morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-29
From: Speck Pond Campsite

To: Frye Notch Lean-to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

xxAugust 29 - To Frye Notch Lean-toNeed to get fresh lemons and, if possible, and Vitamin C. I want to knock out this cold! Coughing quite a bit and using up handkerchiefs as fast as I can wash and dry them.   We covered 10.4 miles in fairly difficult terrain.   With onset of cold infection I needed to eat well in lieu of stretching my limited supply. Extra food from Pilot was very much needed and appreciated.Total miles hiked is 1913.1 with only 261 to go.
Date: 2004-08-31
From: East B Hill Road - Andover Guest House

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.1

August 31 - One of My Most Enjoyable Days on the TrailMaine is special. The vegetation is so lush it almost looks like a jungle at places. Very wild and beautiful. Makes you know you are in a special place.We decided to stay another day in Andover but slack pack from East B Hill Road to South Arm Road, leaving tents, extra food, and sleeping gear at the Guest House. Distance was 10.1 miles and we get to sleep and rest and eat town food for another day. I am liking this plan as it helps me get over cold and gives joints longer to heal. Even so we climbed over 3000', including Wyman mountain (ele 2800') and forded two swollen streams. Saw lots of moose droppings but no moose today.Boonie got pictures of the stream crossings.Feeling strong and much improved with cold symptoms. Lemons and over the counter medicines are helping. Will get antibiotics from home at next town stop - Rangeley.Total miles now 1927.7 with only 246.4 to go! Tomorrow we start out with full packs. Will eat town breakfast and get late start as the shuttle is tied up till about 9:00. Can use the rest. Plans and arrangements seem to be under control. Even had time to wash off some mud from gaiters. Trail was very wet today since it rained all night.
Date: 2004-09-01
From: South Arm Road

To: Bemis Mountain Lean-To
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

September 1 - Left Andover, MaineHad to wait till the shuttle could take us to the trailhead at South Arm Road. Started hiking at 9:00 and arrived Bemis Mountain Lean-to at 5:10. Only 8.7 miles but climbed over 3800' during the day. Highest peak was Old Blue Mountain (3600').Noticed that the mountains in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine all have nut grass growing along the trail. Seems a little strange to me. That stuff must be everywhere.Learning to take the downhill rocks and ledges a little better. There is no escape from the constant mud holes, roots, and rocks. Some people can just fly over them. My style is to press for speed only consistent with my intent to stay safe and avoid falls. Our schedule has been adjusted to allow safe hikes. Daylight is becoming a factor. Gets light later and dark sooner. I never want to hike later than 6:00 PM and prefer to stop before 5:00.Am thinking about home more these days. Just want to get finished. Oh, to see my family again. I ask God for His protection daily and I always get it. A little rain came on us this morning but it soon cleared and we had another good day. Overall the weather has been good here in Maine. I used to say, "if you want to get to Maine you have to hike in the rain". Now I say, "If you hike in Maine, you must hike in rain". But really, it has not been too bad....yet.
Date: 2004-09-02
From: Bemis Mountain Lean-To

To: Little Swift River Pond Campsite
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

September 2 - The Way it Ought to BeMay sound like a broken record but every day in Maine so far has been better and better. Today we did 12.9 miles in a roller coaster terrain, starting at 2790' elevation and ending at 2430'. Between, however, we climbed a total of 2300'.Today we slept late, up at 5:30. Fixed good hot breakfast and left with Palm Tree at 6:45. Boonie left later and stayed behind all day. It was a joy to keep up with Palm Tree all day. We reached the Little Swift River Pond Campsite at 3:35. Set up tent, collected water, set up line for bear-bag, dried socks and actually had time to relax and journal before fixing dinner.The country is beautiful and things seem to be in control. Tomorrow we hike down to Maine Hiway 4 and hitch 9 miles into Rangeley. You see, the towns are further apart up here and generally not close to the trail.Not bragging but I am getting better at downhills and hopping rocks. Have learned to walk on sloping rocks with more confidence. Second nature now to place feet on cracks and rough surfaces to avoid slipping. Allows one to move faster.Cold symptoms are much improved. Still have stuffiness in nose but no sore throat or chest congestion. Will resupply decongestant and cough suppressant in Rangeley. Will not take antibiotic sent there until symptoms indicate a secondary bacterial infection. Got cough drops but needed to use them only once. Hard hiking and clean air seems to help. Also, I've been making hot lemonade from fresh lemons for the last three days.We are definitely in the North country now. Last night it got down to 42 degrees. Good sleeping! Weather was beautiful today, cool and sunny.Tonight we have completed 1949.3 miles and have only 224.8 to summit Katahdin.
Date: 2004-09-03
From: Little Swift River Pond Campsite

To: Maine Highway 4 - Rangeley
Miles today: 4.8

September 3 - Rangeley for SuppliesUp at 5:30 again. Much warmer today; 52 degrees at our campsite. Yesterday at Bemis Mtn Lean-to, it was 42 degrees. Yes, it's turning fall in the North Country.Fairly smooth path down to Hiway 4 where we paid a guy $20 to take us to town. Great breakfast again and felt strong. One night stay here after picking up supplies at the Post Office. My wife, Mary Ann, did great. Received medicine and new camera. Sent broken one home. Got a couple fresh lemons to make lemonade. Taking Vitamin C and Triaminicin tonight. Restocked Ibuprophen 200mg. Got a big-ole cheeseburger and fries for lunch. Going to eat a hearty dinner and get a good night's sleep. Am about to kick my cold, just a little nasal stuffiness remaining. No cough. We are ready to roll. Actually had a little time to rest in the afternoon before dinner. Our room here at the Rangeley Inn is next to a lake. Have seen geese and ducks there all afternoon. Will try to get a picture of ducks before dark.Saw lots of moose signs on the trail today but no moose. Yesterday other hikers reported seeing a couple at the spot we stopped for lunch.Its been reported that the trail here in the Saddleback Mtn region is very beautiful and interesting. We will see tomorrow. Expect to get back to the trail about 7:30. We have 10.7 miles to do tomorrow and plan to stop at Popular Ridge Lean-to.Mileage now at 1954.1 hiked and 220.0 to go.
Date: 2004-09-04
From: Maine Highway 4 - Rangeley

To: Popular Ridge Lean-To
Miles today: 10.7

Sept 4 - Over Saddleback to Popular Ridge Lean-toI was up at 5:30 again and had breakfast in town at The Stones Throw Cafe. Made necessary arrangements to be driven 9 miles back to the trailhead. I forgot to mention that we have heard loons calling in the morning and evening over the last two days. But none today. Finished day at elevation of 2955'. Hiked over Saddleback Mountain (4120') and The Horn (4041'), then Saddleback Jr. Mountain (3655'). Checked temperature on top of Saddleback and it was 55 degrees F. Wind gusts must have been 50 MPH. Took pictures. One can see Katahdin from Saddleback. I just do not know which peak in the distance is it.My cold is further improved and I did not take any medicine until dinner time except for some Vitamin C. Was very hungry for dinner. Fixed Raman Noodles and added a package of tuna and a package of cheese broccoli soup. Also added my mixture of Parkay and olive oil....yummy. Was going to fix a second dinner but decided to sleep instead.Tomorrow we plan to travel only 8.0 miles, going to Spaulding Mtn Lean-to. Have started rotating socks like Boonie. When finished hiking for the day. I change to socks for the next day and wear sandals. Keep socks on in sleeping bag, ready to put on shoes the next morning. They get dry and warm in the bag.
Date: 2004-09-05
From: Popular Ridge Lean-To

To: Spaulding Lean-To
Miles today: 8.0

September 5 - Spaulding Lean-toIt was 46 degrees when I woke this AM, about 5:30. Stayed in tarp-tent last night and again tonight. Both times I had tent site in front of the lean-to. Cold is improving but had a little cough today with less nasal congestion.Hiked only 8.0 miles but climbed about 2000'. Had to ford Orbeton Stream but got across on rocks without having to remove boots. Total distance hiked is now 1972.8 miles with 201.3 miles to go.I honestly thank God every day for keeping me safe and healthy. Credit goes to my wife, Mary Ann, who supplies whatever I need. Cold medicine seems to be helping. On basis that antibiotics are for secondary infection I have not yet started taking them. Using all else, drinking lemon juice in hot water twice per day, lots of water, and getting lots of rest.Got to camp at 3:30, set up tent, collected water, and took an hour nap before dinner. Very comfortable evening.Again, today the woods were absolutely stunning. It's like a movie, it's so rugged and beautiful. Lots of moose signs but did not see any again today. Yesterday I saw my first maple tree with all the leaves turned red. Lots of leaves are falling. Got several pictures of waterfalls. The streams are very interesting and the water is clear as can be. Water supply for the camp tonight was big clear spring coming out of rocks covered with moss. Was so impressive got pictures of that too. I just wish you could taste this good spring water. It's wonderful. Still, I'll be glad to drink tap water at home with my family. Guess I have proved that my heart is back home. Don't ever want to be gone this long again.I guess your faith is made stronger by testing. I sure do think about how much we depend on God. I never feel alone on the trail. And the scripture
Date: 2004-09-06
From: Spaulding Lean-To

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Sept 6 - Another Day of Paradise in the North Woods and Past the 200 Mile PointWe took a 0.6 mile side trip to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain (ele 4237'). This is the second highest peak in Maine, second only to Katahdin (5267'). We ate lunch at the ski Summit House. Great views. Took pictures. Counting the 1.2 up and down Sugarloaf we did 7.4 miles. Effective trail miles, however, was only 6.2 and our totals now stand at 1979.0 hiked and 195.1 to Katahdin.Some nut has just started a camp fire about 10 yards from my tent and the smoke is going you know where! I asked him to put it out because it is irritating my sinus condition. He agreed to and I am thankful. I hate camp fires. Am surprised any hiker would start one. Smoke is gone now, thankfully.We are camping in Crocker Cirque Campsite tonight and will high tail it to Stratton tomorrow. We will ZER0 there on Wednesday. And this will be our last planned ZERO day. Remaining supply points are Caratunk and Monson. Both are in Maine.Coming off of Sugarloaf we dropped 1000' within 3/4 mile at one point. Were supposed to ford the South Branch of Carrabassett River but someone had set a 2x8 board across two big rocks and we were able to get across without wading.This campsite is in an area with lots of white birch and maple trees. The water source is close and it is a great spot. A group of freshmen from Harvard are also camping here. The Universities up here conduct some freshmen orientation sessions by hiking into the mountains. Its an elective program and this group has about 10 new students in it.Had a great dinner; Backpacker red beans and rice, to which I added three diced garlic cloves and a cup of chicken noodle soup, my oil/Parkay mixture, and a package of pink salmon. It tasted great. I commented that it would run Christmas dinner a close second. And Boonie observed that with the beans and garlic I can now be offensive from both ends!Getting good rest and cold symptoms are fading. Feeling strong. Joints are OK and even my knees are holding up without any special pain. I seem to be getting stronger all around. Feel we have this journey under control. That's good because we will climb 2500' and drop 3000' to get to Stratton. Will need to replace all batteries when get to town. Getting ready for the final push.
Date: 2004-09-07
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Maine 27 and Stratton Motel
Miles today: 7.3

Sept 7 - To Stratton and MotelIn regular fashion the Maine woods continued to amaze me with the beauty and varied terrain. Up here the rocks along the trail vary in size from inches in diameter to larger than a house! Moss and ferns are everywhere. Green must be God's favorite color.I may have said this before but I am feeling safe on the downhills more every day. You learn. I have been amazed at how the pathway always has a place to step. Sometimes you do not see it until you are on the edge, but there is always a way. It reminds me of the scripture about temptation, First Corinthians Chapter 10 where Paul says, "If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall". This place also says God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but He provides a way out so you can stand up under it. ... It's kind of like every difficult spot on the trail - there is always a safe way past it.Ha, if you could just see some of the tangled mass of roots and rocks and steep declines, you would question, as I have, if there is any safe way. But, it always seems to work out.Anyhow the drop down to Maine 27 (at 1400') was a good 6.2 mile hike, going over S. Crocker Mtn (4010) and N. Crocker (4228). Got there at 11:15 and called the motel to come pick us up. Settled down, ate lunch and started repairing equipment. Used shoe goo to cement toe shields down on my hiking shoes.Looking at the weather, we made plans to hike on Wednesday, in lieu of taking a ZERO DAY as originally planned. Heavy rains are predicted on Thursday so we will take a ZERO DAY then and do the Bigelow range on Wednesday. This will be the last series of high mountains before Katahdin. Wow, what a thought!
Date: 2004-09-08
From: Maine 27 and Stratton Motel

To: East Flagstaff Road
Miles today: 16.7

Sept 8 - Slack Over Bigelow RangeWell, we can do decent mileage, especially when hiking with light packs. Very significant day. Hiked southward from East Flagstaff Road to ME 27, which was 16.7 miles and covered the last of the major mountains in Maine. Crossed over 2000 miles hiked with total now at 2003.0 miles. We have only 171 miles left.Starting at 1200' we summitted Little Bigelow (3025'), Avery Peak (4088'), West Bigelow Peak(4145'), and South Horn (3805').Boonie and Palm Tree were concerned that I might not be able to get done before dark. Kept telling me to not waste time taking pictures or picking blueberries (I did some of both anyhow) On account of that I did not stop to eat lunch with them at 11:15 on top of Avery. Instead I wanted to show them that I would not let anything keep me from finishing. I decided to not eat until I had finished all the peaks. Ate quickly after passing Horn's Pond Lean-to and only 5 miles from ME 27. A little while later they caught up with me and we hiked the last 3 miles together, arriving ME 27 at 4:35.We now feel like celebrating more than ever. Just planning to get mail drops at Caratunk, close in on Monson, do the 100 mile wilderness, summit Katahdin, and go home. (We are the Champions, my friend). It's that simple.We have two tough days ahead. On Friday we plan to go 16.9 to Pierce Pond. Then the next day we will cross the Kennebec River, pick up supplies at the Post Office and hike out to Pleasant Pond Lean-to. Mileage will be only 9.7 miles but we have to coordinate well and get to the Post Office before 11:00.
Date: 2004-09-09
From: East Flagstaff Road

To: ZERO DAY in Stratton, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Sept 9 - ZERO DAY in Stratton, MaineSlept late (8:00). Ate left over pizza, granola bars, and Instant Breakfast, and a half of fresh lemon for breakfast. Its now 9:50 and I am in the Laundromat. When done will return to motel and go eat first lunch (In town we sometimes eat two of any meal we can work in). The rain came as predicted and this zero day is good for sleeping, washing, checking supplies, mail drops, and eating. Just drizzled last night but it's starting to rain harder now.Tomorrow Charlie (motel owner) will take us out to the trailhead. East Flagstaff Road, where we plan to continue north, regardless of the weather.We now have only 171 miles to the summit of Katahdin. Expect to see lots of water on the trail as a result of all the rain. Its beginning to sink into my head that victory is within our grasp. We just have to be safe and healthy. At this point we are prepared for all the remaining hiking/climbing challenges, having already done harder sections in every conceivable category.
Date: 2004-09-10
From: ZERO DAY in Stratton, Maine

To: Pierce Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Sept 10 - Palm Tree's 59th Birthday Ate breakfast in motel room and loaded for trip to the trailhead by 6:00. Charlie, the motel owner, shuttled us out and we started hiking about 6:45. The lower terrain was flooded from rains but we proved able to make fair time. By 4:30 we completed the days plan, 15.9 miles to Pierce Pond Lean-to.   Tomorrow we want to get to the Kennebec River by the time the ferry starts operation, 9:00. This is a rather secluded spot and very scenic. Water supply is from a brook that runs into the pond outfall river. The pond outfall drops into a dramatic falls. Got pictures.Saw loons on the pond. Late in the evening we heard the loons several times. Also heard coyotes howling during the night and early morning. Up during the night to take care of business, I noticed that the moon is in a very early part of a new moon phase. The stars were showing brightly and the wind died down. Very comfortable night.
Date: 2004-09-11
From: Pierce Pond Lean-To

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

Sept 11 - Parallel PathsBoth morning and afternoon the trail ran mostly along rivers and brooks. Spectacular scenery. We had four miles to get to the Kennebec River crossing this morning. Got there about 8:30. On the way I got a picture for future daughter-in-law, Amiee. Its another maple tree, completely red. This one is on the banks of Pierce Pond Stream. Hope you like this one, Amiee.Very precarious crossing at Otter Pond Stream. Three log bridge but I sat down to cross because the logs are very slippery. Today we had to remove boots and ford across two streams. This makes 5 such crossings in the trail for me. Four of these have been in Maine. Think we will have several more in the next few days. I'll keep count.Picked up supplies in Caratunk Post Office and supplemented with additional from the Caratunk House Hostel which has just been closed. The local Post Office made a mistake and sent Palm Trees supplies to another address in Virginia. As result arrangements were provided for us to resupply as needed at the closed hostel store. A local resident helped me change the tip on one of my hiking poles and its in good shape now. I had to buy a set of two tips earlier when one needed repair so had an extra tip. Buy the way, I have now hiked a total of 2028.6 miles and have had pole tips changed twice and both the mid and bottom sections of each pole changed out at least once. Some sections have been changed twice. Leki poles have a lifetime guarantee. Mine have had a hard life. You should see how scratched-up they are. Covered a total of 9.7 miles today and have only 145.2 miles to go. Feeling very fit. Last time I felt this strong was when I was a Junior in college and participated in Army Summer Camp at Ft. Hood. Hope I continue to stay healthy now to the end. And I probably will. The Lord God continues to smile on our pathway. Today the weather was superb. Expect tomorrow to be the same. Streams are swollen due to rain earlier in the week but they are subsiding some and the muddy pools are beginning to dry up some. We may get some backlash from Ivan later but I have to say we have been generally blessed with good weather or have been able to schedule days off around threatening weather developments. From here on we will have no degree of freedom in the schedule as we do not expect to take any more days off till we are finished. We will spend the night in Monson then do the 100 mile wilderness, climb Katahdin then go home.Please pray for my continued safety and well being. One thing this trail has shown me is just how much we are dependent on God's mercies. Its been a test and a learning experience for me in that way.
Date: 2004-09-12
To: Moxie Bald Lean-To
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Sept 12 - Changed Plans: An Offer We Could Not Refuse.Hiker friend, Hawk, and wife, Peggy met Palm Tree at the fording spot on the Baker Stream near Moxie Pond this morning about 11:30. They are from Atlanta. He is a retired Police Lieutenant and she is a Surgical Nurse, taking a year off from work. He is a thru hiking and she is traveling by motor home, pulling a Jeep Liberty. They invited us to dinner tomorrow at the campsite where they are stopped nearby. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, biscuits, and blueberry pie. A real southern home-cooked dinner. This caused us to change destination today from Bald Mountain Lean-to to Moxie Bald Lean-to.Some other hikers are also going to come. We will spend the night there at their campsite and she will fix us breakfast then bring us back to the trailhead so we can continue to hike to the highway nearest Monson. This requires us to be at Shirley-Blanchard road tomorrow by 3:00 to be picked up. This increased our hike today from 9.0 to 13.1 miles today. This also added a climb over Moxie Bald -- about 1200' to 2630'. The scenery was best yet! We have now forded 5 streams in Maine and have two more scheduled tomorrow. My count includes only actual wading across - not streams we cross by rock hopping.   Very sad development. New camera failed. Something went wrong with the on-off switch. Will try to get another camera in Monson. Maybe a disposable film type. This one is too erratic to use. Have packed it away and may try to find a way to make it work. No time to send it home and get a replacement like the first one. I really am sad about this failure as Maine is where I expected to take a lot of pictures. Still planning to be in Monson on Tuesday, 9/14. Peggy may even be able to provide transportation to town from the highway crossing. This will save time and allow maximum time in town preparing for the 100 mile wilderness.Feeling fine. Took absolutely no Ibuprophen today. Have now hiked 2041.7 miles and have only 132.4 miles to go.