morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-09-25
From: Piazza Lean-To to Spaulding Lean-To

To: Spaulding MountainLean-To to ME27 (Stratton, ME)
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

w/Rowboat9:15pm...Cops...Resisting Arrest I think my body is falling apart...or that's what it feels like, at least. Either I'm still recovering from some of my big mile days or the fact that I've been walking for about 5 months might be catching up to me...or a little of both. All I know is that I hurt and have been for the past couple of days. But I'm done complaining...for now. Another day in paradise, though. A little hazy and hot, both being kind of wierd for this time of year, but I'm not complaining. We've been going up and down, from mountain range to mountain range for quite some time. Tomorrow may be the last day of that for a while...the Bigalows. Then it's clear sailing to Monson. That's assuming our slackpack for tomorrow works out...20 bones a piece is pretty steep. And we're not sure if it includes a ride back on Monday and 40 bucks a piece seems even more steep for a day hike...I don't know...I guess what will happen will happen. I'd much rather be walking on a trail covered with multi-colored, crunchy leaves . Autumn has been really cool so far. The leaves changing and their smell...[smile and shiver]...I love this crap! So, I saw this day hiker on my way down to the road, and he was really entranced by my "thru-hiker" status that he asked me if I needed anything...anything at all. I just looked at him and said, "nothing but some money." Dude looked at me and told me he would if he had some because he "knows how it is" or something...but as he was saying that, I was telling him I was totally kidding. It was funny, but he was nice though and said he'd give us a ride into town if we couldn't find one by the time he got back down. We found one...without even thumbing it! Just crossing the street, a mini-van stopped for us...wierd. So, we're staying at the White Wolf Inn, and, as I'm laying here, watching "The Matrix" on TNT, we just decided to screw the slack...it's not worth 40 bones! Looks like I get my rest day afterall...and I know my body needs it! Hopefully I won't go crazy, though...I really wanted to hike. Only two more weeks!In my head? Sleep for an entire night sounds "so gooooood!" [said in my best Rowe voice]
Date: 2004-09-26
From: Spaulding MountainLean-To to ME27 (Stratton, ME)

To: Chillin' in Stratton, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

w/Rowboat, Eric & Jess10:40pm...I know kung-fu...show me Well, seeing as how our slack fell through, I still made the most of the day. I still can't sleep in very late...damn that internal clock thing! So, I was up and walking to a sweet breakfast buffet that wasn't a buffet by 8 this morning...but it was still some really good food. I love breakfast . Really, I just bummed around, wrote some letters, cleaned some clothes, corrupted some hikers into staying, finished a book, and ate some dinner...all in a good, lazy day's work. The people that run the White Wolf Inn are kind of wierd. I can't really put a finger on it. But they are nice (in that wierd sort of way) and the place is nice and they have a damn good burger! It was cool to have a pool of blood next to my pool of katsup! Anyways, on to the Bigalows tomorrow...hopefully resting today will help with the gruelingness. We'll see...I still feel kind of tired and my legs still kind of hurt. Maybe all I need is to climb a big mountain . But I'm anxious to be back in the woods. Maine is too gorgeous to be cooped up in a small town! I'd rather be walking . And I gotta GIT 'ER DOOOOONE!!In my head? Two weeks from today, I'll be chillin' like a villian on top of Katadhin!
Date: 2004-09-27
From: Chillin' in Stratton, ME

To: ME27 to Little Bigelow Mountain
Miles today: 13.4

w/Rowboat8:53pm...turn off the night light Nothing ends a day better than sitting on top of a mountain, watching the sun set and the full moon rise...then just laying out your sleeping pad right there and going to bed...after cooking dinner, of course. Well, that's what we did tonight. Rowboat and I were trying to push for the shelter, in the dark, when we came to this rock overlook and decided to stay..."cowboy camping", he calls it. I didn't mind, in fact, I was hoping to do the same thing and it's good to have the company. And boy is it gorgeous! You can't see many stars because the moon's so bright (I gotta wear shades ), but the moon does light up the entire valley below! So cool. Only 13 more days left and we really are trying to make the most of it. We got a late start as usual this morning, but the post office didn't open til 9:30, so we had no choice. But I finally got my mail and a little something from my girl...we're having a Disney-thon when I get home! Did you know that the signature on all the Disney stuff isn't really Walt's? I guess they changed it so it looked more flowing and stuff...or at least that's the word on the streets. Anyway, we got started on another beautiful day at noon and started climbing the Bigelow's. Great views of Flagstaff Lakes and just all around. And the colors just keep getting better. I can't wait to see what it looks like in a week or so! And talk about bunny suicides, Bunny jumped out of my pack today and I was in such a zone that I didn't check on him for a while before I realized he was gone. I had to walk almost a mile back before I saw Rowboat, who had picked him up for me. Phew!...I was almost getting freaked out, too. I saw a bunch of really friendly people today too...and of course I talked to them all for a while. Eh, that's what I do. I saw one guy who, once he got to Monson, he'd be done with his section hike of the entire AT, and two other guys out on a 25th anniversary hike of their thru-hike. And I saw three other dayhikers, one dude and a couple of ladies. All nice people and fun to talk to. It's things like that that I'm going to miss when I leave the trail. But enough bittersweetness, I'm going to get back to enjoying this wonderful evening. Eric and Jess just passed by on their way to the shelter. They were night hiking tonight, and I have to admit that it'd be fun to do so tonight...full moon, clear sky, what more could you want?In my head? My knees need a break!
Date: 2004-09-28
From: ME27 to Little Bigelow Mountain

To: Little Bigelow Mountain to Pierce Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

w/Rowboat, Eric & Jess, Brood X8:50pm...we're all ears Sleeping on top of Little Bigelow was great last night, but being greeted by one of the best sunrises I've seen so far, just topped it off. I figured out this morning, though, that one of the rocks jabbing into my right shoulder last night could've been moved...oh well, since when did I need sleep. So, Maine does have a softer side, and we saw it today. It's been so long since we've had any, actual, flat terrain that I almost cried. Oh, and the lakes! We walked around three of them today, including the one I'm sleeping next to tonight...and no rain!...so much for Jean. I started feeling tired toward the end of today, so I busted out the radio and figured out that we're really in the middle of nowhere...I got one station. At least it was a rock station, but it soon faded. Then tonight, I found the wonder of AM radio and radio Disney! I used to listen to that station a lot in Chicago in the city truck that only got AM...it's good stuff. I listened to the world premier of Hillary Duff's new self-titled album!...ooo. Hey, speaking of good stuff, Eric & Jess got engaged yesterday! They're so cute , but I really like them so I wish them all the best. Besides, if they can survive this thru-hiking thing, I'm sure they'll have no problems with marraige. Well, tomorrow, after my breakfast of 12 pancakes and sausage and eggs and stuff, I make my break for Monson so I can be there by Thursday in order to hopefully catch Sheriff. AND I get to cross a river on a ferry! All in a days work for a hiker!In my head? Hoping to catch Sheriff and Statler & Waldorf...but the next couple days are going to be rough!
Date: 2004-09-29
From: Little Bigelow Mountain to Pierce Pond Lean-To

To: Pierce Pond Lean-To to Bald Mountain Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: overcast clouds

w/Rowboat, Rooster, Guy, Eric & Jess (who just strolled in!)8:18pm...all ahead full! From start to finish, it's been quite a stellar day. The pancake breakfast at the Harrison Camps was phenominal. I was expecting normal pancakes, but we were wowed with fruity, buckwheat pancakes with apples and blueberries and stuff in them...mmmmmmm, was it just wonderful. Props to Tim and Fran! After that we were all set to begin our day...with a canoe ride! We had to cross the Kennennbeck River and it's too deep and too wide to ford, so they operate a ferry across for all hikers. I got to sit in front and paddle as the ferry dude shouted fake ship commands at me. He was cool, and he even gave us a ride to a store (which just happened to be his) so we could get some supplies. Speaking of supplies, we found a hiker-box on the way to the P.O. in Caratunk. Opening it, I found a number of goodies including, but not limited to poptarts, pepsi, ramen...and one of MY turkey trail dinners! Complete with my moms typed label and everything! So, some of my food made it to Caratunk before me...wierd, huh? Someone must have picked it up in a box that I left it in and saw something they liked better and dupped it. Oh well, their loss. I even solved the "Aaron Schoenberg mystery." Apparently, he's someone from New York (state) who's been following my journal. But he was in the area doing some hiking and thought he'd try to help a brotha out. Anyway, I saw him today on his way south...that's about it really. So, everyone and their brothers- uncles-cousin-twice-removed is summiting on the 9th or 10th, like me. I guess if I can't catch the Sheriff, I'm bound to summit with someone I know. But I still hope he's around the Monson area...I guess I'll find out tomorrow when I hit my last trail town! It's all starting to get pretty bittersweet...but I've got too much in my head to explain. So, it's off to bed so I can get enough time to bust out the 22 to Monson. Early morning hiking is actually really peaceful...and probably cold. After all it is fall in Maine, contrary to the current weather. But that can stay for as long as it wants...like 11 days .In my head? Emails from cute girls!! Yay!
Date: 2004-09-30
From: Pierce Pond Lean-To to Bald Mountain Brook Lean-To

To: Bald Mountain Lean-To to ME17
Miles today: 22.0

w/Rowboat11:30pm... What can I say?...just another day in paradise. With the exception of getting up WAY too early (5:50), not sleeping to well because my sleeping bag can't handle the cold and almost falling asleep while hiking, the day couldn't have gotten much better. I saw 3 mooses, walked along a gorge and flat river, and even sat for a while next to it and ate lunch. Listening to the gurgle-slosh-slosh, or whatever sound a river makes was wonderful. But it's amazing that, way up here, you can still hear the sound of construction. We heard something bulldozer-ish from across the river. I don't think it was logging, because they don't use dozers very often. Whatever it was, it was loud and smelly . All in all, we made it to Monson alright. We even saw the "warning- bring-enough-food-or-you'll-die" sign for the infamous Hundred Mile Wilderness. But we got a ride lickety-split from a couple of fishermen coming back from their day trip, whose truck was parked in the parking lot...talk about timing...and were dropped off at the Pie Lady's house. Her house had no lights on, but she greeted us at the door and gave us the run down before she went to bed...we get breakfast in the morning with french toast!! So, I made some dinner, took a shower, found out my phone doesn't work and went to find a payphone. Well, Rowboat found it first, but as I was sitting outside the Mobile, waiting for it, this nice gal came out of the store and asked if I wanted to use her phone...sure! Turned out to be Lindy, the message therapy gal who owns and runs a hostel in town as well. Worked out really well, because no one was there (the forty billion hikers that were all in town yesterday and the day before all left today!) and I got to call my mom and talk to my girl for as long as I wanted! Good thing, too, because I'm not sure when I'll be able to talk to her again...until I'm done, that is! So yeah, I've got about 8 days left of hiking...boy, does that seem wierd. And this is my last trail town, with only a little more than 100 miles left! I'm so excited, I may not be able to....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....In my head? Man, I should've kept my sleeping bag when I had the chance....dumbass!
Date: 2004-10-01
From: Bald Mountain Lean-To to ME17

To: Monson, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

w/Eric & Jess11:30something...single digits Chilling in town is like a double-edged sword. On one side the rest is good and the food is even better, but that's about it. On the other side, it was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, I really wanted to enjoy being outside hiking...and I'm only 7 days away from being done! But The Pie Lady has been really great. Breakfast this morning was scrumpcious, and she is just the nicest lady you've ever met...too bad this is her last season. I guess she's been doing this for like 16 years or so, but she just doesn't have the energy for it anymore. I helped her move some of her stuff to her new apartment, and she's got a huge house which equates to a lot of stuff! But it made me realize that I may be one of the last people to enjoy her hospitality. Next years crop will surely miss out. And Monson is the perfect little town. Everyone knows each other, people say "hi", and they even have a bluegrass jam on Friday nights in the local general store. How small can you get! I guess the only downfall is the amount of traffic, especially the logging trucks, that come through town. I've been seeing trucks full of cut timber tromp through town almost every hour! Where does it all come from!?! But as nice and quaint as this place is, I'm ready to be gone...I'm ready to be finished. With only 7 days left, everyday will be a high-on-the-adrenaline-of-anticipation day. I'm just going to be flying for this last week...just flying...wings and all!In my head? This might be the heaviest my pack has weighed in a LONG time!
Date: 2004-10-02
From: ME15

To: wilson valley lean-to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

w/ Brood X, Rooster, Guy8:15pm...riding the wings of anticipation Odd how things never change. I'm in my last trail town with only 7 days untilI'm finished and able to go home...and I still find myself reluctant to leavetown. But I did, not until after 2, though. Monson has a comfortability about itthat makes you not want to leave. That and Eric and Jess had to stay for anotherday, because Jess's knee hurts. I'm bummed because I really like them (trying tosound as unfoolish as possible...not happening though, right?) and I was hopingto hike with them for my last bit...and I still probably will. They're summitingthe same day as me, Saturday the 9th...next Saturday...a week from today...ONLY6 DAYS AWAY! I must be looking forward to it or something because I dreamed about my lastweek down to 5 days left. It was pretty weird, I slew some dragons, found sometreasure, hung out with my stepsister at her college...all while walking.Impressive, huh? Ooo, ooo, here comes our rain...should be the last one for this week,hopefully. I know we're all praying for this wonderful weather to continue untilwe're done, but we'll just see about that...I hope it does. Well, the sloth that I am, I was up watching Last Call with Carsen, don't askwhy, so I didn't sleep much but I slept good. And I got my warmer sleeping bagtoo, so...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...but not so much. I think I maystart reminiscing tomorrow...In my head? just 6 more days!
Date: 2004-10-03
From: wilson valley lean-to

To: chairback gap lean-to
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

w/ Brood X, Traildawg, Rooster, Guy7:55pm...anybody here seen my old friend john? One mountain down, only 2 more to go...both tomorrow, but then it's clearsailing to the Big K! Today had it's ups and downs...really, that's all it was,just up...and down...and up...and down. Nothing really exciting, this kind ofday is always draining. I did see my first deer in a REALLY long time, though,and some waterfalls. Oh, and the 100 Mile Wilderness my ass. I've passed so many roads and ATVtrails and side trails to parking lots already...so much for being the mostremote part of the trail. So there is a (supposedly) really cool 5 mile side trail that goes around ahuge gorge said to be the "Grand Canyon of the Northeast." I'm debating if Ihave the drive to do it or not. I have the time and the food...aahhh, I don'tknow. I think I may just want to save it for when/if I return to this place.Really, I think I just want to stay on course to getting this thing done...staythe course...1000 points of light and all that jazz. Yeah, my sleeping bag rocks! I slept great...even after I had to get up to gopee. And it really cooled off after the rain stopped, and the sky cleared andthe moon came out. I can't wait to sleep good again tonight...and I'll probablyhave, yet, another hiking dream. I must really want to be done .In my head? nothing but a lot of random daydreams
Date: 2004-10-04
From: chairback gap lean-to

To: sidney tappan campground
Miles today: 11.7

w/no one but me and that weird sound outside7:45pm...stopping here, my ass! So, I'm having a difficult time figuring if my day was good or bad. Itstarted out with me breaking my last pair of contacts...and they're only a weekold! I was pretty pissed, because now I have to wear my crappy-ass glasses formy final 5 days. I can't see for crap out these things...yeah, I guess I'll haveto deal. And deal I did, so I decided to take the Gulf Hagas Trail for aspin..."Grand Canyon of the East" my ass! It was really just a river gorge, butit was kind of deep. It kind of reminded me of some of the gorges in Colorado,but they must not have very many gorges around here. But it was pretty cool with5 decent-sized waterfalls. But I missed the Hermitage...a stand of old growthwhite pine! White pines can get HUGE too, so that would've been a sight to see,especially for a tree dork like myself . Was it worth the extra 5 miles and the time spent? Aahhhh, I guess so. But itreminded me of the days I felt hectic from getting behind. I thought I wasrunning out of time, so I booked it the rest of the way back. Really it justpushed my 17 mile day and my last big mountain back to tomorrow, so I had thetime. What the extra mileage did do was remind that I'm just sick of walking andI want to be done. I'm just sick of kicking, tripping over, slipping on, andgetting my sticks stuck in every stinking root and rock from Georgia to Maine.I'm looking forward to the day when I don't have to get up in the morning andclimb a mountain. I'm just tired of this way of life and ready to back to the norm. But I havegotten a change of pace tonight...I'm all alone at a campground that some hikersthought that they'd be staying at. No worries, they probably just got hereearlier than they thought and moved on. I guess I've got nothing better to dothan listen to some Nightly News and some radio and head off to bed. Sounds goodto me, I've got a big day tomorrow...only 4 DAYS LEFT!! Oh, and I think I saw Katadhin today! Oooooh man, is it big!In my head? yeah, I'm ready to be done
Date: 2004-10-05
From: sidney tappan campground

To: cooper brook
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: broken clouds

w/ just me again8pm...I didn't really mean it! Nothing says good morning like a slight dusting of snow on theground...right? Damn, am I glad I waited in Monson for my warmer sleeping bag,because it's supposed to be another nipple-rocket-er tonight. It was even coldenough this morning that my camera didn't work (just what I needed too...first Iwon't be able to see my last days and now I can't immortalize them in film! Whatnext?...I break my leg?). I even had to wear pants AND a long sleeve shirt! It stayed chilly for the entire day, even when the sky cleared and there wasnothing but blue. But I jst enjoyed it and cruised along the even terrain on myway to Katadhin. Made for a great day of hiking...even reminded me of my first day on thetrail. Boy have things changed since that day! Back then I would've wigged outif I didn't see anyone all day and I would've been afraid of camping alone. Now,I almost revel in both! Especially tonight, I just feel so comfortable justthrowing my tent up beside the creek for the evening...laying on top a bed ofspruce bows, listening to the babbling of the brook. Never thought I'd befinding myself starting to miss this. One thing I won't miss is hiking with glasses. I was sitting by a small pondeating lunch and watching a moose. It took me half an hour to realize that themoose hadn't moved and that it was really an antler-shaped tree next to a bigstump! It's not my fault!...it was really far away! Now everything, from afar,looks like a moose...damn glasses. I'm down to 3 days now. I'm heading to White House Landing tomorrow for mylast resupply...assuming my box got there. I get to blow an airhorn and flyacross a lake in a boat to get there! I'm pretty excited abou that. But I'mhoping to get in and out tomorrow to cut my last 2 days shorter...we'll see.What happens happens. Bbrrrrrr, time to bundle up!In my head? I sure hope my mail in there tomorrow.
Date: 2004-10-06
From: cooper brook

To: White House Landing Campground
Miles today: 10.1

w/Sanguine, Wol Li, Colin6:35pm...stuck on mail, still What is there to say about a short, easy day? Hey, that rhymes! And if that'sthe amount of excitement in my day then I'm really in trouble. But wait, there'smore. I saw Katadhin for sure today. Oooooh man, is it big and beautiful and thefun we shall have! Ooo, and I got to blow an airhorn and ride in a boat. I had to to get toWhite House Landing, where I got sucked into staying. As expected, it got reallycold last night, so I didn't sleep that well, even with the new bag, and thethought of a bed was just too inviting. Well, that and the full pound burger(sucker was HUGE!), the ice cream, and the huge breakfast I'm getting in themorning...what's a man supposed to do, eh? And, although my mail didn't arrive,I still only had to spend like 5 bucks on food for the next 2 days...I'M DOWN TO2 DAYS!! I can validate my stay by saying that I'm strengthening up for myfinal, well, 3 days really. I've got two big days ahead and I'll be summiting onthe 3rd day, but a bunch of people that I know summited today. I even got avoice mail from Swix today from the top of Katadhin! And besides, my mom canpick up my mail on Friday when she gets to Milinocket, so I'm set. And Bill and Linda are just megly-nice. Linda had some extra cucumbers andtomtoes left over, freshly picked of course, so she made us a little salad withblsamic vinager. She also made us some special apple pie, also with freshlypicked apples, with ice cream even....mmm, mmm, good. It'll all be well worth it, even though I'll be getting a later starttomorrow than I would like. Especially, since I'll be able to get to bed reallyearly tonight...you have no idea how tired I am! I must have slept worse than Ithought. So, on that note, it's time to polish off the ice cream and go to bedwith the too full feeling...a feeling I'm not likely to get for a long, longtime when I'm back in the "real" world.In my head? Man, you get really tired when you have to walk around a lot ofrocks and roots!...even when it's flat!