morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-09-05
From: Hall Mountain Lean-to

To: Bemis Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Today is for Tom & Eileen Ryan , Littleton and all the Ryan family, remembering especially Johnny and Katie. A great night¢s sleep, no snorers, farters or sleep talkers to disturb. Even the mice were on a ¢night off¢. I awoke early and enjoyed the silence and ¢sounds of the woods¢. 6.45 I was on the road again. For a change it was downhill and the road was again rocky and full of roots. Taking my time and stepping carefully as I thought, I stepped on a wet root and went down on my ass. It was a gentle fall but in the process I hit my side a bang on a sharp piece of rock. As I lay there, I feared the worst. However, when I got to my feet I felt the soreness but could take a deep breath without feeling pain. It was a horrible moment. Having come through so many tough sections, to come a cropper on an easy stretch. But I walked on and felt there was no great damage done. I reached the bottom and stopped for water at Sawyer Brook. Facing me was a 1,500 ft. climb up Moody Mountain. I had been warned about this ¢Bucko¢. It lived up to its name. It was so steep in places that wooden and iron ladders were fitted. When I touched my side, I could feel the soreness but it didn¢t bother me while walking. One hour and fifteen to the top and then another decent to the road. The morning was bright, sunny and cool. I dried my tent on the road and not a car to disturb me. I rested and ate a little in preparation for the next climb.Old Blue (3,600 ft.) is known to be the toughest and steepest in the Bemis Range. 2 hours plus to tame Old Blue, where I ate lunch on the summit. A long down hill until I was faced with the third big climb of the day, 3,580 ft. to the top of Bemis Range ( West Peak). The going was hard and energy levels falling. I had not met a single hiker all day. Around 5, I reached Bemis Mountain Lean-to and was happy to call it a day. There was a Swedish man, who had walked from Kathadin at the Shelter. I cooked my meal and was in the sleeping bag before 6.30. It was cold and I was a little concerned about the soreness in my side. Constant Motion arrived just as darkness was closing in. She had covered the 8.7 miles from the road in 4 12 hours . She is a nurse and gave me 2 tablets and said it was only a bad bruise. There was no way, she said, I could have climbed three ¢bad boys¢ if there was serious damage. 12.8 miles today over rough country. I was hoping to reach Rangeley tomorrow, but it is 17.7 miles away.
Date: 2003-09-06
From: Bemis Mountain Lean-to

To: Rangeley, Maine
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: few clouds

Today is for all the Kinnane Family, Liskeveen and of course, my good friend, Fr. Roger Kinnane. A good nights sleep with no trouble from the ribs. A little sore to the touch but nothing serious. 6.45, I was hiking . Constant Motion passed me on the climb to the summit of Mount Bemis followed by a tricky downhill, dropping to 1,400 ft. Then for a change, a steep 1.1mile climb up to the road. The view was spectacular, looking back over lakes and mountains. I ate some food while admiring the beauty of Maine. But not for long. Even though the sun was shining, it was cold when you stopped for any length of time. 3.7 miles to the next shelter, Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to. I made good time and was there for lunch. A little after 12, Surestep and Buddist Monk arrived slack-packing. They had a car waiting at Route 4, so I decided to have a go and do the 9.2 miles to the road that leads to Rangely. 4.7 miles to the next Campsite where there was water and a good place to stay. I covered the distance in a little over two hours. The evening was beautiful and the Trail relatively easy. I was nice to be able to walk again after all the rocks. Surestep, Buddist Monk and I had a quick break at the lake and refilled the water supply. It was 3.20 with 4.8 miles to go. I have rarely enjoyed walking so much. I was feeling strong and was only 5 mins. behind my friends who were waiting for me. 17.7 miles today. It was a great feeling to get some miles on the clock again. I reached the road at 5.15. Rangeley is 9 miles off theTrail. A lovely little town but with very little in the line of hiker accommodation. I went to the Catholic Church to discover there was no resident priest. I met a lovely 81 yr. old fisherman who lives opposite the Church. He told me I could camp on his lawn. Then he told me he had a place in the attic. Then his wife said ¢no, there¢s a bed room upstairs¢. I was invited to a lovely dinner, had a shower and did the laundry. ¢A fantastic family evening. This lady¢s great grandmother was Mary Leahy (Moycarkey, Co. Tipperary). I have some of the info and they are anxious to trace their people, small world!! Harry & Marge Carry, their granddaughter Sarah, her husband Matt and their little child, Luca were my table companions. What a wonderful surprise yet again on the Trail.
Date: 2003-09-07
From: Rangeley, Maine

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is for Sean & Cronan McCarrick, their parents and Jenny. A great nights sleep on a full belly. The old habit of early rising is hard to break, I got up without waking the house and did a little writing. It gets ever more difficult to write on the Trail The days are getting shorter and there is little time or chance to write in the evenings. Marge and Harry were soon up and about and nice fresh coffee tasted so good. They gave me information about Marge¢s Great Grandmother, a Mary Leahy who was born in Moycarkey. Mass was at 9 and I met Fr. John McGoldrick, Vincentian, and friend of Fr. Rod Cawley (Lagos). After Mass, Harry had a massive breakfast a-cooking while I went to the store for some provisions. I ate a great feed of bacon, eggs, toast and good coffee. I packed, took some photos before Harry and Matt drove me back to the Trail. It was almost 11.45 before I got started back along Sandy River (1595 ft.). I would climb over 2,500 ft. over the next 5 miles. The day was beautiful sunny and cool. The climb up Saddleback was really tough and when I eventually got above tree line, it was really cold and I was in the ¢clouds¢. Lots of day hikers and some SOBOS (the last) . I spent a long time in the cold misty regions of the summit and then had to cross over the Horn (4040 ft.). A long downhill and 2 miles before I reached the top of Saddleback Junior ( 3,655 ft.) Another hard down hill to Poplar Ridge Lean-to. Oopala, Buddist Monk and Surestep were there. It was cold and why wouldn¢t it be, almost 3,000 ft. I cooked and quickly changed into warmer clothes. By 7.30 I was in the sleeping bag with the mice scurrying around the place. I was tired. Saddleback was tougher than I expected, but basically it was the late start that made it even tougher. It was always going to be a struggle to make it to the Shelter. The pain in my side was worse today than on previous days. I consulted with Oopala who reassured me that it was only a bruised rib. With thoughts such as these I was ready to sleep when Leapyear and Spunky barged into the Shelter around 8.30 complete with headlamps. I have never ventured to hike again in the dark, it¢s hard enough in the daylight. 10.7 miles today but three important summits. Tomorrow, we should break the ¢200 miles to go¢barrier. Now we are beginning to think in terms of days to Kathadin, twenty at the outside, looking like less.
Date: 2003-09-08
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Sugarloaf Mountail
Miles today: 10.9

Today is for John Flanagan and Murt Gleeson, for Peg and all the Flanagan /Gleeson families. Another early, cold morning. I was one of the early risers. Had a quick breakfast and hit the road. It was bitterly cold. My hands were numb as I held the hiking poles, but the sun was coming up and I knew it would be a warm day. About 3 miles down the Trail I met Seabees walking towards me. He has been slack-packing and doing all kinds of Blue Blazing. His mother is dying and he tries to get into town as often as possible. We chatted for a while,he said he¢d catch me next day, but, somehow, I doubted it. At 9.20 I started up Lone Mountain (3,260 ft.). This one was a big surprise, It was switch-backed and easy. Oopala passed me near the top, Then Buddist Monk passed by. 2.1 miles to the next Shelter and lunch. It was such a beautiful sunny day, with a cloudless sky. I decided to cook a hot lunch and enjoy the sunshine. I was planning to walk to the next campsite 6 miles away. The rest of the gang were taking a detour and going to the top of Sugarloaf to see the sunset and sunrise in the morning. After a massive pasta lunch, I was in no hiking mood and suddenly the Sugarloaf option seemed very attractive. I was glad to have taken that road. It was a lovely evening at over 4,000 ft. Surestep, Oopala, Buddist Monk and I shared dinner and watched the sunset over Mount Washington in the far distance. We could also see Mount Kathadin in the other direction. Worse still we could see the Crocker Mountains, which we would climb in the morning. I produced some cheddar cheese and Buddist Monk¢s eyes lit up. She returned the favour, with a large portion of schnappes. It tasted great with drinking Swissmaid chocolate. We were celebrating having crossed under the 200mile barrier. ¢Kathadin is very near now¢, we said. And then we laughed, ¢who in their right mind would consider 200 miles near ?¢and walking at that. But having come all the way from Georgia, it sure was a milestone. In a day or two we will have walked 2,000 miles. John Flanagan would have been proud. Leapyear and Spunky arrived, as usual, in the dark. Outside the wind was howling, but we are ready for sleep before 7.30. A magical day on the Trail.
Date: 2003-09-09
From: Sugarloaf Mountail

To: Cranberry Stream Campsite
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Today is for my brother, John, who celebrates 60 years young today. Thank you for always being present in my life and especially for your help and constant support during this journey. I woke at 5.30 and waited for the sun to rise. Buddist Monk and I took our sleeping bags and climbed to the highest point. It was below zero as we waited and marvelled at the changing colours on the horizon. 6.05, the sun came up on a new day. Back to the Shelter where we took a leisurely breakfast. It was 7.10 before I headed down the hill. Sugarloaf is 0.5 miles off the Trail. Before 8, I heard some rustling in the trees to my right. I stopped and waited. I was rewarded with my first sighting of a Moose. A young calf stepped out on the Trail in front of me. It stared at me, as if to say, 2 ¢what are you doing here?. Then it sauntered up the Trail ahead of me. Commander¢in-Chief passed me , then Oopala and Buddist.Monk. A very steep and tricky decent to the Carrabasset River where we stopped to refuel and get ready for the big climb. It was back again to the rocks as I climbed South Crocker Mountain (4,040 ft.) and then its cousin on the North Side (4,228 ft.). It was lunch-time and Sure Step and I ate a quick lunch. It got very cold very quickly at that altitude. We walked together 4.9 miles down to the road where B. Monk was waiting. Not easy hitching (no cars) but we got a ride into Stratton. I did some shopping and rang Cliffside Park and called Templemore. Sorry to miss you , John, but it was great chatting with Geraldine. What a pity Seamus can¢t make it to Kathadin. I met Seabees, Oopala and many others who were staying at Stratton. I decided to get back on the Trail and be ready for the Bigelow Range. I got a ¢hitch¢ back to the Trail head and by 17.00, I was walking uphill to Cranberry Stream Campsite (1,350 ft.). A lovely cool evening, I walked the distance in less than one hour. Met ¢No So¢, a lady who lives on the Trail. She hails from Alabama and walks, sometimes North , sometimes South, hence the name. I pitched tent while the Pasta was cooking. B.Monk and Surestep arrived. I was ready for an early rest. Tomorrow I face the last big mountain range and will be hoping for an early start.
Date: 2003-09-10
From: Cranberry Stream Campsite

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Today is for Paddy Moloughney, London and his wife Aggie and family. I was up with the dawn and quickly got my tent packed. A quick bite to eat and I was ready for a long day. The morning was cold but the sun was already out and it promised another great day in the mountains.. A long hard climb up to Horns Pond Shelter (3.3 miles) where I took a welcome break. Starbuck was about to leave. I was glad to see him again. I filled up with water and got ready for the big climb, 2.6 miles to the top of the Bigelow Mountain , West Peak (4,145 ft.). It took me less than 2 hours. I was really feeling good and my pack seemed ¢light¢. No wonder it should. When I reached the summit, B. Monk and Oopala came up behind me. B. Monk had carried my tent from the last Shelter where I had left it. Commander-in-Chief joined us for lunch in the shelter of some rocks at the summit. It was a wonderful scene looking down on Flagstaff Lake. On I wandered over Avery Peak (4,090 ft.) and then another long downhill to Safford Notch where I had to walk 12 mile to get much needed water. Oopala was staying at the Campsite but I was anxious to complete the ¢Bigelows¢ today. At 15.00 I started up Little Biggelow, reaching the summit, eventually by 5. I was joined by Midway, a young man from Pennsylvania. A pleasant down hill to Little Bigelow Shelter in the cool but sunny evening. Commander-in-Chief , Starbuck, Midway, were there. Odwalla, B. Monk, Surestep and Pace came in later. There was one lady going south named Two Dog and she had the bloody hounds taking up half the Shelter. Her mother was Danagher from Cork, but that was no excuse. We had a great chat and talk centred on crossing the 2,000 mile mark Some claim the Shelter is over the 2,000 mile mark, others say we will cross the ¢mark¢ in the morning. Which or whether, we have come a long way since Georgia. Time to sleep and dream of Kathadin.
Date: 2003-09-11
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today is for Paul McGrath. What a beautiful morning? The weather has really been a plus all through the mountains. I just hope it keeps up for another week or two. A leisurely stroll downhill was the morning menu with the sun peeping through the trees. This is what I imagined the Appalachian Trail to be, nice soft leafy underfoot conditions, which is termed ¢duff¢ out here. Down by the road, I came on a sign, which said ¢2000 miles¢. I sat down to eat a little and waited for somebody to show up to take a photograph of the achievement. ¢Buffalo Bobby¢, a 59 year old from New Jersey soon came along, also ¢Pace¢, a young kid from Boston. Buffalo Bobby and I walked on together. It was such a change from the rocks and mountains. Bobby is a Polish Jew raised as a Catholic with a great story to tell. He started out in Georgia in March. We talked and shared stories all the way to West Carry Shelter. We had a nice lunch there with Midway, Pace and Starbuck. Bobby made tea for everyone. We continued hiking and talking till we came to East Carry Pond where Odwalla, Midway and Pace were basking in the sun on a lovely beach. A compulsory stop for a swim and a little relaxation. Bobby was worried about the distance yet to travel and headed on. I spent at least an hour soaking up the sun, ag cru na greine. At 14.30, I headed on for the next Shelter Odwalla, Pace and Midway passed and 2 miles short of the Shelter, I caught up with the bunch. Buffalo Bobby and I walked to Pierce Pond Lean-to arriving just before 5. It was a glorious setting, looking out on Pierce Pond and listening to the plaintiff cry of the loon. Wizzard, a 54 year old from Atlanta, Georgia was there, also Commander in Chief. It was a glorious evening as talk, once again, turned to Kathadin and the ever-nearing date of arrival. Crossing the 2000-mile mark today was just unbelievable. Tomorrow, we would cross the Kennebec River by canoe, a lot of the rivers up here could be tricky, but with the dry spell, ¢the stepping stones¢ are visible. I am feeling good. The legs are holding just great. The ribs are hurting a little, especially at night, but nothing to worry about. Today was 17.3 miles but some of the easiest hiking in along time. How I look forward to a simple 5 or even 10-mile walk when I get back home.
Date: 2003-09-12
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Moxie Pond
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Today is for Johnny Casey and Johnny Power, two great neighbours and friends.Wizzard, Starbuck, Buffalo Bobby and Commanded in Chief were going for breakfast at some nearby lodge. The rest of us were heading straight for the river. The 3/7 miles to the river was nice and I was there by 8.30. The ferry starts at 9, so Pace and I were the first to make the crossing. We walked into Caratunk and loaded up with Milk Shakes and goodies. I wrote up my journal and went to the Post Office. It was great speaking with Geraldine and hear news of home. Looking forward to seeing John for the second time on this walk. I will have more precise information when I get to Monson on Sunday. Back again to the store where Buffalo Bobby insisted on buying Ben & Jerry ice cream for me. I didn¢t get out of town till 12. The day was glorious and I was loaded with extra calories. I was flying and covered the 5.7 miles to the next Shelter before. I decided to push on. A tough climb up Pleasant Pond Mountain ( 2470 ft.) but the 4.9 miles down the mountain went on forever. I was getting worried and low on water but I knew I could reach the Moxie Pond before dark. In fact, I got there before 6, filled up with water and in a few minutes found an excellent campsite, less than 200 yards from the Lake. I had just completed erecting my tent when Starbuck arrived. It was nice to have some company. We were camped just off a logging road and cars were passing. They seemed to be boating people, returning home. But soon, it was total silence. My pasta was cooking while I erected the tent ¢ No time for fancy stuff. I was tired and ready for bed. It was dark and I was snug inside my sleeping bag by 7.30. 15.9 miles today over rough enough terrain. A great day, with three hours in town thrown in. I was glad to get to Moxie Pond in time to cook and set up tent before dark. Never again, do I want to be caught on the Trail after dark. 139 miles to go, now it is getting close.
Date: 2003-09-13
From: Moxie Pond

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is for Mick and Eileen Armstrong, Carmel, Joe and family.A wonderful sleep and not a soul to disturb the silence of the wilderness. I awoke at 5.30 and before 6.30, I was heading off to face another day. I met ¢Scotland¢, an older guy who was rushing to reach Monson today. Too far for me. I walked quickly to Bald Mountain Brook Shelter, where I ate a second breakfast. I met a nice young man, Viking from Germany, who hopes to finish before the end of the month. He is in a hurry as his flight home is on the 29th. The morning was glorious as I started up Moxie Bald Mountain (2629 ft.). I was feeling tired, but there was no hurry. I really enjoyed the climb and the view from the top was spectacular. I met two section hikers and we chatted at the summit. It was very tempting to stay there and enjoy the sunshine but I had ¢ to walk some miles¢. I arrived at Moxie Bald Shelter by noon and had a lovely lunch with a chipmunk for company. Viking, Wizzard and Starbuck arrived just as I was leaving. 8.9 miles to go to the next Shelter so I wanted to make tracks. Some of it was delightful walking along river- banks and smelling pines. I clipped 5 miles in a little over 2 hours, so I could relax on the last few miles. I met 2 volunteers working on the Trail, one of them Jim Maher from Kilkenny was mad for a chat. It must be a good omen for the ¢Cats¢ in tomorrow¢s final. Viking passed and then Wizzard and I hiked the last three miles to the Shelter. We decided to camp down by the river. Starbuck soon joined us. It was a magnificent setting spoilt only by the bugs. Was I glad to have my big tent? As soon as I had eaten, I was inside the tent. I could hear Wizzard and Starbuck hanging their food bags but I just couldn¢t be bothered. I kept what little food I had beside me in the tent. I don¢t know how bears could smell the food with the stench of socks, clothes and bag pack. Mice and chipmunks were the only possible enemy, but they don¢t seem to bite through tents. And tomorrow, its an easy walk to Monson, a clean bed a hot shower and some good food. The last ¢pit stop¢ before I hit the 100 mile Wilderness. Kathadin, here we come.
Date: 2003-09-14
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: mist

Today is for Seamus and Charotte Cashin and all the Cashin family. A great nights sleep on the banks of the Piscataquis River, no bears, rats or chipmunks came to disturb. Even if they did, I was too tired to hear. It¢s wonderful how you sleep in the woods after a long day hiking. Another landmark today, as I head for Monson, the last stop before the reach Kathadin. All these weeks and months, you see the name Monson in the ¢Guide¢ and now I am almost there. 10 miles to walk this morning. A beautiful sunny morning with food bags at ¢zero¢, the pack is so much lighter. I left camp at 6.45 having done the usual morning routine. It¢s so much fun tenting when the weather is fine. We really have been blessed with the weather in New Hampshire and Maine. It would be great if the weather held up for another ten days, but there is talk of Hurricane Isobelle moving up this way during the week. Somehow, I doubt if she¢ll make it up this far. The walking was an easy series of ¢Ups¢ and ¢Downs¢ and the anticipation of good food and lodgings kept the feet moving. I crossed a few rivers, which during the rains might have posed problems but today, it was easy to step from stone to stone. At 11 am I was just reaching Maine 15 when Starbuck arrived. We walked down the road where Keith Shaw (Snr.) was waiting to take us to the Hikers Lodgings. We were treated so well with fresh coffee and cakes to tide us over till meal time. A great shower and a chance to relax. I did some shopping for the long stretch in the wilderness. I dread to think what my pack will weigh going out of town tomorrow. Wizzard arrived, so too Seabees and Mothman, whom I hadn¢t seen since Vernon, Connecticut. I spoke with Geraldine who gave me a masterly account on Kilkenny¢s win. Then I spoke with Eddie Callaghan and John. I just can¢t believe that I will be seeing them next week. There is a real ¢buzz¢ here at Shaws as every one gets ready for the final push. I hope the scales is wrong as my weight reads 175 lbs, so I suppose I can afford to carry a few extra kilos in my backpack.