morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-07
From: Speck Pond Shelter, ME

To: Surplus Pond, ME
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept in a little after yesterday's strenuous hike, up and waking around 6:15. Slowly I have noticed the days are getting a little shorter with less light in the early morning hours. I headed up to the Speck Mountain Peak to start the day, which was only a 500 ft ascent. The shelter that I stayed was located in a high notch between Mahoosuc Arm and the Speck Peak. Over night the air had turned much cooler and I was wearing my jacket as I climbed up to the peak. I have not worn a jacket since southern Virginia. On the way I ran into fellow thru hiker Winging-It camped out in his hammock. He was up preparing his pack to start the day. I reached the peak but it was in the clouds so no great views. Next it was a long 3000 ft descent over 4 miles to Grafton Notch. It was still early so I started the 3000 ft push up to Baldpate Mt.   Midway up the mountain I could hear the clap of thunder indicating an upcoming deluge. As it just so happened it was time for lunch and there was a shelter nearby (called a lean-to in Maine). I B-line to the shelter making it just as the rain let loose. I ate in comfort as the rain pattered on the metal shelter roof.   The rain lasted an hour or so. I packed up and hit the trail again heading to the peak. Baldpate peak was a bald rock with a slick green lichen surface (see photos). Again no views due to the clouds but an exciting climb none the less. It was not until I finally begun my descent that the clouds broke and I could catch the beautiful mountains of Maine (see photo). It was another downward slog 3000 ft to Dunn Notch and then I headed back up to my evening sleeping spot beside Surplus Lake. I had missed the rain all day until my last mile when a thunder storm popped up and dumped down on me. I set up my tent in the rain, unpacking my pack within my tent in an effort to keep things dry. I ate within my tent and settled in for the night. It was good to get in some longer mileage today after yesterday's strenuous but short mileage day. It is all good.
Date: 2014-08-08
From: Surplus Pond, ME

To: Bemis Stream, ME
Miles today: 20.6

During the night, a nearby moose repeatedly called out waking me a couple times in the early morning hours. They sound like a cross between an elk and an owl. It is an odd call... However it was my alarm that ultimately woke me to start the day's hike. Since my plan was to trek to Rangeley, ME in five days after leaving Gorham (averaging about 15.5 miles a day), I was behind making this happen due to the short mileage two days prior. To keep on pace, I decided today would be a long day with a goal to get within 15 or so miles from Rangeley. This would enable me to be in the town early afternoon the following day for clean up and resupply as planned. So I was up and on the trail by 6 am. Before leaving the pond I headed over to a spring for some water. As I did this I found an abandon fishing cabin beside the pond. All of the windows and doors were busted out but the inside appeared to be dry. I wish I had found this last night for shelter during the rain but such the tent worked as well. The cabin had an awesome view of the pond (see photo). I will dry out my stuff later in the day if the sun comes out, crossing my fingers. The first half of the day was spent hiking up and down over first Wyman Mt and then Moody Mt both requiring 1000 ft plus climbs and ascents. I reached a cross road and Black Brook (a lazy stream running beside the road) around lunch time. The sun had come out by then and I laid all my wet gear in the small parking area beside the road. There was lots of traffic on the little road with folks carrying kayaks, motor boats and camping trailers heading to the nearby lakes.   I left my gear and head back to the brook for a hiker bath. It was cold but felt great. All clean (well as clean as you can get in a stream), gear dry and tummy full it was time to push on for the second half of the day. So it was a 2000 ft climb to the top of Old Blue Mt. It was a tough climb but once on top there were some nice views (see photos). This was the highlight of the day. Then down I went to Bemis mountain. This mountain consisted of a number of small flat rocky surfaces with trees around the rocks. The trail made many turns essentially following the large flat rocks. Between the rocks there were often big puddles or muddy holes. So it was slosh, splash and rock hopping as I worked my way down the mountain. It was now late in the day and the sun began to set behind the trees (see photo). I finally reached Bemis Stream at dark. The stream was suppose to require fording but I found a fallen tree and managed to cross without getting my feet wet! I set up my tent in the dark, had a quick meal and settled in for the night. I was pleased I put in over 20 miles but it was tough taking over 12 hours hiking. However I was set up to make it to Rangeley tomorrow afternoon as planned.
Date: 2014-08-10
From: ME 4 - Rangeley, ME

To: Sluice Brook, ME
Miles today: 14.1

I had an awesome breakfast with eggs, bacon and lots of pancakes. I spent some time after breakfast organizing my pack and catching up on my journal. Since entering Maine I have not had good cell reception to be able to post the journal. Additionally I have been so tired after hiking each day I had fell behind. Heading out of Rangeley the trail heads up, up and away to Saddleback Mt. The shape of the mountain is unique with initially a steep climb but near the top the surface turns to smooth rock and the slope declines steadily. This results in the elusion you are about to reach the peak but when you get to the top of one rock you see there is still more mountain to climb. This continues for about a half mile until finally you see the peak marker and many hikers milling about taking in the 360 degree views. At the top of the mountain I ran into a number of fellow thru hikers slack packing. One of them was 50/50. We had not seen each other since PA. We visited while I ate my lunch which was cold pizza from last nights dinner. The rock face balds were the days highlight. They provided 360 degree views of the mountains, lakes and valleys. The balds consisted of Saddleback, The Horn and Saddleback Junior and between each bald the trail would typically descend a 1000 feet to a notch. So there were quite a few elevation changes but the trail was not as strenuous as the first few days in Maine. I have to say I was thankful for this as everything from knees down were beat up last week. I finished the day fording the small Oberton stream.... Well I kind of forded the stream. I was able to jump between rocks to keep my feet dry so it wasn't really fording. This is the second stream my AT guide book indicated I would need to ford but I managed to keep dry. There are still another six or seven streams ahead in the guide that require fording so one of these days I am going to have to lift the pack over my head and walk across a stream. I settled in for the night at a picturesque campsite about 500 feet above the Oberton stream. The site had a small waterfall and swimming hole and plenty of flat space to set up my tent. There were two section hikers (General Sherman and Art Rainbow) already set up at the site. I took a swim, tanked up with water and had dinner. From the location, I could also catch a glimpse of the sun setting behind the mountains. What a great way to end the day. It is all good.
Date: 2014-08-11
From: Sluice Brook, ME

To: Cranberry Stream Campsite
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

I was up early, as usual, looking to get an early jump on the day. Ahead of me was Lone Mt and then three 4000 footers; Spaulding Mt, Crocker South Mt and Crocker North Mt. So as it has been with much of Maine, I was in for some climbing and hopefully some great views. On my way up to Spaulding Mt I stopped for water and a short break. 50/50 appeared heading up the hill. He stopped briefly to let me know there was a big bunch of thru hikers (50/50, Acorn, Stitch, Murphy, Stack and Johawk) and more coming up the trail. When we reached the top of Spaulding Mt. everyone took a short break and I meet up with all of them. I had not seen Johawk since Damascus, Virginia. There was also a family (Momma Bear was the mother and Chef Farmer was the father, plus their three kids and dog) finishing their last section of the AT. They have been hiking the AT for the last four years. This year they will reach Katahdin.... What an accomplishment. What a crowd we were as we navigated over these mountains. There were a few tough spots (see photo) but overall the trail was so much tamer than the first week of Maine which meant we were all off to the races. Most of the crew were slack packing the section, getting picked up at ME 27 crossroad. They were psyched because finishing the day meant hot chow and showers. However a few of us (including me) pushed on for another two miles to a campsite beside Cranberry Stream. One nice part of the day was good cell phone coverage (a rarity in Maine) so I got calls from the family wishing me happy birthday. That meant a lot. Yes today was my birthday... My birthday present to myself was the 2000 mile marker located at the campsite (see photo). Now there is only 180 more miles to go! I am going make it....
Date: 2014-08-12
From: Cranberry Stream Campsite

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: light rain

I started my day around 5 am pulling down my bear bag and having some breakfast within my tent (essentially my version of breakfast in bed). This keeps you warm and the bugs off you while you eat. Five other thru hikers rolled in last night to the campsite and they also began stirring about the same time. I hit the trail by 6 am when it was light enough to see the trail (rocks, roots and mud). The hike started with a 3000 ft climb up Horn Mountain. It was steep but not as tough as the sections I encountered when I first entered Maine. There were rocks and roots as usual but there were no large sheer rock climbs where hand and feet climbing is required. These type of climbs eat into your daily mileage. Since there were none I made good time up the mountain. When I reached the top of Horn Mountain the morning views was excellent (see photo and video). The sun was breaking through the clouds and there were clouds below me within the valleys. There were also huge lakes located to the west of the mountain that glistened when the sum broke out of the clouds. So often you get rewarded by getting up on the mountain ridges early in the morning. After Horn Mountain, it was a 1000 ft descent and then back up again even higher to Bigelow Mountain. The tree line stops about 200 ft from the top of this 4000 ft peak providing 360 degree views of Horn Mt plus the next mountain I would summit, Avery Peak (see photos). From Avery Peak I watched the winds blow clouds between the peaks (see video). The clouds would jet past me picking up speed as they were forced up the mountain side (see video). Once over these peaks it was down another 2000 ft to a notch and back up again a 1000 ft to Little Bigelow Mt. This mountain had a long flat top. I stopped for lunch at a overlook that faced the mountains I had crossed (see photos). What a great place for lunch. I realized I had already completed 10 miles before noon and the remaining trail ahead was either down hill or flat. I determined that I could easily put in another 10 miles putting me in position to reach the Kennebec River before 4 pm where I will have to be ferried across. The ferry times are limited, ending at 4 pm each day. Once off the mountains there were a number of beautiful lakes the trail ran beside. I arrived around 5:30 at the shelter and availed my self of the nearby lake to clean up after a long day. Based on discussions with day hikers I talked to tomorrow promises some rain. So if I can make it across the Kennebec river and make it to Caratunk where I will stay the night and resupply I should miss much of the rain. Well that is what I hope....
Date: 2014-08-14
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Took a zero today... Just chilling out in Caratunk, allowing the rain to pass. A number of wet thru hikers checked into the B&B today. I will head out tomorrow at 6 am for a two day push to Monson, ME for a resupply prior to hitting the 100 mile wilderness (the last leg of my journey).
Date: 2014-08-15
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 27.7
Weather: broken clouds

It was a great day to hike with overcast sky's and cool air much of day. I was dropped off at the trail head at 6 am and off I went heading up to Pleasant Pond Mt. The trail was tame and the ascent gentle. Once on top I had great views of Moxie pond below and Moxie Mt beyond (see photos and video). I will hike across both hoping to make it to Moxie Mt Peak 9 miles away by lunch time. I headed down Pleasant Mt and thru hiker Winging-It came up behind me. Come to find out he had camped atop the mountain and I walked right passed him. He has a hammock and sets up just about anywhere....Much of the day we shadowed one another, sometimes he would be ahead and other times I was ahead. When we reached Moxie Mt. I had lunch and he visited while he picked blueberries which grow abundantly atop many of the Maine mountains. Once I completed lunch I headed down the mountain. The remainder of the hike to Monson was now generally flat with the trail following streams or skirting beside large ponds. There were three stream crossings (I.e., fords). The fords can be tricky since the streams were running hard from the recent rain. Additional the stream rocks are round, smooth and extremely slippery. However all three crossing when without a hitch.... I had tried crossing the first stream using some minimalist sandals I picked up in hopes of keeping my hiking shoes dry. What a mess that was... The sandals would fold back and come off my feet due to the strong current. It also took me way too long to cross the stream (over 10 minutes). So at the next stream crossing I simply hiked right through the waist deep water with my hiking shoes. Ahh this was much easier and extremely quick.   I will simply have to live with the wet shoes. I ran into Winging-It once again at the last of three stream fords. I also ran into Dragon Lady (thru hiker J5's wife) waiting for him at a gravel road crossing. With Dragon Lady's support and their 4-wheel drive truck, I think J5 may be able to slack pack much of the rest of the trail... He's a lucky man! Not having to haul a +25 lbs pack is a huge advantage. Dragon Lady gave me a cold soda which I gratefully accepted and downed in a quick minute. Around 6:30 in the evening I reached the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to. Winging-it was there but he planned to push on another 3 miles or so and camp out just after the last stream ford before Monson, ME. I was please with the ground I covered and decided to call it a day at the lean-to. At the lean-to there was a thru hiker that was doing a "flip-flop". He completed the trail going northbound up PA and then he traveled up to Mt Katahdin and began a southbound hike to the point he stopped. He wanted more solitude on the trail and this would definitely provide it. Tomorrow I have a short hike to Monson where I will resupply one last time for my hike through the 100 mile wilderness, the last leg of my AT thru hike!
Date: 2014-08-16
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 9.0

I was up early as is my norm. I had slept in the shelter last night being a bit lazy not feeling like setting up my tent after yesterday's long mileage. When I went to sleep there were only two of us in the shelter and only one tent set up nearby. When I awoke there was one other body sleeping in the shelter and a number of additional tents set up near the shelter. I did not even hear them roll in last night. It was a number of fellow thru hikers, Acorn, Stitch, Kick-a-Poo, Stark and Shake. They had also started at Caratunk yesterday also putting in a long day as I had. However, according to Acorn they got a late start so they did not roll into the lean-to until past 9:30 pm. Acorn was glad to hear they did not wake us up when they arrived. They tried to be as quite as possible. Thru hikers are very considerate folks! They continued to slumber as I headed out toward Monson. My first obstacle was the Piscataquis River, which I had to ford. I slowly sloshed through the river with my already wet shoes.   Similar to yesterday, I passed a number of beautiful ponds (see photo). In the mornings the ponds are so still, like glass with the reflection of the shoreline a perfect mirror. The trail was a mess with lots of water, mud and rocks making the push north slow going (see photo). I reached the cross road to Monson around 10 am looking forward to getting a shower and taking off my wet shoes. Wet feet are one of things you simply have to deal with when hiking the trail, but it definitely sucks. I was greeted at the cross road by a smile, homemade chocolate chip cookies and a diet coke... My mother is great and I have to admit that I am a bit spoiled with her support along the trail. We stayed at the Lakeshore Lodge and Pub which is one of the two hiker hangouts in town. I cleaned up and then we hit the pub for lunch. Later that day a number of fellow thru hikers (50/50, Murphy, Johawk, J5 and others) rolled into the lodge. Rain began to fall mid day and all were happy to have a roof overhead. The forecast called for rain much of the night subsiding midday tomorrow. I will head out tomorrow midday in hopes of missing much of the rain. However the trail will be wet and there are three more stream fords coming out of Monson so wet feet will be the order of the day yet again. Robin come up on his motorcycle late day and we all went out to dinner in the nearby scenic town of Greenville. On our way out we took Winging-it back to the trailhead. He was going to get 10 miles in this evening. He is going to attempt to complete the 100 mile wilderness in 4 days hoping to complete the trail and make it to an upcoming family wedding. I wished him good luck. It was good hiking with him over the last two weeks.
Date: 2014-08-17
From: Monson, ME

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

I hit the trail around noon after enjoying a morning visiting with my mother and Robin. All night it had rained and the forecast showed it lightening up as the day went on. However as I headed out I had to wear my poncho. The trail out of Monson consists of many small 100-200 ft ascents and descent as it passed ponds and beside streams. This is the start of the 100 mile wilderness which is a section of trail with limited access and no towns. As I entered the woods there is a warning sign (see photo) indicating what is ahead of you and the recommended preparations. I was not concerned since I have been regularly doing 100 mile sections without resupply. So this section would not be any difference. A few miles up the trail I ran into Murphy, Johawk and 50/50. I hiked with them for about two hours until they reached their stopping point for the day. Together we forded two streams which were swollen from the rain. Both streams had ropes running across assisting with the crossing. At the second crossing the rope was very high and tight so to help them get ahold of the rope I pulled the rope down on the stream bank where we started the ford. However when it was my turn I entered the water and quickly realized I could not reach the rope. I should have entered with the rope in hand but it was too late and I was not going to try to get out of the of the stream an reenter. So off I went though very slowly (see photo). I crossed without incident and off we went to the next ford. We arrived at Wilson Valley Lean-to around 6 pm about 10 miles from Monson. This was going to be their stopping point for the evening. I said my goodbyes and I went on another 5 miles to the next shelter having to ford one more stream on the way. I arrived at the lean-to I planned to stay at around 8 pm. When I arrived a southbound section hiker was the only one at the lean-to. However he had spread his gear out everywhere giving the appearance there were many more people there. He apologized for the mess and made some room for me to settle in. He some how had gotten all his gear soaked from the rain. Initially thought he had fallen into one of the streams. He worked for over two hours starting a fire to try to dry his boots out. I let him know this was futile because within the first 1/2 hr of his hike tomorrow he will have to ford a stream. So his boots will be good and wet again tomorrow. Wet feet is just the way it is in Maine and there is not much you can do about it. I settled in for the night pleased with my progress today considering I started midday. I have 4-5 days ahead of me to make it through the 100 mile wilderness.
Date: 2014-08-18
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to, ME

To: Carl Newhall Lean-to, ME
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: moderate rain

As I woke I could hear the pitter patter of rain on the lean-to's metal roof.... Argh... More rain. The rain was suppose to clear up late yesterday but it is back again. My shoes and socks are still wet so no big deal... I was out of the lean-to and on the trail by 6:30 am. The next two days of the wilderness consist to two distinct mountain ranges. Today it is the Barren Mt and Chairback Mt range consisting of five peaks with many elevation changes. There were also a number of steep rock formations to navigate bring flashbacks of my first week in Maine. It was strenuous but not over the top.   Unfortunately the peaks did not provide many views with the exception of Chairback Mt, the last peak on the range (see photo). The view from the mountain and the appearance of the sun were the highlights of the day. It is amazing how the sun on your face boosts the spirits.   During the trek over the mountains I ended up shadowing a couple of other thru hikers, including Speedy G, Mayonnaise Pocket, Acorn, Shake and Stark. We all ended up at the same lean-to for lunch. Everyone was trying to dry out their feet during the lunch break. It was funny as the conversation shifted to how utterly tough and uncomfortable it was to put on cold wet socks and shoes. All of us have been walking in wet shoes and socks for over 5 days. One of the younger hikers mentioned this would be like the worst punishment and another said wearing wet socks would be how he would punish his kids when they got in trouble. Another young hiker chimed in and said he would keep the wet socks in the refrigerator as the ultimate punishment.   We were all laughing. Yes instead of your dad saying don't make me pull this belt off, he would say don't make pull out the wet socks because you know I will and make you wear them... Too funny. The things you think about when you have too much time on your hands or maybe too much hiking makes you daff :-). I pushed on down the ridge and across one more stream ford before reaching the Carl Newhall Lean-to and campsite.   As I approached the campsite area which resided beside a beaver pond and brook, the sun was just starting to set behind the nearby hills (see photo). It was a great day of hiking and I set up in the campsite area. As I set up my tent I was visited by a rabbit who seemed to have no fear of people. It hung out about 5 feet from me eating and watching my progress (see photo). Many of the other thru hikers that I had run into earlier in the day started rolling into the lean-to as the sun set. It was a great day with good mileage considering the terrain I crossed plus the appearance of the sun really helped. Maybe tomorrow, if the sun is out, I will get the opportunity to dry out my shoes. Oh that would feel so good. It is the simple things you appreciate the most on the trail!