morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-19
From: Galehead Hut, NH

To: Motel in Gorham, NH
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

I woke up feeling like a was 100 years old and was very happy when "BlackFoot" woke up going, "OOHHH, I hurt". I knew if he hurt that It was OK for me to hurt. We woke up and got moving and I did my chore of defrosting the deep freeze while the female hut master stared at me working. We got going and more tortuous climbs over south and north Twin Mtns and them Mt Guyot. I had to take an 800 mg ibuprofen right away and I gave Blackfoot one too. I kind of was started feeling sorry for him. He was really longing for his blonde haired beauty; things at home were not going good for his family; he was wearing tennis shoes(a step up from hiking in Crocs!); he was missing his friend "Keymaster"; and the "Billville" cloud was taking its toll. I tried to help him the best I could; but, he seemed off in a distant world. We got to The Zealand Hut which is right next to the Zealand Falls which had a bunch of middle school kids swimming around. This hut has an Hydro-electric generator in the falls(no comment at this point). I bought myself and Blackfoot a never ending bowl of soup and bread and I got going. He was going to blue blaze to skip The Webster Cliff climb. Some rather portly day hikers said that all the NOBO's were skipping it. There is one thing that I am noticing this far up on the trail. Nearly everyone has skipped miles and miles of the trail. To each his own; but, that is not my hike: Just as Tom T Hall came to Nashville "to hang a gold one on the wall": Ive come on the AT to hang a 2000 miler certificate on the wall. No short cuts, no wish that I would have, or ill do it later for me; "time has come today"(Chamber's Bros.) Speaking of that, "Time waits for no man and it wont wait for me"(Rolling Stones); so, I said goodbye to Blackfoot, knowing it would be goodbye for good. I hate about a half mile tortuos descent down to an old railroad grade that went for about 5 miles out to US 302 and Crawford Notch. I could not believe it: flat ground! It was awesome, it was like walking on an escalator. Almost effortless, although I felt like a beat up hockey player. I want you all to know that I still really do not feel right after that Franconis Ridge Jaunt. It actually took something that will take weeks of Zeros to recoup; but, what a day. I was still in a daze thinking about the day before. When I got down to the road, their was "YDG". We went into Gorham and I lived like a king for a day; like my Stewart Ancestors.
Date: 2007-09-20
From: Motel in Gorham, NH

To: .1 north of the Saco River, NH
Miles today: 0.1

I started out about 3 pm getting ready to climb up Mt Webster, well as I crossed the bridge of the Saco River: I lost my "MOJO". I went down a trail to the west, a blue blaze; then according to White Mtn policy; I went 200 feet off of the trail and set up a "Cowboy" camp. The mosquitos were all over me; so, I set up my tent. I went to sleep right around dusk. I woke up with a big animal stomping about 5 feet from my tent and as I heard it stomping down the river valley; I heard off in the distance something grunting and moaning and coming my way. Now I have been in the southern woods most of my life and I have not heard such a commotion that was coming my way. The night before, I had watched SURVIVORMAN the night before an he gave a long speech about rutting moose and how dangerous they could be. I deduced that was a female moose that went by and now this male was coming to get her! So when the noise was about 20 yards from my tent; I hopped out; yelled; shined my light towards the noise and saw 4 eyes. It was two big old moose(mooses, miice, ?) looking at me. I was totally naked without shoes on. Then one of them started coming right at me and I went running down the hill. Thank goodness there was alot of leaves to cushion my jaunt. I did have a presence of mind to grab my camera. When I noticed that the big guy went on by; I turned around and tried to get a picture. I was too shook up. I could get it. I would be terrible in an ambush now. The other moose was still froze. He then went on about 5 feet from my tent. I listened as they moaned for their quarry and tore up the brush for a mile or so. I then layed down and hardly slept at all...
Date: 2007-09-21
From: .1 north of the Saco River, NH

To: Mizpah Hut, NH
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up late. I did not sleep well due to my Moose friends; but, woke up ready to climb up the 2800 feet in 6 miles to Mt Jackson. It was an all star climb. I did it non stop to the first overlook at The Webster Cliffs. I took picture after picture and even got a train going down through Crawford Notch. I then kept climbing 500 feet or so and would stop and try to keep my jaw from hitting the ground with the beauty.It was another beautiful day in the Whites. This is four in a row. The day went on with another climb up to a series of ledges that looked down upon Crawford Notch. It finally ended up at Mt Jackson, where I could see Mizpah Hut. I hike down to the hut and was surprised to see this hut with an all girl Croo with one guy. I really did not intend to stay here; but, their hospitality had me stop. This hut was run totally different than the other huts. A six foot red head gave atour of the facility where I learned that the huts were all powered by wind, solar, or hydro. Also that even though the huts had some wells as deep as 140 feet; the water still had to be treated due to the clean water act.I did some dishes and had to wait up in the library while the paying guests ate. I was reading a book on The Cohos or Cohoos Trail that goes from here to the canadian border; when hut girl Julia came in and talked with me for abut an hour while she nitted. It was very cool of her to make me feel at home.For my keep, I was able to give a speech about my thru hike. It was cool, I really enjoyed it and was givin a nice gratuity by a guest. There was one informational volunteer for the AMC who I overheard explaining to the guests that she thought that I was saving up my energy for one last push to Kathadin. Yeah, that's it....
Date: 2007-09-22
From: Mizpah Hut, NH

To: The Barn, Gorham, NH
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: fog

I woke up to Tina singing something. I cant remember. I then got going and just had one of the greatest hikes that I have ever had, again. I know that I have said that quit a bit lately; but, it is true. One day tops the next or at least equals it. This one was a gradual incline along a ridge that skirted Mt Eisenhower, Mt Clinton(no not that one), and Mt Franklin. It was all above treeline and the views were clear, except for the view towards Mt Washington, which was fogged in. I know it is corny; but, I started singing, GOD BLESS AMERICA. It was just incredible. Again another escalator walk. I then came to the Lake of The Clouds Hut. It was closed for the season; but, I just had to go take a look at the dungeon underneath. It is an emergency shelter. It looked like a dungeon. I then climbed up to Washington where I noticed that I was a thru hiker again. I just zipped right up the craggy boulder strewn slope passing day hikers who moved out of my way. The weather was pretty bad now with 50 mph winds and fog. I then saw the famous sign. This mountain has the worst weather in the world; turn back now if the weather is bad. I then looked over and saw a mom and dad with a baby in a backpack. I wanted to tell them to get the hell off of this mountain; but, they were already heading down. As I was climbing, I Saw Tom and Pat Cronin from the Mizpah Hut last night. They were really into my talk. I thought to myself that he needed a hat on and wondered later if he was any relation to Joe Cronin? Anyway, I got to the top on the Mt and the wind was blowing fierce with fog. No more hiking for me on my birthday and I took a 26 dollar ride down to Pinkham Notch and then hitched into Gorham, NH. I saw all kinds of hikers down here: "The 3 Hobbits" (who seemed happy to see me. These guys are really some good young men); "Keymaster"(I finally met her); and I looked across a parking lot and there was my old buddy "White Crow". I had not seen him since Duncannon, PA. I told him it was my birthday and him and I went to The Barn Hostel and drank some brews while watching some college football. He is such a funny guy and so sincere. "Grace" was also here. She was a section hiker that started in Harper's Ferry, WVA and was now going home. She had only taken two zero days since then, July 29th. Man, If I had that grit.
Date: 2007-09-27
From: Imp Shelter, NH

To: Trident Col Campsite, NH
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

This day is the 10th year anniversary of my divorce. It just came to me the other day, wow. Like the old PINK FLOYD line, "Then you find: ten years has got behind you." "CannonBall": I wanted to let you know that "BobCat" says that she does not remember meeting you and says the deer story was too long for her to tell, sorry. I woke up very late; surprise, surprise. The rain had seemingly passed and I was going to go deep into the night and try to get into Maine, man(pronounced like mane). I got going and was surprised that the trail to US 2, which goes into Gorham, was very easy and like a railroad grade down. I did the six miles or so to The Rattle River Shelter fairly quickly. I found 4 cans of tuna in The Imp Shelter(I really needed the protein) and found about 15 extra snacks in my pack(I had been eating at huts) and thought that I could skip Gorham for a resupply. At The Rattle River Shelter; I saw That "Pokey" had been through here just several days earlier. She is still finishing up her thru hike from last year. As I was getting ready to go; "Lentil"(NOBO) showed up. He was really cool and made me feel better about being on "the backend" of the thru hikers. I liked his spirit. He made me feel so good that I hiked deep into the night; hiking over Mt Hayes and Cascade Mt. It was very surreal with lightening flashing in the distant with some distant thunder and fog blowing around with a full moon bursting through here and there. It even occasionally, sprinkled with me praying that it would not rain harder. The tops of these mountains were a little different. The trail had worn down to a flat slab of bedrock with this blue spongy kind of moss growing on either side. I was surprised at how strong I was hiking. I could have hiked all night except, I was not coming across any water and I was parched. I was sweating so much that I had to find some water. The only water that I could find was down at Trident Col Campsite which was .1(or .2) off of the trail and by the tme I got there; gorged on water; and eaten a giant meal: I could tell it was getting ready to rain big time and I gave in and set up my tent(very securely).
Date: 2007-09-28
From: Trident Col Campsite, NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter, NH
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained quite a bit through the morning at early afternoon. When I thought it had finally ended; I got out of my tent and ate a big breakfeast and took about 2-3 hours to get all of my morning stuff done and pack up. Now, as much as I had it last night: I did not have it today. It was not a bad walk over to The Gentian Pond Shelter. And again, as I walked in, it began to rain. Inside were two section hikers named Greg(from PA) and Ken(from Mass). We talked quite a bit that I will talk about later. Greg gave me some sleep aid that was just dreamy, literally.......I was asleep a little after dark.
Date: 2007-09-30
From: Carlo Col Shelter, Maine

To: Speck Pond Shelter, Maine
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: clear sky

I woke up just after daylight and was hiking around 9am; I think. It was good thing. It was a tough day. I had to say goodbye to Greg and Ken; they were just going about 4 miles. I needed some more than that and I really wanted to finally do the "Hardest Mile" on the trail: Mahoosuc Notch. I went really hard and fast up to Full Goose Pond Mtn; crossing both Goose Eye Mountains and Mt carlo as well. I did not expect the beauty up here. The ridge is above treeline, for the most part, again today. It is just view, after view. I think that I am going to have to do this section again. I stopped over on Fulling Mill Mtn and ate some Grape Nuts. I am completely out of snacks and must do a full scale meal everytime I want to eat. This is kind of difficult as I need to eat about every hour to two. I said need; it is not a want anymore. I did descend down into Mahoosic Notch and it was everything it is said to be. Up over big boulders; down big boulders; and through holes in between. At the bottom of the Notch was a rotting Moose carcass, very stinky and alot of flys.To be honest; the Notch was nothing, but a "thru hiker thang". I was completely sweaty when done. I found a really nice "mother's milk" spring and drank my fill and filled my water bottles. I then was going to climb Mahoosuc Arm. I had a lawyer up on a mountain today, tell me that the arm was much tougher than the notch. It was the first I heard this. I was like, "how hard could it be, Im a thru hiker?" Let me tell ya: it was steep and just kept going and going and going and getting colder. I was cussing, just going #*!(&. It was just one long hike a piece of bedrock. I did all in one hump, though. I thought when I got to the top; Speck Pond Shelter would be close; Nope, about another mile. Which I did without stopping, as it was getting dark. I did get to the shelter and was all by myself and went to sleep pretty quick, yeah!
Date: 2007-10-02
From: Pine Ellis Hiking Lodge, Andover, Maine

To: Pine Ellis Hiking Lodge, Andover, Maine
Miles today: 0.5
Weather: overcast clouds

OK Folks, dont panic....my right knee is killing me and that is unusual. It has not ever hurt me before; so, I am making the risky decision to take a zero day. I dont think it is anything serious; just fatigue from all the nearly vertical ups and downs. It also helped me get my journal updated and write a parody song to Hank Williams Jr's: ALL MY ROWDY FRIENDS HAVE SETTLED DOWN.(its corny; but, I have been singing it)            All my hiking friends have settled down.All my hiking friends have settled down And they seem to be more into laid back songs   And nobody wants to get drunk and get loud                              Everybody just wants to go back homeI myself have seen my wilder days   And I have seen my name at the top of the page   But I need to find me a friend just to hike around   But nobody wants to get high on the town   And all my hiking friends have settled down¢¦(chorus)And I think I know what Hank SR meant      When he sang about a lost highway   And ole' "Pokey" I'm glad to see is finally getting straight   And "O.G.'s staying at home and loving Emily more these days   And nobody wants to get drunk and get loud   And all my hiking friends have settled downAnd the big miles hurt more than they used to   And crisp bread and Crystal Lite tea took the place of pills and 90-proof      And it seems like none of us do things quite like we used to do   And nobody wants to get high on the town   And all my hking friends have settled downAnd I think I know what my Hank Sr meant      When he sang about a lost highway   And "Mr Happy" don't act like he did back at mile 68   And Mo Lassus he is a teacher and he moved out to Californ-I-A   And nobody wants to get drunk and get loud   And all my hiking friends have settled down   Yea me and my hking friends done hiked on down
Date: 2007-10-03
From: Pine Ellis Hiking Lodge, Andover, Maine

To: Pine Ellis Hiking Lodge, Andover, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Right knee still hurting, again nothing serious. I just want to make sure I dont knock myself "off the trail" with only 250 miles to go. Recently, I have been thinking about "tools" that help hikers to finish a Thru hike. I know that I have not finished the trail; but, I have been watching hikers that have been successful with completing their thru hike. It is kind of like the 5 tools for successful baseball players:1)Hitting for power2)Hitting for average3)Running Speed4)Fielding5)And throwing arm The 5 tools for a successful thru hiker:1)Hiking for power: can you carry enough gear to eat enough and protect yourself from the elements. This is a very personal decision. Some hikers can do it with 12 pound packs and some need 75+2)Hiking miles in a day: can you hike enough miles a day to eventually get to the 2175 mile mark. Some can do 60+ and others can do only 5 miles. There are some days that you need to do your max for one reason or the other.3)Hiking miles per hour: the faster you can hike; the quicker you can get somewhere to get food, water, get out of the elements, or simply meet friends. Some can literally run 5 miles an hour and some can barely do 1 mile an hour. If your just a 1 mile an hour type; It will take you all day to get just about anywhere.4)Hiking days back to back: Can you string enough days together hiking to finish. Some take 4 or 5 zero days their whole trip. And some like myself; take months worth.5)Thru Hiker wherewithal: Do you have "the right stuff". Do you have enough money, time, family support, mental stability, significant other support, intestinal fortitude, ability to keep from getting injured or sick, flexibility to adapt, spartan like characteristics, luck, outdoorsmanship, goal drive, planning skills(tactician) & other intangibles to use tools 1-4 to hike 2175 miles.###obviously, this is a pradigm in progress; but, you see where I am going.
Date: 2007-10-05
From: Hall Mtn Lean-to, Maine

To: 1 mile south of Beamis Stream Trail, Maine
Miles today: 11.0

Woke up pretty late. To be honest, I was hoping that another thru hiker would show up and we could hike together. One did not show up; so, I got going. I had heard for days that Moody Mtn and Old Blue Mtn were tough climbs and descents; but, after that: "It was easy to Kathadin." I did not believe that. I have learned to ignore any trail difficulty updates, ever since people said that Va was flat. I got going and was totally impressed with how beautiful the foliage was. It is one thing to see the leaves from a car; but, to hike through them all day is awe inspiring. Moody Mtn was a tough climb as advertised. At the top, I met a couple from Cape Cod, Mass(The Cape, as they said). They were putting on clothes as I walked up; so, I walked a little past them and ate a snack. They soon came by. We talked for awhile and they went down the mountain. I soon made the descent myself. These steep descents down; were really testing my resolve. Climbing is pretty cool. It is just like an intense stair master excercise with a 40 pound pack; but, going down and I mean "climbing" down was just tearing my knees, shoulders, hands, elbows, and mind up. I know: "just do it, Zero!" I know, I know, I know. I got down to the bottom at South Arm Rd and then began the climb up Old Blue Mtn(1410 ft to 3600 in three miles). AsI was climbing, I met a thru hiker named "Blue". I had met him back at the Glencliff Hostel. He was slack packing and was going to go home in 2 or 3 days. He did not have "Caboosey"(female) with him. I guess she went home, too. Man, we are "dropping like flys." It was so warm today that I actually inhaled a few while I was doing my climbs. One actually got stuck in my wind pipe and it took me awhile to quite coughing or actually; it took me awhile to get some air to cough. I found a fairly good water source about 1 mile from the top of Old Blue and ate a good meal. I then finished the climb up to the top of Old Blue and saw a beautiful sunset; but, it was very windy and cold up here in The Krumholz zone. So, I did a very steep climb in the dark and it completely "shot" my motivation for this day. I also fell a couple of times. One fall was particularly violent and I laid in the middle of the trail for sometime; in the middle of the dark; and thought of a nice soft bed. I got up and hiked along a fairly wet and rugged ridge over to a nice spring, where I set up a little bed area out of the wind. I stared up at the stars through the "Christmas" trees and thought that at my present pace of 10 miles or less a day; I would be a Kathadin in November sometime. All I could do was just keep hiking, especially with the weather being so nice.
Date: 2007-10-06
From: 1 mile south of Beamis Stream Trail, Maine

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-To, Maine
Miles today: 10.0

I woke up in the late morning. I was happy that I did not get rained on or did not get stomped by a moose. I had a couple of good climbs over a couple peaks associated with Beamis Mtn. I kept thinking of this Irish brew called BEAMISH as I hiked. When I got up to the top of the second Beamis Peak; I looked out at many big ponds in the valleys and all of the foliage. Maine is just so beautiful; I cannot fathom people going home with this weather, beauty, and solitude. I am starting to think that Kathadin closing is a way to get people from noticing just how awesome Maine is(or can be) this time of year. The whole hiking experience is what is keeping me going. Enjoying hiking: that is what it is all about, right? As I descended down to Bemis Mtn Lean-To: I notcied that rain clouds were moving in. I needed to get down to the shelter and eat and drink some coffee pretty fast, if I was going to make some miles. As I was preparing my lunch; in came a southbound thru hiker named "PT". He was a man of color. The 3rd one of my hike; so that is 5,000 caucasions and 3 "brothers". We talked awhile. I tried to give him some pointers. I wanted to kind of size him up for winter hiking and for his diet. I asked him about protein. He said,"yeah, my oatmeal has about 2 or 3 grams." I said, "oh no, bro. Take this tuna pack and see how much better you feel. I hope he has a great thru hike. Man, the Whites, I told him that they made men and women of us all. I got going and it began to rain lightly as I descended down to Maine 17. I was surprised to see that this descent had some treeless areas and had some tough climbs. I guess that is how Maine is. I still would not want to do these mountains in the snow. I think you would have to have crampons. When I got down to ME 17; I heard all kinds of gunshots. It was hunting season and a little spooky. I then climbed up to a no name mtn that skirted several ponds. There was actually several flat spots along this section. It was nice to walk with a fairly level grade. As I got close to Sabbath Day Pond Lean-To it got dark and began to rain a little harder. When I walked up to the shelter. I heard several men singing the song, MY GIRL. Before I could get my dinner cooked: I had a cup of JAMESONS Irish whiskey; a tall boy Budweiser; and a fine cigar. We sang all types of songs. These guys were from Boston and actully knew alot of country songs. I was surprised. There was Craig and his son, Todd; Freddy; Al; and Kever. They were quite a hoot. Being Irish, I had to tell them a joke that Joe Green, "The Green Machine", had told me when I had hiked with him. An Irish girl goes to confession; Irish Girl: "Father, forgive me for I have sinned." Father: "What is it child?" Irish Girl: "I have Fornicated." Father: "Was it with your employer, Mr Mahoney?" Irish Girl: "Yes, Father" Father: "Was it against your will, child?" Irish Girl: "No Father, It was against the china cabinet and it was spectacular!"