morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I hurt my leg on Mothers Day. It was a stupid accident, I wasn't hiking, I was climbing into the Wawayanda shelter and I slipped and came down on a rock. The first thought in my mind when I saw the gaping hole was "I am not getting off the trail." I cleaned and bandaged it (always, always carry a first aide kit) and I hiked a hard 12 miles to Wildcat shelter. Those who know me, know how stubborn I am. Despite many attempts by those at home, I refused medical treatment. I suppose that's a consequence of working in healthcare for the last 15 years. I was an idiot. I thought it was healing, but I was wrong. Finally, I got it looked at. There is a localized infection, and the doctor yelled at me. It's hard to keep an open wound clean when you live in dirt. After she dug into my leg, and cut away some dead skin, she realized how deep and serious it actually was and ordered an antibiotic, Epsom salt soaks, and silvadine cream (used for burn patients). It could not be stitched. She told me if my wound had healed over, the infection would have spread to the leg bone, and there was a good possibility that I would end up in the hospital for 6 weeks on IV antibiotics and a piece of my leg gone. The treatments are prescribed for 2 weeks. I cried. I felt like a failure, and I was upset with myself for being so Adamantly idiotic. So I am home. For now. I will be back after the risk to my health is gone. If you get injured in the trail, please don't do what I did. Get medical attention and then go back out. See you all soon enough.
Date: 2015-06-16
To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow morning I set out on the trail again. My leg has healed, and I've been released into the Wild whence I came. I am approximately four weeks off my schedule, so I am abandoning the schedule. I am slightly concerned that I will not be able to finish the trail in its' entirety this year due to weather in the higher elevations of the southern part of the trip. I will finish at the least the North hike to Kathadin, ME, giving me just under 1,000 miles of hiking. I will reassess the Southern part of the hike after I summit Kathadin and begin my way back home to PA. I hated having to come off the trail. I thought myself a failure, though I would never have thought someone else coming off in my situation a failure. We are hardest on our selves I suppose. I know that I have already accomplished much, with even more to go, and I am thankful for the opportunity to get back at it in the same season. I have already found some of the peace I was looking for, and I look forward to solidifying that feeling of personal contentment and happiness in the next few months. The trail is a good place to find self. Every day even while I was home, I received some sort of support from those who know me, follow me, or meet me. It's really overwhelming to have so many people encouraging me on this journey. Much Love to all of you that have pushed me, comforted me, and shared in my journey so far. I am truly blessed to have so many amazing supporters and friends. I have enjoyed the last few weeks home, and I will once again leave PA missing family and friends. It's bittersweet to have to say goodbye again, though I know this is the only way for me right now. So I bid you adieu with my favorite Robert Frost Poem...TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;         Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,         And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.         I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I¢ I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
Date: 2015-04-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Thank-you to all who have helped me along the way. I have so many fond memories of the people that have picked me up on the side of the road and given me rides, many times by going out of their way, to get me to where I needed to be.And all the conversations along the way. Often, I relive the moments in my quiet times.I should certainly mention the guest book entries, many from people I've never met, wishing me well.Walking the AT has certainly become one of the biggest focal points of my life. Thank you all for being part of it.It is my hope that soon the journey northward will continue at Galehead Hut this July.Happy Trails,Moonwatcher
Date: 2015-06-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The game is on. On Wednesday I fly to Albany to catch a bus to Rutland, VT. I've decided to do about 100 miles of Vermont a second time as a warm up before tackling the Whites. This plan puts me back on the trail earlier too, since I can't wait!The USS Slater, the only floating WWII era Destroyer Escort in the world is docked near the bus station in Albany and I'm starting things off with a tour of this monument to our brave men of the "greatest generation" who fought at sea.
Date: 2015-06-26
From: Gifford Woods State Park

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Unexpected rain last night. I did not set my tent up very well and had to get out to tighten things up. Quimbly Mountain, a 2000 ft climb in less than a mile, was a LOT harder today than it was back in '13 since I've not yet got my legs in shape. Met Bourbon and Spice (from the Yellow Deli hostel) at the shelter.
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: The Lookout
Miles today: 7.3

Long day of hiking. Rain in the afternoon. Original destination of Wintturi Shelter was out of reach. Stopped at the Lookout where I spent July 4th the last time through. Hard rain after I got in. Met Porch, K2, and Think Tank.Biggest highlight so far was practically sneaking up on a very large black bear. No lie. I saw him a split second before he saw me. He reared up on his back legs, spun around, and ran into to the trees and out of sight all within a few seconds. Must have been about 350 pounds!
Date: 2015-07-01
From: White River Junction, VT

To: White River Junction, VT
Miles today: 4.8

Hello to all. I'm at the Coolidge Hotel in White River Junction, VT. It has been a hard week of hiking, raining nearly every day. Getting started is so hard to do but I'm getting stronger each day. I've got lots to say, but but don't want to take too much time. The stay in WRJ has been very successful as I've managed to take a bus to Hanover and get a new pair of boots. The old ones leaked and I've been hiking with wet feet for most of the time.As I've already done Vermont, the views and trail have not been very exciting for me, but I have met a lot of nice people. Biggest highlight so far was practically sneaking up on a very large black bear. No lie. I saw him a split second before he saw me. He reared up on his back legs, spun around, and ran into to the trees and out of sight all within a few seconds. Must have been about 350 pounds! 0% rain chance for the next three days. Yes!!!I'll do daily entries from the 25th to today later on. Love to all,Moonwatcher
Date: 2015-07-04
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Smarts Mountain
Miles today: 6.7

Into the White Mountains. Got up early and hiked to Bill Ackerly's house. He was having coffee on the back porch and offered me a cup. We talked for a while and I mentioned that I'd been here in '13. He was very excited about this and got out the yearbook and had me circle the entry and add a note that I was here in '15 too.Smarts mountain is a MAJOR climb. At least this time I was ready for the 'false summit' that makes you think you are at the top when you still have over a 1000 feet of elevation to go.I met Chuckles from Alaska and Lone Star, from, of course, Texas. Lone Star and I watched the fireworks from the tower. Very cool. Each burst looked like a little flower. Great day on the trail.
Date: 2015-07-05
From: Smarts Mountain

To: NH 25A - Wentworth NH.
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

Well I've overdone it. I was supposed to stop at Hexacuba Shelter (5.3 miles) but it was only noon when I got there so I continued on. Going down Smarts Mountain was hard trail. It was wet and slippery the whole way. There was one bog bridge that I was very fortunate to not step on. It was floating in 3 feet of water and who knows how much mud under that. Up and over Cube Mountain wasn't too bad, but it was a climb. By the time I got to Route 25 I was totally spent. There was a spot to tent, but I chose to hitch into town and get a campsite at a place a family on Cube told me about. The hitch was pretty easy and I was set up in the tent well before dark. A guy from across the road offered me dinner of steak, veggies and corn on the cob. I love it when stuff like this happens. We took his kids and showed them Jupiter and Venus in the west after the sun set behind the hills.
Date: 2015-07-06
From: NH 25A - Wentworth NH.

To: NH 25A - Wentworth NH.
Miles today: 0.0

At a campground. I overdid it a bit yesterday coming down Smarts mountain and then up and over Cube mt. I was supposed to stop for the day 1/4 the way up Cube, but it was noon so I kept going on to nh rt 25a.Love to all,Moonwatcher
Date: 2015-07-09
From: Gale River trail head

To: Galehead hut
Miles today: 4.2

Odie of the "Hiker Year Book" took me to the Gale River trail where I bailed out in 2013. Perfect weather. He found a Leki hiking pole and said I should have it. They are very expensive. This one had a cane-like handle. One of my poles has been acting up, so I did take it but I kept my old one too. When I got to the hut there was an open bunk so I paid to stay the night and enjoy the food. Finally some NEW trail! It's adding some much needed excitement. I was getting tired of seeing trail I already covered.
Date: 2015-07-10
From: Galehead hut

To: Zealand falls hut
Miles today: 7.0

Very cool morning. Up and over South Twin mountain. I was dreading this after being told it was such a monster climb, but it wasn't bad after all. All fogged in, so no views. The rest of the day was easy. Met Peggy (Nana) and Liz. We hiked together which was nice. I mostly hike alone because I'm so slow. Got work to stay at the hut. Washed dishes and got to sleep on the floor. Great deal since there was no room to buy a bunk.
Date: 2015-07-11
From: Zealand hut

To: crawford notch
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Back in the Whites and finally some new trail. NH is amazing! I paid to stay at Galehead hut. The next day was a steep uphill of the famous South Twin mtn. The weather has been perfect.   Can't wait to post photos and update the miles. Mount Washington and the presidentials are next. The weather has been great the last few days. 70's during the day, 50 at night.
Date: 2015-07-13
From: Crawford Notch

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Good weather. Steep uphill of Mt. Webster. Great view of the notch from the cliffs. Then over Mt. Jackson (4052 ft). Met Laura and David and Krummholz and Cairn. The Mizpah Hut was a welcome site (sight), dinner & breakfast!
Date: 2015-07-14
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: broken clouds

Left the hut around 8:30 AM and into LOTC hut by 2:00 PM. By design a short day, knowing I'd never. Be able to make it over Mt. Washington to Madison hut in one day. Hard winds blowing lots of clouds by the time I got in. Cold too. Fun to see people I've met before, David, Laura, Krummholtz, Cairn, and the ever cheerful Fireball. 90 people in the hut. The croo is nicely letting all the hikers stay and sleep on the floor. Hard rain now. Winds near 50 mph. Projected low for tonight is 30's. Tomorrow Mt. Washington!
Date: 2015-07-15
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Krummholtz & Cairn left out early into the rain, wind, and fog. I left after breakfast, probably 8:30. David & Laura passed me shortly before the summit. The fog was so thick I was hiking from cairn to cairn. I did not see the weather station until I was 25 feet from it. Minutes later I was in the visitor center sipping hot chocolate. How nice!   Better still, it was only 10:00 AM. I did the 1.4 mile summit in a hour and a half. I stayed for two hours. On the way down the trail went over the Mt. Washington Cog Train tracks and I got a picture of the train heading up the mountain. Krummholtz and Cairn caught up to me shortly afterwards and we hiked around the Great Gulf as the sun came out and the clouds cleared. The views were fantastic. I'll post more pics later.
Date: 2015-07-16
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

I know I've said this before, but this was truly one of the hardest days ever. Before leaving, I took a picture of Matt and Josh and their vintage JanSport packs. I got an early start, knowing I had to climb Mt. Madison and then do the long downhill to the notch. I was amazed at how easy it was to reach the top of Madison, but the downhill - crazy! It was all a boulder scramble. It took me 6 hours to do 3 miles. Finally pulled into the Pinkham Notch Visitors center about 5:30 PM. All said, the views were well worth it!Happy Trails,Moonwatcher
Date: 2015-07-22
From: Trident Col Campsite

To: Gentian Pond Campsite / Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

At the shelter I met Rocky Bottom and Flatbush, two southern gentlemen doing a section hike. I went down to the pond to get water in my usual slow and quiet way and, just as I approached the water I hear a loud splash just a few feet away. It was a very large moose running away!!! I managed to get several pictures and some video as it swam off. When it reached the shoreline it kept looking back at me every time I approached the water. I went back up and told rocky bottom and Flatbush and they saw it too.   Brother Louie, from the WML&H and a hiker named Numbers showed up a few minutes later, but the moose was gone by then. Awesome day on the trail!
Date: 2015-07-23
From: Gentian Pond Campsite / Shelter

To: Carlo Col Campsite
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Well dear reader, I am finally in Maine. The 14th and last state. Today I hiked over the appropriately named Mt. Success and over the Maine border. Rocky Bottom and Flatbush were already there. They start really early. I met Roadside at the border and he took a picture for me. I don't look very excited in it. I was too tired to do anything but smile.
Date: 2015-07-24
From: Carlo Col Campsite

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 4.4

Tough day today. Maine is tough. I think I conquered more obstacles in one day than in a month in other states. The trail took me up and over Goose Eye mountain East peak, West peak and North peak.   All but the last we're fogged in. Over the peaks I was very cold. It was all foggy, as I mentioned, but also with temps in the 50's and winds about 35 miles per hour. Some of the gusts almost blew me off the trail. I was sweaty from the climb and had to stay moving to keep warm.   Rocky Bottom and Flatbush were again at the shelter. Tomorrow... The famous Mahoosic Notch. Known as the most difficult mile on the trail. Another great day on the AT.
Date: 2015-07-25
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 5.1

AWOL's guide lists the notch as the most difficult, or fun, mile of the trail. I decided I was going to take my time and have fun if possible. And fun it was. There were spots where the "trail" became a tunnel through giant boulder piles through which I had to take off my pack and push it in front of me.   Other places I had to lower myself down by my arms, hang and let go to fall to the rocks below. It was like being a kid again. I'll post pictures as soon as I can. On the other side is where it got hard. Mahoosic Arm, where I had to climb to the top of the cliffs that forms the notch was no fun at all. 1500 feet of hard fought elevation in 1.5 miles. It took me just over 2 hours to do the notch, over 3 to do the arm, but I was tired by then. Speck Pond, where the shelters was, is beautiful. Oh yeah, one more thing to mention. In the notch there was still ice from the winter and it's almost August. Also, I heard water from underground streams while scrambling over the boulders. Best day yet on the AT.
Date: 2015-07-26
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 4.6

Said goodbye to Rocky Bottom and Flatbush today.   Their section hike is over. I was over Old Speck mountain, a fairly hard climb, in no time. The rest of the hike was a long downhill that was not too bad. I got to the parking lot the same time as a couple from the shelter did and they have me a ride to the Mahoosic Mountain Lodge and Hostel. This place seems to be off the hiker grid. Nobody seems to have heard of it. I have a giant, two story lodge to myself. I love the quiet after days of hikers and Boy Scouts.
Date: 2015-07-27
From: Grafton Notch

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 0.0

At the Mahoosic Notch Lodge and Hostel. Great zero day. Hitched into Newry, Maine for a post office run (mailed back the foolishly carried umbrella) and then hitched further into Bethel for lunch. Great rides. More later perhaps.
Date: 2015-07-29
From: Frye Notch Campsite

To: Hall Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

It was a long day for me. I started at 6:30 and ended at 5:30 PM. I thought the day would be easier than it was because the trail profile seemed easy, but the long slog up Wyman Mountain was difficult if for nothing else than the heat and the bugs. This was the first really hot, humid day so far.Dunn falls was beautiful. When I crossed the Andover road I met Harvey Wallbanger (German) and Victor and Vladimir (Russian). They were trying to hitch into Andover. I said I'd try to call the hostel for them when I got cell service. By the time I called, they were already there from a successful hitch.Surplus Pond was very pretty and quiet. It is so unusual to come upon ponds of this size and be the only one there.At the top of Wyman, the weather turned for the worse. I heard claps of thunder from two directions. The rain began as I hurried to get down off the peak. I put on the pack cover, but didn't put on my rain gear as I was so hot the rain felt good. By the time I reached the shelter, the rain had stopped. Here I met Mouse and Sunflower.
Date: 2015-07-30
From: Hall Mountain Lean-to

To: South Arm Road, Andover, ME
Miles today: 4.1

A quick, but far from easy hike today. The start was an 1800 foot descent, followed by a 1400 ft. climb of Moody Mountain in just over a mile, then down again to the road. I'm at "The Cabin" and it is another favorite. In the top 3 I'd say. Bear and Honey are fabulous. A few weeks back Honey climbed Mt. Kahtadin on her 83rd birthday! She is up on a local mountain now picking blueberries.The food is great and AYCE for $12.00 per day! Quite a change from my last place, that is for certain.Happy trails,Moonwatcher
Date: 2015-07-31
From: South Arm Road, Andover, ME

To: South Arm Road, Andover, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Zero at The Cabin. Awesome place. Honey and Bear are great hosts. Honey climbed Kahtadin on her 83rd birthday a few weeks back. Amazing woman. She went blueberry picking today, JUST a 3 mile hike up a local mountain.
Date: 2015-08-01
From: South Arm Road, Andover, ME

To: Maine 17 Oquassoc
Miles today: 13.4

Great day of hiking. I slack packed with Trail Dog. He's 10 years older than me, and we hike at about the same pace. We were caught in 2 thunder storms, one with sleet and one with hail. Steep downhill to end the day. We started at 7:30 AM and finished at 7:10 PM. Great views from Bemis and Old Blue.Oh yeah, my pack broke. Same problem as 2010, the strap connection broke, and the pin holding it disappeared. Fortunately, I was able to take a pin from another part of the pack and rig it enough to get me back to the hostel. Happy Trails,Moonwatcher
Date: 2015-08-02
From: Maine 17 Oquassoc

To: Maine 17 Oquassoc
Miles today: 0.0

Pack has broken. Taking a zero for fixing it and getting a massage!Talking with Honey and Bear, the best of hosts. Great tails of Bismarck, the hiker who was on the lam after embezzling 8.7 million dollars from his company. He was on the trail for years and spent a lot of time here at The Cabin every year. Honey and Bear said he was one of the nicest people they'd met.He was arrested at the Trail Days festival in Damascus, VA earlier this year. I also want to mention that Honey recently climbed Mt. Katahdin to celebrate her 83rd birthday. Happy Trails,Moonwatcher
Date: 2015-08-03
From: Maine 17 Oquassoc

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 4.3

As a favor to Bear, I drove Speck, Still thinking, Pogo, & Wandering 1 to South Arm road. I then returned to the hostel and waited until 9:00 to call JanSport about my pack.I then got a free shuttle by driving myself to Maine 17 and leaving the truck there for Speck and the others. There is a sandy beach on the pond just before the lean-to. I didn't swim. I wanted to get into the shelter.
Date: 2015-08-04
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: ME 4. Rangely
Miles today: 9.4

An easy hike today. Some rare flat trail. It started to rain just as I got a ride to The Farmhouse hostel by its owner. I bought a live lobster at the market and cooked it for dinner. Yum! Trail Dog and Tina were there. It was nice to see them again.
Date: 2015-08-06
From: Redington Campsite

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 10.7

Over Saddleback Junior in no time. A hard, steep climb. Cold and windy above the tree line but great views. Then another climb up Lone Mountain. Met Jingles & Shrooms, Chucky, Google+, and many others at the shelter. Lots of camp girls came in and tented.
Date: 2015-08-07
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

To: Crocker Cirque
Miles today: 6.2

On the way today I saw a bronze plaque denoting the last section of making the AT in 1937. It is the 200 mile mark. The morning views from the 4000 ft Spaulding Mountain were clear and beautiful. The vast expanse of Maine was laid out before me.I pulled into the Crocker Cirque campsite around 2:00 PM and decided it would be nice to stay on the planned route and take advantage of this nice site. Being so early in the day, I had the place to myself. A few hours later, the camp girls from yesterday showed up. There were not enough sites for them to spread out and I wound up being surrounded by their tents. They were nice enough to ask if they could set up so close to me, and I couldn't deny them. They were polite and quiet. I just wish businesses would follow the rules and keep the number of people in a group within the limits. This group was 14 people.
Date: 2015-08-08
From: Crocker Cirque

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 7.3

In Stratton, ME. I've passed the 2000 mile marker and have less than 200 miles to go. Today I broke camp from Crocker Cirque and hiked overSouth Crocker and North Crocker. Both were healthy bits of Maine mountains.Before I left, I mentioned to the leaders of the group of girls that I couldn't wait to get into town and get some bacon and eggs. One of the leaders said she couldn't wait to get some bacon... so I offered her some. I'd packed in some pre-cooked bacon. She thought I was joking around, and nearly flipped when I handed her the pack of bacon! Before leaving, the leaders suggested I check out the Cirque. I'd not known about it. It is a bog forming a natural circle clearing and was just a few hundred yards away. I'm glad I didn't miss it.At the Stratton Inn I found Mouse, Sunflower, and Speck with the guys from The Cabin. I met Sue, the proprietor. This is her last week as owner of the Stratton Inn.