am nervous and excited.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-13
From: Millinocket, ME/The Appalachian Trail Lodge

To: Monson, ME/Shaw's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today Krazyfox, Llano, Swift, and I took a shuttle back to Monson as we have 142 miles to finish up before we can call ourselves thru hikers. We arrived back at Shaw's around 11 ish and Swift discovered that he had forgotten his poles. He made arrangements with "Ole man" to overnite them.We spent the rest of the day napping and eating.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-14
From: Monson, ME/Shaw's

To: Monson, ME/Shaw's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today when I woke up and was doing the bathroom routine - of course, my glasses break, earpiece in my hand. Called home to get contacts sent to me, superglue and duct tape to hold glasses together for a few days. At breakfast I mentioned that they had broken and Dawn (owner of Shaw's and great lady) said she could make a call to a eye dr, well long story short she did, we drove into town and he was able to fix my glasses. I love the people in Monson, Thanks. While in town, we all went to the outfitter and did some food resupply. Then we headed back to the hostel. We had planned to hike out on the 15th (Friday) but a noreaster is blowing in and we are suppose to get 3" of rain on Friday - so we decided to take another day. Dawn who closes Shaw's on the 15 said we could stay anyway, she is such a sweethart. So all is well.We hung out watched stupid movies and went to bed early.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-15
From: Monson, ME/Shaw's

To: Monson, ME/Shaw's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up this morning and it is an awful day outside, so glad we are not hiking. Dawn has allowed us to use here car, which we are. Dawn made us a nice breakfast which she always does and we sat around a talked always fun. Yesterday we all reconstituted our rain jackets and today I seam sealed a few spots on my tarp. While it is drying Llano and I came to the library to I could get caught up on my journal.The plan as of right now is that we will hike tomorrow, though we might have to take a zero in the woods if we find that the rivers are to high to ford - we'll see once we get to that point. I also heard that in the mountains (the Whites) they are expected to get 8" of snow - that is South of where we are. I might be hiking in snow.Well back to the hostel of a nap, salad for lunch, and BBQ ribs for dinner. Sounds like a perfect day.I think I have about 3 more weeks on the trail and I will be a thru hiker and finished, hard to believe.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-16
From: Monson, ME/Shaw's

To: Monson, ME/Shaw's
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: few clouds

Today we set out to hike - the four of us Krazyfox, Llano, Swift and I packed our packs and got into the Bravada and Dick drove us to the trailhead 3.5 miles down the road. But before we got there we talked about not hiking (it was misting!). We decided to take a vote, I suggested a blind vote, so before we even got out of the car - we all covered our eyes and held up a hand if we wanted to go back to the hostel and Dick counted hands. Ooops 3 to 1 we went back to the hostel, we are so pathetic!! We did, however, do a dayhike that day so we redeemed ourselves some. Dawn who owns Shaws actually closes her doors on the 15th told us we could stay since we were already there and now we were going to be there another night - she will have great fun razzing us when she finds out we are still there. She is a super lady, lots of fire, great fun.So it is about 11 am and we all pile back into the Bravada and start our day hike, we all feel good about doing some hiking today. It was good for a couple of reasons: 1) it allowed us to get some miles done; 2) we wanted to check out the river that we will have to ford the following day. The river was high and the current was dangerous so we decided that the following day when we head out we will have to road walk past the fords, good to know. Even today there was a lot of standing water on the trail. We got back to ME 15 around 3pm called Dick and he came to get us. Of course while we were hiking Dick called Dawn and gave her the whole run down of the crazy 4 hikers and how pathetic we were.Now back at the hostel, eat a little, warm/dry myself and my boots and make an early night of it. Swift may have plantar fascitis and his left foot is giving him a lot of pain, plus he is not feeling 100%. Tomorrow we hike, the first 5 miles will be a gravel road walk to miss the fords (dangerous) so we should make decent time.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-17
From: Monson, ME/Shaw's

To: Moxie Pond Lean to
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

We finally left Shaw's, thanks Dawn and Dick for the extra days you let us stay. We had lots of fun and appreciate you going the extra mile for us. Dick dropped us off at the road and our day began.The road walk parallels the AT for about 5 miles and gets us around both the East and West branch of the Piscataquik River, it still went up though. We ran into two other hikers who we had seen the day before (7 dwarfs ((7Ds)) and Grizzy Adams) they had done the fords we were skipping and they said they wish they had down the same. That the fords were terrifing and dangerous. Good decision on our part.Today seemed to go by quickly. We still had one ford to do - I had to cross in my boots yuck now they're soaked. But we all made it across and the lean to was only a couple of miles away. We all arrived and 7ds built a nice fire. I dried my boots and socks by the fire and cooked a rice side for dinner. We stayed up a short time then crawled into my hammock to get warm and journal.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-18
From: Moxie Pond Lean to

To: Pleasant Pond Lean to
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Again today we had a ford about up to my butt. I really don't like fords, I freak myself out. But before that we had a very rooty, rocky trail. It was beautiful with the fallen leaves on the trail. But the leaves hide roots and rocks so they slow you down also. I have hyperextended my knee several times in the last few days and my left knee is really hurting but I'm still walking here. However, when I ford I feel no pain, maybe because I am so busy concentrating on staying on my feet and not dying. Again I crossed with my boots on, don't want to cut the bottom of my foot plus the rocks are very slimy and slippery. This time I took out my insoles and took off my socks it helped some. Once we got across we waited for Krazyfox who was behind us, then we headed to the shelter.We climbed one 1500' today which wasn't to bad and we had a second. This climb had six peaks it seemed to go on forever. I was pushing because I wanted to get to the lean to by dark which I did but barely. Everyone else got there within the hour. The last few days I really haven't been hiking with Swift so I am always glad when he get here.7D's built another fire, I gathered wood, dried and melted my boots by the fire, we never seem to learn. I didn't stay up very long tonite, the shelter was very wet you couldn't walk around without stepping in water. I crawled into the hammock and called it a night. Tomorrow we climb Moxie Bald and cross the Kennebec River.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-19
From: Pleasant Pond Lean to

To: Harrison's Camp
Miles today: 9.3

We only have 5.3 miles into Caratunk (the only thing in Caratunk is a Post Office). We all have packages at the PO, we had sent food drop ahead so we could resupply.We also had called Hillbilly Dave the Ferry man to schedule a canoe across the Kennebec River, as it is to dangerous to ford, that was at 3pm. So we had plenty of time at the PO to do our resupply. We left the PO about 2:15pm and headed the .6 mile to the river. So everything is falling into place, nice.Right at 3pm Hillbilly Dave (appropriately named) came and had us sign in. He took his job very seriously. He said lots of paper work if he loses one of us in the river. He adjusted our life jackets and took Swift and I across. On the other side there were some other hikers headed the other direction so Dave had passengers both ways. Swift and I talked with Ryder, Frisbee, and Brisket who told us we had to stay at Harrison's Camp cabins with wood stoves, great breakfast ect... I was sold at warmth - its hard work trying to stay warm out here, you appreciate simply warmth. So our minds were made up - Harrison's it is. We told Llano and Krazyfox once they got across the river, they were down with that. 4 miles to go but the trail was hard lots of roots and rocks slow going.Llano and Krazyfox got ahead of us, we got there around 6pm. Tim, the owner, was getting 3 cabins ready for us. It was chilly but it always is in Maine n late Oct. We got in the cabin and I told Swift he was responsible for stoking the fire, after about a hour it was nice and toasty in there. We made our dinner on the wood stove - rice side with/chicken (heaviest thing in my pack, and my pack was heavy leaving Caratunk).Then I crawled into my sleeping bag for a nice warm evening. I love bing warm and watching the fire was cool too. I think I like wood stoves.Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-20
From: Harrison's Camp

To: West Carry Lean to
Miles today: 10.4

I was warm and toasty all nite thanks to Swift stoking the fire throughout the nite. At 8am Tim made us breakfast: Red, White, & Blue pancakes (rasberry, blueberry, apple), eggs, sausage, juice, milk, coffee. Tim's breakfast was famous for making 12 pancakes for each of us, 4 of each color. And yes I managed to eat them all - can you believe it but I did it. WOW very impressive. We sat around a talked for a while, I went back to the cabin to pack up and to move around after all those pancakes. We finally hit the trail around 10am. We had a nice hike and made it to the nest lean to around supper time. Set up camp and early to bed. Still full from the pancakes!!!
Date: 2010-10-21
From: West Carry Lean to

To: Little Bigelow Lean to 
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

Today in the morning the trail was fairly easy till we got to Long Falls Dam Road then we started to climb Little Bigelow to the lean to. It was a steady climb and it had begun to rain a little. The lean to was about half way up and I was getting tired. I waited for Llano to make sure I had not passed the lean to, we hadn't so on I went. Shortly after that we made it to the blue blaze trail to the lean to, we rock hopped a river to get there then the rain came down harder. Llano and I gathered wood for a fire and waited for Krazyfox and Swift to show up, which they did about 40 min later. It was raining pretty good so we all sat in the shelter and watched the mice run around. I was going to hang my hammock so I didn't care about the mice. Swift was going to stay in the shelter but changed his mind!!There was a lull in the rain so I went and set up my hammock and then came back to the shelter, we sat around but I started to get to cold so around 4:30pm I crawled into my hammock. Swift checked on me a couple of times asked if I was going to make supper I said no, I wasn't that hungry.I read for quite a while and then fell asleep. I want to get an early start tomorrow to go over Avery. Tomorrow will be a hard day. Tigerlily
Date: 2010-10-22
From: Little Bigelow Lean to 

To: Horns Pond Lean to
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up early 6:15am, it was snowing! I woke us Swift up at 7am - I was hiking at 7:30am.I stayed in front all day. The day started by finishing the Bigelow (3010') climb, then on to Avery (4090'), and West Peak (4145'), and surprise South Horn (3805'). It was a cold, cloudy, very windy day. Avery was a tough climb it took us above tree line and very exposed. Fortunately only for a short distance, cuz it was a cold inhospitable place. I asked myself what am I doing up here by myself but I could not wait for anyone up in the alpine zone so on I go. Even though it was cold the ice and snow covered trees just below were spectacular. The signs were all covered by snow and ice but the trail was easy to follow. I made it back to treeline and the wind was blocked that helped. I saw a sign for West Peak oh great back up I go. West Peak a little higher and the wind was beginning to gust. I made it up above tree line again then wind was blowing my hood off my head and when I was walking straight into the wind it took my breath away. The gust also were trying to knock me off my feet, it is amazing how strong the wind can be. It literally was blowing me off the trail. Again the distance above tree line was short and the trail was easy to follow. I got below tree line and felt much safer but had a pretty steep downhill - ooooo on my way to the lean to. I should have known better before me I see another stinking climb and I am exhausted but what ya going do.South Horn up I go this time not above tree line but hard enough, finally I see a sign for Horn pond .6 miles away and I know that the lean to is called Horn Pond lean to so it has to be close. But believe me it was the longest .6 miles. I finally get to the lean to, there are two of them. I spend time hanging my tarp over the opening and hanging my hammock in the lean to. I thought I might be there alone tonight. I thought the others may stop short of the shelter. It was absolutely freezing there about 24 degrees at 3:30pm. Krazyfox got there about 4:30pm and Llano 20 min later, we were all concerned about Swift so when he showed up around 5:30pm we were all happy to see him. We all set up our tents in the shelter and crawled into them early trying to stay warm. Krazyfox and Llano shared the same tent for extra warmth. I think the wind chill had to be between 7 degrees and 12, it was cold.We were all glad that the next day we were going into Stratton.Tigerlily