morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-11
From: US201 Caratunk 

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.7

0911 US201 Caratunk to Bald Mountain Brook Leanto14.7 MilesHung out at the brewpub late last night. Wrong Way showed up and we tossed a few with some locals. The manager gave us a ride down the hill to Steve¢s place (the guy who runs the river shuttle) and spent the night in his bunk house. This morning he gave us a ride back to the trail which goes thru the town. So I hit the post office, and picked up my bounce box from Gorham; my mail drop to get me to Monson; and a third package from my friend Russell containing a reel, leaders and some flies. I was back on the trail by 11:00. I stopped at Pleasant Pond shelter for a snack and ran into River Weasel. After lunch I climbed Pleasant Pond Mountain. Stopped on top and took in the great views with the Weasel and soon Wrong Way joined us. You could see Katahdin but I am not sure which pimple in the distance it was. Later in the day I stopped at Joes Hole and put my fly rod together for the first time and decided to wet my line. I caught a couple smallmouth bass and I think a bluegill. I think the ponds are too warm for trout. But it was fun to be fishing. Arrived at Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to around dusk and met up with some old faces. Berkinstock, Moe & Ponch, Brainfreeze, Rauschour, Fiddlehead, and of course Wrong Way and River Weasel. Lying here in my tent, I can hear coyotes howling nearby. Should be interesting sleeping tonight.
Date: 2006-09-12
From: Bald Mountain Brook Leanto

To: Horseshoe Canyon Leanto
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

0912Bald Mountain Brook Leanto to Horseshoe Canyon Leanto13 milesI was up early this morning, so I tried not to make much commotion getting things together. My food was hung in the shelter and plastic bags make a lot of noise especially when it¢s cold. I sat down next to the stream to eat some food when Brainfreeze got up and joined me. We talked a bit about how we have all changed and what things will be like going back to the other world. Got out of there finally around 10:30 after it warmed up a bit. Climbed Moxy Bald and hung out there with a bunch of people. We took pictures, joked around and just basically took it all in before moving on. I have been spending a lot of time alone and it was refreshing to see some familiar faces. Fished a couple of streams with no luck. The last one was the ford across the Piscataquis River. Watched the sunset with Fiddlehead and Rushour. Afterwards I broke my rod down, forded the river and, after putting my shoes on realized I left my gaiters back on the other side. I kicked it into high gear and caught up with Fiddlehead and Rushour and we hiked the last part of the day with our headlamps on. Looking forward to getting into Monson tomorrow for a hot shower and cold beers.Note from K¢ache: Well I had to face up to the fact that I simply am not ready (my leg is not ready) to hike the 100 mile wilderness. Physical therapy 3 times a week, exercises everyday as well as daily 2-mile walks have not done the trick. Some days I walk great then the next I'll be hobbling. Hmmm¢¦me thinks she doth protest too much! Anyway, this was a very hard reality to embrace as I wanted to hike this more than I wanted to summit Katahdin. Even knowing the incredibly challenging conditions that everyone has been going through in NH and ME, I am jealous and yearn to be on the trail regardless of the obstacles. But I have decided to meet Pi in Maine (if all goes right) at Abol Bridge. I hope to be able to hike the very last part of the trail with him. It¢s been very hard watching him continue to go on without me. It¢s kind of like looking at family photos and realizing that you are not in them. Forget it¢¦I can¢t explain it. I am excited about getting my gear back together and packing (as little as possible) and getting out of here. I already feel like I have been sucked back into my former life, not that it was bad just that I was hoping to fend it off a little while longer. But it is getting back with Pi that really matters. I won¢t belabor the point. If you¢ve read our journal entries you know. Look for me at Abol Bridge!
Date: 2006-09-13
From: Horseshoe Canyon Leanto

To: Monson
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

0913Horseshoe Canyon to Monson9 MilesAnother late start this morning. Someone had left a little cinnamon schnapps in the shelter so I had that for breakfast. Have to thank River Weasel for packing out the bottle. With only 9 miles to Monson on flat terrain, I didn¢t get 200 yards down the trail before stopping to fish. I can't tell how good it feels to be out here in Maine standing in a cold brook with rod in hand. Nobody around, just me and the woods. I think if I am going to finish this hike I should try and enjoy every minute. In a couple weeks this will all be over. I got to hold it together. Everyone else is ahead so I will be hiking alone to Monson. Just gonna hang around here a little while longer. As I was getting ready to leave a moose came down to the river. I sat there and watched as he (a huge bull with a serious rack on him) waded across to a marshy area and started eating the grass growing along the riverside. He was probably about 20 feet away from me. I just sat there watching. I don¢t think he saw me as a threat because he just looked up at me and kept right on eating. A Kodak moment you say? I felt the moment was for me and that moose so I didn¢t take any. Some things are meant for me alone. When he was done eating he waded back across the river and disappeared into the woods. I put my pack on and disappeared into the trail. The rest of the day was pretty easy walking down to Monson. I took a blue blaze into town. Got to Shaws Boarding House, got a room and went into town for some beers. Met up with Moe, Ponch, Berkinstock, Brainfreeze River Weasel, Rushour, and Fiddlehead at the bar. After a couple Long Trail¢s and a very strong gin n tonic, I walked back to Shaws. Had even more beer back there with everyone as it started to rain. Supposed to rain all day tomorrow. What a way to start the Hundred Mile Wilderness.From K'ache:I just got a call from Pi. Since there is no internet access where he is at, he asked that a write a little note. He has arrived in Monon ME, the last town before the 100-mile wilderness and Mount Katahdin. Still on schedule he hopes to summit between Sept. 21st and 23rd. The weather has been clear but with those clear nights comes colder temperatures. Although he is anxious to finsih, he also hopes to get as much out of this last part of the trip, including some fishing. We both want to thank everyone who has helped us along on our journey, including family, friends, co workers and other hikers. Without your support, we could not have done this!Thank you allK'ache and Pi
Date: 2006-09-14
From: Monson

To: Long Pond Stream Leanto
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

0914Monson to Long Pond Stream Leanto15.1 milesWoke up to rain and a little headache. Breakfast was served promptly at 7:00. You order by number. I ordered a 3, which was 3 pancakes, 3 eggs, 3 bacon, 3 sausage and 3 spoonfuls of home fries. I couldn¢t finish, and by noon I had wished I had. Went down to the corner and called Kathy to let her know I wouldn¢t be sending any more updates since this place has no internet access. Also told her I always loved her (just in case something happens to me she can tell everyone that was the last thing I said). Mailed the last batch of postcards and finished packing. As it turned out everyone went an additional 3 miles yesterday to the road, so I didn¢t think I would be seeing them. There were some hills mud and rocks as I slid my way northward. My knees were really killing me today. I¢m getting fed up with all this pain. Part of me wants this to be over and the other part doesn¢t. So I let the two fight it out in my mind. Stopped to fish a couple times but only got frustrated standing in the mud not getting anything but wet. I am thoroughly soaked. I got to the shelter after dark. Berkinstock, Brainfreeze Moe, and Ponch were there along with Cosmic Punchline. Cosmic has this shoe that has come apart. He is trying to hold it together with duct tape but isn¢t having much success. Since it¢s raining I think I will sleep in the shelter. I am beat, it was a long day.
Date: 2006-09-15
From: Long Pond Stream Leanto

To: The Hermitage
Miles today: 15.6

0915Long pond stream to The Hermitage15.6 MilesAnother tough day. I thought we were done with the big stuff. Woke to a cloudy damp morning. Last night Brainfreeze said she was starting to get a sore throat, and I can feel a little something with me now. Hope it¢s nothing. Out of the gate was a steep climb up Barren Mountain. Caught up with Berk, Moe and Ponch at a rockslide then proceeded up to a firetower. Well not exactly. There was the frame of a tower but no ladder or house on top. I climbed it anyway. There were no views due to the cloud cover so I climbed back down and had a snack. The rest of the day was spent going up and coming back down a series of steep 500 footers. Took a couple of spills cursed my pack, and the trail a few times and kept hiking. When I caught up with Berk, Moe, and Ponch they were at Chairback Mountain Lean-to. It was getting late but with only one more hill ¢ Chairback Mountain ¢ decided to get it over with and get down in the valley for the night. Berkinstock and I pretty much hiked the last 5 miles together talking about finishing this trail and what to do after. When we got to the bottom of a long steep knee-killing down to the Plesant River we crossed a logging road. We had planned on making camp there but to our surprise there were tents all over the place. Turns out a bunch of weekenders had gotten dropped off and had set up shop along the river. We kept walking and saw Moe and Ponch downstream a little bit. Forded the river into the no camping zone and found a nice secluded spot to stealth camp. Berk and I spent this evening coming up with positive things to say like ¢less than a week to go¢ and ¢under a hundred miles left¢ but my favorite one is ¢you will be with K¢ache in 4 days, man.¢ I hung both of our food bags tonight and as I lie here in my tent I am hoping we don¢t get visited by any critters taller than 5 feet. It¢s a ways till we get to a resupply point should we get hit.
Date: 2006-09-16
From: The Hermitage

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 16.0

0916 Hermitage to East Branch Leanto16 MilesToday was one of those days you wish would be over before noon. The first 12 miles were uphill. Moe and Ponch camped about a quarter mile behind us last night and got a visit from a ridgerunner. Ridgerunners are kind of like wilderness cops but without a gun. Moe told us they were approached last night and told they were in a no camping area, but he let them stay so long as they left early. When we got on the trail we passed the ridgerunner talking to the weekenders drinking a cup of coffee. MMMM coffee. I could smell it a hundred yards away. Been drinking tea the past few days only because it¢s better than instant coffee. About a mile up the trail we came to the Gulf Hagas Trail. It¢s about a 5 mile loop off the AT. We (Berk and I) checked out about .1 of it and decided it wasn¢t worth the time and continued the long slog up not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 nasty steep climbs to the top of Whitecap. This would be our highest point in the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Whatever Brainfreeze got from Fiddlehead, I now have. Lots of junk in my lungs makes it hard to get oxygen to my sore muscles. I had to stop a couple times to catch my breath. The past several weeks I have come to the conclusion my body has had enough and is starting to break down. I am sick and tired of being tired of hiking all the time. I can¢t get enough sleep; I can¢t get enough to eat. I was thinking this afternoon about diving into my snack bag and pigging out. I can always resupply in 2 days at White House Landing. There is a lodge there that has one pound burgers, beer and showers. But Berkinstock turns to me and says ¢man, back in the day there was no resupply in the Hundred Mile Wilderness¢¦¢ he¢s right. If I want this to be a true wilderness experience I have to make my food last. Later I caught up with Berkinstock on top of White Cap with his cell phone glued to the side of his head. ¢There goes my wilderness experience¢ I told him. He turns to me and says ¢ you wanna call K¢ache?¢
Date: 2006-09-18
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: few clouds

0918Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to to Rainbow stream Lean-to18.2 MilesYeah yesterday was a good day. It really lifted my spirits. But in a way was kind of a bummer. I can feel this journey is starting to wind itself down. It will feel good to be home (or will it?) this trail has become my reality. It is in my blood. I feel like I am as close to nature as I will ever be. I don¢t expect people who read this to understand; I don¢t expect them to. I have chanced so much these past 6 months. My head is clear as the sky is blue, and when I go back home I won't know what to do. Spent most of the day walking alone fishing a little, catching nothing but the sun¢s warming rays. Had a late afternoon lunch at Wadleigh Stream lean-to then made a 1000¢ climb up Nesuntabunt Mountain. When I reached the top I was gonna keep on truckin, but decided to rest at the viewpoint and drink the 2 liters of water I had scooped at the spring on the way up. Berkinstock was sitting at the rock outcropping so I joined him. We sat for about an hour looking out at the giant Nahmakanta Lake and at Katahdin still some 40 miles away. When you get these big vistas with other thru hikers it seems there¢s not a lot of conversation going on. I think because there¢s not a whole lot to say. We made it to the leanto about dusk, thoroughly exhausted after trying to keep up with Berkinstock's 1.5 to 1 stride he has on me. Moe and Ponch went ahead to camp by a lake that has views of the big K. It¢s supposed to start raining tonight and continue throughout the day tomorrow. I don¢t care. I am getting up and hauling ass to Abol bridge. Kathy¢s there. Beer is there. The last 15 miles is there.Note from K'ache: Sept 18th. Even though I couldn¢t make it for the 100 Mile Wilderness trek, I decided to meet Pi at Abol Bridge for the end of the trip. I flew to Manchester NH and rented a car. Even though I wasn¢t hiking it was like I was set free. Just cruising down the highways past trees that greeted me with autumn colors getting more intense as I got further north. Autumn was here and I was glad. I needed the cool air and glistening colors to remind me of my journey. As soon as I got to AB campground I found the trail head and left a little hello for Pi written with sticks on the ground. The road to Abol Bridge was barely a road but big enough of for 18 wheelers, loaded with cut trees, to use. And they did, day and a night. However I did have a reprieve from them at my little campsite by the water, when a screech owl decided to hang out on a limb close by. Its ghostly cry somehow comforted me and non-hiking self.
Date: 2006-09-20
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

0920Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream Campground9.9 MilesAfter finishing our beers last night we all made off to our tents in the pouring rain. I could hear Berkinstock puking over by his tent and Moe was screaming and crying because all they had was a fly and piece of plastic for a floor. The rain was coming down so hard it was splashing up into the tent soaking her. Ponch was passed out so Moe finally retreated to the rental car (Ponch later admitted he actually was not passed out but chose to ignore Moe¢s plea for help). The rain had stopped and was starting to clear when we got up. Kathy agreed to slack us the 10 miles to Katahdin stream. I took a hot shower and we hit the trail around noon. The sun came out and the trail was nearly flat. We hiked pretty fast, but stopped at Nesowadnehunk Falls. We sat here for about an hour not saying much. Just sitting there staring up at the sky and across the falls at the changing leaves. We all knew that this time tomorrow our hike would be over. I wanted the moment to last as long as possible. It was like if I spent more time remembering those moments, I might remember them better later in life. I don¢t want to forget any of this. We got back on the trail and moved pretty fast without our packs. Moe and I had fun passing some ¢weekend Nancys.¢ It¢s especially fun when you pass them huffin¢ and puffin¢ up a hill. You pass them with blinding speed and they just look at you you like your some kind of superhuman. Got to Katahdin Stream around 3:00. Registered with the ranger letting him know K¢ache and I would be climbing the big K tomorrow, that is if the mountain will let us. Banjoman (who fell in the Whites and eventually left the trail in Monson) came up from his home in Augusta with his wife to see us and do trail magic. We all stayed up fairly late drinking and talking. I finally crawled into our tent around 11:00 but woke again at 12:30 unable to sleep. I couldn¢t even lay in the tent. I got up and wandered around on my underpants and a jacket. If I left at 2:00, I could watch the sun come up from the summit. That would be stupid considering the lack of sleep. So I took an Ambien and slept a little more.Sept 20th K'ache's day: After showers it was time for everyone to finish the last 9 miles of the trail before summiting. I really wanted to try to go but decided to wait and save it for the tomorrow. So I ran errands (laundry/beer)in town and drove to Baxter State Park to find the campsite that Brainfreeze¢s friend Chris had already reserved.
Date: 2006-11-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

In trail journals web site this is considered a "Conclusion Entry" but its anything but a conclusion. More like an extension. Here it is about 3 months since I left the trail in Vermont and I'm pretty much back in the same lifestyle, same job and same home as before I left. And although I picked up where I left off, in my head everything's different. The ache to get out back on a long trail (I know that's silly) is still here, even as I still occasionally gimp around after a hard weekend. But even that is not as strong as this new idea to completely shake things up. Leave my job, my friends and my family and head out "on the road/trail" with Pi and hike some more great areas of the states before the legs and knees really start creakin'. Travel for a few years and either create a job I can take on the road, something online, or write or just grab a cheezy job when money starts getting low. Not much of a plan, huh? But in my mind its the biggest dream so far because it tosses aside so much we've been working up to so far. I don't know if my friends from the trail really are so easy going in their other lives but that stuff rubs off on you. I want to simplify my life, I don't want to "sweat the small stuff." I did a good job for the first few weeks of not getting sucked into the hurried lifestyle, but already I find myself at a greenlight or in line at the grocery and wondering why things aren't moving fast enough. Life goes by too fast....why would I want things to speed up?
Date: 2007-03-20
To: A year ago today
Miles today: 0.0

Well it was a year ago today that Pi and I ( K'ache) set out at Springer Mountain for a very wild , wonderful, fun, painful and, yes, sometimes even sad trek along the AT. As I look out my Office window ( yuck!) I'm pining to be in GA now that spring has sprung. I can't believe I used the word "pine" but need, want and yearn just don't seem to paint the right picture.But its not all sad. I am going back up this summer for 6 weeks to finsih where I left off in Darby VT. Pi has decided to come along. I'm so looking forward, but I know it's gonna be hard ( no grueling) as I won't have 5 months of hiking behind me like all the other thru hikers. But I'm hopng I will have the stamina and strength to do finish it.I spent this past weekend drying more food and packaging dinners for mail drops. This weekend coming up we'll be going to Austin to meet up with all the 2006 thru hikers from various TX areas for a little reunion. Even Brainfreeze from NC will be joining us!I don't know whether I should start a new journal or just attach this to where Pi left off...but since this is a continuous journey for us I think I'll keep it all together.K'ache
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Willoughby, OH

To: memory lane
Miles today: 0.0

This day exactly one year ago I found myself sleeping in a tent for the first time in my life on the edge of a shelter on Springer Mountain. My heels were already rubbed raw. My body already ached. I was starving, and scared shitless. I was accompanied by a good friend and her a boyfriend, and as we crawled into our tents just after dark I remember like it was yesterday the inability to sleep. All the books said the trail was a surefire cure for insomnia, but I beg to differ. Its absolutely incredible for me to remember those feelings - the fears, the excitement, the potential. Even so, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.The following entries are from my written journal and I plan to enter them into the computer as the days pass, each on the one year mark. Follow along, unlike most other entries, I have the luxury of knowing the outcome, and it's worth the time.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Amicloloa Falls

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

7am: In two hours I'l leave this hotel room and set off on a 2,168 mile hike across the Appalachain Mountains, or maybe it's moer correct to say thru them. Either way, this trip started b/c I was on the phone with H and she mentioned it was something she was going to do even is she had to do it alone "i'll do it" I'd said quickly and without too much thought. And alittle more than a year later, here I am. I find myself wondering - was it my words, my offer to join that set the idea in my head in motion and motivated me to do the mass amounts of preparation that finally lead me here? Or, was it the idea itself - the escape, the peace, the struggle, the accomplishment only a limited number obtain, the temporary reprive from all that is mundane life?I'm currently asking myself a similar question regarding relationships. Is it the commitment one makes, verbally or not, that binds two people together or is it the relationship itself which motivates all the work to keep it together and acheive life long success?Well, I suppose I'll have more than enough time to think about all of this. I only hope my pen doesn't run out before my thoughts do. My name is Jennifer Roberts and this is my thru-hike journal.