morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-30
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Stream Notrh of Mahoosuc Notch
Miles today: 11.8

Up and gone a little late this morning. I was back on the trail by 9:30. It was one of those lazy mornings when I did not rush to do hardly anything. Most of the hikers were gone long before me.    I had to go up and over Mount Success (3565 feet), the last big one before we left the state of New Hampshire. As I was about to cross over into Maine I ran in to a south bounder who had probably the worst attitude of anyone I met on the trail. She was obviously not having a good time at all. When I mentioned the fact that she must be glad that she was done with Maine. She looked at me and said that I was lucky, she had to go 280 miles to get to the border, and that I only had to go 160 miles (the length on New Hampshire). I was puzzled with that and said right back at her, "I don't know what you are talking about, I had to go 1890 miles to get here, the entire length of the AT". Many other hikers, later on up the trail, talked about this hiker. All agree that she needed to either "get a grip" and start enjoying the trail or simply "go home".   At 12:30 I crossed into Maine. Thirteen states done and only one to go. It was such a good feeling to finally be here. I was hiking with Ug, Professor Nut Bag and Low Bridge at the time. Ug was wearing a skirt and I watched him slip on the face of a rock and slide all the way down on his butt. He was going commando at the time and he really got a good road rash out of it. I gave him a couple of the baby wipes I carried to clean himself up with, he was a bloody mess.   I moved on to Full Goose Shelter and Campsite. It looked like it was going to start to rain and moving on was an easy decision (plus the shelter was packed). The Mahoosuc Notch was just over a mile away and I had time left to get it done. Just as I was about to enter I came upon the Hemlock Muppets. We all walked through it together. I actually had a good time going over the boulders. It was a little over a mile worth of scrambling, up, over, under and through the rock field to get to the other side (what a great place). Once at the end of the Notch it was getting dark and the skies looked like they were about to open up.    I set up my tent and went back to the stream I crossed over to get water. The Muppets were set up near the stream along with Protieus. We sat and talked for a while before it started to sprinkle. I made my way back and settled in just as it really started to pour. It rained hard all night long. Katrina was dumping water on us all by the buckets full. I was glad I was through the notch doing it while it was dry. I figured this day not only did I cross into Maine, I passed the 1900 mile mark.
Date: 2005-08-31
From: Stream Notrh of Mahoosuc Notch

To: zero in the woods
Miles today: 0.0

Up early in the morning before daylight. It rained hard all night long and was still raining when I got out of the tent. I started my normal routine of heating water for breakfast when the rain fell even harder. It literally forced me to seek cover in my tent (I was soaked within minutes). I decided to wait in my tent to see if the rain would let up.   While I waited I figured I would plan the link up at Katahdin with my friend Brian. Once again he needed only a five day notice to be available to pick me up when the hike was through. Looking at the guide book I figured I would first call him just before entering the 100 mile wilderness (in Monson, ME). Then I would give him my estimated time of completion and include an extra day (in case the weather would not permit a summit). Here was my phone call plan, it was a rough plan but, it was doable.   Monson, 114.5 miles out, 7/10 days plus a summit   Mahar Tote Road, 45.9 miles out, 3/5 days plus summit   Abol Bridge, 15.1 miles out, 1 night left plus summit   I tried to get out of the tent a number of times that morning (the next shelter was 9 miles away). Each time either the rain or the water falling from the trees would send me back to the tent. At around 4 PM I finally realized that I was going to go nowhere that day. I inadvertently pulled my first ever zero in the woods. What is nice about a zero in the woods was that it required no town chores to be completed. No Post Office trips, no food resupply, no laundry, nothing. All I did the entire day was read, rest and recuperate. The legs sure did appreciate the break.    What also helped me make my decision to stay was the fact that I could hear the water rushing down the trail. The radio I had predicted thunderstorms that evening and flash flood warnings were in effect. The rain turned the trail into a tributary. I figured it wasn't worth the risk of injury. I needed to climb up and out of the Mahoosuc Arm, a little over 1100 feet in just over a mile. The rain, the terrain, the weather report, the fact that I was just plain tired, made me dwell in my tent for the entire day. I was warm and dry, well fed and content. I did have to go for water and did so. I discovered that Protieus and the Muppets moved on during the day, I did not see them walk by.   I also came up with a list of questions to ask Brian. Is he hiking with me to the top? Does he want to meet at the store (Abol Bridge) or the Ranger station? Who else may be coming? What is the route home? I figured if we had the time we could stop in to Gorham so I could paint a porch. I also thought about stopping in to a Shelter and see who all signed the log book. Perhaps I could find out what happened to Blue Angel and Cloth Monkey.   The plan was to get up early the next day. I set my alarm for 5 AM and hoped to be gone by 6 AM. The Cabin in Andover was my goal. It was about 16.9 miles to the East B Hill Road and a 8 mile hitch to town. I guessed then I would see what tomorrow brings. The radio weather report also predicted that the next day was going to be warm and sunny.
Date: 2005-09-01
From: zero in the woods

To: Little Baldpate Mountain
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

Up and gone by 9:10 (so much for the early move out). The rain finally let up enough and the wind blew the water off the leaves enough whereas I could get out of the tent without getting soaked again. I was able to dry out some of my gear before I left, enough to knock off the dirt and mud that is. I also figured I would have to lay it out again somewhere during the day (if possible). The sun finally came out as predicted but only for a few minutes around 10:30 that morning. I was on the Mahoosuc Arm at that time and I figured It would be best to wait for a while before I tried to dry things.   I must note it was so good to take that zero yesterday (I felt refreshed). I was able to sleep for ten strait hours that night. This was something I would rarely get to do.    Around noon I was on top of Speck Mountain and decided to finally hang the things out to dry. There was no sun but, the wind was enough to take care of business. While I was taking care of this task, Noodle showed up out of nowhere and then the sun finally came out. I thought he and New Heart (his partner) were way out in front of me. Noodle told me that New Heart was ahead and that they were bouncing a friend's borrowed vehicle forward.    What that meant was that one of the two of them would start farther south then the other. The other would ride the vehicle forward to a pre-chosen spot (distance) and drop off the vehicle there. Then that person would walk north to another predetermined (pick up) spot, choose a spot to camp and wait. The southern most hiker would go to the vehicle and drive to where the one further north was waiting. They would return the southern most hiker to the spot where he left off the next morning and do it once again (leaving the vehicle where the northern most hiker stopped the day before). It may sound confusing but it worked for them. They also could leave their packs, if they wanted to, in the vehicle and slack pack doing greater distances each day. With a vehicle they could easily go to a town for food or lodging as well.    Noodle and I went our separate ways while I stayed and continue to dry out. I headed out with all intentions of making it to The Frye Notch Lean-to about ten miles ahead. With the sun finally out and it turned into a beautiful day. I passed the most northern border of the White Mountain Range, past the Baldpate Lean-to and was stopped dead in my tracks by a beautiful vista on top of Little Baldpate Mountain (3450 feet). I had enough water for the evening and I found a good place to set up my tent just below the hill top just out of the wind. What a memorable evening, such a beautiful sunset. One thing about re-creating my journals on this web site, it has brought back so many wonderful memories.   Note: Hiker talk said that after Andover ME, the terrain gets easier until you hit the "Bigelow Mountain Range". Once through then the terrain is easy once again until you reach Katahdin. For the most part, I concur.
Date: 2005-09-06
From: Piazza Rock Lean-to 

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 16.9

Up and gone by 8 (ish) this morning. The walk was a little slow this morning (dang the hangover). What a great time we had last night. I did do something stupid, I had the munchies and got in to my food bag for a snack. Instead of putting it away I laid it near my head and fell asleep. Sure enough a little critter got in there and helped itself to a little snack as well.    We all stopped at a vista on top of Saddleback Mountain (4120 feet), here we were able to see off at a great distance, Mount Katahdin. To us, at first, it was nothing but a bump on the horizon. I took out my road map and laid it on the ground in the same direction as the trail was traveling. We knew what was behind us and where we were going so we just faced the map towards the North. The bump we thought was "The Big K" wasn't it at all. We then saw the bump we now thought was the right one and all agreed that we got our first glimpse at the final goal (214.3 miles away).   We ended up that evening at the Spaulding Mountain Lean-to (3140 feet). Just before arriving at the shelter I hooked up with Paul once again. Paul is from New Brunswick, Canada. He and I meet earlier in the Whites and hiked for a while. I did not recognize him at first because he cut off all his hair. He left the trail for a short time (a wedding I believe) and just recently got back on the trail. Paul was a strong hiker and luckily for me he took it easy that day. I believed his steady pace helped me get to the Lean-to that night. We hiked together over the next few days until Paul's speed and schedule separated us again. He finished the trail a day or so before me.    Personal note: At 4:20 we took a safety meeting, Bemis.
Date: 2005-09-07
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

To: Cranberry Stream Campsite
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Up and gone by 7:13 this morning. Paul and I were walking together and occasionally we would bounce in to one of the boys. We stopped for a photo at the "Bronze Plaque" the CCC placed on the trail marking 200 miles to go. The CCC was an organization the Roosevelt administration put together during the great depression back in the 1930's. These workers did some awesome trail work along the AT (especially notable back in the Newfound Gap at the TN/NC border in the Smokies). Now we were standing at the famous plaque (actually 199.8 miles away from Mount Katahdin). So close and yet so far.    The weather was beautiful as we made our way to the South Branch of the Carabassett River Ford and took another lazy break. Huge rocks lined the shore line and I took a stream bath down stream from everyone else. We spent about an hour just sunning ourselves, it was hard to leave that spot. Crocker Mountain was ahead of us and the elevation rise was over 2000 feet in just under 2 miles. The "up" was bad enough but the "down" on the northern side was a BI*CH!    After hiking to the road (ME-27) we all hitched in to Stratton (five miles to the left) and re supplied our food supply. It seemed we did a lot of re supplying this way. The main reason why was that it made the overall weight of the back pack lighter because you only carried what you needed till you went to the next town (plus it gave us something to do). Fotter's Grocery store in town had a great selection of prepared food at a good price. I was into buying Bologna, Cheese and Bread and then making my own sandwiches (after all I still had the mustard from our cookout). You get more for the money that way. Protieus met a young boy and before you knew it he had him sliding down the store's isles. Why I do not know but, it was fun to watch. The ride out of town was a lot easier then the hitch in. We all got rides really fast and were back on the trail soon after.   We ended up staying at the Cranberry stream campsite just two miles from the trail head. There we came upon Sam-I-Am and Origami. This was where I found out her husband injured his knee and left the trail. A young couple from England, who I met earlier in the day, was there as well. They asked if it would be wise to hang a bear bag that evening. I told them it was not really needed (no sign of any bear for days) but if it made them feel better to do so then please do. The next morning I saw their bear bag, it was hanging in a tree about five feet off the ground (I gave them a quick class on how to properly hang one). High enough so a bear cannot reach it, far away enough from the tree so it cannot swat it and a tree strong enough so it cannot pull it down by climbing the tree. They were section hiking to Mount Katahdin and were only on the trail for a few days. There accent reminded me of my friend Dandylion. He was only a few days ahead of me but I knew I would never catch him (which I never did).
Date: 2005-09-09
From: Home

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to 
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: few clouds

Up and gone by 8:15 (ish). What a great time at Bill Ville. Last night it was cheeseburgers and this morning it was eggs to order. Ray sure did make a great show of trail magic. I thanked them all before I left. What a great way to start off the day, good food and great coffee (perked to boot).    I was hiking with Paul again and we stopped in at the shore of Lake Flagstaff, a short distance from Bill Ville. The boys soon caught up to us and we spent the morning throwing rocks and enjoying the water. I would have loved to have spent the night right there on the shore. It was so peace full and the waves rolling in would have been nice to fall asleep by.   There were a number of roads we crossed and one in particular had the number 2000 painted on it. We took some photos of each other and departed soon after. The terrain was so nice to walk over. A few bog bridges here and there and plenty of bodies of water to relax next to. Some of the water had beaches to relax next to. Paul and I stopped near one for lunch. Paul was wanting to hear a Loon call and true to the beauty of Maine, one serenaded us for quite some time. The trail meandered along the shore line on and off for a long distance.    That evening a number of us stayed in the Pierce Pond Lean-to. It was located right on the water and we enjoyed the scenic views from our sleeping bags. Just a short distance from the shelter a gentleman by the name of Tim had a bed and breakfast there called Harrison's Camps. Tim told me he and his family have been there for years. His B&B offered a great deal on a breakfast the next morning called the "Lumberjacks Pancake Breakfast". For eight dollars he served one dozen pancakes, sausage, eggs and coffee. The unique thing about the pancakes is that they were red, white and blue (the red was strawberries, white was apple and blue was blueberries). If you wanted to eat there in the morning then you needed to walk to the B&B and pay for the meal the night before.   I computed what we had left to do on the trail. We had 155.2 miles to go and have completed 2019.7 miles thus far. Tom "Many Names" was there as well as Lion King, Fig and Just Visiting, Paul, Levi, Protieus, Buttah and many more tenting here and there. I figured we had a little more then a week to go. There was a Gathering coming up in Caratunk the next day and just about everyone was going there. We all knew about it for some time and we were only about 4 miles away. I slept good that night, listening to the waves along the shore. I woke up mid way through the night and used my headlamp to work my way to the shore line. The stars were out in the hundreds of thousands. What a great night after another great day.
Date: 2005-09-10
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to 

To: Caratunk
Miles today: 4.0

Up early enough this morning in plenty of time to make it to Tim's B&B for breakfast. Paul, Levi, Protieus, Tom and I plus a few other guests, enjoyed a great meal. Harrison Camps was an excellent place to spend the morning. Tim was an excellent host, I figured this may be a place to come to in the future. I sent a brochure home and have it on file just in case.   With only four miles to go to Caratunk, we all were not in any rush at all. The only concern was the infamous ferry that we wanted to use to cross the Kennebec River. You can Ford the river if you want to but, why? Part of the experience for me was the canoe ride. There was a time schedule to follow (9 - 11am and 2 - 4pm), Paul and I hiked together and we were there in plenty of time to use the morning time frame. We had no problems getting across.   I needed to stop in to the post office for my last package along the trail. I had my wife Brenda send me a couple of days worth of food. We were told the provisions provided there were iffy (at Steve's store) and the town had a limited supply of goods as well. It was better to be safe then sorry because after the "Gathering", we were about to make the push to Monson. The last town before the 100 mile wilderness.   Steve Longley set up the gathering and even with his personal situation (his Mother was ill), he threw a great party. Thank you Steve from all of us! I did get to talk the Steve later on that day and personally thanked him. There were so many hikers there both current and former that I could not believe it. I told some of the local formers that I would love to live in Maine, their advice was to move up there for a winter and then make a decision. Some thru hikers there were completed with their hike all together and some even finished that day (Clock Work Orange was one of them). Here also I met a former thru-hiker called Blister Sister, we bounced in to each other all the way to the end of the trail.       I was thinking that I would be finished on the 20th as planned. I planned on calling Brian when I arrived in Monson but I figured I would give him a call from there. Unfortunately I did not get through to him however, I left a message on his cell phone. I was able to also call my father and talk for a while plus, I finally got through to my wife Brenda.    Food and fun that night around another fire. I was really enjoying myself because it was really beginning to sink in, I knew it would soon be over with. I also could not believe that we just crossed the Kennebec River by Ferry and that we were so very close to the 100 mile wilderness. Wow.
Date: 2005-09-11
From: Caratunk

To: Bald Mountain Brook
Miles today: 14.5

11 September, four years ago the towers fell, I lost a former team mate, Ron Bucca, that day. I new him only a short time however, Ron was the kind of man that left a lasting impression. He was leaving the unit as I was becoming part of it. Ron was a NYC fireman, may he rest in peace.   Up early once again for breakfast. I dried out all my gear while I ate. Paul and I departed around 10 that morning (we had to walk back to the trail and were hiking north by 11). Paul had a schedule to keep and that meant he needed to hike much faster then I. We met that evening and went our separate ways the day after we got to Monson (he got there way ahead of me as well). We hiked for a while together while the pace was doable. Eventually he moved on alone.    Along the way we caught up to Sour Ball (class of 94) who pointed out Mount Katahdin from the top of Pleasant Pond Mountain (2480 feet). He new exactly which bump it was and I had a picture taken with me pointing at our destination. Sour Ball knew a lot about the trail and especially that section.   Protieus asked me a question a few days earlier about religion and what I thought about there being a God. This was not an "out of the blue" question and he was not the first person to do so. I told him then to let me think on it a bit and I would get back to him with my answer, and that day was today. Paul, also a man of faith, was there and was surprised with my answer because of how open I was with the subject (Paul said he admired my words). I told him that I found religion in the last place I looked for it (it always is the last place you look because you need to look no more). I was in San Vito, Italy preparing to go to War once again, this time it was the country of Kosovo. A lot goes through a man's mind when he believes that all hell on earth is about to break loose. I had a lot of personal issues and questions and I turned to the Lord for answers. As far as my answer to Protieus, it was quite simple, I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and that he died on the cross for our sins. I have the faith in prayer and the believe that there are good things to come. Religion to me gives me comfort, knowing there is a place where I can leave my troubles behind. That was it, pure and simple. It is a trail that I have been walking since 1999 and since then I have seen many a vista, many a sunrise and sunset and, as I walked along that day, indeed my prayers have been answered once again.    After a good day of hiking we stopped for the night near the Bald Mountain Lean-to. Many hikers were there from the Gathering and last evening's fire including the Hemlock Muppets, the Troll family, Team Hustle (the boys minus Buttah), Fig and Just Visiting plus Tom "Many Names", Paul, Ug and others. It was a nice move today but I was tired (2038.2 miles down and 136.7 to go). We set up our tents near the Bald Mountain Brook just before dark.
Date: 2006-12-28
To: PCT nobo 2007
Miles today: 0.0

Woodrose and I are going to attempt a north bound thru - hike of the PCT from Mexico to Canada , leaving from SW Florida 4/10/07 with our friend John "Retro" Child, our fellow Nobo AT thru - hiker from 2005. From all of the research that we have done we have determined that Bella can't go ;it is too dry for Labradors in the desert, closed to dogs in much of the Sierras, and just too far logistically, to arrange to have her join us up in the norther, should we make it that far. Hard to prepare for the PCT in Florida. We are off to the Ocala National Forest over the New Year's celebrations, wakin' up in our trusty tent in the woods, January 1st 2007. See you at ADZPCTKO. Peace is the only way. Muleskinner. I will be turning 60 on the Trail in May.
Date: 2007-02-17
From: californy bound

To: Out West
Miles today: 0.0

   We are getting real short. Woodrose has completed her last day at the Lighthouse, ( www.barrierislandparkssociety.org )I don't know how the place can stay open without her, but we remind ourselves that anyone can be replaced. Retro is flying out . We are packing the Subaru tomorrow (Sunday, 4/8/07) and leaving Monday morning 4/9/07 up to Jax Beach to see the granddaughters and Chief Daughter, and then we are north by northwest across the Nation, hoping for some snow exposure en route. ( No snow where we come from, although it is real cold on the AT in the southern mountains tonight.....) Leaving Woodrose's car in Bellingham, Wa. with '05 AT friends, renting a car there, visiting more '05 AT friends as we head down to San Diego.   See you at the Kickoff. Peace is not victory. Muleskinner