morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-06
From: Crawford Notch (US 302)

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 122 I'm now at Mizpah Springs Hut, 5.7 miles above the starting point, having lunch and a break. It is mostly cloudy, but the sun comes out periodically. I've already climbed 2500 feet, and the Trail is like previous days...some extremely steep, rocky uphills and downhills...enough to really slow you down. Met Tom, a thru-hiker whom I have been following since Springer. He is from NJ, a retired pilot, about my age. Reminds me of John McKee in appearance. Arrived at Lake of the Clouds Hut about 3:30PM. The walk from Mizpah Springs to here was almost all above the tree line and very rocky. Like 2 days ago, the scenery is spectacular...practically unlimited vistas for miles in all directions. I'm staying in an aptly named room here...the Dungeon. It is a small basement room, dark, cold, windy, with rock or block walls. It has two triple bunks and about 6'x6' of additional floor space...very cramped. The cost is $8, which also includes use of the restrooms and water. I can also "hang out" in the dining room until the paying guests are served dinner. I also have availed myself of the bottomless cup of coffee or cocoa ($1) and the bottomless bowl of soup ($2). Plus, I used the Hut's hot water to fix my pasta/freeze dried chicken dinner in their bowl with their spoon...so I don't have to wash my own dishes. A pretty good deal, except for the grave-like sleeping conditions. But it's part of Trail tradition. This hut will accommodate a lot of guests, and it looks like it will near capacity tonight. Even though it is above tree-line (the only AMC hut that is), it is less than two miles from the summit of Mt. Washington, where a road and a coal fired cog railroad terminate. So it is fairly easily accessible to lots of people. I'm going to sit here in the dining room and look out the windows until dinner is served. The alternatives are to go down to the Dungeon (outside entrance only, by the way) or go outside and stand in the cold wind (20 to 40 knots).
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: fog

Day 123 I slept pretty well considering the circumstances. The Dungeon is immediately under the dining room, where somebody started playing a guitar and others joined in singing and tapping their feet on the floor. This went on for an hour or so. Got out at 6:15 AM and climbed Mt. Washington in the clouds and wind (1.4 miles). By the time I reached the summit the clouds had dissipated above, so I was in sunshine but couldn't see down the mountain. I believe that will be the last time the Trail goes above 6,000 feet. Walked above treeline all the way to Madison Spring hut, where I am now writing. The Trail was almost entirely rocks, some okay but mostly slow and difficult. At the hut I bought a "bottomless" bowl of veggie beef soup (had 2 big bowlsful) and 2 leftover toffee bars...for $3. Also ate some of my own food, to reduce the weight. Have 7.7 miles to Pinkham Notch, which I hope to reach by 5 PM. There's a bunkroom, dining hall, and mail and a new backband (I hope). Weather is great, so far. Partly sunny, partly cloudy, entirely windy, but no rain in the forecast. 9 PM at the Pinkham Notch Lodge: If anyone ever gives you the choice of climbing up, over, and back down Mt. Madison OR kissing a mule every day for the rest of your life, pucker up. What a rocky, windy, dangerous climb! Here's the profile...a bumpy inverted capital letter V. The weather was clear all day, thankfully. I cannot imagine crossing those peaks above the treeline in the clouds or fog, especially alone. Future hikers, don't do it. The afternoon hike was long, but I got in about 5:10 PM, plenty of time to shower, get my maildrops, and eat at the Friday buffet. Breakfast is also included in the price, so I get another meal that somebody else cooks. This lodge is more like a very nice hostel...four bunk beds per room, common bathroom and showers (one for men, one for women), and a couple of living rooms/meeting rooms for small conferences or groups. The beds have sheets and a pillow. The other three bunks in my room are still empty but reserved for the night. When they walk in tonight, they'll smell my dirty clothes and think something died in here. Tom and I are at the lodge; Two Shoes and Restless are tenting nearby; and Messenger is hanging around, hoping to stealth-sleep in the Visitor Center basement (without charge). My backband has not arrived yet...UPS is very late.
Date: 2006-07-08
From: Pinkham Notch

To: IMP Tentsite
Miles today: 13.2

Day 124 The UPS guy finally arrived last night, with my mesh backband...I slept well knowing it was here. After a huge breakfast at the restaurant I put on the new band, threw the old one away, and headed out. Again, the weather is beautiful this morning...sunny and clear. I really hope this weather lasts at least through the Whites. By the way, I received the goodies from MDM. Thanks! I also sent home my stove, fuel bottle, and cookkit, saving weight and bulk. I'll let you know how this works out. I am writing from a flat rock overlooking the Pinkham Notch, the highway is the valley, and "underlooking" Mt. Washington. Great place for a water break. Noon at Carter Notch Hut...stopped in for a lunch break. Got to use a nice privy, get hot water for a meat/veggie meal, use the hut's spoon and bowl, refill water bottles, and rest my feet. Oh, almost forgot...also got 2 big chocolate chip cookies...all for a buck. This hut does not provide meals to guests. Kitchen is available for use, but you bring your own food and wash your own dishes. Have done a very steep uphill and a steep downhill already today. Handled them both pretty well. Met a SOBO named "Book" who now lives in Lawrenceburg, TN. Nighttime in a shelter at IMP campsite: the Trail did not go above the treeline today, but it was still rugged. Some very strenuous climbs and descents. Spent almost 11 hours on the Trail to cover just over 13 miles. This tent area has several weekenders and 2 thru-hikers, Tom and I. The other three guys have apparently gone on to a shelter closer to Gorham. HIKER REPORT: Met several SOBO's, including Carlos, Hansel, and Chunky, who is from Birmingham, AL and was in the same Scout Troop with Snake. Also met a father/son who were my roommates last night at Pinkham Notch lodge. Weather continued to be great. Hope it doesn't end.
Date: 2006-07-09
From: IMP Tentsite

To: US 2/ Gorham, NH
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: broken clouds

Day 125 During the night, I had an encounter with a critter (mouse,chipmunk, or squirrel) that got in my pack and was enjoying some gorp. Ran it off and packed my stuff up tighter. Got away early (6:15 AM), in a hurry to get to town. Some steep and rocky climbing early, then a nice, walkable trail to the road. After a half-hour, got a ride with a nice couple from Toronto. Oh, Canada! On the way down I met several weekend hikers and southbounders, including Cletus and Sheepfrog, from Western MD. I'm staying at a hostel called "The Barn", an adjunct to a bed and breakfast in downtown Gorham. It is rough, like an old wooden garage or workshop, but has a washer/dryer, refrigerator, microwave, stove, table, tv, chairs, and shower. The sleeping is in the loft, on mattresses with sheets and pillows. Some mattresses are on bedframes, some on the floor. Here are Two Shoes, Restless, Messenger, Tom, me, and Chunky, who is a SOBO from Birmingham. I needed this nero day badly; I am really tired from the last few days in the Whites. I need a break. I was walking today for the Contemporary Service at Munsey Memorial UMC, which I hope to attend in 3 weeks. I am also walking for Two Shoe's father, who is battling cancer in his hip. Apparently he is in the late stages. He needs prayers. Another milestone was passed today...less than 300 miles to go. Tomorrow I go into Maine, the 14th state and last state on the AT. I am ready for it to be over. I want to go home. Three more NOBO's just walked in...Soeur Hawk, 007, and Furious. I had met 007 and Furious earlier but don't remember where. I had met Souer Hawk several times, including on the top of Unaka Mountain.
Date: 2006-07-10
From: US 2/ Gorham, NH

To: Carlo COL Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Day 126 We were up and out early, around 5:30AM. Golden Waldo (an older guy who lives in Gorham in the summer and shuttles hikers) drove by and picked us up, so we were on the AT by 5:45. Trail is marginally better than previous days...still lots of rocks and roots, but more trail is quasi-level. Walked part of morning with Tom; we flip-flopped several times. Heard thunder for about an hour, but it stayed south of us. Sky is sunny but very hazy. Thunderstorm will probably return this PM. 5.2 miles to next shelter, but Tom says it is rough climbing. The temperature and humidity are high, so the bugs are out in full force. Five reasons why today was crummy: 1) It was muggy. 2) It was buggy. 3) I scraped my right elbow, after it was almost healed. 4) The new backband is already tearing. 5) The side trail to this shelter is long and rocky. Five reasons why today was good: 1) The thunderstorms went somewhere else. 2) We made good mileage...17 miles. 3) I got into camp at a decent hour...4:45PM. 4) Some of the trail was actually decent to walk on. 5) Entered into Maine...the last state! NATURE REPORT: Stayed below treeline except for the very top of Success Mountain. Saw lots of moose scat but no moose. Saw one snake and one grouse, which fluttered a few feet then lit, several times. Might have been a female trying to decoy us away from a nest. Tomorrow is supposed to be one of the hardest days of the entire trip. We'll have several very steep ascents and descents and cross through Mahoosuc Notch, which is legendary for the house-sized boulders. It seems like every day brings a new, harder challenge, and somehow I keep meeting them. I think after tomorrow I really will realize that I'm going to finish on Katahdin. Up to now it's been just a nebulous future target, talked about but not really visualized. Tonight at this shelter are Tom, Restless, Two Shoes, Messenger, me, and 2 sisters who are section hiking SOBO. Other section hikers are tenting.
Date: 2006-07-11
From: Carlo COL Shelter

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light rain

Day 127   Day started badly... a grommet pulled loose in the new boots. They lasted a grand total of 92 miles. Garmont boots are unreliable! The warnings about this being a tough 10 miles were not idle threats. The legendary Mahoosuc Notch is a deep, long, narrow gap between two steep ridges. I had envisioned it as an open boulder field, but many fir and birch trees grow in the gap, too. But the rocks are real! It took me about an hour and a half to go 0.9 miles...squirming, straining, reaching, grunting, slipping, falling, scraping, and jumping. I started with Tom but he soon left me behind. To top it off, we started the Notch in a thunderstorm. The rain helped slicken the boulders, but the lightning wasn't a threat. It couldn't have gotten to us without hitting something else first. The floor of the Notch is so protected from sunlight that ice was still visible in several places. To get through one section, I had to take off my pack and shove it ahead of me. To top it off, after finally getting through the Notch, the Trail goes up 1,500 feet in a mile and a half...steep and rocky and punishing the entire way. I reached Speck Pond shelter about 2:30PM and decided to stay for the night. Apparently, Restless, Two Shoes, and Messenger went on to the next shelter, so that the hike to Andover tomorrow will be shorter. I would love to get into town early, too, but I am just too tired and not willing to push myself that hard, risking injury. Besides, the thunder is calling again, so another storm is possible. I'll try to get out real early tomorrow morning. On the gear front, things continue to break down fast. When I got to camp and took off my boots, I noticed that a grommet on the right boot had pulled loose during the day...a matched set now. I intend to wear these to Katahdin and insist on a refund from Garmont. The outfitter in Gorham said there were no more outfitters along the Trail in Maine, and I'm sure as heck not walking back to Lahout's in Lincoln, NH, for a refund. Besides, another pair is likely to fail just like these did. Besides the boots, my platypus water bag has sprung a leak, so it is now junk. What's next?     Supper tonight was ham and asparagus freeze dried...reconstituted in a ziplock with cold water. I ate till I was stuffed;I'm ready for something different. At this shelter with campsite are Tom, the two sisters from Carlo Col Shelter last night, a bunch of 14 year old girls with two college counselors from an outdoor adventure school, and me. The girls are tenting, and the counselors are staying in the shelter. It rained off and on all afternoon, but some blue sky is showing through now.
Date: 2006-07-12
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: East B Hill Road (Andover, ME)
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 128 Got up early (4:30AM) to get an early start on Andover and the post office. The first 1.1 miles were steep uphill to Speck Mountain, then a pretty modest downhill (3.8 miles) to the Grafton Notch Road. Left Tom there, hitchhiking to Bethel, ME. Climbed up to Bald Pate Shelter for lunch. Met Easy Rider, a SOBO thru-hiker from Clayton, GA. Weather is mostly cloudy, mild. TRAIL REPORT for the past 2 days: The Mahoosuc Notch and M. Arm were the dominant feautres, but some parts of the Trail were actually quite scenic, interesting, and enjoyable. These were high meadows or shrub balds, where the soil was too thin to support tall trees. Also, several segments were flat, exposed rock with occasional moss, heather, or scrub trees. These were especially interesting because they were relatively easy to walk on. The summit of Bald Pate Mountain was the most dramatic example of this setting. Got to the road (East B Hill) at 3:30PM and got a ride by 3:45PM on the 3rd vehicle to pass. My boxes and mail were all in, so I am gorging on homemade peanut butter cookies from Mary Dew. The postal clerk in Andover let me use her phone to call "The Cabin", a local hiker hostel, where I am now. Great place...free shower, laundry, internet, and shuttle to Trail. An AYCE dinner and breakfast are available for a fee. I opted for the food. I am the only NOBO here. Three SOBO's are Blackfly(a girl from DC), Ketchup, and Heavy Foot, who are friends from SW Mass. Also here is Dave ?, or D-Man, who is an older guy trying to get to a section he is responsible for maintaining. He's been taking chemo, which has slowed him down considerably. The proprietors are Bear and Honey, section hikers and folks who really enjoy hosting hikers. Talked to Jane, always the highlight of the day, did laundry, took a shower, and ate 3 normal dinners. Ready for bed. Supper tonight was terrific...made-from-scratch chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls, strawberry shortcaake. The host said they needed the counter space and would I help him with a bottle of white wine? How could I refuse? I saw in the hostel log that Fruity Pie had stayed there and taken a zero. I think Bear might have taken her to a doctor. She had looked really physically and mentally exhausted; near a breakdown. Apparently she is rejuvenated...I'm glad. Bear is suggesting that I slack pack tomorrow and stay here again. Intriguing.
Date: 2006-07-13
From: East B Hill Road (Andover, ME)

To: South Arm Road(Andover, ME)
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 129 The rain fell all night, which helped convince me to slack pack a ten-mile day instead of trying to do 17 or 18 miles. The main drawback to slackpacking is that it will put me back about half a day, although I might be able to make it up later. Also, this way I can have a shorted day into Rangeley and will arrive in Stratton on a weekday, not Sunday. I have a maildrop in Stratton, so not getting there on Sunday might give me back my half day. The benefits of slackpacking may sound like I'm rationalizing, and maybe I am. I get to shower 2 nights in a row; I get to eat another great supper and breakfast; I mail out my own boxes; I can talk with Jane again. Mostly I can rest a little more without doing a complete zero. 3 PM back at The Cabin: The walking went well, aided by a much lighter pack. Today was 10 fewer miles that the pack won't have to carry a full load. Maybe it needed a rest, too. Weather was mostly sunny all day, and surprisingly bug-free. The main feature on the Trail was Moody Mountain, which is appropriately named because it is physically imposing, difficult to conquer, and thinning on top. I was at the road pick-up point at 1:45PM, so I can enjoy several hours of physical rest. Two SOBO's are here, Marathon from Morristown,TN, and Phil J. from Rhode Island, two young guys. Nice to have someone around who knows where Johnson City is.
Date: 2006-07-14
From: South Arm Road(Andover, ME)

To: Maine Rt.17 (Andover, ME)
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: few clouds

Day 130 Slept well and had a great breakfast...3 egg omelet(do-it-yourself), OJ, coffee, fried potatoes, biscuits, bacon, blueberry pancakes, and cantaloupe. Bear shuttled Marathon, Phil J., and me to the Trailhead on South Arm Road, where they headed south and I north. My goal is 13 miles to Rt.17, where Ram Bunny will pick me up and shuttle me back to The Cabin. She is staying at The Cabin and helping this summer. I found out she is a licensed beautician, so I got her to cut my shaggy hair yesterday. Weather is sunny but with some haze. This entry is being written from a small clearing looking down and out over the road we came up on...beautiful view of mountains, river, road, valley, and a lake in the distance. I've climbed 900 feet and a lot more to go today. Onward and upward! 12:30 PM at Bemis Mountain Lean-to: Good weather continues. The walking is sometimes slow and steep and rocky or boggy, but overall not too bad at all. I followed moose tracks for about 2 miles on the Trail but he got off before I could catch up for a view. Guess he was section hiking. Also saw a section hiking grouse; it waddled/ran/flew up the Trail ahead of me for several yards before finally veering off into the woods. To add to the nature report, for the last two or three mornings I've seen several spider webs with dew catching the morning sun. It's amazing that something so common as a spider could create something so uncommonly intricate and beautiful. 4:30PM at The Cabin: The hike today went well...some steep ups and downs, but a lot of nice open areas on exposed flat rock...similar to Bald Pate Mountain. Met a bunch of SOBO's, too many to remember all their names. Blondie, LOLO, and Blind Monkey were some. We had heard that the Trail maintenance in Maine was inferior to NH, where the AMC was responsible. I didn't find that to be the case at all. The white blazes and cairns were easy to find and easy to follow...thanks to the MATC for the work. Post-supper: This place is almost full with 5 SOBO's, 3 NOBO's (Yahtzee, Furious, and me), and 3 section hikers from Boston coming in late. Dinner was excellent again...Sheperd's Pie, corn on the cob, salad. Last night was spaghetti. Both nights I was the last to leave the table...everyone else finishes and I'm still chowing down. Tomorrow I'm walking from ME 17 to Rangeley, slackpacking again. Margie Towne(Honey) is going to drop me off at the Trailhead on Rt. 17 and my pack off at the Gull Pond hostel in Rangeley. I'll carry a small day pack for the 13 miles. I could really get used to this slackpacking!
Date: 2006-07-15
From: Maine Rt.17 (Andover, ME)

To: ME Rt.4 (Rangeley,ME)
Miles today: 13.1

Day 131 The day started great with another huge hiker breakfast...omelets, hash browns, pancakes, biscuits,etc. Margie (aka Honey) drove me to the Trailhead on ME Rt. 17 where I started a 13 mile slack to Rangeley; she is dropping off my big pack at the hostel there. This trail is relatively easy; I'm at Sabbath Day Pond shelter, 3.8 miles in 1 hour and 35 minutes. Saw my first moose on the car trip up here; Honey stopped so I could get out and take a few pictures. Have passed several beautiful ponds...could be movie sets for ON GOLDEN POND. Bugs are active; no wind. Mostly cloudy, warm, and humid. Two SOBO hikers are here, Two Step and Lumps, a married couple from Greenville, SC. They went to school at Bryan College in Dayton and are friends with Jana who works at the JC Starbucks. 4:30PM at Gull Pond Lodge(hostel)...The last two-thirds...relatively flat but not smooth...lots of rocks, roots, and mudholes. Also, the bugs loved the humidity and calm air...and me. I got to the Trailhead at 1:30PM (6 hours for 13.1 miles), but hitching was slow. A drummer in a band from Portland, ME, picked me up and took me to the edge of town, the IGA Supermarket. We tried to call the hostel from his cell phone and from the store, but it was busy. I hitched into town, tried calling again(with the same result), and tried hitching out to the lodge. Finally a guy picked me up and brought me right to the door, where the owner, Dave, insisted that his phone was working properly. It was really frustrating to do good time on the Trail, then waste 2 1/2 hours getting to the hostel. This place is smaller and less well-equiped than The Cabin. The price of $20 includes bed, shower, kitchen privileges, and breakfast, but a shuttle back to the Trail is another $12. Overall, The Cabin is a much more hiker-friendly place. This lodge houses two large dogs, and it smells like it. NATURE REPORT: Flushed 3 grouse in quick succession and saw lots of moose tracks on the Trail, but the only moose I saw was on the road. Two section hikers are here, a brother and sister from Michigan. Two Shoes and Restless were here last night, but not Messenger. Two nights ago a hiker named Tim Stewart ( Mt. Squid) from Johnson City stayed here. Haven't met him on the Trail. Hope to get up and out early enough to be walking by 7 AM. Tomorrow night will be the first night in a shelter after 4 nights in hostels. I have mixed feelings about that...more miles vs. more comfort.
Date: 2006-07-16
From: ME Rt.4 (Rangeley,ME)

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

Day 132 Got up and out pretty early. Bob got me to the Trail head by 6:30AM. Main features today (so far, anyway) were Saddleback Mountain and 2 or 3 auxiliaries. These are above the tree line and quite spectacular, similar to Bald Pate Mountain or even Franconia Ridge. The setting is a rock garden, mostly on flat, exposed rock, interspersed with ground cover, low shrubs, and bonsai fir trees. It was foggy and windy when I first got up to elevation but cleared up soon for some great views. Supposedly one can see Mt. Katahdin from there on a clear day, but I couldn't...too hazy. Weather so far is sunny, clear, warm. Have met 4 section hikers and one SOBO, Matt from Philly. 8PM in the Shelter: This afternoon had one long, hard uphill, one long,hard downhill, and some fairly modest grades, but with lots of roots and rocks. I covered 18.7 miles in 11 hours and 10 minutes total (including food/water breaks), which makes me feel like I accomplished a good day. Weather stayed sunny all afternoon, but not enough breeze to discourage all the bugs. Met several other SOBO section hikers this afternoon, two of which were swimming in a big creek when I crossed...looked inviting. I was the only one at the shelter for a while, then Silver Toe came in. He is section hiking to Gorham,NH, and is an architect in D.C., formerly in Asheville. Saw 3 snakes and a bunch of toads on the Trail. Updated my timetable, and it looks like I will summit on Friday or Saturday, 28 or 29 July, depending on weather. Less than two weeks to go...hard to believe I only have 200 miles to go. I wonder what I'll be thinking when I actually get to the top of Katahdin.