morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-09-03
From: Pierce Pond Lean to

To: Caratunk,ME
Miles today: 4.0

Up early at 6am. The lure of a 12 pancake breakfast is to much. As I was packing up my gear taking in the sunrise over the pond I saw the one animal I wanted to see this whole trip. A moose a few hundred yards out swimming across the pond. What an amazing sight. Breakfast is at 7am so Zen, Muffin Man, Ramblin Man and I walked over the camp for 12 pancakes, eggs, sausage, and coffee. A great meal with nice views looking over the pond and crazy humming birds flying around.A fairly quick 4 miles to the Kennebec river were hikers must be ferried across by canoe, the official white blaze route. Then once in town we headed towards the post office so Muffin Man could pick up his mail drop. Sparkplug unfortunatly got the news she expected from the hospital, a fractured rib. The woman at the post office however opened up her home so she could have a comfortable place to stay. Another amazing kind act from the AT. Once Sparkplug was settled the rest of us headed towards the Northern Outdoor center for some R&R, real food, and cold beer. We ended up camping near the property and still enjoyed the luxuries of a hot tub and pool. Zen and I got a hitch down to the general store and back for a resupply and then time to chill.Also, this weekend randomly a friend from home was white water rafting in the area. Frank, Nate, and Alex came down the outdoor center for a great playing pool vollyball and drinking beers. This life is tough. Great seeing some familiar faces. Late night at the bar and had tough time finding my tent.
Date: 2011-09-04
From: Caratunk,ME

To: Pleasant Pond Lean to
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hungover but up at 7 to breakdown camp and all you can eat breakfast at the outdoor center. After breakfast I passed out on one of the couches until 11. Hung around for noon then decided to hitch back to the trail and continue my trek. Back on trail and hiking by 1.Cruised the 6 miles into shelter by 3. Still not feeling well from partying last night so decided to stop right there and good thing I did because about 45 minutes later monsoon rains poured on us. Rivers started to form infront of the trail. It rained for the rest of the day and through the night. An intense thunder and lightning storm rolled through as well.
Date: 2011-09-05
From: Pleasant Pond Lean to

To: Moxie Bald Lean to
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

up and out of shelter by 9. Trail conditions were terrible. A river of a trail with ankle deep mud and 6 inches of standing water. The rocks were extremely slippery but very gradual grade. Still cruised for most of the day until I came to my first river ford of the day. Moxie pond outlet. Usually an easy ford but the rain last night made the water level much higher and the current much faster. So I waded out into waiste deep water slowly trying to pick my way through the current when I got swept up by the current and then had to steady myself on a rock. I watched both my crocs float down the river. I've never felt more helpless in my life than watching a piece of gear float down stream and their was nothing I could do to get it. It was also the first time on trail I felt completly overwheled by the power of the water.I slowly made my made to the other side cutting open my now exposed feet of the sharp rocks. When I got the other side I was shaking and the pack was completly soaked. However I felt much better when I looked inside and my sleeping bag and extra clothes were still dry in their zip lock cases.Right at the crossing a steady climb up Moxie bald and of course as I'm standing on the exposed ridge less than 2 miles from shelter it starts to rain. And it rained heavy too. Ran down to the shelter.Fairly comfortable night. I was dry, had dry clothes and sleeping bag, but no camp shoes. Also the shelter had a few leaks so Handstand, Pink Floyd and I had to strategically place ourselves across the shelter. Oh well, town tomorrow. Of course it rained all night again which should make for some very interesting river crossings tomorrow.
Date: 2011-09-06
From: Moxie Bald Lean to

To: West Piscataquis River....jeep road
Miles today: 5.8

Rained all night expecting rivers to be very high. Out of shelter by 8 and the trail continues to be slop. The entire day my feet were in water. The AT was completely flood and I had to slosh through knee deep water all day. Sucks.I got to the first ford of the day only 6 miles in. The water was extremely high the current way to fast to cross. I bushwacked up stream a little and waded out into the calmer waters were I suck up to my waiste. When I looked back towards the trail I noticed a rope across the river so I made my back over to the trail and hung on to that rope for dear life as I crossed the river. After two more knee deep fords I made it to the Piscataquis river. The water level was extremely high. As you ventured out to ford the river the overflow was waiste deep 20-30 feet before the actual river. The carn marking the trail was underwater. Whistler waded out a litte further than us because he's over 6 feet tall and the water came up to his chest. As he was feeling around trying to make his way back towards shore the current swept him up and had to swim for to other side. He luckily grabbed hold of a bush and was able to pull him self to shore. Fuck that, I wasn't going to ford that river after my experience yesterday crossing Moxie. So handstand Pink Floyd and I looked at a map and found a near by jeep road that brought us 6 miles to Blanchard then 11 miles to Monson. So we headed back down the trial found the road and used a compass to find the right direction. First time blue blazing on trail and the first time I'm going to miss any part of the trail. I've followed ever white blaze from Springer to here and now this river is unpassable.It was interesting walking down a road with no real idea where it would bring me but I still felt terrible for missing those 12 miles of trail. Oh well better safe than sorry I guess.6 miles on a easy dirt path brought us to Blanchard and as the 3 of were sitting taking a rest a truck pulled over and gave us a ride into Monson. Well that was nice. First yellow blaze too. Strange being in Monson, ME. The last town on trail. Last resupply and tomorrow my last zero.
Date: 2011-09-07
From: West Piscataquis River....jeep road

To: Monson,ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Well good thing I'm zeroing today because it rained again. Awesome. The ATC closed all trail in Vermont because of Hurricane Irene and the past few storms. Thru-hikers can actually skip Vermont and still be considered 2000 milers. Crazy. First time of the 13 state thru-hiker.AT is completly flooded. Footbridges are washed away. And blowdowns litter the trail.Zero at Shaw's with Zen and Portable G. About noon the rains stopped and if it doesn't rain for the next few hours the water level should be down. Another hiker who had to walk the jeep road wanted to go back and hike those 12 miles we skipped. It just an unsettling feeling, I'll always remember that I skipped them. So if it stays dry we're planning to hitch out and try and ford that river. And for the rest of the day it didn't rain. Things are starting to look up a little.Also Zen Portable G and I had an epic battle in risk. Nice lazy day.
Date: 2011-09-08
From: Monson,ME

To: Monson,ME
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Up early for the famous cook to order all you can eat breakfast at Shaw's and it was as great as advertised. You can order one, two, or three of everything. The only rule is you must finish every thing on your plate before you can order again. Still upset about missing those 12 miles on trail so Stretch and I decided to go back and attempt to ford the mighty Piscataquis again. We were able to get a shuttle from the hostel back to the trail and starting hiking by 10.As we rewalked the mile from the jeep road back to the river we noticed the water level on trail was way down. Sections that were flooded a few days ago were now just small puddles and mud. When we reached the Piscataquis the carn marking the start of the river was visable and the water level was down 2-3 feet. The current still intense but this time only waiste deep. So here goes nothing. We eached grabbed a giant tree branch to use for balance and slowly made out way through the ragging current. Haha got the other side with shear joy. Now I will truly walk every mile on trail. A great feeling.After that the trail was incredibly easy. Flat terrain as the trail followed the river. One more knee deep ford and then cruised back into Monson. I feel so much better than I did yesterday. I will not think back on those 12 miles of trail again.Back at the hostel Zen, Portable G and I had a rematch in risk and yes I conquered the world again. It was also opening night for the NFL. Crazy. When I left the lockout was just starting and I was never sure if their would even be a season this year. Haha. Also a few more familiar faces have showed up in the town. The canadian couple Loex and Metric who I haven't seen since Damascus, VA. It's weird you never know who is behind you on trail.
Date: 2011-09-09
From: Monson,ME

To: Long Pond Steam Lean to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Up early again for the AYCE breakfast then Zen, Portable G and I took the shuttle back to the trail for a 10am start. So this is it. The final stretch as we enter the 100 mile wilderness. The terrain was extremely easy, just a walk in the woods aside from the 4 river crossings. These fords were nothing after conquering the Piscataquis.After cruising along all day on the gradual terrain I happen to look over to my right and see a giant bees nest only a few feet from trail. Fuck. Just as Zen and I paused for a momemt we heard the sound of buzzing all around us. The bees were in attack mode. We bolted down trail running as fast as we could for about a quarter of a mile before the buzzing stopped. We each got a stung a couple of times and Zen dropped his glasses. Fucking bees. We yelled back to Portable G to watch out for the nest and to grab the glasses. Success. After that we all cruised into shelter earlier than usual. We gathered a ton of fire wood and had a huge fire. First fire on trail in a long time. We were the only ones in shelter until about 6:30 when a huge group of SOBO section hikers showed up and two more NOBOs. Damn. But one of the SOBOs was a Hobo. A flip flop hiker I last saw in Daleville, VA. Crazy.Also this shelter marks another great milestone, less than 100 miles until Mount Katahdin. Hii yooo
Date: 2011-09-10
From: Long Pond Steam Lean to

To: Carl A Newhall lean to
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Up at 7:15 to a cold morning. Tough to get out of sleeping bag. Our fire from last night still had coals in it so we started another fire in the morning for warmth. That definatly helped in the morning. Hung around the fire until 9 then decided it was time to hike on.Beautiful weather for hiking, brisk and sunny. It was full day of climbing but we had great views all day. No Katahdin sighting yet but it's close. The views were of the lakes and pond that surround us down in the valley.Zen, Portable G and I cruised all day, this is our last tough day on trail. A couple more river fords but after making it through the east branch of the pleasant river we sat down and watched all the day hikers attempt to ford. Hilarous. We watched a few people fall, sweatshirts float down river, and even a trekking pole. Haha, got to love hiker tv.Made it to shelter just before dark. My first 20 mile day since Mass. Another cold night on trail.
Date: 2011-09-11
From: Carl A Newhall lean to

To: Cooper Brook Falls
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: scattered clouds

After a freezing, uncomfortable night, and waking up a to a cold morning it was time again for another morning fire. Nice to warm up. Right off the bat we had a steady climb up whitecap mountain and at the north end of the mountain we got our first view of Katahdin. What an amazing view. The mountain dominated the scenary around it. It just takes up the whole landscape. Mount Katahdin, thats what we've been chasing for 2100 miles since Georgia. It's the most talked about mountain on trail and here it is right in front of me. Great morale boost to see that mountain.After climbing down whitecap the terrain became very easy. Flat even and we cruised along. Nice shelter with a waterfall in front. Very peaceful place. Again we had another huge fire. Much needed for this cold night. Loving the AT experience but I think I'm finally ready to be done hiking. My body is done. Everything hurts all the time now. Just a couple days again I still wanted to prolong my hike and take my time but now I'm ready to be stop hiking. My body is telling me it can't hike for much longer. Only 60 miles left to Katahdin I know I can make it.
Date: 2011-09-12
From: Cooper Brook Falls

To: Rainbow Stream Lean to
Miles today: 29.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Up early with another rippin morning fire. Hit the trail by 8 to some of the easiest terrain ever. Just crusied along crushing miles.Also another rewarding view of Mount K however this time the summit was in the clouds.Had my 1st dinner at 5 then Zen, Portable G and I hiked out at 6. More great terrain for my last night hike on trail. Headlamped the last 2 miles into shelter. Huge day on trail but I got my first blister. Fuck that sucks. It's from walking in wet boots for the last few weeks. Oh well. I can manage for 30 more miles.Keeping the tradition alive we started another fire. Got to love the AT.
Date: 2011-09-13
From: Rainbow Stream Lean to

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Up and out by 9. Felt groggy this morning because of the long day yesterday but terrain again was wicked flat and easy. Cruised along but my ankle has swollen up and the blister lets me know its their with every step. But with the easy terrain it was just a walk in the woods. Going slow and enjoying my last few miles on trail. Cruised in to Abol bridge which offers another great view of Katahdin reflecting on the river. Ate a few sandwiches and sodas at the store then headed over to the shelter.New plan, summit mount K for sunrise. Would be a great end to hike and according to the weather report only a 30% chance of rain. So we chilled at shelter with another huge fire and a celebratory sock burning. Great sunset over river and chill last night on trail.
Date: 2011-09-14
From: Abol Bridge

To: MOUNT KATAHDIN!!!!
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Well our plan was to leave at 10pm to be on top of Katahdin by 5. However, just before we laid down to get some rest we watched a thunder and lightning storm get closer. Then when we started packing up at 9:30 the rains opened up. Poured on us all night. We decided it was better to just stay here tonight then hike on. Somebody didn't want us to climn Katahdin in the dark apparently.By 6am the sky's were clear and looked to be a great day for hiking. Zen and I got breakfast at the store and headed out just before 8am. The terrain remained very gradual and we cruised along. Of course their were two river fords which would have been trickly last night but we made it across them.We got to the base of Mount Katahdin at 11:15. We saw muffin man chilling. He summitted yesterday along with 18 other hikers. We congratulated him on the accomplishment. Then he told us we had to check in with a ranger and she may not let us hike. You have to leave here before 10am. Well we were not going to be denied the chance not to hike so we just hiked on.The summit is a steep climb. 4000 feet of elevation gained in only 5 miles of trail. Zen and I were so amped up we cruised up the trail. It was very intense. The most technical rock scrambles on trail. And I was carring my full pack up with me. We passed a few hikers heading back down and congratulated them too. They think we're crazing for carring full packs up. Oh well.After some more steady rock climbing with amazing views all around. The summit however was in the clouds. We arrived to table land. A flat section just before the summit. Then one last climb and we could see the sign from a distance. The sign kept getting bigger and bigger as we climbed and the clouds started to dissapear. We arrived to the sign Mount Katahdin, 2181 miles from Springer Mountain Georgia as the sun peaked through offering amazing views. Haha. I did it. I touched the sign marking the end of my thru-hike. I can't believe I made it. Never really thinking I would but just kept hiking because I loved it.Just hiked from GA, Thru NC, TN, VA, WV, MD, PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, VT, NH, and ME. My life dream has been accomplished as I stand here on top of Mount Katahdin. This hike has been the best experience of my life.Zen and I chilled up their for over an hour. Drinking a few beers and taking tons of pictures. We had nothing but view today. What an amazing end to the journeyWe started out hike back down about 4. Going slow on the steep decent. When we arrived back to the ranger station at 6:30 we signed in. I am the 331 person to complete a thru-hike this year. I was #670 to start at Amicalola.Well not sure what to do now. So zen and I were able to catch a ride with one of the park rangers into town for some pizza and beer. Great end to the day. Going to hang around Millencket for a few days then making my way back to byfield. Still hasn't hit me yet that I just thru-hiked the appalachian trail.
Date: 2011-06-27
To: Bangor, Maine
Miles today: 3.5

#1DATE: 6/27/2011 TIME:DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 847.5 Miles FROM/TO: Churchville, VA to Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport in Weyer's Cave, VA - 22 miles; Weyer's Cave to Bangor, ME (via Pittsburgh, PA) - 822 air miles; Airport in Maine to Bus Station 3.5 miles walked.WEATHER: Warm, with temps in the 80's. Not too humid. MEALS: McDonald's for breakfast, where I had a Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bagel. Later I ate at Wendy¢s; having a Double Cheeseburger with Bacon, French Fries, and a Coke. ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS: Travel conditions were good, other than being late and missing the bus. SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS: I slept at an EconoLodge in Bangor my first night. This stopover was not planned, and put me a day behind schedule. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN: I didn't really meet any new people. On the flight to Bangor, I talked with the lady seated next to me. She was a nice, older lady. ANIMALS SEEN: NoneMONEY SPENT OR SAVED: Airfare/$160 Motel/$73 Food/$20 MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY: I was a little upset about missing the bus, but my main concern was getting to the Appalachian Trail Lodge where I planned to spend my first night. Maybe tomorrow. SPECIAL NOTES/SUMMARY FOR THE DAY: Well my day started out great. I was up on time, got my paperwork in at the school, and got to the Churchville airport as planned. The flight from Churchville to Pittsburgh went as planned and as scheduled, but just before takeoff, someone found that their seat was wet from the previous flight. Well no one would sit in the wet spot, of course, and who even knew what it was. The flight was booked, so they had service people remove the seat covers and cushions and replace them. That set us back 45 minutes.The rest of the flight was uneventful with no other problems until it was time to get my backpack. They had gone through it to see if it was a bomb! 'Not funny, I keel u.' LOL! Just kidding. I had to re-adjust everything so I could carry it. I then asked where the bus station was and was told it was 3.5 miles away!Since the plane was late, I guessed that the person I talked to was just not from this planet... The bus station was supposed to be 9/10ths of a mile from the airport! So I asked someone else, who said it was 'just down the road.'I knew the last bus would leave for Medway at 6:30, and thinking I had time to make it 'just down the road,' I started walking to the bus station. . . and 3.5 miles later arrived! Just in time to see the last bus leave for the day! When was the next one? Well, I asked the same question. Not another bus to Medway until 6 p.m. the next day.I called the Lodge in Medway and changed my reservation, and logged my first 3.5 miles walked today, walking to an EconoLodge here in Bangor, Maine. LOL So my adventure is on. Can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store. LOL.
Date: 2011-06-28
To: Appalachian Trail Lodge in Millinocket, ME
Miles today: 85.0
Weather: clear sky

#2 DATE: 6/28/2011TIME: 7:20 p.m.DISTANCE TRAVELED: 85 miles FROM/TO: I walked the 3. 5 miles from the EconoLodge back out to the airport; and I walked around the little town where the Appalachian Trail Lodge is located. I was picked up by the Lodge owners in Bangor, and driven about 80 miles out to the Lodge.WEATHER: It was sunny and in the high 80¢s all day.MEALS: I had a bagel with cream cheese, and Fruit Loops cereal at the EconoLodge. For lunch I had two cheeseburgers with no onions, and I drank water with both meals. I had a Diet Coke while I was walking. While I was walking around town, I stopped at the Appalachian Trail Caf© and pigged out. I had fried mushrooms with Ranch dip, ¢Sticky Fingers¢ (breaded chicken strips with a sweet & spicy sauce,) Chicken Parmesan, and water to drink. And I am drinking a Sprite Zero while I write this. ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS: All of today¢s travel has been done on roads in pretty good condition.SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS: I am staying the night at the Appalachian Trail Lodge.PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN: I have met the owners of the A.T. Lodge, and their grandson. I¢ve also met the sister of one of the owners. And I¢m bunking with a few other hikers.ANIMALS SEEN: A few birds and a few dogs, but nothing to speak of.MONEY SPENT OR SAVED: I¢ve spent at least $200 with food, lodging, travel and last minute pack items. Expensive day! MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY: My concern for today is getting started tomorrow. I have everything packed and ready but rain is in the forecast for tomorrow. If it storms, they may close the mountain (Mt. Katahdin) to hikers. If that happens, I will just start south. I can¢t afford to lose another day. I really want to hike Katahdin, though, if I can.SPECIAL NOTES/SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:I finally made it from Bangor to the A.T. Lodge. I was picked up by the lodge owners, so I didn't have to wait for the bus. They had come in to pick up their grandson. It has been a laid-back restful day. I re-packed my backpack yet again, and it's now easier to carry. I have walked around town, and it reminds me of the town of Clinton in Michigan, or Churchville in Virginia. I have eaten, and expect to be walking in rain tomorrow. I am pumped - can't wait.