morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Kinsman's Notch: One Step At A Time Hostel

To: Franconia Notch: One Step At A Time
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The White Mountains are relentless beasts. They are unforgiving in every aspect of their being. Every ascent and descent are death defying and life altering experiences. Every step is the difference between life and death. Don't worry, I'm not being dramatic.My plan for today was to slack pack Kinsman Notch to Franconia Notch. I was due to be picked up at 6:15AM, which gave me plenty of time seeing as I was awake and moving at 5:15AM. I packed my bag last night, so that was one less thing to do this morning.I was picked up at 6:20AM and was walking north at 7:00AM. I spent today walkking with Barefodder and Jack.Let's get this out of the way now: There were zero views today, not a one. However, if you count seeing the cloud your walking in, then i had views all day long.The persistent and never ending climb to the anti-climatic summit of Mount Wolf east peak was very steep and had many spots that required me to maneuver around like a chimpanzee. In fact, that's the way all the ascents and descents were today.Afterwards I began the descent to Eliza Brook Shelter, which is where I had lunch with Jack and Barefodder. It took me four hours to hike 7.5 miles. That's how hard the terrain was. That's how brutal the White Mountains are.It was then time to ascend to the Kinsman Ridge. All the rocks were steep and slick. As I went higher, the cloud became thicker and the trees became shorter, but I was never completely above tree line.After summiting South Kinsman, descending a little, and ascending North Kinsman, it was time to descend to Lonesome Lake Hut. This descent consisted of unprecedentedly steep rock faces, which were lathered in water. At the hut I found Cookie doing work for stay. We created a scheme that will most likely have us chasing each other through the Whites.After drinking a bottomless cup of lemonade I descended to Franconia Notch with Barefodder and Jack.At the notch we had to walk .7 off the trail to get to a parking lot where we got a ride back to the hostel with a volunteer of a search and rescue team looking for a missing hiker. We were back at the hostel by 5:45PM and eating dinner at Elvio's Pizza by 6:20PM.Tomorrow I'll aim for Galehead Hut, but mother nature will tell the tale.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Franconia Notch, One Step at a Time

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It's now all worth it, it's no longer fruitless. There is now justification for the death-defying stunts I've completed over the last two days. Today, I was not in a cloud for a majority of the day, nor did it rain for he majority of the walk. Life is, temporarily, good.I woke up this morning with the intention of hitting trail first thing in the morning. Just as I was done packing up I heard a rumble of thunder. This is when I decided to wait it out. I went for breakfast with Barefodder and Jack, we got there just in time. About 30 seconds after we sat down there heard more thunder and saw a flash of lightening in the sky. Then came the downpour. We were quite content in our booth, nice and dry.After breakfast we returned to the hostel to wait out the weather. At 9;00AM I walked to the outfitter to have my broken Leki pole repaired, which they did for free. By the time I returned the hostel the weather was clearing up so we arranged to have a shuttle pick us up and drop us off at Franconia Notch. We were walking north at 11:00AM.The ascent out of the notch was steep and persistent. During the ascent I learned the missing hiker was found dead. His name is Dan Merriman, he was 49 years old.We then came to a sign proclaiming the Franconia Ridge Trail, which is also the AT. After traversing the ridge for a bit we came above tree line and had in our view the most picturesque ridge on the entire Appalachian Trail: Franconia Ridge. This is a two mile traverse above tree, which is home to breath taking views. I immediately spotted Washington in the distance along with some other peaks of the Presidential Range. I was ecstatic that I had a clear day on this ridge. It was nothing below pure amazing.After lunch on the summit of Mount Lafayette we descended down the Garfield ridge towards Mt. Garfield. However, the trail descended enough that I had to death march up and over the peak. As I climbed higher the weather deteriorated further. It got to a point where I was in a full spring going up the mountain, hoping to clear the peal before anything worse came. I made it over the peak without being fried and I was still sprinting. I sprinted down the steep descent to the shelter, where I shall stay tonight.Also at the shelter are Pickle and Garlic, whom I first met on the ascent to the ridge. these two started April 4th, just under three months ago. I did not think I would ever see them again, but I found at the shelter riding out the shitty weather.Addendum, added 8/12/08: That was only the second time Pickle and garlic used a shelter on the entire trail. Shelters are not their style of hiking. Pickle completed the triple crown(AT, PCT, CDT) before he started this hike, and Garlic completed it when he hit Crawford Notch.The AMC, in all their glory and might, are charging me 8 dollars to stay in a three sided wooden box. This is where the term "Appalachian Money Club" comes from.I also now know Cookie is at the next hut up, I will try to catch him tomorrow morning before he leaves.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: US Route 2. Gorham, NH: White Birches
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: fog

I did not sleep well last night, which is never good. Sleep is a key ingredient to a successful days hike. I certainly was not the happiest hiker today.I woke up at 4:50AM and was walking north with Cookie and 5:30AM. Right off the bat I had to ascent 1,500 feet to the summit of Carter's Dome, which afforded views of the Presidential range. After descending to Zeta Pass it was time to ascend to the second part of the Carter Range. A lot of the views of this ridge are of the Presidential's, which really are mammoth beasts. Once I noticed a storm was coming in the distance I kicked it into high gear to get off the ridge before things started to become sketchy.We managed to make it to Rattle River Shelter for lunch around 12:15PM. We knew we only had 1.7 miles left in our day, and they turned out to be fairly easy miles.At US route 2 we hitched into Gorham and completed a couple things which included looking at the "outfitters" and hitting the post office, where I discovered my Maine maps had not arrived. We then hit Dunkin Donuts where we called the White Birches Campground and had them pick us up. After settling into the hostel we hit (gasp) Wal-Mart for resupply.What you must understand is that Cookie is from Arkansas, where Wal-Mart is based. This naturally makes him favor Wal-Mart. I am from Portland, Maine, a small liberal city, which naturally makes me want to see Wal-Mart destroyed. It's a clash of epic proportions.It seems that I have run into the SOBO party scene, they are currently somewhere in extreme southern Maine, but hitched into Gorham and intend to slackpack tomorrow so they can be in town for the fourth of July.Tomorrow I hope to enter Maine, the final state on trail. 13 states would be down, only one to go. I now only have 297.9 miles to go.With the end of the trail in sight, it's time to think about life after the trail. The future is a series of winding roads that lead to the unknown.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-07-04
From: US Route 2. Gorham, NH: White Birches

To: Trident Col Campsite
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

I would like to wish a special happy birthday to the United States of America, who turns 232 today. It's a great day to be an American.This morning was not a good morning. I did not sleep well last night due to the idiotic SOBO's partying and drinking like Armageddon was upon us. Cookie got revenge this morning by "accidentally" making a whole bunch of noise that "accidentally" woke everyone up. Another reason why going NOBO is better than going SOBO.After consuming five packets of oatmeal for breakfast I partially packed up my bag and prepared to hitch into downtown Gorham with Cookie. We got a ride with a couple from Auburn, Maine. On the way I noticed a sign that stated:"Portland, Maine:87", meaning 87 miles. I'm only two hours from home.In town we hit a coffee shop for breakfast and relaxed a bit. Our bodies have officially survived the White Mountains of New Hampshire, but we are wounded warriors. Cookie, for the first time, stated he was actually beaten down by the mountains, a rare statement for him. We needed a little rest. We then hitched back to the hostel where we lounged around and received some rest.At the hostel I deemed myself worthy of my first shower since Glencliff, not that there's been any place to stop and take one anyway. It gave me a chance to clean the several wounds the Whites gave me. It felt nice to be clean once more. After eating watermelon and cantelope(sp?) Cookie and I decided to hitch back to the trail. 12:10PM was late enough for me.We eneded up getting a ride from a campground employee. We were walking north at 12:45PM.I spent the entire hike thinking about Maine, where I shall be tomorrow. Maine represents the beginning of the end of my Appalachian Trail thru hike. Tonight I am at Trident Col Tentsite, which is exactly 291.0 miles from the summit of Mount Katahdin.At the tensite tonight there is an AMC Maine group out for the 4th of July weekend. Wayne and Jeff are co-leading their annual "Pizza Hike". With them are Jenny, her husband(forgot name, sorry), and Susan(Wayne's wife). It felt nice to be interacting with Mainers again, it was wicked sweet. Susan gave Cookie and me a chocolate chip cookie contraption. It was wicked good.Entering Maine will be emotional.And that's the way it was.Kirby
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Trident Col Campsite

To: Full Goose Shelter and Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: few clouds

Last night I was out like a light by 8:00PM, and I did not wake up until 5:30AM this morning. It felt great to get a full night's sleep, it's just what the doctor ordered. I sleep so much better in my tent.At 5:30AM I heard Cookie rustling around, which was my cue to get ready for the day. After breaking down my tent and partially packing my bag I warmed up some water and ate my standard five packets of oatmeal. By the time I finished eating and lounged around a bit I was walking out of the tent site at 6:30AM.I spent the climb out of the tent site talking with Cookie about the different expenses that come with the purchasing and upkeep of a 1,500 sq. ft. house as opposed to a 4,00 sq. ft. house. What it boiled down to was that all houses have the same basic expenses, it's just that larger ones have higher basic expenses than smaller ones. It makes perfect sense.After a snack break at Gentian Pond Shelter we continued meandering along. We were not the most efficient machines on the market, but we were moving north. At some point I summited Mt. Success, but it was not noteworthy on any level. The I saw it: The famous blue sign. This sign stated the simplistic yet powerful words:"Welcome to Maine, The Way Life Should Be". After 13 states and 1,894.8 miles, I entered my home state of Maine. It was an odd sensation entering Maine, the final state on trail for us NOBO'. There are no more new states, this is it. My eyes are now firmly set of the greatest mountain: Katahdin. The beginning of the end is upon us. I'm home.After lunch just south of the junction for Carlo Col Shelter, Maine welcomed us by sending us up Mt. Carlo, then the Goose-eyes. I have good memories from when I hiked this section last summer with the Maine chapter of the AMC. It was a windy day, and the ridge was enshrouded in a cloud. Any moment we became exposed, we were slammed by wind gusts that topped 60MPH, it was strong enough to knock everyone down.This ridge is quite exposed, which gave me my first good view of the mountains of Maine. After getting my bearings I saw the Presidentials to the south west and Old Speck sat almost right in front of me. I also determined where Mahooosuc Notch sat.The entire stretch of trail very muddy, just thought I would let you know.I rolled into the shelter where I am tenting at 4:10PM. Those were a hard 14.5 miles.The end is near. I've started to think about life after the trail, I've got a lot of things to do. I'm projecting my finish date between July 25th and 29th.The way life should be.Kirby
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Frye Notch Lean To

To: Tenting In Sawyer Notch
Miles today: 11.9

*Please note that I do have entries written for the days not yet posted. My objective right now is to simply update you on where I am. While this is not the most optimistic entry I've written, it's the most recent one I have.**Today was the first day I seriously contemplated leaving trail. I'm completely miserable and I'm not having any fun. Today I reached my lowest morale point on the entire trail.The only thing keeping me going is knowing that I'm so close to the end. As of right now I only have 249.1 miles to Katahdin.I never though my lowest morale point would come in my home state of Maine. It might be that I'm home sick on some level. I'm only an hour and a half car ride from Portland. I could be home by late evening if I wanted to be.Maybe it's that I simply sick of this trail. A lot of it looks the same these days.It could also be that everything seems to go wrong these days. I once again snapped one of my Leki Poles today, and the basket broke off the other one. My shoes are dead, my pack is dying, and these mountains aren't getting any easier.I know I need to finish, I know I'll regret leaving trail so close to the end. Katahdin beckons me.This is the part where I really begin to fight will all of my heart, all of my soul, and all of my might.And that's the way it is.Kirby
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Tenting In Sawyer Notch

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean To
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: broken clouds

I never had any intention of doing this big of a day today, I swear. Given my current physical and mental state, I'm not really sure how I am alive right now. In fact, I'm not even sure how I am mustering enough energy to write this entry. Maine is unforgiving on every level, no sane person can object to that statement. The way life should be? That person needs a physc evaluation.What made today even more difficult was the fact that the humidity level was about 2,000%, and growing by the mili-second. My first task for the day was to ascend 1,300 feet in 9/10ths of a mile. This consisted of 90 degree angle rock faces that needed to be climbed, and trees that needed to be used in such a way that I felt like a chimpanzee. The summit had zero views, and the trail immediately took me on a death defying descent to South Arm Road.This road represented the start of the march up Old Blue Mountain. This climb was a never ending series of false summits and steep terrain. As I was sweating immensely about to pass out a SOBO walks by me and asks:"How are you doing on this fine day?". I gave this man a perplexing look and gave the usual "good" response as I continued my .5 MPH pace up the hill.The summit was an exposed rock face with no decent view due to the immense amount of haze blanketing the region. After completing a semi-steep descent, I then began the gradual ascent of the anti-climactic summit of Bemis Mountain. Just north of the summit is where Cookie and I stopped for lunch.I was not feeling good all of today, my body was weak and my mind was not in touch with reality. At bemis stream I contemplated my options. I could either hike on past the road one mile north, or I could get a ride to Rangelely for the night. Once at the road I decided to hike on, hoping I might feel better.Our original intention was to stealth camp at Moxie Pond, but when we got there we discovered there was no camping to be found, so we decided to march on to the shelter.3/10ths of a mile south of the shelter we found a nice swimming spot, so we stopped and went for a swim. This is also when I discovered a hot spot on my right heal, which explains the foot pain I was having all day long.Tonight I am in the shelter along with Dynamite and Time Traveller. Interacting with some other people has helped my morale. Tomorrow is a new day.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-07-11
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-To

To: Cranberry Stream Campsite
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

For those of you wondering, my morale seems to be better than it was. What you come to discover is that this can feel like a job from time to time. Whether you want to or not, you must get up and complete the task in front of you for the day. This trail is a roller coaster of emotions. An ideological struggle against one's self.The first task for the day was to ascend, or so I thought, to the summit of Spaulding Mountain. It turns out the trail comes within 150 yards, then cuts off to the side. You need to walk a 150 yard side trail trail to reach the actual summit. No thank you. After a little more walking I came to the 6/10ths of a mile side trail to the summit of Sugarloaf, I've already climbed it so no thank you. Cookie was having none of this nonsense either.It never has been, nor will it ever be, a good thing when I descend to a river crossing, it only means there is a mountain to be conquered on the other side. This river crossing, by the way, involved walking across a narrow and slick wooden plank being held up by two boulders, then rock hopping the rest.Upward I went. The ascent to the Crocker Cirque campsite was very gradual, the rest of it was anything but gradual. This was a death defying ascent that involved scrambling up rock faces and bear hugging trees for dear life. I cursed the Maine Appalachian Trail Club quite a few times for sending me up this beast. Both south Crocker and north Crocker have no views, but at least I can now say I've climbed the three tallest mountains in Maine(Katahdin, Sugarloaf, Crocker).After a long and never ending descent that involved walking along the side of a ridge for too long I rolled into Maine route 27, where I hitched a ride with Cookie into Stratton. In Stratton I resupplied and bought a 64 ounce carton of orange juice that I proceeded to chug over the course of an hour or so. It was quite delicious.Over the course of a couple hours I checked my email and ate some ice cream.My pack once again weighed 4.4 tons coming out of town. Both Cookie and I are horrible at mastering the art of carry small amounts of food, we always carry extra. However, we never run out of food. While other hikers complain to us that they have no food left with one day until the next town, Cookie and I have to spend sometime each night deciding what we want for dinner because we always have at least two options left. It's really a great feeling. Once we were walking north again, it was cake walk. The trail leading to the campsite was easy, which is nice with a heavy pack.On the docket for tomorrow is the Bigelow Range, which will be an all day affair. I've already hiked the section of trail as well, I did it last August with a friend of mine.In 189.5 miles I will stand on the summit of Mount Katahdin.Good night, and good luck.Kirby
Date: 2008-07-13
From: Little Bigelow Lean-To

To: Pierce Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I could have easily done 9.7 more miles to the next lean to, I could have been there by early evening. Instead I was forced to stop at 1:10PM at this lean to due to the hours of operation for the ferry service across the Kennebec River. The terrain was so favorable today, and I've been told the next ten are just as easy. Quite a frustrating situation.The trail today was quite muddy. I took one fall that involved my entire left hand being overtaken by a thick pile of mud.I'll be honest, I spent most of today not really paying attention to the trail. I spent today thinking about life after the trail, and how different my life will be. I've been told this trail has the ability to dramatically change a person.With only 155.2 miles to go, I'm starting to wonder how I've changed. I do believe that I will notice some difference when I return to the real world.Ahhh...the real world. The horror, the drama, the news: The race for the Presidency. Oh how so much has happened since I began my walk over four months ago, oh how so much has changed.But time moves on, things change: I've changed. The trail is a new kind of change agent. Life after the trail will not be easy, I'll be going from the most simplistic lifestyle to a city within 48 hours.I just returned from gazing at Pierce Pond for a while. Ahh... the simplistic quietness of watching a pond. It's not something enough people in this country appreciate or enjoy. It seems that we have become so absorbed in our day to day lives that we forget to enjoy the simplistic things nature has to offer.Tomorrow I shall cross the Kennebec River VIA the canoe ferry. 23 miles is on the docket for tomorrow.Here it is: My first declaration of a two day summit window. July 23rd-24th is my current projection. Only 10-11 days left on trail. This has been the most amazing experience of my life, one that I will never forget. The beginning of the end is upon us.Kirby