morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-07-08
From: Hiker Hut in Rangeley

To: Hiker Hut in Rangeley
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was wonderfully relaxing. We went to town and hung out at he library for almost the entire 4 hours it was open, uploading pictures and journal entries and charging things. They had a bake sale going on, too, so we got some tasty lemon bars. Then we went to the grocery store and got waaaayyy too much food, and came back here and relaxed. Steve and Cathy made a wonderful dinner. They said earlier that they needed to use up some veggies from their garden, so they'd make a big salad for us for free. That sounded great!Come dinner time, they had also made rice and beans and corn and mac and cheese and there was pecan pie and blueberry cake... it was amazing! I am so incredibly awed by the hospitality here. And they're just really cool people to talk to- it turns out the Cathy went to Simon's Rock!We spent a while after dinner just sitting on the porch of the bunk house, Greg playing guitar, me looking ahead in the guidebook and watching the hummingbirds around the feeders and in the garden.Over dinner, I mentioned that I still didn't really know what I want to do with my life (in the context of what will I do out in California?) and Cathy's response was along the lines of, "well, you're doing it!"And that's true. I am doing what I want to do with my life out here, right now. And even if I have no concrete goal overall or overarching ambition, I pretty much do manage to live a life I enjoy. I am so lucky.
Date: 2017-07-09
From: Hiker Hut in Rangeley

To: Near Bemis Stream
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

I was sad to leave the Hiker Hut this morning. It was such a great place to stay.The terrain today was generally rough, with lots of roots and rocks and mud.There was a fantastic view from the Rt. 17 crossing about a mile ago. On the way from there to here we crossed three or four dry riverbeds- this whole area must fill with water if it's been really raining.We saw a handful of northbounders at our afternoon break at Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to, and said they ran into several SOBOs today, all of whom spoke the same way about never seeing other SOBOs. We clearly all just stay different places?
Date: 2017-07-10
From: Near Bemis Stream

To: Near the top of Bemis Mt.
Miles today: 6.4

I was just so tired today. I couldn't get moving. Every flat spot I saw, some part of me wanted to just go there, lie down, and go to sleep... so when we got to Bemis Mountain Lean-to, I did that, and napped for hours in the shelter. When I woke up, I still had no energy, but we pushed a little further to the top of the mountain.I was in such bad shape Greg was really worried about me, and we talked about getting me checked out by a doctor, for the exhaustion that a zero day didn't help and also my hip, which continues to hurt worse.My dad will come pick us up tomorrow, so I can take a few days off to rest and figure things out.
Date: 2017-07-11
From: Near the top of Bemis Mt.

To: Coastal ME, picked up at S Arm Rd
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I struggled with hiking again today. Every step just took so much effort. The six miles today should not have left me almost as drained as after Katahdin.There were some cool views from Old Blue Mt. if you're tall or stand on a big rock. It's got lots of little trees up there.I fell really badly coming down it, though, sliding ten feet down granite on my butt. My shorts miraculously did not tear, but the backs of my thighs are so raw it hurts to sit... So it goes. Scrapes and a mildly bent trekking pole are pretty mild consequences for a slip that far. I'll take it.I'm resting now, and can still feel my hip. I'll go to a walk-in clinic tomorrow and get checked out.
Date: 2017-07-12
From: Coastal ME, picked up at S Arm Rd

To: Coastal ME
Miles today: 0.0

I have hip bursitis. It will not get better on its own. It will continue to get worse if I continue to do the things that aggravate it.I have an appointment Friday with an orthopedic doctor. Hopefully there's some sort of fix that will let me do this? Shoe inserts, or fixing the way I walk, or stretches, or something... it's definitely worst on rough terrain, so maybe if I can just rest enough to get me to where I can push through the Whites it'll be okay. The terrain can only improve from what we've been on.I miss hearing all the white-throated sparrows. There are lots of mourning doves here, but they're just not as cool.There was a fantastic rainbow while we were driving back from the doctor today, so maybe things will work out.
Date: 2017-07-14
From: Coastal ME

To: Coastal ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Met with the ortho doctor today. Definitely hip bursitis, but if I can rest it enough to get the inflammation down, I have some stretches I can do that should keep it from getting so bad in the future, plus the stuff I was already starting to figure out about using my trekking poles evenly.I'll stay off trail until no later than next weekend, then see how it goes, taking it easy when it hurts and icing on towns. If I can make it out of Maine and through the Whites, it'll act up less and less...As far as the fatigue goes, I'm waiting on bloodwork. My pet theory is now that it was anemia acting up again and a multivitamin that includes iron is just not enough when my diet is pasta sides, ramen, and gummy candy from gas stations.
Date: 2017-07-19
From: Coastal ME

To: Coastal ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I'm headed back to the trail this weekend, I just have to somehow not go crazy between now and then. For the past week, I've really wanted to go on a nice long walk to relieve stress, but I can't because I'm supposed to be resting, which is what I'm stressed about. Ugh. We'll be taking at least a short hike tomorrow so I have a chance at not completely losing what little trail legs I had managed to develop.No conclusion whatsoever from medical testing on the extreme fatigue I was dealing with, so I'll go with the iron deficiency theory. A multivitamin is enough for Greg and presumably most other hikers, and issues like hip bursitis aren't common for people my age... But I've apparently got a single-digit constitution score and just have to accept that and compensate accordingly.The big change is that when we get back out, we'll have our dog, Zia, with us! We were close to bringing her with us to start with, but figured the complicating factors of dog AND Greg trying to apply for jobs would make towns too difficult. Now Greg has a job, we're past the fords that she would really dislike, and she'll help me remember to take it easy so I don't aggravate my hip again. Taking her with us means some more pack weight, too, and that we can't really sleep in shelters anymore, but she's worth it... And it means she'll stop driving my parents crazy with her endless energy. She'll have a great time jumping around on rocks.I'm really looking forward to getting back out there.
Date: 2017-07-22
From: Coastal ME

To: Hall Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: broken clouds

I am so happy to be back out here. My hip hurt. My knee hurt. I had to move slowly. It took until the top of Moody for me to be grinning ear to ear and making jokes. This is where I want to be, and this is what I want to be doing.Plus, when we got to the shelter, a familiar face was here- Skeeter, now called Disciple. Another SOBO named Danielle is here, too.We were going to tent, because o want to be considerate about having Zia with us, but they both expressed that they would actually like snuggling with a dog... So we're in the lean-to. They had a fire going, which was lovely. Greg and I had our new fancy rice side of Mexican beans and rice and it was delicious.This shelter is in a really cool spot. It's not above treeline or anything, but the trees are thinner. The privy and water are both a bit of a walk, but that's okay.I am happy.
Date: 2017-07-23
From: Hall Mountain Lean-to

To: Frye Notch Lean-to
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: moderate rain

My hip hurt a lot today, but overall I had a fantastic day. Beautiful weather. Lovely trail (more than usual here.) I'm a little worried about the weather tomorrow- the high is in the low-mid 50s up here, possibly getting to the 30s at night... but it'll work out.There weren't really any spectacular views or anything today, but there was a lot of walking where I could look through the trees and could see sky. I really like that.
Date: 2017-07-24
From: Frye Notch Lean-to

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

I woke up on my own around 5 today, went to the privy and saw a red line of sunrise on the horizon. I dozed and listened to "Never Quite Free" until Greg's alarm went off at 5:45. We got ready and got the tent packed up before 7, when we heard the rain might start.The rain amazingly held off until after we got all the way over Baldpate. I don't have any pictures because of the threat of rain, but the views were incredible. It was really windy, too- almost as much as we had on Whitecap. I was glad we were southbound, since we went up steep exposed rock faces that would have been really painful to go down.We have really had fantastic experience with weather this trip. Cold rain in the mosquitolands when we didn't want to stop moving anyway, downpour on a near-0, thunderstorms while we were safely inside the Rangeley library... I guess we were overdue for some rough weather, and Old Speck was the perfect location to make sure we felt it.It started raining while we were taking a break at Baldpate Lean-to, and continued steadily. It wasn't bad at all in Grafton Notch, because we were under lots of trees, there wasn't much wind, and the lower elevation was warmer. The higher we got up Speck, the windier and colder it got. We were in a cloud by the top, and I was working hard to make my hands not go numb, flexing them as often as I could. That only worked for a little while. The downhill off of Speck was completely exposed, granite rock with no solid footholds that was slippery in the rain. Zia was so cold she was whining- there's no good way to tell a dog, "yes, I know, me too, but there is literally nowhere to stop right now so we have to keep moving."The forecast for this shelter was ~50 degrees, so it was probably in the 40s on top, with rain and wind chill... we were all three of us so cold when we got here. And the lean-to was full of sleeping people and it looked like all the tent sites were taken. Greg was thankfully able to find a spot for us to tent while Zia and I huddled under a tarp in a cooking area and I made us hot chocolate. This tent platform is technically for large groups only, but it's at least a third taken up by a large stack of wood under a tarp, so I think we're okay.We lay in our sleeping bags for a while after changing into dry clothes to try to get warm. It worked enough that Greg was able to go cook dinner while I snuggled with Zia in my sleeping bag to get her warm.Now we're all okay. Fed, watered, not hypothermic. The weather forecast up here says that with windchill tonight it'll feel like it's in the 20s or 30s... I think the tent should block a lot of that, though.It sure doesn't feel like July. But today I conquered two mountains, and it all worked out. Zia is snoring.Danielle and Disciple got here as it was getting dark. I'm happy to see them, but so sorry they came over the mountain in this weather, too.
Date: 2017-07-25
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: light rain

We got a late start this morning. We both (plus Zia!) wanted to sleep in after yesterday.By the time we left Speck Pond, the sun was trying really hard to shine through the clouds. We made great time for the first mile- less than half an hour. Then we hit Mahoosuc Arm, which was like going down Old Blue except it just kept going and going with all the exposed rocks, still wet and slippery from the rain. Greg had to pick Zia up a lot... and then we hit Mahoosuc Notch. It took us over three hours to go through it. It was fun at first, but got pretty stressful- Zia was just not having it and totally shut down after being picked up over and over again. Greg was so strong to keep carrying her over those crazy rocks. I needed both hands just to not fall, and he used one to carry a 50 pound dog half the time.I'm really glad to have gone through that for the experience. I don't think Zia is, although she has cheered up a bit since then. Sleep will do her good. The view from the top of Fulling Mill Mountain was a perfect end to today's hike. I shouted in triumph.I thought all of the platforms here had been taken by Boy Scouts, but it turns out that the many loud, young boys are actually from a summer camp. Our tent is pitched in a sort of funky spot because of it, since I don't want to bother people in the shelter with Zia.Disciple and Danielle are here, as well as a couple that started just the day after we did! Zia is happy to see her friends.
Date: 2017-07-26
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: mist

I hurt all over. Yesterday, my boots turned against me and started tearing holes in my heels and the top of one of my toes. Now, only one of my toes doesn't have at least one blister or open sore on top of it. I've never had that problem before.I'm exhausted. The terrain today was difficult, and I'm just drained. Zia's paws are looking a little beat up, but she was overall a little happier today. (No freezing rain, no mile-long rock scramble= happy dog who enjoys hiking.)Two night ago we had loud Boy Scouts. Last night we had loud campers (turns out it was TWO camps, but the French-speaking one was so quiet I didn't know they were there.) Tonight there are 20-something's playing music through speakers (after 9PM) and loudly singing along.Negatives aside, the views from Goose Eye were spectacular and I was happy for much of the day. Just so done right now.Later, around 3 AM:I'm awake, and there is so much stuff from today I don't want to forget. I just got back from the privy and am proud of my ability to navigate in the dark because it is not close to our tent. I am not impressed with the AMC so far. This privy is close to full and the smell permeates a large area, even down to the shelter. There were hardly any blazes on top of Mount Success, even though there were many branching paths and the trail itself was somewhat overgrown. We got lost for a while. They also don't put signs up at the top of mountains, which I had gotten used to seeing in MATC lands, so you have no way of knowing if you're at the top or just at yet another false summit.The views from Goose Eye Mountain's peaks were truly incredible, even if the trail between them alternated between steep rock face and occasionally sketchy bog bridges. Greg said it rivaled Saddleback for his favorite mountain so far.We're in New Hampshire!!! Crossing the state line was really exciting. I have hiked the entirety of the AT in Maine.It hit me, somehow a mile or two before that, when talking to a northbounder, that I'm really going to do this. I'm going to walk to Georgia. That's an enormous undertaking. And I can do it!My feeling of that has not diminished with my pain and exhaustion, just been obscured. I will rest and heal and push through and continue walking South, over exposed rock, and mud, and roots, and over bald mountain tops and roads, and across rivers and streams, accepting what comes as a part of the experience. I will be a thru-hiker.
Date: 2017-07-27
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Gorham, White Birches Camping
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The trail got a lot easier today. We spent lots of time walking on dirt rather than vertical rock. I had been worried that we wouldn't make it into town today if we had to keep going as slowly as we had been.Nothing too amazing today, but it was a great feeling to be walking over rock slabs on top of Mount Hayes, grey sky above and wind in my face. I really felt like a badass adventurer.Zia's tail wags normally now, but she's still exhausted. A zero will help.
Date: 2017-07-29
From: Gorham, NH White Birches Camping

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

I had a fantastic berry muffin this morning that Greg picked up yesterday. I also put the rest of our orange juice into my half-full frozen nalgene so I had iced OJ all day long at breaks. It was pretty wonderful.We're taking it easy for a few days for Zia's sake, and also because my new boots won't have arrived in Gorham until Monday, so there's no point in getting to Pinkham Notch before then.The first few miles today were really easy, but then the mountains went back to normal again. We could see ahead to the rest of the Whites from the top of Moriah, which was cool.Zia seems overall much happier now that she's had a break for a day.There is a lovely view of the sunset here, and the caretaker is really nice. She doesn't just want to be the person who enforces rules and takes money- I get the sense she really wants to help out and be a source of information. Plus, the privy is decorated with some drawings and facts about black flies.This is a nice place.
Date: 2017-07-30
From: Imp Campsite

To: About .3 south of Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: broken clouds

I guess I've gotten used to running into mostly backpackers, who tend to say hi and smile and maybe have a brief conversation. It really threw me off today when I'd smile and say, "hi there!" or "good morning!" or "beautiful day, isn't it?" to a hiker and get just a grunt or no response whatsoever in return. It makes it feel lonely out here.The staff at Carter Notch Hut were super nice, though, when we stopped in for water and to use the bathroom and ask questions about food.The best view today was from Mt. Hight- 360 degree visibility, including the presidential range ahead of us. It's a little intimidating to see it, but it'll be beautiful.I'm excited to have my new boots tomorrow!
Date: 2017-07-31
From: About .3 south of Carter Notch Hut

To: Gorham, White Birches
Miles today: 5.6

We ran into a woman this morning who was slackpacking, and said she was a SOBO. She said she'd be terrified to go down Wildcat, was happy to have slacked it NOBO, and heavily implied that we would want to take the gondola down instead... right. When we got to that downhill, we couldn't figure out what she had been on about. Yeah, it was steep with exposed rock faces and climbing down with hands in parts, but that's nothing we haven't already done. Had she not gone down Speck, or Mahoosuc Arm, or Goose Eye, or even Katahdin? So confusing. Maybe it looked scarier going up?Golden Waldo picked us up at Pinkham Notch. He's an amazing shuttler who runs out of White Birches. Greg went and got groceries, we ate lots of food, and got caught up on Game of Thrones.I shared a great moment with a NOBO today. We had just come out of the woods at the gondola area, which was full of tourists in normal clothes and the sound of machinery from the gondola. A NOBO muttered as he passed me, "this is so weird..." and I emphatically agreed. It's nice to share little moments or experiences like that with people. Like a little thing that says I'm not alone in my view of the world.
Date: 2017-08-01
From: Gorham, White Birches

To: Valley Way Tent Site
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It took a while for us to get back to the trail this morning. There was no one around to give us a ride out, and Golden Waldo wasn't around, so we tried to hitch for a little while before a really great guy who helps out around the camp gave us a ride. We talked about the mountains and hurricanes, since he lives in Florida the rest of the year.The first few miles today were pretty gentle, although I definitely felt how heavy my pack was with food. It took us a while to get all the way up Madison, though- today introduced a new type of terrain. Above treeline, it was all small to medium sized rocks that were often loose or wobbly. I also really couldn't see the cairns or blazes ahead since the sun was straight ahead also. We made it, though, and the views were spectacular, although the setting sun made pictures really not work.Three other hikers we know we're at the Hut, including one we haven't seen since the 100-mile Wilderness! That was pretty cool. We wanted to just camp in one of the stealth sites along this side trail rather than have to come all the way down to the campsite, but the only spot big enough for our tent (and it was big enough to fit two of our tent...) had a single-person tent pitched right in the middle of it, so we had to keep walking. It'll be a long .6 miles back up tomorrow morning, but it's the only option for SOBOs with a dog unless we were to try try hiking up Madison and then the following 12 miles all in one day. I don't think we're up for that.
Date: 2017-08-02
From: Valley Way Tent Site

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

It was lovely and clear this morning, but the Clouds started coming in by 10 or so. I really wish I could have properly enjoyed today, but I was just so stressed out. About 3 miles in, Zia just decided she was done and stopped moving. We had no warning- no limping or slowing down or hesitancy to get up in the morning. She just decided she was done, and we had to spend lots of effort coaxing her forward or carrying her the rest of the day. My dad can come out and get her at Crawford Notch when we get there.When we got to Lake of the Clouds, I was prepared to grovel for them to make an exception and let Zia stay here, but it turns out dogs are allowed in the hiker dungeon anyway! No grovelling required. So we're staying here tonight in the tiny little emergency shelter/dungeon. It's accurately named, but much nicer because there are two other southbounders for excellent company. And you can't beat the view of Mt. Washington from the door. I'm sitting on a rock right now outside, looking at the sunset and the many clouds drifting by over Washington. There's a lovely little brook and I can hear at least one frog even at this elevation... never mind, the cloud arrived. I am now in a cloud.Earlier when we were making dinner, a voice called downward and offered us peach cobbler. High-elevation trail magic! It was delicious and made us all very happy.It's thundering now, so I should get off this rock and go inside. Today was stressful, but this evening has been nice, and Zia will be okay to hike to Crawford Notch tomorrow, hopefully.
Date: 2017-08-03
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Nauman Campsite
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Zia walked under her own power today, but took a lot of coaxing. My dad will meet us at Crawford Notch tomorrow.It's been thundering and raining and I didn't want to risk having to carry Zia down Webster Cliffs in the rain.
Date: 2017-08-04
From: Nauman Campsite

To: Ethan Pond Campsite
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I miss Zia, but she'll be so much happier at home, and things will be much easier for us out here. My dad came and picked her up at Crawford Notch. We met at Willey House, about a mile off trail, and with a snack bar so Greg and I had ice cream while we waited. Technically we yellow-blazed the 0.3 mile road walk up to the parking area in Crawford Notch... I think that's fair after we walked an extra mile. Plus, I have a ton of bonus miles- I consider the extra miles walked to shelters, campsites, and views as extra distance that means I don't feel bad about skipping a short road walk today, or if I get picked up/dropped off opposite sides of a street crossing or whatever. Those .3 miles of driveway are not really a crucial part of the experience.The trail up to the shelter was a bit steep at first, but then not bad at all. The first few miles tomorrow should be nice, too.