morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-09-01
From: Abol Stream Trail

To: Rainbow Lake Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 9.0

After breakfast at the camphouse, John drove us down to Abol Pond, where he parks his car most days. We walked about a mile down the Abol Stream Trail to the AT and said goodbye to him. Then it was a short distance over to the Abol Bridge store for resupply. There we met several NOBO hikers taking it easy for their last day before Katahdin. We also met Gracie, a trail angel handing out goodies to hikers. She took our pictures and we walked over the bridge and into the 100 mile wilderness.We stopped for lunch at the Hurd Brook leanto with its baseball bat floors. Years ago hikers would cut limbs from fir trees to cushion the floors and keep out bugs. Now people use sleeping pads or suffer. After lunch we climbed up the Rainbow Ledges for a last view of Katahdin. It was a gorgeous day and did not disappoint. Then it was down and easy hiking for the rest of the day. We had thought about stopping at Rainbow Stream leanto but it also has baseball bat floors, so we stopped sooner right on the edge of the Rainbow Lake. There were folks tenting along several spots nearby. We had dinner and crawled into the tent for our first trail night.
Date: 2012-09-02
From: Rainbow Lake Stealth Campsite

To: Wadleigh Leanto
Miles today: 14.5

We were up at first light, cooked breakfast, and out hiking early. In order to make it to White House Landing in time for lunch tomorrow, we had miles to do today. We followed the Rainbow Lake for about 6 miles.   Then there were more streams, bogs, and ponds. Only mountain today was Nesuntabunt Mtn, a fairly easy climb. We are passing a lot of NOBOs, but few seem interested in stopping to talk. A couple did recognize Razor from back in Georgia.The weather has been perfect, not too hot and not too cold. Cooked dinner at the shelter and went to bed after a game of cards.
Date: 2012-09-03
From: Wadleigh Leanto

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 7.4

I was a woman on a mission... make White House for lunch. Back in 08, I got in about 1pm and they had stopped serving. So I had to wait to dinner. I was determined that would not happen again. We were up before 6am and were hiking by 6:15. We were making good time. We passed a few hikers and asked about the ford. (there is a ford of Tumbledown Dick Stream .1 before the Tote Road to White House) The hikers said there was no ford, just some steps....   In a little bit we arrived at the metal steps down to a small stream crossing. Very strange, especially in Maine! But we never seemed to come to the Tote Rd that should have been nearby. Razor decided that we had gone too far and missed it, so we turned around and backtracked nearly a mile. Big mistake. So we turned around again and headed back to where we had been.Finally we came to the actual ford, not the one with the steps which was a joke. Then the Tote Road was right there. It was after noon and I wasn't sure we could do the mile up the road in time, but I put myself in gear and hauled it. I reached the dock at 12:40 and blew the horn. Razor got there just before the boat to pick us up did. We did it! We had lunch at White House. They have the best burgers on the trail!!!After lunch we showered, did laundry, and I took a nap. For dinner we had their famous pizza. There was enough left over for lunch tomorrow and they graciously packed it in the refrigerator for us overnight.
Date: 2012-09-04
From: White House Landing

To: Cooper Brook Leanto
Miles today: 14.1

After a huge breakfast at White House, and a small resupply there, we were given a ride across the lake to the trail. We walked on to Antlers Campsite on the JoMary Lake where we enjoyed our leftover pizza lunch.Another nice trail day, through the bogs of Maine. The MATC has been doing a great job working here and it is much nicer than I remember from back in 08.We arrived at the Cooper Brook Falls leanto where there were a number of folks already settled. Bag Lady and a couple of section hikers our age were tenting. Santa's Helper and Miles were in the shelter. They made room for us to squeeze in with them. We made dinner and went to bed, but were awakened by rains early in the evening.
Date: 2012-09-05
From: Cooper Brook Leanto

To: East Branch Pleasant Leanto
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Early in the morning the tenters were at the shelter trying to dry out. Since it was still raining, and we had a food drop ahead, we decided to sit for a bit and stay dry. Around 10am, it stopped and we packed up and moved out, leaving Santa's Helper at the shelter. We reached our food drop around noon. We reorganized our foodbags, ate, and hiked on. We reached the East Branch of the Pleasant River about 4pm. The rains made it rushing and deep, where it would have been an easy rock hop the day before. We used the rope to help keep our balance as we crossed. The water was up to my hips in places. Scary, but doable. When we got to the leanto there were a couple of hikers there. One had been fishing and was cooking fish for dinner. We made our spots in the shelter and cooked our dinners. It was nice to dry out from the river crossing. A whole bunch of NOBOs showed up later that evening.
Date: 2012-09-06
From: East Branch Pleasant Leanto

To: Carl Newhall Leanto
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

A four mountain day: White Cap, Hay, West, and Gulf Hagas. This is no easy day. I remember... In the south, one gets climbs usually gradually, via switchbacks. Not so in Maine. The climbs are rock scrambles, or steps of twisted rocks and roots, always straight up. Not pleasant.I was surprised to find rock steps up WhiteCap. Boy thank you MATC!!! Still not pleasant, but not so terrible either. Anyway, it was up,up,up and down, down, down, over and over today. We considered stopping and camping at Sidney Tappan Campsite a few miles earlier, but knowing that there was another ford and Chairback ahead tomorrow made us decide to go on.At the shelter we met Trog, a 70 something I met back in 2010. A couple of other "mature" hikers showed up and we joked that there was a 60 yr old requirement to camp here. Of course, when a youngun showed up, we let him stay anyway.
Date: 2012-09-07
From: Carl Newhall Leanto

To: Chairback Gap Leanto
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Only one mountain today, my nemisis: Chairback. First it was down to the west branch of the Pleasant River for a ford. We met the Gulf Hagas caretaker, Homeward Bound, who hiked with Razor in 08. She walks the 5.2 Gulf Hagas loop which gets a lot of dayhikers. We didn't do the extra miles for the loop, but I think I may some other time. It is called the "Grand Canyon of Maine".The ford was nice and easy, only ankle deep in places, and calf deep at most. Saw a dozen or so dayhikers crossing it in their barefeet. We had lunch on the other side, resting for Chairback. When I first saw Chairback in 08, I couldn't believe it. There is a huge cliff up in front of you (down from the south, up from the north). How in the world are you supposed to get to the top (or bottom)? Well, rock scramble, of course. Now there is a reroute and you approach somewhat higher than I remember. Still a scramble, but there were actually some rock steps this time. (THANKS MATC!!!) It was not nearly as terrifying as last time. We made it into camp and enjoyed an evening hanging out with some more NOBOs.
Date: 2013-01-06
To: oops I forgot to write my conclusion!
Miles today: 0.0

So... I was getting ready to start my journal for this year and realized that I never finished my journal from last fall.The morning after Chairback was cold, wet, and nasty. As I hiked up towards Third Mtn, I was just miserable. I slipped and fell a couple of times on wet rocks. It really scared me. Those rock climbs are treacherous enough when they are dry! Anyway, I told Razor that I wanted to get off at the trail down from Third Mtn. I knew that I could get a ride on Katahdin Ironworks Rd and get back to the RV in Millinocket. I told him that he should keep hiking and I would support him the rest of the way. He said no, that he would go with me to get the RV, then I could put him back on the trail. So that is what we did. After Monson, I met him outside Stratton, Rangeley, and Andover. In between, I hung out in town and helped shuttle hikers. I visited with Miss Janet and Baltimore Jack in Monson. I had a blast and didn't regret getting off the trail one bit!After he finished his hike, we headed over to Acadia National Park. There we spent a week seeing the sights and hiking together. The whole area is amazing, especially the little fishing villages away from the tourists. Fall came and we could feel winter coming. So we headed south to the Gathering.
Date: 2012-08-12
From: Fayetteville, GA

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Leaving tomorrow to get back on the trail and hopefully finish up my second AT hike. Not many changes from the last two years. I'm not taking a stove, I think I can get by on cold food for a couple of weeks. No stove, no cook pot, and a couple of other small equipment deletions and Ive got my pack weight (without food and water) down to 16 lbs. I've been doing a lot of walking in my new shoes so they're well broken in. I've given up on trail runners, at least for the northern part of the trail, and I'm now wearing Garmont hiking shoes. Thick soles like the shoes I wore in 2006 only more mesh, particularly over the toe box. These should offer more support than trail runners, but breath better and dry faster than the all leather version of 2006.
Date: 2012-08-14
From: Hwy 27, Stratten, ME

To: Little Bigelow Shelter
Miles today: 15.3

It was almost noon before I got to the trail. Only 15.3 miles to do today but it included a climb from 1230 to 4145 feet. Got about 30 minutes of light rain in the middle of the afternoon, not enough to get soaked. Stopped for a break after about 8 miles. Passed several southbounders. I'm surprised to see so many, it's kind of late in the year. Walking as fast as I could but sunset came about 7:30 and I still had several miles to go. It finally got too dark to walk unaided about 8:15 so I stopped and pulled out my headlight. I remembered this stretch real well from 2006 because I was outrunning a thunderstorm and just barely made it to the shelter before the bottom fell out. It rained so hard on the shelter's tin roof that you could not hear normal conversation. This time I knew what to look for when I got close to the turnoff for the shelter and got there about 9:30. That's the longest I've hiked at night. But I needed to get here so I could get to Pierce Pond tomorrow so I can get to the Kennebec River by 9:00 the next day to catch the ferry early. I set up my tent and finally got to bed about 10:30.
Date: 2012-08-15
From: Little Bigelow Shelter

To: Pierce Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

Didn't get up till 6:30 since I got in so late yesterday and today is going to be an easy day. About 30 minutes after leaving camp a thru-hiker named Dreamtime caught up with me. She was the only other tenter last night and I had noticed her packing up this morning. We talked about how late in the season it was for southbounders and general trail issues. Medium rain from about 10:00 to 11:30. About 11:00 it finally soaked my shoes and socks. Wet clothes don't matter in the summertime but I hate to hike with wet feet. Got to the shelter about 5:30. It's supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow so we stayed in the shelter. There were two southbounders already there. They had been out about 3 weeks so that puts their average daily mileage somewhere around 10. They had done about 4 miles from the river today. Unless they pick it up a lot they won't finish this year. The older of the two talked non-stop, even getting to the point that he gave his opinions on politics and religion. Nobody else said much. Sure enough it started raining about dark.
Date: 2012-08-16
From: Pierce Pond Shelter

To: Bald Mtn Brook Shelter
Miles today: 18.7

Still raining this morning. Got to the Kennebec River a little before 9:00 and only had to wait about 10 minutes for the ferry man to show up on the other side. There is no bridge here so the Appalachian Trail Conservancy pays a guy to ferry hikers across for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. The river was down and not flowing nearly as fast as last time. Rained all day. One stream crossing in the afternoon. Since I was already soaked I didn't bother to take my shoes off. Had hoped to go about 4 miles further today and probably could have done it before dark but there was a mountain that would have had to have been climbed and I really didn't want to do it in the rain. I should be able to make it up tomorrow. It finally stopped raining just as I got to the shelter. Set up the tent and got to bed about dark.
Date: 2012-08-17
From: Bald Mtn Brook Shelter

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

Weather cleared up during the night. Had cell phone service on top of Moxie Bald Mtn in the morning. First service on the trip. First stream crossing not bad. Took my shoes off and wore Crocs to cross. Next stream much worse. Very fast and high after yesterdays rain. Unbuckled waist belt and sternum strap and started across. Quickly got waist deep. In 2006 it was just above the knee. Someone had tied a rope between the banks and I backed up against it to help brace myself. Wore my shoes to cross, didn't think Crocs would be stable enough. Another stream crossing 5 miles later. Just as deep, but not as fast. Stopped 3 miles before the hwy and called Shaws Hostel to make sure they could pick us up. Said that we would be at the road about 7:00. Actually got there about 6:55. The trail comes out of the woods on top of an embankment south of the road and as I stopped to call and let them know that I was there a SUV pulled into the parking lot on the north side. The driver backed up to the end of the lot and Dreamtime said he must have come up to drink beer. About this time the driver saw us and walked over and asked if we were going to Shaws. I didn't expect this kind of service, I'm glad I got the arrival ETA right. After checking in, changed out of wet shoes and socks and went to the restaurant at the Lakeshore House for a pretty good burger, fries and Coke with free refills (free refills on drinks not as common in the north as in the south). Luckily it was not a fancy place and was used to hikers as I hadn't had a shower (other than the rain) in 4 day. After supper went back to the hostel and showered, washed clothes and went to bed.
Date: 2012-08-18
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept till 9:00 then went up to the only convenience store in town for breakfast. They have a little kitchen/diner and are the only place that serves hot food all day long. Went back for lunch and had my usual pizza, pepperoni and hamburger. Spent most of the rest of the day laying in my room watching TV. Physically I feel great. Was somewhat worried about all the walking in wet shoes but my feet are fine and no blisters.
Date: 2012-08-19
From: Monson, ME

To: Cloud Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.1

Back on the trail at 8:30. My goal for the 100mile Wilderness is to stay at the same shelters as 2006 except to go from Abol Bridge to the top of Katahdin on my last day. In 2006 I went from Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream Campground, spent the night, and climbed Katahdin the next day. However, I got to the campground that year about 11:00 and when I checked in at the ranger station he said I had time to climb that day, but my wife was supposed to pick me up the next day so I said that I would wait. Bad decision. I had just crawled into my tent that night when someone came around the edge of the shelter (I had set my tent up in the shelter) and asked if Red Ranger was there. She had made it to Millinocket that afternoon and drove into the park looking for me. I would have gladly packed up and left if I had been finished. Back to 2012, I had been walking about a minute when I came to a stream. I should have been able to get across without getting wet but the water was still high from last weeks rain. Switched to Crocs, waded about 10 feet and was across. Today was stream crossing day. The next one I was able to scoot across on a fallen tree. And the next one I had to wade but it was time for lunch so I took a break on the other side. This was a high mileage day and the late start, stream crossings, and long climb at the end put me at the shelter after sunset but I still got there without having to put on my headlight. Had cell phone service.
Date: 2012-08-21
From: Carl Newhall Shelter

To: Cooper Brook Falls Shelter
Miles today: 18.9

Started the day with a long climb. Felt real weak going up the hill. I don't think that I'm eating enough. No problem on level ground. There were three people in the shelter last night. One was a woman named Talksalot that seemed familiar. Today I remembered that I met her last year in Vermont. She talked a lot then too. Another good day. There were about 15 people scattered around the shelter this evening. Sometime during the night I started to crawl out of my tent for a bathroom trip. As I was bending my legs my left hamstring started cramping. I rolled back and just as I straightened that leg to stretch out the cramp my right hamstring cramped. So there I lay on my sleeping pad, painfully fighting to keep both legs straight till the cramping eased up and I could carefully crawl on out. I've never had that happen before. I'm drinking my normal amount of Gatorade but not eating as much salty food as usual. I'm glad it was dark and I was in my tent. It would have been a pretty funny sight otherwise.
Date: 2012-08-22
From: Cooper Brook Falls Shelter

To: Wadleigh Stream Shelter
Miles today: 21.5

Another easy day. Good weather and flat terrain. I was eating supper at the shelter when a guy named Bluesclues came in. He is only the second hiker I've met so far who actually started this year in GA. He and I were the only one's there, he was tenting elsewhere, so I set my tent up in the shelter. By the way, although the mosquitoes are not as bad as 2006, I was much earlier in the season then, they are out so I usually sleep in my tent for protection. I didn't stay long. The mice never would settle down so I finally picked my tent up and put it out on the ground away from the shelter.
Date: 2012-08-23
From: Wadleigh Stream Shelter

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: clear sky

Bluesclues is going to do 33 miles today to get to Katahdin Stream Campground. 23 is enough for me. Two small hills to climb. On the second one I tried to make a call to let my wife know that I was still on schedule. I had 1 bar but the phone wouldn't dial out. I couldn't stay long, it had gotten dark and I wanted to get off the top in case of lightning. Light rain for about 20 minutes then it stopped. Met 2 more thru-hikers. Got to the campground store about 6:00. Had a bacon cheeseburger, big bag of chips, and 2 20oz Cokes for supper. Then across the road to the state campground for the night.
Date: 2012-08-24
From: Abol Bridge

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: clear sky

Got up a little after 4:00 and was walking before 5:30. Got a long way to go and the last 10 miles are not going to be easy. The coldest morning so far. Got to Katahdin Stream Campground about 9:30, had a quick snack, got some water, dropped my pack at the ranger station and picked up one of the day packs they have for thru-hikers to use for the climb, and signed in on the climb register at 10:22. The elevation at the campground is 1080ft and the top is at 5268ft. It seems like most of the elevation gain is in the middle 2 miles. The climb was harder and slower than I remembered, but I am 6 years older. In 2006 it was foggy during the climb up so I really didn't see much until the weather cleared up during the descent. Today it was clear all day so I had some great views. Got to the top at 2:40. There were about a dozen people there. I had passed about 2 dozen who were descending as I went up, including Bluesclues. On top I got sombody to take some pictures(although it turned out to only be one picture) had a snack and started down about 3:10. Before I got completely off the top I was able to make a call and confirm that I would have a ride and would not have to camp that night. Got to the bottom and signed out at 6:40.
Date: 2012-08-25
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After Hike Report. In general everything went well. Shoes were great, no blisters and much more support than trail runners. I felt a lot more sure-footed on the rocky sections. Dried reasonably fast after being soaked. I'd like to find something similar that fits a little tighter so I can wear thinner socks. I wear liner socks when I do wear trail runners and they dry real quick. Not having to cook saves time and weight but I got tired of cold food real quick. I think next time I'm out this long I'll bring the alcohol stove like last year. I lost 10 lbs in 10 days of hiking and that's too much. I've never gone this long without cooking so I didn't have much experience with food that's still going to taste good after 4 or 5 days.
Date: 2012-02-15
From: Gooch M.T shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

Left the shelter this morning to about 3 inches of snow and a lot of ice. had a quick lunch and hiked on to neels gap going to stay at the hostel their tonight they didn't have the hostel when i hiked in 2006 nice place especially when your cold and wet.
Date: 2012-02-16
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap shelter 
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

left neels gap still very cold but very enjoyable great people at the gap meet pirate very cool guy, going to camp at low gap tonight since i got a really cool tent by marmont its a 1 person eso type which it only weighs 1.2 pounds with polls and stakes my pack weight is about 25-30 pounds stopped and had lunch at Baggs creek gap what a cool place, going across poor M.T i thought every bone in my right foot was broke but that is just the every day pains you fell out here, on to low gap to camp.
Date: 2012-02-26
From: Brown fork 

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

i finally meet some more hikers last night a southbunder that started in Harpers Ferry he was telling me all about the snow in V.A then there was another NOBO that was hiking with a dog he needed to know how to kennel the dog around the park i didn't know since i have tried to hike with dogs but it was interesting to hear him go on and on about i was about to tell him to shut up but i didn't i thought it was kinda funny in a weird sort of way on to Fontana village for resupply.
Date: 2012-02-28
From: Spence Field Shelter 

To: Double Springs Gap
Miles today: 13.5

i meet some really cool section hikers last night they were carying some jack daniels and i basically helped myself to it meet another north bounder named Blackjack he was carring all home made gear and about froze to death he kept heating rocks in the fire place and putting them in is bag which wasn't a really good bag on to double springs.
Date: 2012-02-29
From: Double Springs Gap

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

left double springs this morning made a unplaned trip in to town when i got to New Found Gap i meet this young couple that offered me a ride to town so how could i refouse so gatlinburg here i come, stayed at the Grand Prix Motel went to their brand new outfitter the one that put the happy hiker out of buisness.
Date: 2012-03-11
From: Moreland gap 

To: Watuaga lake 
Miles today: 15.0

Left the shelter earlier this morning cause i have to hike into hampton today to get resupplied i didn't stop at kincora hostel. Hampton Tn is a great little town i found all the ammenities very close to the trail a very hiker friendly town. i would advice other hikers to go into hampton. going on to watuaga lake shelter for the night.