morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-31
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Baldplate Lean-to
Miles today: 12.0

Today would turn out as expected as one of the hardest on the trail. The name that sends terror through all thru hikers - Mahoosuc Notch. Another steep descent and down into this famous notch. I was expecting it to be hard and it was, took 2 hours to walk a mile. It is a series of boulders for a mile that you have to scramble around, over and under, many are bigger than a car. At times the pack came off and was pushed ahead as it was so narrow. Rather than continuously going up and down I took risks and jumped from boulder to boulder. This would be so hard for day hikers but for thru hikers it is a playground. Towards the end it does get tedious as your upper body tires and the mind is strained from all the concentration. My legs are tremendously strong, but the upper body is a completely different matter, there are a few sections that require the arms to pull you up and this was a challenge and it took some balance, and I am no ballerina. What they don¢t tell you is that the hardest part is the climb out up the Mahoosuc Arm. It is slab rock straight up, no mucking about. At one stage I was on my elbows and knees grabbing for any handhold I could come up with trying to maximize grip so I did not slide to my death. From Full Goose shelter it was another steep climb up on exposed rock and the wind was howling. The descent was easy and gradual down to Grafton Notch, Briar and gang had gone in from here to Andover for resupply and I would not see them again. I continued on up yet another climb to Baldplate lean to and arrived just on dark. Here I met some nice section hikers, often they look very fit, but in the morning they strip off to shorts and you see legs that are lacking the muscle development of thru hikers. I have become accustomed to well defined big leg muscles even amongst the ladies, the Whites have given everyone extra muscles, and mine of course look spectacular. One of the hardest things on the trail is that you do not know when will be the last time that you will see your friends. They might pop into a town and have an impromptu rest day whilst you push on for miles. A 20-mile gap might open up and with only a few weeks to go they are unable to bridge it. Due to my visa issues I cannot wait up for people. Increasingly there is less and less people in the north and I am getting a real sense of loneliness. Down in the south a stop on the side of the trail for a quick snack break ensured an avalanche of people would pass. Now it is just a trickle. On the other hand there are times when an old friend catches you, the meeting can be so unexpected. It may be weeks or even months since you have seen each other. They bring gossip and news of friends and fellow hikers behind, there are stories to swap, and another fellow thru hiker is always a welcome surprise. Catching up to someone you have walked behind since the beginning is also great fun. You may hear about them from others or simply read their trail entries in the register. On most occasions you have an immediate camaraderie, it is what the trail does, it creates a fellowship and mutual respect.
Date: 2008-09-02
From: Hall Mtn Lean-to

To: Bemis Stream
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a bitch, I seem to be using that same phrase to describe everyday out here of late, and southern Maine has turned out to be harder than the Whites. The climbs may not be as big, but they are relentless, every step requires concentration because the tread way is so tough. There are no walks along the valley floors or up on the ridges, just up and down, from peak to notch and peak again. The going is slow and the legs are tired, really knocked my body around. Cant afford to take a day off, it is going to be hard enough to finish before my visa runs out. Hopefully there will be some easier days ahead with less elevation, then I will get some miles again. Long gradual descent followed by a bitch of a climb up Moody Mtn. Had to walk through a major landslide that happened rather recently, some of the fallen timbers and boulders I stumbled over looked very precarious. The descent was not as bad as the climb, but then another tough climb up over Old Blue. This was followed by an easier ridge walk, but I was too exhausted to take advantage of it and increase the or mileage, still a number of short but nasty ascents and descents, and as always the path was littered with countless roots. Just cleared the mind and plodded on. Made it over Bemis Peaks and got to Bemis Lean-to but decided to push on, even though I was exhausted I needed miles for two reasons. Visa was running out and so was my food. Passed over Third, Second, and First peak on the Bemis range, up and down as always but the big smooth rock outcrops made for some very enjoyable hiking. The final descent was very steep and ran across some trail magic left in an eski, just what I needed. The trail has a tendency to deliver what you need just when you least expect it, but most need it. Camped next to Bemis Stream, got in just before dark. During the night heard a strange snorting noise and felt footsteps that made the ground shake. Stuck my head out and saw my second moose, but did not have the safety of a car to protect me. This moose was a huge male, pulled my sleeping bag up over my head and hoped the single wall silnylon tarptent would keep me safe and drifted off to sleep.
Date: 2008-09-03
From: Bemis Stream

To: Rangeley
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: few clouds

Climbed up over Spruce Mtn and Bates Ledges and took some time to enjoy Long Pond. It had a great little sandy beach and amazing views out over the pond. So strange to have a small beach and a large body of water with no salt to smell on the breeze. The water is crystal clear as always and no hesitation in drinking straight from it. Along the distant shores the maple leaves were turning, changing from green to brilliant reds and yellows, truly spectacular and my first experience of such things. Sitting on the shore of the beach reminded me of home and how much I miss the coastline, and in particular sailing with my uncle. That will be one of the first things I do when I get home. The walking was relatively easy but still a difficult tread way with many roots and rocks, and I was just so tired. Made it to Rangeley, hitch hiking in Maine is so easy. Stayed at what was known as a friendly (Riff Raff) some former thru hikers have opened up their home. They are a party crowd and all I wanted to do was sleep and rest, instead I was peer pressured into going to the pub for karaoke. At the house were Freefall, CC Rider, Circumstance and Neon who I had not seen since Franklin, it was a nice reunion.
Date: 2008-09-04
From: Rangeley

To: Poplar Ridge lean-to
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

No hope of getting a lift from the drunken crowd at the friendly as getting up before noon was a foreign concept to them. Thumbed a ride into town, had the thumb out for less than a minute, impressive! Had breakfast at the local diner, the service as always was fabulous. From the quality of food in this country it is clear that they worry less about the food and more about the service. They run towards you, memorise your order, deliver it and before you have had a chance to take a single bite you are met with the question. How is everything sir? It drives me a bit nuts, sometimes you just want to be left to eat.Back on trail and it was not long until Freewil caught me. I always ask myself the question how does a slow bastard like this keep catching me? It is a mystery I shall never be able to answer, the only theory I have is that he must be a yellow blazer. We ate lunch together at Pizza Rock Lean-to, and before you ask there was no pizza, before tackling another climb. The climb up Saddleback Mtn had one false summit after another, and views were limited due to fog and mist, but it still managed to be another spectacular day at elevation. Had to climb up and over the Horn and Saddleback Jnr, both were a challenge. Arrived at Poplar Ridge lean-to and decided to camp, unfortunately another one of these university groups had taken up residence on all the available flat ground. These young kids starting to give me the shits, with all their chanting and other rowdy behaviour. Camped over next to the dunny, some bright spark had done a turd on the ground next to the privy and made a poor attempt at burying it. Had my tent and gear all set up before I noticed it, and with limited flat ground not a lot I could do, plus it was getting dark and I could not be stuffed moving. The breeze would continually change direction during the night filling my nostrils with the smell of the privy, great to be out in the wilderness in all this fresh air.
Date: 2008-09-05
From: Poplar Ridge lean-to

To: Sugarlaof Mtn
Miles today: 10.9

My attitude is not great at the moment and my tolerance for others is becoming more limited. It seems mine is typical thru hiker behaviour. I remember back at the beginning where my experience in Georgia was so exciting. Everything was so fresh and new, meeting new people, making friends, and discussing equipment, and how far we thought we would get. This trip can be broken into different stages. Next stage was close bonds, really getting to know people, having a shared goal of the AT, camaraderie and a sense of purpose. Forming into groups and all hiking together. Some people you would drop due to injury, others because they were annoying. Now out on the trail it is just a handful of close friends, and even they seem to be disappearing, fellow thru hikers, other people I have limited time or patience for, they have not experienced what I have, they no nothing of the hardships, just get out of my way or take my autograph and get out of here. I am a thru hiker and that makes me special. Told you my attitude was really bad. I know it is not a good way to be, but I don¢t have the energy or inclination to do anything else but finish the hike. Along Poplar ridge, over Lone Mtn, passed Spalding Mtn lean-to, skirted Sugarloaf Mtn before making camp just on the side of the trail upon the first reasonably flat spot I could find. Low mileage, but it was all I could do with the late start and all. It was a lonely night on the side of Sugarloaf Mtn.
Date: 2008-09-07
From: Stratton

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It was time to take on the Bigelows, the last of the 4000 feet mountains, and the promise that the walking just may get a little easier. There was some trail magic just after leaving town, and even though we were completely full from our town food, it seemed a shame not to eat some. SO we ate some of the trail magic. It was a very cold day and some what damp, the climb up to Horns Pond Lean-to was relatively easy. The trail got steeper up to the Horn, and the wind was really blowing hard, views were completely obscured by mist and cloud, rather disappointing as these are suppose to be some great views. The weather was a little wild, and the chill was hard to guard against. Over West Peak and then began what seemed like an endless array of ups and downs as we seemed to cross over peak after peak. We were caught by AB Barrackus, who brought us gossip from the crowds behind, and the news that there were no other groups immediately behind us, and on our current schedule it was unlikely that anyone else would be catching us. Sad news as I was hoping that some of the people behind us would catch up, I am missing many of my old friends. Clearly as many predicted people have slowed down in these last two states to savour the moment, and enjoy the lifestyle. Some like me have to push on because of time restraints, but many others can enjoy the wilderness and take their time. Up over Avery Peak and Old Man¢s Head, more ups and downs before tackling Little Bigelow Mtn, it never seems an apt description little up in these mountains because it always feels so big. Some lovely views before another long descent, headlamps had to be put on, and Freewil was kind enough to slow his pace and descend down the mountain with me, there was some confusion finding Little Bigelow Lean-to, eventually we worked out that we had to cross a fast flowing river over some wet logs, little bit precarious in the dark, before finding our way and meeting up with Barrackus at the lean-to, a fire was going and it was an enjoyable night. It is starting to dawn upon me that this lifestyle is coming to an end, in some ways I just cant wait to be done with this, but on the other hand there are still many great moments to enjoy and this will be hard to leave behind. The enormity of what I have achieved hits me with full force when I imagine just how far away Georgia is, and the strange looks you get from people when you tell them how far you have walked from.
Date: 2008-09-08
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

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

Today is my birthday, 33 years old, my fellow thru hikers sung me a happy birthday, and Freewil gave me a Balance Bar which I happily devoured. The walking was very easy in the morning, gentle long descent, it was easy to get a nice rhythm which has been impossible to get with all of the rocks and roots and challenging tread way. Came to a road and written upon it was 2000 miles in white paint over the middle yellow lines, another objective crossed off the list. No big significant climbs today, just an easy ascent of Roundtop Mtn, but still lots of ups and downs. Skirted around the shores of many ponds today, something really to savour, it feels so remote, and the ponds are stunning with crystal clear water and the beautiful backdrop of the surrounding mountains and the trees changing colour. Great way to spend my birthday, there was a special surprise of some sandy beaches along the shores of some of the lakes, and the sun was shining so it was a great place to lay day and relax. There were many more ponds crossing around the edges of them sometimes walking over them on planks which tests ones balance. Due to the easy terrain was able to get some respectable miles today before arriving at Pearce Pond Lean-to, This was perched up on the side of Pearce Pond, and we saw a beaver swimming across it. Freewil went off to find Harrison Camp, supposedly if you inform the owner that you will be arriving in the morning he will cook you some pancakes, that would have been delightful, unfortunately Freewil could not find this place, he got a little lost, so there would be no pancakes for us. Still it was a gorgeous evening watching the sunset over the pond in front of us, another truly delightful night out on the AT.
Date: 2008-09-09
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: light rain

Awoke to see an amazing sight, two moose swimming out on the pond, just their huge heads bobbing in the water. We watched them swim across; stunning the speeds that they can attain, and we watched them climb out of the water across on the other bank. We went up to Harrisons Camp with the hope that we might get a feed, but the owners must have been asleep, al the same the complex was very impressive. Took a wrong turn and walked down a blue blaze for some distance straight down hill, amended our navigational issues and got back on trail, it must be said that some of the marking has not been that great of late. It was pretty easy walking all the way to the Kennebec River; this is where you have to catch a ferry across the river. Wave a flag on one side of the river, and from the other comes a man paddling a canoe, he had the most unusual accent I had ever heard, this is the famous Maine accent that so many people had told me about, it really is weird. Such a diverse country the US, the continuously changing accents give you a really good indication of how much ground you are covering, and how much of the country we have traversed. Was seemed like a restful river form the banks was actually really fast flowing, be a challenge to get across without a canoe, the canoe we had to paddle sideways up the river to get any ground, glad I was wearing a life jacket. The mosquitoes were unbelievable, bugs in general have been a real nuisance, but the mossies up here in Maine have something extra, you have to hit them twice before you can kill them. We did not go into Caratunk which from all accounts was a mistake, meant to be quite the place to stay, but I have time constraints which I keep mentioning and must push on. The rain was tumbling down, and I was getting very wet, and to add to that had to stop for a turd, I hate having to drop a turd in the rain. Made it to the Pleasant Pond Lean-to where I found Freewil nice and dry, he headed on, and I took a long rest and listened to the rain falling on the roof, but although it was getting late in the day, and I was cold and wet and the rain did not look like it was going to let up I just had to push on, yeah that time constraint again. It was an unpleasant walk, and the next 8 miles were up and down including some big climbs on wet rocks making it treacherous on the climbs and out right dangerous on the descents. It was mossy and lots of slab rock, and I slipped and slide many times before making it to my destination. At the moment I seem to have good days and bad days, my energy levels fluctuate and I don¢t seem to be able to eat enough food to power me on. My shoulders drop, but I do have the leg strength when I need it to just plough on in difficult conditions, some sunshine would be nice about now. Some pancakes in the morning would have been nice, well at least I got some good mileage again.
Date: 2008-09-10
From: Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to

To: Monson
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today started out with a gorgeous climb up to Moxie Bald Mtn, and the views were gorgeous, 360 degrees. TO the south were many of the mountains that we had been climbing over the last couple of weeks. To the north I saw my first glimpses of Katahdin. All around us at the base of the mountain we were standing on was ponds stretching out in all directions. It was a gorgeous site, and to see Katahdin for the first time was a very exciting and emotional moment, the realization that this journey is coming to an end brings both joy and sadness in equal proportions. It was very windy up on top, but stopped to breathe in the world around us, and ate a large quantity of blueberries, and I must say these were the best I have experienced on trail thus far; the taste in the mouth was magical. Some of the berries are a little tart, whilst others are so sweet, grab a bunch in your hand and shove them all in your awaiting mouth and the mixture of tastes is sublime.Another bone crunching descent, knees crying in pain, in fact this descent was not as bad as many in the past that I have had to endure. This would be a relatively easy walking day, with some flat ground, but still there were challenges, crossing the Piscataquis River a number of times, the first time I left my boots in and they got soaked, I then end up taking them off to drain the water out of them, and then have to endure wet boots for the rest of the day which does run the risk of developing blisters. So the question must be asked why did I not just take them off, the crossings were rather deep and the water was running rather fast, the bottom was slippery with very smooth rocks, there were a close number of calls but somehow managed to keep my footing and not fall in. The afternoon went by rather quick, there was a taste of things to come with the slippery surface of black slate rock. Had a nice trail magic stop with Barrackus and Freewil, and just before dark really set in made it to the road crossing that leads into Monson our last trail town. This was the beginning of a number of lasts out here on the trail. Monson was a real delight, and as a result took a second rest day. IT was also a great mileage day, been a long time cince I had got a 20 miler in, the easy terrain over the last few days has made the walking a real delight again, and a welcome respite from the tortures of souther Maine, and the hardships of the Whites.
Date: 2008-09-11
From: Monson

To: rest day in Monson
Miles today: 0.0

After staying in the delightful hostel in town and catching up with some trail gossip and fellow thru hikers was suppose to make my way out of town that afternoon and into the 100 mile wilderness, but I just did not have that conviction. Was suppose to catch up with Freewil and Micro at the first lean-to, but it was not to be. Went down the pub again had a beer or two and it was decided to say another night. Eat more food, indulge myself with some more ice-cream, and hang out with Orangedust and her crew at the pub. Unfortunately the hostel was fully booked so moved into the pub instead, and this place was just as great. Banjo and Half Elvis were there, and a few others, it was great to just have some fun and enjoy this last trail town.
Date: 2008-09-12
From: rest day in Monson

To: Leeman Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: moderate rain

Got a late start from town and only made it to the first lean-to. It was raining when I got there so it was an easy decision to stay here as opposed to hiking on. Finally here I was in the 100 mile wilderness, had heard about this place from early on down in Georgia, and it seemed so far away, yet here I was. I had the feeling that the 100-mile wilderness would be a time to reminisce, and it is turning out to be exactly that. I considered my self-fortunate to have made it this far, no doubt determination and commitment had powered me for much of the journey, but luck had also played its part. Injuries that many others had suffered, or bad falls did not seem to have been a prospect I had to face, and that was just plain and simple luck. Lyme disease, knee injuries, broken legs or arms from falls had been what many others had to suffer, deaths in the family and other circumstances that had occurred off the trial had also been an issue for many. Hiking the AT has a lot to do with luck, and for the chosen few of us we had been able to somehow make it this far. My mind is now having moments of euphoria, but then I have to scale another rock, put in another huge effort, put on wet clothes, and sleep in a damp environment, battle against the cold. It feels like all the hard work would be over, the ending is so near, but there is still some huge hurdles, it really does not seem that fair, I am just ready to be done with this. I am not the only one feeling this way, others are going through the same mental game, but there are others who are just sad at the prospect of it ending, and others who are just on a high. I get a sense of all this reading through the trail registers in the lean-tos, seeing old friends, or people I have never met but have been reading their trail entries form the very beginning. Word has been slowly filtering back of those who have already finished, and I am so envious of them, but then after a week of being at home they are probably so envious of me as they wish they were still out here, strange thoughts it seems will be accompanying me through the 100-mile wilderness.