morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-08
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Frye Notch Shelter
Miles today: 10.4

The hike today was a straight up and rocky climb over Old Speck Mtn. through cold and foggy wind. No views in the morning then down to Grafton Notch parking area for lunch and to lay everything out in the sun to dry. While there, Uluru showed up with trail magic. He's been off the trail with Lyme's disease and will not be back on except for short days with Slayer. More trail magic from a couple of day hikers in the form of candy then a great easy climb up Bald Pate Mtn. to 3810' with fantastic views in all directions. After a very difficult descent, we are by a campfire in front of the shelter getting ready for bed. With us are RaveOn and a section hiker named Ron.
Date: 2008-09-09
From: Frye Notch Shelter

To: East B Rd. Andover ME. - PineEllis Lodge
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

Easy Trail! Real Hiking instead of stumbling, climbing, and butt-sliding on boulders. About halfway it started raining on us and we had to stand by the road for an hour and a half in the pouring rain, waiting on our ride, but once we got here it was a great place to relax and resupply and shower and do laundry. We have spent all day with some hiker buddies and had a couple of good hot meals. We are with some extremely talented people including a renowned artist, a terrific staind glass designer, and - especially David, who helps run this place. He creates beautiful moosepoop jewelry! This trail is an amazing community!
Date: 2008-09-10
From: East B Rd. Andover ME. - PineEllis Lodge

To: South Arm Rd - PineEllis Lodge
Miles today: 10.1

Easy miles slackpacking from South Arm Rd back to East B Hill Rd with a great group of hiker buddies - RavOn, Serene, BrushStrokes, and Ron. After fording Black Brook we headed up Moody Mt. for a good climb before coming back down to ford Sawyer Brook. This was much better trail than we have been having and everyone enjoyed it. We had a peacful lunch at Surplus Pond. That's a really beautiful, tranquil setting. No moose sighting yet. Back to PineEllis for a hot shower then a big supper and ready for bed.
Date: 2008-09-11
From: South Arm Rd - PineEllis Lodge

To: Bemis Stream
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

We saw a moose! A great big boy with some big antlers. After a great night's sleep at Pine Ellis we started at South Arm Rd. It was a hard, rocky climb up and over Old Blue Mtn. at 3600'. We were back in the mud and rocks all day. Another climb up and over Bemis Range (West Peak) at 3580'. A few good views today. Best view was of the MOOSE! Big as a horse about 25' up the trail right past Bemis Leanto at 3p.m. Bogie started walking towards him to get pictures and he huffed a warning to him. Got some great pictures. Moose count has now begun!
Date: 2008-09-12
From: Bemis Stream

To: Near ME Rt.4
Miles today: 13.9

We are tent camping in the rain tonight. Better trail today but still a lot of mud, slick big rocks and roots to slow us down. A few views of some pretty ponds and that's all. The rest of the day was up and down. It was raining by the time we decided to call it a day so we had to put up the tent in the rain, that means nearly everything got some degree of wet. The weatherman missed it this time. It was supposed to be dry until Sunday. Oh well. It's not the first time.
Date: 2008-09-13
From: Near ME Rt.4

To: Poplar Ridge Leanto
Miles today: 10.7

After an all-night rain everything was wet and slick today. Rough trail up Saddleback Mtn. at 4120', the Horn at 4040', and Saddleback Junior at 3655'. We went by several ponds today and had a brief view from on top but clouds quickly closed in and took it. We are here with a bunch of the younger hikers-some we really like-then the usual attitude few. We are staying in the shelter tonight since the ground is all wet and it looks like it could rain again at any moment. Note--it rained all night.
Date: 2008-09-14
From: Poplar Ridge Leanto

To: Caribou Valley Rd-Stratton Motel
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: broken clouds

It rained all night last night and all day long today. No views except some beautiful streams we had to ford-Orbeton Stream and the South branch of the Carrabasset River. Lone Mtn. and Spaulding Mtn. were both socked in with clouds and rain. It was really great to see Susie, the owner of the motel and her dog, Knucklehead again. She's a terrific person and so easy to work with. We'll probably slackpack a day or two from here, but I think tomorrow is a zero day since it is supposed to rain again and we are exhausted. It will be good to sleep and eat all day. We saw HikeOn and FreeSpirit at the pizza place next door. Great to see them again since we haven't since we went to NY. Everyone we have talked to in the last few days says the same thing about being totally exhausted, so maybe a day of rest tomorrow is just what the doctor ordered. We went under 200 miles left today!
Date: 2008-09-16
From: Stratton Motel

To: Maine 27 - Stratton Motel
Miles today: 8.3

Great trail most of the day. Easy slackpack in beautiful weather. Starting out the climb up South Crocker Mt. (4040') was kind of steep and rocky with no views and then it got better for the climb over North Crocker (4228'). Still not much in the way of views but the trail actually became a hiking trail again with REAL dirt for the last 5 miles interspersed with the rocks. Cool morning, but just right for good hiking. The colors in the trees are getting spectacular with more yellows and deep reds to go along with the orange maples. Then, back to the motel for chili and blueberry pie and raspberry turnover covered with powerded sugar! We've lost so much weight now that we don't have to feel guilty about eating all we can hold at every opportunity. We are having ribeyes for supper for the second night straight. I love it! Oh, and we saw another moose this morning. It was all gangly ,skinny legs and thin antlers, just walking down Caribou Valley Rd. without a care. It reminded me of a teenager at the akward stage where they are all legs and arms. This one was a funny-looking animal.
Date: 2008-09-17
From: Maine 27 - Stratton Motel

To: Safford Brook Trail - Stratton Motel
Miles today: 10.3

Slackpack up Safford Brook trail to the AT, then over Avery Peak of Bigelow Mt. and back to the Fire Warden's Trail down to Stratton Brook Pond for an absolutely wonderful, fun hike. Picture-perfect day! It was such a beautiful, clear day that you could see mountains way into Canada and all the way back to the Whites from above treeline. Flagstaff lake was gorgeous from on top and the trail along Stratton brook Pond was easy and really scenic with all the mountains from every side and lots of color in the woods.
Date: 2008-09-18
From: Safford Brook Trail - Stratton Motel

To: West Carry Pond Leanto
Miles today: 12.3

Today was 12.3 miles to West Carry Pond plus 2.2 up blue-blazed Safford Brook Trail. It's cold!! It has been cold all day! Great views from Little Bigelow Mt. of Flagstaff Lake, Sugarloaf Mtn. and at least a hundred more mountains and a dozen ponds. We hiked alongside the lake and West Carry Pond and the stiff wind is causing waves that the Atlantic would be proud of. Good trail for most of the day. I finally had a real fall. Nothing hurt, but after 2000 miles (which was marked in the middle of a road crossing)the fall count is Bacall-31, Bogie 1. At least Bacall got a good laugh at all the mud down my side. Oh, she also decided to practice her Ninja effect while I was behind her. You know, silent but deadly! The loons started calling at dark. It's a beautiful but kind of eerie sound.
Date: 2008-09-19
From: West Carry Pond Leanto

To: Caratunk-Northern Outdoors Resort
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

We awoke this morning to the loons on the lake calling back and forth. I think they were talking about how cold it was! 28 degrees! The trail this morning was nice and easy alongside West Carry Pond, Middle Carry Pond, and East Carry Pond all the way to Pierce Pond. All are beautiful lakes. This afternoon the trail was back to rocks and roots to the Kennebec River, where we caught the canoe ferry across the forceful current. After a five minute thumbing on US 201, we jumped in the truck bed of a logger and got our ride to a gorgeous cabin with great heat, hot shower, and we're headed for a burger. Fun, fun day!!
Date: 2008-09-20
From: Caratunk-Northern Outdoors Resort

To: Bald Mt. Brook Leanto
Miles today: 14.7

Tenting beside a nicely babbling brook. After sleeping in and a huge breakfast at the resort, we caught a ride back to the trail for a beautiful long walk alongside Holly Brook. We had an easy walk to Pleasant Pond Leanto for lunch where we met 4 nice gentlemen from England. After lunch it all fell apart for a while. The climb over Pond Mt. was again straight up and straight down over slabs of granite, but added to this was an abundance of blowdowns. It doesn't look like there has been any maintenance on that section in a long time. After we got down to Moxie Pond, the trail was again easy and well cared for. All-in-all a very satisfying day of hiking alongside a very beautiful partner.
Date: 2008-09-21
From: Bald Mt. Brook Leanto

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

Tenting in the shelter because of the cold. First thing this morning was a climb up Moxie Bald Mt. at 2,626'. The colors are getting spectacular! Reds, golds, yellows, orange - just magnificent - and that's just the bruises on Bacall's arms and legs! The leaves are even better! The coldest part of the day was putting on the Crocs to ford the West branch of the Piscataquis River. Brrr! Bacall swears that she saw blue glacier ice floating downstream, but I told her it was just that my frozen toes had broken off and were floating away. After that the trail was much nicer the rest of the way to the shelter.
Date: 2008-09-22
From: Horseshoe Canyon Leanto

To: Monson Me. - Lakeshore House
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

5.7 easy miles plus 2.0 blue blaze. Cold, 30 degree morning, but beautiful, clear day. We had a rockhop across the East branch of the Piscataquis River, but kept our feet dry and other than that it was just a colorful autumn woodswalk. We are back in the same room we had in 2006 when we section hiked this part and Rebecca's (the owner) lovely kids have really grown a lot. It's a nice place to relax on Lake Hebron after resupplying, eating and showering and doing the laundry. Tomorrow - THE WILDERNESS!!!!
Date: 2008-09-23
From: Monson Me. - Lakeshore House

To: Long Pond Stream Leanto
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

We saw numerous ponds and streams on this up and down day. We had to ford several of the streams, most notably Big Wilson where the rushing current was knee-deep and cold. This was another clear beautiful but cold day and tonight is getting colder. We have seen a lot of ruffled grouse over the last few days and even had a deer snort at us this afternoon. The lakes here are surrounded by color as the leaves get fully decked out in their finery.
Date: 2008-09-24
From: Long Pond Stream Leanto

To: Chairback Gap Leanto
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

These were hard rocky miles over Barren Mtn., Fourth Mtn., Third Mtn.,and Columbus Mtn. Very cold morning but a decent afternoon with mostly clear skies until just the last hour. We are tenting out at the shelter tonight. There are terrific views of Lake Onawa and Long Pond from on top, and big sections of red leaves in the valley below. On a sad note, a trusted friend that we have relied upon almost hourly since the start of the journey died during the night and we are not sure if it was from hypothermia or exhaustion. Yes, my wristwatch stopped for good during the cold night. TOD 3:30 a.m. We tried mouth to face resuscitation and that didn't work so I tried fist to face and that didn't help either. Services will be held at the next waste receptacle. Now our camera is serving double duty as a watch.
Date: 2008-09-25
From: Chairback Gap Leanto

To: Hay Mtn.-White Brook Trail
Miles today: 14.6

It was a fantastic Indian summer day. We were in shorts and T's until just before supper when it started getting cooler. The sky has been beautiful and clear to go with the bright colors in the leaves. This morning had a technical climb straight down a boulder slide and then a climb over Chairback Mtn.(2180')and then we had a coldwater ford of the West Branch of the Pleasant River and then a walk through the Gulf Hagas area which has some really nice old big trees, and a long walk beside the rushing Gulf Hagas Brook. Next, we climbed Gulf Hagas Mtn.(2683'), West Peak Mtn.(3178'), and Hay Mtn.(3244'). Lunchtime include terrific entertainment as Bacall unintentionally performed "The Dance of the Water Sprite" along the rocks of the creek before landing bottom first in the water for her 34th fall. I think the composer of the ballet was Shastokovich. At least she came up yelling something close to that.
Date: 2008-09-26
From: Hay Mtn.-White Brook Trail

To: Jo Mary Rd
Miles today: 17.9

We are camped near Jo Mary Rd. and Cooper Brook. Today started out with a nice climb up White Cap Mtn. @ 3650'. The views from the summitt were amazing! We also had our first view of Mt. Katahdin in the distance. The colors look like a painter just splattered paint in all directions. We were lucky that we could rock hop across the East Branch of the Pleasant River. Lunchtime was spent beside Mtn. View Pond. It was such a quiet and peaceful place. But once again, no moose sighting. After lunch we had out last big mountain to climb before the Big K--Little Boardman Mtn. @ 1980'. We are very glad to be camped next to the brook. It's a very soothing sound to hear.
Date: 2008-09-27
From: Jo Mary Rd

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 10.0

We are staying in a great little cabin at White House Landing drying out everything. It rained all night last night and all morning while we were hiking, so we called it quits for the day and took the 1.2 mile blue-blaze here for a huge 1 lb. burger for lunch and a big bowl of chili for supper. I even got to sit on the dock and caught a nice fish, using Spam for bait. It's a great place to relax. When you get across from the cabins you sound an airhorn and they come over in a boat to pick you up. After our shower we have been sitting on the porch just enjoying the beautiful leaves and the loons on the lake. We also saw a golden eagle fly over and also a couple of seagulls. We are really glad to be in for the night since the remnants of the latest hurricanes are supposed to being passing through this evening. Ravon, Ravonette, Chainsaw, and Mountain Lion are also here. It's a great place to be!
Date: 2008-09-28
From: White House Landing

To: Rainbow Stream Leanto
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: moderate rain

Today was more rain from the hurricane. We began the day with a huge, delicious breakfast at Whitehouse Landing. After the boatride across the lake we once again entered the woods filled with beautiful arrays of colors. The first several miles of the trail were pretty nice walking. We had our snack next to the Nahmakanta Lake. It is a huge lake that the trail circles for quite a ways. The only climb for today was up Nahmakanta (Nasty Butt) Mtn. @ 1520'. The trees are more colorful and beautiful everyday. The rain seems to make the colors even brighter. The trip is almost over. Only 30.1 miles to go!
Date: 2008-09-29
From: Rainbow Stream Leanto

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We are camping at the campground at Abol Bridge. This morning we hiked around Rainbow Lake. We saw three river otters swimming around the lake as we passed by. This is a huge lake. The last time we were here we saw a mama moose with her baby. This time no moose. Our only climb today was up to Rainbow Ledges @ 1517'. Not much of a view from there. The main highlight of the day was leaving the 100 mile wilderness. We are entering the last stage of the trip. The view of Big K from the bridge was socked in with fog at the top of the mtn.
Date: 2008-09-30
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Summitt of Katahdin
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was the day!! Today was a truly amazing day. We had a great climb up to the summitt of Katahdin and then 5.2 miles back down. It was a foggy day on the top. We saw lots of our hiker friends that also summitted today. Everyone was congratulating,hugging,and high-fiving. When we got to the top we got into our "outfits"--Bogie & Bacall style. Purple dress and boa for Bacall. Bogie had an awesome white jacket, tuxedo shirt complete with bowtie, and a great hat Bogie style. It was great! Coming back down from the summitt, the colors in the valley were amazing. The Katahdin Stream Falls were really full and rushing. Our friend Ravon and her family gave us a ride into Millinocket. We are at the Hotel Terrace. It was the perfect ending to a perfect adventure!!
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am done with February. And march, for that matter. The wait begins to grow tedious. It's been so cold for so long that I'm forgetting what it's like to hike when it's warm. Oatmeal and I went for an 8 mile hike in brecksville reservation yesterday. The trails were covered with ice, and downhills were treacherous. I fell down at least three times, and put a bit of a hole in my left knee. Other than that, it was a good hike. Freezing cold, but we saw a flock of bluebirds, and the bald eagles are starting to nest along the Cuyahoga River, so spring must be somewhere nearby.also, I think I've finally got the fit right on my pack...it's so much more comfortable now, although I'm wondering if chafing's going to be an issue with the hip belt.I'm dehydrating everything I can get my hands on....lots of lentil stews, red beans and rice a'la new orleans, carrots, apples, papayas, even salsa. I love this dehydrator! It gives me something to do in preparation, since almost everything else is done, the gear is all packed and ready to head to Georgia.39 days and counting.
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Finally, February is at an end! I have been struggling with the weather, trying to keep myself to a routine of outdoor activity and hiking, which has become difficult with my work schedule. This job is very much a means to an end (ie, having enough money to eat on the hike), but that doesn't make it any less hateful. There's so much petty nonsense that goes on at the restaurant that I can't bring myself to care about...I'm there to work, nothing else.The challenges of the trail will be a welcome relief.The only saving grace is that I get to walk to work. Coming home the other night after it had snowed, with stars scattered overhead and fluffy white drifts all around, the railroad tracks by the steelyard restless with night-trains, was truly beautiful. Did a six-mile hike on the Buckeye Trail this past Saturday near BLue Hen Falls...the trail runs through a hilly section around a rushing creek, down through pine forests and crossing the creek several times. It was snowy but sunny, and we managed to keep our boots dry. Even with a full pack, it was fairly easy going.Oatmeal and I went down to Brandywine Falls yesterday after work...the snow was heavy, bending the branches on the pine trees. The falls were rushing, covered in bluish ice that had formed huge icicles and fantastic configurations of froth and stilled water.We'd planned on hiking, but we'd found a hill a little ways down the Stanford Hostel trail, so decided to go sledding instead. No one else had been back in that part of the forest, and we were breaking snow, wading through knee-deep drifts. The hill was fast, and when the sleds hit bumps in the ground, we went flying off of them in a cloud of snow. Fortunately, the drifts were deep and made for soft landing. It wasn't long before we were cold and wet.We met a man who'd come back with his son to sled, and joined him around the fire he'd built to eat apples and warm our hands. We talked (the man is a geologist....interesting listening to him expound the wonders of ohio's geology) of life and travel, watched the sun go down, the light all golden on the dead beech leaves, pink on the snow.A perfect evening.Sitting here now, in the warm house, sipping New Mexican Sauv. Blanc...thinking: this is the last month of civilization for awhile! I couldn't be any more excited. The luxuries of "modern" life are nice in a way, but nothing compares with the glory of a late night fire shared with friends.In the words of Mr. Waits: "What price freedom? Dirt in my rug/Well I'll sleep like a baby with the snakes and the bugs..." Can't beat the roving life.
Date: 2008-03-30
To: Amicalola Falls State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Spent Saturday evening with my family... we built a fire and sat around sharing stories of our past adventures. A good last night in Ohio. We left, with Julie driving the dragonmobile at 7 am, stopping at our friend's farm outside of Columbus to say goodbye. Around 2 o'clock, we arrived at Cumberland Falls, KY. For miles before, we'd been driving through fields of green... seems as soon as we crossed the state line, we hit instant spring - flowers are blooming, the air is balmy, a far cry from what we left in Ohio.The falls were raging a truly awesome cataclysm of water, reminded me a bit of Niagara Falls' Horseshoe Falls. I was happy because it was actually warm enough to go barefoot! We hiked the beach downriver from the falls, which was tawny, warm sand, littered with shiny black coal, bleached driftwood, huge boulders. Lichens and thick bright green moss was growing on everything adding more colour to the area. The green is such a relief after a long drab winter.We stopped at the car to change into cooler clothing, then took trail #9 to Eagle Falls, which winds between fantastic rock formations, small caves, laurel shrubs. The falls cascade into a deep turquoise pool. We spent a while climbing rocks before piling back into the car. The rest of the drive, down through the Cumberland Gap area was beautiful, although it's really started to sink in that we have to hike across all these mountain ranges, which are lovely at a distance, but will surely be rough climbing.Tomorrow we begin hiking in earnest. Tonight, we arrived at Amicalola around 11:30 to the sound of spring peepers! Made our way to the shelter where we met a guy named Zach and his dog, Kaya. Promptly crashed. Slept warm. Headed out!
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Amicolola State Park/Approach Trail

To: Stover Creek
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The birds woke me up with the sun. We cleaned up and signed the register and weighed the packs. Mine was 30 lbs, Oatmeal's was 32 lbs. We said goodbye to Julie and Andy then began the approach trail. It was misty but warm and we couldn't see the falls much because of the fog. It got windy and began to drizzle. The trail was more beautiful than expected surrounded by rhodedendrons, moss, brilliant white rocks. It feels a bit surreal actually being on the trail finally. We reached the summit around 2 pm and signed in with Many Sleeps,the caretaker. We stopped at the shelter to cook lunch. While we were there Pootz and M&M (AT'06) showed up. They were day hiking in the area. Cool to see them on our first day out. We decided to go on to Stover Creek Shelter where we met several other thrus including a guy named Key Chain and a sectioner named Slow Go'en. Good night of camraderie. Someone had left a huge (1/2 gallon nearly) jar of P.B. which we foolishly adopted. We also ran into Barefoot Sage, who had come out to take a look at Springer before starting her hike.