morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-22
From: spring

To: Oberton stream
Miles today: 15.5

6:15AM As I write I am sitting beside a small pond, facing east where the sky is just beginning to turn pale orange. Mist hovers over the perfectly still water--a mirror for the trees and distant mountain. It is silent and utterly peaceful and I am enjoying watching the mist blow across the water, changing every second, swirling in patterns of white that dance above the water. Lead Dog is out on the water! Canoeing in a red canoe with a paddle that we rigged up from a stick, an old piece of wood and ample duct tape. He reflects perfectly in the still water, transforming the scene from a good photograph to a grand photograph. I am enjoying my breakfast of hot chocolate and a pop tart thining of how lucky I am to be here in this place, to have not hurried by last night in an effort to make just a bit more mileage. So much of the good of this trail is about stopping to take in the moments, to look and see the wonders that are here and not racing off to be somewhere else. (like so many hiking the AT)12:45 Again! I am lollygagging and taking in my surroundings. This time I am lounged out on a rock slab near the top of Saddleback Mountain, leaning against my pack, my legs stretched out in front of me, feet free of boots. The sun is warm and welcome and I feel perfectly content with the temperature, loving the feel of sunlight on my face. Oh I wish I could magically bring some people (like Frank and maybe my Mom and Bob, some friends) here, if only for a second to share this with me. Words or even pictures later will not do it justice. There are mountains in front of me, layer after layer after layer. The forest is already changing to its fall attire, the rich reds and oranges, golds. Huge patches of colored trees dot the valley and mixed with the greens of conifers create a brillant patchwork, a painting without a frame. There are several large lakes visible, blue and still with rugged edges surrounded by trees. Not much in the way of civilization is evident. Lead Dog is here too and we are enjoying a snack of skittles and dove chocolate. Later we hiked on and found some last blueberries to sample. Yum! I do love the chance to pick fresh fruit! So late in the season, likely the last I will come across. We hiked up Horn Mountain which was above treeline, again getting the opportunity to look out at nothing but mountians and blue sky. The tan grasses in clumps amid the lichen-covered rocks and red-leafed blueberry bushes waved and swayed in the wind. I watched them move in silence, thinking of waves on water, a kind of music that is without sound.
Date: 2008-09-24
From: North Crocker Mt

To: Stratton Pond Brook Rd
Miles today: 6.0

Not very many miles today because we went into town to get our packages from the hostel and of course going into town is always a time trap, hard to get out in a short period of time. We got off the trail, were in the parking lot and then tried to hitch but it was mostly just tractor trailers going by 55 miles an hour. So finally we called the hostel and Sue, the woman in charge came to get us.At the hostel I took a wonderful hot shower. Oh, how this is something the general public takes for granted! After several days without one it is always so very nice to stand under the hot water and get clean again. Then I spent some time updating my journals. Lead Dog and I walked across the street to the pizza place and had a yummy lunch, even played a few tunes on the juke box. By the time we got out of town again it was fairly late and we didn't get very many miles in before we found a giant campsite, back in the woods with many level spots for our tents. We set up and ate our dinners and called it a day. Lead Dog, amazingly! had never had a s'more before and I have been dying for one since I started this trip in May. So in Stratton we bought the supplies, got to our site, collected wood and I made a fire. How nice! We roasted some marshmallows and made some s'mores to enjoy after dinner. Yummy! They tasted so good, better than anything I have eaten lately, even the pizza from earlier. There is nothing like sitting by a fire eating a s'more! ... Wonder what is in store for tomorrow...
Date: 2008-09-25
From: Stratton Pond

To: Little Bigalow
Miles today: 13.8

Fall is here! And so am I, having walked here from Georgia! I still cannot believe I am here in Maine, and how great to be here at this most lovely time of year!! From Bigalow Mt I saw the Kennebec River for the first time. Lovely! Lead Dog and I enjoyed our lunch from a rocky spot at the top, looking out over the wide and quiet river that wound through the valley dotted with colored leaves. As far as lunch spots go, this one is among the very best. Mountains and water and colored leaves, warm sun and a blue sky. Was wishing the Trail Gazelle was there with me to enjoy it. Earlier I got to the top of a mountain and Thor and Hobo Joe were there eating lunch behind one of the wind blocks. Hobo Joe pulled out his trumpet (yes! you did read that right. He is actually carrying a trumpet on the AT) and started playing. I came up to the top of the mountain and there he was and it made me laugh out loud. Lead Dog was already there, on the other side of the top fixing his boots. I walked over to them and asked Hobo Joe if I could take his picture and of course he said Yes. I was laughing, so enjoying the moment--being on top of the mountain, seeing him playing the trumpet there with the mountains behind him stretching out for mile after mile after mile, sharing this experience with these other hikers. Thor says to me "Lollygagger, are you having too much fun?" and I say, "Too much fun!! What's that mean? It's like too much chocolate, there's no such thing!" Ha. "I ain't never had too much fun!" Lead Dog and I camped on top of Bigalow Mountain, not making it to the shelter, but hiking an hour into dark. Finally we came to some flat spots at the top and went about setting up our tents, making dinner. And looking at the stars. Millions of them, glittering from above. Another day on the trail.
Date: 2008-09-26
From: Little Bigalow Mt

To: spring
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunrise this morning from Little Bigalow rivals the beauty of anything I have seen so far. From the rocky top where our tents were set up I could look east and see Round Top Mt rising up from above the clouds. Below that were smaller mountains, each with its top in the open air and clouds beneath. Then below, in the valley I could see Flagstaff Lake--a white shape surrounded by dark. A streak of pale orange appeared and spread east amid the clouds. It was perfectly silent and still, relatively warm. I probably don't have to say that I took LOTS of pictures!!!!@( which I really hope to put up on here when I am in Monson in three days. This computer has the hard drive locked up and unavailable for us to use) Now at 9:30 I am at Flagstaff lake. The trail here was beautiful--and it was an actual trail rather than roots and rocks! It had pine needles and dirt and was generously decorated with lovely colored leaves--reds and yellows and oranges, like tiny works of art. Lead Dog and I have just had a cup of hot chocolate and mint cookies from a giant flat rock at the edge of the lake. There are two loons just a bit out, one of them calling every now and then. Oh, what a sound that is! I love hearing it. From here we can look back west and see the rocky face where we were only hours ago. Amazing! When we first got here the lake was perfectly still, great for photography. Now, only 15 minutes later the wind has picked up and it is no longer warm. We will hike on.
Date: 2008-09-28
From: Caratunk

To: stream
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: moderate rain

After a buffet breakfast with plenty of yummy food Lead Dog and I took a shuttle back to the trail and headed out. Another rainy day in Maine but I wouldn't have had it any other way. The rain makes everything beautiful, diffusing the light and bringing out vibrant reds and greens, yellows, browns and oranges. It is a feast for the eyes and both Lead Dog and I were having difficulty getting anywhere as photo opps were everywhere.I think it is unfortunate and sad that rainy days for most people equal gloom and doom. They inspire comments like "too bad, another rainy day." "Another dreary day." "What a lousy day!" People look out of their windows, see rain falling down and stay locked away from it, not wanting to get muddy feet and wet hair. But how much they miss! Rainy days can be magical, like today. As I write I sit on the ground, resting on my "easy chair" looking out at the forest. A gentle rain falls down on me. The treetops are filled with single drops of water, like diamonds in the green. I love the way they sit there for a time, maybe a moment, maybe a couple of minutes. Then, silently, they disappear, falling soundlessly to the forest floor where they will soak into the soil. Each tiny drop reflects the world perfectly, upside down, a mini mirror if one looks closely. The trail meandered along a stream today for quite some time. How lovely! Full from yesterday's rain, it is full of water, the roar sometimes drowning out all other sounds. Leaves decorate the moss-covered rocks in the flowing water and trees along the edges are decked out in their autumn best. There are so many colors, so much more than simple brown and red and greens, but so many shades. I have taken so many pictures! Fall in Maine is beautiful. ... Did I mention how lucky I feel to be here??
Date: 2008-09-29
From: stream

To: Bald Mt. stream
Miles today: 10.2

Another rainy day here in Maine, but not to worry, I love it! And it makes for the ideal conditions for nature photography in the fall. The trail out of camp was lovely and once again I had such difficulty actually getting anywhere as I was stopping every 30 seconds to compose a picture. Before lunch Lead Dog and I came to Baker Stream, which after two days of rain was quite high. The trail disappeared at the water's edge; I guess they have no money for bridges in Maine! So we had to ford it--what an adventure! At that point it was about 40 feet across and about 3 feet deep, more in some places. I was nervous crossing as the current was strong and the bottom rocky and slippery. One poorly placed foot and off I would go, sailing on down the creek, likely with my pack dragging me under. I'm sure it wouldn't be all that fun so I wanted to avoid it if possible. The water came to above my knees at one point and I had all I could do to force my poles to the bottom, take a step and do it all again. It was tough crossing but I made it! As did Lead Dog.We moved on down the trail, to Joe's Hole Brook, another beautiful spot--mossy rocks in the swift moving stream, lots of red leaves on the rocks and in the water. More pictures! The trail took us up Moxie Bald where we would have--on a clear day--have been able to see our first view of Mt. Katahdin. All we saw was fog so our first view of the famed mountain will have to wait. Now, at 1:00 I sit, having just eaten lunch. I am beside Bald Mt. Pond, leaning against a rock, looking out at the water. It is breezy and overcast and the rain has stopped. Except for wet and muddy feet, I am dry and warm. 6:15 I have stopped hiking for the day, couldn't pass up this flat, large pine-needly site right beside the river and off the trail. Plenty of room for two tents and a kitchen, with a good tree to hang my bear bag. Free for the taking! What more could a person ask for??The day was spent stomping through puddles and streams and mud holes. One muddy spot nearly took me alive! I was walking along, came to an obviously muddy spot, but just like always, started across knowing there really is no way to not get muddy. And I was already way muddy anyway. I took a few steps, sinking into the mud with each one until YIKES! I stepped down into the mud and it didn't end! I sank all the way in up to my knee. What a time I had getting that foot out! But I did and by the time Lead Dog caught up to me, I was out, giving him the heads up about where not to go. Tomorrow we will make Monson--the last town before Katahdin! I still cannot believe it. When we leave Monson we will enter the 100 mile wilderness, then ten miles to the base of Katahdin, then the climb up Katahdin!!!!!! So if all goes well, we will climb Katahdin on October 8th or possibly the 9th if I don't get the resupply package Frank sent until late on Wed. I am so looking forward to my time in Monson and then in the 100 mile wilderness.
Date: 2008-10-01
From: Monson

To: ?
Miles today: 0.0

Well here I am at the library again. I must wait for my food package today and right now I don't know what time it will arrive. Hopefully it will be this morning rather than this afternoon. But in any event it is not a bad place to be. Hopefully I will get the package, pack up my pack and we will head out today.Breakfast across the street at the Lakehouse was so good! 4 pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and homefries. All cooked by chef and owner, Rebecca who could be heard singing from the kitchen while she whipped up our breakfasts. She is a fabulous host and very right for her job. We shared breakfast with a whole group of thru-hikers including Thor, Hobo Joe, Freestyle, Dave, Kyle and two others whose names I don't know. The quote of the day today comes from Thor who says "I'm on my second cup of coffee and I don't even drink coffee!" We had some good laughs while enjoying a delicious breakfast. The word of the day is MILES which means whenever anyone said that word the whole group erupts into this mad chaos of sounds with their mouths...anyone coming into the room at that moment would surely wonder what was going on!Lead Dog and I are planning 7 days for the 100 mile wilderness, one day for the 10 miles after the wilderness and then on the 9th day, summitting Mt. Katahdin. So I may be climbing the mountain on October 8th or 9th. And I will be unable to update my journals until the night before the climb (doubtful) or the day after the climb. If it is a rainy day Lead Dog and I will likely wait it out, hoping for a clear day. It will be worth the wait I know. In the picture in my mind it is a beautiful blue-sky day, with a view for miles and miles and miles.I am so excited to be here! And to expereince the 100 mile wilderness. It will surely be an adventure filled with no shortage of stories and photographs. And a lot of work! As my pack is going to be especially heavy with all that food. But the trail has made me tougher and I am up for the challenge! Bring it on.Thanks to all of you who have offered support in my guest book! I will talk to you soon! Next time I write I may very well be done with this grand journey and will put up the pictures of me on that famed mountain. Check back in 9 days!!!!!!!
Date: 2008-10-02
From: Monson

To: Vaughn Stream
Miles today: 13.7

I was at the post office at 7:25 this morning and the guy there let me in, went in the back and returned carrying a rather large box...my package!!! And all the food I would need for the 100 mile wilderness. I am so lucky! Lead Dog and I walked back to the Lake House, loaded my food in the pack and waited for Rebecca to shuttle us back to the trailhead. I wished I had a scale to weigh my pack as my gosh!! It seemed so incredibly heavy. Rebecca drove us back to the trail and we were off. Another rainy day and no shortage of puddles, mud and streams to ford. It was slow going between the challenging trail conditions and weight of my full pack. Also, when my feet are wet the bottoms are extra sensitive and every little stone and stick and piece of debris in my boot hurts like hell. We had to ford several creeks today, the largest being Big Wilson. This was about 70 feet across. From the guide book this sounded like it would be treacherous so I wasn't sure what to expect. Turned out to not be so bad--there was a rope from one side to the other that helped and somehow the water was not that deep. We walked by Wilson Falls today--a 60 foot falls and the largest waterfall in Maine. I sat there near the top for a while, just listening to the sound of the water pouring down the rocks. In the afternoon we came to a railroad track. I was ahead of Lead Dog and when I stepped out of the woods and onto the rocks, there looking at me from the other side, just past the tracks, was a coyote! I was thrilled--such a beautiful coat and intelligent eyes. We looked at each other for a few seconds and then he wandered off into the woods. Unfortunatley, Lead Dog did not get to see it. I felt lucky--it was most surely the "high" of my day.We hiked until dark and had trouble finding a site--in the end we had to settle for what I will call a "non-ideal" site which means our tents barely fit, there was lots of growth under them, plenty of rocks and some soggy puddles close by. But we were tired and didn't spend much time hanging out in camp before it was time to retire to the warmth of our tents. I am excited to be in the 100 mile wilderness!
Date: 2008-10-03
From: Vaughn Stream

To: 3rd Mountain Trail 
Miles today: 9.0

It was a tough day, incredibly slow-going and frustrating. We started out to another rainy day--had to ford 2 creeks first thing. The water was rushing and so cold and after the first ford my feet were so numb I could not manage to walk. We sat down and I took my shoes and socks off, wrapped my feet in my fleece and tried to massage some feeling back into them. When once again I could feel my toes, whoo hooo! I had to put back on my soaking wet socks and shoes and hike on. Not exactly my idea of fun. We walked on. The trail was mostly rocks and roots and giant unending mud puddles so of course my feet stayed wet all day. The temperature dropped and after lunch, on Barren mountain we had some freezing rain to give us some variety. A hard day in the 100 mile wilderness.
Date: 2008-10-05
From: Carl Newhall lean to

To: Copper Brook Lean to
Miles today: 18.9

Today was a long, hard day, tiring in a full-body-aching way. We climbed Gulf Hagas Mt, West Peak, Hay Mt, Whitecap and Little Boardman. On the way to Whitecap I got my first look at Katahdin!!! with its rocky peak rising out above the clouds. My god! It looks FAR away. Impossibly far. But of course, I know that is no longer the case. In less than a week I will be there, standing by the sign, reveling in the thrill of victory. I am excited for this!!!! Lead Dog and I sat beside a flat rock near the summit of Whitecap and enjoyed a cheese and wheat thin snack that he had been saving for this moment. We sat behind a rock, looking out at Katahdin and marveling that we are finally in the home stretch. It is a wonderful feeling and one I won¢t soon forget. We hiked until 9:00, in the dark for the last three, which was very tough as we were both tired and wanting to quit. But we went on. And on and on, wanting to make White HOuse Landing in order to stay there tomorrow night. Finally we stopped after 19 miles, slept at the Copper Brook shelter. A welcome rest! Tomorrow, on to White House and very much looking forward to it!
Date: 2008-10-07
From: White house landing

To: Pollywag gorge
Miles today: 12.4

This morning i woke at 5:30 but breakfast wasn't until 8 so I had the luxary of just lying in bed and waking slowly, contemplating the day and days ahead. It is a good feeling to know we have come this far and that Katahdin is right around the bend. Breakfast was cooked by Bill--scrambled eggs, bacon, english muffins and all the blueberry pancakes we could eat. Again, the three of us ate by the windows, looking out at the lake. A sunny day! After eating Lead Dog and I spent some time chatting with Bill and Linda about how they got started and of some of the hikers they'd met through the years. I so enjoyed talking with them and having a leisurely morning. Life is good! Eventually Bill took us back to the other side of the lake and we were off again, ever so slowly closing the gap. We walked the .9 of a mile back to the AT and were on our way again. The trail was full of roots as usual but bordered a wonderful rock-filled creek that was nice to look at and lovely to listen to! It is a perfect fall day! Sunny and breezy and cool. I feel a bit like jumping for joy, knowing I now have less that 50 miles. I spend lots of my hiking time thinking about this time next week and how I will be done with this grand adventure. Lead Dog and I had lunch at the Nahmakantana creek, on a wonder road bridge sitting in the warm sun with the roar of the water behind us. We had cold pizza that Linda made and it was just as good as yesterday. A 10 lunch! And a 10 lunch spot. What more could a person ask for? After lunch we climbed another mountain and had another view of Katahdin. It wasn't nearly as dramatic and thankfully, it seemed like much of the snow had melted. So we might luck out and be able to summit as planned!!!!!
Date: 2008-10-09
From: Abol bridge

To: Katahdin stream campgroun
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

I decided that I am to be done carrying that heavy pack of mine! So I slacked today, left my pack out behind Linda's store. I only carried my fanny pack with lunch and the bare essentials. It was wonderful to walk without my pack, so freeing! I felt like jumping for joy, being without it and also, for knowing that at this point it seems highly likely we will make it. The trail was lovely! In the beginning we came to a wetland that reflected Katahdin perfectly. For about the millionth time I was so wishing for my tripod to really do the scene justice. The trail went on through the woods, a nice level, wide and mostly smooth section! It was such a pleasure walking it. Lead Dog and I sat down for a snack beside the slow-moving and wide Katahdin stream. It was a quiet morning, overcast though not raining. Lead Dog and I joked about how people walking this section of the AT would comment about how nice the trail is, how they "just can't understand what all those thru-hikers are complaining about--this seems easy! "They might say. It was not a typical section of trail! But we so enjoyed it, were thankful for the break from roots and rocks and mud. Ending today in the Katahdin stream parking lot was a rush, just knowing that tomorrow we will hike the "greatest mountain" and be done with this grand journey. It is exciting!!!!!
Date: 2008-10-19
To: A rich experience
Miles today: 0.0

Hiking the entire AT from start to finish was decided by me somewhat on a whim and once the idea was planted, it was hard to imagine NOT doing it. But the thought of actually walking over 2000 miles for 5+ months seemed far-fetched, like something I only read about other people doing. And yet I decided I would try it, wanted to feel the glory of achieving something on such a grand scale. And now that it is over I am amazed still on a daily basis. That yes, I am a thru-hiker. One of the 3-400 that is successful every year in making it clear from one end of the trail to the other. What an incredible experience!! People have asked me all kinds of questions about my experience--what made me do it? What was my favorite section? What section was hardest? Easiest? I have loved the chance to talk about it and share my thoughts. What fun! To relive some of the good times. I experienced a lot of emotions in the 5 months I was on the trail and for me, there were three distinct phases--those being --hiking with my brother, hiking alone and hiking with Lead Dog. All three are incredibly different. I am glad they were in the order they were.I'M NOT DONE WITH THIS, BUT MUST QUIT FOR NOW. MORE LATER....
Date: 2008-07-07
To: Some gear selections
Miles today: 0.0

Gear SelectionsCT-MA AT Summer 2008Much of the winning gear from the LT will be back will some less, some better and a better footwear setup. I will be wearing lots of New Balance apparel and footwear during this adventure. Exploring aftermarket insoles for my NB 908's.Gotta run, more to come.THIRSTYOUT