morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-08-18
From: Sand Beach, Jo-Mary Lake

To: Cooper Brook Falls leanto
Miles today: 9.6

One more morning of beach life! Then it was off to the mountains (in a couple of days). For today the trail was quite gentle. Saw a loon out in the water as we scooted around Jo-Mary Lake. Weather started cloudy and transitioned into a light rain by late morning. Except to a couple lulls, rain continued all day but never more than a heavy drizzle. Wreck got to camp early, looked around, put up the tent, ate a second lunch and decided, after checking out the privy (just looking) to go back down the trail and check on Brighty. Over a mile later he began to really worry (she did get lost coming out of a privy in Virginia). Wreck sped back to the camp to make sure Brighty somehow hadn't slipped by him (and to get his headlamp for a longer search). Got to camp and there was Brighty, worried that he had gone over waterfalls. Turned out, in the time it took Wreck to check out privy, Brighty had slipped past him into camp. We both decided that, in the 100 mile, we need to hike closer together. Rain stopped in time for Wreck to get water and cook dinner (Brighty elected to stay in our beloved and warm tent). She did get out later to brush teeth, etc.  We've bedded down now and it's not quite 8 pm!  Tomorrow we pick up our food drop and head into the mountainous section of the 100 mile!
Date: 2017-08-19
From: Cooper Brook Falls leanto

To: Logan Brook Rd
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Drizzling as we got up. Packed up a wet tent and headed south. A couple miles along we picked up our food drop we arranged with the Millinocket hostel. Great to see it  as we were getting low. Not great to carry it!!!  Went up one sort of mountain today, Little Boardman at 1980 ft. Not high but steep particularly coming down. Got to Mountain View Pond and mistakenly went straight into the camping area instead of following AT to the left. Recognized our mistake quickly but "the mistake" turned out to be great as we happened into a super large patch of ripe blueberries. Best we've seen so far. Delicious but not filling. After 15-20 minutes of eating we gave up and headed back to the trail. Weather improved throughout the day and by the time we rock hopped over the East Branch of the Pleasant River there were small patches of blue sky. The last two miles to this campsite Brighty had two backfalls into a muddy trail. She's already looking forward to a shower. (Wreck advises her to jump into a waterhole the next couple of days). Spring at this site nearly dry. Just dripping but Wreck put a bag under it and half an hour later we had plenty to cook with and fill our water bottles. Feels warmer out tonight then previous few nights. We're bedded down looking forward to some bigger mountains tomorrow.
Date: 2017-08-20
From: Logan Brook Rd

To: Sidney Tappen campsite
Miles today: 7.0

Surprisingly, for us, we had several rain showers last night. Woke to cloudy skies. First order of business was to climb over 2,000 ft up to White Cap Mountain (3650 ft). Weather couldn't make up its mind during the climb. First warm, then cool breeze, the sun seemed to want to come out and finally, about 3/4 of the way up, it started to rain. Rain was short lived but by the time we reached the top visibility wasn't very good and the cool wind was blowing pretty strongly. Hung around for a bit (Brighty talked with a couple 12-13 year olds hiking the 100 mile by themselves - one thru hiked with family in 2014 - Brighty met them in Harper's Ferry). By the way, great stone steps up the north side of White Cap. Went down White Cap, up and down Hay Mountain and West Peak - great steps down West Peak too!  The weather keep improving as the day went on. Bright blue skies all around by the time that we got to this campsite. Wreck was inclined to go a few miles more but Brighty declared herself to be finished for the day. Wreck got water down steep side trail, we've eaten, clean up and it's 7:30 pm.  Weather still beautiful. Feels like potentially our coolest night in Maine.
Date: 2017-08-21
From: Sidney Tappen campsite

To: East Chairback Pond
Miles today: 9.1

We definitely have different hiking styles. Brighty loves a leisurely 5-7 mile day. Wreck enjoys more of the 15+ mile days not hiking fast but hiking longer days into the late afternoon/ early evening light. Most of this journey has been a compromise with our days averaging around 10 miles. Yesterday Brighty got her 7 mile day. Today, thanks to the fantastic Gulf Hagas loop trail Wreck got his 15 mile day. We climbed Gulf Hagas Mountain together. Down at the shelter Brighty lingered and Wreck headed down the AT which follows Gulf Hagas Brook for several miles. The Gulf Hagas loop trail is a 5.2 mile loop, 2.8 miles traversing through The Gulf Hagas gorge. Steep cliffs, plunging waterfalls and cascades, great swimming holes, lots of spur trails to views, waterfalls, etc. From the Head of the Gulf the trail loops back on a much more gentle trail. Talk about timing, at 2:40 pm Wreck coming back up the loop toward the AT ran into a dedicated group of Maine ATC trail workers who happened to have an extra pair of eclipse glasses. So right at the peak time here in Maine (60% coverage) Wreck got a peek at the eclipse. He liked the gorge better!  We rendezvoused at the West Branch of the Pleasant River. It was an easy ford (we did have to put on our crocks and keens respectively.) Got to this great campsite around 6pm. We're on a small flat bluff overlooking beautiful East Chairback Pond. Perfect weather, perfect view!  Both of us are pooped. We've eaten, done all our chores and it's actually getting dark. The thermarest are calling.
Date: 2017-08-22
From: Rast Chairback Pond

To: West Chairback Pond
Miles today: 4.7

Great morning views of the Pond (we Virginians would call this a lake) as we munched our breakfast bars. Then it was back to the AT (via a steep 0.2 mile spur trail) and up to Chairback  Mountain. Rough terrain with lots of use of four limbs to climb. The last bit, up the "Chairback" is probably the steepest trail in the 100 mile. We were glad to be going up instead of down!  Great views from on top. Hiked down Chairback and up and down Columbus Mountain (higher in elevation but easy in comparison). Met some Northbounders who told us of great camping at West Chairback Pond, complete with a canoe!  We decided why not?  Lots of hikers, especially those heading north tend to get pulled into Katahdin's magnet and rush through the 100 mile. Well, you can never accuse us of that!  So here we are - another beautiful campsite this time overlooking West Chairback Pond. We had an afternoon paddle around an island in the pond (we told you these "ponds" are big!). Found a great rock on the island to land and soak up the sun for awhile. Weather's turned cloudy late afternoon. Storms are predicted tonight (the wind has really picked up - you can tell a front is coming through) but clearing by mid morning. Sounds great to us!  We may have to hike a full day - maybe!
Date: 2017-08-23
From: West Chairback Pond

To: Long Pond Stream lean-to
Miles today: 9.2

Wow!  This was a long, tough 9.2 mile day. The rains came pretty soon after we had bedded down. Continuous rain into the night with a period of really heavy stuff around 2 am.  That was sort of the finale as by the time the sun came up we had some patches of blue sky. This was another day to climb mountains - in order - Third Mountain, steep with great views, Mt Three and a Half, despite the name also very steep, less of a view, Fourth Mountain (Brighty thought that sounded too tame, "Really Steep Mountain"?) and finally Barren Mountain, which despite being the highest mountain of the day was mercifully the least steep. Hiked on a boardwalk through a great bog south of Fourth Mountain - tons of insectivorous pitcher plants, some in bloom!  Past Barren Mountain we hiked across the Barren Ledges with some of the best views in the 100 mile. We perhaps lingered too long on the Ledges as the decent to our campsite was another wicked one. We raced (limped?) darkness and only won by a whisker. Not a whole lot of campsite options but the lean-to was empty so we decided to sleep there. Cooked in the dark.  Everything is, hopefully, hung in mouse proof fashion. We're pooped!
Date: 2017-08-24
From: Long Pond Stream lean-to

To: Little Wilson Stream campsite
Miles today: 8.3

Well, the mice were noisy last night but our food and gear was unharmed. Perhaps the coolest night yet. No water at the lean-to and we used all of ours for dinner last night so we went out for breakfast!  Hiked about a mile down to Long Pond Stream to filter some water and eat our breakfast bars. Trail profile today looked pretty tame compared to yesterday and we guess it was but ... This is the 100 Mile and nothing is easy. Lots of relatively short but straight up steep climbs, up and down with some hand over hand climbing thrown in. One boots off Creek ford (Big Wilson) and one rock hop ford (Little Wilson).  Got to this campsite about 5:30 pm and its exceptional. We're on a bluff overlooking a small waterfalls on Little  Wilson Creek. Past the Falls the Creek curves through a small steep sided gorge. A great view to eat our last dinner in the 100 mile. Yes, though at times we thought we might be hiking in here forever, we actually are heading into Monson sometime tomorrow. One more day to enjoy this great area.
Date: 2017-08-25
From: Little Wilson Stream campsite

To: Monson, Maine
Miles today: 6.8

Again , the view from our campsite was outstanding. Well worth the somewhat rooty, less than level location of our tent. Coolest night so far in Maine. By the time we had eaten, taken down the tent, etc we were cold enough to be really ready to hike. Went pass Little Wilson Falls early on. Great square rocks all around the falls. Again, the trail profile looked mild today but we had a number of steep (hand over hand) ups and downs. Went pass several great Maine ponds (really lakes). Heard the highway well before seeing it. Got a shuttle into Monson and we are staying at Shaws - a classic AT hostel. Showered for the first time in nearly two weeks, washed clothes and headed over to Spring Creek barbecue for dinner. We're clean, fed and exhausted. Tomorrow we'll zero in Monson before heading south again.
Date: 2017-08-26
From: Monson, Maine

To: Monson ME
Miles today: 0.0

Enjoyed a relaxing "zero" day in the quaint trail town of Monson, ME. After a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, home fries and "all you can eat" blueberry pancakes, we headed out to run errands and explore the town. We stopped by the ATC information center. While they cater mostly to NOBOs getting ready to enter the 100 Mile Wilderness then on to Baxter State Park, we got the ferry schedule and general trail information. Afterwards, we went up-stairs to visit the Monson Historical Museum. Like many small town museums, it was chocked full of all kinds of "stuff". A nice man gave us an overview of the local history; slate mining and furniture making were the big industries in days gone by. The area was settled by Welch, Swedish & Finnish immigrants.Like most "zero" days, the main activity was eating. After a rather lengthy lunch, we checked out a couple of antique shops & art galleries. Both of us returned to the hostel for an afternoon nap after such an exhausting day. Before you know it, it was time for dinner so we went to a restaurant on Lake Hebron. Because it was crowded, we sat outside overlooking the lake. We were joined by two Maine couples that also needed a place to sit so we had a very nice conversation with the locals.All in all, a great day to recover from our 11 days wandering the wilds of Maine.
Date: 2017-08-27
From: Monson ME

To: Horseshoe Canyon lean-to
Miles today: 9.0

Up to another one of Shaw's magnificent breakfast (Poet, the master chef). Caught the 8:30 am shuttle back to the trailhead. We loved Shaws, especially the owners, Hippy Chick and Poet and their great young family. Just really nice folks. Another wonderful weather day today - a little warmer than the last few days but lots of blue skies. This section of trail maybe the flattest in all of Maine. That said, Brighty had a tough time getting going. We covered the first 4 miles of trail in close to 4 hours. Luckily, the Vitamin I kicked in and we made decent time this afternoon. Steady stream of NOBO's all day, including Little Red Riding Hood last seen holed up at Four Pines hostel south of Roanoke with bad stomach issues. She ended up skipping the Mid-Atlantic states. She looked much better. We think she chose wisely as she probably wouldn't have seen this area before her visa (Swiss) expires. Now she can summit Katahdin and still have some time to go see the American West. One ford today, East Branch of the Piscataquis River. Easy walk across. Maine is having a relatively dry summer making fords easier (but springs drier). Got to the leanto junction and a hiker told us about this campsite down by the river. It's level and the sound of the river is playing in the background. Not quite as many miles today as (Wreck) hoped but after a busy zero yesterday we're both looking forward to a good nights sleep!
Date: 2017-08-28
From: Horseshoe Canyon lean-to

To: Bald Mountain lean-to
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow!  A beautiful weather day. Deep blue skies all day. Chilly (okay, cold for August according to us Virginians) when we got up but warmed up to make it pleasant hiking in shorts by mid morning. A few rocky sections of trail but also some easy, flat, pine covered sections. One climb today up Moxie Bald Mountain. Brighty likes to tackle these mountains in the mornings. Alas we began the 2 mile, 1500 ft climb after 3 pm. It was a steep one requiring all four limbs occasionally. We're just lucky we didn't have to go down that section. Great views and blueberries on top. After the steep uphill we were not looking forward to the downhill but that proved quite tame. Of course on the easy sections is when you get careless and Brighty picked this section to have her most memorable fall yet (most have been sort of slow motion sit downs). This was a knee and hands plant on rock. Luckily nothing hurt. Got to this site after 6::30 pm and it was packed - both camping and lean-to. After much looking we found this nice flat, vegetation free site just north off the AT. Finished eating dinner in the dark (especially Wreck who must have been really hungry when he put together this  one- person  Mexican rice meal at home. It was huge!  Seems s little warmer tonight. Moose droppings nearby. Hope one doesn't run through the tent!
Date: 2017-08-29
From: Bald Mountain lean-to

To: Pleasant Pond lean-to
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

A warmer night than the last couple. Weather still nice although mostly cloudy this afternoon. First few miles of trail today was flat and easy. After rockhopping Moxie Pond's outlet stream we started the long 5 mile haul up Pleasant Pond Mountain. Not a particularly high mountain (2470 ft) nor large elevational climb (1400+ ft) but it definitely tested us. We'd reach a high rocky spot and think summit until we would look around, see no summit sign and then spy a higher peak further away. This went on for quite awhile until we reached the true summit. Had great surprise meeting with Speedy as we went up the mountain and he was coming down. Wreck first met him at Deep Gap for the famous Easter Sunday breakfast then again at the Sam Moore shelter, which Wreck was checking on when we were back at home. Anyhoot Speedy is doing great and hoping to summit Katahdin in less than two weeks. Fantastic to see him again!  As with Moxie Bald Mountain yesterday we were dreading what looked like a steep downhill. Luckily, just like yesterday, the decent turned out to be not too bad. Got into camp about 5:30 pm, located a campsite, (we're definitely going through a bubble of Northbounders these days) Wreck went down to Pleasant Pond to check it out (pretty but also pretty developed compared to the ponds/lakes we've been visiting - lots of powerboats and houses dotting shoreline), we cooked, have hung the bear bags, finished all our chores and are tucked in our bags. Seems pretty warm tonight too although forecast we saw said lows in upper 40's. The moon is poking out from behind the trees, Brighty heard a loon just a little while ago and we're hoping that's a good omen for tomorrow.
Date: 2017-08-30
From: Pleasant Pond lean-to

To: Caratunk Maine
Miles today: 5.7

Got chilly again overnight so we guess those predicted upper 40's were right.  When we arrived at the campsite yesterday we didn't notice that the site was within 1/2 mile of the Boise-Cascade Logging Rd but, about 4am we did notice that the mill was firing up the machinery for the day. The engines drowned out the barred owl that had been hooting earlier in the night. Short day today, much of it following Holly Brook into the hamlet of Caratunk. The vibe along the trail led us to stop at the Caratunk B&B for barbecue sandwiches and milk shakes which were delicious (Wreck had two milk shakes). We then walked up to the free phone near the post office (no cell reception in Caratunk) and called for our shuttle to the Sterling Inn. Wreck stayed here in 2015 and really liked it. Brighty concludes. More of a Inn then hostel, but with free laundry, free shuttles, and a free breakfast. We showered, washed clothes and had a little down time before heading over to the pub for dinner with Northbounder "Sparks" and a German couple just starting at Katahdin on a three month trail hike south. Great company, nice food and beverages. It's way pass our hiker bedtime but we're warm and content in our nice little room. Tomorrow it's across the Kennebec River and south we go!
Date: 2017-08-31
From: Caratunk Maine

To: East Carry Pond
Miles today: 10.3

Great nights sleep at the Sterling Inn. Wow, if it had been raining outside that would have been a nice zero spot. Alas, the weather was nice - alternating between cloudy and sunny, temperatures in the 60's. After a big continental breakfast, off we went. First business was to hike down to the Kennebec and take the canoe/ferry across. This has been the official way to cross since a hiker drown a number of years ago trying to ford. Once across we hiked several miles along Pierce Pond stream, very picturesque with nice pools, waterfalls, and rapids. Trail rooty, rocky with some short steep ups and downs for awhile. Past Harrison's camp, the trail became much more tame and we made good time. Lots of northbound traffic today. After 2 pm when the ferry stops for the day we estimate about 35 hikers went by us. There's going to be a waiting line of hikers at 9am tomorrow when the ferry starts up again. Got to this pretty spot overlooking East Carry Pond and decided to stop for the day. Considering Brighty had a hard time walking around our bedroom last evening (her knees were freezing up) she did great today. One more day in the lower elevations tomorrow and then up into the Bigalows. We're bedded down now and ready for a good nights sleep.
Date: 2017-09-01
From: East Carry Pond

To: Little Bigelow lean-to
Miles today: 11.7

Maine's unseasonably cool late summer continues. The first day of September was almost cold. Highs only reaching low 50's with 20-25 mph winds. Great hiking weather once you got moving. Neither of us had any idea of a swim today. First part of the day took us on a tour of the Carry Ponds. Back in 1775 Benedict Arnold (when he was a good guy) led 1,000 soldiers from the Kennebec to the Dead River on a raid of Quebec. He portaged between the Carry Ponds along the way. Today the Carry Ponds were rolling, lots of whitecaps and waves. This afternoon we crossed over watersheds and come down to East Falstaff Lake which we also walked along and which was also whitecapped. Wreck lay on the beach of Falstaff for awhile waiting for Brighty. He observed a loon fishing near shore. Lots of neat looking driftwood on the beach. Lots of wave action on the nearby rocks. With the winds today the trees were swaying and moaning all day (or was it the Ents talking?). Brighty heard one mighty crash in the distance between the Carry Ponds and Falstaff. Had a great trail magic surprise at East Falstaff road. Smoking Joe (2000 thruhiker) and his family were grilling hot dogs and hamburgers. We had one of each! Plus fruits, cookies, drinks, and chips. Thanks so much!!!!  Powered by the great food we easily climbed up to this lean-to site. About half dozens other tents here. Weather forecast is calling for temperatures in the 30's tonight. For the first time in awhile Wreck is sleeping with his water filter just in case it freezes. Didn't bother to cook tonight so we easily got the bear bags up and completed all the camp chores. It's 7:30 pm and we're tucked in our bags already. Going to listen to a little music and zip up these sleeping bags.
Date: 2017-09-02
From: Little Bigelow lean-to

To: Avery Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 7.2

Bigelows 1, Brighty 0 - Well, it actually didn't get as cold last night as expected. Blue skies from the start today - the perfect weather for climbing mountains. This morning we hiked up to the top of Little Bigelow Mountain (3010 ft). Great views looking down on Falstaff Lake and up to Avery Point and the rest of the Bigelows. We then dropped down to Stafford Notch. Wreck loves this area for its huge square rocks perched everywhere. Went by a Maine YCC trail crew doing great work on the trail in this area. Next was the climb up to Avery Point (4090 ft) named for Marion Avery, the super human responsible for the initial building of the AT. It was somewhere in this section that Brighty was ready to locate the elevator to the top. Alas,none to be found but it was a slow, long slog. Lots of folks up on top - both day hikers and backpackers. Wreck raced down to the campground to secure a site and then climbed back up to take some pictures (everyone else had cleared out) and help Brighty down. We're camped on a platform (first time this trip that we converted our tent into a free standing one). Up at nearly 4000 ft so the water filter is in Wreck's bag again. Nice moon is up but no stargazing tonight for us. We're snug in our bags.
Date: 2017-09-03
From: Avery Memorial Campsite

To: Stratton Maine 
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Nice night. Glad we tied down the tent to the platform as the wind really picked up about halfway through the night. We ended up eating breakfast in the tent. Mostly cloudy skies this morning. Climbed the West Peak of the Bigelows (4145 ft). Luckily the clouds were above the peaks so we had great views. Unluckily it was pretty windy on top (over 40 mph). We took some pictures - difficult too keep camera steady - marveled at the view and headed down. Once below treeline, the wind was no problem. More rough rocky trail especially tough on Brighty's knees. Later in the morning  we climbed over South Horn.  The clouds had lowered by then so views were limited. Then down down down toward Maine Hwy 27. Great trail work (steps) on the way down. Mid afternoon the predicted rain started. (Brighty's knees were in no mood to race weather). Luckily, rain was never more than a drizzle. Reached the highway by 5pm. We had just started to hitch to town when a nice couple of day hikers popped out of the woods and volunteered to drive us in. Thanks so much!  We're staying at the White Wolf Inn. Had dinner (Brighty had the huge Wolf Burger) showered and it's really pouring outside!  Nice night to be in town!