morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.7

I agree! It is the toughest mile on the AT. The Mahoosuc Notch. It is a dramatic ravine filled with angular boulders. The Trail and the ravine are one in the same. It is a scramble over, under and through. Grits took his pack off 3 times he said. I took mine off once and almost became stuck another time. It took me almost 2 hrs to traverse the 1 mile Notch. The temperature was warmer with low wind so it was an enjoyable day. The Trail remains very rugged. No breaks so far in Maine. I will be patient. I feel well and fit. What I experienced today was awesome. There is nothing like this so far. The only way to see the Notch is to hike in. No roads or ski lifts to bring you here. SL
Date: 2009-09-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.3

Today's excitement was Baldpate Mtn. It is 3800 ft and the last 300 or so is a monolithic stone orb thus the name. It is quite dramatic looking. Although steep initially the rock had a lot of friction so you could walk right up like a fly on a glass ball. The view was all around. Just mountains as far as you could see in every direction. The sun was warm today. I took my shoes off, had a light lunch, enjoyed the view and listened to the enthusiastic conversation of college kids from Bates who were doing the same thing. I called and scheduled a shuttle ride into Andover with the Pine Ellis Hostel as cell service would be unlikely at the trailhead. Grits and I hustled down 2300 ft. It seemed to take forever. I was tired but am recovered after a big burger and some sodas from the local country store. The feeling that "I just want to get through this" is creeping in. I do hope the difficulty eases in the coming days. SL
Date: 2009-09-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.1

I think I am suffering from anxiety of the Whites and the Mahoosucs. I am like the guy that was released from the sanatorium. I am not quite sure I am okay even though the diagnosis is positive. I wonder if those cold and uncomfortable rocky crags are going to return. I get nightmares. I hope to get better soon and days like today will help. The terrain is more like the Smokies. It is steep, yes, but soft and comfortable by comparison. The weather is warm. I crossed a stream that looked like Standing Rock Creek. Okay man! The "weatherman" at breakfast said we will have more days like today. He would not promise to deliver 24 of them however. SL
Date: 2009-09-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.5

How many times can an intelligent person zip their tent and still be excited about it? Or be excited to boil 400 ml of water for a pasta dinner? I think I am past the number whatever it would work out to be. My phantom friend asked me today, "Now that you have hiked over 1900 miles how would you suggest improving the Trail." My quip. "Shorten it by 2000 miles.". Maine is a wilderness state. The isolation is dramatic. There are great views every day so far. No development. Just mountains and lakes. Today was spent mostly around 3500 ft in the evergreen forest. Quite nice and perfect weather to enjoy it. A male grouse put on quite an act for me to protect his hens. It was like a scene out of National Geographic. He was acting ridiculous while the hens were being mature about our meeting in the woods. I found a place to camp along the Trail. Even at this late date I am impressed that a hiker (with water) can just stop in the wilderness and with the equipment on his back can make a good meal and a comfortable place to sleep. I am tired. I think I will do just that. Sleep. SL
Date: 2009-09-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.9

Well today I did get that break. An easy profile day into Rangeley along 2500 ft elevation most of the time. The weather continues to be sunny. The mud holes are dry enough to support my weight making the hiking easier. I passed several pretty lakes. I saw and heard the loons as I walked. Pretty cool. At one point I heard a familiar sound. The wind was strong enough and the fetch was long enough that there was a little surf on a sandy beach. I thought of Beaufort and the waves on the sound side. I will be there soon. It is interesting how a sound, in this case, takes you to a differrent place. I hitched into town with 3 other NOBOs in the back of a pick-up. It was a cold ride but appreciated. I am having lasagna at the Red Onion in town. It is delicious and worth the effort to get here. I hope it will help me climb a big mountain tomorrow. Breaks are over at least for a while. SL
Date: 2009-09-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was an unplanned zero. I had little choice really. It became clear to me in the early morning that I must get medical help to combat the Giardia parasite that was residing in my small intestine. With each passing day of the last 3 or 4 more evidence mounted that I had a problem and that I could not in my father's words "tough it out". I was not tough enough. Neither was it smart to continue. Diarrhea is one thing. Loss of food energy through the small intestine wall and dehydration are another. I had to have energy to climb mountains. So at 0630 on a Sunday of a Labor Day week-end in a small town in Maine I set a course to get medical help. I felt I was probably stuck for 3 days but why not try to shorten the time. I have important peple to meet at Katahdin on 9/27. Calling a local medical center in Rangeley lead me to an emergency number at the Farmington hospital 1 hour away. The on-call operator was nice. Imagine that. Probably late in her shift on a Sunday morning. A real live person willing to help. But it felt like I could get no help without getting to Farmington. After understanding my hiker status she promised to ask an on- call doctor to call me. I thanked her but thought to myself, What are the chances of that? Well Dr. Jacobs did call and after a phone interview felt he could call in a perscription for me. Again it would be in Farmington 1 hour away as the local pharmacy was closed for the week-end and Labor Day. I said okay and starting imagining how to hitch to Farmington with my pockets full of toilet paper. Later magically Dr. Jacobs called again and said he had a patient in Rangeley travelling to Farmington to pick up her own perscription and that she had agreed to pick up my prescription as well. Wow! Lissa and I made contact. I called Rite Aide to arrange Visa payment. Yes they had my perscription but they did not have the medicine Dr. Jacobs had prescribed. So close! Now what? Reluctantly I called Dr. Jacobs and he answered the phone. No machine! He said he would check with other pharmacys in Farmington and after finding one called me back. I called the second pharmacy and paid and explained a good samaritan named Lissa was coming to pick up my medicine. They were reluctant to agree but after more conversation they agreed to release my medicine to her. I quickly called Lissa enroute and explained the need to go to a second pharmacy to get my medicine. She happily agreed and returned to town and left my medicine at the Rangeley Inn where I would spend the evening. I checked in early, took my medicine, and went out on the town for lunch. How can a guy be so fortunate as to get a much needed prescription in less than 6 hours with all the snares which would prevent it on a holiday week-end. I forget whether it was Dr. Jacobs or Lissa, upon me expressing gratitude, said, "We do things differently in Maine.". Thank goodness. For me, once again, the lesson is clear. Be a good neighbor. SL
Date: 2009-09-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.7

This evening I actually enjoyed pitching my tent in the last rays of sunshine before it dipped behind a hill. It is home for now and it will feel so good once everything is in and organized for the evening. This morning a thermometer at a shelter read 55 degrees F. It will get cold fast now that the sun is gone. The medicine Dr. Jacobs gave me seems to have done the trick. Today's terrain was rugged but I was able to handle it pretty easily even with a late 0900 start. I think those giardia bugs had been stealing the energy from my pop tarts. It did not feel the struggle I have been feeling in previous days. The views in NH and ME are all wonderful and they keep coming. Nothing has been better than the stunning views from Saddleback and The Horn today. These peaks are close together forming a saddle and both are above tree line. The sunny cool day added to the "see forever" picture. I saw some small pink alpine flowers on Saddleback. I took pictures. I wonder if it is heather? Pretty for sure. My camp is near a shelter but up the hill under hemlock and balsam trees. The ground is covered with their needles. A perfect spot because it keeps everything clean and it is soft. The soft breeze through these trees makes a comforting sound. I hope to be in Stratton in 2 days. Even with my lost day I expect to summit Katahdin on 9/27. No more bugs though. SL
Date: 2009-09-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.1

I made it over Lone and Spaulding Mts today. Then skirted around the summit of Sugarloaf. These Maine Mts are falling one by one. In the process I have only 196 miles to go. Less than 200. The weather continues to be wonderful. The tread is dry even in areas that have obviously been muddy. Consequently I am walking with dry feet for probably the longest continuous duration since my hike began. This is a blessing. I have another wonderful campsite, alone, by Carrabassett River. My tent as usual offers a warm place to retreat from the physical toil of the trail. I can rest, collect my thoughts and feed myself. My Blackberry is a comfort or really the messages that come to its screen. Without the support of many and their messages which I receive through this technology, I could not sustain myself. I would have packed for home long ago. Thanks to all of you for helping me endure this adventure. SL
Date: 2009-09-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.4

I wake early each morning but it is always an effort to make the transition from sleeping to hiking. My bag is warm and the air has been cold. I have been eating my pop tarts in my sleeping bag with as little of me exposed as possible. Little by little I metamorph from a sleeper to a hiker and my tent like a transformer becomes a back pack. I did get started by 0800 and made it up and over South and North Crocker Mtns, both 4000 footers. I only have two 4000 footers remaining between me and Katahdin. I am spending the night in a hostel in Stratton. It is a good stop. All I need is within an easy walk. This is unusual but a relief when it happens. I hope to gather everything I need for a six day walk to Monson and the beginning of the hundred mile wilderness. SL
Date: 2009-09-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.0

I am camping between the two major Bigelow peaks. It will be cold tonight for I am at 3850 ft. The wind is light thank goodness. The view from west Bigelow was like something from Planet Earth on the discovery channel. Lakes and mountains as far as you can see. I am quickly coming to the end of these views. The terrain will be lower and flatter. That is fine because I am ready for some easier walking. I did do well today with a very heavy pack and a 2700 ft climb. I marched right along. Grits did the same hike today. We remain accidental companions. SL
Date: 2009-09-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.6

I came down from Avery peak in the Bigelows this morning. My view was a lake of clouds covering the lowland 2000 feet below. My last 4000 footer until Katahdin. I past 2000 miles as I came down. I was more concerned about getting down than celebrating. In the valley 3 guys had set up a great trail magic. I had two cheeseburgers, chips and drinks. Quite a feed and very nice of these gents from Maine. I am camping in a shelter on West Carry Pond. It is a beautiful spot. Usually these kind of spots are so over run that camping needs to be remote to the attractive location. Not so in this case. It is a good change of pace to stay in the shelter and the loon's call gives it an other wordly air. SL
Date: 2009-09-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

Today's miles were easy relatively speaking. Mostly flat and traveling by pretty lakes and streams. Some of the sections reminded me of Land Between the Lakes. My objective today was to make the afternoon canoe ferry across the Kennebec River. The river is quite large. I cannot imagine anyone tyring to ford/swim this expanse of water. Some hikers have died trying. We crossed the swift current without incident. Not even a wet foot. I am staying in a two man yert with Grits in Caratunk. The best part is restaurant food. I was very hungry. Hiker hungry. SL
Date: 2009-09-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.9

Grits and I got a late start on the Trail. Around 0930 due to the preset time of transportation. We did have a big breakfast. All you can eat. I used three plates and lots of coffee. The hiking was up and down but pretty easy with one steep 1000 ft climb. It was nothing like the Whites or southern Maine. For that I am thankful. My focus today was to go far enough to make Monson in the next 2 days. Should be okay. I am camping alone under a giant pine tree. Nice soft clean needles for my bed. There were a few sprinkles today. Nothing really. I would not mind a shower on my tent to bring on a deep deep sleep. SL
Date: 2009-09-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.8

Today was a pleasant Fall day of hiking. There are a few early trees with red foliage. The easy terrain was interrupted by one good size mountain with a view and a river ford. The ford was not dangerous. Not much bigger than Standing Rock Creek but that is big enough to get your boots wet. They have been dry for so long I did not seriously contemplate wading in them. I used my camp crocs instead. I did see my first moose today. He was a big guy with a big rack. He walked along on the right of the Trail just a bit too far away for a good photo. Monson and the beginning of the Hundred Mile Wilderness is one day away. I may zero in Monson and contemplate what I have done and get ready to enjoy the final few days. SL
Date: 2009-09-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.0

Monson has crept into my psyche as a milestone prior to Katahdin. It is the end of the hard part of Maine and the beginning of the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Essentially that is what remains of my journey. The HMW and Katahdin. So it becomes a natural stepping stone on which to pause and think about all that has happened and contemplate completing my walk. The Trail today was a bit up and down but pretty easy. There are more and more early trees dressed in red and orange. I had another ford requiring my boots to come off to keep them dry. I am staying at the Lake Shore House in Monson. It is a wonderful oasis in the wilderness. It feels so comfortable, hospitable and warm. It is the touch of a woman, Rebekah the owner. Most of the other hostels have the personality of guys who were past hikers. They have the feel of a back woods logging camp where the cook smokes and drops ashes into the brew. They have food that sustains you but it is something that comes from a grill or a deep fryer. My first meal was split pea and ham soup with a grilled cheese garnished with a slice of watermelon. It was the best especially the soup. Still hungry I had a burger and a salad. A pot roast with potatoes and carrots and onions was for supper. It taste just like Mom used to make. A comforting departure from trail food and "normal" trail town fare. This big plate of food just melted away. Then a big bowl of locally prepared peach cobbler with ice cream. No wonder I am doing a zero here tomorrow. There is cool 60's and 70's music playing in the bar which overlooks a lake. The decor is whimsical and fun. There is even a miniature leg lamp on the bar and all kinds of great bar games and puzzles. The kayaks are at the water's edge waiting for me tomorrow. It is like finding this great hideaway under the palms on a sparcely populated island in the Bahamas. Except it is Maine but the analogy holds. I will bask in my accomplshment so far and take in the comforts of this unusual place. SL
Date: 2009-09-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I did take that kayak paddle around the nice lake here in Monson although it was cool and cloudy. I continued to enjoy eggs, pancakes, home made soups, burgers, a grilled cheese, a salad with grilled chicken, a brownie sundae. It all went down so easily. I am anxious about tomorrow. I have done it all before and more, I tell myself. I am still anxious about doing these last nine days prior to Katahdin. I am so close. I will do my best to be careful and make no mistakes. Rita is going to meet me in Millinocket and be in Baxter State Park for my descent from Katahdin. It will be wonderful to celebrate with her. Gray and Juletta are also going to be in Millinocket and include my summit with their other Maine vacation stops. This will all be very special for me. My pack weighs 44 pounds and is heavier than it has been in a while. I have 13 pounds of food. This is actually lighter than I expected it to be going into the Hundred Mile Wilderness. I know the end is near. But it does not feel near. Katahdin still feels far away. I think this means the end will come abruptly. I wonder how I will react. Will I be glad? Surely I will be. Will I be sad or emotional? Maybe. Will I quickly go back to watching the news and allowing those talking heads to cloud my thinking or remember how nice it was not to hear most of it? Will I let the "civilized" surroundings overly influence my actions or will I maintain some of the freedoms I found on the Trail. I wonder. SL
Date: 2009-09-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.1

This was a very beautiful day. The weather was blue sky and cool. The scenery was not exceeded by any previuous day. Lakes and streams and early fall colors on a few trees. There were gorges and waterfalls and low elevation views. My pack was heavy but I made it quite well over the small hills. I am tenting at a shelter but I think I am alone. I hear no one. Alone in the Hundred Mile Wilderness! Yikes! I am glad I have experience. My tent offers familiar surroundings and makes me feel safe. I have less than 100 miles to go to summit Katahdin. I am on my last jar of peanut butter so I will not have to purchase another. I am not sure which milestone is more gratifying. Tomorrow's terrain is quite rugged. I need to hike strong but carefully. SL
Date: 2009-09-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.6

The Chairbacks are small mountains but pack a wallop of up and down over rugged track. I hiked 11 hours to cover the distance. The higher elevation and the dry conditions made water scarse. I had received tips from southbounders where to resupply water. Some of the published watering holes were dry. I purified 2 liters 5 miles prior to my expected camp site just to have water for the evening. In the twilight as I prepared camp inches from the Trail I heard a heavy trampling. I thought it would be my 2nd moose and tried to focus in the near darkness. It turned out to be a SOBO. The young man stopped and started making gestures. I spoke but he was not responding to my words. Quickly I surmised he was deaf and dumb. He made a "roof" with his hands and held up fingers. One, two, three? He wanted to know the distance to the next shelter. I held up three fingers. I also showed him on the map after donning my headlamp. I signaled to him that it was very rugged terrain and mostly up. He then wanted to know the distance to water. Well that was 5 miles at the same place I got my last water. By the look on his face he obviously had none. His situation was not good at all. Dark. Wind howling. Cold. No water. No immediate plan for shelter. I gave him 3/4 of a liter of water. Enough for supper and the evening and hoped he had a tent for shelter. After gestures of thankfulness he was on his way. SL
Date: 2009-09-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.4

There it was, Katahdin. 70 miles away and still massive. It is just sitting there all by itself somewhat like Fuji. It is light grey on top because of all the rock and darker toward the bottom. I took a picture and tarried only briefly because is was so windy and cold on top of White Cap Mtn. White Cap is 3700 ft and was the last mountain between me and Katahdin. The terrain is low for the next 65 miles. It is cold tonight 1000 ft down from the summit. As usual my equipment offers me the warmth I need. I continue to be amazed at ones ability to find comfort in pretty miserable conditions. Thank goodness for no rain. SL
Date: 2009-09-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.6

The cold gave way to the most beautiful Tennessee October day you can imagine. The path was flat and mostly covered in needles from various everegreen trees. There were streams and lakes. There were more and more trees dressed in Fall colors. Not peak yet. More beauty to come. Who could't hike in these conditions? My body was mostly in automatic freeing my mind to work its own agenda. I am physically walking toward Katahdin and an ending of sorts to be sure. However I was thinking mostly of beginnings today. Being Papa to my my six grand children again. Seeing my kids again. Visiting my extended family who have been so supportive during my hike. Beginning a life with Rita that includes seeing her every day and visiting my friends and her friends. The anticipation of life after the AT produces a beautiful feeling. It paints a smile on my face and warms my heart. SL
Date: 2009-09-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.0

The White House offers a break from the Wilderness and I took it. You have to hike 1.2 miles off the Trail to a floating dock and blow an air horn. When the owner is ready on the other side of the lake he comes to give you a boat ride to his camp. Hikers are cautioned to only blow the horn once. Multiple honks lead to a very irritated proprietor at the very least. Bill was very prompt today when Grits, Water Boy and I blew the horn about 1030. The camp is quite awsome with bunk houses, shower house, privies and a main lodge all situated on a big lake. It was originally a logging camp and had a big white house thus the name. My only plan is to eat and rest. I had lunch and dinner and bathed in the sun. I was so glad for the break from walking. I thought about the remaining 4 days on the Trail and wondered at its difficulty, but I mostly thought of home. SL
Date: 2009-09-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.7

After a great breakfast at the White house and the return boat ride across the lake, my hike began. Only 31 miles left in the Hundred Mile Wilderness. I walked easy just taking it all in. Each lake was prettier than the last one and Fall is arriving in abundance. The view from Nesuntabunt Mtn was a special one. Nahmakanta Lake and its shoreline hillside dressed in red and yellow was in the foreground with Katahdin rising above it in the background. It was all being blessed by the forlorn call of a single loon. I stayed so long on my perch that I arrived in camp after nightfall, but it was worth it. The walk through Maine has been beautiful. If someone has 1 month and not 6 and wants to walk the AT, Maine is the state to select. SL
Date: 2009-09-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.0

The Hundred Mile Wilderness did not give up easily. Although there were no mountains in this section the roots and rocks made for tough going and a hard fought day. I was ready for "ruffles and flourishes"" when I exited onto Golden Rd. I heard neither. I expected Abol Bridge, which marks the exit, to be special in some way. It is a dusty concrete bridge on a private road for logging trucks. Pretty ordinary and ugly actually. The Abol store was a slightly improved Moore Bros store. Instead of bologna on crackers with hot sauce they had microwave burgers in a bag. Everything else was about the same. No high fives from the locals. They see thru hikers and loggers every day. Welcome celebration? Not from this crowd. I will have to celebrate quietly on the inside. And I did. SL