morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-09-18
From: East Flagstaff Rd

To:  East Flagstaff Rd
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Today I woke up on a beautiful log home hostel again. I was warm, dry and well rested. I got fed breakfast and hot coffee. All of my devices are fully charged. Then I checked the upcoming weather!!! Freeze warning for tonight ???, but it is ok because I am prepared. It will be cold but it¢s only supposed to be one night and then warm up again for the next 10. I only need 14 more days of tolerable weather then I get to go home?. On the way to the drop off I saw 2 deer in the roadway, the first deer I¢ve seen in a long time. I was dropped off at E. Flagstaff Rd. , which is gravel, I was the only one out there and I disappeared into the woods. The trail was quite today and I saw very few hikers. I was enjoying the quiet and it was a beautiful day. I stopped on a boardwalk at one point and just enjoyed the quiet and the warmth of the sun. I walked past several lakes /ponds today. They were all beautiful and the sound of the water hitting the shoreline was relaxing. At one of the lakes there was a white sand beach. I stripped down to my shorts and waded into the water. It was actually not that cold. I laid on the beach for a while enjoying the warm sun and quiet.I made it to camp and I could smell a fire burning a half mile out. There was one guy at camp. His name was Goat, and not the Goat I had met earlier in the trip. Goat started talking a mile a minute. Then offered to help me find a tent spot. I learned he is hiking SOBO. I swear he was wearing Doc Martens as hiking boots. I¢d heard of a camp nearby that sells breakfast to hikers. I hiked over and talked to the owner, Tim. I arranged breakfast and he introduced me to his cabin guest. A group of 10 or 12 guys having a guys weekend. The gave me a bowl of homemade Chowder and a Corona. I hiked back to camp and started dinner. Sherpa and Willow arrived. Goat was still talking a mile a minute. He said it took him 19 days to hike the 100 mike woods. It takes a normal hiker 5-7 days. He has no money, and I¢m guessing little food. He did finally cook a Ramen for dinner. I watched the sunset over the pond. As I laid in my tent I could hear the loons carrying on. This is a beautiful campsite.
Date: 2019-09-19
From: Pierce Pond Lean To

To: Stealth tent site 2052.9
Miles today: 16.1

So it got cold last night. The guys at Harrisons said 32-34 degrees. I was alright in my tent. At one point I did wrap my puffy jacket around me for additional warmth. I also had my socks and stocking cap on. I did not want to get out of bed in the morning, but I had to walk the .3 and be at Harrisons by 7, coffee as early as 630. I arrived about 650. They had the cast iron stove going and it was really kicking off heat. Tim, the owner, made the eggs to order, 2 sausage, and 12 pancakes. He calls them patriotic because he uses apple, raspberries, and blueberries. They were very delicious. 3 other hikers joined for breakfast.I continued hiking and got to the ferry over the Kennebec River. The ferry is a canoe ride. I got to the hostel in Caratunk. They are know for milkshakes and pulled pork. I know it was cold but I had a milkshake, coffee flavored. The trail seemed busy today and I met some new people and reacquainted with some hikers I hadn¢t seen in a while. I saw a hiker I met on Easter Sunday. He flipped and is SOBO. We talked for quite a while. I saw a snake on trail. I haven¢t seen a snake in quite a while. Platapus, a hiker, pointed out some sort of hen that was strutting around for her. I stopped at one of the shelters and took a break. A trail maintainer told me the views were nice from the upcoming mountain but I should make sure I have water because there is none on the way up and for 4 miles on the way down. It is nice not having much rain but the water sources dry up. I was planning on walking until about 5, but I needed water. I had enough to drink while I walked but not enough for dinner and breakfast. I walked longer, time wise, than I had planned. I found water at about 6 o¢clock and quickly found a nice stealth spot about .1 later. So this is what I ate today:12 pancakes with butter and syrup2 coffee w/cream & sugar2 eggs2 sausage1 cup orange juice2 sports bars3 slices of cantaloupe6 slices of sharp cheddar cheese1 milkshake1 homemade cookie3 chocolate Zingers2 packets beef Ramen1 packet buffalo tuna3 more Chocolate Zingers
Date: 2019-09-20
From: Stealth tent site 2052.9

To: Horseshoe Canyon
Miles today: 15.6

Last night was good I heard faint calls of the Loon in the distance and the unenthusiastic hooting of an owl. It was as if the owl was lazy or was just halfheartedly whooing.I was not in a hurry to get going as I was planning on 15, and there was one small climb at the beginning and then all downhill to the shelter I am planning on staying at. That will put me 9 miles from Monson, my next hostel stay. I hiked slow today not pushing at all. It had warmed up enough to start the day hiking in shorts. I made it up the first/only mountain and found a nice spot with a view. I made a cup of coffee with a package of Swiss Miss. I talked to Seaneen and my Mom.At the next shelter there was a beautiful dog. It was a male beagle type with a Garmin tracking collar equipped with an antenna. He was so calm and friendly. I am assuming he was out hunting bear. Another couple had called the phone number on the collar and the owner didn¢t seem too concerned. I first saw the dog at mile 2059.6, he followed the couple out of the shelter. At mile 2062.5 something came running out of the woods toward me. It was the dog. It followed some hikers SOBO. The trail was relatively quiet today compared to yesterday. Near the end of my day I met a Ridge Runner, Jukebox. I stopped and chatted with her for about 20 minutes. We talked about the dog, Harrisons camp, the creepy guy from two nights ago, and summiting Katahdin. I finished my day and arrived at the shelter. I hung stuff to dry and claimed a spot in the shelter. I was the only one there for about 1.5 hours. I made Ramen with tuna and desserted it with cheese. Two other hikers arrived, Double Check & JuJu.
Date: 2019-09-21
From: Horseshoe Canyon

To: ShawÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Lodging
Miles today: 8.9

So I was up early and my shelter mate, JuJu¢s alarm went off at 530. I had a coffee, granola, and 2nd coffee. I was on trail at 653. It was the warmest its been in weeks last night. I started out wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I was sweating before 730, but not complaining. The first couple of miles were along a creek/river and the sun was early on the rise. The leaves have turned a lighter green or yellow. The walk was pleasant with the sound of the stream. It got more hot as the morning wore on, and I was dripping sweat at times, again not complaining. I saw several toads, frogs, and a couple of snakes on trail. I made it to the parking lot/road crossing by 1100 and to the hostel by 1130. I showered and went to get my haircut. The barber was closed for the season!?! WHAT?!? Oh well, I went and had lunch at a pub. I sat out back on a deck with a lake and a mountain view. There was a bald eagle circling and swooping. I then stopped at the ATC welcome center to get information on summiting Katahdin. The lady was super helpful but a little over the top thorough. I then stopped at the general store and bought some beer. The hostel does a midway drop in the 100 mile wilderness so I signed up. I then did the math and decided against it. I¢d get breakfast in the morning and hike for 4.5 days to the next hostel. I could carry 4.5 days of food. Many hikers I knew arrived and many departed. Mr. President arrived and we walked to get pizza and beer together. Upon returning I did my laundry and re-checked my itinerary. Nine more days?.The vibe on trail is different. Everyone is excited about summiting, and a lot of the talk is about when and the logistics around the actual date. There is some apprehension and sadness in the air because the journey is coming to an end. I heard a girl was in crutches yesterday-trip over for her. The 70 mile a day guy I met doing 33.33 miles a day, I heard got sick in the 100 mile wilderness and didn¢t finish. Giggles, who I met a few days ago was at the hospital, Giardia. I¢d hate to catch that now. So close and things can still go wrong. The trail provides, I occasionally get a knot in my shoulder blade on the left side. If it get bad enough it can take my breath away with pain. It started late Friday and got a little worse yesterday. I stretched and took some Advil. At the hostel they had a ¢massage¢ area. It consisted of a shelf of massage tools. One tool was a shepard's hook. I went to town on my shoulder and it felt better as the day went on.
Date: 2019-09-22
From: ShawÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Lodging

To: Long Pond Stream 
Miles today: 15.1

Poet dropped 4 of us off at the trailhead at 845, he left us with some thoughts and a Haiku whichI don¢t remember. I was on trail at 853 and saw the sign warning of the dangers of the 100 mile wilderness. I am carrying 4 days of food because I am staying at a hostel midway through. Shaw's hostel also has an option to have resupply delivered at two separate locations in the 100 mile wilderness. I opted to not get a resupply from Shaw's and to say at White House Landing Hostel. I will be able to get a resupply there. The trail became very quiet quickly. There were many times there was no wind and it was hot and mildly humid today. I stopped several times and enjoyed the silence. There were many bogs, swamps, ponds, streams and waterfalls today. At one point I had to ford a river. I removed my shoes and socks. I put my camp shoes on, Crocs. There was an overhead rope run across so I used that to steady myself. About 2/3 across I slipped and I hung on to the rope. There was a lot of play in the rope and my butt and bottom of my bag dipped in the water. I made it across and then I soaked my feet for a bit longer. As I was getting near the shelter I realized today must have been a test. We walked over almost every type of terrain we¢ve seen on the trail. I made it to the shelter after 530 pm, long day. I set up in the shelter because there may be rain. While chilling out after dinner I saw a huge spider, not as big as that one a couple months ago but big. A guy named Bulldog helped me kill it. The other hikers lit a fire, and I went to bed.
Date: 2019-09-23
From: Long Pond Stream 

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 10.9

I slept just alright in the shelter. My alarm went off at 545. There were four others in the shelter so I tried to be quiet getting ready. It was warm last night and I slept in just my shorts. I hit the trail before 700. It was very humid today, you could almost feel the impending rain.I saw a snake and a toad within the first 5 minutes. Later I saw a woodpecker, chipmunk, and a frog. I was only doing 9 today because I have a hostel reservation on Thursday and I had to space out my miles. It was not tough but, it was not an easy 10 miles. I took my time and took some longer breaks. I made it to the shelter at about 230, which is usually too early to stop for the day but I did. I used the privy and then went and got water. I claimed a spot in the shelter and I cleaned myself with wet wipes. I then made 1st dinner, I¢ll have 2nd dinner a little later. Another couple hiking the 100 mile wilderness arrived and set up their tent. I ended up sharing the shelter with Balto, Mountain Laurel, and two others.
Date: 2019-09-24
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

It start pouring really hard at about 1100pm and continued for about 2 hours. It then rained all night and into the morning. I was awake at 545 and it was raining. I made my coffee and oatmeal as quiet as I could. Balto¢s alarm went off at 530. I noticed Mr. President was moving in his hammock, he left just after 630. It started raining harder and I geared up. When it¢s raining you are going to get wet, so you might as well get the miles in. The trail was a river in some places. The trail was slick; the rocks, mud, and roots were all slick. I was plugging along and my back started to spasm. I stopped breathed and stretched which seemed to make it go away. On the first downhill it turned into a rock scramble. I somehow got off trail and I had to use the Guthooks App to get back on trail. Guthooks, in map mode, has a little arrow pointing the direction you are going. I kept walking in the direction of the trail. I had to bushwhack uphill. When I got back on trail I was at the top of the rock scramble. A little later I slipped on a rock with my right foot and my left knee slammed into a rock I was then laying on the cold wet muddy ground. I took my time getting up and my knee really hurt. I rubbed it for a while and tried ¢walking it off.¢ It took quite a while before I stopped limping.I got to a river crossing I knew I was going to have to ford. My shoes and sock were already wet so I just waded across. Mr. President was on the other side. We walked together for a while then I got ahead. There were three mountains we had to go over. I actually found them very easy. I made it to the shelter and got into dry clothes.I got water and started to make something warm to eat. I had chocolate Carnation and oatmeal as I curled up in my sleeping bag to get warm. My toes did not want yo warm up. I then made a double Ramen with a tuna pack. I held the cup/pot between my feet to warm my toes. I finally warmed up. I¢m wearing dry socks, dry pants, an Under Armor long sleeve, a cotton long sleeve and a stocking cap. I also put my sleeping bag liner in my bag. There are 4 others in the shelter. Two of them are talking about doing 35 miles tomorrow. I have an 11 mile day planned, which my become a 15 so I can get to the hostel earlier on Thursday.
Date: 2019-09-25
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Stealth mile 2135.9/Jo-Mary Rd
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: mist

It pretty much rained all night, and when it wasn¢t raining the water was falling from the trees onto the shelter. The shelter roof is corrugated material so it was really loud. The couple planning on the 35 mile day was up and out early. I don¢t know how early but before 530. I was on trail by 715. My left knee was stiff from the fall. It took about an hour to loosen up. The trail was uneventful and flat today. The scenery was nice and I walked past several lakes and streams. The trail profile flattened out and so did the trail itself. There were less roots and rocks and you could actually get a stride going. I made the 15 miles in just over 7 hours.I found a nice stealth spot next to a stream that had a fire ring. I hung a clothesline and gathered wood to start a fire. Once I got the fire going I finished setting up and I put my shoes, insoles and socks near the fire to dry them. Mr. President rolled in about an hour later. I waited until about 530 to start my dinner, 2 Ramen with a packet of tuna. I sat by the fire for a long time, and enjoyed a hot chocolate. Tomorrow is a short 10 mile day to the hostel.
Date: 2019-09-26
From: Stealth mile 2135.9/Jo-Mary Rd

To: Mahar Tote Tr.-White House Landing
Miles today: 10.4

Since we were so close to water, camped next to a stream. I drank 3+ liters of water last evening. That means I had to use the bathroom 2-3 times during the night ?. Nothing like unzipping the sleeping bag, two tent zippers, putting on a jacket and Crocs to use the bathroom.I woke to the sound of a woman talking. It was Rocket talking to Mr. President. She, Rooster, Executioner, Sherpa and his dog Blue were already on trail and had done almost 4 miles. They are going to do just shy of 30 miles today. The terrain is suitable but, no thanks, not with 5 days of hiking left. I¢ll stick to my 15 miles max. I was on trail by 730. My knee was not stiff or sore today. I was moving along good but not pushing it because I knew it was only 10 miles and I could call for a ride when I got there. The trail was beautiful today, not much profile and pretty flat terrain. I saw a sign saying view of Mt. Katahdin. I walked to the lake shore and looked left. My jaw dropped and I was star struck. Mt. Katahdin was off in the distance. I could have sat there all day and stared at her, she¢s a beautiful mountain.I had been pushing hard but after seeing Mt. Katahdin I slowed down and was just taking the trail in. I received a text from Mr. President saying our boat ride to the hostel was waiting. I was still .2 miles away. As I approached the dock the family dog, a black lab, ran out and greeted me. We got in the boat and this lab jumped up in my lap, all 90 lbs, and made himself comfortable. He rode the whole way back to the hostel on my lap. I even got some kisses. I later learned he¢s never done that before?. The hostel consists of several buildings, one being the bunkhouse. There is no electricity and no heat in the cabins or bunkhouse. Lighting is done by propane and lanterns. I showered and did some laundry. Laundry is a wash tub and wash board. Dinner was served at 5 pm. Dinner consisted of a burger or pizza. I opted for both. I devoured the burger and I ate half the pizza. I will pack the other half out tomorrow.
Date: 2019-09-27
From: Mahar Tote Tr.-White House Landing

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 15.6

Everyone, all 8 of us in the bunkhouse, woke at about the same time because breakfast was at 715. I had a good night¢s sleep. I woke up once to go to the bathroom, outside. I looked up and the sky was so clear and the stars were amazing. I went back inside and got my jacket, pants and stocking cap on. I walked down to the lake and just looked at the stars and Milky Way for about 15 minutes.Breakfast consisted of 4 pieces of bacon, the equivalent of two eggs scrambled, an english muffin, and all of the blueberry pancakes you could eat. After breakfast I went down and checked out the Moose the owner's son had shot. I¢m not a big hunter and I really don¢t get shooting a majestic animal like that but, they do limit the number of permits and they do here and what they shoot. We then got a boat ride back to the trail. I was in no hurry today even though we got a later start and we had 15 miles to do. The trail was beautiful today and passed many lakes. At one point there was a sign for a view. I checked Guthooks and Guthooks said the view was magnificent of Katahdin. I had to walk 200 feet off trail to see it but it was a magnificent view. We made it to a beautiful shelter area and I set up my tent tonight. There were approximately 15 other hikers around the shelter. All of the hikers here are cool. Several of us gathered and had dinner together. I had a Knorr pasta side with the toppings of my 2 left over pieces of pizza. I over watered it down because I was going to put Ramen in it too. I ate the pasta without the Ramen. I then took the left over juice and cooked the Ramen in it. That was really good.
Date: 2019-09-28
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Abol Bridge Campground 
Miles today: 15.0

We were up and out early. Last night I kept hearing crumpling like someone in a potato chip bag. I must confess I rarely hang my bear bag anymore. I keep my food bag in my tent, and I keep my garbage bag just outside my tent. I kept shining my light at my garbage bag looking for vermin. I never saw any. It¢s had to tell where sound in coming from directionally, and more and more hikers kept coming into camp and setting up after I had zipped up my tent. In the morning Buster asked if I had heard all the noise. I thought it had been him. He thought it was chipmunks. We got on trail early and made good time as the profile was flat. The trail was beautiful again today with streams, lakes, and bogs. We rolled into Abol Bridge Campground a little earlier than expected. There were about 15 hikers hanging out in front of the camp store. I saw many hikers I knew and the atmosphere was electric. I went inside and got my campsite for the night which included a shower and breakfast. I then got dinner and snacks for the night, and beer. We chilled outside the store and reminisced with the other hikers. We got set up and cooked dinner. I chipped in for some firewood and another site had a fire. I ate my dinner there and we played a version of imporv where each person says a word after the other in a circle, making a sentence. We are approximately 10 miles from the base of Katahdin and you can see it from the campground. It¢s kind of surreal being this close to the end. The big talk all day has been weather and summit dates/plans
Date: 2019-09-29
From: Abol Bridge Campground 

To: Katahdin Streams Campsite
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is a day of last. The last page of my AWOL guide. The last time I have to wake up knowing it not going to get any warmer unless I¢m moving. The last time I have to put on cold damp clothes, especially shoes and socks. The last time I have to pack up my tent and everything. Today we had about 10 miles to walk to the Birches. The walk through the first 10 miles of Baxter State Park was beautiful. We followed a river for the first half. There were rapids and waterfalls. There were two falls called little and big Niagara. There were also several views of Katahdin.  We got to the Katahdin Stream Campground Ranger Station early, 1 pm. I had hiked in two beers, so we had a beer while waiting for the  Rangers to return. It turned out to be a beautiful day. We saw the hiker named Ranger, he had just returned from his summit and he said it was beautiful. While waiting for the shuttle several other hikers came down from their summit, and several others arrived to register for theirs. There were about 20 hikers sitting around by a picnic shelter reminiscing and forecasting. We ended up Yogi¢ing a ride to Milllinocket for free!!!  The shuttle driver also set us up with a great hostel. We then explored restaurants. Nothing was open on a Sunday. We went to a bar and their kitchen was closed but, you could order from a pizza place and have it delivered. We did, it took almost 2 hours. I stayed and watched the Bears beat the Vikings, YES! At the bar several hikers who had summited today arrived and we celebrated with them.
Date: 2019-09-30
From: 100 Mile Wilderness Inn

To: Katahdin Inn & Suites
Miles today: 0.0

I slept through the night in the hostel. I had an air conditioning unit in my room and I turned on the fan, not the air. The combination of the white noise and the cool outside air knocked me out. We did breakfast at the AT Cafe. They allow hikers who have finished the AT to sign a ceiling tile. When the tile is full they put it in the ceiling. After breakfast I checked out of the hostel and walked the 1.5 miles to the Katahdin Inn & Suites. On they way I tried to get my hair cut at 3 different places. They were all closed. At the hotel I called another Salon and walked 1/2 mile to them and got my hair cut. Back at the hotel I saw four hikers headed home. We sat and had a beer in the lobby before the arrival of their shuttle. Seaneen arrived a couple of hours later. It was so nice to see her. I have not seen her for 6 weeks, the longest we¢ve ever been apart. We freshened up and met Mr. President for dinner.  There were several other hikers there and we listened to their summit stories. It was then off to bed as we had to get up at 445 to get to the park by 6am to start our summit attempt.