morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It was raining slightly when I woke up, so both Stick and I layed in the bags for a while in hopes of waiting it out. After about half an hour with no signs of it letting up, we said the heck with it and packed up wet tents. Overall, the trail was pretty flat today. But the mud and bugs were plentiful. Eventually the rain stopped and turned to a kind of mist. We crossed the road that leads to the White House Landing, a kind of oasis in the wilderness. They pick you up from across the lake in a boat when you signal them with the airhorn. They have bunks, showers, and food. We were tempted, but resisted the urge and continued on. A little later, we stopped at Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to for water. This shelter had the nicest spring I've ever seen. It was fifteen feet in diameter and was crystal clear and COLD. It had a nice sandy bottom and you could see the bubbles coming right out of the ground. I drank my fill for sure. People pay two dollars a bottle for this stuff and I had more than I could drink. Most of the day was spent swatting mosquitoes. The only time we stopped was at the logging road crossings. The bugs don't seem to be as bad in the middle of the roads. I believe we will be having liver problems later in life as we keep lathering ourselves with deet. Stick and I made ourselves a little wager today. Whoever is the first person to fall owes the other a six pack of beer. The rules are as follows: 1.) The butt and or/both knees must hit the ground.2.) The individual must fall in a creek, stream, or marsh.Within a few hours, I had a six pack of Coors waiting for me in Monson.At one of the bigger stream crossings later, we found a water filter. I picked it up thinking it might be Stretch's. I carried it for about five miles, then tried using it, but it was broken, so we left it on the side of the trail. About a mile before the shelter, we met Rachael, a SOBO just coming out of WHL today. The shelter here is awesome (aside from the bugs). It is right on a brook/creek with a water fall just up about 200 feet. There is a nice swimming hole right in front of the shelter, which I took advantage of. There are a few flat spots, so I'm tenting again to get away from the bugs. It is crowded tonight. Here are Van-go and his Mom, who we met in Baxter, Rachael, Turtiose, and the three guys from last night; Gondor, Scrambled Legs, and Johnny Walker. I'm falling asleep in a damp tent, but to the sounds of the falls, so things aren't so bad.
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I was up early, but laid in the sack for a while listening to the falls. It was very peaceful. We took our time packing up, since the bugs weren't so bad this morning. An easy walk starting out, a slight incline, just enough to get the muscles warmed up. We stopped for a short break at Crawford Pond. That's when the big climbs started. We passed Tortoise on the way up. She is a very quiet individual, but nice. She thru hiked in 2004 I think it was and is now doing a SOBO. Around noon, we made it to the East branch of Pleasant River, which we actually had to take off our boots to ford. We caught up to Jamie here, who is someone we met last night at the shelter. A short break on the other side to dry off at the shelter and it was another 3.6 to the next, so we pushed on. We met a trail maintainer at a logging road before the shelter, who said that there is good weather for the next couple of days. That is always welcome news. The last two miles were uphill. When we got to the shelter, there was moose crap everywhere. The moose had bedded down here for the winter. This made tenting out of the question. Tonight, we would fight off the bugs. Jamie came by, but pushed on, even though he has some major blisters. I tried talking him out of it, but he wouldn't listen. Some people just have to learn the hard way. Coming north was Leaf and Grizzly Dave, who are finishing up their section hikes. A huge bag of trail magic was hanging from the bear cables with chips, cookies and bagels. There is a big crowd here tonight, including Easy Rider and Floater, who we haven't seen in a few days. Some people are having to camp in Moose Dung tonight. Not cool.
Date: 2006-06-25
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: 1/10th mile past west branch of Pleasant River
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

It rained last night, but only for about 10 minutes. The rain did seem to keep the bugs at bay. I had some trouble falling asleep, but once I did, no worries. We all overslept this morning. The climb up Whitcap was long and hard. But it was first thing in the morning, so I was still fresh. The view was definately worth it. I have heard of a view leaving you breathless, but I have never had that experience. Until today. About two thirds of the way up, there was a clearing and I could see out over the wilderness. I literally forgot to breath for a few seconds!!! All the pain endured over the last hour; head throbbing, legs screaming, and eyes stinging from the sweat, was instantly forgotten. At least for a few minutes. Stick had caught me by the summit, and we stopped for a short break and photo op. The terrain was brutal most of the day. The ups weren't bad, since they were pretty gradual, but the downhills were STEEP. It was murder on my knees.   Around noon, we stopped at Sidney Tappan Campsite for lunch. The water was aways down a side trail, but worth it. It was an ice cold spring. As I trudged back up to the trail, I spilled half of my water, so I had to turn around and get some more! We passed Gulf Hagas this afternoon, which is called "the Grand Canyon of the East". It is a six mile loop side trail, but we don't have the energy yet to do the extra miles, so we continued on. Cardiovascular-wise, I think I could do the big miles, but my body just isn't ready for it, so we continue with the shorter days, taking many breaks. We had another ford today, this time the west branch of Pleasant River. This one was, to say the least, pleasant. It was only knee deep, but about 100 yards wide, so it was pretty slow moving. On the other side, we walked another tenth and set up camp. After setting up, we went back to the river and skipped stones for almost an hour. The river was full of great skipping stones, I got one that skipped 11 times!! A personal best. Only here tonight with us is Easy Rider and Floater, none of the others made it. We think that they are crashing at the shelter 5 miles back. A few side notes- the bugs weren't bad at all today. That is until we got to the river and we were forced to eat in our tents. I don't know if it is because we are starting to get a little higher in altitude or if it's the last of marshy land, but hey, I'll take it. Also, I lost my body glide today, this could be a MAJOR problem since all of you know I chaffe easily. I am totally whooped today. I will sleep great.
Date: 2006-06-26
From: 1/10th mile past west branch of Pleasant River

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

Today was probably one of the most frustrating and trying days I have ever enduring in my "hiking career". I woke around five, but it was raining steadily. Stick was up and we decided to stay in the tents for awhile. By eight, it seemed the rain wasn't going to stop anytime soon, so we packed quickly and didn't eat any breakfast and were on our way. We had to climb Chairback Mountain first thing, and it took all morning. We stopped at the sping about halfway up. It was barely running. It was running over a big rock, so we couldn't use our nalgenes to get it. Stick came up with some crazy Davy Crockett crap; he put a leaf on the rock and used it as a funnel to let the water drip into our bottles. We are regular wilderness men now!!! (As if we weren't before!) Near the top, there was a brutal climb. It was only maybe a tenth or two, but it was straight up. I know sometimes people exaggerate something being straight up, but this was literally, hand-over-hand, straight up. By noon, we made it to the shelter, where we stopped for over an hour to cook ramen, get out of the rain and warmed up. In my idle time, this is what I left in the register:There once were two hikers in Maine,Who walked all day in the rain.12 miles a day at most,Is what they like to boast, To keep away the aches and pain.The next 6.9 miles were hell. The rain continued and became more steady. Between the two shelters were five climbs, all were very steep and rocky. Today we met three northbounders, Do-rag, Pa Bert, and Taco. Taco came from Monson today, 26 miles in the rain. Insane, but more power to him! It seemed as if we would never make it to the shelter. I was beginning to wonder if we had passed it, but as any thru hiker will tell you, distances seem way longer at the end of the day, especially a long hard day. The shelter is 3/10ths off the trail, with a nasty pond for the water source. Here tonight with us are two other SOBO's, not sure of the names. Everything is soaked, and hanging up to dry, although nothing will by morning. Falling asleep to the sounds of crickets in the pond and rain on the roof.
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Big Wilson Road
Miles today: 10.0

When we woke up, it was still raining. As we expected, nothing dried. We took our time getting going. It drizzled a bit after we started, but it finally stopped. It was a very uneventful morning. It was about a mile to Barren Mountain and the firetower, where we were greeted with 40 mph winds. We hurried to get back under the treeline and the wind died down. It was mostly downhill for four miles. I must have fallen 5 or 6 times, each time with my frustration growing. Around one, we made it to our first ford of the day, Long Pond Stream. Off came the boots, and on went the crocs. The current was very strong, but we made it across without any casualties. On the other side we found a nice spot for lunch. By this time, the sun had come out, so we spread out and dried everything. Half an hour later, the trail was all up. We crossed two more streams, where we really should have took off our boots. But we were too lazy. Instead, we risked wet boots and played spiderman between the boulders. One jump was about 6 feet onto a boulder not too much bigger than me. It didn't leave much room for error. We made it though. (Just barely)It was a big climb before Wilson Valley Lean-to, and since it was in the later hours of the afternoon, it was slow going. We made it to the shelter around 5 and broke for dinner. A guy came up right after we got there coming north who fell in the ford just up the trail. He was drenched. It'll be a beast of a ford. After supper, we made our way down to Big Wilson Stream, our last hurdle for the day. It was more like Big Wilson raging River. It made even me a little nervous. The guidebook says you can follow the stream down for 1.5 miles, cross on the bridge and come back up if it is too dangerous. We thought that might be the best idea. After about 5 minutes of bushwacking, we found that this was not going to work. The brush was so thick, we maybe covered 100 yards. After much debate, we decided to ford. This is where Stick lost a croc last year. We decided to do the ford in our boots, since the river is moving way too fast and crocs don't give adequate traction. I carried my pack over, and then came back for Stick's. It was all I could do not to fall over. The current was super strong. It would have been a real challenge for him to carry a pack too. Needless to say, he owes me another six pack of Coors Light. The ford probably wounldn't have been so bad except for the fact that it rained all day yesterday and last night. On the other side, we rung out our socks and continued on for maybe a mile. We set up camp on the forest road and went to bed right away in hopes of being up early tomorrow for the push into Monson. I am dirty, wet, hungry, dead tired, and cannot wait until we get to Monson.
Date: 2006-06-29
From: Monson, Maine

To: Monson, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

Well, we did take a zero day. Big suprise there! The AYCE breakfast was top notch, Buddy is an excellent cook. The ladies who are now running this place are super nice, a definite stop for any hiker. Scrambled Legs, Johnny Walker, Gondor, Van-go, and Rachael all came in last night, along with Jamie and Turtoise. The whole gang is here now. The three boys did find Stick's hat and reunite him with it. We went back to bed after breafast. It's nice to be lazy and sleep in once in awhile. Spent most of the day lounging around. Had Thai food for lunch, which was great. Humpty had to leave around noon, but he is going to meet us in Stratton. We really just spent the day off of our feet, letting them rest. Stick did buy me a six pack, which I went to work on. All of us went to the BBQ place for dinner, and then to the bar. I tried a Harley-Davidson shot, which was wicked. Met Robins Nest at the bar, a NOBO. To bed around eleven, after a great day.
Date: 2006-06-30
From: Monson, Maine

To: West Branch of Piscataquis River
Miles today: 12.1

I overslept this morning; Stick woke me up, saying the shuttle was leaving in ten minutes. I packed as quickly as I could. Something told me that I should have packed last night, but if you were an avid reader of my 2005 journals, you would know that I like living in the NOW. Anyway, lucky for me, the shuttle was late in leaving. One of the ladies from Shaw's (I don't remember names, sorry) took Stick, jamie, Tortouise and myself back to the trail. I know I've already said it, but these three ladies are really doing a bang-up job running the hostel. It is really a great place to stay. It was raining lightly when we got back to the trail, but it didn't last too long. Terrian wasn't bad starting out, just a slight incline, just the way I like it. Plenty of mud and roots, that's for sure. Six miles flew past and we came to the first ford of the day. On the other side, before we could even get our boots back on, it started to pour with no warning. By the time we got our boots on, we were drenched already. Just as we pulled up to Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to, the sun came out. Imagine that. Now, I like the sunshine as much as the next fellow, but I was really looking forward to getting to that shelter to get out of the rain. There is just something about reaching a shelter in a rainstorm and sitting there while it pours. Leave it to the good weather to spoil my mood! We ate lunch, and were packing up as the bottom fell out again, so our 45 minute lunch break turned into three hours. There was no way we were making the next shelter, so we were going to wait this sucker out. By three, the sun came out for good. At the Piscataquis River, we had the next ford. This one came up to my waist, but it was flowing slow, so it was no problem. The rain looked like it was threatening again, so we decided to pitch camp for the night, just in case the rain came back. That ended up being a bad call, as it never did rain. So we rested and cooked dinner on the bank of the river.
Date: 2006-07-01
From: West Branch of Piscataquis River

To: Bald Mt. Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: scattered clouds

It was colder than usual in the morning, so it really took some time getting motiviated. Lots of little shallow creeks to cross. Short and shallow enough to not bother taking the boots off, but wide and deep enough to get them soaked. We just ended up playing tarzan, jump to the other side, hang on to a tree limb for dear life, and slide on to the other bank. Only one ford where we acually had to take off our boots. We hopped rock to rock, and could have made it with the boots on, but I didn't want to chance it. On our way up Moxie Bald Mountain, we passed Tortoise. The blowdowns through this section are immense. There was a late snow storm this spring, after the trees had bloomed. What happens is, the snow sticks to all of the leaves, and the weight is too great for the tree to bear and it topples. The spring near the top was crap, so didn't bother stopping. On the summit, the wind was blowing a good 40 or 45 mph, so we just stopped for a picture or two and continued on. Right before the shelter, it started to rain, but only lasted about five minutes. Not really long enough to make the bugs go away.We decided to call it a day. Ate a big dinner, and fixed Stick's pack, as it is already starting to rip. A big 15 miles tomorrow into Caratunk, one of our biggest days yet. The whole crew is here tonight minus Jack and the three boys.
Date: 2006-07-02
From: Bald Mt. Brook Lean-to

To: US 201- Caratunk, Maine
Miles today: 14.7

I woke up around 4 am, which is really suprising. I contemplated getting up to get a super early start, but as I came to, I realized that it was raining, so I said forget that!Eventually got started about 8:30. It was still raining, but just enough to keep the bugs at bay. The climb up Pleasant Pond Mountain was brutal. I counted perhaps 50 blowdowns. It was about 4 and a half miles up, and it went on forever. By the time we reached the top, the sun had come out and we stopped for lunch. A nice breeze was blowing. I got cell reception, so I called home and talked to Mom for a bit. Next came the steep, steep downhill to the shelter that was murder on my knees. I left a little message in the register that later on would save the day for us. The last five miles to the road really drug on us. it was basically flat, but very wet and buggy. And then, the last mile of the day, a huge mountain came out of nowhere. And we had to climb that sucker whether we wanted to or not. (It was the latter, trust me.) Down at the road, Humpty and Shadow were waiting for us!! Come to find out, they stopped by the shelter where I left my note, just a few hours ago and met us at the road. What a suprise. They took us to the Northern Outdoor Center, where we got dinner courtesy of Shadow. Thank you so much Shadow! We got a cabin for 12 bucks, showers, laundry and BEER! After showers and laundry, we ate another supper. By this time, Jamie aka Young Gun came in so he joined us. We told him we could crash in our tent-cabin. They have so much here; a swimming pool, jacuzzi, billards, and their own micro-brewery. I even wrote a song about the place.To the tune of "The Beverly Hillbillies" :Oh gonna tell ya a story 'bout a little place I know,We reached there yesterday as the sun's last rays did glow.It is always lots of fun, it never is a bore; The magical place known as Northern OutdoorsCenter, that is.Swimming Pool.Pool Table.Hot Shower.Cold Beer.Well, when we got there, I was at my wit's end.My hunger and my feet both needed to be mend.The waitress said to me, "What can I get for you?"I said "bring me a beer, wait, better make it two!"
Date: 2006-07-03
From: US 201- Caratunk, Maine

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Humpty came by and woke us up, so we wouldn't be late for the ferry. He took us down to Steve the Ferryman's place so we could resupply. I also bought a pint of Ben & Jerry's for breakfast, yum. Went down to the river to wait for Shadow and Sassy, so we could visit with them, since we haven't gotten a chance to see Sassy yet. They came by and we had a nice time before we had to get going. Found out that we had placed our packs in poison ivy! Have to keep an eye on that. For those who don't know about the Kennenbec River, let me provide a little background information. The Kennenbec River is the widest crossing without a bridge of some sort. It is dam regulated, so the water levels can rise without warning. As it is very deep, it is not advisable to ford it, as you will swimming it instead of walking across it. An unfortunate section hiker drowned here in the mid eighties. Since then, they have offered a ferry servive during peak hiking season. It is just a canoe, but beats risking life and limb to cross. We actually had to sign a waiver to use it, but no worries, I know how to swim! Once we were across, the trail was a lot of PUDS the four miles to Pierce Pond Lean-to. Once we were there, we found some trail magic; a bunch of little debbie cakes. Oh, how I love little debbie cakes! I truly think that if my trail name was not Flying Turtle, it would most definitely have to be Little Debbie! I love those things. Overall, it was a class-A day for hiking. There were good temps, clear skies and a nice breeze. The trail was more or less pretty flat for the day. There were some beaches along East Carry Pond, so we stopped for a nice break. I almost went swimming, until I saw a leech swimming in the water! I'll take a rain check!The last four miles were very muddy and buggy. Stick and I kept spirits up with my song that I wrote yesterday. (See yesterday's journal) We were going to push on a bit after dinner, but we are beat after doing a 14-miler. Sping here is kind of gross. Days like this make me wish I would have humped the extra pound for the filter instead of using the aqua mira. Oh well. Had a fire before retiring to my tent.
Date: 2006-07-04
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to

To: Safford Notch Campsite
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

It was drizzling when I woke up, so I got out and moved all my stuff over to the shelter. I found Stick doing the same. We took our time packing and eating. By the time we left it had stopped raining. No sense in rushing out just to get wet!The first climb up Round Mountain was pretty easy, not steep at all. Down at the next road, we saw the famous 2,000 mile mark on the road. More like the 171 mile mark for us! The morning started out very nice, but by noon it was brutally hot. Had a nice long discussion about politics with Stick. Not something I usually talk about out here, but Stick's alright I suppose. I did kind of walk 1,600 miles with him last year!At another road crossing, we met some people out for a few days, so we stopped and talked for a bit. They were waiting on their ride. When it did come up, a man got out and said, "I have one pop left, who wants it?" The question was directed towards his people, but they remained silent and I spoke up, saying that I would take it. By the look on his face, I really caught him off guard, but he gave it to me. Out here, I have no shame. I split it with Stick and it was a nice treat on a hot day. We stopped at Little Bigelow Lean-to, which is really nice. It rained for a bit, but we were in no rush. It stopped and we continued on. When we reached the top of Little bigelow, the sky was looking MEAN! We didn't linger on the top. Luckily, it passed as quickly as it came upon us. We reached the cutoff trail for the campsite and debated whether to continue on to the next shelter five miles away or not. We decided to call it a day. That ended up being a superb call. As soon as we got our tents up and got water, the bottom fell out. And it didn't stop for almost two hours. It finally let up and I cooked dinner and ate for the confines of my tent. Here tonight with us is Grandpa Dude, a section hiker from Jacksonville.