morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-09
From: Hall Mountain Shelter

To: Andover, Me
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: broken clouds

Short day but kind of scary type hiking. Up and over Moody Mt. Very steep south side with iron bars in several places, wood ladders, and 2 places with wood logs anchored to the precipitous sheer rocky faaced slope to keep you from sliding sideways down the mountain.Pine Ellis Hostel shuttle was early but since i had gotten to the road about 1/2 before the appointed time, his arrival was nice. If you are staying at the hostel for the night the pickup shuttle is free. But the shuttle back to the trail costs $12.00. Enjoyed visiting with the shuttle driver Kurt. Nice clean place and slept on a real bed with real sheets and bathroom. The little general store has some hiker supplies but it is too expensive.
Date: 2010-08-10
From: Andover, Me

To: Bemis mountain tent
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Un-eventfull hike for most of the day, until late afternoon, when the clouds started to thicken and finally the far away sounds of thunder in the distance couldn;t be ignored. Since i was hoping to get into Rangeley the next day for a mail drop planned on doing a 13 mile day. But with the light sprinkles thought it better to stealth camp at the next available flat spot big enough for a tent and the earler end to the day. Rain did come for sure and was quite hard for a time, didn't have enough water to cook and clean pot so ate a "dry" supper in the tent.
Date: 2010-08-11
From: Bemis mountain tent

To: Sabbath Pond Shetler
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Another day in Maine and in its mountains and woods. By noon time my stomach was becoming increasingly uncomfortable and unsettled. Tried eating but that made it feel a lot worse. Pretty miserable being sick and out of energy in the middle of the woods. Stopped way early at the shelter to quite for the day. Hoped a long afternoon nap and some hot food for supper would help. NOPE. Will just have to see what shakes in the am. Rangeley has a medical clinic and doctor if need be. I have hiked probably a total of almost 8 months on the 2 trips and had no health problems....now just 3 weeks before finishing this pops up. Maddeing.
Date: 2010-08-12
From: Sabbath Pond Shetler

To: Rangeley
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

Feeling a little bit better but not really feel like eating much. Tried a few bits of granola bars. Packed up and was headed down to the junction of the shelter side trail and the AT. Decision time....3 1/2 miles to the nearest road or the other direction what i thought was 8.5 miles to a town with a doctor???? Decision was to head to 8.5 miles of Rangeley. Fortunately the this trail was some of the flattest and smoothest trail in the past 4 or 5 weeks. Still didn;t have much appetite but ate a few bite of trail food. No energy to go but staying wasn;t an option. Got to the trail headby 2:30 at ME HWY 4. Hitched into town and the 3 rd vehicle by stopped and gave me a lift into town and dropped me right at the PO. Leaving the PO another kind lady completely on her own volunteered to give me a ride to the Rangeley Inn just a few blocks down the street. I think i am beginning to like this town.Made an appointment with the doctor for tomorrow. Had a light supper that was OK and a big improvement already.
Date: 2010-08-13
From: Rangeley

To: Rangeley
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Good nites sleep. Even interested in having breakfast. Doctor appointment. Blood pressure slightly low. Dr thinks I have either a stomach flu or am partially dehydrated. Low blood pressure might suggest be dehydrated. Suggested getting some GAtor-Aide type drink would be a good thing to start with. Took a blood sample to check for low sodium level. Hope to get results back tomorrow even though it is Sat the clinic is open. Depends on the lab doing the work.Dr said the final decision on whether to hike out or not is really on how you feel.
Date: 2010-08-14
From: Rangeley

To: Rangeley
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Spent part of the morning in the Rangeley Public Librarr doing internet. Watch the annual Shriners Parade march down the main street, had a group playing the bagpipes and lots of motorized vehicles.Got blood results and all are normal. Retested blood pressure and it is up from the other day but not quite back to normal, but that is headed in the right direction.!!! Am planning on hiking out on Suday AM. Doc said it all boils down to how you feel on whether to go or not.Ate supper in the motel room as it had a microwave and ref and food tasted pretty good.
Date: 2010-08-15
From: Rangeley

To: Poplar Ridge Lean to
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

   Ate breakfast in room, too far to walk to the "downtown" for breakfast.   Packed up all the stuff but am almost afraid to head out. It seems it is much easier to stay with the known instead heading out into the unforseen.   Had an easy time getting a hitch out of town. Forty year old something with a pickup truck stopped very soon after puttin out my thumb. He was a paramedic and had assisted on several rescues of hikers off the AT. It takes 6 people to carry the stretcher and there are 3 shifts of additional people to relieve the others. Would be quite an operation to see, but hope i never do.   Hiking felt good, drank the liter gatoraide by noon, which is about my ususal water consumption.   Typical Maine Mountains that never seen to get any easier. Lean-to by 4:00 had Lipton noodle dish.
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Poplar Ridge Lean to

To: Spalding Mountain Lean to
Miles today: 8.0

Three other hikers in last nite. Rained hard during the nite. Still raining when i woke, so went back to sleep for another bit of shut eye. Finally decided it wasn;t going to clear up so started getting ready to go.Wanted to use the privy before heading out. Every time I turned to go, one of the other 3 hikers was already there before me. I bet it took those 3 guys a total of 25-30 minutes to get there business done!!! Didn;t actually hike out until almost 9:00 am. Misty/drizzly all day long. Got disgusted and quit at the next shelter. Only 8 miles done, at this rate I'll never get this thing done. Hope fully tomorrow will be a better day.
Date: 2010-08-17
From: Spalding Mountain Lean to

To: Stratton Motel and Hostel
Miles today: 13.5

Checking the maps last nite noted that there are only 5 mountains that are over 4,000' elevation and 10 more that are over 3,000'. And will do 3 of the 4,000's tomorrow and the other 2 the next day. Maybe Maine will get easier????Bright blue skies all day with cool/comfortable hikint temps. Have been drinking my gatoraide and eating well and feeling good. Maybe i am back to close to normal>
Date: 2010-08-18
From: Stratton Motel and Hostel

To: Safford Notch and Camp Site
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

NO more 4000'ers on this trail except the big K. Did Bigelow's being West Peak and Avery Mountain. I think Avery might be my favorite mountain in Maine. The views were spectaular in 360 directions. More mountains that are both close by on the horizon than you can almost count. The book says you could see Katadhin but i think it was way to hazy for that today. Lots of people out including all kinds of hikers, probalby 23 -30 on the peak all at one time. Almost felt crowded a bit. Interesting side trail in Safford Notch Camp site, twisting around squeeze between and under some gigantic boulders...reminds me of Mahousic Notch.
Date: 2010-08-19
From: Safford Notch and Camp Site

To: West Carry Pond Shelter
Miles today: 12.2

Beautiful blue sky and sunshine all day long. Seems almost too good to be true. Talked to my daughter Julie who will be joining me to hike Katahdin on Sept 7. I also now have a plane ticket to come home and will be flying from Portalnd Me...so that is my schedule.Tired and decided to quit at the lean to. Probably should have done a few more miles. Would like to make the deadline of 3:30 for the ferry (canoe) across the Kennebec rivewr tomorrow. Still no moose sightings. Only 4 more mountains over 3000' left to do.Loons were calling all nite.
Date: 2010-08-20
From: West Carry Pond Shelter

To: Caratunk, Me
Miles today: 14.0

Up early, early, early to make the miles before the ferry on Kennebec stops for the day. Also want to get to the Caratunk Post Office to get my mail drop before it closes at 3:45. No problem....got to the river by 1:15 and had to wait for the ferry man to start shuttling for the afternoon until 2:00. Passed by Pierce Pond Lean-to, right on the water and looks like a great place to stay.Easy, smooth and realtively flat trail. Wish more miles were just like it. Trail followed next to a series of water falls and calm pools for miles.Canoe man was right on time for the short 10min ride. I was his only passenger for the north bound trip so got to help paddle across.Stayed at Northern Outdoor Resort and hitch a ride to there place. Staying in a tent cabin for $17.00. Good early supper withe huge meat loaf sandwich and fries. Went back a little later for dessert for strawberry short cake.
Date: 2010-08-21
From: Caratunk, Me

To: Bald Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 14.7

Huge AYCE breakfast buffet. Don' think Northern Resort made any money on my breakfast. Went back a whole bunch of times just to make sure i had at least a little bit of everything. Shuttle to the trail at 9:00. Up and over Pleasant Pond Mountain. The tear in my right shoe fabric just above the sole on my right shoe is getting bigger a whole lot faster than i thought it might. Seems like it is going to be a problem.
Date: 2010-08-22
From: Bald Mountain Lean-to

To: Horseshoe Canyon Selter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got to Moxie Bald Mountain about 2/3 of the way to the top and junction with a bypass trail around the side of the mountain, skirting the very top. The official AT actually goes over the top, but some reason i did seriously consider going around. Somehow, doing that i would be missing something???? Not really sure what it would be that i was missing after already climbing to many peaks. But there was a little whisper inside that said go to the top. But what is there to miss??? So i climbed to the top and there was really nothing there that i haven't already seen.The tear in my shoe is getting bigger each and every day. I am wondering it it will hold together thru the 100 mile wilderness?? Not a good place to have shoe problems. I started this hike with shoe problems and seems fitting that i should end the hike with shoe problems. NO moose sighting. ONly 123.2 miles to the end.
Date: 2010-08-23
From: Horseshoe Canyon Selter

To: Monson
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Water. Maine has had a big lack of snow last winter and very low rainfall this spring and summer. And it is evident just about everywhere. The springs that are listed on the hikers guide are pretty much just dry holes. The stream and river fords that are suppose to be knee deep or more are just dry rock hops. The best part is NO mosquitoes or bugs...so that part is really great.Got to the highway by 11:30 and called to have the shuttle from Shaw's come get me. Ate in the small town and explored the village for the afternoon. Definitely decided i needed to replace my shoes so paid for a shuttle ride over to the outfitters at Greenville. Bought Salmon trail runners with a draw string type lace. That is a new brand and style of lacing for me so hope it works out OK. will have to break them in on my zero day tomorrow. Also stopped at the bigger grocery store there and got food for a 6 day stretch in the Wilderness. That is more than i usually carry and the back will be a bit heavier.
Date: 2010-08-24
From: Monson

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Loved breakfast at Shaw's Lodging. There is no written menu but you order breakfast by number....#1 or #2 or #3. Breakfast #1 is one of everything, 1 egg,1bacon, 1 sausage, 1pancake, 1 helping of potatoes. Breakfast #2 is two of everything, 2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 sausage, 2 pancakes, 2 helpings of potatoes. I guess #3 breakfast is obvious. And if that is no enough you can start all over again.I started with #3 breakfast and added 3 more french toast and syrup. I like Shaw's. People are very friendly and it is clean as well, so $20.00 for room and shower and $10.00 for breakfast pretty good deal.
Date: 2010-08-26
From: Wilson 

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Still raining in the morning, not heavy but enough that no one in the shelter wanted to get up. So slept in late. Finally up and hiking by 8:30 after realizing the sun wasn't going to come out anytime soon. No more rain but still dripping from the trees for the rest of the morning. By noon the sun was out and it sure does brighten the spirits. Climbed over Barren Mt. Forded another stream that was up to your kness with water. Glad the current wasn;t any faster deeper. New shoes working fine. NO MOOSE SIGHTING
Date: 2010-08-27
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: West Branch of the Pleasant River
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: few clouds

Forgot to mention yesterday that there were several mice or chipmunks in the shelter making a lot of noise all during the night with their comings and goings. Sounded like it was from the oposite end of the shelter and not my food bag but got up twice just to double check.Must have been 4 or 5 NOBO hikers that passed me up during the day. About 2:30 in the afternnon came across a young fella laying right along aside the trail, in amongst the brush, curled up in a ball with his jacket and sleeping pad. Said he was just taking a nap. Did't seem a very good spot for napping.Tent is pitched on the south side of the river in a semi offical spot. Will have to ford the river first thing in the morning. Looks to be not much more than ankle deep and not moving to fast. Hope the rocks aren't too slippery.Mountain House freeeze dried meal for supper, Chili Mac with beef, it was OK but i like the spaghetti or sweet sour pork better.am suppose to be able to see Katahdin from the top of White Cap Mt, will be my first peek at the end.NO MOOSE
Date: 2010-08-28
From: West Branch of the Pleasant River

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

Two weeks from tomorrow i will be home!!!! The ford of Pleasant Creek was easy. The climb up White Cap was long but not anything different than all the others before. But it is the last one of the 3000'ers. Hurrah!!Probably 3/4 of the way up Hay Mt heard a loud noise in the woods just off the trail. Ususally it is just a chipmunk or squirel rustling thru the leaves. But this was louder. A moose turned sideways to me to make a quick get away. Problaby a female not to big and no horns. Sure can move fast and disappeared a short moment into the woods. From the north end of White Cap Mt it think i could see the base of Katahdin but the clouds were covering the top.71.4 miles to go.....MOOSE 1
Date: 2010-08-30
From: Cooper Brook Lean-to

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 13.7

This shelter crowd was up early and wanted to finish. All had tight dealines to meet and places scheduled to be. One couple in mid 30's said they only had 31cents to there name. Hope they have the $10.00 it costs to camp in Baxter Park.This was a high and low day....not elevation wise but mentally. Knew i was heading to the hostel/lodge and food at White House Landing. This is an icon on the trail i think a must stop. You get there by sounding an air horn and they come across the lake and get you with a boat ( high). Saw Mt Katahdin for the first time from the shore of Lake Pemadumcook . It stands out like a great giant among the smaller. Great to see the end but a bit sad. (high/low).While walking on a level, flat, smooth as silk section of trail took a fall, landing with my face almost in the pine needles. Just one root for a tripper. Guess i will have to pay more attention to all the trails. No damage to me but one of my hiking poles now has slight crook in it ( low).Split a one lb hamburger with another hiker (Coach). Finished another hikers pizza and finally a pint of Ben and Jerry's chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. (high)After all .....a high and low day.
Date: 2010-08-31
From: White House Landing

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: few clouds

Defintitely enjoyed White House Landing. The boat ride back across the lake to the trail is really , really the way to hike. HOT spell coming again, i thought i was done with these wen i was in NY. Hot in the low 90's for today and tomorrow, with increaing chance of rain. HOPe to get up early tomorrow and try to beat some of the heat.will definitely be getting to Baxter STate Park early and problaby have 2 days to wait before Julie arrives.Will be going home soon.
Date: 2010-09-01
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Rainbow Springs camp site
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: few clouds

Up before it was light and packed up with the headlight. It was very warm last night and slept with just the sleeping bag liner. Climbed over Mt Nesuntsabunt ( i just love these names) before it got realy hot. Camped along the lake and went swimming beofre supper of mashed potatoes and olive oil.Fun visiting with 2 youg fellow just starting a SOBO to Springer. Fun remembering the places and things along the way. No cell phone service in the 100 mi Wilderness here, so missed my connection to the real world. Love you Barb.
Date: 2010-09-02
From: Rainbow Springs camp site

To: Abol Bridge ( Millinocket, Me)
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Still way to hot. Crossed the Penobscot River on the Abol Bridge and finally got a great view of Katadhin. It is a magestic mountain. Will be fun to climb. Can't wait until Julie comes out. Hope we get a good weather day to do it.Four years ago when we tried to climb it the weather turned into a rainy, super cold day, with some snow flakes and freezing rain so we turned aroumd at about the half way point and headed back down. HOpe this try gives us better weather.Tried hitch hiking into Millinociet on the Golden Rd. Not much traffic but lots of huge logging trucks. Since it was way to hot & too dusty a road gave up real soon and called for a shuttle ride from the Applachian Trail Lodge and Cafe.Into town for probably 2 days while i wait for Julie. One day will be getting ready to go and all the usual town chores.
Date: 2010-09-05
From: Millinocket

To: Birches Camp site
Miles today: 9.9

Up early for one more good breakfast as shuttle was to leave at 6:30 am. Also taking another hiker out to the base of Katadhin. Got to the Birches early afternoon. The ford of a side stream looked too wild, deep, fast and rocky, just a bit scary looking current. Probably due in part to last nites heavy rain. So did the high water trail to by-pass the ford. Came this far for so many months and miles without a major mishap, so the extra mile of the by-pass trail seemed the smart thing.this would have been a great day to hike Katadhin.
Date: 2010-09-07
From: Katahdin Stream Camp Site No 23

To: Summit Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

This is the day that I have been waiting and hoping to come for a long, long time. Anxiety, excitment, anticipation, excess energy are all there....BUT..... the weather forecast is terrible for today with a 50% chance of rain. Our early morning rise seems to confirm the forecast. Complete gloom and thick clouds fill the skies in all directions, but no actual rain right now. What to do??? Go for it??? Or wait for a better day???? Wait 2 or 3 days for better weather???? The offical updated weather forecast for today is suppose to be posted at 7:30am, waitforit????? Decison......GO FOR IT!!!( if weather is too bad at the tree line we will return) Largest single climb on the entire AT, 4000' up. Boulder scrambles, rock faces with foot jams in the crevices, and iron bars in the impossible spots. The clouds are thick and 30-40 mph winds are blowing the mist all around. Our rain jackets are flapping in the wind like sails out of control. Windshield wipers on my glasses would have been nice. Following Julie and letting her find the blazes pretty much solved the glasses problem. Finally the table lands and then the last climb in the fog, drizzly wet, windy. Finally the long awaited summit sign..there it is. No inclination for celebrations but just the mandatory picture taking. Surprizingly there are quite a few other hikers at the top as well.There is an anxiom among the hikers that says doing the AT is a life changing experience. I don't see that for myself, at least not in a major way. But it has brought to mind all the good people out there, mostly complete strangers that have helped me and the other hikers in one small way or another. Thanks to Barb my wife for her support thru all the miles.
Date: 2010-07-10
To: Medway, ME
Miles today: 0.0

WARNING: This journal contains some explicit language, and sometimes too much information. Read at your own risk.DAY ONE! And what a day it was. It actually started at 11 o'clock last night. I took the train to the city to catch the bus. With a two hour layover there, I decided to find a convenient store to get refreshments fore the ride. After a shady drug deal going down 18 inches from me and random ghetto folk making comments ab out my rugged self being in the city, I decided I would pass the time waiting inside the station. It turns out some Greyhound bus drivers aren't as good as the others because the one I was waiting for crashed on the way to Philly. I was glad to have a 3 hour layover scheduled in NY because I made it just in time. After arriving in NY I was accosted by an overbearingly helpful black man who :was taking the same bus to Maine as me: and wanted me to five him 20 dollars because they wouldn't break his hundred. He promised he would be right back. Yeah, didn't fall for that one, but i did buy him some eggs and oj. He still insisted he was going to buy my breakfast when we got on the bus and someone broke his hundred. So that was that, I never saw him again. The only thing that pisses me off is that he didn't thank me. Whatever. Beside that, the day was uneventful. With a few random naps and a couple books, I passed the day away. In NY I met a couple on the bus doing a flip-flop hike. They were on their way to Maine to hike back to Harpers Ferry. I drilled them with questions, and they gave me some good advice about all you can eats and hostiles. They wanted me to share their ride to Millinocket and summit Katahdin tomorrow with them, but the guy charges 70 dollars. I told them no thanks, and went to the campground and stayed for 25 bucks. I plan to hitchhike tomorrow. If I cant get a ride, I figure I'll have to do what I came to do anyway and walk. All day long I've been saying to myself, "just get me into the woods please..." Well, I'm here Not on the trail, but good enough. Gonna catch some shuteye. Hopefully all my days wont be as eventful as today, so I won't have to write so much.Birds Seen:   American PipitP.S. I feel as though I should illiterate, briefly, on my reasoning for buyint the NY bum breakfast. As I was about to recieve his hundred dollar bill for my twenty, be quickly turned with my money without giving me his. I stopped him abruptly and as I did so, a long strand of drool dripped from his mouth and onto the floor. It reminded me of a dog that salivates when you hold a treat or food in front fo it for a while, except he was not as unashamed because he make a guesture to wipe it after it fell. That was the moment I realized that he needed to eat.