morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-04
From: Stealth camp at brook before Franconia Notch

To: Stealth camp just north of Galehead Hut
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained hard last night, but the clouds were clearing by morning. Had a hefty climb up the Franconia Ridge, but near the top at Liberty Springs campsite I got water and snacked. A little bit later above treeline again, moving toward Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette. Some clouds moving across the ridge but still good views. Slow moving again today - I just have to go steady to keep the pace reasonable. I had another snack on Lafayette, and then later on Mt Garfield - 3.5 miles before the hut. I arrived at the hut about 1630, took it easy for about an hour, changed to my sandals and put everything in the sun to dry a little. The views up here are just incredible, and so far the weather is cooperating to let us see them! The hut is nestled in between Galehead Mtn and South Twin at about 3700'. The croo (crew) at Galehead Hut was very nice. No work-for-stay because Minus One and No Worries got there ahead, but the one gal told me where to stealth and said I could still do dinner here. So I walked down to the stealth site , setup my hammock and walked back to wait on leftovers! The stealth site was perfect for hammocking and closer than the required 1/4 mile, but if they don't mind then it doesn't matter! There are lots of little alpine flowers and spruce trees which don't get all that tall but grow so close together, a very different zone of life. Even though the hiking is difficult, I feel no loss of enthusiasm - I am very energized and excited up here. A really good nite in the hammock - first the sunset, which blazed on for almost an hour, then a full moon and clear skies.
Date: 2004-08-05
From: Stealth camp just north of Galehead Hut

To: Stealth at Saco River
Miles today: 14.9

What an awesome sunset last night - as I was heading to bed the last of it was fading thru the clear skies, stars popping everywhere. A cool, quiet night and I slept like a rock. Woke this morning at 0615 and headed up to the hut to pack a little and wait on breakfast. All the guests ate, then about 0815 the hikers got to clean up the leftovers. It is kinda hit or miss with the food. The Galehead croo was good to us and there was some variety, but today at Zealand Falls Hut there was only soup at lunch, no other leftovers, so I guess it depends on who you talk to and what time of day it is as to how well you can do. Otherwise, the hiking today was great. I made good time the whole day, a little sad that I can't catch dinner at a hut, but tomorrow I begin the Presidential traverse, almost 25 miles near or above treeline, including Mt Washington. At 6288' it is the 2nd highest peak on the AT and it is renowned for the worst weather on earth! Hopefully I get to see the good weather!
Date: 2004-08-06
From: Stealth at Saco River

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut - work for stay hostel
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My first work-for-stay at Lake of the Clouds Hut - at 5000' just below the summit of Mt Washington. It is very busy here as this is the largest and most accessable of the AMC huts. The croo was delighted to have 4 hikers to put to work, lots of dishes to do and other stuff to help with. I enjoyed the work - kinda reminded me of the Navy! It will also be good to stay inside tonight as the daytime high was 43 degrees, and with the windchill it was 38. It will be down in the 30s tonight! And it is August! I got up really early (0515) and began climbing at 0550 - a good workout getting up to the ridge and then a little up and down, with a general trend upward. After working up a sweat on the uphills I'd get upon an exposed ridge in the 40 degree wind and whoa, was that chilly! Great views for much of the day today - lots above treeline, clouds coming and going, really nice! Had a great dinner of calzones, pasta salad, broccoli, and garlic bread. At this point I am stuffed and ready to hit the hay, just waiting til 2130 for lights out. Then to a tabletop and sleep for the night!
Date: 2004-08-07
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut - work for stay hostel

To: Madison Springs Hut
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: mist

I got up at 5 this morn and ate some leftovers from last night, chatted with the croo member who was fixing breakfast, and then after a quick goodbye I started for the summit of Mt Washington while it was still clear. It was a good climb, with views that made me stop about every 10 min to gaze at them. Upon reaching the summit, I wandered about, taking in the views, and taking a few pics. The views were spectacular - I got a great morning! A liitle luck, and I sacrificed breakfast at the hut because of how early I left. I stayed up top for about 5 hours, talked with Tina on the phone, wrote some postcards and ate some food from the snack bar. At 1220, Bandicoot and I hiked out together, and shortly after, we came upon Frank Harrington. When we had gone on ahead a little he asked where we were staying, and then asked if we wanted to stay at Madison Hut. Bandicoot replied that it was a bit expensive for us, and he said that six people in his group had left, and they had already paid, so we could have the slots. We accepted gratefully! Another good dinner and breakfast, and a warm hut! About an hour after we arrived, the rain set in, makes us twice as glad to be inside! Hut magic sure is great!
Date: 2004-08-08
From: Madison Springs Hut

To: Carter Notch Hut work-for-stay
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: fog

Last night in the Whites! I got a little slow start out of Madison Springs Hut - it was rainy/misty up on the ridge so motivation was low. Finally got moving at 0910. It was very windy up on the ridge, making balancing difficult on all the wet rocks, slow going down to the treeline. Finally on the way into Pinkham Notch, it took me until almost 1400 to get to the Visitors Center, where I had a little lunch, and looked around the AMC Center and Joe Dodge Lodge. At 1500 I got going, a steep up out of Pinkham Notch, and it rained a bit on the way up. I stopped at the ski lift area on Wildcat Mountain to put on my rain jacket. I was already damp, but the wind was chilling me - also it had been 2 hours and I had only covered 3 miles - 3 more to go. It was looking like a late night. Finally decended into Carter Notch, and decided to try and stay the AMC hut. The croo was really nice and gave me work-for-stay. They don't do meals here, you have to bring your own food, but there is a gas stove and sink, so it is easy! Plus I am out of the wind in here - a longer day today, rough terrain, but yet another happy ending!
Date: 2004-08-09
From: Carter Notch Hut work-for-stay

To: "The Barn" hostel in Gorham, NH
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: fog

Last day in the Whites! Got a slow start from Carter Notch Hut - took advantage of the facilities to fix two breakfasts, and relax with a couple cups of tea, then went up and swept out the bunkhouses (the work part of my stay). The climb out of Carter Notch wasn't nearly as bad as my profiles made it look. The ridge was good walking, up and down a bit, and windy in the exposed areas. Thee were also a fair number of people in the trail. As I had just started down from the last mountain (Mt Moriah) into the valley, Zippy and Switchback caught me. They were heading to the road, said they could get me into town, so I tried to keep up with them. Their normal pace is about the fastest I can manage to move - so where I was planning on getting to the shelter (1.5 miles from the road) at 1800, we actually got the the road at 1800. Just before 1900 I was at "The Barn" hostel, where I dropped my stuff, and then I went downtown for some dinner. I stuffed myself, and then came back to the barn to shower and do laundry. I didn't find a phone yet to call Tina - first thing tomorrow morn! Just went under 300 miles left - wow!
Date: 2004-08-11
To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: haze

A zero day yesterday, and a slow start today. I made some phone calls, ate breakfast, packed, mailed packages, grabbed a quick lunch, and also a ride back to the trail - finally getting going at 1130. Bandicoot and I hiked together today, with grand plans of getting to the NH/ME border and sleeping in Maine tonight. But we had reports (from SOBOers) that the last climb up Mt Success was steep and rocky, plus some rain and lightning, plus hunger, plus this is a really nice shelter, plus we had a late start...well, anyhow, here we are, and I'm happy! Had a huge dinner (potatos, ham, and 7-grain cereal for dessert, with tea). My pack is too heavy so I am trying to eat everything to lighten it up. Also had a cool light show (lightning) while I ate. Now it is about 2100, and fully dark. This shelter is built at 2160' next to a glacial pond, the stream running out is cascading down a crevasse, and the shelter looks out over that and into the vally beyond. It is a really great spot! It seems cool enough that I am daring to sleep in the shelter - hopefully the skeeters won't bother me!
Date: 2004-08-12
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Camping in Grafton Notch Picnic Area
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: haze

Nineteen miles in the Mahoosucs - including Mahoosuc Notch! Think we bit off more than we could chew. Started this morning at 0640, had 2 hours of break, and finished at 2200 fo 12 hours of hiking. Not terrible, considering that the 1.1 miles of Mahoosuc notch took 2 hours, and we hiked a lot in the rain. Don't think that I want to try that again. The highlight of the day was our hour and a half lunch at Full Goose Shelter. The second shelter would have been nice to stay at, but it is a fee area, so Bandicoot and I continued down to Grafton Notch. Long, kinda crummy day, but...we crossed into Maine - the last state! A little ray of hope in a rainy day!
Date: 2004-08-13
From: Camping in Grafton Notch Picnic Area

To: Andover Guest House - Andover, ME
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today started out tough - it rained hard last night, and I was a bit damp this morning. About 0200 the wind pulled one of my side tieouts loose, and the side of the hammock got soaked. I got up and re-tied it, but this morning everything was still pretty drippy. Bandicoot and I hiked up to the first shelter (about 2 miles) and sat down out of the rain to cook and eat. I felt better after that, and we continued hiking in the fog and rain, over Baldpate East Peak and West Peak, which were huge stone peaks, where we had to slab up the rock on one side, and back down on the other. There were slippery spots, and I could just see myself falling and sliding back down (several hundred yards) to the treeline. Fortunately the rock is rairly grippy, so we were ok. After the final descent off west peak, the trail began to improve and was pretty good by the time we reached Frye Notch Shelter for lunch. I was feeling quite good for the last 5 miles into East B Hill Road, passing by some spectacular waterfalls at Dunn Notch, which plummeted down about 100 ft. It was tough to photo, but I tried. We waited at the road for about 15 min, and finally someone came along (a carpenter in his work van) who gave us the 8 mile hitch into town to the PO. "The Cabin" hostel was full, so we ended up at "Andover Guest House," a B&B with a bunkroom for hikers. Nice place, and reasonable ($13). Had a nice dinner, and now try to dry out some tonight.
Date: 2004-08-14
From: Andover Guest House - Andover, ME

To: "The Cabin" hostel - East Andover, ME
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: few clouds

I wound up back in town tonight! Bandicoot and I were hitching back to the trail, and "Bear" from The Cabin found us and insisted that we slack the 10 miles to South Arm Road where he would pick us up and bring us back to his place. We couldn't refuse, so today was an easy day, knocking out a couple good climbs and descents, with light packs! It is supposed to rain hard tonight so it is nice to be inside, but tomorrow is the real question...guess I'll just have to wait and see. The rest of this coming week looks better. I suppose that as I get closer to finishing I am getting a bit more lazy, or maybe I am just trying to slowly reintegrate myself with society - who knows? Either way, I stay in town yet again - another hostel!
Date: 2004-08-15
From: "The Cabin" hostel in East Andover, ME

To: Bemis Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: overcast clouds

A nice, lazy morning. Up at 0630 and had coffee, an omlette, bacon, and two biscuits with butter and honey. Then I laid around some, checked the weather about a dozen times, called Tina for a bit, packed, and finally managed to get out to the trail at 1115. It was so nice at "The Cabin" with Honey and Bear, I didn't want to leave so soon, but my time is beginning to run short, and I must keep moving. The weather today was great! The storm must have just gotten pulled out to sea - there were blue skies and sun most of the day today. Had some nice views along the way, and a couple good climbs, but the terrain was mostly passable - still rocky and rooty, with mudpits, but we made ok time. Fixed lots of food tonite at the shelter, but I didn't get filled up...hmm, not sure but my appetite still seems to be expanding. My weight seems to be holding pretty well about 175#. I am going to have to be rather strict on my diet when I get off the trail, or I will put on weight like crazy.
Date: 2004-08-16
From: Bemis Mountain Lean-to

To: Gulf Pond Lodge
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

Made it all the way to Rangeley today - a bigger mile day. There wasn't too much up and down, only one real climb out of Bemis Stream, the rest of the way involved much dodging of rocks and roots, as well as mud puddles (or bogs). However it was, we made good time, but upon arriving in Rangeley we discovered that there is no "low cost" lodging option. So Bandicoot had to just resupply and move on to the shelter 1.6 miles farther north. It was necessary because he has to do some higher mileage days to get done "on time" (to meet his family on a weekend). I grabbed some dinner and called Bob at Gull Pond Lodge for a shuttle/bunk - and that's about the extent of my day. I got in too late for the mail, so I will have to do that in the morning. A nice day, but sort of bittersweet because I was enjoying hiking with Bandicoot.
Date: 2004-08-17
From: Gulf Pond Lodge

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

A great day today! Up at 0700, take my time eating a little breakfast, drinking coffee, and chatting with Tina and then Dad on the phone. The PO didn't open until 0930, so I had time, got packed and Bob took me back into town. First to the bank/ATM, then to the PO where we said bye. Got my mail all figured out, grabbed lunch at the Pine Tree Frosty - had a bacon double cheeseburger, and then ordered a sundae with Maine Deer Tracks ice cream (coffee ice cream with toffee pieces and fudge swirl). Got an easy hitch with 2 Marines in a government van - they got to give a Navy guy a ride for a change! The trail was good - 3 good climbs - up Saddleback, then the Horn, and finally Saddleback Junior. Nice views on the first two (above treeline) and aside from rocks, roots, and mud it wasn't too bad. There was a nice note from Bandicoot in the Piazza Roch Shelter register. I made almost 2 mph today. There is always water available around here, so no problems there. My platypus developed yet another leak today, so I bought a 1 1/2 L Nalgene bladder - that is all the "outfitter" had. I got to the shelter a little late (near 1900) so there wasn't too much time to fix and eat dinner. It is getting dim about 2000 now, as I lie here all cozy in my hammock.
Date: 2004-08-18
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

Another nice day today, but no views like yesterday (a bit hazy, limited vantage points). I was very hungry today - ate all my day food and then some, and fixed two dinners (I plan to do a partial resupply in Caratunk - a couple days before Monson). I am enjoying the cool weather, it is nice to have 60s in the middle of August! I can snuggle down into my bag at night instead of leaving it in the stow sack until the middle of the night. I skinned a knee for the first time on this hike. Stepped over a rock and the leg that followed didn't clear, so... It isn't too bad but I was a bit unhappy with myself. I am going to try and get up a little early tomorrow morning and get a few extra miles in. Then Friday I think that I'll put in a really big day. And Saturday will put me in Caratunk! Do some extra miles and get myself ahead a little. Speaking of miles... today I went under 200 miles left to go! Wow, soon I will be over 2000 miles completed - Big wow!
Date: 2004-08-19
From: Crocker Cirque Campsite

To: Large rock overhang near Safford Notch - bivy
Miles today: 17.6

Well, I've always thought it would be neat to sleep under a rock, so tonight I am! I hiked at a good pace today - arriving at ME27 about 1035 to find Ishmael waiting on Coyote and PA Mule (who were at the campsite with me last night). He had some soda, fruit, and cookies, which he shared with me - kinda an early lunch! That sugar helped get me up to the Bigelow Ridge - which are the last major mountains for a while (until Monson). I stopped at the Horns Pond Shelter for a break (it also looked like rain) and talked with the caretaker a bit. Moving on I went over South Horn, Bigelow West Peak, and Avery Peak - then began descending to Safford Notch. A thunderstorm opened up just after I began descending, and I thought about hiking after dark to get to the next shelter, or just stopping at the campsite as I had planned. I happened upon a very large overhanging rock - which looked so inviting that I decided to stay the night. After all, what good is camping in the rain when you can be under cover?
Date: 2004-08-20
From: Large rock overhang near Safford Notch - bivy

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept ok last night - woke a few times to everpresent mice scurrying around me, and the ground was a little uncomfortable, but it worked! Hiked hard today (maybe too hard) - I stopped twice for snacks and water, and otherwise just moved right along, cranking out 22 miles in about 9 hours. Some areas of easy walking today, but I had lots of rock and root hopping. By the time I got to the shelter tonight, I was stumbling and moving kinda slow. I really needed some food and rest, so I fixed a double dinner, snacked and watched the sun move across the lake - very relaxing. I went out to my hammock for the night because of the bugs in the shelter. A long day and an early night. Broke the 2000 mile mark today! About 0830 this morning I climbed Little Bigelow Mountain, got some nice views, and shortly thereafter hit 2K miles.
Date: 2004-08-21
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: moderate rain

It started raining not too long after dark last night, and rained all thru the night. I was a little slow getting going (lack of motivation caused by extreme humidity) but got in gear about 0800. The trail was a bit rough, following the stream down toward the Kennebec River. Got there at 0925, and I am sure I could have forded the river if I wanted to, but the canoe ferry was there (hours 9-11 and 2-4 daily) so what the heck! Also, Steve Longley, the operator, was just turning over to another guy, so he gave me a ride up to Northern Outdoors, which is a rafting/adventure resort. They have a restaurant, and all the amenities a hiker needs (shower, laundry, phone). So after eating all I could, cleaning up, and calling Tina, I went back down the road to Rivers and Trails (Steve's place) to buy some supplies and debate staying or moving on. I fixed some mac and cheese for dinner, the rain tapered off, and I hit the trail again at 1720 - to slog 5.7 miles to this shelter, ariving just before dark at 1945. Put up my hammock and settled in for the night.
Date: 2004-08-22
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a day of excess. Got up excessively late, it was excessively cold. Hiked excessively fast, took excessively long breaks. Ate way too many blueberries on top of Moxie Bald, with the weather just way too nice. Went a long ways, over very nice trail, but there were mud bogs about every hundred yards. However if the shoes got muddy, no problem, had almost a dozen streams/rivers that I had to ford, so they got washed off (and over and through). I felt excessively happy today - as it was beautiful and I felt like I was making progress (big miles) but I'm excessively tired tonight from hiking all this way, and getting in kinda late.
Date: 2004-08-23
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Shaw's Hostel - Monson, ME
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

A shorter, more fun day. Bandicoot, Sugardaddy, and Meerkat hiked into Monson with me today - then they all left and hiked on while I stayed. The "official" road into Monson is a dirt toad with grass growing up in the middle, and the chances of getting a hitch are slim. So most folks go the extra 3 miles or so to ME 15 which is a modern 2 lane asphalt road, which is farther away from town, but actually has traffic on it. We got a hitch in about 10 min with a nice guy in a pickup (four smelly, wet, and muddy hikers - no fancy cars need apply) who got us to the PO just in time to get our mail before it closed for lunch. We then met Keith Shaw, who took us back up the road to a gas station/short order grill where we lunched and sorted thru all our mail. Everyone else took off, and I went back to town, got a bunk, showered and had a family style dinner (AYCE) with the Shaw's. Went back to the gas station to call Tina (the only pay phone in town), and now just looking to head to bed! Big day tomorrow - heading into the 100 mile wilderness, and going under 100 miles left in my journey!
Date: 2004-08-24
From: Shaw's Hostel - Monson, ME

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

A wonderful first day to start the 100 mile wilderness! Had a big breakfast at Shaws - then hurried about getting packed, mail - all that good stuff. Had a light lunch, and got some more fuel for my stove. Then got movin on the trail about 1345. Had to hike pretty steady to knock out the 10 miles to the shelter before dark. There were several nice streams and a waterfall, as well as lakes (which are the Maine signature feature) with clear water and rocky shores. An easy hike today, I can only hope that the weater stays nice and the trails good!
Date: 2004-08-25
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

It is the beginning of the ending - one week left today. Also, this morning I crossed under the 100 mile mark - so now I am a double digit midget! Nice trails today, a couple moderate climbs, and a bit of mud, as well as one river fording. The weater was so nice today that it seemed shameful to be hiking - I wanted to find a ledge somewhere that I could look out over the valley and lakes, and just soak up the sun. The shelter tonite is very quiet - no stream gurgling or wind rustling - and I guess the cool weather keeps the insects quiet. I can hear every pine needle that falls on the roof, and even my breathing seems a bit loud.