morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-08-28
From: ME4

To: Rangeley
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

8.28.13 Wednesday - day 150RangleyZero dayLight breakfast, walk to laundromat Dip n sip & Newton there, their dryer ends when our washer is done, put into dryer then start walk up to grocery. Dip n Sip & Newton across street trying to hitch to trail. Car turns around picks them up driver opens window tells out to us 'you going to IGA?' I nod then we run across street to car after he waves us over. He is local trail angel David, helps hikers as they move thru town, thanks! I buy lunches for 3 days & some local beers Grittys Halloween ale not my fav, Shipyard Halloween much better, and Carrabassett pale ale was OK. Sebago Bonfire rye very tasty. Lunch at Moosely Bagels, got roast beef horseradish sandwich, Giffords black bear & Maine blueberry on a cone. Hung out in town n on lake, canoe & kayak. Sunny nice, rain drops out of blue, hurry back to room. Watch dukes of hazard while cleaning & packing bag. Rain stops walk to Ecopologicon then box2go food stand, get the famed lobster roll - buttered bread toasted, mayonnaise & steamed lobster meat about 5 claws inside. My first New England lobster roll experience is a success, so tasty, will get another elsewhere further down trail. Want to try the chowder also before i leave New England. Also many hikers do full lobster dinner in Bangor or on coast after successful thru hike before going home, hopefully i can partake in this tradition also. First things first thoug. Hangout on porch watching the lake, chatting then dinner@ Shed bbq pulled pork plate excellent, captain Eli blueberry soda, a local favorite. Full belly again, will need fuel for rough days ahead.
Date: 2013-08-29
From: Rangeley

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

8.29.13 Thursday - day 151ME4 - Poplar ridge Lean-to10.5 miles - 8 hoursRide to trail head from wife of hiking partner of Steady. Steve from Hiker hut is in parking lot waiting to shuttle hikers. Gray overcast light rain, we change into rain gear cover packs in the van before heading up. Gradual climb up lots of mud, bog bridges, slippery tree roots everywhere. arrive at shelter for privy break. Little Engine, Timber, Ambassador there packing up after spending night. Privy is a bit wider, inside has 2 toilet seats side by side with quidditch game between them! outside has sign reads 'your move'. That was unique for sure, will definitely remember this privy, just like the one with the plunger in VA. Climb up over tree line, raining harder, water flows down trail right at my boots. Angled rock face slick. Fog all around, can see ground cover plants, nearby cairns, sky all white. Several false summits before reaching Saddleback mountain summit. Snack break there cut short since wind pickup & feels cold on sweaty shirt. Descent steep at times, dangerous due to rain. Carefully took my time down back into trees. I saw a orange salamander up there, shocked to see him at that altitude and cold temperature. Haven't seen one for a while, thought we were past their territory. Further down thin brown khaki snake hustles out my way, he too seemed out of place. Grabbing trees, boulders, roots, on way down. Lion slips couple of times, looked bad but was fine. Can see cliff rolls down mountainside steep, would be a view if no clouds cover (this seems to be a theme of my hike). Little Engine passes by pulling other two behind her. Climb up the Horn, clouds all around. Another step slow descent then flat then short climb up Saddleback junior. Easier descent to Poplar Ridge Lean-to (shelters have been called lean-to in Maine). Czech couple Forest Gump Winter Flower here, Occupy minus his dog went home injured, a section hiker, & Engine train. Wilson & Mother Theresa arrive 20 minutes later. rain stop, temp drop as night comes, i wear winter hat big bro just mailed me. Early dinner, we chat about late night debacle at Chet place since most of us were there, short mile day, early start in morning. Can hear stream trickle as i lay down in full lean to.
Date: 2013-08-30
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Crocker Cirque camp
Miles today: 15.0

8.30.13 Friday - day 152Poplar ridge lean-to - Crocker cirque campsite15 miles - 10 hoursFirst one up, first to privy, pack up bag cool morning fog enough light to see stuff. I walked by Wilson and MT camped 100 yards ahead, eating breakfast. Said a squirrel dropped a pine cone on his head, then again perfectly onto the spoon he was about to eat from, knocking it to the ground. Big descent in the morning for a change, not to bad, some slow spots, not like yesterday though. Sunny but trees ground still wet. Down to Orbeton stream, guide says to ford but 1 inch of rock top above surface, enough to step on & cross. Climb up Lone mountain, waterfall stream to or right, really pretty. Sometimes narrow fast water, at bottom V shaped rock walls, sometimes wide cascading over round rocks. Halfway up we turn away from stream, gradual climb gets slightly steeper. Sweating legs underneath rain pants. At top few miles of easy flat fast terrain, been a while since we seen this. Some bog logs, plenty of mud. Some bridges broke in half or disintegrating from heavy traffic & weather. Lunch at Spalding lean-to, Octagon, Eddie, Winter flower, Forest Gump, Engine 3 show up, been leap frog all day. This & all lean-to recently have porcupine barrier in front, need to step over to sit on floor. Climb up Spalding is short, no view at top. Weather now cloudy. Up down ridge a while before big descent, great view when opening in trees. About 30 minutes of steep lunges, tree holding, sit scoot drops. River@ bottom low so no fording needed. Blue sky some sun on the way up to camp. Make smoke screen ward off mosquitos, dinner is ramen in empty mountain house bag, tent on wood platform. Bolden Maine college freshmen show up, pre-orientation event. We've been seeing groups like this all week. Pretty cool event, wish i had something like that, though no mountains to climb in Midwest. Mild night, hoping no rain.
Date: 2013-08-31
From: Crocker Cirque camp

To: Stratton
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

8.31.13 Saturday - day 153Crocker cirque campsite - Stratton7.7 miles - 5 hoursCollege kids talking all night, rain starts before midnight continues until 5am. Kids pack up & night hike at 3am, some without sleep. Early wake up. lots of tree roots on long climb up down Crocker peaks, blue sky but clouds hover at tops. Hitch from MA native with huge mountain dog in back of his F350. Stratton small town, several hotel, motel, hostel, B&B. Most are full due to rain & Harley bikers in town. We find Diamond Corner B&B, owner is L.E., she says not operating as B&B this holiday weekend but will tent out rooms cheap, done. She is bubbly, talkative, friendly, multi-talented too: book author, columnist, baker, home owner, business owner, ski instructor maybe more. After laundry, lunch at White Wolf cafe, lobster roll, with coleslaw. Sea Dog raspberry ale, Atlantic New Guy IPA. Dry out tent, repair pack, took pics around town. Saw teammates in town. Dinner at White Wolf, large party of bikers there. Lemon pepper haddock baked with veggies & potato. Awesome. Bedtime warm night. Getting closer...
Date: 2013-09-01
From: Stratton

To: Little Bigelow lean-to
Miles today: 15.0

9.1.13 Sunday - day 154Stratton - Little Bigelow Lean-to15 miles - 11 hoursWoken up by early morning loon calls, pretty sound. L.E. made breakfast of homemade chocolate chip zucchini (from her garden) bread with Maine cherry jelly also fresh cut peaches with local blueberries, excellent. She gives us ride to trail head in her red Jeep. Says no oak trees or acorns in this specific area so won't see any gray squirrels, only the smaller red squirrels which feed on pine cones and are vocally talented too. Canada is about 30 miles from here, Stratton and as early as Gorham we've been seeing the red white maple leaf Canadian flag commonly. Glad to meet her, high energy, lust for life, multi-talented, proud product of Maine. Cross the 2000 mile mark!! Whoa!! No signage at the true mark. Lunch at lean-to with Professor, Grizzly, Peaches, MT & Wilson. spectacular views at top of Bigelow & Avery, panoramic, mountains to right, stunning lakes to below left. Perfect weather, best views we've had in Maine. Long descent, areas of dead pines 20 feet tall with 3 foot young green trees at their base. Long descent, some challenging areas. Up around lakes to little Bigelow view, then easy drop to Little Bigelow lean-to, home of the Tubs, several rock bottom small swimming holes in stream. Ate small blueberries on way down. Privy has double seats with curtains on glass windows. Beetle Juice is there, his dad visiting for holiday. Late dinner, really dark & silent bedtime.
Date: 2013-09-02
From: Little Bigelow lean-to

To: Pierce pond lean to
Miles today: 17.0

9.2.13 Monday - day 155Little Bigelow Lean-to - Pierce pond Lean-to17 miles - 8.5 hoursHappy Labor Day!!! I spend it hiking in rain. Started raining just before midnight continue all morning into afternoon until about 4pm when it stopped. Headed downhill from lean-to to the road, feel the sweat beneath rain coat & pants. much of the hike today was next to beautiful big lakes surrounded by pines. Sometimes shore was black slates, white boulders, sand or gray pebbles. Too cold & rainy out to stop and wade in. Many bog bridges, stream crossings, water in trail, mud pits. only 2 small hills, the rest pretty flat with rock & roots to evade. First 7.7 miles took 3.5 hours, lunch at West Carry pond lean-to, really strong rain. Boots socks soaked thoroughly. Rain lightens up off we go, more of the same all the way to Pierce pond lean to. Moose Crew 3, Professor, Grizzly, Etch a Sketch, Beetle Juice, Dino DNA, S Rocket are here. Peaches, MT, Wilson pass by on way to Harrison Cabin. Talked about schedule leading up to Katahdin, what happen to missing hiker, what we normally do on Labor day. No baseball and BBQ's for me this Labor Day. Lean-to is lakeside, pretty view looking out over the lake. Inside wet clothes, packs etc. hang from every wall and rafter. Last year hiker Park side drowned here, memorial stone near water. Early ramen dinner, early to bed. Getting closer still...
Date: 2013-09-04
From: caratunk

To: bald mountain brook shelter
Miles today: 15.0

9.4.13 Wednesday - day 157Caratunk - bald mountain brook shelter15 miles - 9 hoursAfter breakfast Eric drives us to trail head, he points out sign reads "APPACHIAN" TRAIL, with incorrect spelling carved into woods sign. Fairly easy morning thru forest, trees shade nice morning sun. Lunch at first lean-to, Beetle Juice & S Rocket leaving, said this lean-to was full last night. climb up Pleasant pond mountain, great view from open rock face. Long gradual decent thru 40 foot pines whose lowest branch starts at 10 feet, underneath are smaller 6 foot pines. Arrive at Moxie pond, first time going barefoot for stream fording, walk across knee deep stream. Up to Bald mountain brook lean to with Professor, Grizzly, Peaches, Wilson, MT, Mama Goose, Still Here. early arrival, dinner, bed, can hear brook rushing from tent, pleasant cool night. Red squirrels being naughty, barking at people when they get too near & each other.Growing tired of tuna and rice or ramen for dinner. Glad to have enough food to eat though, definitely thankful for it, just that I've grown way too accustomed to that combination. Getting closer still...
Date: 2013-09-05
From: bald mountain brook shelter

To: east branch piscaraquis river
Miles today: 15.0

9.5.13 Thursday - day 158Bald mountain brook lean-to - East Branch Piscataquis River15 miles - 9 hours1200 foot climb up Moxie mountain in cool early morning was easy. All uphill forest walk until near top where there was rock faces. Summit was bald, bunch of dead spruce trunks and rows of smooth curved rock slabs with crevices between. Exquisite view of low lying forest below, small hill nearby and larger mountains covering the morning sun at a distance to the east. Pink orange sky just above the distant summits with a clouds ceiling above, amazing. Temperature at the summit maybe 60 but constant winds and wearing only a tshirt makes it feel colder. drop down into trees, I can see view to the west. Long drop down to Moxie pond lean-to, short break for first lunch then back to trail where we encounter stream crossing, water rushing over tall stones deep enough to get into boots so we swap on our crocs. Wilson, professor, Grizzly there in front. They cross where the water is still calm before dropping into rapids. Water is just below my knees but can still feel the current. Under a minute we are across, dry feet with hand towel, put on socks boots, then on my way. We come across a 2nd stream where we do the same, this one is shallower & narrower. After gradual ups n downs in forest over bog logs and around mud pits, arrive at ford marked in guide as knee deep, dangerous after big rains. A rope stretches across about 6 feet above brook. 5 trail mates in front, Professor holds the rope as he crossed, over knee deep. Grizzly & Wilson use poles, Peaches barrels across with boots on, reaches bank then return to help Mother Theresa. I go next using poles, Mountain Lion behind me, reach other side successfully. Dry feet, then where are my socks? In all the excitement i left them on the other side. Luckily Dino DNA & Etchasketch arrive & ferry them over to me. After reaching Horseshoe canyon Lean-to at 2pm, food break then push on a couple more miles to Piscataquis river for one more easy ford. Mama Goose blazes in from behind then blasts through river with shoes on, says she is anxious to get to Monson where her new shoes await. After crossing, stealth camp is set. Still sunny out, maybe 65 degrees. Instead of doing usual wet wipe body wash, i go way downstream in shallow rapids & take a nice cold dip few minutes, sitting on river bottom current breaks on my back, water cool refreshing. Dry off quick put warm clothes on, then make dinner. Temp drops as sun goes down. Will fall into 30s tonight, first time in a while. Early bed, town tomorrow.
Date: 2013-09-07
From: monson

To: long pond stream lean-to
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

9.7.13 Saturday - day 160Monson - Long Pond Stream Lean-to15 miles - 8 hoursGreat breakfast at Shaws, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, potatoes, blueberry pancakes. Susan drives us all to trail, today will be slack pack. Entrance sign warns of wilderness remoteness and need for enough food and proper gear. After rock hoping over stream, terrain is roller coaster all day, frequent small climbs descents. We pass a pond with a loon swimming. Further down we pass German couple Wolfgang & Cookie, what a pleasant surprise, last i saw them was back in Harpers Ferry going home, was under impression they were done, nice to see them back on trail. Later we hear roar of water approaching. It is Little Wilson falls, Grizzly & gang there sitting, taking photos, setting up for lunch so I join at this perfect scenic spot, where stream widens on flat rock face then drops down a hundred feet or more. Sight is as glorious as the sounds. Continue on over rocks & roots to Big Wilson Stream where I took off boots to cross knee high water over round slippery rocks while holding rope overhead, i go first & pull rope down so shorter ones don't have to reach so high, then up to train tracks where there is cell coverage. Onward we ford again holding purple bungee cord spanning the brook, boots tied to loop handle at top of pack with the laces. Soon after we see marker for hidden trail to gravel road where or packs await pickup. Not much of a trail at all thru mud pits, pushing branches out the way. Susan is there with packs, takes our garbage, fares us well, gives goodbye hugs then we are off again, heavy packs and all back to river, up a hill to Long Pond Stream lean to. One guy is sitting inside with his airedale puppy on a blanket next to him. Near the lean to a spring flows water downhill where flip flopper Rooster is bagging water. I volunteer to setup my tent as lean-to is small & don't want to sleep like canned sardines. Platform still looks to be one spot short as Grizzly stands outside. The guy appears unwilling to move the dog blanket off the platform so Grizzly can get in, so Wilson shoos the dog away then moves the blanket to the ground in front of owner. That might sound rude, really the owner should have offered up the spot to begin with, technically rules specify there shouldn't be dogs inside shelters. Skies are gray, I'm betting it won't rain but as soon as i fire up my stove of course the drops start falling on cue. I'll be the only one taking down & carrying wet tent tomorrow. Despite slack pack, day 1 in 100 Mile Wilderness was pretty tiring with tough terrain. Glad we did slack pack, saved us some wear n tear & couple hours.
Date: 2013-09-08
From: long pond stream lean-to

To: Gulf Hagas stealth camp
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

9.8.13 Sunday - day 161Long pond stream lean to - Gulf Hagas stealth camp19 miles - 12 hoursRainy night, pack wet tent & climb up to Barren ledges with Wilson. Climb is slippery rocks so speed is slow, 50 minutes for 1.2 miles, nice view at Barren slides, even the slightly tilted rock face is super slippery when you walk to edge to take photo. Ledge is flat a while then more rock climbing to top of Barren mountain. Skies overcast as we descend, some steep rock faces & boulders to go down. Take a snack break near bottom, Professor n Grizzly pass by. I continue on across bog bridges where at the end Professor Grizzly are snacking, tells us we have company, i turn around see airedale puppy following across bog bridges. Carefully climb Fourth mountain then begin down. Dog owner moves quickly down from behind, asks if we seen dog, yes he's ahead following Peaches, Mother Theresa when they passed at the summit. He slips pushing PL to side as he passes, rushing down to find dog. Descent is long, steep, slippery, treacherous at times. Slow going, much root, branch, rock grabbing. Rock faces are slick so going around requires steep muddy drops. 600 foot descent feels way longer due to frequent obstacles. Up down third mountain then up to Chair back gap lean to for snack break & to get out of light rain. Airedale is there with his section hiking owner, both reunited again. An old man with golden retriever is there, says he needs to stay there 2 nights to let dogs injured leg heal, i see there is a cut on leg, sustained earlier when he ventured under the lean-to. His friend will get him in 2 days at the gravel road 4 miles down. Rough terrain down to road, ford river then move on to find stealth spot, no camping 2 miles after river to protect old growth spruce. after going well past the 2 mile zone, finally found flat spots near trail next to babbling stream just before dark set in, perfect timing, very tired after challenging long day with full pack. Closer stil....
Date: 2013-09-09
From: gulf hagas stealth camp

To: Crawford pond beach
Miles today: 18.3

9.9.13 Monday - day 162Gulf Hagas stealth camp - Crawford pond beach18.3 miles - 11 hoursCold overnight, in the low 30's, slept well after tiring day, cool night air & sound of stream a foot from my tent plus soft flat forest floor made for ideal sleeping conditions. Easy gradual uphill to Newhall Lean-to. We see Wilson getting on the trail as we approach. He slept there last night along with Jabba, Newton, Dip n Sip, Rosie, Shakespeare, Flo & others. Hagas mountain, West peak, Hay mountain had easier terrain to climb & descend. Really windy cold, fingers numb around trekking pole handles. Nose runny from cold air. In the middle of trail is basketball size rock with "K" and arrow pointing forward painted in white. Look forward I see my first in-person look at Mt Katahdin at a distance through opening in pines. Summit is to the right, long gradual ridge leads up to it from left. Awesome to see my destination, yet still a ways away. climb up White Cap mountain made easier with help of stone steps. Summit is great open view to east, hills & mountains, ponds too. All green & pristine, no roads, ski lanes, cabins, antenna toweres in sight, all natural so pretty. Around to the left is descent, north face of mountain thru alpine plants all colors growing over rock. Nice open views of Katahdin, a bit closer than earlier. Sun is to our back so great photo opportunity before dropping into trees again. Logan brook lean to for lunch, Jabba, Flo, Rosie there also. Down into spruce forest, so silent for long time, air was still, can only hear my steps & rustling of my clothes. Glances off to right & left in hope of moose encounter, no luck. Love the serene feeling walking thru this remote forest. Water is low at brook so no ford needed, only rock hop. After some hills reach Crawford pond beach, with nice view to the north, fine gravel shore, flat camp spots between shore & trail. Set up tent, took a quick dip on the cold water before starting dinner. After dark loons & owls call. Still Here shows up late, can hear him set tent and make dinner in dark. Signs that the summer is heading out and autumn in: Ferns are turning brown, young maple plants having red leaves, mushrooms turning soft & soggy, one mushroom i walked by had a haze of molds on it, i considered walking back to take a photo so i could put the caption "fungus on a fungus" then thought that was cheesy & probably needed a snack break. Temperature in general is getting cooler, getting noticeably darker earlier, Professor told me sun sets 3 minutes earlier everyday.
Date: 2013-09-10
From: Crawford pond beach

To: potaywadjo lean-to
Miles today: 14.4

9.10.13 Tuesday - day 163Crawford pond beach - Potaywadjo Spring lean-to14.4 miles - 7 hoursLoons calling all night, what a pleasant music to sleep to, woke up to owls cooing. Usual 6:30am start, flat fast easy terrain, joined up with Jabba at the Cooper Brook falls lean-to and continued on along the brook, reaching Jo-Mary road, 6.7 miles in 2.5 hours. Wilson been there half hour waiting for 9am food drop arranged with Buddy. 10 am, no Buddy yet, Grizzly, Professor, Peaches, MT all arrive waiting for food drop, sitting and lying down bridge side and at trail head, some in the sun to keep warm. Loggers drive by fast kicking up gravel dust. Around 11:15 Buddy finally shows up, he sent us text but we were unable to receive due to coverage. He had some problems last night & this morning to deal with. Delivered our food bags & brought bottled water & chocolates too. Anxious to see his family, Wilson took off quick, rest of us moved on as a group. Stream was low so we rock hop across. Sky gray, we do snack break at Potaywadjo Lean-to. Only 2:30pm, with threat of rain most decide to call it a day here to avoid setting carrying wet tent. I want to move on regardless of rain to set up shorter day tomorrow. I'm talked into staying, feeling tired, hungry, sore feet, numb toes, i was swayed easier than usual. Mama Goose arrives, fake crying, said glad to see us, she hiked all day without seeing anyone until now, joking she thought Armageddon happened & only she survive. That particular stretch can be very lonely or creepy if hiking alone, alot of very quiet spots & long pine forest. Early dinner & bed. From conversation i feel most are growing weary, anxious to be done with trail & go home. I made the comment 'one week from now we'll all be back home' & all seemed to light up at that reminder, understandable enough, i too look forward to finishing, but at the same time enjoy the experience, kinda hate for the good times to end too, just like a little kid wanting summer vacation to go on. Conversation also turned towards tomorrow being September 11 & what we were all doing 12 years ago when we learned of the attacks & all the craziness of that day. doesn't seem that long ago.All are in bed by 7pm, including Moose, Grazzelle, Brohawk who showed up later & pitched tents. At bedtime still no rain. We saw the finish line from White Cap the other day, we now know we are crossing that low lying forest leading up to the base of the mountain. A little more...