morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-01
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Pinkham Notch - Joe Dodge Lodge
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: few clouds

Happy Labor Day. Sandbagger and I definitely felt like we did our share of heavy labor today. The terrain turned out to be a continuous boulder scramble. We both are talking about our sore knees. The day dawned sunny and clear, but there was supposed to be even higher winds. Breakfast was the usual oatmeal, but they had made apricot nut bread. I snagged a piece for lunch. The skit used the theme from Indiana Jones.  Again using humor to show us how to fold our blankets, take out your trash and tip the crew. The only major climb started right at the hut and going straight up Mt Madison. It was another boulder climb to the top where the wind was blowing hard, almost knocking me backwards as I crested the top. From there it was mostly downhill, fighting the wind all the way. Since the trail was on a narrow ridge, the wind would change directions. There were times where I would have to get low and plant my poles and feet.    After 1500 feet, the trail began to enter the trees again. They make all the difference in shielding the wind. It was still very steep with lots of boulders.  Sandbagger was thrilled when we came upon the perfect stream with just right swimming hole. It took him two minutes to jump in and declare this is the greatest. I didn't feel warm enough or I would have been swimming too. We were very happy to have the trail converge with the Old Jackson Road.  It wasn't completely rock free, but somewhat better. Sandbagger said he could feel a pain in his knee.  Oh no! My knee still has pain and I am wearing an ace bandage. So far I can hike on this demanding terrain, but I can tell my body needs a zero day or two. The trail comes right out at the Joe Dodge Lodge.  He was a major contributor to the Appalachian Mountain Club. We had our own room with bunk beds. There was a separate dinning room and gift shop.  Sandbagger mentioned going out to dinner, but there was no place close by. When we heard dinner was going to be homemade chicken pot pie, it was easy.  A shower was our number one priority and it was pure heaven.  We had dinner with Boogie and Bacall and a father and son who were trying to climb the highest mountain in each state.  Besides the pot pie there was homemade bread, soup, salad and applesauce cake for dessert. Bedtime immediately followed.  We were tired hikers.Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-09-03
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

It was one of the most peaceful and good night¢s sleep I've had on the trail.  Woke up once to look outside.  The stars were very clear with no clouds in sight. Red Max did not make his presence known.  Healin got up early to make me breakfast at 6:00. This was so that I could get on the trail early.  It was a fifteen mile hike to Route 2. The first obstacle was Carter Dome... 1500 feet straight up. It wasn't too technical, but took one hour and fifteen minutes to get to the top. After a steep hike down, the trail went over Carter Mountain which has three peaks...south, middle and north. All of these are over 4000 feet, so I saw several groups of day hikers bagging these peaks including a former thru-hiker, Sleeveless. They all are amazed by us present day thru-hikers.   Most of the trail went up 45 degree immense round drop-off boulders. I learned quickly to trust my boot soles to get me up on top.  The views were of the whole mountain range we had been hiking the past week. It's easy to pick out Mt Washington with it's radio and weather towers. I could even see the smoke from the cog railroad. The trail down from North Carter was very steep. It was also somewhat unsettling because there were only one or two very faint blazes. The descent from Moriah peak was down a narrow ravine with huge drop-offs. At times, I had to just slide down feet first. My fear, because of the lack of blazes, was whether or not I was still on the AT. If not, I wouldn¢t be able to get back up this trail. You don¢t want to be ¢rim rocked¢ out here.You could see where a lot of work had been done on the trail. In many places, hiking boots had worked down below the roots.  Short logs with 4" x 8" flat boards for walking had been set. In places where this was done, the small alpine plants were growing in thick and making a good recovery.  It made for a beautiful bog walk. I could have used more of this kind of tread way. I chose to walk the AT out to Route 2 instead of taking a more direct trail to Gorham, but I was never so glad when the trail crossed the Rattle River. The path smoothed out and it became a pleasure to lengthen my stride. It took almost twelve hours to walk over fifteen miles with very little breaks. Thank you Bruno for the shuttle to his motel, Colonial Fort Inn. It was a pizza delivery for dinner, laundry and bed for this very tired Ravon. Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-09-04
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

From: Gorham, NHTo: Gorham, NHMiles: 0Wow, did I need a zero day. I tried to sleep in, but it's hard when its your normal routine to get up every day early to hike. They serve breakfast at this motel with a 20% discount for guests. I was even allowed to take a thermos of coffee back to my room. It was time to look beyond the White Mountains and the final state of Maine. I must say, it is daunting to see the profile of the mountains I still have to face. There is also a question as to how much effect these hurricanes coming up the East Coast will have. I have been hiking with a light pack through the Whites. Today I went through every item I will be carrying trying to eliminate as much weight as possible. Thanks to the owners here, I was able to borrow a bathroom scale. With no water, but four days food, it weighted 28 pounds. I'll probably be a little over thirty pounds. I did walk a mile into town to get some items and snack foods. There were a lot of thru-hikers doing the same. We all realized that we are nearing the end, but none of us are thinking that we're just going to have an easy walk to Mt Katahdin. Back to the motel, I put together three boxes to mail. One was a bounce box to Rangley, Maine.  Did a few more chores and iced my knee one more time. I said I would tell another ghost story about the huts. This one is about Ben Campbell who worked as a crewmember at the Greenleaf Hut. He was from Scotland. I am not sure how he died, but his parents sent his boots back to the hut. They said he loved working there so much and hiking in the area. They hung them on the wall. Sometimes people would hear boots walking around the hut after everyone was in bed. I am sure that someone has written up many of these tales... I would like to research some more of them.  Now it's time to get some rest for this next demanding phase.Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-09-05
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Had to take a taxi back to the trail head so I could get on the trail early enough to get to the shelter. The trail was really not that difficult as compared to the last couple of days in the Whites.  What did make it hard was the full pack I was carrying with four days of food and water.  I think the scale I was using might have weighed light or it could have been the last minute items thrown in. I estimated it to be thirty-five pounds. I was worried about my knee, but half way through the day, I took one Vitamin I and it made it so I could hike. The climbs today were up Mt. Hayes, Cascade Mt and Wocker Ledges.  I am now seeing more small ponds near the trail. Page pond, Dream Lake and Gentian Pond.  The weather has turned colder and promises of precipitation is on it's way. This shelter has two levels. I decided to go up above.  It was a view from high on a mountain perch down a narrow canyon with the sound of a water fall nearby. Someone mentioned you may not want to get your water from the pond.  I said because of moose being in the area. No, it was because a snow mobile had been driven into it. I am not sure how it got up to this pond. It felt good to be staying out in a shelter again. I like being able to cook my food over a small alcohol stove.  Most hikers are now carrying fuel and stoves rather than just eating cold food. It's important to be able to have something warm to eat. The ones who don't are more at risk of not getting the proper nourishment to stay healthy. There were a few who were tenting, but ten of us chose to be in the shelter.  They say fourteen could stay in this shelter, but that is really squeezing them in. The down side to this is if you get loud snorers or sick. Your best bet is take care of your body. I found it interesting that three young guys were travelling together and one was the designated cook. He told me their mom had prepared dehydrated meals they were eating. I would have liked to experiment more along the food line. Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-09-06
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

I am finding it hard to believe, but I crossed over the state line between New Hampshire and Maine. Ate my lunch just looking at the Welcome Maine sign, "What life should be." We now have 281 miles to go to climb Mt Katahdin.  It was a day of lots of ups and downs starting with a 45 degree climb.   Just before the state line the mountain was Mt Success.  I felt like it was a success just to have gotten through New Hampshire. I am hoping for a good trek through Maine.  It didn't take Maine long to show that it was going to be anything but easy. Right away I was climbing over ledges, open summits and having to get on all fours to get up Goose Eye Mountain East and North Peak. The peak tops have broad areas of krummholz trees, boggy flats and blueberry and cranberry bushes that may attract moose.  The ascent down to the Full Goose Shelter was sharp and steep.  This shelter had a resident care taker, but he was not present so we didn't have to pay the fee. Most of the people who were at the last shelter are here tonight. The promise of rain has appeared. The last mile of my hike was in showers making for an even slipprier hike. Tonight we are like sardines.  The most important thing is to get into dry clothes and for me a warm drink and food.  The talk is all about tomorrow's hike through the Mahoosuc Notch.  This is the hardest mile on the entire AT. Not only that, but it is followed by the toughest climb up South Arm. I am not sure how well I will sleep tonight, but for now I am dry with the rain falling steady just a couple of feet from the end of my bag. Someone mentioned there was a by pass around the notch on a road seven mile detour.  I may be dreading the hardest mile on the AT, but how can you miss not having your own story to tell. Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-09-08
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Frye Notch Lean-To
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

We were near a pond and high up in the mountains. The temperatures dropped close to the freezing point.  I sure was glad to have my zero bag with me. There were some who wished they had a warmer bag. I thought after yesterday that the trail would become easier, but no... more of the same.  It was a steep climb up Grafton Mt.  Then a 3.5 mile steep descent into Grafton Notch. I'd managed to leave my pack cover at the shelter, but my friends are looking after me.  This time it was Zero Zero who caught up with me at the parking lot at Route 26.  It is amazing that a blind guy can hike as fast as an old lady. There were a lot of difficult sections or he probably would have caught me.  In the parking lot, you could tell that hikers were there by the fact that our back packs explode when gear is wet and the sun is shining. I had to laugh when a strong wind came up and hikers were chasing tents, clothes and bags across the blacktop. While we were there, Ulla Rue showed up with some trail magic...fresh fruit and sport drinks. He had to leave the trail because of knee problems. He and Slayer are the second couple I have heard who became engaged on the trail.I knew I had six miles to the shelter up and over two very steep peaks. The first was West Peak of Baldpate where the trail was badly eroded. This is caused by too much traffic and/or lots of water coming down the trail.  It seems that both in New Hampshire and definitely in Maine, the trail goes straight up the hill. There is very little use of switchbacks.  As long as water breaks can be used it helps, but there seems to be need for more maintenance. I know the work is volunteer, and it isn¢t easy, but we could use more.  The second peak was East Peak. This was higher and some of it was above treeline.  Clear weather is the best kind of hiking because you get to see what lies around you.  I think I will just list some images that have made an impression on me since entering Maine:-Blue Bell Lillies-Red berries on green leaves-Boreal Chickadees gather to talk-Poop alley from moose-Fog in early morning filling valleys-Moss like tree tops, so many colors-Flickas and small woodpeckers-Water down trails-Black bogs that seem too deep-Steepness of the trail-White birch on the trail-Small rural villagesNow that the journey is near its end do I have the energy and strength to get to the top?Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-09-09
From: Frye Notch Shelter

To: Andover, East B Hill Road
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

Last night was the first night in a long time that I set up my tent. I like the idea of having my own space. For once it looked like we were not going to get rain. The shelter was very old, small and made of logs. Boogie and Bacall, along with two other hikers, decided to sleep in the shelter. Another person would have made it crowded.  We needed to hike only a short distance to the road where Bacall had arranged to have a shuttle pick us up at 11:00 and drive us to Andover, a distance of eight miles. Right away we were hiking up Surplus Mountain....a relatively small climb for a change. From the top to the road it was mostly downhill over a good trail. After the last several days it was one of the most enjoyable hikes, until it started to rain.  At first, the tree canopy was shielding me from the rain, but it didn't take long for the leaves to shed their water making for a wet walk. We crossed a canyon called Dunn Notch with vertical stone walls and a cascading water flow. If it hadn't been raining it would have been a great place to take a break. The trail was so good that leaving at 6:50, the four of us were at the road by 9:15. By now it was a steady rain and even some thundering. Not one of us had  cell phone coverage, so we were stuck until 11:00.This was not a major road, but meant mainly for logging. Very little traffic except huge logging trucks and pickups flying by. Finally one man stopped in his truck and offered us a ride. Ron, Serene's friend from Prince Edward Island, decided to go to the Pine Ellis Hiking Lodge. Since it was almost 11:00, we thought the shuttle was on its way. As it turned out, the lodge was waiting for us to call.  So it's a good thing Rod went or we might still be standing by the road shivering in the cold. This hostel is really a private home and tonight is filled to capacity. I am one of five in this shared room. There are 6 to 8 in private rooms and several others spread throughout. After a hot shower, I was able to thaw out. Andover is a very small town with no traffic lights. There is one diner that was filled with hikers and a few locals serving food. I wish I had more time to walk around and see more of this town. There is a cute gift shop and restaurant called Grandma's Kitchen, but it is only open on weekends. I can't help to think that with the amount of hikers in town, there is the chance to make money... especially if you are selling food. While I was eating dinner, someone asked is their a person here from Aspen. Turns out it was a guy in Mando's navy squadron who had come out for a visit two year's ago. He'd heard I was on the AT and recognized me. It really is a small world! A good day to take a small break from the trail. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-09-10
From: Andover, East B Hill Road

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.1

Today was a light pack day. David, a big help at Pine Ellis Hostel and jeweler, shuttled us up to South Arm Road. There were six of us in the group.. Ron, Boogie, Bacall, Serene, Brushstrokes and me. It was much different than yesterday. The sun was shining, but the feel of fall was in the air. Our first obstacle was Black Brook. It was listed as a stream you had to ford. None of us brought our crocs for wading. Luckily the water was low enough that we didn't really need them. Further on there will be rivers that we will need to wade across. I am seeing more fallen leaves on the trail. All day the wind made the trees restless and gave you the feeling that fall is at hand. Our first climb was Moody Mountain. It was a 1000 foot climb, but up a good trail.  The serious part came on the back side of Moody where a recent mud slide sent huge rocks down a ravine wiping out the trail.  The result was a raw scar of boulders scraped bare. A detour was set up, but it was not all that good and you could see where more rockslides were possible. The next climb was 1500 feet up Wyman Mountain.  It was a steep and steady climb, but a fairly good trail.  You could see the effects of all the rain yesterday... there were many patches of slick, slippery, black sucking mud. I went in over my boot top in one of them. One of the more scenic spots was Surplus Pond.  Boogie and Bacall said the last time they were at this spot, a moose was standing in the pond. I've yet to see my first moose, although Mando and I ran into several in Cape Breton when we were there for the Celtic Colours, a music festival.It was a much easier day hiking. We all came out on the road at the same time. Ron was thrilled when we asked three girls in a convertible to give him a ride and check on our shuttle. Dave showed up minutes later. Dinner at the diner which again was mostly hikers.  It was a beautiful day of hiking. There was a three-quarter moon with Jupiter shining nearby.  We have frost warnings for tonight. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-09-11
From: South Arm Road

To: Route 17
Miles today: 13.3

I awoke today knowing that it was the seventh anniversary of the World Trade Center event, and vowed to keep those who have suffered in my thoughts. I'm hiking and climbing for myself, but always with the awareness of others who have endured.We are now hiking the Bemis Range. Of course, the big joke was are you sure we are not hiking the Bevis and Butt Head Mountains. It's obvious that our sense of humor is wearing pretty thin. We all had great expectations upon entering Maine because it was the last state. Now that I am forty-eight miles into the state, it is the hardest by far. The day started with over a 2000 feet climb up Old Blue. It was steep and over exposed roots and boulders. The worst was in the first mile where some steel bars were attached to rock faces. Right at the top, soil depth is very shallow and in many cases it was bare rock. I found a nice sunny spot at the summit of 3600 feet to have a snack. Almost immediately you head down to 2750 feet and then back up to 3300 feet to Elephant Mountain.  The last mountain for this day was Bemis Mtn. It has three peaks that decrease in elevation as you go along. What I noticed today was how varying the miniature mosses were. It was like looking down on a forest canopy from a helicopter. Small rounded tops were like treetops in shades of gray-green to vivid reds and oranges. This is just as I imagine the hills will look in a few weeks. There was reindeer moss that looked like bare-limbed trees. In between these islands of moss colonies was bare gray rock.  The white blazes had you wandering up and down and around this vegetation almost like it was a highway. I loved this kind of surface especially when it is not wet.  I don't like it much when the trail turns into a black ooze bog, or water holes that have too few rocks for walking. The best is flat boards or logs.  These probably don't last that long. At the Bemis Mtn Lean-to, I heard some rustling in the bushes. When I got a little closer, it turned out to be a bull moose. He was grazing on low bushes.  It was fascinating to watch him maneuver his rack through this dense area.  I've been told they are very unpredictable animals. Oh, I forgot to mention my camera received a serious blow to the back viewing screen has cracked the screen with the result of no picture.  I'm now using a disposable camera until I get a replacement. This trail has been hard on people and gear alike We were being met at route 17 by Ken, but not until we made a 750 foot steep climb up to the road. This time it was Serene, Brushstrokes, Spirit and myself. We have ended the day the way we started with a climb.  In the south, it was not unheard of to do well over fifteen miles, but now thirteen miles is a real struggle. I¢m still on the trail, but it's not easy. Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-09-12
From: Andover, Maine

To: Stratton, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

This was not supposed to be a zero day, but last night I got food poisoning. Actually, I think it was my food allergy of the mollusk family. Possibly the frying of calimari in the same grease as the french fries I had eaten. I liked going to the local diner, but somehow I got some bad food there. Thank goodness it did not hit me while hiking. I was able to get some sleep, but didn't feel strong enough to hike sixteen miles today. It was going to be the easiest terrains so far in Maine. I decided it was time to get off by myself and take care of my body.  It might be a good time to access just what the toil of these 1900+ miles has been on my body.  Both feet are holding out with no blisters, but heavy callouses and numbness in my toes and feet. I will probably loose all my toe nails. Ankles are good. Both knees have pain mainly my left knee cap. I have a number of bruises on both my lower legs. Back seems okay. Some pain in my shoulders.  This is probably from the use of poles. A good size scrape on my lower right arm. You will remember I kissed the trail hard. I will have a tattoo on my lip from that collision. I am estimating my weight is down close to 100 pounds.  So I have a few aches and pains.  Everyone out here is in pain mentally and physically. We are too close to quit now.  I am beginning to feel the pull of Mt Katahdin.  I want to say a few words about the Pine Ellis Hiking Lodge.  Ilene, David and Ken are some of the nicest people I've met on the trail. They have turned their house into a home for hikers. When Ilene learned of my sickness, she was like a mom....sleep on the sofa if it would make me more comfortable, got out some ginger ale and offered to fix me toast the next morning. David didn't mind a bit driving me up to Stratton. Everyday they all help us needy hikers. Thank you all for all your kindnesses. Fly Right,Ravon