morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Rainbow Stream Shelter

To: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Another Great Day!There have been some pieces of gear that I am particularly happy I brought:1. Water bladder - the ability to drink while walking has made staying hydrated so easy.2. Trekking poles - saved my butt on many a slimy rock and root.3. My coke can alcohol stove - have a stove with no parts than can break has been great. One of the people I have been hiking with had his jetboil fizz out on day 2, bummer. [I once had a race between a regular camp stove with a pot and a jetboil, and handily beat the jetboil at boiling. Low-tech FTW!]Today was a nice and easy 13 miles through some beautiful lake country with only a few buggy spots. We got some great views of truly beautiful places. It was really neat to be able to look back at the places we have been and to see how far we have come already. [I presume this was the view from Nesuntabunt Mountain]I hiked the whole day with David, we have very similar paces and it was nice to have some company on the trail. David is from - get this - Forrest, VA, and just graduated from VMI. It's really fun to have someone from the same area as Sweet Briar and we even have mutual friends (Brittney Bolin, he knows your sister!).Every day I am out here is better than the last. [We'll see about that! ] I am slowly becoming more fit, more comfortable, and somehow, happier. I have two small blisters but they can't stop me from truly enjoying every day I am out here!Tomorrow, Ed, David, and I will be making a pit stop at White House Landing for burgers and (hopefully) beer. I originally thought I was going to need to do a resupply there but it is looking like I will hardly need anything more than a few packets of tuna.We had our second fire tonight! It made everything super cozy and bug-free, the coffee didn't hurt either!
Date: 2013-06-05
From: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: light rain

1/2 great, 1/2 awfulThis morning I slept in late (7:30, yeah!) and walked to the shores of Lake Pemadumcook to take a boat to White House Landing with David and Ed. There we met Bill and Linda, the owners, who showered us with kindness and shared the history of the area with us. We each ate their 1-lb burger (the size of my head, I swear) and were totally stuffed afterwards. Happy and full hikers we were!We made David a new stove out of two cans Linda gave us and it seems to be working pretty well - nothing like getting creative in the woods!Bill dropped us off back at the trail and we spent the rest of the day battling 14 miles worth of hungry and downright agressive mosquitos. [Should've brought an extra 1-lb decoy burger...] I don't think I have hiked faster in my life, or more powered by hatred for those tiny bastards.By the time I got to camp I was completely exhausted and my entire body either ached or itched or both. It was a terrible end to a day that started out so well. But, like Tasha said, you learn the most on the hardest days.Tonight we are staying at Cooper Brook lean-to and it has a great waterfall and swimming pool right in front of it, supposedly there are otters here sometimes! [Otter bait would've been another good use for an extra 1-lb burger.]Oh! There are two female hikers here, too! Katherine and P____, from Virginia! We have quite the VA crew here!I'm hoping these aches and pains will fade away after a day or two. Tomorrow will be a slow and easy 11 miles and then we will tackle White Cap in an intense 7-mile stretch - hopefully I will get a good view for my birthday! Speaking of which, Linda gave me a brownie for my birthday! We ate it tonight after lighting a match as a candle and sung happy birthday. The other folks at the shelter loved it and shared some of their whoopie pie with us. Thanks for the trail magic, Linda!We passed our first true public trail magic today also. It was tied in a garbage bag and up in a bear hang. Unfortunately the bugs were so bad that we didn't want to stop moving and check it out.Still no ticks!P.S. The privy at Cooper Brook lean-to is spectacular! Clean and a padded seat! Wowzah!
Date: 2013-06-06
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Today was a nice short 11.5 mile day with a small climb up and down Little Boardman Mountain and about 1/2 way up White Cap Mountain to the Logan Brook lean-to.I hiked alone all day and took my time with it in attempts to not aggravate any of the aches and pains that developed yesterday. Along the way I ran into two giant toads and 3 ribbon snakes (or at least that's what they appeared to be). The bugs weren't too bad and they are pretty much non-existant at camp.Tomorrow will be another short day but over White Cap so it is bound to be rugged. Hopefully I will have a good day and beautiful views for my birthday!Staying in the shelter again tonight, it's raining.
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhell Memorial Lean-to
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Birthday with a viewWe woke up this morning to a rando hiker eating breakfast in the shelter. Of course we all instantly thought we were going to be murdered [pretty long way to hike to murder some random people], but it was just a Pink Leprechaun rolling a morning cig and munching away on breakfast. He had rolled into camp at about 11 pm the night before and none of us has realized it seeing as how we knocked out at about 8:45 or 9 pm each night.The morning climb up White Cap was a serious endeavor but well worth the sweat. The view from the top was more than I could have asked for for a birthday present. Following White Cap were 3 smaller peaks which eventually led us to camp.Our site had a resident jack rabbit! He was an adorable little nugget with HUGE feet!Last night we had another join our group, Peter from Rhode Island, and there were two others who stayed the night at Carl Newhall with us, Fish and Sunscreen [dem some good trail names], who brought harmonicas and a ukelele. It was so nice to have fireside music time!
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Carl A. Newhell Memorial Lean-to

To: Cloud Pond shelter
Miles today: 16.8

Rain, rain, go away!It was pouring this morning and for most of the day. The trail was a river, the rivers were even bigger, and every little trickle turned into a puddle or stream. That did not combine well with the terrain for today's hike which turned out to be more of a climb than a hike! Brutal on the knees and left all of us with soaking wet feet and even stinkier than before.I have learned a few things about trail finding this past week. Or at least AT finding. If you can't find the trail or haven't seen a white blaze in a while, just look for the steepest, rockiest, rootiest, and wettest spot you can find with the most blowdowns and you will likely have found the trail. It also usually runs straight up and straight down every mountain it comes across. There characteristics have pretty much held true to date.It's hard to believe that I have already hiked 95 miles! And only 20 more until Monson and Mom! To Momson we go! (hehe, get it!?)
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Cloud Pond shelter

To: Leeman Brook lean-to
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Another 17 mile day and boy did it feel good! My feet were wet all day and my knees and toes hurt, but my spirits were up and that makes all the difference!Most of the viewpoints were totally foggy or cloudly but, as Peter said, "they are just blank canvases waiting for an artist" (or something like that). I like the idea of not knowing what they actually looked like but the ability to imagine it to be however I wanted it to look.It was a really long day and I am ready to turn in, but I read something off a hiking mug that I thought was most applicable: "home is wherever you hang your bear bag." How true!
Date: 2013-06-10
From: Leeman Brook lean-to

To: Monson
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up late this morning and rolled around camp for a solid hour and a half. Mom wasn't supposed to be at the trail head until about 10 or 11 and I only had 3 miles to go. When I got there she was nowhere to be found and it turned out that she thought tomorrow was the 10th so she was frantically driving up here. [And here I was expecting her to be there already, ticking away the nervous minutes while she waits for you to emerge from the wilderness.] I decided to hitch a ride and got picked up by the second car that went by. Rick and Bobby were on their way to go fishing and they dropped me off at my hostel, Shaw's, on their way. Really nice and funny guys, true trail angels.The hostel was awesome, and the two ladies who own it, Sue and Dawn, are super nice and can cook one hell of an all-you-can-eat breakfast! Taking a shower and doing laundry was magical; smelling good has never been so rewarding! Pretty much everything in Monson is closed on Mondays (today of course) so we had lunch and dinner at the gas station. But boy do they have a lot of options! MTO sandwiches, pizzas, and anything else you can think of.We all wrapped the night up over a few beers and a game of Pictionary.
Date: 2013-06-11
To: Monson!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

114 miles later I have arrived in Monson. I got to the road crossing yesterday morning and hitched a ride with two really nice guys on their way to go fishing who dropped me in town. Thanks Rick and Bobby!Mom showed up later that night and we have been having a great time, this zero day will feel really good and I'm excited to do my first resupply. The 100-mile wilderness was absolutely incredible (though quite tough), and I couldn't imagine a more perfect location to start this adventure.I'm about to mail off my first batch of journal entries to brother Chris, so stay tuned to find out more.But for now; I'm well, I'm happy, and I just ate all I could eat in my hostel for breakfast! My body definitely hurts but not more than would be expected after a 9-day trek through the woods. I have a few bruised toenails that are threatening to fall off, two small blisters in the process of hardening, and a pretty deep chunk of skin missing from the back of one of my ankles that seems to be healing pretty well.When mom showed up the first thing I did was put my Sweet Briar class ring back on, it felt so strange to not wear it for so long!I'm officially 1/20 of the way done with the AT and I will be back on the trail tomorrow headed for GA!
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Monson

To: First zero day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was an R&R and resupply day. Mom is here and we went to Greenville, the next town over, for groceries and gear.Even though it's only been a day, I'm already itching to get back on the trail. This zero day was definitely well deserved and needed but hiking is just way better.This will be the last entry until I send the next batch in Stratton![End of mail drop 1.]
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Monson

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night we all went over to the Lakeshore House for Happy Hour and dinner. The pub there is cozy and I highly recommend it!I savored my last all-you-can-eat breakfast at Shaw's this morning and took one last shower before saying bye to Dawn and Sue. They are terrific ladies, I hope they find some great folks to sell the place to.It was an easy 9 miles to the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to. Gently-sloping hills, squishy and soft trails and a gentle rain all the way. I got to the shelter totally soaked but very happy. Hostel beds are nice but nothing beats the hardwood floor of an open air shelter.I spent the night there with Pink Leprechaun, David, and the Steves who are down to 2 from their original group of 5 (meaning those kind souls have a little bit of food to share). We all found a mysterious bag of food at the shelter which we decided was safe to eat; maybe trail magic, maybe forgotten about.The Steves taught me how to play Hearts and we had a great game. I lost horribly but I understand the strategy now.Up and over Moxy Mountain tomorrow!
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Slept in this morning right through my alarm and woke up at about 6:45 to Pink Leprechaun smoking just inside the shelter. The smell is bearable for the amount of bug protection it provides.The ford of the West Branch of the Piscataquis River was quite exciting. The guidebook notes that the "river is normally knee-deep. During heavy rain periods, fording can be dangerous." To begin with, I don't see how this river is ever only knee-deep. At one point I was nipple-deep in cold river water and fighting a pretty swift current. I took a small accidental swim at one point because the river bottom was so slippery! In the end I made it across safe and sound, but totally soaked.My original plan for a 13-mile day turned into a 22-mile day including summiting two mountains. It was definitely brutal but I was feeling great the whole time. I'd like to think that on this special day I climbed one mountain for dad and one for grandma. I know that they are with me every step of the way. Tonight will be my first night alone in a shelter and I know they will be here with me also. [Maybe they could've lent you a hand in that river? ;-) ]Tomorrow I will be sipping over Caratunk, ME and heading to the second shelter out of town.P.S. I'm eating a Snickers bar in bed as I'm writing this. Yummy!
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: light rain

I hiked out the 6 miles to the ferry across the Kennebec River this morning. I have plenty of food to last me to Stratton so I skipped Caratunk altogether. The ferry was a canoe ran by "Hillbilly Dave" who was a very friendly paddler. It felt so good to paddle a boat again, even if it was only a ferry move.I was planning on making it to the second shelter after the crossing but when I got to Pierce Pond I found David and Pink Leprechaun setting in for the night and preparing a monstrous fire. The spot is absolutely beautiful: overlooking a large lake with mountains in the background. They also said that there is a $10 12-pancake breakfast just 0.3 miles down the trail so I too decided to stay there.So while my original plan for a 19 mile day turned into a 10 mile day it was well worth it for the beautiful spot, large fire and (hopefully) gigantic breakfast tomorrow. It's also nice to not be staying at a shelter alone again.
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

Before I forget again, I want to mention that I met a SOBO hiker, Matt, who is trying to beat the current record and hike the entire trail in less than 60 days. He passed me (basically running) up Pleasant Pond Mountain. He had come from Leeman Brook Lean-to, skipped Monson entirely and was heading to Caratunk that evening. That is about 40 miles which took me 3 days plus a zero in Monson, wow! He was carrying a mesh bag and wearing trail runners. Best of luck to you, Matt, I hope Springer sees you safe and sound in 2 months.Last night our fire was the largest it has ever been (don't worry, I have photos) and definitely kept all the bugs away. I went to bed hungry after eating an early dinner in preparation for the breakfast at Harrison's, and I'm glad I did! 12 pancakes full of apples, raspberries, and blueberries plus sausage certainly filled me up. Tim, the owner, and I definitely have differing opinions about most things, but he sure can cook up a mean breakfast. Thanks for the grub, Tim and Tootie!Today dates the one-year anniversary of the death of Parkside, a NOBO thru-hiker who drowned in Pierce Pond lake from a cramp while swimming, just 11 days short of finishing the trail. Some of his friends were at the shelter yesterday honoring him and lighting candles. That candle burned for 10+ hours through some mighty strong winds, fueled by pure love I'm sure. At one point that afternoon the wind blew a framed picture of Parkside off the shelter shelf and the page of the trail log from the days surrounding his death fell out. Reading it was a small reminder of just how precious our lives are and how important it is to cherish those around us while we still can. To share our memories and dreams with them and to tell those that we love that we do love them and just how much we do as often as we can. [Love you, Kate!]I was reading a book about the AT before I left and I pulled out a quote that seemed perfectly fitting for a day like today: "You've had the gift of yesterday and you are living today with its choices and opportunities, but who knows if you will have tomorrow." -Paul StutzmanLife is short, so live it, but do so with care and with meaning. Be intentional about everything you do and mindful about how those things can impact others.To the hike: It was a beautiful and sunny 17 miles along lakes today. A few small hills but nothing too serious or strenuous. When the days are this sunny it makes you want to hike forever. I met another female solo hiker, Meghan, who was section hiking Andover to Monson. It was nice to talk to a girl! Best of luck with your hike! I also ran into two hilarious fishermen, Dave and Norm, walking their two beautiful golden labs to Flagstaff Lake for the weekend. Of all the things I have missed over the past 2 weeks (wow! 2 weeks already?!) I miss dog time the most. I'm going to snuggle my puppy so much come Christmas! [Watch out for the pee!] Dave and Norm also informed me that the creature I saw in Pierce Pond an thought was either a freshwater eel or aquatic worm was actually a HUGE leech! EW!
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Horns Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I went up and over the Bigelows today. The weather started out really hot and sunny in the morning, turning into overcast as I was summiting Avery Peak, and then proceeding to rain as I summited West Bigelow peak. Luckily I was able to make it the last three miles to the shelter before it really started pouring.For the past 4 or so days my pack has felt so light. Even though it weighs about the same, my back and shoulders are becoming stronger and boy does it make a difference! My legs and feet are still in the process but every day is a little better.I saw my first moose today! I was hiking up to South Horn; head down, in a nice rhythm and all of a sudden I looked up and there happened to be a juvenile moose standing right next to the trail, munching on a cedar branch. The first thing I said was "Where is your mom?" Turns out she was nowhere around. I expected the moose to make the first move to leave but he didn't, and seemed to have no problem with me being around. So I snapped a few pictures as I slowly made my way by him and up on over the mountain. It was the perfect experience to fuel me all the way to camp!Tomorrow we will head into Stratton for a resupply and a night in a real bed!Happy Father's day, Dad![Ed. note: sorry for being slow keeping up with Kate's updates, I've been a bit busy lately. It'll be better soon, promise.][End of mail drop 2.]
Date: 2013-06-18
From: Stratton, ME

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: moderate rain

I spent the night in Stratton last night at the Stratton Hotel owned by a very nice lady named Sue and her dog Knucklehead. The two of them thru-hiked in '04 and she knows Tinkerbell. Tasha, do you remember a big white poodle hiking the trail?We watched Return of the Jedi during which I promptly fell asleep on the couch after being sent into a dinner and beer coma. [Should've watched The Empire Strikes Back]The hike today to the first shelter started out nice and gentle over the Crocker Mountains but totally destroyed me hiking up Sugarloaf. Its topographic profile is roughly vertical and involved a decent amount of rock climbing. I think the cut I got on my achilles tendon area is infected and gets irritated with every step in my boots so I hiked the last three miles in my crocs again and felt great. Hopefully in Rangeley I can grab some antibiotics before this thing gets too crazy.
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

We slept in to 8:0 this morning and had 2 breakfasts! Talk about living the life. We were going a relatively easy 8 miles to the next shelter so we could push through the Saddlebacks tomorrow to get to Rangeley where I will hopefully pick up some antibiotics and enough candy to get me to New Hampshire.It has been so nice to be able to take my time through these first few hundred miles (209 as of today) and truly enjoy it. I have been able to spend a little more time at each vista or soothing brook because I am in no rush. Just this evening I hiked 0.2 miles back up to Poplar Ridge and just lay on the rock, listening to the birds and the wind as the sun was setting behind me. It was truly a perfect moment.I picked up a copy of the New Testament while I was in Stratton and I've been slowly making my way through it (and boy do I mean slowly). I am not religious but I thought it was a good book to have under your belt. Plus, it was the lightest book with the most pages. I'll let you know what I think of it once I finish. [Which translation?]
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: The Hiker Hut in Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 10.7

Up and over Saddleback Junior, The Horn, and Saddleback today on my way in Rangeley. We were lucky enough to have perfect weather for all 3 ascents with incredible views in all directions. The downhill after Saddleback totally destroyed my knees but it was all worth it to get into town.We walked the 0.3 miles West to a place called the Hiker's Hut. We chose it because it was the cheapest place in Rangeley but it turned out to be incredible!It is owned by Steve and Catherine (and their cat Bob) who are truly incredible people! They live off the grid in an A-frame with a giant sunflower painted on the roof. We had popcorn cooked in a giant cast iron pan over the fire and took our showers in the river (without soap, of course).Steve dropped us in town for a few hours and we had a good time checking out all Rangeley had to offer (the library, post, an outdoor shop, pizza place, ice cream stand, and IGA). We caught up with 3 of 4 in town, they had to get off the trail again unfortunately. Keep on trucking family!My resupply finally included candy and hot chocolate and I am quite content with my choices.If you are ever going through this area, stay at the Hiker Hut: good food, good people, and a little slide of heaven. Plus, Steve lived in Seattle for a while! It was so good to talk about home with someone!
Date: 2013-06-21
From: The Hiker Hut in Rangeley, ME

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.5

Catherine and Steve cooked up an incredible breakfast this morning with fresh herbs from their garden in the home fries!I played my first ever game of Yahtzee this morning and won! Two Yahtzees for me!We had a nice easy 9 mile hike to camp today which was more like a walk than a hike. There was a nice sunny and sandy beach a little bit south of the shelter so we went for a nice swim. I learned that I have awful balance on slimy rocks and I am particularly good at walking into trees and getting tangled up in branches. My legs are totally cut up, but that spot on my ankle is feeling a lot better.I'm having a great time catching frogs and toads but I should probably kick that habit since I have no way of properly washing my hands. Anyone have any info on frogs and toads of the Northeast?